News Release

All Campuses
February 26, 2003

State Budget Reductions Impact College

Ridgecrest, CA – February 26, 2003

Cerro Coso Community College struggles to prepare for the worst budget crisis in its history. Governor Davis' fifth state budget hits hard across the board. Community college administrators across the State face the difficult and unpleasant task of preparing for deep budget reductions.

Based upon impending cuts from the Governor's office ranging from 12-20% for the 2003-2004 budget year, Dr. Sharon Dyer, President, Cerro Coso Community College discussed the impact of those cuts with faculty, staff, and administrators in a college-wide meeting. In dollar figures, this means a $1.8 million to $3 million cut for Cerro Coso. Groups have been working to identify college priorities and their input has been taken into consideration in developing a potential list of reductions for the College. The present list includes administrative reductions, site reductions, faculty and classified reductions.

"The $1.8-3 million dollar cuts do not reflect the additional reductions we will suffer in categorical programs such as CalWorks, Disabled Student Services, and the Educational Opportunities Program. These categorical programs will suffer a 48% (approximately $600,000) cut under the Governor's budget," stated Dyer.

Dyer indicated that she had been holding off on developing a college-wide reduction list until there was something definitive from the State Chancellor's office. "Last week at the state-wide meeting of all community college presidents, the State Chancellor, Tom Nussbaum recommended that we base our cuts on the Governor's budget rather than alternative budgets that have been developed and supported by the State Assembly," continued Dyer. Support for alternative budgets is waning.

The list of cuts that was presented to the college staff totaled $1,989,000. A new Budget Task Force is being formed to review and prioritize the list. The committee will also expand the list to reach the $3 million target. Dyer explained, "These cuts are devastating to us. This budget challenge has been the worst I have faced in my 33-year history with community colleges. The impact upon people's lives is deplorable. We will get through this with the support of the College and the communities we serve."

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Joann Handeland, Director of Facilities Development and Services (760) 384-6230