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WCJC responds to governors request to cut costs

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Tuition and tax increases, are among the strategies Wharton County Junior College is proposing in response to Gov. Rick Perry's request to identify savings totaling five percent of the state appropriation to Wharton County Junior College for the 2010-11 biennium.

In a letter to the governor and other state legislators, WCJC President Betty Mc-Crohan expressed concern about the long-term effects of such budget cuts.

"The future of our state depends on an educated workforce, and reductions in educational opportunities for the growing number of unemployed and under-employed citizens could undermine the state's ability to respond to future opportunities," she said.

State community colleges and universities, as well as all state agencies, were directed by Perry to submit plans to cut five percent from their general revenue appropriations for each of the fiscal years 2010 and 2011. Given that the 2010 fiscal year is half over, McCrohan called the timing of the request "problematic." WCJC's five percent reduction for fiscal year 2010 totals $421,745.

"Classes are already in progress for the spring semester and most appropriations have already been obligated for instructional expenses," said McCrohan.

Compounding the request for funding cuts is increased enrollments at all Texas community colleges. WCJC has experienced unprecedented enrollment increases of 11 percent in fall 2009 and nearly 14 percent in spring 2010.

McCrohan said, "Any reduction in state appropriations will impact the college's ability to meet the increasing demand for educational services for our students, many of whom are first time in college and demonstrate unmet financial need."

WCJC's state appropriation for fiscal year 2011 that faces the chopping block is $421,744 - one dollar less than fiscal year 2010. Because of the college's small tax base, McCrohan says the current tax rate will not generate sufficient revenues to offset the projected reductions.

Other strategies proposed by WCJC to meet the funding cuts include:

Reducing travel and limiting purchases of all but essential instructional equipment and supplies,

Postponing expansion or development of new workforce programs including those in high demand fields such as the health professions,

Reducing general institution expenditures including library hours,

Delaying implementation of special programs like tutoring, mandatory advising and learning centers targeted at improving the success of first-year students,

Reducing community service programs,

Postponing implementation of new P-16 initiatives with public schools in the WCJC serve area.



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© 2010 East Bernard Express East Bernard, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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