Superintendent-President Andreea Serban proposed a new budgeting process to more than 50 of her colleagues on Wednesday, March 11. She requested that they “don’t fight about it, we need to just do it.”

The previous budgeting process used by the college was a more informal, patchwork system of allocating funds to different departments. Requests were on an “as-needed” basis.

The new process requires that requests for resources be linked to a department’s goals and unit objectives. The college’s shared governance process will then prioritize each request to appropriately allocate funds, Executive Vice President of Educational Programs Jack Friedlander said.

The Academic Senate found major problems in Serban’s proposed budget, and was unsatisfied with the dodgy answers she provided to their questions.

“I don’t want to be told that this is shared governance,” said Professor George Federman, upset with Serban’s lack of concern.

The joint meeting was held in Humanities Building-Room 111 to discuss the school’s budgeting plans. In attendance were the College Planning Council, the Classified Consultation Group, the Academic Senate, the Instructor’s Association, other management and a representative from the Associated Student Senate.

City College is currently trying to compile what Serban described as a tremendously difficult budget. As funding cannot be adequately predicted in such a bad economic year, “All bets are off, anyhow,” Serban said.

California is currently operating with a $41.6 billion shortfall. A new budget was signed into effect on Feb. 20. However, the school is still waiting for ballot initiatives to pass in the special May 19 election in order to have a better understanding of the funds it will be receiving.

Serban explained that, with the proposed budgeting process, “Things will need to be given a try-nothing is perfect.”

The Academic Senate, however, expressed disapproval with the implementation of the process.

“Nobody asked,” Professor Esther Frankel said.

As City College’s funds are waning, resource needs are not being met. The staff, equipment, technology, maintenance and construction needed to meet specific course objectives are faltering. This, in turn, is threatening the college’s education objectives.

City College is currently undergoing extensive self-evaluations and studies of standards in order to compile a report for the Accrediting Commission of Community and Junior Colleges. The purpose of this report is to show that City College is up to par as an educational institution.

With unpredictable funding, the school lacks the documents and evidence needed to achieve the desired level with accreditation committees.

Serban could not provide an answer as to the amount of funds the college will be receiving.

While Serban said the school needs to make a commitment to ongoing funding needs, she added that without knowing how much money the school will be receiving, the college cannot adequately commit to these needs.

“Accreditation is merciless,” Serban said. She explained that the agonizing process needs to be fair, adding, “We have a perfect record. We shouldn’t falter now.”

Despite Serban’s attempted motivation, the faculty wasn’t thrilled.

The Academic Senate held a meeting following Serban’s presentation, expressing serious concerns about the new process. They were frustrated that Serban did not consider outside opinions, including their own.

“She didn’t want to hear from us,” Professor Jan Schultz said. “She wanted us to hear from her.”

Professor Tom Garey pointed out his discouragement with the faculty having to cram to meet the new accreditation standards.

The Academic Senate agreed to go on record as having major oppositions to Serban’s plans.