Guest editorial

Officials at Big Bend Community College recognize they have a message problem. The college is receiving recognition in the media for doing great things, but too many people aren’t aware of BBCC’s dire financial situation.

Too many close friends of the college are making comments like, “Sounds like the college is doing great.” The fact is: Big Bend Community College is in a state of financial emergency.

It is true BBCC received a federal grant to improve science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. The college also received a federal grant to provide aerospace training, an award to improve graduation rates and a $100,000 cash gift from a donor.

What most people don’t realize is the grants and gifts focus on specific areas and are the result of hard work in response to the worst budget crisis in the college’s history. They are a sign college officials are doing everything they can to hold the college together and still move forward.

BBCC is not “doing great.” Your community college has lost $3.7 million of its annual state-funded budget since 2009. Enrollment dropped 9.6 percent in fall of 2011. The college has lost 26 positions across all employment groups, zeroed out equipment budgets and reduced class offerings. College officials already know they must cut another $800,000 in 2012 – representing cuts of 40 percent from 2009 operating levels.

As the Legislature meets in special session this December, even deeper cuts are promised.

BBCC’s recent grants and gifts do not offset the drastic cuts in state funding. The grants allow the college to be more successful in meeting the needs of the students it serves, but they don’t fund new class offerings to meet demand. The federal grants actually put more work load on a smaller college workforce.

Student access and programs are affected by the continuing loss of operating funds. Waiting lists for classes are long, but the college doesn’t have funding to open new sections to meet demand. BBCC’s “open door” has changed to “first come, first served.”

The declaration of financial emergency by BBCC Trustees in October 2011 puts the college in position to consider expedited layoff procedures depending on the depth of the next cuts. The college will be directed (again) to reduce its budget in the middle of a fiscal year after much of the budget has already been spent.

The college has been losing positions and squeezing efficiencies for more than three years. The easy cuts to equipment, supplies, and travel were made long ago. The only way to deal with "six figure" budget cuts at this point is to look at programs and personnel.

BBCC is in a dire financial situation. Your community college – which provides essential services to local residents – is at risk. That is a message that needs to be communicated to the college’s service district and to the Legislature.