10:00am | Long Beach City College is struggling to deal with unanticipated mid-year cuts this year, and major cuts in the 2012 – 2013 fiscal year and beyond due to declining budget support from the state and increasing operating costs.
 
“Long Beach City College is facing devastating budget cuts that have been imposed on all of California’s community colleges by the state,” said LBCC President Eloy Ortiz Oakley.  “Unfortunately, the news going forward is worse, with millions more being cut, increased student demand, and no new revenues or support projected for several years.”
 
LBCC will need to absorb $3.5 million in unanticipated mid-year cuts this fiscal year. These mid-year cuts are being imposed in addition to the $7.2 million in revenue reductions over the last three years – a 7.4% reduction in overall allocation from the state.
 
For the 2012 – 2013 fiscal year, LBCC will need to prepare to permanently reduce expenditures by a minimum of $5 million, while developing a contingency plan for an additional $4.8 million cut if the Governor’s proposed November tax initiative fails to pass.  In total, LBCC will need to prepare for a potential of $9.8 million in total cuts for fiscal year 2012 – 2013.
 
Due to these budget challenges, LBCC has decided to discontinue several active employee searches including the Dean of Career Education and Workforce Development and two contract faculty positions.  However, LBCC will continue with critical faculty searches for positions in English, Speech, Instructional Specialist in Math, and Culinary Arts.  These hires are key to supporting student success and enrollment targets.
 
LBCC will continue to make additional hard budgetary choices in the next several months through its College Planning Committee and leadership team.
 
“While the decisions in Sacramento continue to limit our ability to educate more students, LBCC will continue to provide an excellent and affordable college education and continue to serve our local students to the best of our abilities,” said Oakley.