Navigation:Global Menu
|
Northeast Iowa Community College
Log In
|
Navigation:Tabs
 |
Navigation:Menu |
Navigation:BreadCrumb
At the Northeast Iowa Community College Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, Jan. 18, college officials addressed budget cuts amidst double-digit growth.
At the Northeast Iowa Community College Board of Trustees meeting, Director of Accounting Services Tom Ridout presented the financial projections for FY 2011 and trustees set the public hearing for the FY11 budget for February 15, 2010. In his report, Ridout stated that about 34 percent of NICC's operating funds comes from state general aid, six percent from local taxpayers and about 50 percent from student tuition.
"We are committed to keeping tuition as low as we can for students but it is very dependent on what occurs at the state level," stated NICC President Penny Wills. "There are no stimulus funds to backfill the state budget this year. We are hopeful the legislature will support community colleges and our job training programs to cover that deficit." "Community colleges are key to a quick economic recovery," stated Dr. Wills. "In these tough economic times, now is the time to invest in additional workforce training. It is not the time to cutback." "People come to us to get the education they need to find a better job. With the economic recession, our enrollments continue to increase," said Vice President Curt Oldfield in his enrollment report. The spring 2010 enrollment is expected to show an increase of over 10 percent in credit hours from the previous year. This continues double-digit growth from the previous two semesters. Two areas where NICC is planning to expand are in the renewable energy field and advanced manufacturing. NICC will offer a new computerized numerical control program and a wind turbine maintenance repair program this fall as well as non-credit green construction and home energy audit programming. "We are uniquely positioned to help displaced workers get advanced training in high growth/high demand industries," said Dr. Wills. In related matters, the trustees reviewed budget cuts as proposed by the college's budget taskforce. Three levels of budget cuts were proposed and the trustees authorized the implementation of the first level of cuts. This first round of cuts is expected to save the college approximately $1.8 million, but the college will proceed to level two and three if necessary depending on the level of state general aid and union contract negotiations. The campus provosts shared with the board campus activities that commemorated Martin Luther King Jr.'s life. There was a dramatic presentation of Dr. King's life showcasing his work and influence at the Peosta campus with over 100 students participating. The Calmar campus brought two performers on campus to present a play called, "The Black Jew Dialogues". It engaged the audience in discussing stereotypes, tolerance and acceptance. Faculty on both campuses incorporated these activities in their classroom assignments and discussions. Tracy Kruse, director of external relations, presented information on some of her department's activities. She announced that the college was the recipient of a $2 million Department of Labor grant for green jobs education and training. Additionally, she also informed the board of work currently being done to submit a Title III Department of Education grant to support the college's technology needs. In other news, Kruse reported on the college's efforts to connect and share information with the state legislature. On January 27-28, the NICC student life office will be bringing 8-10 students to Des Moines for a student legislative event being coordinated by the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees. Community College students from across the state will learn how to make contact with their legislators, craft messages and become advocates for their community college. Oldfield informed trustees on the progress of a program in Chemical Technology expected to open in the fall of 2011 at the Dairy Center on the Calmar campus. "We will be training students for careers that are expected to grow dramatically in the next 5-10 years. With the addition of ethanol and bio-diesel plants as well as food safety needs related to dairy and production-related agriculture fields, the need for this program in northeast Iowa is strong." Following a closed strategy session for negotiations, the board adjourned for a joint meeting with the Keystone Area Education Agency Board of Directors. The NICC Board of Trustees met on Monday, Jan 18, 2010, at the Keystone Area Education Agency in Elkader. The next scheduled meeting is Monday, Feb. 15, 2010, at 3:00 p.m. at the Peosta campus boardroom. ### |
Printable Format