COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEADERS IN CAPITAL CITY TO LOBBY LAWMAKERS

By KATHLEEN HAUGHNEY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE,
Feb. 3, 2009

Community college leaders are trying to maintain open enrollment at colleges across the state for a relatively low cost, but state budget cuts may hinder their ability to do so.

Community colleges have largely been overshadowed by public universities, which are lobbying hard for higher education dollars. State university system officials have already hinted at layoffs, academic program cuts and fewer student support services. But state universities can cap enrollment figures, something community colleges strive not to do. The state college system advocates an open door policy so that any student can get an education. And at community colleges, enrollment continues to rise and state dollars are likely to drop.

“I think it's important that we continue to serve the community, that our doors say open,” said Eileen Holden, president of Polk Community College.

In the 2007-2008 academic year, enrollment stood at 804,262. For the current school year, it is estimated at 859,544, a 6.9 percent increase. In last year's budget, it received $1,144,348,178. This year, $1,094,748,686.

The colleges have deferred maintenance projects, cut back on travel and halted orders on new technology equipment. Instead of hiring full time faculty to replace ones that have left, they are hiring adjunct professors. That means fewer and bigger classes. College presidents say there are no other options if they want to continue to have an open-door policy.

“The primary issue is access,” said Edwin Massey, president of Indian River College. “We're trying to keep classes open and we're trying to keep our community colleges there for the student.”

Massey and Holden were both in Tallahassee as part of a massive lobbying effort on behalf of the state college system. At a meeting hosted by the Florida Association of Community Colleges, presidents, trustees and government relations officers heard an outline of the state's precarious fiscal situation in preparation for their meetings with lawmakers Wednesday. They are trying to persuade lawmakers not to cut their budgets again this year, even though state economists are projecting the state will have almost $4 billion less to dole out to state-funded programs.

Holden said her best-case scenario with the state budget would mean the college could keep its doors open to everyone at a low cost. Worst-case means more cuts and higher costs.

“We may be forced to look at a tuition increase and students may have to limit the number of classes they take,” Holden said.

For Massey, who is also chair of the council of presidents, layoffs are his worst-case scenario for the entire system.

If people lose jobs we're going to lose our ability to provide the capacity to provide the workforce that's going to move us forward in the future,” Massey said. “It's bad for the people it's bad for the companies, it's bad for the economy, it's bad for the community.”