Comments on The President’s Round Table – Broome Community College Foundation

I want to thank Foundation Executive Director, Judy Siggins, for yet one more stroke of genius- namely, providing a topic for this morning’s roundtable that gives Julie Peacock and me a lot of latitude regarding the focus of our comments.

Some BCC Colleague News

I hope each of you will join with me in extending congratulations and thank you to Marty Guzzi for stepping into the Acting Vice President for Student Affairs position. Marty will provide leadership of the Student Affairs Division for the remainder of the fall semester. As many of you know, Nancy LaBare will be on leave and we all thank Nancy for her service and commitment, and wish her the best as well.

In Marty’s absence as College Registrar, Assistant Registrar Cindy Mowry is assuming the duties of this important office and to Cindy also, thank you and best wishes.

Also, today, the College was informed that two of our nominees were selected as members of Chancellor Zimpher’s “Group of 200” delegates from across SUNY who will engage in conversations about SUNY’s Strategic Directions. Professor and College Council Chair Margherita Rossi and Student Trustee Zachariah Riley will do us proud as SUNY’s future is defined!

At this time, I want to also extend my thanks to everyone at BCC for your continued hospitality and support and here’s to a great Columbus Day break.

John W. Deans

Interim President

State Spending Reductions

In today’s media accounts, considerable reference is being made to 2009-2010 State Budget spending reductions announced by Governor Patterson and Budget Director Megna. An attached memo from Chancellor Zimpher provides an overview of the anticipated impact of the reductions on SUNY and the Chancellor’s plans to convene a panel of campus presidents/business officers to provide advice on how to implement this round of reductions. A conference call to campus presidents to discuss the budget is also planned.

This round of reductions applies to state-operated campuses; community colleges which are funded through Aid-to-Localities were not included. As the Chancellor notes, however, these announced reductions are quite likely only a first step toward addressing a current year budget shortfall that is estimated to be between 2 and 3 billion dollars. Additionally, the Governor’s Budget Office has already directed state agencies to submit flat-line budget requests for next year.

The bottom line is BCC, like all of our peers, will need to monitor our current budget closely and as we move forward with the next budget cycle for SUNY, be sure that the story of New York State’s community colleges and their central role in rebuilding our State’s economy is told far and wide. Making the case for investment in education has probably never made more sense. In the State’s current fiscal climate, however, that case will need to be articulated in an ever more convincing manner by all community college stakeholders.

As always, your thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

Memo from Chancellor Zimpher – 2009-10 spending reductions

John W. Deans

Interim President