The Queens College administration reported that they are still unsure of the direct effects the CUNY budget cuts will have on QC, even though there are visible changes around the campus.
The student technology fees have risen. Faculty of the Academic Support Center reported that their budget was cut by 20 percent, but according to Joanne Rodes of the Office of Communications, "it's still too early to tell what the adjustments will be."
It was August when statewide budget cuts were approved by the state Legislature and Gov. David Paterson, in an attempt to remedy a ballooning deficit.
Among other state-funded programs, CUNY's senior colleges' budgets were slashed by $51 million for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 school years.
To date, numerous attempts have been made by The Knight News to ascertain the current status of the QC budget; however, the Office of Communications at the college is still not able to explain how the cuts will directly affect the campus.
John Troynaski, director of the Writing Center, said that the Writing Center, along with the other offices of the Academic Support Center, has received a 20 percent budget cut.
The ASC provides support for the CUNY Proficiency Exam, college English as a second language, the immersion program for math and the academic support lab, which offers tutoring for various courses.
"We [the Writing Center staff] service around 500 students each semester," said Troynaski.
He said that now, with the budget reduced considerably, the Writing Center has had to cut down on hiring.
"Ultimately, it's the students who will lose these services," Troynaski said.
According to the financial disclosure statement on CUNY's Web site, there was a financial management conference held to address the cuts made on Sept. 15 and 16, but Stevens said that the president would only be able to comment after Oct. 6, after attending a meeting about the cuts.
"It's expected that the chancellor will be discussing how the government's cutbacks in funding will affect the CUNY colleges," said Stevens.
Sue Henderson, vice president for institutional advancement, said, "The college and CUNY are working to meet the budgetary needs for this fiscal year while advocating with the state regarding next year's budget."
"Because we do not know the exact effect of the budget cut, we have been conservative in our spending so that we can be prepared for any additional cuts," said Henderson about the preventative measures taken by the college.
"We are completing many good projects we began last year," said Henderson, "thanks to last year's budget."
Henderson said that hiring at QC has been reduced, which contributes to salary savings.
"The college will use funds to ensure that its core mission is met," said Henderson.
"We will make sure that we offer the classes that students need in a manner that we have done in past years," she said.
As for now, Henderson said that "department heads and administrators sit with various units to work out the highest priority needs for the year and ensure that they are funded at a level that is in line with available funds."
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