Financial cuts loom over SFC

Acknowledging the state's financial future is unpredictable, Santa Fe College President Jackson Sasser said Wednesday that he hopes the school can weather the economic recession without anyone losing their job.

"The major goal is to not have layoffs," Sasser told a crowd of faculty and staff gathered in the school's gymnasium.

He called the meeting earlier in the week to talk about looming budget cuts. The school expects a 10-14 percent reduction in state funding this year, which translates to $3 million to $4 million, spokesman Larry Keen said, and another 10 percent reduction during the 2009-10 school year.

While Sasser said his goal was to keep everyone employed, he said it was too soon to make assurances. He also emphasized that the school would move forward with major construction projects - the Alachua Center for biotechnology students and, at the northwest campus, an approximately $17 million performing arts center and a construction training facility.

Sasser said the performing arts center is necessary for a college to provide students with a well-rounded education, and the biotechnology and construction centers will help students get training to secure a job in tough economic times.

He said the projects also could give a little boost to the construction industry and that the school was not allowed to divert money intended for capital projects to go for personnel costs.

Sasser discussed his recent decision to hire Marilyn Tubb, the former Shands HealthCare vice president for community affairs, as a part-time vice president.

Trying to clear up "misinformation," he said. Tubb will not be paid with money from the state but from the school's auxiliary fund, which is revenue received from vendor contracts.

When asked whether employees' health-care premiums will increase, Sasser said he didn't have an answer for that yet. He said the school paid the expense for a $200,000 increase last year.

After Sasser's talk, Corinne Greenberg, who teaches child development at Santa Fe, said it's too early to get an accurate idea of what state budget cuts will do to the school. She said the Legislature and a series of staff and faculty planning committees have to meet before that becomes clear.

Sasser said the school's approximately 20-member planning committee will begin meeting earlier than usual to prepare for the 2009-10 budget. He also said a survey would be sent to faculty and staff for their input and recommendations.