News Photo by Reagan Voetberg Industrial Technology Instructor David Cummins and students on the ROV team talk about starting the team last fall and their challenges and triumphs on Wednesday night at the Alpena Community College Board of Trustees meeting.

ALPENA — At Wednesday night’s meeting, the Alpena Community College Board of Trustees voted to raise tuition by 3% in fiscal year 2026.

Additionally, the board approved a $1 increase to the technology fee to offset the cost of new academic software, according to the agenda.

Tuition will rise from $154 per contact hour to $159 per contact hour for in-district students, and from $246 to $253 for out-of-district students.

The technology fee will rise from $6 to $7 per contact hour for all students.

As stated in the agenda, the college is always mindful of the cost of education and its impact on students. There are a number of scholarship and grant opportunities available to students to help defray the cost of education, including a number of scholarships given annually by the ACC Foundation.

ACC receives revenue from three main sources: appropriations from the State of Michigan, a 2.5 mills assessment on properties in the Alpena Public Schools district, and tuition and fees. In recent years, revenue from state appropriations and property taxes has been limited due to downward economic influences in Michigan, according to the meeting agenda.

ACC President Don MacMaster said during the meeting that they are expecting a 1% decrease in enrollment, a 1.5% increase in state appropriations, and a 2.5% increase in millage. The 3% increase in tuition balances all that out.

“I think it’s modest. I can’t think of a year when we’ve had more than a 3% increase,” MacMaster said. “That’s generally where we fall every year.”

According to the agenda, in order to maintain a balanced budget, ACC looks first to managing expenses wherever feasible. Secondly, the college looks to bring in additional revenue to maintain high standards of service to students and community members.

As stated in the agenda, ACC continues to be highly affordable to students, especially compared to four-year institutions, and continues to provide great value to all in Northeast Lower Michigan. ACC’s costs are also competitive with similar community colleges who enjoy better property tax revenues.

IN OTHER BUSINESS

— Prior to the start of the meeting, Director of Information Technology Adam Keyes demonstrated the new technological upgrades in Granum Theater in the Newport Center to the board of trustees. He projected a video that showed the improvements in sound quality and graphics.

— MacMaster played a message sent to him from Sen. Elissa Slotkin thanking him for his leadership during the ice storm. He also said that he received a voicemail from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

— Trustee Teresa Duncan announced that there is an extended deadline for students to apply for scholarships due to the ice storm. Scholarship applications are now due at the end of April.

— Director of Nursing Kelli Leask introduced Carmen Dellar, the first student to graduate from the RN to BSN program. ACC partners with Saginaw Valley State University to offer nursing students a way to earn their BSN without attending a four-year institution. Dellar said she has accepted a position at MyMichigan Alpena in the Intensive Care Unit.

— David Cummins, an industrial, CAD, and marine technology instructor at ACC, talked to the board about the Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) team that started last semester. Students on the team discussed their experiences leading up to their May 17 international competition in Alpena.

— The Lineman Rodeo is coming to campus for the first time since 2016. The competition will take place on the property east of Van Lare Hall on April 25, starting at 9 a.m., MacMaster said.

— Dean of Workforce Development Dawn Stone and Vice President of Instruction Paige Gordier attended the Higher Learning Commission conference and shared what they learned there as the college continues to make plans for its re-accreditation in 2027.

— MacMaster said that two soccer coaches have been hired to lead the new men’s and women’s teams starting in the fall of 2025.

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.