Budget woes bring faculty, staff concerns
by Connie Yu, Managing Editor

   Campus administrations across the district have become more efficient as a result of the budget shortfalls, campus officials say.
   Generally, enlarged class sizes this semester have not hindered the college's educational quality, they say, but only helped improve its proficiency in using the available space.
   "I think that overall students are getting what they wanted," SE Campus President Judith Carrier said. "They might not get a class as soon as they wanted, but sometimes they also need to adjust their schedules."
   Class size enlargements vary from campus to campus, as well as from section to section, but generally, popular class sections have increased moderately-about two to five students, officials say.
   "It's using your money well," Carrier said. "I think it was probably a smart move."
   During the summer, administrations from all campuses re-evaluated enrollment trends and classroom capacities and made the adjustments in light of a much anticipated budget cut. Officials say they were able to maximize the use of classrooms and utilize alternative time slots, such as early morning and early afternoon hours, to make the academic arrangement more efficient.
   "The one thing that we have to focus a lot on is that we have to have enough sections in the core area," South Campus President Ernest Thomas said, "and also the sections that are necessary for students to finish their degree plans."
   Some students have noticed the larger class sizes, but very few have complained, officials say. They also stressed that the college's class sizes are still much smaller compared to other public four-year universities.
   "The semester has started, and it's so smooth and quiet," Carrier said. "Sometimes, I think in troubled times, people are just more grateful about having an institution."
   In order to further study how the larger class sizes may affect students, NE Campus President Larry Darlage will chair a district-wide committee that will continue to monitor educational quality throughout the semester. Students can also offer their feedback and suggestions through student surveys.
  "We rely a great deal on the student satisfaction survey," Thomas said. "In the student services area, we rely on both hard copy surveys and focus groups."
   Effects from the budget shortfalls so far may be more visible to faculty and staff members than to students.
   "The main effect for me was on my own personal morale," Debra Galliher, associate professor of English on NE Campus, said. "Knowing in the back of my mind that the governor of the state really doesn't recognize what I do affects me."
   And she has good reasons to be disappointed.
   In response to the 7 percent budget cutback from the state, TCC administration canceled distance-learning classes this summer-causing many of the distance-learning instructors to lose their source of income. The college has also continued its hiring freeze on more than 200 faculty and staff positions-adding more to the instructors' workloads.
   At the same time, the state's decision to stop its financial support of college employee insurance and benefits spread further frustration among faculty and staff members.
   "The big issues are the retirement and insurance benefits-that caused a lot of fear, discomfort and anger," Galliher said.
   The college has offered supplemental insurance to make up most of the difference, but employees also have to pay a higher co-payment for their healthcare.
   "I know that my co-pay has doubled," Galliher said. "Maybe from the help of the administration, it didn't triple, but it's still a lot for me."
   Galliher said she has confidence in her educational quality in the classroom even as she is burdened with more students to teach.
   "In the beginning, I do worry about not having the time for extra attention," she said. "But once I've adjusted to the numbers of students, it's fine. I feel that I've done the best I can."
   One month into the semester, many students have also dropped their classes, making it easier for her, Galliher said.
   Galliher said she believes the TCC administration has done everything it could to help improve the situation, and she encourages students to be actively involved as well.
   "The thing that I would suggest for students to do is what the administration had first asked us to do when these things had come around-talk to the state representatives," she said.
   Other college officials suggest students be more proactive in controlling their own educational progress. "I think the faculty members will do whatever they can to improve the quality of the classroom, but there is a lot of additional help on campus," Darlage said.
   He noted that tutoring and laboratory support are available on all campuses. Students also can stay in touch with their instructors via e-mail services, he said.
   Students need not be apprehensive about using all the available assistance on campus, Thomas said.
   "They shouldn't hesitate to seek services," he said. "I think it's important for students to acknowledge the fact that they may have to wait a little longer and be patient."
   Galliher said the budget shortfall offers a positive challenge for both instructors and students.
   "It is not a time to quit," she said of her advice to students. "Now you get to be creative. You have got to be a real student."