Proposed 85% budget cut leaves MCCCD counting every penny
Ryan McCullough
The current state budget shortfall hung over the latest MCCCD governing board meeting.Along with the news of the state’s proposal to cut 85 percent of community college funding, MCCCD has other issues constricting its budget.
“We cannot continue to bring in an additional 22,000 students as we’ve done the last two years and the only revenue we receive is the tuition. We’re losing money with every new student,” said Rufus Glasper, MCCCD chancellor.
Glasper said tuition would have to be raised $16 per credit hour to make up for the restricted funding from the state.
“We need to be prepared to move forward,” Glasper said.
Rising health care costs are a problem across the district. In the 2009-10 fiscal year MCCCD spent over $38 million.
“That’s a 5.6 million dollar increase,” said Nicola Perry, fitness and wellness manager at Glendale Community College.
Perry advocated for personal responsibility to mitigate healthcare costs.
“Maricopa is not alone. All we have to do is look around and we see the numbers,” Perry said.
Obesity has been steadily rising in Ariz. In 2000, 15 to 19 percent of the population was labeled as obese. In 2009, that number rose to 25 to 29 percent.
The board approved the purchase of 163-165 North Centennial Way to use as new classrooms for the MCC downtown campus.
The Mariposa building at Estrella Mountain Community College recently received a LEED Gold certification. Sue Tavakoli, vice president of Administrative Services at EMCC, gave a presentation on the subject.
Randolph Lumm, governing board president, was presented with a plaque to commemorate him as the first to serve consecutive terms as board president.
