Campus News
SBCC Statement Regarding Conversion to Fee-Based of 20 Continuing Education Courses
February 26, 2010
SBCC is committed to ensuring the long-term viability of our vibrant Continuing Education Division and maintaining as wide a breath of quality course offerings as possible. Each year, about 45,000 local residents take advantage of close to 2,500 non-credit course sections in a variety of disciplines
The conversion to fee-based approved for 20 courses at the SBCC Board of Trustees meeting yesterday (Thursday, February 25) is due to reduced funding from the state for SBCC and Continuing Education operations. Based on State criteria and regulations, the 20 courses are not eligible for State funding. The only way in which they can continue to be offered is to become fee-based and self supporting. Otherwise, they would have had to be canceled. The fees are based on the direct costs only. We would like to stress that over 90 percent of CE course sections are eligible for state funding and will continue to be free of charge to students, except for material fees as necessary.
The 20 courses fall into three categories: literature and poetry (3), glass and jewelry making (3) and recipe cooking (14). The complete list of courses follows:
The Best American Essays
The Austen Mystique: Why Jane Rules
Poetry, Prose and Plays
Intermediate and Advanced Glass Fusing
Jewelry, Micronics and Beyond
Multi-Level Glass Fusing
BBQ’s and more
Soup, Salad & Dessert
Cake Decorating (Beginning and Advanced)
Celebrate spring, Chinese Cooking
Fresh Dishes from Vietnam
Indian Vegetarian
Salute to Sushi
Third Generation Italian Cooking
Simple, Sensational, Seasonal Cooking for spring
Spring, Light & Elegant
Global Vegetarian Cuisine
Healthy Foods for Children
Survival Cooking for Singles
Whole Grains, the Good Carbs
SBCC Continuing Education administrators met with instructors teaching these courses and agreed upon the duration and minimum enrollment for which these courses will be offered in spring 2010 and the resulting fee per student.
Important Information about the Fiscal Status of the College
State funding for SBCC was cut by $4.2 million in 2008-09. An additional cut of $5 million was imposed by the state in 2009-10. Of the $5 million, $2.6 million is a permanent reduction in the College’s base funding and in the State-supported enrollments both in the credit and non-credit classes at the College. SBCC is required to cut its full-time equivalent students (FTES) by a number equivalent to the $2.6 million cut in base apportionment funding.
We appreciate the community input. We have listened and incorporated the suggestions and reduced the fee conversion for 2010 to only those courses not eligible for State funding that were already planned to be offered in spring 2010. For 2009-10, SBCC has to accommodate significant enrollment in excess of what the College will be funded from the State in order to accommodate the unprecedented demand for our courses. We have done so using our reserves and by making significant cuts throughout the organization in credit courses, student services, operational support, professional development, maintenance and other operational expenses. This fiscal crisis is expected to continue for several more years. Our ultimate goal is and will continue to be the success of all our students and service to our community.
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