News Releases
News from Lane Community College
May 15, 2008
LCC BUDGET AVOIDS LAYOFFS, PRESERVES PROGRAMS
EUGENE, OR - Lane Community College is moving toward fiscal stability with a 2008/09 budget that avoids layoffs and preserves programs, following Budget Committee action on May 14 to approve the budget for board adoption.
The $171 million budget includes a $76 million general fund.
Keeping college affordable and accessible for students is the highest priority at Lane.
Balancing the budget, while keeping skilled teachers and staff in positions to deliver superior educational services to students, will ensure that the college succeeds in its educational mission.
"With the downturn in the economy, it is critical that our faculty and staff keep working and serving students," said President Mary Spilde. "In this competitive world economy, college educated workers are critical to the success of our nation and Lane County. In addition, as more organizations are forced to lay off their workers, more people will come to Lane Community College for retraining and job skill upgrading."
Maintaining enrollment also helps position Lane for future state funding, which is based on enrollment growth.
Avoiding layoffs at the college means limiting salary and benefits increases, among other savings.
"We have worked hard to insulate employee compensation from budget deficits in the past but find it more difficult to do so this year," said Spilde. “The state has not made up for the disinvestment of the last few years and we must limit expenditure increases to revenue increases.”
The approved budget now goes to the board for final decisions and adoption no later than June 30.
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