Funding Dilemma.

More budget cuts are coming, get prepared. That’s the word from Columbia. I appreciate the advanced notice, and I realize the funding issues will continue to hamper operations for all state agencies in the coming fiscal year. We’re bracing for at least another 15% cut in funding from the State when we begin the new fiscal year on July 1.

Across the nation, recent student demonstrations called attention to decreased funding and tuition increases. Students amassed to use their collective voice to communicate their concern. For me, it's good to see engaged students voicing their opinion; however, the sobering truth is institutions of higher learning, even those with state affiliation, can no longer rely on tax-based revenue to fund college operating budgets.

Although base funding from the State of South Carolina is decreasing, we have been careful to examine the tuition structure so that we are not placing students at a disadvantage. Our tuition increases have been modest. The technical college tuition structure is less than what the other SC higher education sectors charge. In no way are we making up for declining state support through the tuition we charge. We do encourage all students to apply for available grants through our Office of Financial Aid, providing they qualify and follow all the requisite steps. There are dedicated financial aid staff available to assist.

TCL employees are curious about the impact of state budget declines. From what I know now, providing that our enrollment continues to grow while we retain current students, we should be able to survive and hopefully maintain full employment. Survival is one thing. We are surviving. Are we advancing as we should? Not to the extent we should. At TCL we know that since 2008 we have approximately $1.2 million less in state appropriations. Imagine where we could be with those dollars. As a consequence, there are some items on hold, including new programs, expansion plans, and deferred maintenance items. This is all part of the dilemma.

A dilemma is defined as choice between equally undesirable outcomes. Those choices are to remain operational and continue to serve more students with fewer funds or to outright restrict enrollment and operate within our funding structure.

At present, my position is to maintain our commitment to open access. Students are enrolling at the two-year colleges in record numbers all across the nation, TCL not withstanding. The dilemma we face, as we admit record numbers of students, is how many more students do we admit before our service to them is impacted?

In the current fiscal year, TCL received some financial assistance from the federal government through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). These non-recurring funds helped us renovate facilities, purchase new furniture and repair campus HVAC systems that otherwise would have been deferred. The funds provided a temporary boost to our financial position, but they will not last beyond next fiscal year. The funding picture will look substantially different in fiscal year 2012 when these funds are no longer available.

There is no question that TCL employees are working harder at all levels to serve more students. Yes, they are stretched. For the record, there has been no increase in compensation in the last few years. Due to the enrollment increase, there have been some temporary part-time employees hired to help with the increased workload. Rather than continue to add more work to existing employees, we attempted to add temporary help. The greatest advantage we have is the collective intellectual capital of TCL employees.

Let me be unequivocal. At TCL, we will continue to do our best to serve students. The same is true for our State lawmakers. They are not destined to spitefully hurt higher education or any other state agencies for that matter. Public service is a high calling, both locally and in Columbia. The individuals who serve in the General Assembly have noble intentions. They are simply having to deal with a lousy dose of economic decline, and it is widespread, far beyond South Carolina.

The purpose of this note is to communicate. I want to create the open agenda to know that as an institution, we are very sensitive to concerns of everyone, including our constituents, our students and our employees. We will continue to make careful decisions about how we handle the financial resources we are given. We are mindful stewards of the public trust, and above all, I pledge to operate in an honorable fashion where we remain committed to service to our community, our students, and our staff.