On August 15, PCC President Dr. Bennings sent out an ominous message with the subject “College Budget Update.” Longtime employees will recognize the familiar drumbeat of the administration preparing for contract negotiations. The details vary, but the theme never changes: These are tough times, the College faces difficult decisions, deficits, cuts, oh my!
Dr. Bennings’ message focused entirely on enrollment decline. Here is some context that will help members understand the full picture:
- Only around 37% of PCC’s revenue comes from tuition. The other sources of revenue—property taxes and state funding—are stable.
- While declining enrollment is not ideal, it also brings cost savings due to fewer classes being offered (something our part time faculty who have lost classes know all too well).
Dr. Bennings’ message stated that management “has been asked to identify and evaluate $20 million potential savings…” The use of passive voice is telling. Who is asking management to make these cuts? Could it be, the College’s own administration? If the College is asking the College to make painful cuts, maybe the College should simply … not do that?
Here are some questions we should all be asking:
- How much money has the College saved from enrollment decline?
- How much money has the College saved during the pandemic?
- How much money has the College spent on consultants who led us into the disastrous reorganization?
- If the College funding situation is so dire, why do they keep adding new management and administrative positions?
- What is the College’s plan to boost enrollment and revitalize our campuses? (Hint: begin with addressing faculty and staff morale)
If the PCC administration is looking for cost savings, here is a trend they might want to look into:
We must resist the fear and austerity mindset so that we can win a fair contract in 2023—for each other, for our students, and for the community we serve.
In solidarity,
Davida Jordan, ESOL Faculty/Campus Representative for Part Time Faculty, Southeast Campus