Schools

CCAC Responds to Funding Cuts by Expanding Hiring Freeze

Enrollment to remain open for the fall semester.

The Community College of Allegheny County responded Wednesday to a planned reduction in funding from Allegheny County by expanding a hiring freeze, promoting efficiency in scheduling, and seeking other cuts in expenses. Enrollment will not be capped and remains open for the fall term. 

“This reduction was unforeseen, and there are still many unknowns, but we will work through this process,” said CCAC President Alex Johnson. “In coordination with the CCAC Board of Trustees, we will focus on our core mission of providing a high-quality education that, at the end of the day, remains much more affordable than other options.”

CCAC, which was budgeted to receive $22.7 million from the county in calendar year 2011, will have its funding reduced by $2.5 million. The reduction, which was announced by County Executive Dan Onorato Tuesday, comes in response to a $15 million cut in funding to the county in the 2011–2012 state budget.

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CCAC also faces an additional reduction of approximately $3.5 million in funding from its state allocation.

“The timing of this reduction is unfortunate. Given the current economic environment, CCAC had already engaged in an extensive and challenging budget planning process,” said CCAC Board of Trustees Chair William Russell Robinson, who also is chair of county council’s budget and finance committee. “The college is committed to taking steps that are prudent for today and also follow a responsible long-term approach.”

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CCAC Wednesday announced a hiring freeze on all faculty, staff and administrative positions. The decision expands an existing freeze on hiring most nonunion administrative positions. Administrative salary increases have been eliminated.

In addition, Dr. Johnson has asked faculty and administrators to examine course schedules carefully to maximize class size and promote efficiency in scheduling. Enrollment will not be capped but remains open for the fall term, which begins Aug. 22 for most credit classes and Sept. 6 for others.

CCAC also will reexamine all budget expenditures. The college’s $104.9 million budget for 2011–12, which was approved in May and took effect July 1, is already $1 million below  the previous year’s budget.


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