Challenges
Degree Production
FGCU is faced with the challenges of increasing degree production with the leveling off of enrollment growth. Increasing degree production will be more dependent upon enhancing persistence to graduation. Changes to funding incentives, such as Bright Futures, and the elimination of grants have impacted student ability to finance education. Students consistently self-identify financial hardship as a reason for withdrawal from the University.
Source: Degree Production- Table 1.9 BOTIS Report August 2014
Funding
Anticipated lack of funding for capital projects will continue to pose a challenge to campus improvement and expansion efforts. University students pay Building Fees and Capital Improvement Fees of $6.76 per credit hour per semester; however, the commitment to maintain a stable tuition and fee rate, and the decrease in enrollment projections, limits future growth of this source of funding. Projects funded from this student-based source are primarily student-related and typically include outdoor recreation facilities, athletic facilities and student leisure spaces. The existing Campus Recreation Center is inadequate and needs to be expanded. The need for additional classroom, laboratory and chiller plant facilities will remain.
The continued reduction in State appropriations, resulting in the heavier reliance upon tuition and fees to support the operating budgets of the universities, presents a long-term challenge, especially with a decrease in enrollment projections. The University Board of Trustees’ continued freeze on tuition increases for FGCU students, combined with this lower projection of student enrollment growth, has the ability to impact sustainability of current programs and services.
Source: Board of Governors 2012-2013 SUS Annual Accountability Report (January 16, 2014); SUS Funding
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