Students may have fewer courses to choose from next semester, as City

College officials reacted last Monday to brainstorm ways to combat a

possible $2.5 million deficit in spring.

“We didn’t expect it to be quite this bad a month ago,” said vice

president of Business Services Joe Sullivan.

Superintendent-President Andreea Serban said the school is committed to

providing core curriculum courses for students, and will keep everyone

employed. But in doing this, cuts will have to be made in travel

funding, faculty sabbaticals, and in other areas.

Serban said that some spring classes may not be open for enrollment, and

courses that are available will be filled to capacity. Serban believes

these cuts to be necessary, but does acknowledge that this may have a

negative effect on future enrollment.

“When you remove sections, you see a downfall of enrollment that’s hard

to rebuild,” Serban said.

City College Board of Trustee Kay Alexander recommended that the

Academic Senate come up with a ranking of sections that are most

important to the school’s core mission. This ranking would help City

College decide which classes to eliminate.

Trimming costs could also mean that City College’s school of cosmetology

could be trimming hair in a different location.

Board members suggested that the college should relocate the school of

cosmetology – which is taught off campus – to the Wake Center. The

school would have to renovate the Wake canter, but board members think

that the renovation would be cheaper than the $188,000 the school

currently pays in rent.

College officials blamed the state budget -passed on Sept. 23 – as the

main reason for the current economical situation.

Since the state originally passed the budget, the financial climate

worldwide has changed considerably, including the Dow Jones Industrial

average losing nearly one-fourth of its value.

“They gave us a budget that doesn’t reflect reality at all,” said vice

president of Business Services Joe Sullivan.

This has led California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to ask U.S. Treasury

Secretary Henry Paulson for a $7 billion loan from the federal

government needed in order to fund day-to-day operations. This loan may

help City College overcome its current deficit, and secure timely

monthly payments from the State.

The state legislature may revise the budget in January, which could

reduce growth and categorical funding, and eliminate the cost of living

adjustment.

President Serban said that the school might be able to save money by

funding deferred maintenance on campus with Measure V funds.

The Board of Trustees will meet Nov. 4 in a study session to discuss the

problem at hand.