KCTCS Board Of Regents Approve 2011-2012 Budget | GCTC

KCTCS Board Of Regents Approve 2011-2012 Budget

The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) Board of Regents approved a 2011-12 budget of $903,161,700 during its quarterly meeting today at West Kentucky Community and Technical College in Paducah. The budget includes a four percent increase in tuition for in-state students and a three percent salary increase for all full-time faculty and staff, the first pay raise in four years.

The board was committed to compensating faculty and staff financially for their dedication and hard work, especially in light of record enrollments, said Zawacki. They have been asked to educate and serve more students and certainly deserve a financial reward for their outstanding efforts.

In-state tuition rates for the 2011-12 academic year will increase from $130 per credit hour to $135. Out-of-state tuition rates approved by the board include a $270 per credit hour rate for students from contiguous counties and $465 for all other out-of-state students.

The approved tuition rates are consistent with the parameters established by the Council for Postsecondary Education. These parameters include an in-state tuition rate increase of four percent and out-of-state rates of at least double in-state rates.

KCTCS remains committed to providing Kentuckians with a quality education that is both affordable and convenient, said Thomas O. Zawacki, KCTCS Board of Regents Chair. Our statewide system of 16 colleges and 68 campuses continues to be the best postsecondary education value in the state.
The board also approved a leadership initiative proposed by Dr. McCall with Change as the theme. It is designed to implement a formal change management process to successfully execute Transformation Strategies in areas such as curriculum review, developmental education, dual credit, financial aid, job placement and career development, student services and transfer.

KCTCS will be stronger, more nimble and better equipped to enhance the employability and quality of life of all Kentuckians, said Dr. McCall. This plan is designed to ensure the global competitiveness of this state by educating our citizens in high demand, high wage jobs.

Other aspects of the initiative will include communicating more directly with all employees by visiting each KCTCS college more often, creating a comprehensive training program, building team structures based on change management and best practices, and creating a KCTCS Office of Change Management to manage these aspects and to provide ongoing leadership, service and support to the System Office and colleges.

As part of the Change initiative, faculty and staff at all 16 colleges and the System Office will be challenged to think creatively and to consider every alternative for how, when, and where programs and services are delivered. Strategies such as outsourcing, standardization, automation,
realignment, reallocation and the use of technology will be considered.

In other business, the board:
Approved or ratified 49 programs, options, certificates and diplomas including these associate in applied science programs:
o An associate in applied science in health information technology for Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Gateway Community & Technical College and Hazard Community and Technical College.
o An associate in applied science in logistics and operations management for West Kentucky Community and Technical College.
11,141 academic credential requests (certificates, diplomas or associate degrees) between January 19, 2011 and April 29, 2011.
The credentials include:

  • 4,566 candidates for certificates;
  • 1,257 candidates for diplomas; and
  • 5,318 candidates for associate degrees.

The next meeting of the KCTCS Board of Regents will be September 15-16, 2011 at Jefferson Community and Technical College.