Institutional Planning Council

 

 

 

 

 

February 17^th, 2004

 

 

Members present: K. Barber, Charlene Baxter (substitute for Loren Pinkerman), M. Sauter, L. McMullen, L. Buchanan, J. Simmons, A. Geeter, J. Herring, S. Smith, B. McCoy, B. Boozer, M. Pirrman, W. Paschal, S. Harrington, L. McDaniel, Mia Allen, Dr. J. Jackson, Kim Myrick, and S. Johnson. 

 

Dean Simmons opened the meeting with a prayer.

 

Dr. Buchanan requested approval of the minutes of the Jan. 20^th meeting.  A second was given by Ms. Whitney and the minutes were approved.

 

Dr. Boozer notified the Council of the upcoming dates for the strategic initiatives.  Progress is underway for each of the initiatives. 

 

Dean Simmons addressed the work underway on the budget for the upcoming year.  He shared that it is the most difficult budget encountered yet.  Increases in expenditures are foreseen, while the College is constrained by tuition increases.  Mr. Pirrman took over the discussion of the details of projections for next year.  Mr. Pirrman distributed a PowerPoint presentation prior to the meeting, which he reviewed with the group.  Highlights of the presentation included:

A significant increase in the number of first-time student inquiries (compared to same date last year)

      A lagging number of deposits for next fall (compared to the same date last year)

      Projected enrollment of 1,068 students next fall, increase of 48 students

      Expectation of 74% retention of current students

      Nominal growth in the Albany, Evening and PSO/Joint Enrollment headcounts

      Increase in tuition and room & board charges

      Ending of funding from Pitts Foundation and The Bradley Turner Foundation

      Increased expenditures in operations

Approval of the tuition rate increase and the increase in the salary pool was requested by Dean Simmons prior to presentation to the Budget and Finance Committee next week.  Dr. Sauter moved to approve the budget as presented, Dr. McCoy seconded the motion.  No objections were expressed and the motion carried.  Dr. McCoy reminded the Council of the necessary confidentiality of budgetary matters.