FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Nancy O’Brien 616.234.4213
Vicki Hudson 616.234.4206
NEW GRCC BUDGET APPROVED BY BOARD;
COLLEGE READIES FOR EVEN HIGHER ENROLLMENT, LOWER FUNDING
Monday, June 15, 2009 Grand Rapids, MI - Grand Rapids Community College Trustees approved the 2009-10 budget for the college at their regularly scheduled board meeting Monday night.
Recognizing the tough economic environment that has put school finances - from K-12 districts across Kent County to universities throughout Michigan - in the spotlight lately, GRCC President Steven Ender said that current state budget realities and anticipated state budget cuts will keep GRCC in a difficult position, too.\
“Our mission is to make higher education accessible and affordable to all,” Ender said. “But that’s hard to accomplish when our enrollment is continually climbing and funding is continually flat-lined or dropping.”
“We will not fulfill our mission by transferring the entire burden of state budget cuts and failed millage attempts onto the backs of students. That’s not an option,” Ender said. “And we can’t decrease services, or even try to just maintain the status quo. In fact, the student demand for our services shows that we will continue to grow.”
GRCC enrollment for summer classes is up 15% and is already ahead 8% for Fall. Ender says he expects increasing demand again next year although he anticipates state operating budgets could drop precipitously after the federal stimulus money is depleted.
“We’ve seen this coming,” said out-going Board Chairperson Gary Schenk. “Our board has always been mindful of our mission and of the students we serve. If you look back over the last decade, you’ll see tuition increases for residents have always been in the single figures.”
Ender says GRCC’s leadership is already taking action to gird the college for tough times now and ahead by looking at new revenue streams. Tuition was already raised for Fall semester. Ender has asked all employees to consider participating in a “give-back” program by contributing 2% of their salaries - as Ender, his vice presidents and all college deans have already done - to the GRCC Foundation Scholarship Fund and/or to a newly created program called the College Emergency Fund.
The budget also recommends increasing online course offerings and advertising opportunities on campus, both of which could generate new revenue. Among the cost reductions totaling $658,500 are: not filling a vacated position for a vice president, a revised employee cell phone policy, the reorganization of Printing Services, and the implementation of sustainability practices.
“Other budget savings may be realized as the college continues to explore strategies to become more efficient while maintaining our high level of quality,” Ender said.
GRCC’s ’09-10 budget allows for renewal of contracts for two employee groups: CEBA, which includes unionized maintenance and facilities workers, and Meet & Confer, which includes non-union professional and technical workers. Both contracts allow for a 2% wage increase, however, it is the administration’s hope that many will contribute that back to the college.
- END -
499 page hits and 473 unique visits since 06-15-09
Updated on 16-JUN-09
Edit this page
| View text only version