Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Governor's budget means cuts for PCC

Photos and story by James Hill

PORTLAND, Ore. – Gov. Kulongoski’s proposed budget for community colleges would result in a $2.5 million cut to PCC for each of the next two years.PCC President Preston Pulliams said today that he was disappointed in the proposed budget but understood the tough position the Governor faced in preparing a balanced budget. "The Governor had to prepare a budget that reflected the available revenue, and the mandate from Oregonians that state government live within its means. While I understand his rationale, I also hope that the revenue picture improves as we go through the legislative session. Community colleges are the best resource the state has for enhancing the economy and helping people get back to work."The funding level proposed for community colleges is at $388 million for the state’s 17 community colleges. This represents a 5.5 percent reduction in funding from last biennium, when the community college support fund was $408 million. PCC enrolls 25 percent of the state’s community college student population and receives about 25 percent of the state appropriation.According to the Oregon Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development, this budget will mean a statewide average tuition increase of 6 percent per year and an enrollment loss of 42,000 students per year. For PCC, these numbers translate to a loss of 5,400 students per year and a potential tuition increase of $4 per credit hour. If approved by the PCC Board, this would bring tuition to $66 per credit hour in 2005-06 and $70 per credit hour in 2006-07. In addition, PCC will be forced to reduce instructional and support programs, and staff to balance its budget.The reduction in state funding represents a 2 percent cut in PCC’s general fund budget and is in addition to other issues that will impact PCC’s budget, such as energy cost hikes, contract negotiations and PERS rate increases.The Governor’s proposed budget also included a significant increase in funding for the Oregon Opportunity Grants, which provides financial aid to Oregon’s most needy students. "This is really good news for PCC students," Pulliams said.Pulliams added that PCC will strive to maintain program quality and minimize to the extent possible cuts to instructional programs to maintain access for students. "We will be working very closely with our Board and legislators over the coming months to keep the focus on the important role of community colleges in economic development," he said.