The Garden City Telegram

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GCCC programs face elimination, reduction

Published 3/13/2010 in Local News

By MONICA SPRINGER

mspringer@gctelegram.com

Thirteen programs at Garden City Community College are being considered for elimination or reduction as college officials prepare to face a tight 2010-2011 budget year due to declining oil and gas revenues and cuts in state aid to education.

On Friday morning, Carol Ballantyne, GCCC president, sent an e-mail to staff at the college that highlighted areas where the college is considering making cuts. Depending on the amount of revenue and state aid lost, cuts could amount to more than $1.2 million, Ballantyne said.

Ballantyne said it's still too early to identify which programs will be cut, as it depends on how much money the college needs to trim from the budget.

Some of the programs named in her e-mail that could see cuts included: operation of the Bryan Education Center in Scott City; staffing in the athletic department and sports information; the Career Learning System of Finney County; extended summer clerical support in the humanities and fine arts division, as well as clerical assistance in Kansas Concealed Carry firearms training courses; out of town travel for the cheerleading team and operation of the GCCC dance team.

Other programs Ballantyne listed included the broadcast component of the journalism and student news media program; the string component of the GCCC music program, including the Southwest Kansas Music Academy; the addiction counseling program; all or part of the automotive technology program; some courses and majors in the GCCC division of business and information systems; staffing for life enrichment programming in the continuing education community services division; and some staffing in custodial and grounds services.

Need for cuts

College officials have been discussing ways to reduce expenditures, hold down property taxes, absorb a series of cuts in state support and deal with possible declines in Finney County property tax revenues for the 2010-2011 academic year. The college's Board of Trustees has not yet begun to make budget deliberations for the new term.

Oil and gas reserves are projected to be $30 million short of what was expected in Finney County, according to Ballantyne. She said that means the college will lose about $1 million in revenue.

And total cuts from the state total about $200,000, Ballantyne said.

To cope with the loss of revenue, the college will ask for a mill levy increase of less than one mill, which would generate about $250,000. A $2 increase in student fees will bring in an additional $70,000, as well.

She said in the worst-case scenario, GCCC could lose 14 full-time faculty positions and nine part-time positions.

"It's a sad time for us," Ballantyne said.

'It's hard to see it go'

Instructors and professors whose programs could be cut said on Friday they are disappointed and nervous for both themselves and their students.

Doug Beyer, director of string music and director of the Southwest Kansas Music Academy, said he applied for his current job three years ago because he had the freedom to build the strings program how he wanted, as opposed to taking over someone else's program.

Beyer said he's disappointed that the program is being considered for elimination. New businesses, Beyer said, take an average of five years to support themselves. The string program, in its third year, wasn't given the proper time to be successful, he said.

There are 18 people participating in the strings program with an additional 14 in the academy.

"It's poised to show significant growth," Beyer said. "It's hard to put time and effort into a program and have the program be discontinued."

Beyer said he plans on job searching and isn't concerned with his future if the strings program is cut. His worry lies in where students will go, he said.

"There's a lot of talent out there that needs nurturing and structure," he said.

And if the strings program is cut at GCCC, there will be more than college students who will lose Beyer's guidance. Beyer also gives lessons to people ages 7 to 70 through the academy, as well as provides lessons for public school students.

His dream was to put wind, brass and stringed instruments together at GCCC.

"We were getting so close," he said. "It's hard to see it go."

Concerned and disappointed

Another area where cuts are being considered are within the drama department.

What will happen to the department hasn't been determined yet, said Ryan Peterson, GCCC theater instructor.

The department has eight students on full tuition and book scholarship and another student on a book scholarship.

Peterson has 18 written scholarship acceptance letters for next year, with another three e-mail confirmations.

"There's a question by the administrators in whether there is an interest in theater, enough of an interest to justify the program. I think the 21 scholarship students shows there's an interest," Peterson said.

Peterson said he understands that in a tight economy cuts have to be made, but said his program is growing and benefits the community.

"I'm confused as to why a program that seems so viable is still being looked at for cuts," Peterson said.

Peterson said in the talks he's had with GCCC administrators they have discussed keeping the technical director position but eliminating the director position.

Peterson said that goes against industry standard and also goes against his advice to GCCC.

Peterson also said he hasn't had confirmation that students will receive drama scholarships or received confirmation that plays will be produced next year.

He said he encouraged those that love theater to communicate with the college administration and trustees.

"Humanities are part of what makes us human. A college education is supposed to educate the entire person. We look like less of a college without the arts," Peterson said.

He added: "I think those who love live theater in Garden City should be concerned."

A goal of the broadcasting department is to prepare students for the workforce. And that means having students experienced in multimedia, said Cyd Stein, GCCC media instructor.

Stein teaches television production, broadcast news, radio production, introduction to broadcasting and electronic media, and has taught media in a free society and reporting and a college skills course.

She also serves as the adviser to Buster radio.

Stein said there are seven broadcast students this semester, and she's unsure of how to approach enrollment for continuing students, which happens the first part of April. She said she didn't want to enroll students in broadcasting classes if the classes will not exist next semester.

"I'm disappointed with the timing," Stein said. "It hurts the students. It doesn't put the college in a position to succeed."

'Direct effect on people's lives'

Ballantyne said GCCC isn't going to significantly raise tuition to make up for the budget gap because students in western Kansas wouldn't be able to afford to attend classes. And she said GCCC needs to remain competitive with other community colleges in the state.

"I realize that these decisions have a direct effect on people's lives and livelihoods, and I truly wish they could be avoided," Ballantyne said in the e-mail sent to faculty. "Nothing is less pleasant for me than to reduce our workforce, and in no way does this reflect on the service or performance of any individual."

Notices to faculty that they will lose their jobs must be sent before May 1 by state law, Ballantyne said.

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