ELON COLLEGE, N.C. – The Elon College Board of Trustees has approved a $62.3 million budget for fiscal year 2000-2001, making major new investments in technology, increasing the number of faculty and staff positions, continuing expansion of library resources and making other significant increases in spending on academic programs. The board approved the budget at its annual spring meeting held March 14-15 on the Elon campus.
Twelve new full-time faculty positions will be added next fall, continuing a trend of strong growth in faculty numbers in numerous academic programs. Elon has added 34 full-time faculty positions over the past two years.
The board approved funding to expand the collection at the new Belk Library, an expansion of library hours to allow students to study later at night, several new support staff positions and an employee salary and benefits package that will allow Elon to remain competitive with other colleges and universities. Overall spending by the college will increase nearly 8.6 percent, or more than $4.9 million.
A $1.3 million technology initiative will nearly double the college’s spending on computers and other high-tech resources during the next fiscal year. It is part of a three-year plan titled “Elon College Vision for Technology” that was approved by the board last October. Under the plan, all computers will be replaced on a three-year rotating cycle.
The college will standardize computer software, providing all students, faculty and staff with a package of the latest Microsoft Office applications. Wiring of all residence hall rooms on campus will be completed, data projectors will be added to additional classrooms, the number of computer support staff will increase and a computer training program will be offered to all faculty and staff. New computer labs are being provided in McEwen and
Mooney buildings and the Faith Rockefeller Model Center for the Arts.
“This technology initiative is designed to have a direct and immediate impact on our educational programs,” said Elon President Leo M. Lambert. “The college is committed to becoming a national leader in the best use of technology to improve teaching and learning.”
The budget includes a $994 increase in tuition, room and board. Currently, Elon’s tuition ranks ninth among North Carolina’s 35 private institutions; room and board charges rank 20th. On a national level during the current year, Elon’s total cost of $17,447 is 18 percent lower than the $21,339 average cost for four-year private colleges and universities. Elon ranks significantly lower than the average private institution cost for every region of the country, according to figures from The College Board.
“An Elon education is a great value, and we hear that from parents and students every day,” said Lambert. “We intend to maintain our reputation for high quality at an affordable cost, and we also must continue to make key investments in programs, facilities and outstanding faculty and staff members. Our students demand the latest technology, they are making great use of our new library and science building and they expect us to build on our tradition of student-centered programs with personal attention from committed faculty and staff members.”
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