June 28, 2017 – To ensure City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) continues to offer a quality, affordable education that aligns with the demands of today’s workforce and catapults Chicagoans into the middle class and beyond, Chancellor Juan Salgado announced that the community college system will operate with a leaner administrative footprint and make investments in its colleges and communities in the coming fiscal year. “
We put our students above all else, and that means we will continue to provide CCC students with an incomparable educational value and an exceptional experience, even in the face of a challenging state budget situation,” said Chancellor Salgado.
Outlining his priorities for a FY18 budget to be presented next month, Chancellor Salgado announced several efforts that would continue investments in CCC students and Chicago communities without increasing property taxes or tuition. Investments preparing students with the skills to seize jobs in fast-growing fields include the completion of the Olive-Harvey College Transportation, Distribution and Logistics (TDL) Center and the Daley College Advanced Manufacturing Center, the latter with an added focus on engineering.
Chancellor Salgado has also announced a creative partnership with CVS to develop a new pharmacy tech lab at the Westside Learning Center, a satellite location of Malcolm X College. Malcolm X is CCC’s center of excellence for health sciences education and has several existing partnerships - including one with Rush University Medical Center - that help to easily transition students into health care careers.
“We are committing to a plan for the coming year that makes investments in our current students and communities, grows our enrollment and builds a stable financial position for our institution – with or without Springfield’s help,” Chancellor Salgado continued. “We are doing our part to continue our track record of student success and see to it that classes start on time at City Colleges this fall.”
Among the efficiencies Chancellor Salgado announced to be included in the forthcoming budget are:
- The sale of City Colleges underutilized downtown headquarters, which is currently at 33% capacity; the central office administration will move to Kennedy-King College in Englewood, Dawson Technical Institute in Bronzeville, and other locations in order to be closer to the students, faculty and staff they serve at
- A 10% reduction in senior leadership compensation, including the elimination of 100% pension contributions and medical reimbursements for Officers of the District
- A 2.5% reduction of the CCC administrative workforce, or roughly 120 employees, largely based at City Colleges’ central office
- Reductions in travel expenses
- Reductions in contracts, materials and supplies
- More efficiently scheduling classes to better meet demand
These efficiencies are made in response to the unprecedented $70 million state funding shortfall that CCC has experienced over the last two years, including the lack of student MAP grants.
“This plan is forward looking and student and community centered. It’s designed to position City Colleges for future growth,” continued Chancellor Salgado.
“I commend Chancellor Salgado for making decisions that will help secure City Colleges’ financial future and the futures of our students,” said Charles R. Middleton, Chair, City Colleges Board of Trustees. “These strategic choices aim to ensure CCC continues to prepare students for further college and career success.”
City Colleges will introduce its draft FY18 budget in July, and seek final approval at its August 2018 board meeting.
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