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by pltm
(PLTM) - Following discussions at the recently concluded Standing Finance Committee deliberations in January 2017, the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) had a rude awakening as to their budget allocations by the government.
According to the report on the deliberations of the Standing Finance Committee, 2017, the college recently received a subvention of $8M. However, President of the college, Dr. Janet Smith noted that the actual projected costs to properly maintain the college for this year 2017, and years moving forward, is over $13M.
She disclosed that the largest allocation the college has ever received was $12M in 2009.
Dr. Smith noted that while she did not know what amount the college would received, she had an idea as to what it would be and that it would be much less than the college needed.
She went on to note that given the shortfall, the college would have to take responsibility for a portion of the income, highlighting that the college has already engaged in discussions and is ready to initiate some internal initiatives that would generate much needed income.
As outlined by the President, the list of internal initiatives include the reduction of funds allocated to various departments by 15%, enhanced employee productivity, improvement plans to the college bookstore, increasing college enrollment, establishment of a cost containment task force and increased tuition.
The President also informed the committee that the college is facing a terrible challenge with mold in several buildings on the compound, highlighting that the facilities are almost twenty seven years old.
She noted that the college continues to make projections and attempts to implement much needed initiatives to reduce costs and increase income, so that the college is adequately able to deal with such challenges that have significant financial implications.
This shortfall comes at a time when the college is in dire need of much repair and attention.
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