Harper College unveils leaner budget
Harper College officials have unveiled a budget that's nearly $10 million leaner than last year's.
And thanks to the state's capital spending plan and the November 2008 referendum that provides $153.6 million in additional taxpayer money, the Palatine college won't have to use savings like last year in order to balance the budget.
"We don't have to tap our reserves and in this economy, that's a silver lining," said Judy Thorson, vice president for administrative services.
Harper's 2010 fiscal year budget is tentatively set at $176.5 million, a 5.6 percent decrease from the previous year. To offset a projected revenue shortfall, Harper trimmed $2.4 million in education programming spending through cost-cutting that included not filling vacant positions, reducing the use of outside contractors and spending less on equipment and supplies.
Those measures were necessary in part to make up for an expected loss of $700,000 in state grants that support adult education, career and technical programs and the Women's Program. Harper's tutoring center, high school-to-college bridge programs, GED preparation and interpreting services for deaf students also benefit from grants.
All those programs will remain intact, which new President Kenneth Ender said was essential.
"Everyone's been impacted by the economic downturn, and Harper has some resources it can draw upon to work through some tough times," Ender said. "Staff made the cuts without laying off a single person."
Overall, the education fund is getting a 3.6 percent boost in spending for a total of $80.7 million. It covers faculty, administrative and professional salaries and educational supplies and equipment.
The budget also allots $17.5 million for operations and maintenance, $17 million for referendum-related fund and $27 million for a restricted fund for financial aid.
Harper will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget during a board of trustees meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Wojcik Conference Center on campus.