State education budget addressed at convocation ceremony
by Jessica Kelly | Express News Editor
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Los Rios Community College District Chancellor Brice Harris detailed how the newly signed state budget would impact LRCCD students, staff and faculty at City College’s convocation ceremony August 21.
The state budget, signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders July 28, cut funding to community colleges by $695.2 million. According to Harris, $22.2 million from that figure would affect the LRCCD specifically.
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The reduction in funding has affected the cost of student enrollment at the LRCCD as per unit fees have increased to $26 this fall semester.
“And there is tremendous pressure to take those costs to $30, $40 and $50 dollars in the very near future,” Harris said.
Harris also said the district has reduced the number of classes offered by 2 percent from the last spring semester. In the next two to three years, that percentage number should increase by another two points, according to Harris.
Other budget effects discussed include cutting down on new staff and faculty, reduction in state and federal programs aimed at serving the special needs of students. Harris also stated that district employees would shoulder incremental healthcare increases and reduce discretionary expenditures, funds set aside for instructors should they need it to cover essential teaching materials and resources.
Despite the state’s s fiscal challenges, City College President Dr. Kathryn Jeffery spoke optimistically about the budget cuts.
“This is a time of revival. So rather than think of this as doom and gloom, this is a way for us to rethink how we do things at this college,” Jeffery said. “It’s a way for us to look for ways to be more efficient as well as effective.”
Check back with saccityexpress.com for more in-depth coverage of the state education budget, and see the first edition of the fall 2009 print edition of The Express, available on campus newsstands Sept. 15.