Fifty-four employees were laid off at Oxnard, Ventura and Moorpark Colleges last week, due to the state’s deepening budget crisis and the failure to approve the tax extension proposal for the June ballot.

According to Iris Ingram, Vice President of Business Services at Moorpark College, five full-time positions at MC were cut out and 12 other positions had their hours reduced.

“This probably the worst it’s been in California for a while because California is heading for a boost and is affecting education in various levels,” said Ingram.

Stephen P. Blum, Chairman of the VCCCD Board of Trustees, said the layoffs are going to have a negative impact on society. He also said that the funding cuts coming from the state would make it more difficult for students to complete their education.

“You can’t cut that much from a system like Community College’s system [without] negative consequences,” said Blum. “We were hoping its not going to happen, so now we have to plan for a much worst scenario.”

According to the information presented by Ingram in her Budget presentation on January 2011, The Ventura County Community College District’s (VCCCD) cut is close to $6.5 million, but by the end of the fiscal year 2011-2012, the budget shortfall is expected to increase to more than $7 million due to salary increases, health care premiums and other expenses.  Two more budgets proposals will be presented to the Board, in June and in September.

Blum said that the current economic crisis is part of a process that started 30 years ago and one that he considers a massive redistribution of wealth.  Three decades ago, the top 1 percent had 8 percent of the country’s wealth and now, it has 25 percent of the country’s wealth leading the poor to stay poor and the rich to get richer.

Blum said that another negative consequences of the budget crisis is that students are not going to be able to accomplish their education, which could lead to increased delinquency and limit the access to information of most of the population.

“Whenever the unemployment and illiteracy rates go up, the crime rate goes up,” said Blum. “This lack of information is going to lead masses to become weaker and illiterate because knowledge is power and without power it is hard to be in control.”

Also according to Blum, less people get educated because many of them are not going to be able to go to college and finish college,” said Blum. “The less educated the masses are, the easier it is for wealthy to be wealthier.”

James Meznek, Chancellor of the Ventura County Community College District, said in a letter on March 31, that this is only the beginning for what our district faces.

“April 12,  colleges will present more reductions, such as abolishment of positions, reductions in assignment and operational budgets cuts  to the Board of Trustees,” said Meznik.

“If the Board approves the recommendations,” said Meznek, “the Human Resources Department will notify affected employees of their rights and provide assistance in this transition.”

Dianne McKay, member of the VCCCD Board of Trustees said that since the 20s, it is the first time public education has gone through such a difficult time.

“Even during the great depression, education was not cut as severely as some of the contemplated funding reductions from Sacramento,” said McKay.

At Oxnard College specifically, several Student Services positions have been proposed for elimination and the mood at OC, was short from grim.

Position eliminations have been confirmed in counseling, Learning Resource Center, cafeteria, bookstore and the library.

Mayra Pacheco, a 24-year-old sociology major, was shocked to hear the news.

“I think this is unfair because these people have been here for years helping our college community and they help students individually, anyway that they can,” said Pacheco.

Jennifer Clyde, a 25-year-old accounting major, said that if the district continues cutting classes and staff, there won’t be any college left.

“These cuts are very irresponsible,” said Clyde. “They’re letting go of staff that are crucially needed, like Lucy Paez, who runs the front desk in counseling. I don’t know who they are expecting to run the office and if students decide to walk out and not be here.”

Lucy Paez is a Classified Staff with over 18 years tenure at Oxnard College. She currently heads the front desk of the Counseling Department.

According to Clyde, students in particular service areas like counseling, are not legally allowed to operate the area without a staff member present.

Dr. John Al-amin, Vice President of Business Services at Oxnard College, stated that he could not confirm the identity of the staff occupying these positions. However, he did mention, that the individuals notified of the proposed eliminations were given the courtesy of the news.

“It’s probably the worst part of the job, having to give this news,” said Al-amin. “If not the worst, it’s definitely one of the worst.”

According to Al-amin, it’s only going to get worse because it’s a stage process and this is just the first stage. He also stated that the state just does not have the funding.

Monica Valencia, Editor-In-Chief, also contributed to this story.