JUNE-2017
No Tuition Increase
EFSC crafted a $ 76 million budget for Fiscal Year 2017- 18 that included no tuition hike for the sixth straight year to continue making higher education affordable . ( Student Enrollment , Diversity Initiatives , Employee Relations , Financial Management , Trustee Relations , Community Awareness )
Fiscal Year Highlights :
• Not raising tuition makes it more likely students will be able to afford to take the courses they need to graduate and begin their careers .
• The total for tuition and fees remained $ 104 for lower division courses for Florida residents , which is in line with other state colleges in Central Florida .
• The total per credit hour for upper division courses for Florida residents remained $ 128.51 , which is similar to other institutions in the 28-member Florida College System .
• Full funding for all academic programs , including 40 new Bachelor ’ s Degree and Associate ’ s Degree programs the college has started the past five years .
• The budget provided the dollars , equipment and infrastructure to make these new opportunities a reality to students .
• The college continued working closely with local businesses and industry to create more new programs to provide the skilled workforce they need .
• A 2.5 percent base pay increase for members of the United Faculty of Florida Brevard Chapter in the third year of a three-year collective bargaining agreement .
• The pact calls for a 2.5 percent pay increase annually over three years for a total 7.5 percent increase from 2015-18 .
• The college paid for health and dental insurance premium increases for faculty and staff , saving money that would otherwise come from their paychecks .
• Invested $ 18 million in new projects , including the start of construction of a new Student Union on the Melbourne campus , and improvements to classrooms , technology , security and parking .
• The budget was crafted after a $ 2.5 million funding cut from the Florida Legislature , part of a legislative-ordered $ 30 million spending cut for the Florida College System of which Eastern Florida is a member .
• Addressed the reduction by eliminating vacant positions and cutting spending in 15 categories , including executive management salaries , travel , office materials and construction supplies .
Minority Enrollment Gains
Minority students continued making important gains at the college , with the percentages of African-American and Hispanic students exceeding the respective populations of African-Americans and Hispanics living in Brevard County . ( Student Enrollment , Diversity Initiatives , Employee Relations , Trustee Relations , Community Awareness )
Minority Enrollment Highlights :
• African-Americans comprised 11.5 percent of overall student enrollment , and nearly 13 percent of First Time in College Student enrollment .
• Hispanics comprised 12.5 percent of overall student enrollment , and 15 percent of First Time in College Student enrollment .
• Hispanics are now the largest minority student population at the college .
• The number of African-American and Hispanic students completing their studies and earning AA and AS Degrees continues to increase .
• African-American students receiving AA and AS Degrees was 9.3 percent and 9 percent respectively ; Hispanic students receiving AA and AS Degrees was nearly 12 percent and 9.4 percent , respectively .
• Overall enrollment of other minority groups also is strong , with 6.5 percent of overall student enrollment and 6.7 percent of First Time in College Student enrollment .