Farley shuns Center City move citing expense, inconvenience
Schenectady County Community College officials say the institution is facing a pleasant problem it is too successful.
Enrollment at SCCC continues to rise as new courses and programs are offered, but the space on the college campus can’t hold the increased activity. This led SCCC officials on a search for a new space to utilize so offerings can continue to expand. The new Center City building was tapped to offer the college’s new Certified Nursing Assistant program and also host courses in criminal justice, business and computing. SCCC President Quintin Bullock presented the proposed 2011-12 budget to the Schenectady County Legislature on Monday, Aug. 1, which totals $26,256,842 and is a 9 percent increase, or around $2.17 million, compared to the previous school year’s budget.
We are very excited about what we have established this year,` said Bullock. `It has been a very successful year for the college. We have had very strong enrollment. We’ve launched new programs and we are preparing to expand our programs as well as our presence in Center City. The budget is very tight and will allow us to continue the work that we are doing at the college.`
The increased budget doesn’t ask for a greater contribution from the county, because the county’s contribution for operating expenses will remain at nearly $2.1 million. The college is increasing its fund balance usage by $43,417 and totals $267,308. If all of the appropriated fund balance were used during the upcoming school year the college’s fund balance would be at approximately $4.1 million or 15 percent of the 2011-12 budget.
Legislator Robert Farley, R-Glenville, was the first and only member to voice opposition to the college’s proposed budget. His main concerned focused on the college stretching off the campus to Center City, which it holds a five-year lease. He said the legislature previously rejected a move to Center City to offer classes for the music program, because of the distance students would travel. The previous move discussed was before Bullock joined the college.
`You’re having an enormous increase and rental costs to go there,` said Farley. `There’s issues with going back and forth to classes from that facility.`
This year the college launched a strategic plan, said Bullock, which includes steps on how the college will `strategically grow and expand its tentacles` into the community. An $11.2 million grant launched the CNA program at the college. Meetings and discussions were held at SCCC about the move, said Bullock, which resulted in support from the college community.
`This program is supported. I do not anticipate any unknown opposition for the location of classes [at Center City]. It is not being forced upon anyone,` said Bullock. `We have a total of 78 classes that are scheduled and enrollment in those classes are strong. It appears it would be a successful launch, so it is a part of our plan for growth.`
Legislator Gary Hughes, D-Schenectady, also a member of the college’s Board of Trustees, said the move to Center City will allow the college to offer courses when the main campus might not be open, such as time on Saturday and Sunday.
Farley said he was concerned about scheduling problems with students changing classes from Center City to the main campus. Offering many programs at the facility also concerned Farley, instead of just offering one program.
Bullock said the facility and division deans and chairs were included in discussions to cluster classes, so students wouldn’t need to run between campuses. The courses would be clearly identified as being offered at Center City when students and advisors are developing schedules for a semester.
Farley still wasn’t sold on the idea of complications not arising. Due to the movement, said Farley, he was considering not supporting the college’s budget proposal.
`I think that this is logistically going to be much more of a challenge and impediment to the students at your institution,` said Farley. `It is not like you are moving the entire culinary program there where there is not going to be the overlap in some of the other classes.`
Students at SCCC, said Farley, often can be economically challenged and those are the students needing the most help, so he was concerned about the budget increasing by 9 percent.
Bullock said the costs of rent, security, janitorial services, staffing and operating costs for Center City total approximately 3.13 percent of the college’s proposed budget. Farley asked what the college is paying in rent per square foot, which Bullock said is $17.75 for rent and $4.50 for utilities.
SCCC will be getting 47 percent of rental costs, which totals $361,000, paid for through state aid, said Bullock.
Legislator Brian Gordon, D-Niskayuna, said he thought it was best to let the college determine what is best for the students it serves.
`Basically, you’re unfortunately a victim of your own success,` said Gordon to Bullock. `I think it is beyond hubris for us to really meddle in your dealing and your scheduling I think that we are going far above our boundaries to mettle in the internal affairs in that realm (of distance and scheduling).`
Student enrollment is expected to increase by 3 percent in the fall 2011 and spring 2012 semesters, said Bullock, with an increase of 10 percent in the summer of 2012. The tuition for a full-time student (at least 12 credits) will cost $1,692 each semester in the upcoming school year, along with part-time students paying $141 per credit. The college’s high school program will cost $47 per credit.
SCCC’s tuition does ring closely with two Capital District community colleges. Hudson Valley Community College will charge full-time students $1,850 for tuition and part-time students $154 per credit hour. Fulton-Montgomery Community College full-time student tuition will be similar to SCCC at $1,697 and part-time students will pay the same $141 per credit.“
