2008 Woodie Awards
Budget woes impact student services
Small classes, supply-heavy programs are at risk with budget cuts.
By Jason B. Hogan
Issue date: 11/21/08 Section: News
Originally published: 11/20/08 at 4:59 PM CSTLast update: 12/4/08 at 4:35 PM CST
The nation has faced a significant budget crisis over the last year, and the college district cannot escape its grasp either.
School districts all over are suffering, such as Dallas ISD where Superintendent Michael Hinojosa faces pressure from community members to step down because of failed educational reform efforts, according to the Dallas Morning News.
But budget cuts and supply shortages are nothing new to some departments at this college.
Small class scheduling in certain departments across campus each semester must be justified.
Dr. Ellen Marshall, early childhood studies chair, said her courses are a necessity for graduation under some students' degree programs.
A few of these classes maintain 16 or 17 students, but that is justified by the course requirement for those students.
A number of programs, including Marshall's, lack the funding for faculty professional development expenses, such as travel to conferences for professional organizations.
Fortunately for early childhood studies, it has the capability to bring in grants, which can be used for department shortages or are transferrable to professional development.
Marshall said interim Dean Vernell Walker of professional and technical education has been accommodating this semester.
Professional development funding has always been "skimpy," Marshall said.
Historically, early childhood studies has always been underfunded, Marshall said.
Another department that goes without sufficient funding to further student education is biological sciences.
Dr. Teanna Staggs said her department has run into similar budget constraints.
"We've always scheduled in a very lean manner," Staggs said. "Because we are operating with a limited amount of space, it hasn't had a direct effect on labs."
Biological sciences students are suffering because the department cannot provide cutting-edge technology, she said, just the basics.
School districts all over are suffering, such as Dallas ISD where Superintendent Michael Hinojosa faces pressure from community members to step down because of failed educational reform efforts, according to the Dallas Morning News.
But budget cuts and supply shortages are nothing new to some departments at this college.
Small class scheduling in certain departments across campus each semester must be justified.
Dr. Ellen Marshall, early childhood studies chair, said her courses are a necessity for graduation under some students' degree programs.
A few of these classes maintain 16 or 17 students, but that is justified by the course requirement for those students.
A number of programs, including Marshall's, lack the funding for faculty professional development expenses, such as travel to conferences for professional organizations.
Fortunately for early childhood studies, it has the capability to bring in grants, which can be used for department shortages or are transferrable to professional development.
Marshall said interim Dean Vernell Walker of professional and technical education has been accommodating this semester.
Professional development funding has always been "skimpy," Marshall said.
Historically, early childhood studies has always been underfunded, Marshall said.
Another department that goes without sufficient funding to further student education is biological sciences.
Dr. Teanna Staggs said her department has run into similar budget constraints.
"We've always scheduled in a very lean manner," Staggs said. "Because we are operating with a limited amount of space, it hasn't had a direct effect on labs."
Biological sciences students are suffering because the department cannot provide cutting-edge technology, she said, just the basics.
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budget lines
posted 11/25/08 @ 9:45 PM CST
We are paying full tuition, I don't understand why we have to receive "budget" education.
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