The board of Community College of Allegheny County is looking to the near future -- by approval of a budget, a tuition increase and a new science center on the Allegheny campus -- and the long-range future -- by work on a facilities master plan.

The board yesterday approved a $107.2 million operating and plant fund budget and a $32 million capital outlay budget for 2008-09.

The operating portion of the budget -- $95.5 million -- is a 1.5 percent increase over the current budget.

The new budget includes a 4 percent increase in tuition, which was previously announced. Tuition will go from $82 per credit to $85.25, effective July 1.

The biggest item in the capital budget is $17.4 million for a new science center, most of which is being financed through a $22 million bond issue.

College officials praised the terms of the bond issue, noting the college's bond-favorable rating resulted in an overall rate of 4.1 percent.

CCAC President Alex Johnson said the science center will have a "far-reaching" impact, providing nursing and allied health students as well as those in the sciences with modern facilities.

The board also heard a progress report from Perkins Eastman, which is helping to develop a master plan.

The architects praised the West Hills Center, the relatively low tuition and the wide geographic distribution of the campuses and centers.

They said there are opportunities to increase connections with regional business and industry, build centers of excellence at campuses and better use available space.

They also said that there are too few places for students to study or socialize, departments have difficulty communicating between campuses and centers, and there is a lack of sustainable practices, such as recycling and an environmental science curriculum.

Their work began about two months ago, and a report is expected in October or November.