Just when college officials thought the budget couldn’t get much tighter, it did.
“We didn’t expect it to be quite this bad a month ago,” said vice
president of Business Services Joe Sullivan.
Last Tuesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger told education leaders to prepare for immediate cuts between $2 billion to $4 billion. The governor also said that he would push for a tax hike to help close the state’s budget gap.
Just a day before the governor warned educators of even more cuts, City College officials predicted a possible $2.5 million deficit for the school next spring. That deficit could widen depending on the state’s ability to narrow the gap.
College officials are trying to find ways to combat the deficit, but this means that students may have fewer courses to choose from next semester.
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 theAcademic Senate come up with a ranking of sections that are mostimportant 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.