Board gets grim fiscal projection

By Jessica Luthi
The Guardsman

In these difficult economic times, everyone is tightening their budgets, including City College.

Other Board News •The board approved the appointments of six interim deans for the school of science and mathematics, school of behavioral and social sciences, school of liberal arts and Castro/Valencia campuses, international education and retention programs and the faculty support services, course/room scheduling. •A contract to hire Godbe Research was approved to conduct a public opinion survey to evaluate opposition and support for a potential parcel tax. It will cost the college no more than $33,110. •Honorary degrees will be given to people both living and deceased who were forced to leave City College because of Federal Executive Order 9066, the order resulting in the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. •Chancellor Don Griffin discussed his ideas to bridge the student achievement gap and plans to start a task force, which will be comprised of members of the faculty, academic senate, students and the administration. •Several students said they are having a difficult time with hiring practices at City College, and felt the two TB tests that students are required to take are excessive. Sunny Clark, associate dean of student health services, said the two TB tests are required by California law and ensure an accurate reading.

The monthly financial report, which was delivered at the April 29 board of trustees meeting, brought grim news of City College’s current budget. Peter Goldstein, vice chancellor of administration and finance said there are still more hardships ahead.

“It will be an extremely difficult year,” he said about the 2010-11 fiscal year.
In addition, the college will have to wait until mid-May for the governor’s May budget revision to determine the severity of the shortfall.

“Both the best and worst case scenarios have shortfalls, with the best case being $4 million and the worst $12 million,” Goldstein said.

City College could stand to lose even more money if base enrollment is not met.

The base enrollment is the minimum number of full-time credit students needed per semester. For City College, it means approximately 36,000 students. If the college does not meet the base enrollment, it could stand to lose millions of dollars.

“Part of our budget strategy for next year requires us to add money for adding more classes both during the fall and spring and the summer,” Goldstein said on building enrollment.

Chancellor Don Griffin said it is important to add more classes next year despite the financial situation City College is in.

“The reason we have to add classes is because this year we are under base,” Griffin said. “And if we don’t add classes next year, we’re going to lose even more money.”

To save money during the 2009-10 fiscal year, the college eliminated summer school, cut classes and reduced the operating hours for student services.

Over the last 24 months, City College has struggled to come up with $26 million for both the 2008-09 and 2009-10 fiscal years, Griffin said. He added that the college could be looking at a $7 million shortfall each year if conditions don’t improve.

Trustee Chris Jackson said the college needs to look at all avenues for revenue, including a parcel tax.

The college also began a campaign to solicit donations to help save classes that have been eliminated, or are on the chopping block. A contest was also started asking for ideas on how to save the college money.

“This situation can’t go on,” Jackson said. “We can’t continue to do more with less money.”