EDUCATON IS A SERVICE INDUSTRY

As Vice President of Business and Operations for Iowa Western Community College Tom Johnson is well aware of the trend of increasing student enrollment in Iowa community colleges. Johnson stated that during his nearly 13 years at IWCC there has been nearly $70 in renovation and new construction. Construction of a new dormitory wing is to begin very soon. Of the current 5200 IWCC students, there are about 3000 full time students and 650 who live on campus. Johnson said that IWCC is the 4^th or 5^th largest IA community college and there are several exciting program changes underway. There is a new instrumental music program that is attracting increasing numbers of students. There are expanded offerings of on-line degree programs in cooperation with six other community colleges. There is greater cooperation with IA universities. There are expanded reciprocity agreements with regional colleges in NE and IA. Johnson noted that these changes have resulted in increased funding from the state to community colleges compared to that for universities. Because education is a service industry, about 85% of the budget goes for salaries and benefits. Student costs are about $7000 per year to live on campus.