Programs that support students at Southwestern College may be looking for support themselves next year as the state drowns in debt and the college is too strapped for cash to lend a hand.
SWC categorical programs such as Extended Opportunity Programs and Services, and Disabled Support Services were able to stave off deep cuts this year because the college was able to pick up the tab the state left behind. The college's student services only suffered a 20 percent reduction, which would have been at least double that if the college had not backfilled the unfunded programs, said SWC Vice President for Student Services Dr. Angelica Suarez. SWC had money left over in its general fund from the previous year along with a state stimulus and a college reorganization that saved the categorical programs, she said. But those were all one-time funds the district does not expect to see again, said Suarez, and now campus officials are concerned about what is in store for student services.
"There is no question that it is going to be a very challenging year and next few years," said Suarez. "I mean it is going to change the face of what we do in student services in terms of our categorical programs."
Governing Board Member Yolanda Salcido said she was putting all of her energy and concentration into trying to
get SWC through the state budget crisis. She said there is an inaccurate perception that the college has extra money and added that impending cuts to student services was just one example of the deep cuts SWC faced.
"We may lose the entire athletic department," said Salcido. "Wipe out our entire athletic department."
In a Nov. 18 memorandum Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs Nicholas Alioto said budget forecasts from the state were "bleak." He cited a report by the California Legislative Analysts Office which said the state was looking at a $20.7 billion deficit between the rest of this year and all of next year.
Alioto said SWC could absorb $1 million in mid-year cuts, if they occur, but would then have to turn to its reserves. Alioto said the district would not cut any more classes in spring and would only eliminate classes in summer if mid-year cuts were drastic. Alioto said the college's effort to cut expenses over the last couple of years may help to avoid campus layoffs and salary reductions.
Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Mark Meadows was curt about the future for SWC students.
"If you developed an educational plan that had you out of here in two years you're going to be hard pressed to do that," said Meadows. "That's been all over the newspapers, the chancellors talked about it, I mean it's going to take you a minimum of probably three years."
SWC's board will meet to discuss its budget at a workshop in early December.
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