NEW JERSEY (OCN) — Essex County College (ECC) will once again have a zero percent tuition increase for the 2012-2013 academic year, President Edythe M. Abdullah announced last week. The tuition and fee schedule, approved by the College’s Board of Trustees on Tuesday, May 22. The decision holds tuition at the 2010-2011 rate, making it the second consecutive year that tuition and fees will remain unchanged.

“The College made the difficult-but-necessary decision to continue to hold the line on any tuition increases for a second straight year,” Dr. Abdullah said. “The decision reflects our commitment of trying to lessen the cost burden on our students, and ensuring that Essex County College stays affordable in a tight economy. Many of our students make significant sacrifices to attend college, and they know the result of their hard work is earning a degree or certificate at a comprehensive college that will put them on the path to self-sustainability.”

Tuition, exclusive of fees, is $108.50 per credit hour. The last increase was in 2010-2011 which, at the time, was 4.8% over the previous year.

“By approving that the tuition and fees schedule remain the same, we once again affirm our commitment to our mission of being an open access community college,” said the Reverend Reginald T. Jackson, Chair of the College’s Board of Trustees. “It is especially gratifying that we were able to approve the freeze just a day before our 43rd Commencement (held May 23), which saw close to 1,400 students graduate and well-positioned to take the next step in their educational journey and in their career paths.”

“We are walking a hard line on our budget and approving items with the biggest academic impact for our students, while supporting institutional priorities such as technology, professional development for faculty and staff, and enhanced retention efforts.” added Dr. Abdullah.

Dr. Abdullah came to ECC in April of 2010 and this is the second Essex budget cycle that she is overseeing. “The Economy” and “Cost Burden on Students” are two areas that President Abdullah identified as “Actionable Foresights,” or priorities, for the institution. The concept of the Actionable Foresights into the College’s planning process was first introduced by President Abdullah at Convocation in August of 2010.

Under each actionable foresight, the institutional goals coupled with strategic plan objectives and Middle States standards, are the guiding forces behind the progress and developments at the College. The new college budget and academic year begins July 1.