John A. Logan College is gearing up for the new academic year despite a difficult financial picture.
President Mike Dreith delivered his State of The College address this week. He says it was a busy and difficult summer.
We haven't spent more than what we did in 2006. ~JALC President Mike Dreith
Dreith says the college balanced its budget by reducing spending to 2006 levels.
"We haven't spent more than what we did in 2006. And yet for ten years, all of us have received raises, inflation has eaten away at our budget. I think that demonstrates that we've been fiscally responsible."
Dreith says the college's state funding has dropped by $4 million in the last six years. He says despite the hardships the budget cuts have created, Logan remains dedicated to its mission of educating students.
"In the last six years, our state funding has gone from $14 million to something under $10 million. That's a huge cut over the course of that period of time, and it has an impact on how you do business."
Dreith says it took about $2.8 million in cuts to balance the budget with dwindling state funding. He says the college has taken several cost cutting measures including doing away with student athletic housing and reducing many of the coaching staff to part time.
He also says many faculty and staff now have additional responsibilities because of the re-structuring.
