Budget woes may lead to tuition hike
By Stephanie Szuda
IV Leader Staff, Jan. 30, 2003
Tuition increases, staff reductions and class cancellations are all options on the table as IVCC officials try to deal with a two-fisted financial blow.
First, college officials expect to lose $80,000-$200,000 from this year’s budget because of state funding cuts this month as newly sworn-in Gov. Rod Blagojevich attempts to resolve a $4.8 billion state budget deficit.
Second, the college must adjust next year’s budget since the Nov. 5 referendum failed. IVCC president Jean Goodnow has said the college would need to slice $750,000 from the 2003-2004 academic year budget because of the referendum failure.
The college’s board must balance the need for cuts with the cost of eliminating vital services.
Goodnow said, “The administration is committed to meeting the board’s balanced budget without cutting the quality of services and programs the college has to offer. The cuts have meant less services but we feel the community understands the financial situation.”
The college has responded to the anticipated cuts from the state in a number of ways this semester.
One cost-saving measure was the setting of minimum enrollment standards for classes. Daytime classes are required to have at least 12 students enrolled while night class enrollment levels were set at 10.
Nearly 115 classes were canceled for failing to meet the required minimum enrollments with night and online classes affected most severely.
The Athletic Department was also affected by the cutbacks, with a 20 percent reduction of the athletic schedule. Three games have been cut from this season’s men and women’s basketball schedules, 12 spring baseball games and three golf tournaments. The loss of these games will not interfere with IVCC’s Region or conference standings or affect playoff seeding, according to Goodnow.
As another method to saving money, the thermostat will also be adjusted 2 degrees in both heating and cooling.
The school will also be shutting down the boilers in buildings A and E this summer, along with lighting shutdowns on sunny days. The school also plans to eliminate 8-10 fax lines.
These changes will save IVCC $50,000-$70,000, but that may not make up for the cuts that will be forthcoming from the state.
Among options considered to help balance the budget, Goodnow said are tuition increases and staff reductions. Each dollar in tuition increase for the school would raise an estimated $70,000 for the college.
Other options being considered include higher childcare fees and elimination of the dental assisting program.
One staff reduction has already been made for next year.
Electronics instructor John Biggs was notified of his reduction in force through action at the December board of trustees meeting.
Goodnow said all departments are being considered for a reduction if needed.