Ventura, Oxnard and Moorpark colleges may lose 24 staff positions when the Board of Trustees votes on their elimination at their next meeting on April 13.
According to Patricia Parham, vice chancellor of human resources, the proposed elimination of the positions is the result of more projected budget cuts and greater efficiencies in the reorganization of some departments.
If passed, the cuts will affect departments on all three campuses, including health and sciences, the Student Outreach Program, the nursing programs at Ventura and Moorpark colleges and the chancellor’s office. Positions eliminated will not include any full-time faculty.
“We have to redefine ourselves,” said Chancellor James Meznek. “We’ll do more with less, but we can’t do it all. When it comes to budget cuts, there is a limit to what can be done.”
According to Parham, the district has already laid off 41 workers and at least 91 part-time faculty because of budget cuts. Within the 2010 fiscal year of, the district plans to cut $3 million in operating expenses, $830,000 from student services, $775,000 from classified personnel, $475,000 from management and $35,000 through reorganization of the financial aid department.
Parham said eliminated positions do not necessarily translate into layoffs. Some of the affected employees with seniority rights will be given the choice to “bump” other employees if they work in the same position. Also, some employees will be given the choice to work in a different position.
“It’s hard to tell people that they may lose their job, but it’s necessary,” said Parham. “These cuts are the result of consolidating of operations, efficiencies of services, and lack of funds.”
According to Parham, there might be a bright side to the elimination of these positions.
“We’re hoping that through the reorganization and the integration of structures, students will be served in a more efficient manner when it comes to financial aid and student services,” said Parham.
Regardless of the positive aspects of the reorganization, many employees say that district administrators are out of touch with their faculty.
According to nursing Professor Linda Loiselle, the district is eliminating jobs without realizing their importance to the colleges. In particular, Loiselle disapproves of the proposed elimination of the secretary for the nursing program.
“It is a ridiculous idea,” said Loiselle. “It is apparent that the individuals in the District Office that decided to delete this position didn’t look at the value of this position to the nursing program. It is my hope that before this is voted on, the district reconsiders leaving the nursing program without a secretary.”
