Community Colleges in danger

James Hernon, Kat Mabry, Coburn Palmer, Sydney Grossman / Roundup

Once again California is facing a budget crisis. California currently needs to cover an almost $26 billion gap in the budget. Currently agreements are in place between Governor Brown and Republicans to cover all but $15 billion of the budget gap.

That still leaves almost $11 billion that must be found somewhere. Governor Brown is attempting to extend the tax increases on large purchase items which is set to expire in June, but he is being thwarted by the legislature. Brown is trying to bring the issue to the public, in the form of a ballot measure but is short two Republican votes.

Solutions to the budget crisis have presented themselves in the form of cuts to social programs and California’s college system. Welfare and medical programs for the poor will be the hardest hit. Fee’s have already risen for California’s community colleges from $26 to $36 a unit and the budget has yet to be balanced. If Brown cannot find a way to extend the tax increases more cuts will be necesary.

State of California

Suffering under a $26 billion budget shortfall drastic measures must be taken. Governor Brown is deadlocked against state Republicans over an argument to extend the tax increases or slash social services including medical care for the poor and elderly and cuts to California’s colleges.

California Community Colleges

A predicted $800 million budget cut to the 112 campusCalifornia Community College system will result in an estimated loss of 400,000 students roughly the size of the entire UC system. Fees have already been raised from $26 to $36 with more fee increases possible.

L.A. Community College District

Facing a possible 17 percent budget cut, or $83million. Considering limiting specialized promgrams including nursing and culinary to one campus in the district effectively lenghting student commutes, according to the Daily News.

East L.A.

“Limited class selections make it difficult for students to graduate in a timely manner,” said James Garcia ASO chief justice.

L.A. City

40 percent cut in City’s journalism department.

$7.5 million cut to the school’s budget, according to a letter from the college president.

L.A. Harbor

Limited summer school.

Cancelled winter session and cuts to the Fall schedule.

“There have already been faculty layoffs, less classes, increased class sizes,” according to the “Harbor Tides.”

L.A. Mission

Winter session cancelled for 2011.

18 needed full time faculty will not be hired to save the college money.

L.A. Southwest

“Students are having issues with getting classes they need to transfer simply because they are being cut,” said Antoine White, ASO executive secretary.

L.A. Trade Tech College

“Obviously if we’re looking at a 15 percent cut it would be disastrous,” said Roland Chapdelaine Ph.D. college president.

L.A. Valley

Has already cut their summer school.

Recently forced to cut 1685 classes from its Spring semester.

West L.A.

Has already cut their summer school.

“The budget cuts are really forcing students to make a double take on their education,” said Scott Stamler ASO treasurer.

Pierce College

A worst case scenario envisions Pierce losing 6,000 students along with fee increases and class reduction. Part time professors are already facing possible job loss. There is a hiring freeze for classified employees (custodians etc). Pierce is currently planning a limited amount of summer school classes pending further budget analysis. A best case scenario has Pierce budgeted to lose 5 percent of its general fund. If Governor Brown’s tax extensions don’t pass the college could be faced with a 15 percent across the board budget cut. Options being considered are a 90 unit cap on subsidized credits, a fee increase to $66 and eliminating funding for athletics.