Austin Community College and Central Texas College are jointly seeking legislative approval to transfer Gillespie County from ACC’s service area to that of CTC.

ACC’s Board of Trustees voted at the November 17 work session to advance the proposal during the legislative session convening in January.

The change would be effective September 1. ACC students taking courses through the Hill Country University Center in Fredericksburg would transition to CTC programs beginning with the fall 2015 semester. Their ACC credits would transfer to CTC.

Maximizing resources

Redefined service area boundaries would allow ACC to focus its resources on campuses and programs within its taxing district and enable CTC to strengthen its Hill Country programs.

“This will be a positive change for our entire region,” says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president/CEO. “We have a responsibility to maximize resources and provide the most efficient service possible. CTC can better serve Gillespie County because of its location, benefiting students and area businesses. Meanwhile, ACC can transfer resources and equipment back to our taxing district, enabling us to expand offerings in critical fields. It’s a win for everyone.”

ACC has provided community college access to Gillespie County – about 100 miles west of Austin — since the Legislature delineated service areas in the mid-1990s. The Hill Country University Center in Fredericksburg, operated collaboratively with Texas Tech University, offers about 20 courses in general education, education instruction, and nursing.

CTC currently serves Mason and Llano counties, which are contiguous with Gillespie, and partners with Texas Tech at a Marble Falls center. The change would allow CTC to expand its offerings in a region it already serves and allow Texas Tech to streamline its programs through one community college partner instead of two. Both institutions expect the improved economies of scale to translate to expanded programs and offerings.

If approved, ACC and CTC will host information sessions about the change and will set up a special advising hotline for students. Stay up-to-date with developments through the Hill Country University Center website or ACC’s Fredericksburg Center webpage.