GRACEVILLE (BCF)—Baptist College of Florida (BCF) trustees approved a 1.7 percent increase for the college’s 2004-2005 operating budget, accepted revised curriculum plans for various majors, and voted to approve the donation of property to a local church during their May 7 meeting on BCF’s Graceville campus.

The approved budget for 2004-05 totals $6,170,469, and follows a fiscal year of July 1 through June 30. As part of the budget, trustees also approved an increase in tuition for the 2004-2005 session which BCF President Thomas A. Kinchen said is both necessary and feasible.

According to a recent report by the Association of Southern Baptist Colleges and Schools, BCF currently holds the second lowest tuition and fees of the 57 colleges and universities related to Southern Baptists in the report and it is anticipated that this rank will be maintained after the increase.

In addition to the budget approval, trustees received a report related to the costs and value of an education at The Baptist College of Florida from Kinchen which noted that while having the second lowest tuition and fees of any Southern Baptist related college, BCF ranks third among the 57 reported schools in the number of ministry students according to another ASBCS report. “Florida Baptists have a strong value added position in their college,” stated BCF President Thomas A. Kinchen of the reports.

 The board also approved a revised curriculum for the college in which majors are built upon a common general education foundation and theological foundation approved by trustees in their January 2004 meeting. “I am especially pleased that the college now offers a stronger curriculum than we have ever offered in our history,” commented Kinchen about the new curriculum.

The revised curriculum includes: Bachelor of Arts degrees with majors in elementary education, Christian education, missions, leadership, ministry, biblical studies, Christian counseling and church music; Bachelor of Music Education degrees with majors in instrumental and choral; Bachelor of Music in church music degree, Associate of Divinity, Associate of Arts degrees with majors in christian education and music and a minor in music.

In other action trustees:

• approved a recommendation from the president to donate a business lot and building owned by the college to First Baptist Church of Graceville. This property is immediately adjacent to the front door of the church and will assist the congregation in a current building expansion program.
• heard a report concerning enrollment for the 2003-2004 year indicating a non-duplicating headcount of 743. This record enrollment compares to the previous record of 702 reported for the 2002-2003 session.
• received a progress report from Kinchen concerning a new partnership agreement with the Metropolitan Baptist Association in New York City. This arrangement will provide individual students as well as mission groups opportunities to engage in internships and other projects. Other partnerships also are planned for the expanding missions program at the college.

Kinchen praised the board for their continued dedication to BCF stating: “The Baptist College of Florida is blessed to have a board of trustees made up of some of the finest folks with whom I have ever worked. They have a heart for the Gospel, a commitment to Florida Baptists and a zeal for Christian higher education. It is an honor to walk with them in this exciting work.” The trustees enjoyed a dinner on campus and a concert presented by the College Winds and Jazz Ensemble during their visit to BCF.