SANTA ANA : College District Faces $1.7-Million Shortfall

As details of the state’s financial crisis filtered down to local colleges, Rancho Santiago College officials learned that they will receive $1.7 million less than expected, practically guaranteeing a new round of layoffs.

District officials, who pared almost $6 million from the 1992-93 budget of $66.7 million, said that making up the shortfall will probably require layoffs and reduced programs.

Despite earlier assurances from state officials, the college will not receive $1.7 million that includes $1.2 million to expand its Orange campus.

The board will meet on Monday to consider how to make up the shortfall. On Thursday, Chancellor Vivian Blevins said the board will consider scrapping plans for new computer software, a warehouse and cutting back counselors’ hours and ending weekend programs except for intercollegiate sports and theater.

“When this is over, Rancho Santiago College is going to be a very different college than what it has been in the past,” Blevins said at the board’s regular meeting this week.

State budget problems will require the district to charge $10 a unit instead of $6 a unit. Students with bachelor’s degrees, who make up about 17% of the student population, will have to pay $50 a unit.

At the meeting, several students and faculty blasted the board for considering cuts to fine arts and physical education programs.

“We’re denying to our students the very best that we have to offer when we cut off access to the arts,” said Sylvia Turner, chair of the dance department who called the suggested cuts “capricious.”

However, Board President Brian Conley said that “before the dust settles, the sacrifices will be spread throughout the college.”

Concerning the widespread dissatisfaction with the cuts, Blevins and Conley said student and faculty should redirect their protests to the governor and state legislators through telephone calls and letters.

“I know there’s a lot of frustration and anger. As we have to deal with the buck stopping here, I’m hoping that these people will send some of their anger to Sacramento,” Conley said.

“This is the most frightening time I’ve ever spent on the board. It’s going to be very difficult, and we need to work together.”