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In a budget message released on Feb. 3 by Dale, he said that although the reductions are serious, they are “more manageable than the reductions that were expected.” Yet for fiscal 2010, bigger changes are expected due to a looming $3 billion state deficit.

The price of tuition is a high priority on the Maricopa County Community College Governing Board’s list of things to do. It is also high on the list of students’ concerns. Nothing has been approved yet, but there are district administrators who have expressed desires for a $5 increase. That would make the present $71 tuition jump to $76 per credit hour. This new cost would be put into effect for fiscal 2010, which does start July 1, 2009. Tuition is incoming revenue, so that makes it operating aid. Operating aid is what pays for the daily operational costs, utilities and according to Dale, close to 80 percent of salaries for campus employees.

Staffing is also a topic that uncertainty follows. As of last November, a short-term hiring freeze has been put into effect. Searches for positions such as office coordinator in Student Life, computer maintenance technician, a full-time softball coach and director of financial aid were stopped due to the freeze. The positions of manager for the Center of Performing Arts, instructional technologist, distance education secretary, admissions and records clerk, community education marketing assistant and custodians are open, but are currently being filled by temporary employees. This hiring freeze will continue to remain intact for at least another 30 days. Sabbaticals for fiscal 2009 and 2010 are canceled, as well as personal growth conferences and workshops district-wide.

Faculty President Sue VanBoven said, “At PVCC, we have not had any layoffs yet. I am sure that would be the very last option.”

Back in December 2008, the Budget Development Strategy Team put together a list of developed strategies to help reduce and cut costs. A portion of these strategies address programs on campus with regards to reductions and or eliminations such as high cost programs with low enrollment.

“There is no list yet of programs that are to be cut due to their high cost,” said Dale. “We are waiting for fiscal year 2010 before we do that.”

Dale also said that due to the fact that PVCC is a young college, programs are still growing and expanding. The BDST goals for reducing and cutting are focused on programs that can be offered elsewhere and or do not proficiently serve students any longer. As to what programs no longer serve students to the best degree is a foggy question, but Dale offers an example.

“A couple years ago, there was a hazardous materials program on campus,” said Dale. “Over time, enrollment dropped and it was no longer meeting the community requirement, so the program was cut.”

Securing strong student enrollment is what leads to the growth and ultimately the success of PVCC. Dale said that enrollment back in 1997 was at 5,800 students and grew enormously to 9,300 by fall 2008. Even this spring, full-time student enrollment has increased by 12 percent. Enrollment will continue to go up, or so Dale believes. Arizona State University recently announced that they will begin to stop taking freshmen applications in early March.

“There is always a critical mass of students in our service areas that are ‘on the bubble’ choosing between PVCC and ASU, and the recent economic downturn will likely steer many of these students to PVCC,” said Dale. “This will be an excellent opportunity for PVCC to demonstrate our high quality teaching and learning to a large number of new students.” 

However, Dale has said that our ability to deliver services will be taxed by the budget cuts. Students will likely see the biggest impact on support services, meaning longer lines, less staff to serve students and reduced hours.

Even though increased enrollment means increased funding from the state, that funding will be absorbed: “Even though we are funded for new full time enrollment equivalences, we will on the short run, be making up the budget that has already been cut,” says Dale.
On Mar. 12, an open forum will be available to provide students with an avenue to voice their concerns to faculty and administrators. Helice Agria of Student Life is steadily working to organize and that ensure students get their chance to speak up.

“A lot of students don’t understand what is going on and what it means for their future,” said Agria. “I thought it to be important to get students to know what is happening.”