The outgoing president of the American Samoa Community College Dr. Adele Satele Galeai is urging government leaders to place priority on funding for the territory's only institution of higher learning.
During budget hearings this year, ASCC officials pointed out that since it became a semi autonomous agency, the college has not received the level of financial support that 's provided under law.
According to testimony by college Vice President Dr. Seth Galeai ASCC is to receive $2,820 for each student.
However the annual appropriations provided to the college each year falls far short of this formula.
Dr. Satele Galeai says government leaders must pay closer attention to the college's needs.
"They need to provide some stable funding for this college. We are the only college and now we've stepped it up to a four year university level, and there'll be more programmes to add on, our people deserve to have a university at some point in the future, and we're not going to do it without the funding."
