GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING WRAP-UP

CUTS ON THE HORIZON

The Glendale Community College Board of Trustees got a bleak forecast of upcoming budget cuts from its Sacramento lobbyist, who warned that drastic reductions to college services are looming.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed a set of solutions for the state’s continuing budget crisis, which included a “disproportionate” cut to community colleges, lobbyist Patrick McCallum said.

The severity of the cuts will depend on how lawmakers react to the outcome of Tuesday’s special election.

Glendale Community College, which has an annual budget of about $88 million, would lose about $9 million, McCallum said.

The cuts would force community colleges to eliminate classes that would push 200,000 students out of the statewide system.

McCallum urged the board and college employees, students and faculty to band together in a lobbying effort to encourage lawmakers to funnel more cash to the institution.

WHAT IT MEANS

The board took no action during this presentation.

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GREEN CERTIFICATION

The board unanimously approved an agreement with environmental engineering firm Glumcac, which will analyze the college’s Garfield expansion project and determine whether it meets the highest standards for environmental sustainability.

The college will pay the firm $34,000 to check the project’s electrical, lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems as part of the survey.

If successful, the project should achieve certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a industry-standard rating system for buildings.

Money from the college’s Measure G construction fund will cover the costs of the survey.

WHAT IT MEANS

Trustees approved the agreement by a vote of 5 to 0.