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Huron approves higher student support fee for Huron Community Campus
Summary
The Huron City Commission approved raising the campus support fee charged to Huron Community Campus students from $20 to $31.85 per credit hour so Northern State University can collect the charge and the campus can align with Board of Regents satellite-campus policy.
The Huron City Commission on May 21 approved raising the student support fee charged at the Huron Community Campus from $20 to $31.85 per credit hour and authorized staff to proceed with the change so Northern State University can collect the fee.
The increase, explained by Doug Pitz, community campus superintendent, brings the campus fee in line with Board of Regents policy for satellite campuses. Pitz told commissioners the change is intended to streamline billing: Northern State will collect the fee through its myNSU system and the city will invoice Northern State for the city’s portion. "It would eliminate 1 invoice coming to us," Pitz said, describing the operational benefit of moving collection to the university.
City staff said the Board of Regents set the $31.85 minimum rate for satellite campus fees in April, and the change is part of negotiating a renewed memorandum of understanding with Northern State. Pitz said the fee increase is not tuition; it is a campus support fee tied to satellite-campus policy and to how Northern State handles fee collection.
Commissioners asked about the student impact and how the amount compares with other delivery options. Pitz gave an example: a three-credit class at the new fee level would result in an increase of about $35.55 compared with the prior $20-per-credit arrangement (three credits × $11.85 increase = $35.55). He also said the total out-of-pocket cost for a three-credit class, combining tuition and the new fee, was about $215.55 under current pricing and that the campus remains cheaper than some alternatives, including some online and dual-credit arrangements.
After discussion, the commission voted to approve the fee change. Roll call recorded Smith, Wainwright, Craig, Harvey and Mayor Robich voting "aye." The commission directed staff to continue negotiating the broader MOU with Northern State and to return with the final packet later this summer.
The fee change takes effect as the city and Northern State align administrative processes; the commission will consider the complete MOU when it returns for final approval.
