CCP Students Pay Technology Fee Without Equal Access to Support

M.P. Hassel

January 24, 2025

Students at the Northeast Regional Campus (NERC) are questioning whether they are receiving the same tech benefits as those on Main Campus. The technology fee applies to all students, regardless of campus, yet NERC does not have on-campus IT support.

All students at the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) are charged a $30-per-credit technology fee to cover “institutional operating and equipment costs,” according to the college website. On Main Campus, IT service professionals are available to fix computer issues in the classroom, ensuring that students and instructors can rely on technology functioning as intended during class. At NERC, however, equivalent in-person IT support is notably absent, according to employees familiar with the matter.

The absence of on-site support leaves NERC students with limited options when computer problems arise. While remote assistance may be available, it cannot match the immediacy and effectiveness of in-person help during class.

“Why am I paying the fee if I [am not] getting anything for it?” asked one CCP student at NERC, who preferred to remain anonymous. “This school is crazy.”

The college’s operating budget for the fiscal year outlines the allocation of the technology fee, which totals $7,669,137. Of this, an estimated $5,238,777 is designated for “technology leases and software maintenance,” according to the operating budget’s non-salary expenditures. Despite this substantial funding, NERC lacks a consistent, dedicated IT presence to address students’ and instructors’ immediate maintenance needs.

An anonymous source employed by the college and familiar with IT operations confirmed the disparity in service. “I’ve been there that day when someone important enough complains,” the employee explained. However, for routine complaints from students or faculty, there is no guaranteed timeframe nor expectation of timeliness.

Another employee, also asking to remain anonymous, acknowledged the administration’s apparent carelessness. “It may be next day,” they added with a shrug and a suggestive laugh. “It may.”

The lack of transparency surrounding the use of the technology fee, combined with unequal access to services, has left some students frustrated and questioning the fairness of the charge. Addressing these disparities and improving communication about how funds are allocated could help rebuild student trust and ensure that all campuses receive equitable support.