Green River College proposes program cuts

Facing at least a $1.8 million budget deficit next year, the Green River College Board of Trustees may eliminate four programs to save money.

College officials cited low enrollment in the auto body technology and geographic information systems programs and the cost of running the parent-child education and carpentry programs as reasons for the potential cuts.

But members of the college’s faculty union, United Faculty, said they think the college is unfairly targeting the programs.

Eight employees, including full-time and adjunct faculty, could lose their positions if the programs are cut, said Marshall Sampson, vice president of Human Resources and Legal Affairs for the college.

Key figures in the faculty union head up three of the endangered programs. The union has been in contract negotiations with thecollege administration for more than a year, including mediation over the past few months, after having failed to come to an agreement, said Jaeney Hoene, vice president of United Faculty and English division chair.

“There has been lots of tension between United Faculty and administration,” Hoene said.

Mark Millbauer, head of the auto body technology program, is the president of United Faculty and one of three members of the negotiations team. Leslie Kessler is another member of the negotiations team and head of the parent-child education program. Glen Martin is carpentry program director and union treasurer.

“We don’t find the explanation (for the program cuts) to be very congruent with reality,” Hoene said. “The possibility that these are targeted seems a bit more likely to many of the faculty.”

Allison Friedly, executive director of college relations, said the programs have not been targeted, and it is unfortunate that union leaders are the ones whose programs could be eliminated.

“It is completely coincidental that their programs are both outrageously expensive and have low enrollment,” Friedly said.

There are 18 full-time student equivalents enrolled in the auto body program, down from more than 30 in spring 2011. Geographic information systems has about 20 full-time student equivalents, down from 25 in 2011. Last spring, there were about 10 full-time student equivalents.

Typically, if the college considers eliminating a program, it goes through a review process, but that is not required in the current circumstances because of the college’s financial situation, Friedly said.

College officials anticipate at least a $1.8 million budget shortfall, but it could be as much as $5.2 million owing to legislative action, including a proposed tuition freeze and changes in how funds are allocated, Friedly said.

College enrollment is down, too, she said.

“Enrollments are decreasing because the economy is getting better,” she said.

Friedly said the college has made extensive cuts on the administrative side, so now instructional programs face reductions.

“That is one area that hasn’t received any cutbacks,” she said.

Hoene said cutting the carpentry and auto body programs doesn’t make sense when those are two of five programs set to move into a new trades building this fall.

Friedly said if those programs are cut, the trades building could be reconfigured to house other programs.

“We are not at the point where the interior is complete,” Friedly said.

Faculty can give suggestions to save programs

Faculty received letters on April 20 outlining the proposed program cuts. Per faculty contract, any time positions could be eliminated, there is a 30-day comment period during which faculty may submit suggestions for saving the programs.

College officials are hopeful that faculty can come up with viable suggestions.

“We have not found that way on our own with the abilities we have…” Sampson said. “A lot of times faculty members will know how costs can be saved.”

Any decision to cut programs would require action by the college’s Board of Trustees.

“They are not easy decisions,” Sampson said. “They are not decisions we take lightly.”

Board chair Pete Lewis did not want to comment on the issue since it is still going through the administrative process. He said, however, many colleges across the country face similar enrollment declines and financial shortfalls.

Lewis referred calls to college President Eileen Ely, who did not respond by press time.

“It is important to note that, at this time, no final decision has been made as to program closures,” college officials said in a memo on Monday. “The college is eager to review the proposals brought forward, in order to retain as many programs as possible. However, given the current financial situation of the college, the proposals will have to result in a savings to the college in order to retain all programs. The college, first and foremost, must be fiscal stewards of state funds and do what will best serve students.”

Hoene said the union is concerned that the college may act during the bargaining process.

The faculty contract expired last June, but it remains in effect while negotiations for a new contract continue.

Hoene said the only part of the contract changed by the expiration is that grievances raised by faculty can no longer go to arbitration.

“We don’t have the option to go to arbitration,” she said, “which in this situation, does tip the balance.”

Students upset by potential program cuts

Friedly said she understands how stressful the situation is for students and faculty.

“Green River is a campus that thrives on their very rich history,” she said. “When something like this hasn’t happened (in the past), it is very upsetting.”

Students have not been officially notified of the potential program cuts, and, until a final decision is made, they won’t be, Friedly said. But many students have learned of the possible cuts through their instructors.

Dozens of students, many enrolled in the programs facing elimination, picketed in front of the new trades building on Wednesday, hoping to garner support to save the programs.

Evan Allen, a carpentry student, said the college’s announcement “blindsided all of us students.”

“As students, we were really looking forward to using this new building they built for us,” Allen said.

Vern Reber, another carpentry student, said cutting the program would be a huge loss.

“Everyone is invested in this,” Reber said. “We are here every day. We are participating, and we shouldn’t be snuffed out.”

Sara Beth Radical, a student in the auto body program, selected Green River’s program because of the diversity of students and the unique hands-on opportunities provided to students, despite her daily commute from Bellevue.

“To have this cut, is just not something you can get somewhere else,” Radical said.

If programs are eliminated, Green River would help students find ways to continue their education. For example, Friedly said, Green River could continue to offer geographic information systems courses until the students complete the program. If Green River isn’t able to offer the courses, it could find other colleges where students could complete the program, she said.

If the programs are cut and the college’s situation changes down the road, the college could consider reinstating the programs.

“There is always a possibility that programs could come back in the future,” Friedly said.

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PHOTO BELOW: Green River College students picket on Wednesday in front of the college’s new trades building, which is set to open this fall. The building will house five programs, including carpentry and auto body, which could be eliminated, along with two other programs, to help offset a budget shortfall. Heidi Sanders, Kent Reporter