EFSC Accomplishments 2018 | Page 10

June 2018 College Accomplishments June 2018 No Tuition Increase There was no tuition increase for the seventh straight year while full-time and adjunct faculty received pay increases in the $77 million operating plan for the 2018- 19 Fiscal Year budget. (Student Enrollment, Diversity Initiatives, Employee Relations, Financial Management, Trustee Relations, Community Awareness) Highlights: • The total for tuition and general fees remained $104 per credit hour for lower division courses for Florida residents, which is in line with other state colleges in Central Florida. •  The per credit hour charge for upper division courses for Florida residents remained $128, which is similar to other institutions in the 28-member Florida College System of which Eastern Florida is a member. • Holding the line on tuition continues making EFSC among the most affordable colleges in Florida and the U.S., and more likely that students will be able to afford to take the courses they need to graduate and begin their careers. • An increase to base salary and per hour overload compensation representing an approximate 2.5 percent hike over the previous year was given to full-time faculty members of the United Faculty of Florida EFSC Chapter as part of a tentative new collective bargaining agreement. • Non-union adjunct faculty received a 2 percent pay increase, their third raise in the past five years for a total 8 percent hike during that time. • A one-time $500 cost-of-living payment was given to full-time staff and one-time $250 cost-of-living payment given to part-time staff. • The college also paid 2018-19 health and dental insurance premium increases for faculty and staff with no additional contributions expected from them, saving each full-time employee about $1,000 in higher premium costs next year. • In all, the total health and dental insurance expense to the college per full-time employee is $8,491, 10 making it a very significant benefit that many other employers do not provide. • All college programs were fully funded, including nearly 60 new programs started the past six years, including nearly 20 Bachelor’s Degree tracks. • Invested $19.2 million in ongoing projects, including completing construction of a new Student Union on the Melbourne campus and college-wide improvements to classrooms, other facilities, technology and parking. •  Cut spending $2.37 million through various reductions within the college. Active Shooter Training The Public Safety Institute held two days of active shooter training for Brevard County law enforcement agencies as part of its advanced training programs. (Community Awareness) Highlights: • About 25 officers participated, with the exercises taking place inside the Public Safety Institute and adjacent Dr. Joe Lee Smith Teaching Center on the Melbourne Campus. • Instructors ran a variety of active shooter scenarios, providing officers from eight agencies an excellent opportunity to work together in realistic training. • Officers from the following agencies participated: • Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Titusville Police, Cocoa Police, Melbourne Police, Palm Bay Police, Cocoa Beach Police, Satellite Beach Police and Indian Harbour Beach Police. • This was the first time the college provided the training, which came at the request of local law enforcement officials. • The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office held another active shooter training session for its deputies in November. •  The training enhanced security for EFSC, giving the agencies and its officers direct active shooter experience on campus.