Superintendent-President Andreea Serban hosted her first chat of the spring semester on Feb. 12. About 40 people attended the chat – most of them school faculty.

Serban, sitting alone in front of her listeners, was smiling and occasionally joking. However, many serious questions about the school’s current situation seemed to be placed highest on the meeting’s agenda. Serban emphasized that the City College’s current situation is serious.

“I hate to say it, but it doesn’t come as a surprise,” Serban said about the many cuts that have been made. One man mentioned that City College had less cuts than California State Universities and Serban replied that they don’t know all the details yet.

She went on to talk about the state budget, and how City College still has a responsibility as an educational institution.

“We really need to take a short-term and a long-term view of how we operate the college,” Serban said. “We really need to take a more global look on how we function.”

One woman asked if it would result in fewer jobs. Serban responded that they still don’t know the exact amount of cuts for this year or next.

Serban took some time to thank the faculty for helping the school in this situation by allowing more students in their classes.

“We have to avoid reductions that impact students,” she said.

“Summer will be a working summer,” Serban added. “Anyone thinking of a vacation should reconsider.”

One man inquired about the amount of resources left. Serban said that all City Colleges are required to maintain five percent of their operating budget.

“We can’t touch the five percent,” she explained. The man, still not satisfied with the answer, wanted to know how far the college can go. After some discussion back and forth between the two, Serban said, “we have pretty much reached our comfort zone.”

After a more than 30-minute discussion of cuts and the state budget, Serban, once again with a smile on her face, wanted to know if there were any positive thoughts.

One man wanted to hear Serban’s reflection on her first 100 days as superintendent-president.

“I feel very good. The budget is a challenge, but this is a great job,” Serban replied.

A woman asked if City College is still going to continue with the construction of the new SoMA building. Serban said that the construction depends on three things: Measure V money, state funding and donations.

Serban said that as of now the state money has been frozen, but the construction is still scheduled to begin in December 2010. She underlined that the state has still promised the money for the remodel.

Serban ended the meeting by saying that there are many highlights at the college and that she would like to discuss some of these good things at the next chat in March.