Chancellor's Communication
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July 21, 2009
Dear Colleagues:
Last night the Governor and leadership of the California Legislature agreed upon a budget solution they believe will move the State forward. While legislation still must be enacted and passed to arrive at an approved state budget, indications are that the full Legislature will pass the budget this week.
As I mentioned in my July 15 communication, we have kept a close watch on the situation and have developed a plan to address anticipated cuts in state funding. This morning, we know that three of our basic assumptions proved true. Fees will increase $6 per unit. Cal Grants and other categorical programs still face unspecified additional cuts. And, RCCD must respond to a general CCC system mandate to reduce unfunded FTES.
Available information reinforces our earlier budget deficit estimate of $16.5 million for FY2009/10. While we may see some marginally increased funding through stimulus dollars used to backfill reductions, the overall picture is very much the same.
Ideally, we would have had more time to deal with the significant deficit we face this year. The simple fact is we don’t have the luxury of time. Resolving the immediate problem required a proportional cost reduction plan--one that cut dollars from every budget across the District, including the Chancellor’s Office and the Board of Trustees. Soon, we will begin to explore strategies to address projected financial issues in FY2010/11. However, we’ve strived simply to achieve a fair and equitable approach to move us forward successfully over the next 12 months.
In doing so, our primary goal was to reach financial targets in ways that were the least disruptive to students and employees. I am assessing the submitted budget reduction plans from the presidents and vice chancellors and will share more detailed information with you next week. I can tell you, however, that they have reached their targets without layoffs, furloughs and some of the other severe measures many California colleges and universities have been forced to implement.
It's important to note that these operational cost reductions will enable us to reduce overall impacts on students and maintain access at a reasonable level. Yes, our campuses will offer 1,000 fewer class sections this year, but those cuts are directed specifically at paring down RCCD's unfunded FTES. In these difficult economic times, no public college can afford to continue to serve nearly 5,000 unfunded full-time equivalent students and still provide a quality higher education experience.
I know you share my commitment to high quality education, and I want to thank those faculty and staff who have shared ideas for increasing efficiencies and reducing costs. I encourage you to continue communicating with your colleagues and me. I promise to do the same.
Unseen challenges may await us, but so do opportunities. I firmly believe that it is the opportunities that will define Riverside Community College District as a national leader among community colleges.
Greg Gray
Chancellor