Broward College planning staff cuts, tuition increases

Broward College is planning staff cuts and tuition increases to help offset declining demand.

The college, which served about 68,000 students in the past year, is expecting a 5 percent drop in demand for classes this fall. Officials say the total number of Broward College students will likely be the same, but the college expects those students to take fewer classes. That means less money from the state and fewer tuition dollars, President David Armstrong said.

The Board of Trustees approved the $220 million budget, which includes about $10 million in cuts. Community college enrollment often dips when the economy improves, said Tom Oliff, senior vice president for administration.

“Florida has recovered as one of the stronger economies in the country and Broward in particular has stronger recovery numbers than most of the counties,” he said. “When people are employed, they have less available time to further their education. It’s a mixed blessing story.”

The unemployment rate in May 2015 was 5.2 percent in Broward and 5.6 percent for the state. The unemployment rate for both exceeded 10 percent in 2011.

Broward college approved a tuition increase last month of $4.60 per credit hour, or $138 a year more for a full-time student, as well as an addi- tional $2 in the spring, which would equal $30 extra per semester for a full time student. Full-time students currently pay about $3,177 in tuition and fees.

School officials say they expect to eliminate about 92 full-time staff positions, most of which are vacant due to retirements or resignations. About 22 layoffs are expected, although the college said it will help affected employees find jobs elsewhere in the college.

“We’re looking at what positions we can do without,” Oliff said. “We always try to focus on positions that don’t impact student academic learning or student success.”

Because the college’s planetarium won’t be in operation this year, it is expected to lose all but one of its nine employees, he said. The planetarium will be undergoing renovations and will be closed during construction, Oliff said.

College officials say cuts and tuition increases will help offset some new expenses, including $1 million to pay for raises for the lowest-paid employees and $2 million to pay for 2 percent performancebased raises for others. The college is also spending about $1.2 million in some efforts to improve student success, including new math and English software, an online tutoring program and ex-