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PJC Tuition and Fees Called a Bargain

Workers were busy putting the final touches on the new Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center campus building Friday. The signs were installed and faculty, staff and maintenance began moving from the old PJC-Sulphur Springs campus on Houston Street to the new location at 1137 East Loop 301 where spring semester classes will begin on Tuesday.

Workers were busy putting the final touches on the new Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center campus building Friday. The signs were installed and faculty, staff and maintenance began moving from the old PJC-Sulphur Springs campus on Houston Street to the new location at 1137 East Loop 301 where spring semester classes will begin on Tuesday.

The Paris Junior College Board of Regents, at a regular January meeting, was told that PJC continues to be a bargain in tuition and fees.

“An annual review of statewide tuition, fees and taxes shows that PJC remains below average for in-district, out-of-district and out-of-state tuition and fees,” said PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin.

“In-district is $65 per semester credit hour versus the statewide average of $82. The tax survey showed significant growth in tax rates statewide. We have the seventh smallest tax base in the state, but if you take out ‘maintenance districts’ we have the fourth smallest tax base. That is a very uncomfortable place to be when there are people at the state level looking at levels of local support in discussions of the future of the 50 community college districts.”

The Regents approved a call for elections in regent districts 1, 2, and 8 (an at-large position). The election will take place on Saturday, May 7.

In other business, the Regents:

  • Received a financial report showing that the college’s expenditures are at 36 percent of budget and delinquent tax collections are up; the new delinquent tax attorney is working out well.
  • Approved the Investment Policy CAK (Local) with no changes from last year. The policy meets all legal requirements of the State of Texas and has been reviewed by the Texas Association of School Boards attorney.
  • Approved the list of Authorized Brokers/Dealers for Investments with no changes from last year. PJC is approved to invest funds with the organizations on the list.
  • Selected regents Louise Taylor and Ginna Bowman to attend the Board of Trustees Institute in March, to be funded by the Greater Texas Foundation.
  • Received a preliminary report showing that spring enrollment head count and contact hours were down, though dual credit enrollment is up. “Unemployment is low; when the economy is great, we’re down and when the economy is bad, we’re up,” said Dr. Anglin. She explained that an informal survey of other Texas community colleges showed that most are either down or flat in enrollment.
  • Approved the sale of the old Federal Building and parking lot at 136 Grand Ave. in Paris to HWH Group for the minimum bid.
  • Accepted employment of Upward Bound Student Advisor Tina Cook and Men’s Basketball Coach Bobby Taylor as well as the resignation of Men’s Basketball Coach Bilal Batley.

Author: Staff Reporter

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