Budget and Finance

Metrics and Performance Based Funding

Whereas, Senate Bill 1143 (Liu, 2010; now in Education Code §84502) called for a task group to identify metrics for performance based funding, and the group is well on its way in developing such metrics;

Whereas, The metrics being discussed include progress metrics (e.g., accumulating a certain number of units, advancing from basic skills to transfer courses), as well as achievement metrics (e.g., earning a certificate or degree), but, as of yet, little consideration has been given to metrics intended to ensure the provision of services that support student success;

Budget Primer Resolution

Whereas, Local senates will be empowered by a greater knowledge of budget processes; and

Whereas, A brief and clearly expressed primer regarding budget issues and language would allow new senate presidents to perform better in the participatory governance process with regards to budget decisions;

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges adopt the paper Budget Considerations: A Primer for Senate Leaders;

Call for Statewide Conversation on Funding Formulas to Maintain Comprehensive Course and Program Offerings

Whereas, Recent budgetary cutbacks have forced many colleges and districts to reduce their course and program offerings significantly, and, in some cases, rapidly, which, if not done thoughtfully and strategically, may lead to a curriculum that is unbalanced and misaligned with community needs and statewide mission directives;

Oppose Potential Permanent Elimination of all Categorical Funding

Whereas, Various individuals and constituencies within the California Community College System have proposed temporary flexibility regarding compliance with requirements related to allocation of funding for categorical programs;

Whereas, Categorical programs were originally established because of a need to ensure that certain support services would be guaranteed; and

Whereas, The proposed temporary flexibility regarding expenditures for categorical programs could easily result in permanent reductions in categorical funding;

Use of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Funds

Whereas, The State of California optimistically anticipated a one-time infusion of $138 million in ARRA funds for the community colleges;

Whereas, The System based its discussions of the 2009-2010 budget on the assumption that these ARRA funds would be available to backfill the anticipated cuts to student services categorical funds; and

Whereas, The reality is the community colleges will only receive $32 million in ARRA funds;

Response to Current Budget Cuts: Maintaining "10+1" in Budget Crisis

Whereas, Potential looming cuts to California community college funding could significantly affect student access and success;

Whereas, Title 5 Regulations mandate that local senates make recommendations with respect to academic and professional matters, including "processes for institutional planning and budget development"; and Whereas, Faculty may provide additional information that may inform budget adjustments that minimize impact on students;

Monitoring of Local Budget Process

Whereas, The State of California is currently experiencing a fiscal crisis of historic proportions;

Whereas, In times of fiscal crisis, administrators in many community college districts attempt to respond to budget constraints in a fashion which places a higher priority on expediency and efficiency than on the following of appropriate participatory processes which have been designed to ensure faculty input; and

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