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Budget issues require department cuts, made this summer
BY ViCTOR LOPEZ
Senior Writer
In Sept. 2011 the Guilford Beacon
reported a robust sustainability program
in an article titled "Staffing Changes
Strengthen College's Sustainability
Program." No one could ever guess that
12 months later the college would notify
those in both building and grounds, and
sustainability by email that their jobs had
been cut.
In July, while most students were away
on break, administrators implemented
their "worse" case plan, laying off staff
positions campus-wide.
All in all, 16 faculty and staff positions
were on the chopping block; though some of
of political sciences, said that cutting
jobs was a necessary evil boiling down to
dollars and cents.
"Trying to balance a budget when the
state cuts $2.5 million in financial aid is
always going to involve painful decisions,"
said Chabotar. "When over half the budget
involves pay and benefits, positions and
people are almost always going to be
affected."
The college took precautions to insulate
students from as much impact as possible
by boosting institutional financial aid
for N.C. students by $950,000. Even so,
not all members of the community were
safeguarded from loss. Buildings and
grounds took the most significant cuts,
with seven positions eliminated.
"Trying to balance a budget when the state cuts $2.5 million
in financial aid is always going to involve painful decisions."
Kent Chabotar, president of Guilford
the staff positions targeted for elimination The cuts included former Environmental
were already vacant, administrators say. Sustainability Coordinator Jim Dees, a
Kent Chabotar, president and professor celebrated favorite of the community who.
until recently, had been coping with a
young son battling cancer.
Jon Varnell told The Guilfordian that
thankfully Dees' son has received a clean
bill of health, with his cancer in remission.
"We were sensitive to staff needs and in
some cases waited until the last possible
minute in order to let people go," said
Varnell. . •
David Petree, director of environmental
sustainability, said that the job cuts
have been a major downer, which his
department is handling with the mental
grace of sandpaper. \
"Having these kinds of cuts suck," smd
Petree. "Having seven folks cut from rriy
department left a gaping hole that will be
hard to fill."
Adrienne Israel, vice president and
academic dean, said that without enough
students, some part-time faculty were not
asked to come and teach this year.
"We hired 90 part-time faculty to teach in
Fall 2011, and have hired 80 to teach in Fall
2012," said Israel. "There simply were not
enough students to fill some classrooms,
so we did not offer some classes; which
means there was no reason for part-time
faculty to teach those classes/'
Students like senior Tim Leisman,
president of community senate, said that
they have not had time to fully digest and
reflect on the layoffs.
"I regret we lost valued members of our :
Jim Dees was the former environmental
sustainability coordinator. He was one of seven
members of the environmental sustainability
department to be cut this summer.
community," said Leisman. "But these are
very hard times. We took a $2.5 million
budget cut. The way the administration
is doing the cuts is very transparent, in a
respectful way."
College administrators told The
Guilfordian that the college hopes not to
mal^ airiy furthen.cuts.this fiscal year. , - .
Senate Update
This Week's ♦
Developments*
-Senate sponsored the Disorientation Zine, released this week!
Find it in the Greenleaf or Founders!
-We nominated a student to serve on the committee examining
Chik-fil-a — should Guilford divest?
-The student community launched a program to examine
diversity in the FYE Curriculum..
Next Week's ♦
Plans *
Next week we will host a representative from Merriwether
Godsey to discuss how the Grill and Quakeria hours can serve
students better.
We're examining how students should commute or get off
campus — bus passes? Rideshare board? All of the above?
We need to hear your voice!
Got an idea? Concern? Great recipe? It's important to us!
join Student Senate Wednesday night at 7:00 in upstairs Founders.
For items on the agenda email: senate@guilford.edu
How can you change Guilford for the better?
BY ALAYNA BRADLEY
Staff Writer
Guilford College prides itself on its creative faculty
and staff. The Innovative Grants were created to
harness this creativity in the best way possible: for the
college itself.
Innovative Grants are exactly what the name states;
it is a program that will fund innovative proposals that
benefit the community in some way.
In June, President and Professor of Political Science
Kent Chabotar proposed the idea of awarding money
to students, faculty
or other school —
organizations to
stimulate them to
think creatively
about ways to better
Guilford.
Chabotar said
that he created the
Innovative Grants
"to spur ideas
that will increase
enrollment, cut cost
or add revenue,
particularly given
the financial
"I'm really excited to see what people have
to suggest, because you guys are really
creative."
Michelle Cole, grant writer and coordinator
assist you and handle the funds awarded.
The proposal guidelines and application are
accessible through a link in the Guilford Beacon's
article about Innovative Grants.
Once submitted, Jeff Favolise, assistant to the
president for planning and management, will review
your application along with a subcommittee of the
Strategic and Long Range Planning Committee, called
The Grants Fund Award Committee. After this initial
review, the committee will recommend projects to
Chabotar, who has the final say in who gets the grant.
The award consists of an honorarium — basically
pay for the work and
research that you
did for the idea — of
$250 for individual
applicants and $500
for collaborative
projects.
The grant will
also fund proposed
prc)jects, and
Guilford may
provide additional
and ongoing support
for successful ones.
Michelle Cole,
grant writer and
situation of the state and the cutbacks that all private coordinator, also helps with the reviewing process,
schools got in financial aid from the state of North She told the Guilfordian the most important part in
Carolina." applying is "to read the packet and read the packet
There has been $15,000 set. aside specifically for thoroughly."
Innovative Grants — but not to worry — this amount Chabotar also has recommendations for applicants,
was not taken from student tuition, but instead from a "Definitely keep it narrow, specific and feasible," said
special endowed fund. Chabotar. "You have to be excited about it to propose it
Hovfeever, getting a grant is not as simple as just because you are going to have to do the work."
asking for money. You must submit a detailed proposal "Tm really excited to see what people have to
and application by Oct. 12 at 5 p.m. to be considered. If suggest, because you guys are really creative," said
you are a student, you need a faculty or staff advisor to Cole.