Vancouver Community College • Volume 1, Number 21 - August 3,1993 Board passes reduction budget It's a budget that had to be written with an axe, A budget which was devastating to everyone, including those who prepared it and those who voted for it, A budget that had to eliminate the college's 1992-93 deficit and projected '93-'94 deficit through over 100 immediate layoff notices and numerous cutbacks to student services. The bottom line staffing reductions are these: College Administrative Services—2 PTE (2 Admin.) College Resources—23.17 PTE (1 Admin, 19.17 VMREU, 1.5 LFA Term Librarians, 1.5 VCCFA/LFA on-call auxiliaries) Continuing Education—2 PTE (1 In the end—amid chants of "Shame! ShameJ Shame!"from the 100 in attendance at City Centre—the College Board reluc¬ tantly voted 9-2 for the 1993-94 budget of $79.5 million. Board member Stephen Huddart ex¬ pressed the "no-other-choice" exasperation Admin, 1 VMREU) City Centre—40.2 PTE (26.7 VCCFA, 1 Admin., 12.5 VMREU) King Edward Campus—58.8 PTE (44.3 VCCFA, 1 Admin., 13.5 VMREU... 30.5 VCCFA non-hired) Langara—17.6 PTE (14.6 LFA, 3 VMREU) of many of his colleagues; "The government means what it says," Huddart told the stu¬ The Board also passed two amend¬ dents, employees and others. "I believe that ments to the budget motion. One called for this Board can be far more humane in dealing a 50 per cent reduction in materials and with this situation than any trustee (the laundry fees at City Centre, to be offset by government would appoint)." increased revenues from evening parking at City Centre and KEC. Board member Margo Massie, who voted against the budget along with Irene Policzer, refused to follow the Ministry's directive to make the cutbacks; "I think this government is blackmailing this commu¬ nity. I've heard all these threats (from the ministry) thatv if you don't do this KEC will Page 1 The second amendment called for ad¬ ministration to continue discussions with theVCCFA regarding productivity improve¬ ments .The amendment, in part, read:"... ad¬ ministration to continue with the bi-partite Enhanced Program Delivery Committee, close.. .we'll take all of your PTEs and give and subsequent to the outcome of this proc¬ them to another college,'This government ess, to prepare such amendments to this has its own agenda and they're using dirty budgetfor the Board's consideration no later tricks to pass this agenda." (Board member than the October meeting. These amend¬ Cenen Bagon also spoke against the budget ments will consider tuition and other fee motion, but due to a previous commitment changes as well as a review, with the Minis¬ had to leave before the vote was held). try, of the period for deficit repayment and Continued on the other side.. a review of the allocation ofresources among And Manuel Salinas of the KEC Stu¬ campuses and divisions," dent Association: "The people at KEC want VCCFA spokesman Frank Cosco asked the Board to delay passing the budget until a life of crime. If you take the money from the productivity issues can he resolved. "We are prepared to make conces¬ sions," said Cosco. "Don't use the big ham¬ mer to get us to knuckle under. We're pre¬ pared to co-operate," Most of the speakers laid the blame with the government, to do something with their lives rather than the college, you'll have to invest it in correc¬ tional services." There were some positive notes. Presi¬ dent John Cruickshank suggested that the college will take a second look at trying to save the KEC Learning Centre, perhaps us¬ ing funds that will be saved as the result of employee suggestions to cut costs. "Our members, students and the com¬ And later, Fred Wyley, Vice President munity are being used as a political football of Finance and Administration, pointed out by a government that has turned its back on that the budget begins to lay a long-term the people," said VMREU Acting President groundwork for the future success of the Michael Carney. "Don't knuckle under to college. Victoria; don't be their pawns." Student leaders also told Board mem¬ bers to fight the government. "The lay offs are certainly devastating for those involved, but if we achieve produc¬ tivity increases the budget will provide pro¬ tection for our PTEs and therefore increased Michael Fergusson of the City Centre access to the college," said Wyley. "What Student Association: "This government has people should realize is that our target within abandoned education. If you pass this budget there won't be much of a college left." the budget framework is to produce 400 Rodney DeCroo of the Langara Stu¬ budget has been carefully crafted to protect dent Union: "You don't understand that our future funding and therefore the very there are people with problems who can't future of the college." more PTEs at KEC than we did last year.This wait for a year once they've made this kind The Employee Relations Department of decision (to attend). Meanwhile, you're will be offering a financial and re-employ¬ trying to kick drugs. Meanwhile, you're ment seminar to those being laid off. The trying to end an alcohol habit. Meanwhile, purpose of the seminar is to assist individuals you're trying to break with your former with the variety of financial considerations acquaintances. A lot of these people don't which they must address, as well as to pro¬ get a second chance, they don't ever come vide them with practical guidelines for their back. "You're talking about a human crisis here. You can't do this." re-employment concerns. Details will be announced as soon as they're finalized.