| Record growth
depletes budget
Loraine German
Mesa Legend
Record enrollment growth at Mesa Community College has created budget problems, but the administration is confident that this will not affect students and/or services offered.
During the 2004-2005 school year, MCC opened its doors to an unanticipated number of students. Ron Etter, dean of administrative services, explained that the school is close to spending every dollar in the operational funds budget. These operational funds come from state appropriation, tax levy, tuition, and other fees.
The record growth contemplated by MCC affects every aspect of the college. To handle the growth more sections have to be created, and more personal, custodians and supplies are needed, said Etter.
He said that the number of students that need special services has also increased significantly. This situation, calls for a larger number of interpreters and note takers.
Etter said that there are more students in need of these services at MCC than at Arizona State University. He expressed that it is difficult to adjust to all of their needs at once.
Another reason that Etter provided for the budget situation was notified to the administration in January, and this was a 4 percent increase on utility costs, all the new buildings and the longer hours of operation make this a significant amount.
One more cause explained by Etter was an increase in the state retirement system.
Etter said that the school matches every dollar that goes into each employee’s retirement plan and as that percentage increases so does the total matched by MCC.
Etter also described this school year as an eventful one with the North Central Association (NCA) visit, two to three accreditation visits and a new bond being passed.
According to him all of these created more expenses and the use of money that otherwise would have been used for other needs or could have created a surplus, which is what the college usually carries at the end of each year.
“We know where we have difficulties and if we can’t offer the sections needed, then it can be an issue but we are to provide access fro students and we try to do that as best we can with the budget we have,” said Etter.
Because of the monetary concerns, Etter said that the first area to be affected is employee’s overtime, since salary costs are 85 to 87 percent of the financial plan. Each department is also encouraged to stretch their supplies so new ones do not have to be ordered unless needed. This shows that every bit of effort helps.
Etter disclosed the reason there are no more college safety employees at the library, he said the administration is trying to adjust and combine technology with the use of human resources.
Since the new camera system was installed, less of the college safety personal has to physically be in certain areas, hence cutting some costs.
According to him this does not mean that students are less safe on campus, but that the eyes in the sky are technologically watching all operations.
Etter remarked that another portion of the budget is going to the college’s international business program in which the school develops relationships with other countries like China, Netherlands, Mexico and Ireland.
This opportunity is offered to employees and students to expand their knowledge.
During the interview Etter stayed confident and reiterated that “We will be fine, this shouldn’t impact the students in any way.”
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