Southwestern Board adopts 2007-08 budget

The Southwestern Oregon Community College Board of Education – after a public hearing – passed the 2007-08 fiscal year budget at its regular meeting on Monday night.

For the upcoming fiscal year, the College is anticipating a $16,788,800 general fund budget and an overall operating figure of $54,198,464. Southwestern officials anticipate they may be able to add priorities back with an increased level of state funding.

If the Joint Ways and Means Co-Chairs’ current budget projection of $498 million for state community colleges over the next biennium comes to reality, Southwestern will be able to accomplish a series of priorities that would include maintaining and repairing infrastructure, providing 3-percent cost of living increases for all College employees and adding several new academic programs proposed to meet future industry demands for a trained workforce on the South Coast. These programs would include Allied Health, Alternative Energy, Golf Course Horticulture, Construction Technology, Hospitality and Tourism, Transportation, Marine Fire Science and Manufacturing Technology.

Press Release Date: May 22, 2007