Community colleges' role in economy touted

COUNCIL BLUFFS — Community colleges are becoming more important in the creation of good-paying jobs, school and government officials said Tuesday.

Changes, however, are needed in how the colleges are funded, they said. More local control of funding decisions is also a priority.

U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell, D-Iowa, and Dan Kinney, president of Iowa Western Community College, led a round-table discussion on the current state and the future of community colleges.

"Community colleges are a savior," Boswell said. "People can be retrained and get back on their feet. I'm committed to community colleges. We need to get people back to work."

Economists are saying that community colleges are going to be the key to improving the job climate, Kinney said.

Unfortunately, he said, community college students are paying more out of pocket for their education than those in four-year colleges. He said studies show that 58 percent of the cost of running community colleges comes from tuition.

"At state universities, I'm certain it is less than that," Kinney said. "I definitely do want to see changes."

Elected officials need to better examine the uneven burden on community college students, he said.

"To me, community college students are treated as second-class citizens," Kinney said. "They are just as important to the future of our country."

According to figures provided during the discussion, more state aid per student — $2,575 — is offered at private colleges than per student — $1,948 — at community colleges.

"Nothing against private colleges, but all ships must rise together," said Jack Kibbie, president of the Iowa Senate.

Local community college boards must also have more authority on funding streams and where they should go, Kinney said.

The discussion was held at Iowa Western.

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