ACC Board of Trustees Approves FY07 Budget With Focus on Rapid Growth, Student Success, and Retention

Austin, TX – July 6, 2006 – The Austin Community College (ACC) District Board of Trustees has unanimously approved a $159 million operating budget for the college’s 2006-2007 academic year. The balanced budget reflects a 12 percent increase in revenue over the previous year, resulting from an expanded taxing district, higher property appraisals, and increased enrollment.

The approved budget directs approximately half of the increased revenue to be invested in programs and services that will assist the college in meeting Closing the Gaps goals by increasing enrollment and retention of students. The other half is earmarked for facilities and infrastructure needs as outlined in the ACC Master Plan:

Expanded Access
$2 million provided for operations on new South Austin Campus
$900,000 allocated for expansion of Cypress Creek Campus
$200,000 provided Weekend College instruction and support on two campuses

Enhanced Student Services
$350,000 allocated for the expansion of student support services in the areas of tutoring, learning labs, and technology
$100,000 allocated to expand ACC’s nationally recognized College Connection program to five additional school districts
Funding set aside for 30 new full-time faculty positions

The budget maintains in-district tuition at $39 per credit hour – the lowest among higher education institutions in the region – and the rate at which 80 percent of students attend. Also included is an $8 per credit hour increase for out-of-district tuition and a $62 increase for out-of-state students.

“As the region’s main responder to Closing the Gaps, ACC is expected to increase enrollment by 9,000 students within the next eight years,” said ACC President Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow. “This budget demonstrates the college’s commitment to increasing access to a quality higher education by enhancing various areas of student services and expanding our facilities.”

Austin Community College is a public, two-year college offering associate degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas at six Central Texas campuses. Serving as the regional leader in workforce training, university transfer and adult access programs, ACC opens its doors each year to more than 65,000 credit and continuing education students who benefit from the College’s great faculty and staff. ACC is the eighth largest community college in the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Education.

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