National Park College (NPC) Board of Trustees held their regular monthly meeting Wednesday, May 22 where they approved the 2019-2020 annual budget.
Vice President for Finance and Administration, Steve Trusty presented the proposed budget. Trusty said the College remains fiscally conservative while continuing to expand academic resources and student support services within its means. He commended his team and campus budget managers for adhering to conservative budgeting practices.
NPC’s tuition rate will remain flat for the year. Mandatory fees will increase by $10 per credit hour to $45 for Garland County residents. Out of district, out of state and international student mandatory fees will increase by $13 per credit hour.
| Tuition and Fees 2019-2019 |
Tuition (per credit hour) |
Mandatory Fee (per credit hour) |
Maximum Cost Per Semester (tuition and fees) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garland County Residents | $90 | $45 | $2025 |
| Out-of-County Residents | $100 | $50 | $2250 |
| Out-of-State Residents | $137 | $54 | $2865 |
| International Residents | $202 | $54 | $3840 |
The increased fees will allow for investments in faculty, advising and retention staff, online learning software, and instructional equipment that includes cardiac monitors for the Emergency Medical Professionals program, a new x-ray system and simulator for Radiologic Technology, chemical safety in the Math and Sciences Division, a new computer lab for the Digital Art and Design program, and new welding booths to expand the Welding program.
Funding is included for the three new NJCAA athletics programs in baseball, softball and cross country. This includes expenses for travel and equipment, part-time coaching stipends for baseball and cross country, and a full-time women’s softball coach.
Operational costs for the new Student Commons and Marine Technology buildings was budgeted this year, as well as costs to begin accepting students into the first cohort of Southern Arkansas University’s bachelor’s degree programs at NPC.
In addition to those investments, this year’s budget includes a 20 percent increase in scholarships and increases to the College’s recurring reserves. Trusty noted these investments will be made while remaining well under half of the cost of the average Arkansas university and without a request for a millage increase.
NPC President, Dr. John Hogan said, “I am proud of the decisions our team has made around the budget this year. We are investing in solid strategies to further promote student success and also some innovative ideas that I believe will have a lasting impact on our community. Our students are why we are here and the investments we make to help them succeed will always pay off.”
