Valencia College Pres Urges Lawmakers Not to Increase Tuition
Testifying before the House Education Committee on Thursday, Valencia College president Sandy Shugart said it would be a mistake to raise college tuition rates at a time when federal financial aid was being squeezed due to budget problems. Shugart, along with presidents of several Florida colleges broke with their counterparts at state universities, urging lawmakers to proceed cautiously with plans to increase tuition fees.
College Tuition Could Jump by 8 Percent
Students attending one of Florida’s 11 state universities will collectively spend at least $54 million in additional tuition under a House plan unveiled Wednesday that calls for boosting tuition by at least 8 percent statewide. The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday rolled out its $69.2 billion spending plan that would allow university officials to tack on an additional 7 percent in differential tuition.
City Proclaims ‘Valencia College Day’
Mayor Buddy Dyer proclaimed January 9, as Valencia College Day in the City of Orlando. At the City Council meeting today, and with Valencia president Sandy Shurgart, along with several board, faculty and staff members present, Dyer praised the college for its significantly higher graduation rates than peer colleges and its strong links with the community.
Florida Universities Face Off Over New Dental Schools Plans
Two public universities are poised to ask the State University System governing board for permission to start a dental school – despite a recent health department report that questions whether there is a need for more dentists.
Valencia Changes its Name
Valencia Community College officially changed its name on Friday to Valencia College, as it prepares to offer new bachelor degree programs this fall.
Florida Universities Prepare to Slash Budgets
State universities are once again having to comb their budgets and looking for ways to slash millions to close shortfalls by early June.
Florida College Tuition to Skyrocket Again
On Tuesday, lawmakers offered a peek at a higher education budget that sets tuition increases of 8 percent for colleges and universities. Lawmakers in the House and Senate are still negotiating a final number, but these tuition increases are likely to gain approval in both chambers, matching increases from the past two years. If approved, it would mean hundreds of thousands of Florida university students will see substantially higher college bills next year for the fourth year in a row. Community college students would also see their bills increase.
Wekiva High Laser Photonics Career Academy Opens
A ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the Wekiva High School Laser Photonics Career Academy, a partnership between Orange County Schools, Valencia Community College, and Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Laser Systems business unit, will take place on December 11th 2009.
