Budget crisis needs cooperation

  TCC Chancellor Leonardo de la Garza presented the college's 2003-2004 budget with a picture of coins squeezing out of a tightened faucet. Unfortunately, we are told, it was not exaggerated humor from the public relations department, but an honest reflection of a budget crisis.
   As state funding continues to lessen, about 1,500 more students enrolled for the fall, according to final enrollment figures. Thus, as officials, faculty and staff have found out, all levels of the college have to do more with less.
   "We are seeing students coming to us because of increased tuition costs at universities, and the increases enacted so far may just be the tip of the iceberg," Bill Lace, executive assistant to the chancellor, said. "Our challenge will be to accommodate continued growth at a time when our state funding has been dramatically reduced."
   The state appropriation for the next biennium is already $25 million less than was recommended by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board based on the college's enrollment increase. Adding salt to the wounds, state officials took back about $2.8 million from the college in the spring, stopped state funding for employee insurance and eliminated the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund that the college depended on for its technology infrastructure upgrade and on-line databases.
   As a result, class sizes in many popular courses have been enlarged, and students have fewer section options to choose from. About 200 jobs, 38 of them faculty positions, remain frozen-leaving the college with fewer student services and less faculty support.
   Laboratory and tutoring hours on some campuses were reduced because of the limited staff support. Instructors were also encouraged to teach an additional class on top of their class load. If the state-funding shortfalls continue, officials say, some of the college's computer resources may not be updated, and there may be less on-line databases available to students.
   Instead of whining, students can take steps to ensure their success in school-most just conventional wisdoms educators and college officials have nagged on for years.
   1) Register for classes early. Get the best help from your advisers and counselors before they are overwhelmed in the registration rush. Not only will you have more time slots to choose from during early registration, you will also avoid the unbearable crowds and long lines.
   2) Communicate with your instructors. If the class sizes are too large for your instructors to notice you, then go to them instead. Utilize e-mail services and office hours to maintain regular contact with your instructors.
   3) Take advantage of the on-campus resources in addition to class instructions. Tutoring services or extra help are available in many departmental labs, Student Learning Centers, Writing Centers and computer labs.
   The Collegian endorses TCC officials' resolution to maintain "high-quality and affordable education" and will continue to serve as the watchdog for the student body.
   But students must accept the responsibility of obtaining their own success in school.
   It all comes down to one thing-hard work.