JACC Budget Watch Survey Fall 2009 - By Rich Cameron Despite gnawing and gnashing of teeth over tight budget times in California community college journalism programs SEEM to be faring okay according to the just completed JACC Budget Watch survey, which was conducted online from mid-August to mid-September. Forty-FIVE of the 70-or-so community college journalism programs in the state participated. (See list at end of report)1 At least two community college newspapers were eliminated this fall as a result of tight budget conditions. Administrators at College of the Canyons pulled the plug instead of hiring a replacement for retiring journalism professor Jim Rubasamen and Lassen College cancelled its college newspaper class a week before the start of the semester due to inadequate enrollments. Unknown from this survey is whether other programs that did not respond could not because their programs ceased to exist. In many cases, the responding programs pointed out higher than normal enrollments as community college students returned to campuses to find fewer course options in which to enroll. BUDGET TIGHTENING EFFECT ON JOURNALISM PROGRAMS Respondents were asked to judge the effect of the budget situation on their programs as compared to a year ago. Fifty-three percent (n. 24) felt that there ultimately was not much effect on their programs, though 13.3% (n. 6) said that they lost beginning newswriting and mass media survey sections in their schedules. Nearly a quarter (24.4% n. 11) reported losing other journalism course offerings in the tightening.
1 Some percentages in this report may be inaccurate because one college submitted
answers twice (46 respondents). Trends, however, are not significantly affected.
BUDGET TIGHTENING EFFECT ON JOURNALISM PROGRAMS While some schools took a look at the advising load of the student publication’s adviser, most respondents indicated that there was little or no change. This may be because schools see working conditions to be a union-negotiable measure. Surprisingly, two schools reported that the load for advising increased this year over previous years. But 91.1% (n. 41) reported no change.
ENROLLMENT CHANGES The biggest changes registered were in enrollments, where schools saw significantly more or slightly more students in each of the newswriting, mass media, publication and other journalism courses offered as compared to previous years. Newswriting (50% n. 22) and publication (52.w% n. 24) courses saw significant gains at most schools reporting. When combined with “slight increase” answers newswriting, mass media and publication courses saw increases at between 60% and 75% of the schools. Other journalism course offerings were close behind.
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THE FUTURE OUTLOOK Because the California budget crisis loomed over the summer months as the state legislature debated how to handle the state budget and what its impact would be on the colleges, and to keep this survey simple but allow for maximum input, the respondents were asked open-ended questions about how they perceived the near future and the more distance future of their programs. Respondents were asked to give short answers. Here are the responses collected. The answers suggest dire circumstances for some programs. In the near term: • • • • • •
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Paper threatened, but survives. Budget the same. Lost lots of non-core classes. Lost student hourly tutor, even thought paid by grant not district Administration was requiring all classes have a minimum enrollment of 20, however, newspaper production was allowed to remain with only 14. We had to cut only one PR class that is traditionally low enrolled. Our enrollment numbers are up at least 5 percent in all journalism classes (due to CSU cuts). Over-enrolled. We got a partial raise dating back three years. Enrollment up 32% at college. Summer school was cancelled. Prez sez savings mean only 3-4% more cuts coming. Low enrollment in newspaper class bothers me when others J classes have waiting list. They are happy with our enrollments and gave us an overdue budget increase to cover past approved overspending for printing. Okay, but we lost lab aides for the lab, so we have to reduce hours open. We had minor cuts to media budgets (money for printing and broadcasting), but our printer lowered prices, too. The large number of students is helping the program. Very healthy enrollment in all classes. Newspaper staff has 63 students. No cuts to our budget.
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New VPI is looking into getting rid of the newspaper production class. Extensive recruitment saved many classes from being cut. Three of four summer 2009 classes were cut. We're in great shape. No decrease in funds. All classes at max, except production class, which had nine. Still enrolling students and will end week with 15 or more. We've taken a 7 percent cut. However, a full-timer was hired as promised. Holding our own, though plans for revamp of program seem on hold . . . Holding steady; loss of some class sections, but healthy enrollment remains in newspaper class This is the worst situation of my 14-year career here. Our president is using the budget cuts as a weapon against people and programs he does not like. The Sun has been critical of his administration and he is retaliating. about the same as before Long been treated like the proverbial red-headed stepchild. Thus little change. Am waiting to hear if anything will be cut, but no indications it will. Yuba delayed making many cuts, so virtually no real change until Spring Stable. We were approved for $27,000 in new equipment for new online newspaper course. Cut in half, but course not cut. Printing increase approved for $10,000 to fund magazine and newspaper; cut in half, too. Hired new adjunct for new course. Printing budget was cut 50%; magazine eliminated; 3 classes cut Fall 2009 - we limp along each semester with constant threats of closure. We have so little money it is laughable. While my Division Head is very supportive and everyone at the college loves the paper now, i spend most of my time dealing with the threats of closure that are constant. Canyon Call was removed from the program this fall when I retired. Our district held significant rainy day funds, but we did lose 10 percent of the classes across the campus, paired with an almost record enrollment, is resulting in very high class enrollments. I even have an overload class. Two non-newspaper classes canceled due to budget cuts. No threats to the newspaper yet, but the prevailing atmosphere is one of immediate and severe crisis. Safe with good enrollment and supportive administration! Journalism program in great shape, but print budget cut drastically and depending on ad revenue to meet costs. Not much change Ok so far. Unless someone's not telling me, everything is status quo. Enrollments are up, dean is supportive, one photo class at a satellite campus was cancelled I was warned to spend my budget fast and expect to have it swept soon. Although the program has suffered some severe reductions, it's growing again and has signs of re-emerging stronger than before. I have not yet seen our Laney Tower budget, which we derive from the general fund as distributed to the four campuses at our district. Journalism budget cut by 20%, have to reduce print issues, slight hope to attend JACC conventions or being a member Less money to start with, no money for multimedia equipment (cameras, etc.) and need to raise money on own for program. Lab supervisors' hours cut in half. P/t faculty cuts. Nothing has changed for this semester, except the amount of pressure to get class enrollments to a certain level before school began.
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All depts. (incl. journalism) had to cut classes; all classes (incl. journalism) have to make 20 enrollment by 1 week before school starts. So far there is a lot of support from the administration. Travel budget completely eliminated. Most other accounts down 12-25 percent. Much concern about coming budget cuts in spring 2010
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More cuts will threaten ability to offer courses needed for degrees/certificates. Good district reserves. No new hires to replace retirees. Certain budget items in the past funded by the college are now not being funded or are having to be paid for with newspaper advertising sales. We will lose two, maybe three, classes in the spring. I'm expecting our enrollments to stay high. Supply and equipment budgets will continue to be low or nonexistent. I expect some courses may be cut in spring. The magazine class has been mentioned. The Lariat is moving to temporarily headquarters, but should be status quo. Low enrollment in newspaper class and funds to print hard copy are major concerns. Harbor is always asking me to do extra things on my own time, and that'll probably increase with program review due this fall. Another big issue is completing the final two courses for the A.A. degree. Budget prohibits adding classes, yet we have students who need those final two courses to complete degree. There may be a move to eliminate/consolidate a sister program at DVC with Jean Dickinson's retirement. Nothing specific yet. No word of cuts. My position may become full-time Mass Communications because the program is growing quickly. Winter semester could be cut. No cuts to journalism being discussed. We have been told to keep increased enrollment numbers, modify curriculum and consider adjusting lecture and lab hours for classes. Except for the 18 students or we cancel talk, nothing. Told by the VP the chancellor wants a plan by the beginning of November to strengthen the production class or to cut it. Could lose release time. Could take another cut. Under-enrolled classes will be cut. Would be just a guess. More maybe after I start back tomorrow Class sections may be restored by next year. We have been asked to pay for our own printing of paper. Trying to outlast this president. He has two more years on his contract. no worries, yet Looking to add a newswriting class that would qualify as an Eng. II course. We will cut sections in the next few semesters. Not clear if journalism will have to, but mass media may (we offer 4 sections of it). Protective dean. Lip-service at college admin level. No word from District level. No real fears right now, but District makes surprise announcements. We'll see. We're at minimum in terms of sections, so we're safe from section cuts for now. 15% more cuts in classes spring semester. No travel. more classes will be cut; think online only With the new President I actually think we are safer. She gets the importance of a newspaper to the campus and seems extremely supportive. There is no more money however and we have to beg for everything. Administrators talk of "club" journalism and that it "might" come back.
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With no state funding, real cuts will begin. No overload. Fewer sections. Perhaps I may teach one class in another dept. that has many adjuncts. Same as above: severe crisis may force faculty layoffs. About 80 classifieds have already been laid off. There is scuttlebutt single-person departments may be at risk. Continued budget crunch could lead to administrators wanting to cut a course with smaller enrollment. That the budget situation might be worse in the spring. Continuing pressure from above to eliminate low-enrollment classes. Keeping my fingers crossed. Unsure. Many classes will be cut for spring semester. Nothing negative It will be hideous next year. Gloomy but not yet despair. There will be classes cut in the spring 2010 semester. Journalism will probably remain but I will not get release time for being in charge of Good News, a campus art & literary magazine with student and faculty work. I have been getting this release time to do the magazine for several years. I may be doing it on a volunteer basis. It's very gloomy, despite increasing enrollments, not sure if we keep newspaper courses next semester, school is trying to reduce courses from 4 to 1 More huge cuts. It will be worse next year. Print is precarious. I will only be able to offer newswriting once a year; alternate semesters, I'll be teaching an English course. I've heard this is until at least 2011 (I believe). This change is happening in the middle of the biggest increase in enrollment my newswriting class has ever seen. I've been told the shift to making me teach English once a year, while initially about low enrollment, now has to do with our school being at cap, enrollment-wise. I may lose release time for being adviser; classes that historically enroll below 30 will not be offered. I've been administration doesn't want to eliminate newspaper. I might be asked to cut a course. We hope to pay JACC membership fee but won't be able to attend SoCal conference or state convention. Serious jeopardy for journalism classes because of financial issues and interest by some on campus in modifying newspaper/web content
PARTICIPATING COLLEGES Antelope Valley College, Bakersfield College, Butte College, Cabrillo College, Cerritos College, Chaffey College, Citrus College, City College of San Francisco, College of San Mateo, College of the Canyons, College of the Sequoias, Cosumnes River College, Cuesta College, Cypress College, Cypress College, De Anza College, Diablo Valley College, East Los Angeles College, El Camino College, Fresno City College, Fullerton College, Laney College, Las Positas College, Long Beach City College, Los Angeles Harbor College, Los Medanos College, Mt. San Antonio College, Palomar College, Pasadena City, Rio Hondo College, Riverside College, Sacramento City College, Saddleback College, San Diego City College, San Diego Mesa College, San Joaquin Delta, San Jose City College, Santa Monica College, Santa Rosa Junior College, Shasta College, Skyline College, Solano College, Southwestern, West Valley College, Yuba College.
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