By Scott Harvey
Commerce – Texas A&M University-Commerce has announced the Cash4College scholarship program, now available to eligible graduate and undergraduate transfer candidates. Eight new scholarships are being offered. Students must meet graduate school, departmental and/or undergraduate transfer requirements. Details are available at www.tamu-commerc.edu.
The Cash4College initiative was one of several projects addressed during Tuesday's University Community Update. Administrators also provided details into a possible tuition increase, a five percent budget cut ordered by the state, new residence hall construction, plus released more information on a proposed nursing program.
According to President Dan Jones, a tuition increase will not exceed 3.95 percent. The actual rates will be set in May.
All state agencies have been asked to cut their budgets to five percent to allow for a project multi-billion dollar state budget shortfall next year. For A&M-Commerce, a five percent budget cut would total approximately $3.3 million. Areas being explored to provide for that reduction include energy conservation efficiencies, deferred merit increases, delayed program expansion and program elimination, reduction and consolidation.
Vice President for Student Access and Success Mary Hendrix told attendees Tuesday that following spring commencement, destruction will commence to make way for a new residence hall. Five residence halls across from Whitley Hall on the south side of campus will come down to make way for the new building. Dr. Hendrix did not specify which halls will be torn down.
Approval of a bachelor's and master's degree in nursing is pending by the A&M System Board of Regents. The University hopes to make the program available to students beginning in fall 2011.
Listen to the Tuesday's entire University Community Update by clicking the play button at the top of the page.