Cerritos College
Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

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Board discusses cutting small expenses

Vice President of Business Services James Albanese, who gave a lengthy update report and analysis on the reduction of the Cerritos College budget, addressed the bulk of the meeting.

During the regular meeting, which took place on Aug. 19 in the Cheryl A. Epple Board Room on campus, Albanese spoke on behalf of the budget crisis, and emphasized the fiscal crisis Cerritos College is facing through comparison charts and categorical funding and expenditures.

“Cookies and punch this year, we’re cutting back everywhere we can,” he stated when discussing the Cerritos College kickoff event this year, where lunch is usually served.

The general sentiment of the student body on campus as of recently has been anger and confusion, as the fees for classes go up and more students are being dropped from all their classes for not completing their payments on a timely manner.

Because of the fiscal crisis that is affecting working and struggling students all over, more and more the question of what can be done is being raised.

Although the community elected body of the Board of Trustees is implemented for the purpose of making decisions on where some of the taxpayer money goes, it seems as if though little can be done on its end to alleviate the financial burden of the students who as a result are not able to pursue higher education.

According to the 2009-2010 Chancellor’s Office budget workshop, the main document that was being discussed during the board meeting, programs that provide a vital services to the students such as CalWORKs, Nursing support, programs for disabled students, and foster care education programs are just some of the financially gutted programs in the current budget.

“We’re doing everything we can,” stated Marilyn Brock, vice president of Academic Affairs, in an attempt to reassure the public.

The total state revenue reduction was reported to be an astonishing $192 million.

In addition to that, the college is to face a workload reduction of 3.39 percent, laying off more faculty and school staff, adding to the statewide unemployment crisis.

But the general body of the elected board seemed to lack concern of the overall financial situation, as it is likely the board members’ own salaries will remain untouched.

“We’re trying to serve as much students as we can, given the resources,” Brock emphasized.

The next regular meeting, which is open to the public, is set for Sep. 2 at 6 p.m. in the board room.

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Board discusses cutting small expenses