EL CAMINO COLLEGE
Planning & Budgeting Committee
May 20, 2004
Minutes
MEMBERS AND ALTERNATES PRESENT:
Bobbi Villalobos – Chair
Thomas Jackson
Susan Taylor
Miriam Alario-Wolski
Harold Tyler
Lance Widman
Carolee Casper
Susan Dever
David Vakil
Justin Bagnall - ASO
ALSO ATTENDING: Pam Fees, Victor Hanson, Alex Kelly, Dawn Reid, Arvid Spor,
Handouts:
Memo dated September 24, 2003 – Student & Casual Employees
Decision-Making Matrix
Retaining Categorical Allocations – Learning Resources May 2004
State Budget Update #7 – May 13, 2004
Tentative Budget 2004-2005
Agenda for Measure “E” Bond Fund, May 17, 2004
Bobbi Villalobos called the meeting to order at 1:10 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
Minutes of the May 6, 2004 meeting were approved. For the committee’s information, Bobbi handed out a
memo dated September 24, 2003, on hiring Student & Casual Employees.
Announcements
A document from Alice B. Grisby regarding Retaining Categorical Allocations was handed out. The governor’s
2004/05 budget places TTIP funding for libraries and P4E categorical programs into the general apportionment.
The document urges ECC to continue the allocations of currently designated categorical dollars and any COLA
support specific programs even though they will no longer be designated when received by the college in
2004/05. These categorical monies are currently used for library subscriptions, on-line periodicals and Internet
periodical databases. A motion was made by Harold Tyler and seconded by Susan Dever to accept the
recommendation presented by Alice Grigsby via memo: to continue the allocations of currently designated
categorical dollars and any COLA enhancements that support specific programs and activities, even though they
are no longer designated when received by the college in 2004/05. The motion passed unanimously.
Upon further discussion, it was the general consensus to keep all categorical funding the same and track it
similar to PFE state allocations. The previously passed motion was amended to include that if categorical funds
are folded into the general budget, that ECC continue funding these specific programs subject to annual review.
The amended motion passed.
Planning Process Update
The two-part recommendation regarding planning activities for the three-year strategic planning and an offyear cycle, which was handed out at the May 6 meeting, was once again reviewed and discussed. Bobbi
Villalobos handed out a copy of the Matrix for members to refer to.
There is concern on what percentage should be set aside for special projects. It was reported that the Academic
Senate is concerned about the percentage as well. Who decides this percentage and who is responsible for
selecting the projects to be funded was of concern. Arvid Spor reported that the deans and directors of the
divisions have been entering information into Q-Builder to identify their needs. This will be looked at by the
V.P.’s. The president is the one who ultimately decides what percentage and what projects will be funded and
his recommendations are forwarded to the Board of Trustees for approval. The PBC can recommend a
percentage and forward it to cabinet.
Justin Bagnall shared his concern about the winter session being eliminated this year. He said one of the
reasons we adopted a 16-week calendar was to offer a winter session. Classes are being cut and he does not
understand the logic. These actions make it difficult for students to take the required classes they need. Arvid
Spor reported that the winter session was eliminated this year because the college had already exceeded its
FTES funding for the year.
A discussion ensued about the planning and budgeting process for the college. Money needs to be set aside for
improvements to the college. After a lengthy discussion, a motion was made to recommend that “a percentage,
as recommended by the PBC, of the college’s annual budget shall be set aside.” With three in favor and three
opposed, the motion failed. This item may be revisited in the future. A question was raised as to whether the
first part of the recommendation regarding off-year cycle planning had been approved. The general consensus
was that it was approved at the last meeting.
Budget Update
Pam Fees handed out an updated Tentative Budget for 2004-2005. The only major change is that there is no
Cafeteria Budget as the operation now falls under the Bookstore budget as shown on page 21. The Tentative
Budget was submitted as an informational item at the last Board meeting. The Budget, effective July 1, 2004,
will be adopted at the June Board meeting.
A State Budget Update article was handed out. Pam Fees reported there were no major changes as the May 13
revise was released. The biggest change was in COLA, which went from 1.84% to 2.41%. The May Revise
maintained $80 million for equalization of funding for community colleges. Enrollment fees are proposed to
change to $26 per unit. ECC is currently charging $18 per unit and we are not able to charge $26 until the state
budget is passed, hopefully before July 1. If enrollment fees are raised by the State, ECC will bill students who
have already registered for the fall and paid their fees.
Pam Fees read a summary document from a CBO conference written by Scott Lay who is involved with the
California Community College League.
Bond Update
Vic Hanson distributed the May 17th Agenda to the Board for Measure “E” Bond Funds.
The next Bond Oversight Committee meeting will be on May 26th at 8:00 a.m.
Other Business
Lance Widman reported that the Academic Senate approved an emergency resolution to fill the vacant
Administrative Assistant position in the curriculum office. The PBC will discuss this issue at the next meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
Recorder: Sonia Gallardo, Bookstore