There will be no increase in tuition at Broward College for the fall 2012 semester, according to the budget adopted by the Broward College District Board of Trustees. "Even though we know our students have very low student loan and debt rates compared to other area colleges and universities, and even though we already have the most affordable cost of education in South Florida, we are proud of the entire College for finding additional savings in order to hold tuition stable for the fall semester," said Sean Guerin, chairman of the Broward College District Board of Trustees.
For the past five years, as state appropriations to the College have been continually reduced, increases in tuition have been required to make up for the losses in funding. This year, while Florida universities are raising tuition by 9-15 percent, and many state colleges are also instituting increases, Broward College students will be getting a break.
A $2 increase in the Capital Improvement Fee was also adopted by the board to offset the elimination of capital (construction) funding by the State of Florida for 2013. Funds are to be used to improve the student enrollment area at the Judson A. Samuels South Campus in Pembroke Pines, to make needed library improvements at the North Campus in Coconut Creek, and to complete classroom renovations at the A. Hugh Adams Central Campus in Davie.
In addition, a reduction and reallocation in departmental spending will allow for the launch of three new bachelor’s degree programs, in environmental science, in clinical laboratory and bio-technology, and in supply chain management and logistics. Also, a new manufacturing institute will be established to train workers for the growing local manufacturing industry. Other initiatives include a new Broward College center in Coral Springs, funding for a new STEM charter school and a new online campus that will provide students with a full offering of courses provided entirely online.