Sisters COCC faces rocky future

Ron Paradis of COCC explained cuts to College Centers at a Sisters meeting last week. Photo by Conrad Weiler

Local residents weighed the future of Central Oregon Community College's Sisters Center in a meeting with college officials at Sisters Elementary School last week.

COCC faces an approximately $3 million shortfall for the 2003-2004 fiscal year for the entire COCC operation including regional centers such as Sisters. Hopes for some relief from Measure 28 passage were dashed in the January 28 election.

Across-the-board budget cuts loom over the college -- eliminating distance education; slashing administrative, classified and faculty positions and raising tuition.

"Current college revenue comes equally from tuition, property taxes and state reimbursement," said Jim Jones, Chief Financial Officer for COCC.

Locally, the Sisters regional center would be eliminated as part of four regional closures (centers in La Pine, Madras and Prineville would be closed) at a savings of over $216,000.

Projected costs for next year's operation at the Sisters Center indicate a revenue shortfall of over $40,000. Total costs are estimated at slightly over $123,000 while revenue is about $83,000.

The big cost items at the Sisters Center are personnel ($67,000), instructors ($30,000) and rent/utilities ($21,500).

The college proposes to restructure Community Education under a single regional program supervised by one manager, probably located in Bend.

"This would shift focus from a geographic orientation (facilities) to a market-driven orientation (products and services)," said Jones.

Sisters programs currently operating in community facilities off-site would not be seriously affected. Cooking classes in private homes, Stretch and Flex held at Black Butte Ranch, hiking and snowshoe classes using local trails should remain in the schedule.

Other course offerings might find locations at local churches, the Sisters Fire Hall or public schools. Popular computer classes held at the 11-station networked laboratory at the Sisters Center site will be hard to keep operating.

John Hayes, Sisters Advisory Committee spokesperson, presented an overview of ways his committee suggests to keep the Sisters Center open next year.

These included increasing summer income; sharing space with other organizations thus cutting rent costs; and requesting a transition year of continued operation of the Sisters Center while new arrangements were worked out.

Hayes hoped to keep negotiations open for his group and COCC officials.

"I'm very proud of the fine presentation that John made to the committee and the large turnout of local community support for our center," said Celeste Douville, Sisters Center administrator.

Local community member David Heller pointed out to the committee the importance of COCC locally, "in that the Sisters area includes 257 square miles and over 10,000 people being served."

As valuable as those services may be, they are not central to the college's mission. In dire budgetary circumstances, the college is working to preserve its basic functions.

"The two primary goals of COCC are to prepare students for living-wage jobs and to prepare those students who plan to transfer to four-year college institutions," said Jones.

Presently, about 17 percent of Sisters High School graduates enroll at COCC.

The timeline for decision is February with the COCC committee reporting to COCC President Barber on February 3. Barber will determine structure and staffing by February 12. President Barber will develop and present a budget proposal to the COCC Board in April and a final budget will be approved in June.

To comment on COCC plans, call 389-7599 or email [email protected]