Budget and Finance

Technology Funding

Whereas, Students have the right to expect that their community college education will include appropriate use of current technology;

Whereas, The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges supports the Technology II Plan to fund technology hardware, software, support, and training at the local college level in a manner separate from regular apportionment; and

Whereas, The nationally recognized Gartner Group consultants recommended a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) model that is now under attack in the Governor's January budget proposal;

Oppose Cuts to Categorical Programs

Whereas, The January budget proposed for 2002-03 by the Governor and the Department of Finance would cut some $130 million from the California Community College's base funding, including:
$58 million from CalWORKs (leaving $15 million for child care)
$26.8 million from Matriculation (leaving $44.5 million)
$19.8 million from Telecommunications and Technology Infrastructure (leaving $24.5 million)
$10 million from the Fund for Student Success (leaving $6.2 million)
$8.8 million from the Economic Development Program (leaving $36.8 million)

Adequate Funding

Whereas, The Master Plan for Education calls for students, parents, faculty, and administrations to assume responsibility for the improved education of all students in California;

Resolved, That the Academic Senate urge the Legislature to assume responsibility for adequately funding the California Community College System to accomplish its mission. MSC Disposition: Legislature, Local Senates

Restoration of CalWORKs Funding

Whereas, The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility for Kids (CalWORKs) program includes opportunities for those on welfare programs (such as TANF) to achieve self-sufficiency through a community college education that includes the development of workplace skills;

Whereas, The CalWORKs program, despite its limitations, has succeeded in helping many students become productive citizens; and

Whereas, State funds for CalWORKs services on community college campuses has been drastically reduced to the point where these services may be eliminated;

Restoration of State Professional Development Funds

Whereas, New techniques, new knowledge, and a student body whose diverse needs often change in a relatively short time require faculty to develop new skills and gain knowledge in their respective disciplines as well as training in teaching techniques in order to remain effective;

Whereas, California community college districts must meet higher operating costs and provide for unfunded growth, thus leaving few discretionary dollars to fund professional development for faculty; and

Restore CalWORKs Funding

Whereas, The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility for Kids (CalWORKs) program provides the education and services that enable students to transition from welfare to self-sufficiency through specialized services such as counseling, child care, transportation, and referrals to community resources;

Energy Conservation

Whereas, Many capital improvement projects on community college campuses have been selected and are on the path to final approval and implementation;

Whereas, The sudden intrusion of an energy shortage crisis into all aspects of education activity has created a heightened awareness of the need for conservation and energy efficiency; and

Whereas, We now have the opportunity to utilize the capital improvement projects as a vehicle to accomplish additional capital improvements that would promote energy efficiency;

Subscribe to Budget and Finance