2003

ECCC From Page JA

Counctl, \\ h1ch m presidents or other repre-. - tatives of ever) o;;tudent orga– nization. College off1aals and division chairper-.onc:: also meet monthly. Like\' ise Sutphin meets with dean." directors and other admmi<;–

ECCC tuition Year

Tuition $500 $600 $700 $700

2001-02 2002-03 2002-03 2003-04

colleges in the state experi– enced an increase in enroll– ment for 2002-03. However, the ECCC enroll– ment increase was smaller in comparison to other commu– nity and junior colleges, and thus ECCC received a smaU– er piece of the pie. ln preparation for the next school year, ECCC officials are budgeting conservatively and underestimating rev– enue. Usually, an increase in enrollment is expected, how– ever, the expected increase in funding will not be budgeted for this coming year. There– fore, officials have set the 2003-04 school year budged based on the same number of students enrolled as last year. Although an increase is more than likely to happen, and has happened conseett– tively for the last. 18 years, Sutphin and his staff remain cautious. "We're not solely depend– ing on an increase in enroll– ment to make our budget for the upcoming year," Sutphin said. The school has auxiliary revenue sources, such as housing, food services, and the book store, but these

sources have not been relied trators on a weekly basic;, and on heavily in the past as sig- a weekly communication nificant revenue sources. bulletin called "Insights" i" "These . three areas will circulated around campus. hopefully bring in more than "The last three years were a we spend, and we plan on challenge, and the next two budgeting these areas more won't be much better. But aggressively," Sutphin said. hopefuUy at the end of the Although the gradual loss next two years the economy of funding is an upset to all, will improve and the state Sutphin said it was not in any wilJ be able to provide more way a surprise. State college funding for education," Sut– presidents meet monthly- to phin said. "It's encouraging, discuss matters such as state however, that the Legislature funding, and the communi- saw fit to increase funding cation among the presidents for the upcoming college increases when the State Leg- term, although it was a slight islature is in session. increase." "We read the papers, we The school receives fund- know what's going on," Sut- ing from three major sources, phi n said. "We had plenty of the state, county funds, and warning." student tuition and fees. The Gov. Ronnie Musgrove also state is the largest provider, made a point, according to and Sutphin and his staff Sutphin, to tell colleges to remain hopeful that the hold back five percent of future will bring larger state their budget. funding for the community The communication does- college. n't stop on a state leveL Sut- "I'm a perpetual optimist– phin said he and his staff I always try to look for the make a point to communi- good," Sutphin said. "The cate weeklv. Likewise, when bottom line 1s that we make school is ii-t session Sutphin sure the students get what meets with the President's they came here to get. --~--~--------~----~-~- --

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