The American Samoa Community College (ASCC) is requesting a subsidy of $8.5 million from ASG for Fiscal Year 2026. However, only $1.8 million is being proposed in ASG’s Special Programs budget for the college subsidy.
ASCC President Dr. Rosevonne Pato stressed during review of the college budget that ASCC is the territory’s only institution of higher learning, and its subsidy funding should not be placed under Special Programs. Rather, is should be included in the ASCC budget.
She said they have discussed with the Governor and his advisors for Education and Finance that funding for the college should be given directly to the college and not through Special Programs.
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The college president said ASCC has undertaken several cost containment measures, such as freezing salary increments since 2021, cutting down on travel, and not filling vacant positions. She said the college currently has 67 vacancies.
The college has paid employee contributions to the Retirement Fund, but has is not up to date with the employer contribution.
The president estimated the IOU to the Retirement Fund to be $1 million. She also reported that the college has not paid $448,000 in Social Security contributions.
The college has plans to develop some of its courses into four-year programs, but cannot implement those plans under the current funding situation, which is hindering the growth of the two-year programs, said the president.
As the budget hearings continue, lawmakers have found inconsistencies with budget numbers. For example, figures in the budget summaries do not match the figures in the budget details. Additionally, names of previous directors and employees still appear in the budget book.
The Director of the Budget Office, Tauaisafune Niualama Taifane, apologized to the committee and asked that her office make corrections and resubmit the affected budgets. These include the budgets of the Office for the Protection ad Advocacy for the Disabled, Human and Social Services, and Department of Commerce.
