Guest View: President of LTCC board urges yes vote on Prop. 92

The Feb. 5 ballot offers an opportunity for voters to lower community college fees (tuition) and ensure that the California Community Colleges (CCC) receive a fair share of state budget funds.

This is a historic opportunity to make college education a reality for millions of Californians by voting yes on Proposition 92 - the Community College Initiative. I urge you to support it to benefit our local students and for the long-term stability of Lake Tahoe Community College. The measure will not increase taxes, but it does contain a provision that ensures community colleges receive a fair share of funds already set aside in the state budget for education.

The measure has been designed to reduce enrollment fees at Lake Tahoe Community College from $13 per quarter hour to $10 per quarter hour ($15 per semester hour at most colleges) and limit future increases to an annual cost-price index.

The legislature raised these fees in 2003 and 2004 by 64 percent and 44 percent respectively, driving almost 300,000 students out of community colleges. Given the value of higher education to the future work force and the economy of California, this was a tragic loss for the people of this state and a mistake that Proposition 92 seeks to ensure will not happen again.

Did you know that 70 percent of all Californians attending college are enrolled in one of the state's 110 community colleges? Did you know that two of every three graduates of California state universities begin their higher education at a community college? Did you know the LTCC Foundation provides up to two years of free tuition at LTCC to local high school students who graduate with a 3.0 GPA or higher?

For many of our residents, Lake Tahoe Community College is the only opportunity they have to access higher education. The college provides training that leads to careers in law enforcement, nursing, firefighting and many other vocational areas.

Our students transfer to universities throughout California and Nevada, as well as campuses across the United States. Without access to our local community college, it would often be financially impossible for these students to begin or complete their education. The college is one of the main economic engines of this community and contributes significantly to the quality of life in South Lake Tahoe.

With a yes vote, you have the opportunity to lower student fees and take politics out of funding for community colleges without raising your taxes. Vote yes on Proposition 92 on Feb. 5.

- Roberta Mason is president of the Lake Tahoe Community College Board of Trustees.