ACC Administration Reiterates Opposition to Tuition Increase

AUSTIN–Despite difficult decisions regarding the Fiscal Year 2003 budget, the Austin Community College administration continues to be opposed to any increases in student tuition.
“Our state reimbursements and local property tax revenue is not keeping up with our enrollment growth,” said ACC President Richard Fonté, “but I have said for several months now that we are opposed to balancing the FY03 budget on the backs of our students. They already pay one of the highest community college tuitions in Texas.”

Fonté said that a July 24 article in the Austin American-Statesman inaccurately suggested that ACC’s administration was recommending increases in tuition and fees. Fonté had shared revised tax revenue figures with the ACC Board on Monday night, July 22, that showed lower than projected property assessments will result in a loss of $416,000 in projected FY03 revenues.

“The list of options we presented the Board on Monday was simply that – options for them to consider,” said Fonté. He said the administration did not recommend that any of these options be selected. Other options included parking fee increases, reducing the travel budget further, and an additional across-the-board operating expense cut.

“The only recommendation we did make to balance the tax revenue shortfall was to adjust our enrollment projection from 3 percent growth to 3.5 percent growth, which will generate another $170,000 in projected revenue.”

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