As you all are aware, revenue projections for Florida are not promising, and the Florida Legislature has responded by looking at a number of areas in which they need to cut appropriations. This legislature is facing some of the most complex budget issues and reductions in years.
House and Senate appropriations bills have both passed out of committee and each chamber will vote on its bill sometime this week. The proposed reductions in the Senate and the House budgets range from 1 percent to 2 percent below our current base budget, which is approximately a 6 percent to 7 percent decline from where the budget started in July, 2007.
There are several steps to go through before the House and Senate agree on a budget, so it is still too early in the process to predict the reductions we will need to make at the college. What we do know is that BCC’s budget already has experienced a reduction of $4 million this year, and combined with these additional reductions, we will have somewhere between $5 million and $6 million less for next year.
We have already been able to reduce costs in the areas of energy consumption, health benefits, travel, cell phones and equipment replacement. At the same time, we are exploring ways for the college to become more entrepreneurial and generate additional revenue to offset a portion of the cuts. As we work together to balance the budget, we welcome your suggestions and ideas on how we may further cut costs.
The news is not good, and it will be a challenge to meet the needs of our students, especially since we can expect their numbers to increase with the State University System capping enrollment and turning students away. Students are the first priority of the college, and I think you all join me and the Board of Trustees in our continued commitment to keep faculty in the classrooms, provide enough sections and classroom space to meet our increased student enrollment, and to maintain quality student services.
As the legislative session continues, I will report back to you on any substantive legislation that impacts the college. In the meantime, there is one bright spot of news; our name change to Broward College was approved in the House. | 
