Gresham, Oregon | April 19, 2013 | Volume 48, Issue 24
advocate
The independent student voice of Mt. Hood Community College
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2013-14 budget seeks ‘shared sacrifice’ Danny Perez-Crouse
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The Advocate
Softball slides, now tied for first place with Clackamas page 12
The president’s MHCC budget proposal was unveiled Wednesday at the district budget committee meeting, leaning heavily on a framework of “shared sacrifices.” President Michael Hay said the proposal, when fully implemented, would enable the board to enhance affordable course offerings, provide competitive compensation packages for employees and support engagement with the community. Hay said the budget plan is based on shared burden across the campus, on which he elaborated: “From our employees, in agreeing to compensation and benefit contract changes; and from from all of us, in working more efficiently”. As a part of a two-year deficit reduction effort, MHCC has pursued a balanced approach: 30 percent of deficit reduction will be covered each by increased student tuition and fees; administrative reductions; and reduced employee costs. The remaining 10 percent of the budget deficit reduction will be taken from enrollment and state funding. No new tuition increase for students is proposed for 2013-
Already, the school has banked $2.3 million in higher revenues from tuition and fee increases imposed last September. However, a small technology fee increase is proposed to help students better gain access to technology. This will hope to bring the college in line with neighboring community colleges. The board believes student enrollment is going to increase by 2 percent over current levels, bringing in $200,000 more in revenue. The goal of decreasing administrative costs also has been partially met this school year, with projected savings of $1.9 million to $2.3 million. To close the remainder of the deficit, Hay proposed that the college restructure the Administration, Student Services, Payroll and Benefits and Facilities departments for additional cost savings. He suggested the college also continue “Smart Growth” initiatives, its attempt to eliminate direct program subsidies to the Aquatic Center and efforts to reduce uncollectible tuition through systematic attendance taking and reporting. See Budget” on Page 5
Derr’s selection meets with general praise John Tkebuchava The Advocate
Making green crafts with recyclables, an ASG Earth Day event
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Summer term schedule of classes is now available on the MHCC website
With the April 6 announcement of Debra Derr as MHCC’s new president, set to take the reins in July, various campus groups and staff members expressed support of the soon-to-be college leader. Despite having only two candidates to choose from – Jacob Ng, a vice chancellor for the Peralta Community College District in California, and Derr, the president at Northern Iowa Community College – the announcement was generally met positively. One staff member — David Sussman, the manager of the Student Union Services and Grant Sponsored Programs — is satisfied with the decision. Based on what Derr said at the campus presidential forum a day before the board announced the job offer to her, Sussman said, “It gives me hope that she’ll be here long-term.” During the forum, Derr said one of her reasons for returning to MHCC (she’s a former 15-year MHCC employee and longtime Oregon resident) was because she wished to live near her family and eventually retire here. “I’m very optimistic. I think that this final selection will bode well for us,” said Sussman. He also said Derr’s vari-
Debra Derr ous experiences in numerous positions and roles should be beneficial. Sara Williams, a member of the MHCC faculty association, was equally satisfied with the results of the president search. Williams said, “I would say the faculty are optimistic about Derr. Many people have reported positive experiences with her. They say she has respect for others and good listening skills.” In regards to the small pool of finalists for the job, “I think if we had a pool of 100 candidates, it still would have come down to Derr,” Williams said. “I am happy with results and I think that speaks for itself.” The Associated Student Government (ASG) reacted similarly to the
board’s selection. “I think she’s fantastic. She has a lot of energy and spunk,” Laura Aguon, the ASG director of State & Federal Affairs. According to ASG President William Miller, ASG had around 30 members present at the April 5 campus forums to ask questions of Ng and Derr. Miller said that his hope for the new MHCC president is that student government will be able to maintain “opened lines of communication” with the administration once she comes aboard, adding that she seems a good fit. ASG Vice President Antonio Guererro sees a chance for progress. “MHCC needed a change. I think that new ideas will take us where we want to be,” he said. As for the selection process and having only two finalists make it to the last stage, Guererro said, “I guess it was what I expected. It was definitely a small (number of candidates), but I was expecting a small group.” The board initially screened 38 applicants before naming three finalists, including Ng, Derr and Suzanne Miles, interim leader of Pima Community College in Tucson, Ariz. Soon after, Miles withdrew after some controversy arose over her brief tenure in Arizona.
One flew over the cuckoo’s Nest
High School artist
First time director takes on spring production
Animation wins Culture Shapers Award
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