Budget Process and Advocacy Update from CCFT Director Maya Bendotoff
All faculty email from Maya Bendotoff on December 17, 2008
Dear Faculty,
As you are aware, the college is currently preparing for some $5 million in ongoing cuts to the Cabrillo budget in the next couple of months (in addition to the $4 million in planned mid-year cuts for the current year). While the numbers are moving targets, it is quite likely that the cuts will result in layoffs for college employees as well as various other reductions, including jobs for adjunct faculty.
CCFT has been involved in reviewing the process for the cuts, but will not be making decisions as to where the cuts are made. These decisions will be made by departments, divisions, component councils, up to college-wide planning bodies, with final cuts approved by the Board (refer to the forthcoming Budget Reduction Communication Loop to be shared on Friday and to be posted on the college website; CCFT does have reps on the College Planning Council). Faculty members will have the opportunity to provide input via the "shared governance wheel" (refer to attachment) through the divisions and components (many divisions are meeting this Friday, Dec. 19), through the Faculty Senate, and through participation in college forums and other public meetings. The comprehensive timelines will be be discussed at the Town Hall meeting on Friday, December 19 and be posted on the Cabrillo College budget website. Please note that many budget recommendations will be made by the time that faculty return for the spring semester-- if you have input, share it now and follow-up in January if need be.
CCFT is advocating for as much bridge funding as possible to get us into the next academic year. We will also attempt to find creative solutions where possible. CCFT will provide information about layoffs and represent all unit members who receive layoff notices. (For more info on what CCFT is doing, see Paul Harvell's email sent yesterday).
Please plan to attend the General CCFT Meeting during flex week to for an update about the budget situation and for an opportunity to share your input. The meeting will follow the CCFT Luncheon on Wednesday, February 4 in the Horticulture Center (lunch from 12-1pm; all faculty budget meeting from 1-3pm).
Advocacy on the state level could have the most profound impact on our budget problems. If you would like to meet with legislators in January to advocate for funding for community colleges or be added to our legislative action list serve, please let me know (ccft@ccftcabrillo.org or 464-2238). You can find contact info for legislators in the Santa Cruz area here. If you live outside of the Santa Cruz area, you can find your legislator at http://www.legislature.ca.gov/legislators_and_districts/legislators/your_legislator.html
And, save the date: the March in March is scheduled for March 16 in Sacramento.
For updates on the process and timeline for budget cuts, plan to attend the budget forum this Friday, December 19, from 1:00-2:30 PM in the college theatre or refer to the college website at: http://cabrillo.edu/services/marketing/budget_center.html
You can share your ideas about the budget cuts at http://cabrillocommons.org. For CCFT-related issues, be sure to share your input with your CCFT reps as well.
CCFT will soon post more info on our website http://ccftcabrillo.org.
Warm regards,
Maya