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Paris Junior College to raise tuition $3/hour

Paris Junior College

The Paris Junior College Board of Regents approved a tuition increase of $3 per credit hour at its March 25 meeting.
“These numbers are still well below the state average,” said Vice President of Business Services John Eastman. “We feel this is necessary to remain viable.”
 
The vote changes in-district tuition from $47 to $50, out-of-district tuition from $78 to $81, and out-of-state tuition from $125 to $128, per credit hour.
 
“You can see the dilemma,” said Dr. Pamela Anglin, PJC President. “With our tax base being as small as it is and state money declining, the only place we have to go is tuition.”

Paris Junior College, founded in 1924, is the oldest continuously operated community college in Texas. The main campus is a 54-acre facility in Paris and the college also operates centers in Greenville and Sulphur Springs.
 
The regents also discussed a seven-year tax abatement request from Campbell’s Soup for a $24 million expansion, bringing 50 new jobs to Paris. The regents approved the abatement, with one abstention.
 
In other business, the Regents:

  • Received the financial report from Eastman. Despite ongoing construction, finances are in good shape. “People are being frugal where they can be,” Eastman said.
  • Voted to opt out of the State Employee Charitable Contribution Campaign and participate at the local level. This keeps all funds raised at PJC going to local programs.
  • Approved the Aramark contract for the food contract for 2013-2014 with a three percent increase.
  • Moved the next Board of Regents meeting to April 29.
  • Discussed sending two regents to the ACCT Annual Conference in October.  Action was deferred until a future meeting.
  • Received an update on the State appropriations process. The Senate passed a promising budget that assists community colleges, thanks in part to leadership from Sen. Kevin Eltife. The House bill is less generous but both will go to conference committee and improvements may be made there.
  • Accepted the following retirements: effective May 10, 2013, History Instructor Kenneth Hanushek and Music Instructor Jennie Vaughan; and effective August 31, 2013, Division Chair/Instructor of Jewelry Ulla Raus, Associate Dean of Communication and Fine Arts Beth Shelton and Archivist Daisy Harvill. Faculty contracts were renewed for 2013-2014.
Mark Haslett has served at KETR since 2013. Since then, the station's news operation has enjoyed an increase in listener engagement and audience metrics, as well recognition in the Texas AP Broadcasters awards.