Because of the increase, students will pay $3 more per credit hour in additional fees.
Students aren't the only ones being hit, college officials said. Faculty members and college administrators will not receive raises or cost-of-living increases for the second year in a row.
"We are fighting a battle to maintain the quality and keep it affordable," board Chairman James H. Johnson Jr. said.
The college's total operating budget is projected at $107.6 million for the coming year, up from $102.6 million for the current year. Much of the increase will be needed to cover the cost of adjunct faculty and additional lab use required by a growing student body.
The budget now goes to the county, where County Executive John R. Leopold and the County Council will act on it as part of the county budget.
The rise in students' fees is necessary, college officials said, because state funding is expected to decline to $26.6 million, or $2.3 million less than in the current fiscal year.
Much of the difference can be traced to the state, for the first time, passing on to the college pension costs that the state had been assuming.
The amount of state funding will not be determined for certain until the end of the legislative session next month.
While state funding likely will be declining, county funding - $33.8 million in the current year - is expected to remain level, college President Martha A. Smith said.
Johnson noted that one thing helping the college is the growth of the student body.
The number of students is expected to increase by 4 percent next year, which will bring in additional revenue.
"This (situation) would really be bad if enrollment was dropping and funding was dropping," Johnson said.
While growth will bring in more money, it also will generate an even greater need for resources, college officials said.
In a distinction that will not make much difference to students, college officials are not calling the increase a tuition hike.
Rather, the board elected to increase fees by $3 per credit hour, rather than raising tuition. The board raised tuition for the current academic year by $2 per credit hour, and did not want to raise it for a second year in a row, Smith said.
The college raised tuition in fiscal 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2010.
The increase will bring the total price to $100 per credit hour for county residents, up from $70 in fiscal 2003.
The board also approved a capital, or construction, budget of $13.8 million for next year. Roughly $10 million of that will go for renovation and expansion of the Andrew Truxal Library, built in 1967. Work is expected to take two years. The total price for the renovation is expected to be about $21 million.
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Another good grad - 2010-03-11 15:59:01
Forgot to mention my son also attended AACC, graduated from Loyola University, and is certified in Microsoft, et al., and is systems administrator for one of the top six companies in its industry in the world.
Guess you think those who get their nursing degrees at AACC and then go on to B.S.N.'s at other local universities and take care of you when you're at AAMC or other medical facilities don't count either....
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Mary Felter - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
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1
increase fees - 2010-03-11 15:21:48
what a joke... politians can now say that they did not raise tution.
most students take 12-14 hours of classes not 8 so increase is 36 -42.
AACC workers in third year of no salary increases.
Students who take remedial clases get remedial credit that can not be transferred. Better than having them unemployed because they can't "read" or "add".
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David Hartman - arnold, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Diploma Mills? - 2010-03-11 12:27:11
@ A K Your comment reveals that in addition to misunderstanding the purpose and mission of community colleges and the pedigree of an Associate's degree, you also don't know what constitutes a Diploma Mill.
First and foremost, diploma mills are a blight in the field of "correspondence course", distance learning and online higher education, not community colleges.
U.S. Office of Personnel Management maintains an official list, reference resume and job application fraud.
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Stuart McGeady - Severna Park, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Only $3? - 2010-03-10 18:33:57
AACC is one of, if not the best, community colleges in the U.S. I'm shocked that the fee hike is so low! It is a great asset to have such a prestigious institution so readily affordable and accessible to the people of our county.
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Jeffrey A. Haines - Millersville, MD - Karma: Excellent
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4
Robert Neall, AACC grad - 2010-03-10 16:10:17
A.K. - Try a graduate named Robert Neall.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, June 26, 1948. Attended Anne Arundel County public schools; U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School, 1967. Served in U.S. Navy, 1967-68. U.S. Military Academy, 1968-69; Anne Arundel Community College, A.A., 1971; University of Maryland, B.A., 1972; University of Baltimore School of Law, 1973-74. General manager, Davidsonville Supply Company, 1969-82. Commercial Loan Officer, Annapolis Banking and Trust Company, 1982-86. Vice-President for External Affairs, The Johns Hopkins Health System, 1987-90. Owner, Robert R. Neall and Associates, management consulting firm, 1994-98. Director of Finance, The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System, 1997-. Delegate, Republican Party National Convention, 1984, 1992. Board of Trustees, Maryland Historical Society, 1991-93. Board of Directors, Maryland Association of Counties, 1990-94. Christian Citizen of the Year Award, United Christian Citizens, 1975. Charles Carroll Award, Maryland Republican Party, 1984. Maryland's Best State Legislator Award, Baltimore Magazine, 1986. Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Maryland, 1987. Governor's Service to Youth Award, 1991. Aris T. Allen Lifetime Achievement Award, Anne Arundel County Republican Party, 1994. Legislative Achievement Award, Maryland Association of Retarded Citizens, 1998. Appreciation Award, Maryland Municipal League, 1998. Legislator Recognition Award, Maryland Association of Counties, 2000. First Citizen Award, Maryland Senate, 2001. Married; four children.
Senate
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Mary Felter - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
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Community College - 2010-03-10 16:08:47
Well, your comment is assuming that everyone who attends a college wants to be on an academic or teaching track in their profession. Why would you think that? Community colleges serve a need in our society. They allow those who are not financially or emotionally ready for a university to remain in school and keep working towards a better life. A person who cannot afford $20,000, $30,000 or even $50,000 per year for four years can go to community college and earn general education credits for a few years at a fraction of that cost. When ready to move onto their career focus, they can transfer to a larger college or university (and probably will put that institution on any books they later author). Also, community colleges offer many option that would be better described as "trades." This allows people to prepare for specific careers without the time and expense commitment of a four-year degree. Of course this is not the same as a Harvard (or University of Maryland)education. Let's face it, though, an education like that is a luxury, and many people cannot afford it.
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Stephanie P - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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AACC - 2010-03-10 16:06:10
AACC is a wonderful community college that prepares students for further education! Check it out -- it's rated one of the best in the country! Students who are bright but may not be successful taking standardized tests can begin their college careers, take rigorous academic courses and then transfer to four-year colleges. A twenty-four dollar increase? That's the bargain of the decade for education! Textbook authors may not list two year colleges since they have a myriad of additional degrees. Please don't denigrate those students who work very hard to achieve high GPAs and transfer their academic achievements to four-year colleges and universities.
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Jane Beard - Arnold, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Diploma Mills - 2010-03-10 15:18:43
Ok, where do you want to start the discussion? ACT scores, SAT scores, high school gpa, actual accomplishments after graduation?
Try this one - Open up an academic book. Any. Open it up to the authors' page. Do you see (ever) a writer who lists a community college? No, of course not.
These kids have been duped and it really is a shame. These diploma mills are harming real education.
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A K - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Reply to $24 - 2010-03-10 14:59:42
Smug, snotty, and nasty all in one comment.
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Michael Cannon - , - Karma: Neutral
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$24? - 2010-03-10 12:24:52
A twenty four dollar increase is making headlines? It seems like a small price for allowing people to continue their high school studies while claiming to be in "college."
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A K - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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