Dear Students:

The overall budgetary situation for next year remains unclear as the politicians in Sacramento wrangle over how to approach the budget for next year. As you may have heard on the news or read in the papers, the State is looking at a potential shortfall anywhere between $26 and $36 billion dollars. However, some issues are becoming clear:

*While the legislators have become more and more convinced that the Governor’s original budget proposal in January imposed a disproportionate amount of cuts on the Community College system (as compared to the CSUs, UCs and K-12), the community colleges will still be asked to absorb significant cuts in their budgets.

We are presently presuming that we will experience a seven percent cut in our income from the State next year (July 2003-June 2004). This translates to a cut in our budget of almost $4.8 million for next year.

*While we are trying to figure out how to deal with such significant cuts from the State, we must also deal with a mandated increase in expenditures that we have little control over (about $2.4 million).

*Adding these two issues together means we need to cut approximately $7.2 million in order to come to a balanced budget next year.

This is approximately a nine percent reduction from the budget we began with this year. Making such a cut will mean some significant reductions in the services we offer. For students this means a continuing reduction in the number of sections offered next year and a reduction in the services offered through Student Services.

*Finally, there will be an increase in student fees for next year. As you know, the Governor has proposed increasing fees to $24 per unit.

In the Legislature we hear various proposals from charging $26 per unit to phasing in an increase in fees over the next few years. Remember that the College itself is not responsible for increasing fees and presently the increased fees do not come to the College.

These extra fees will go to the State to offset the State’s appropriation to the College.

While the above picture is a gloomy one, please be assured that the primary goal of myself and the vice presidents as we work on developing next year’s budget is serving students. We will do all we can to continue to offer a quality education for you and offer those services that are necessary for you to be successful. You will see changes but be aware that you, the student, are our first priority.

If you have any questions or would like to share any thoughts on what is happening with me, please feel free to do so. You can reach me at 562- 860-2451 ext. 2204.

Sincerely,

John Grindel

Interim President