|
It is almost impossible to
convey the sense of confusion (note
reference to Alice in Wonderland)
that pervades Sacramento these days.
All public
agencies are being seriously impacted, and in some cases, actually
abolished, by the proposed cuts from the governor and legislature.
All
community colleges were hit by a midyear cut, which GCC has handled with
some painful but survivable cuts, like 55 classes cut from spring and a
reduction to one six-week summer session.
Further
cuts for next year (starting 7-1-03) are yet to be defined.
But guess
what? Someone in Sacramento goofed. The midyear cuts were
"off" by $38 million. We (that is, the entire CCC
system) took a hit of $160 million and now it's up to $198 million.
GCC has decided to roll the additional hit over to next year (according
to e-mail from Larry Serot).
So what will next year look
like in the state of California and at this college?
Let's try
for a big picture perspective. Our nation is heading to war with
innumerable unpredictable results for our lives and our economy.
Regardless of our views on this topic, we know the probability of war
only adds to our anxiety about the future. Then, it's also the
economy. Our current recession in California has recently
been described as "far deeper than previously estimated" (LA
Times, March 1, 2003, page A1). But we are not alone: out of 50
states, 46 are in deep deficit modes, with some states cutting Fridays
out of their K12 school schedules. Yes, that's real; they have
kids going longer days on a four-day week to save money.
Here in the
Golden State, the fees have already increased at UC and CSU. CC
fees may go up to $24 or more per unit. This money, of course,
just goes to the state to help with its deficit and does not come back
to the college where the fees are paid. Our CCs still receive
funding through a complex formula which continues to fund CCs less than
any other segment of education. Shall we rename ourselves
Glendale College State Penal Institution? The state gives
the prison system $26,000 per year per prisoner. We get $4000 per
year per student.
There is no
doubt that our CC fees are clearly a bargain beyond measure. Most
other states charge $50 per unit with some going as high as $200.
Nonetheless, a sudden doubling of fees will tend to drive away potential
students —even those eligible for financial aid who don't know they
are or don't understand how to do the paperwork to apply.
It's
virtually impossible for our feuding partisan legislature to fix
our state's budget mess: Republicans insist on no new taxes, while Democrats insist that people will die if the
current cuts go into effect (yes, literal death for some whose medical
care depends on the state). Governor Davis no doubt does his best,
but his proposals certainly don't fix anything (except hold the state
prison system harmless from cuts while education, health care, and other
human services take the hit).
What can we
do? Step one: pay attention. This is not
"business as usual." The fiscal crisis in our
state is the worst since the 1930s. Read the newspaper —
you won't find this data on TV news. Read the e-mails that
come from the Guild, the administration, FACCC, and other sources who
know what is going on.
Be sure to attend meetings on campus so you know what
is being
proposed to help GCC survive. We just don't yet know how and where
the cuts will hit, but the GCC spirit has always been to behave like a
family, and, in this case, the unfortunate necessity might be how to
"share the pain" together.
Secondly,
be aware of the absolute uncertainty of the situation. No one
knows when or how the state's budget for fiscal year 7-1-03 to 6-30-04
will be finalized. Experts guess it could take until October or
November, due to the partisan battles in Sacramento. To protect
the integrity of GCCD from financial harm, the district has already sent
legally required "March 15" layoff
notices to a small group of nonpermanent employees whose funding has
come from outside grants that are now in jeopardy. Further fiscal
decisions are being discussed, with no clarity at this moment about the
possible outcomes.
Third, get
involved. While only a few folks can leave GCC to go to Sacramento
March 17, many more could participate in the regional Rally to Save our
Colleges in downtown Los Angeles Friday, March 28.
GCC
Associated Student leaders are actively involved in preparing this
event, which is an historic first for CC students.
Approximately
eight CC districts in Southern California are joining forces to meet in
Pershing Square and march to the governor's
downtown office. Thousands are expected, and there will be every
effort to get media coverage.
We are in
for a long struggle to save our colleges. Your
personal future may be impacted, along with the future of
the state. Stay
involved and stay united.
That's the
word for now. &
[back
to the top]
|