BRCC waits to hear on state cuts

Having been hit with $1 million in state funding cuts over the last two years, Blue Ridge Community College is bracing for another round of reductions.

Newly installed Blue Ridge President John Downey said Tuesday that the college has already submitted to the state fund-cutting scenarios ranging from 5 to 15 percent.

While the impact will be mitigated by a 7.6 percent average tuition and fees increase for Virginia community colleges, Downey said the worst case scenario of a state funding cut is one he hopes to avoid.

Blue Ridge expects to hear from Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s office in the next month or two about the size of a reduction.

“We can cut non-personnel services but that can last only so long,’’ Downey said.

Previously, he said the college has looked for cuts in mailing costs and by attrition when a staff member retires.

In addition to protecting teaching staff, Downey said he would look to save equipment and supplies needed for occupational technical training.

Meanwhile, the demand for services at Blue Ridge continues to escalate.

School will start in less than three weeks, and Downey said Blue Ridge anticipates a 10 to 17 percent increase in both the college’s head count and full-time enrollment during the upcoming school year.

The financial pinch for community colleges is felt statewide, said Virginia Community College System spokesman Jeff Kraus.

“This will be budget cut round three or four while adding 26,000 students in the past two years,’’ Kraus said. “That number will grow this fall. It is getting to a tough point as the need grows. We are already operating efficiently. It’s a savings for taxpayers when students go to a community college.”

Kraus said while efficiency is a good thing, there is a limit.

“You have to have an instructor in the class and the lights must stay on,’’  he said.