Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1297492
With the first wave of 10% cuts complete, Wyoming's community colleges are hoping for a change, hoping for—though it's forecasted to be unlikely—salvation in the form of an economic uptick, as they brace to make yet another 10% in cuts next spring. A sociology professor at Western, Angela Thatcher, says that without intervention from the legislature in terms of a reallocation of funds, or legislation to generate additional revenue for the Wyoming Community College Commission, the future for higher education in the state is bleak. "As these cuts continue, there's going to be less opportunity at Western. There's going to be less opportunity for Western to fill the holes being brought about by this economic downturn and by the pandemic itself more generally," she said. "As the college is less suited to fil l those needs, students are going to go elsewhere, as will well-qualified employees." Employees not subject to layoffs are still bearing the ill effects of budgetary shortfalls. "All of the employees at the community colleges are doing more work for less money," said Dr. Jennifer Dare. "To a certain extent, we can put up with that because we love being educators! But, loving it doesn't pay the gas bill." " Change is coming," said President of the Eastern Wyoming Community College Education Association Dr. Kate Steinbock, "there's just no way around it." According to Dr. Steinbock, being an active member of the Association could play an instrumental role in shaping that change. "I want to encourage the members at all of the community colleges to be engaged and to be involved," she said. "It's important now m ore than ever to be involved and to be a part of helping to solve these issues. To protect the interests of higher education and the great work that the community colleges do in the state, it's important to get involved and to be as positive, innovative, and creative as possible." Angela Thatcher also points to the Association as a powerful ally in shielding higher education members, at least temporarily, from some of the most damaging effects of Wyoming's financial crisis. "We know we would not be where we are without WEA. We know that [the Board of Trustees] didn't start listening to staff input until WEA got involved. We would not be where we are for the next year, for the next semester, if not for the WEA." For the time being, the fire engulfing Wyoming's community colleges has slowed, going from a conflagration to a slow burn. But, the institutions' futures will rest in the Wyoming Legislature's ability to prioritize community colleges and to push past the dogma of enacting revenue-generating legislation. "We need help from the legislature," said Dr. Jennifer Dare. "We need hi gher education to be a priority. We need our legislature to see higher education at the community colleges as a long-term economic boon. The colleges bring in money, but we can't harness that revenue stream without adequate funding." "If Wyoming is going to bounce back from not only the pandemic, but changes in technology and energy," said Angela Thatcher, "we need to look at what other possible sources o f revenue are available to the state of Wyoming and start enacting and creating policy that will build and foster those alternative streams of revenue." Thatcher also believes that community colleges play an essential role in the state's overall economy by offering alternative degree pathways, certificate programs, and career and technical education. "Community colleges will play a critical role in the ye ars to come in how this state is going to reinvent itself and bounce back from where we are now," said Thatcher. "So please: remember your community colleges." President Hutcherson addresses the Western Wyoming Community College Board of Trustees via Zoom. September 10, 2020. Masked mustangs at Western Wyoming College. Photo printed with permission. Courtesy of The Rocket Miner. 15