STUDENTS VOICE THOUGHTS AMID CUTS, AVID TERMINATION

Here is what you might have missed on campus regarding the budget crisis. Students joined staff in a joint effort to lobby the MHCC Board of Education by showing support for AVID and the Transitions program. During the most recent meeting, students and faculty provided testimonials to the board.

Students shared personal stories highlighting the AVID center’s transformative impact on their academic and personal lives. Some described how AVID provided personal coaching, academic skills and resource navigation beyond content tutoring.

“AVID provides a ‘safe space’ and ‘family’ for students facing significant life challenges,” one student said. This and other testimonials emphasized that AVID was more than a tutoring service; it has been a lifeline for many Mt. Hood Community College students.

The board moved forward Thursday with updates concerning the college’s financial outlook, including tuition adjustments. Students can expect an increase of $4.75 per credit — a 3.7% hike for in-state tuition for the 2026-27 academic year.

Board members are heavily debating the increase due to concerns over student fees. However, MHCC’s reserve funds are lower than current spending levels, leading to budget cuts and the potential removal of less-populated programs. While meetings continue, students should prepare for higher costs starting in the fall term.

One proposal would be to combine the college’s two tutoring services into one while maintaining AVID-based training. This could involve keeping the AVID program and absorbing Learning Success Center (LSC) staff, or adopting the AVID system into the LSC to save on franchise costs. This would allow MHCC to retain its tutors while integrating a system that provides a better student-to-staff environment.

I challenge the MHCC Board of Education with a neutral question: “Would it be possible to install methods like those mentioned above, and what would be the fiscal impact on the rest of the college?”

With so many emotional testimonies relayed by students, making a stable decision is difficult. However, the board must find a balance between empathy and fiscal responsibility.

As for a follow-up on the Integrated Metals program, more data is needed before the college proceeds. Be on the lookout for the next issue of The Advocate for updates.