Path to Recovery Update10/9/20

The Mt. SAC Path to Recovery update provides a summary of large scale efforts from the college to navigate the COVID-19 crisis, including its related economic impact.

Faculty Hiring Continues Despite Regulation Change

Due to the pandemic, the California Community Colleges can temporarily suspend regulations related to the faculty obligation number. This number specifies how many full-time faculty must be employed by a district in order to avoid reduction in apportionment for non-compliance. With more flexibility on faculty hiring, Mt. SAC can better manage expected budget shortfalls. While Mt. SAC will maintain a hiring frost, key faculty positions have already been approved by the President’s Cabinet to move forward and the college plans to fill faculty vacancies critical to program viability.  The regular process for hiring faculty to start in Fall 2021 will begin this month.

Budget Picture Becomes Clearer

At next week’s Board of Trustees meeting, a budget presentation will detail the college’s 2019-2020 actuals  and anticipated budget for 2020-2021. For the 2019-2020 year, the college’s reserves are $ 62.0 million. This year, expenditures are expected to increase by $7.1 million, bringing expenditures to $214.3 million. With the increase in the 2019-20 SCFF, reductions in discretionary funds, and other cost saving measures, the ongoing deficit is reduced to about $4 million. This year, Mt. SAC will also be managing  more than $45 million in apportionment deferrals.  Budget deferrals are like IOUs. Colleges will be able to use the promised budget, but the deferred funds will not be available until the subsequent fiscal year, creating a significant cash flow challenge. While the deferral is significant, the college will use its reserves and aggressive budget reduction measures to protect permanent positions and quality education.

 

The Mt. SAC Path to Recovery email provides employees a summary of large-scale efforts from the college to navigate the COVID-19 crisis, including its related economic impact. For more information, visit the Public Health website at www.mtsac.edu/health.