Winter Intersession Secured by Reserved Funds and Carefulness
Michael Cheng
Posted on: 1/22/09 Section: News
With the sagging economy and California's state budget cuts, community colleges are struggling to keep their doors open. PCC is trying to avoid the same outcome.
Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College have already canceled their intersession classes.
Just when more people are deciding to go back to community college, students may find more difficulties in applying and taking classes.
This year, there is an expected 260,000 student increase statewide.
PCC received a little over $288 million for the 2008-2009 school years, school officials said.
PCC's fiscal year is from July 1 to June 30. By July 1 of every year, the Board of Trustees approves a tentative budget. According to the amount they receive from the state, the board approves an adopted budget by Sept. 10.
The Governor usually signs the state budget on July 1 of each year, but in 2008 the budget was delayed.
"The budget is flawed and not balanced. We are still waiting for the California state government to come to a solution for the current year budget, so we know whether or not the adopted budget is authentic or has deficits," said the Chief Fiscal Officer and interim Vice President Mark Zacovic.
"It's hard to know what our budget for the 2009-2010 year is when we are uncertain about the budget this year," Zacovic added.
The board is committed to keep the doors open and avoid layoffs for full-time employees, according to Zacovic.
"The state wants us to keep five percent expenditures in reserve in case of emergencies. We probably have more money in reserve than most colleges, but all colleges are having trouble," Zacovic said.
The governor's proposal for the 2009-2010 year is to not change student fees. Eventually they will increase, but not in the immediate future, said Zacovic.
With more people going back to school, students are in greater need of work-study according to Assistant Director of Scholarships and Work-Study David J. Le Claire.
"Work-study has helped pick up the slack financially," said Le Claire.
Zacovic said that students shouldn't be worried about getting admitted to PCC.
"Students should be more flexible when picking their classes," said Zacovic.
PCC is staying proactive, said Le Claire.
"President Paulette Perfumo told us to be more concerned [about] how much we spend. PCC prides itself in being student centered, that's Perfumo focus," said Le Claire.
PCC has a history of being fiscally conservative according to Le Claire.
"Dr. Kossler as the chief fiscal officer made sure PCC had reserves and didn't spend it recklessly. When he became president, his knowledge influenced how he led PCC," said Le Claire.
"I think it great that PCC hasn't cut their intersession because I want to transfer as soon as possible. Intersession is great for students who want to graduate sooner," said Valentino Hoang.
Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College have already canceled their intersession classes.
Just when more people are deciding to go back to community college, students may find more difficulties in applying and taking classes.
This year, there is an expected 260,000 student increase statewide.
PCC received a little over $288 million for the 2008-2009 school years, school officials said.
PCC's fiscal year is from July 1 to June 30. By July 1 of every year, the Board of Trustees approves a tentative budget. According to the amount they receive from the state, the board approves an adopted budget by Sept. 10.
The Governor usually signs the state budget on July 1 of each year, but in 2008 the budget was delayed.
"The budget is flawed and not balanced. We are still waiting for the California state government to come to a solution for the current year budget, so we know whether or not the adopted budget is authentic or has deficits," said the Chief Fiscal Officer and interim Vice President Mark Zacovic.
"It's hard to know what our budget for the 2009-2010 year is when we are uncertain about the budget this year," Zacovic added.
The board is committed to keep the doors open and avoid layoffs for full-time employees, according to Zacovic.
"The state wants us to keep five percent expenditures in reserve in case of emergencies. We probably have more money in reserve than most colleges, but all colleges are having trouble," Zacovic said.
The governor's proposal for the 2009-2010 year is to not change student fees. Eventually they will increase, but not in the immediate future, said Zacovic.
With more people going back to school, students are in greater need of work-study according to Assistant Director of Scholarships and Work-Study David J. Le Claire.
"Work-study has helped pick up the slack financially," said Le Claire.
Zacovic said that students shouldn't be worried about getting admitted to PCC.
"Students should be more flexible when picking their classes," said Zacovic.
PCC is staying proactive, said Le Claire.
"President Paulette Perfumo told us to be more concerned [about] how much we spend. PCC prides itself in being student centered, that's Perfumo focus," said Le Claire.
PCC has a history of being fiscally conservative according to Le Claire.
"Dr. Kossler as the chief fiscal officer made sure PCC had reserves and didn't spend it recklessly. When he became president, his knowledge influenced how he led PCC," said Le Claire.
"I think it great that PCC hasn't cut their intersession because I want to transfer as soon as possible. Intersession is great for students who want to graduate sooner," said Valentino Hoang.
Be the first to comment on this story