Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1297492
Higher Education High Stakes for This August, Governor Gordon announced what is anticipated to be the first in a series of three 10% budget cuts, slashing $25.7 million from the Wyoming Community College Commission (WCCC) general fund. In July, Gordon warned state agencies to expect a 10% reduction in state funding to account for a projected $1.5 billion shortfall over the next two years. This first $25.7 million in cuts amounts to a 10 % reduction in state funding to each of Wyoming's seven community colleges. From vacant positions left unfilled, to smaller employer contributions to health insurance premium costs and employee retirement, community colleges are suffering the crippling effects of the financial shortfalls plaguing Wyoming. Western Wyoming College cut ten vacant positions. Effective January 1, 2021, annual employee stipend s intended to help cover the cost of health insurance premiums will be reduced by $300. Employer retirement contributions will be reduced by 2% per year, and $200,000 budgeted for pay corrections, as recommended by a market compensation study, will be eliminated. "We already know that more cuts are coming," Education Association at Western Wyoming Community College President, Angela Thatcher told WEA News, "this is just the very first round." Eastern Wyoming College has also suffered the loss of vacant positions and used reserve account funds to cushion the financial blow of a 10% reduction. Moving forward, the college's Board of Trustees is considering increasing the number of credit hours taught by faculty without any additional compensation and cutting early retirement benefits for employees. "We were able to get to that first 10% without these measures," said Dr. Kate Steinbock, President of the Eastern Wyoming College Education Association and Higher Education Representative to the WEA Board, "but, we have to generate revenue, we just have to. We've relied for so long on the oil and gas industry to pad our budget, and it's just not going to happen anymore. We can't cut our way out of this budget prob lem. If that's the only answer we have, it really is going to devastate education in Wyoming K-16." Having suffered discontinued programs and reduction in force (RIF) measures, Northwest College is no stranger to the adverse effects of budgetary constraints. President of the Northwest College Education Association, Dr. Jennifer Dare, emphasizes that collaboration—both with administration and board members and at a statewide level amongst legislators —will play a key role in keeping cuts as far from students as possible and preserving the integrity of positions for staff and faculty. In September, Northwest employees opposed proposed changes to policies that would have negatively impacted the college's shared governance, potentially affecting the school's accreditation. The Board was receptive to employees ' concerns and elected to vote down the changes. "It's beginning to be collaborative work," said Dr. Dare. "We have a Board of Trustees that is willing to advocate for employees, the faculty and the staff, and guard the backs of educators. The September Board meeting showed that communication is happening between Trustees and educators, and that is going to solve a lot of problems." The Funding Crisis Facing Wyoming Community Colleges By: Amanda Turner 14