BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- The board of trustees at Whatcom Community College is set to adopt a budget Wednesday that could mean longer lines and larger class sizes for students.

WCC Vice President for Administrative Services Ray White says the budget proposal addresses a nearly 15 percent decrease in state funding, as well as a big increase in student enrollment.


“We’re up more than 30 percent - we expect even more growth next year - that’s a result of the economy,” said White.

He says the college expects to take in $2.4-million less than last year, and will use reserve funds, tuition increases and service cuts to meet the demand.

A state-mandated tuition hike of 12 percent means the cost to attend Whatcom would go up by about $136 per quarter.