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CLC trustees question hiring administrator while enrollment drops

College of Lake County board trustees are questioning the idea of hiring an administrator for the school's biological and health sciences division as enrollment declines and revenue shrinks.

Provost Richard Haney has recommended the hiring of a permanent associate dean for the division. It was pitched to CLC's elected officials as a replacement hire and not a new position.

However, board members tabled the proposal after raising concern about hiring a high-ranking administrator while enrollment and revenue decline.

CLC's latest head count was listed at 15,366. In comparison, about 18,000 students were reported in spring 2014 at campuses in Grayslake, Vernon Hills and Waukegan.

"We're at the point where we don't have the money we need to have," Trustee Richard Anderson said.

Trustee Barbara Oilschlager said the college cannot afford to fund a position likely to cost at least $150,000 annually when benefits are included. She noted that instead of a proposed $6-per-credit-hour tuition hike as recommended by the administration, a CLC board majority in March approved a $3 increase for 2017-18.

Haney said the associate dean is not considered a critical position and that it's being filled on an interim basis. He received support from CLC President Jerry Weber after saying it's been a long time since he's asked the board to approve an administrative hiring.

"You don't see all the positions we don't bring forward," Weber told board members.

CLC board Chairman William Griffin said it may be worth exploring a restructuring of the administration.

CLC budget for 2016-17

CLC tuition rising for 2017-18

With state funding uncertain, CLC trustees vote to increase tuition

College of Lake County board Trustee Barbara Oilschlager was among the officials who questioned the idea of hiring an administrator as enrollment declines and revenue shrinks.
College of Lake County board Trustee Richard Anderson says the school is "at the point where we don't have the money we need to have."
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