Sigh.....

[NinjaPoodle]

Well, I guess it had to happen sooner or later. I just wish it could have been later.

March 19, 2002

Dear Members of the Academy Community:

This letter is to inform you that tuition charges at the Academy of Art College will be increased, effective for the Fall 2002 semester. Undergraduate tuition will be $550 per unit and graduate tuition will be $600 per unit. Consequently, tuition at the Academy will amount to approximately $13,200 per year at undergraduate level and $14,400 at the graduate level (excluding course fees, etc.). The Academy strives to maintain its tuition at an affordable level and this is the first increase in two years.

The Academy is committed to maintaining competitive tuition rates and continues to be one of the most affordable private art schools in the nation. For local comparison, undergraduate tuition at the SF Art Institute and at College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland is $21,220 and $20,620 respectively.

The Academy, unlike many other colleges, does not routinely increase its tuition. Tuition increases are determined on an as needed basis. We have recently expanded our existing facilities to include the Church, which now houses the Liberal Arts classes. In addition, the Academy of Art College continues to invest a significant portion of its financial resources in classroom and lab equipment as described below.

We have also developed significant guest speaker programs to bring the greater art community to our campus.

Following are just some of the highlights of advancements in facilities and equipment recently undertaken by the Academy. Combined, these improvements provide a clear reflection of the Academy’s commitment to keeping in step with the dynamic and ever-changing technologies of the art and design world:


New Media
Replacement of 200 Power Computing machines by G3’s and G4’s completed.
200 additional G3’s and G4’s added, including 40 machines with DVD-RAM and 20 CD-burners.
All Scanners in MAC lab replaced – 12 new scanners available for student use.
Two 11” by 17” laser printers added.
Email and word processing zones set up for student use.
10 still digital cameras and 11 DV-Cameras added for student use.
New Phillips projectors in all classrooms for brighter images.
New MFA MAC lab on 8th floor – 20 G4’s, flatbed and film scanners, 11” by 17” printer, 2 DVD-burners and 2 CD-burners.
MFA classroom on 8th fl - 20 G4’s and 20 Intuos Wacoms tablets.
Mix use class - 20 computers and 20 new Intuos 2 Wacoms.
Many software upgrades and additions.

3 D Animation
New network incl. high capacity and reliability Network Appliance storage device for use by students.
96 new HP dual processor workstations with 21” monitors, including CD-burners.
10 SGI Octane workstations.
New Tech Commanders and projectors in classrooms.
Large size plasma display in lobby to show student work.
Significant furniture upgrade

Illustration
100 new easels.
Computers and Wacom tablets in 2D area.
Animation drafting tables.
Provided an experienced 2D animation director.

Fine Art
Upgrade of silk screen facilities.
New ventilation and remodel of classrooms.

Sculpture
Facilities upgrade incl. new ventilation system.
Upgrade of Kilns and new programmable kiln.
Furnace with UV flame guard.

Graphic Design
Additional typographic classes, Calligraphy classes and restricted digital classes.
Created vehicle (windows on 1st floor at 79 NM) for students to create public graphics.
Floating computers with internet access for classrooms.

Fashion
Purchased 13 sewing machines for student use.
Improvements to the Textile Lab.
Newly developed marketing program and marketing director.
Upgraded production/drafting software to latest rev to work on MACs.
Added faculty for new 4 year men’s wear curriculum.

Advertising
15 new digital cameras for student use.
New classroom created.
Provided mobile internet access in all classrooms.
3 new computers.

Library
25 iMacs, 6 flatbed scanners and printer added for student use
DVD viewing room with surround sound and 4 VCR stations added.
New DVD collection with 175 titles.
Purchased Grove Dictionary of Art, incl. on line companion.
Switched to ProQuest full-text periodicals database.

MPT
134 movie cameras, incl. digital. 20 still cameras.
45 Mole Richardson and 8 KinoFlo lightsets added.
6 DAT recorders with microphones.
Bosch FDL 90 Telecine transfer facility.
Upgraded Final Cut Pro lab.
2 fully equipped stages for Cinematography and Acting 3.
New Avid 1000 composer station.
Media 100 computers upgraded to G4’s.
Sound lab with 24 track Digi-Design Pro-Tools.
Screenwriting Lab with Final Draft and Movie Magic software.

Industrial Design
New machines – Roland MDX cnc, 3 D printer, HP Design Printer.
Facilities – Filtration system in wood shop.
Society of Plastics Videos – in library.
New brighter projector in classroom.
Re-model of clay sink.

Photography
18 new Cameras, 2 lighting sets.
Upgrade of Adams lab for digital Photography, incl. 5 G4’s and 4 scanners.
Upgrade of facilities incl. new ventilation system at 740 Taylor.

Interior Architecture
8 new workstations and projector for graduate lab.
HP 800 postscript plotter.
Large format (17” by 24”) scanner.
Construction of gallery for display of student work.

ARC/ESL
New PCs and printer.
Increase in staff to assist students with classroom challenges.

Liberal Arts
Moved classes to the Church
Increased classroom facilities.
Improved sound system in sanctuary.


If you would like to compare tuition costs at other art schools you can at www.chronicle.com/stats/tuition/. Go to the second drop box and click on: Art-Schools of art, music and design and then click on "Go".

If you believe that payment of tuition will be a hardship, the Academy offers an interest free three-month installment plan for our Fall and Spring Semesters. The installment plan enables students to pay their tuition in three separate payments. Students may also use the installment plan for any portion of tuition not covered by their awarded financial aid. Installment plan agreement contracts and information regarding the Academy’s installment plan may be obtained through the Accounts Receivable office at our 79 New Montgomery building. In addition, we have Financial Aid Administrators to assist you in determining your Financial Aid eligibility.

Please go to our website at www.academyart.edu and click on the Financial Aid link for more information on financial resources available. We will continue to strive to provide the best faculties and personnel for you to achieve your educational goals.




Very truly yours,

Dr. Elisa Stephens
President
Academy of Art College


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