The University of Central Arkansas Board of Trustees approved an operating budget for the 2015-2016 academic year that does not include an increase in undergraduate mandatory tuition and fees. This is the first time in more than 20 years that a tuition and fee increase has not been a part of the approved budget.
“This is something every university, every board member, every college president and budget officer is concerned about – the cost of attendance and keeping it as low as possible,” said President Tom Courtway. “We all strive to do the best we can with what we have. It’s an effort to hold down the cost to students and families while at the same time offering a high quality education and complete collegiate experience.”
The UCA Board of Trustees also approved three requested priorities (partially or fully) established by the Strategic Budget Advisory Committee which include:
- Cost-of-Living Adjustment of 1% for all full-time employees
- $250,000 for faculty equity/merit increases
- Increases for faculty promotion and advancement of $201,740
One time merit bonuses for UCA employees were also approved in the following manner:
- 1% – 3% merit bonus for classified employees based on their annual evaluation. These staff would have been employees as of July 1, 2014.
- 2% across the board for all full-time, non-classified employees and full time faculty who were employees of record on 12/31/14.
Board chairman Brad Lacy credits Courtway’s leadership and his staff’s hard work for making flat tuition and fees while still funding raises and bonuses possible.
“As a board, we have often expressed concern about the rising cost of tuition,” said Lacy. “With the administration’s financial management and an increased focus on retention and graduation, today we were able to hold tuition rates and hopefully provide some relief to UCA students and their families. It is also important to note that we were still able to fund raises and bonuses for our dedicated faculty and staff, without whom our students would not receive the superior educational and campus experience we provide at this institution. This proves that UCA can build innovative facilities, grow enrollment and offer access to a rigorous academic experience without automatically increasing costs to our students.”
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