(Prescott)--Officials at Yavapai College in Prescott presented their solutions to the state’s recently announced budget reduction of $3.4 million at a press conference on Monday, February 7.

“This is a difficult time for us at Yavapai College. Because of the state’s fiscal condition, we are forced to make significant reductions at Yavapai,” said Dr. Jim Horton, Yavapai College President. “We will make these cuts with the primary mission of maintaining the quality of our academic programs and our student support services.”

The College will make reductions across several areas. “These are not across-the-board cuts. That only serves to weaken an institution. Yavapai College is strong and will remain strong and lean after these reductions have been put in place,” said Horton.

The college will reduce costs over several different function areas:

Instruction: 6%
Academic Support: 12%
Student Affairs: 10%
Institutional Support: 12%
Plant and Operations: 10%
Auxiliaries: 20%

Positions within administration have been evaluated with over $600,000 in savings achieved.

“Many of the reduction ideas were submitted by our faculty and staff,” said Clint Ewell, vice president of administrative services. “They spent many hours examining their budgets and coming up with ways to cut costs while still maintaining quality. Many of the ideas stemmed from trying to become a more green institution.” The College will establish a print management program, reduce the number of personal computers on campus, and power down offices and computers in the evening. A “Green Team” will be established to review other processes that may be changed and look at new ones to be implemented.

The college will reduce out-of-state travel and food at meetings, centralize college-wide training budgets, and reduce the number of college scholarships, which are currently at four times the national average.

Other reductions include closing the Camp Verde and Walnut Creek sites, closing the Prescott and Verde Valley Health Centers, reducing the nursing program by 50% and eliminating Men’s and Women’s Basketball.  “We are reducing the nursing program to keep up with the jobs available in Yavapai County. Currently, our hospitals and health care clinics and offices are staffed to capacity. We want our students to be able to graduate and get jobs here in Yavapai County. Currently, they have to move out of the county to find nursing positions,” said Horton. “While nursing positions are filled, there is a large need for radiologic technicians and several other positions in health care. This is an opportunity for our students to explore other health care careers that are in demand.”

“While these cuts are devastating, I want to remind people that we will continue to be grateful to our business and industry partners and donors, who have supplied us with the best equipment in the country. They understand that an investment in Yavapai College is an investment in our cities, our county, and ultimately our state. Yavapai College students will continue to learn and benefit from their generosity,” said Horton.

Beginning the week of February 14, President Horton will travel throughout the district to speak to community groups about the budget reductions, answer questions and address concerns.

The public is invited to attend a community forum on Monday, February 14 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Community Room in Building 19 on the Prescott campus.

Community groups who would like to schedule President Horton in their meeting are invited to call the Yavapai College President’s Office at (928)-776-2307.

For more information, or a complete list of the budget reductions, please contact Katie Hoeschler at (928) 776-2067 or (928) 533-4908.