State, community colleges spared deep cuts by lawmakers

by Daniel J. Fitzgibbons, Chronicle staff

he state and community college systems fared considerably better than the University system during the recent legislative budget process, according to an analysis by the Board of Higher Education.

     In the package sent last week to Acting Gov. Jane Swift, funding for 15 community colleges was trimmed by just $313,806 or 0.13 percent and allocations for the nine state colleges were reduced by just over $2.8 million or 1.46 percent. By contrast, the Legislature cut overall funding for the University, including its main appropriation, the endowed chair incentive program and Commonwealth College by nearly $27 million or 6.43 percent.

     Within the state college sector, Salem State fared the best as lawmakers spared the school from any cutbacks and actually approved a separate appropriation of $1,248 for a project involving a former GTE Sylvania property acquired in 1997.

     Legislators also set aside $950,000 for an engineering building at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, but reduced the school's base appropriation by $279,749.

     Bridgewater State took the biggest hit in the legislative measure, as lawmakers slashed $847,115 from its budget.

     Among the community colleges, only Holyoke Community College and Springfield Technical Community College saw their funding decline in the legislative budget, though some schools sustained reductions in specific projects or program. HCC's line item was trimmed by $149,860 plus another $6,314 for its home information center. STCC was cut by just under $600,000, but received a separate $820,411 for a technology and information center.

     Although the state and community colleges generally weathered the legislative budget battle, the schools do face some gubernatorial vetoes (see related story, page 1). In her response to the budget, Swift axed about $3.1 million from the community college accounts and slightly more than $2.2 million from the state college sector. Under the Swift actions, Salem State could lose more than $1 million.

     Swift is also seeking to eliminate $2.5 million to match private fund-raising by the state and community colleges.