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WHEREAS, Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) has been an important educational institution to our city and citizens since its establishment in 1965; and
WHEREAS, CCP is the third largest institution of higher education in Philadelphia and the fifth largest in Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, CCP offers over 70 degree and certificate programs in art, science, business, technology and liberal arts; and, also provides customized courses for business and industry; and
WHEREAS, CCP offers educational and career opportunities to a diverse student body where the median age is 26, 65% are women, nearly 50% are African-American, and 15% are Latino; and
WHEREAS, An impressive 80% of CCP's students in career programs are employed, and 78% of these are employed in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, According to 2002 data, the average salary of a CCP career program graduate was $35,059; and
WHEREAS, CCP plays an integral part in the City's economy both as an educator, customized job trainer, and employer with a $60 million annual payroll; and
WHEREAS, The state legislation which originally established the Community College System envisioned a shared funding plan for all community colleges with one-third funded by the State, one-third funded by the City, and one-third funded by student tuition and fees; and
WHEREAS, While this funding formula for community colleges has been revised over the years, the state legislation continues to cap the percentage of each college's operating budget funded by student tuition at one-third; and
WHEREAS, The City has seriously under-funded the Community College of Philadelphia for many years, and is currently providing only 19.2% of CCP's operating budget; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth's present funding represents 30.4% of CCP's operating budget, and thus the overwhelming financial burden has been placed on the college's student body who are presently covering over 47% of the operating budget in tuition and high fees; and
WHEREAS, As a result of this under-funding by the City, increasing financial burdens are imposed on CCP's student body with CCP having the highest tuition and fees of all community colleges within Southeastern Pennsylvania which creates barriers on enrollments, especially by adult part-time students who generally do not qualify for state or federal aid; and
WHEREAS, It is, therefore, incumbent upon the City to increase its financial contribution to this important educational and economic asset, as well as, to increase educational and career opportunities by helping to significantly lower the cost of tuition and fees; and
WHEREAS, Over a five-year period, Philadelphia can gradually increase its shared cost of funding to Community College to 33 percent with an investment of approximately $21.5 million; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby propose an amendment to Bill No. 060003 which provides for the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2007 and a corresponding amendment to Res. No. 060019 which provides for the Five-Year Financial Plan to increase the City's contribution to Community College of Philadelphia in order to achieve 33 percent City funding in five years.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT
BILL NO. 060003
Amend Bill, Page 9, Section 2.41 to read as follows:
2.41
TO THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE -
COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA
Contributions, Indemnities and Taxes------
$22,467,924
$26,396,989
_____________
Total
$22,467,924
$26,396,989
FY07-FY11 Cost to Achieve City Funding of Community College in Five Years
Fiscal Year
% of City Funding
Total City Funding
Annual Increase
2006
18.8%
$22,467,924
2007
21.6%
$26,396,989
$3,929,065
2008
24.4%
$30,518,875
$4,121,886
2009
27.3%
$34,834,878
$4,316,002
2010
30.1%
$38,846,851
$4,011,973
2011
33.9%
$44,002,325
$5,151,474
TOTAL
$21,534,400
End