CCC NEWS

• On the governor's proposed 2006 CC budget
• The CCC Perspective
• CFT's role in May 25, 2005 "Day of Action"
• "Behind the Schwarzenegger Reform Agenda"
• Report on Campus Equity Week, October 27-31
• Master Plan Proposals That Affect Community Colleges
• AFT Higher Education Website
• Community College Links
• Community College Key Documents

The Governor’s proposed community college budget for 2006-07 came out on January 10, 2006. It calls for a 5.18% cost-of-living adjustment, funding for 3% enrollment growth, and $130 million in funding to equalize the per full-time equivalent student (FTES) funding rate. It also included $9.6 million to support the growing costs of sign language interpretive services (consistent with a community college system proposal). The governor’s proposal equates to an 11.6% increase above the 2005-06 level of funding (an increase of $606 million). No student fee increase in proposed. The community college share of Proposition 98 is increased from 10.46% in 2005-06 to 10.79% in 2006-07. This is all very good news for community colleges (although it fails to address more than $3 billion in Prop 98 monies owed to K-14 under the Governor’s promise of two years ago).

The governor’s proposal differs from the community college system’s proposal in several ways. The system sought to balance gains between growth, cola, equalization, non-credit, and faculty issues. The system proposal included $40 million to increase the number of full-time faculty, $50 million to bring part-time salaries up to a rate closer to that of full-time faculty, and $8 million to more fully fund office hours and health insurance for part-time faculty. The governor’s proposal did not address these needs.

On the other hand, the governor’s proposal to fund equalization at $130 million would be the last installment on the $240 million system goal to equalize FTES funding. The system however suggested a more stepped approach with a proposal for $80 million in equalization for 2006-07. The system’s balanced proposal included $30 million to enhance the non-credit rate but the governor did not address the issue.

The January proposal will be adjusted in May as more economic information becomes available. At that time the legislature will seriously take up the budget issues and put their priorities into the mix. Between now and May we need to encourage our legislators to fund non-credit at a higher rate and address the faculty personnel crisis that we are facing – not enough full-time faculty and the need to increase equity for part-time faculty in the areas of pay, benefits, and office hours.

Martin Hittelman, President
CFT Community College Council