Tuition, book costs and fees for their Career Technical Education (CTE) classes, specifically for high school students, will be waived due to a motion passed by Allen Community College board members Thursday night.
Expansion for the CTE courses has come due to the efforts of Jon Marshall, vice president for academic affairs, along with Bob Reavis, ACC dean at Burlingame, Tosca Harris, Iola dean, and Regena Aye, dean of online learning.
The group has been visiting with administrations in area high schools to spread the word about the extended education classes.
“The personalized approach worked better than a phone call, it really opened some avenues,” Marshall said.
Funding for the program will come from an $8 million budget provided through the state — an effort to make classes available to low-income students. ACC President John Masterson said he believes the budget will cover the costs of the classes for now.
“I don’t know for sure how long it will last,” Masterson said. “As long as the state pays us something, we will come out OK on this.”
Marshall found it important to distinguish that the waiver for all of the fees applies only to high school juniors and seniors, and the CTE course fees will not be covered for any liberal arts classes being taken by high school students.
He said the CTE classes include a $25 technology fee from the college, and it will be waived as well.
In other business:
— ACC board members have voted to sign a three-year contract with KanREN for their telecommunications services.
Members opted for a community anchor support option, which will give faculty and staff 24/7 access to KanREN’s customer support system. The cost for the services over a three-year period is $44,180.
ACC had previously been using the Kan-ed system for similar services, but the program is shutting down in May due to cuts in funding.
– A motion was passed to accept an articulation agreement with Fort Hays State University to allow a “2 plus 2” program in the bachelor of technology leadership degree.
“2 plus 2” programs are set up to help students transition from two years with a community college, to two years with a university degree program. The degree is an extension of ACC’s associate of applied science degree.
– The February board meeting was scheduled for Feb. 14, and will be moved to Feb. 21.
