|
|
|
|
| Please note: Names of senior leadership have been added for clarification. We
apologize for any confusion. |
|
|
|
| STLCC Faculty, Staff and Students, |
|
|
|
| Since mid-March, the St. Louis Community College family has proven that we can face adversity with ingenuity and determination. We are faced with the challenges of sudden change; the shifts in instruction, course delivery, the impact of COVID-19 in the communities where we live and work, and our safety and well-being have been non-stop, yet I am confident that we will continue to meet and exceed these challenges for the good of our students. |
|
|
|
| In my monthly newsletter to you, I discussed the state of Missouri FY21 budget projections. There is no question that the impending budget shortfall will negatively impact Missouri colleges and universities, including STLCC. Our immediate challenge is to address budget issues head-on and continue to expand services and programs for our students and the workforce needs of the St. Louis region. |
|
|
|
| I have been working closely with the College’s Senior Leadership to develop a thoughtful and impactful first step to address pending cuts. To that end, I, as chancellor, and Senior Leadership, will begin a furlough process in July: |
|
|
|
| • |
Andrew Langrehr, Ph.D., vice chancellor, academic affairs
|
| |
| • |
Paul Zinck, vice chancellor, finance and administration
|
| |
| • |
Christine Davis, Ed.D., vice chancellor, student affairs
|
| |
| • |
Keith Hacke, chief information officer
|
| |
| • |
Julie Fickas, Ed.D., campus president and chief academic officer, STLCC-Forest Park
|
| |
| • |
Elizabeth Gassel Perkins, Ed.D., campus president and chief academic officer, STLCC-Florissant Valley
|
| |
| • |
Feleccia Moore-Davis, Ph.D., campus president and chief academic officer, STLCC-Meramec
|
| |
| • |
Carol Lupardus, Ph.D., campus president and chief academic officer, STLCC-Wildwood
|
| |
| • |
Jo-Ann Digman, executive director, STLCC Foundation
|
| |
| • |
Ryan McKenna, government and community relations liaison
|
| |
| • |
Hart Nelson, associate vice chancellor, workforce solutions
|
| |
| • |
Robin Phillips, associate vice chancellor, human resources
|
| |
| • |
Kedra Tolson, executive director, marketing and communications
|
| |
| • |
Dennis White, director, strategic planning initiatives and continuous quality improvement
|
|
|
|
| Each of us will take one furlough day every month through December 2020. The cost
savings from this process will be directed toward the continued innovation in serving our
students. I appreciate this team's willingness to commit to the furlough, and their
support during this challenging transition. |
|
|
|
| The Senior Leadership’s decision regarding an initial furlough is one of several strategies put in place to address budget challenges. Other strategies deployed to date include freezing a high number of vacant positions, reducing travel and professional development, and reducing operational costs. While these decisions were not easy, they are necessary as we are doing what we can to keep the College and its employees whole for as long as we can during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
|
|
|
| In my 33 years in education, I have never seen a crisis of this magnitude. Hence, our former approach to educating students will change, and we will come to know a "new normal" that calls for groundbreaking solutions and decisive actions that allow us to provide critical educational opportunities for our students. Regardless of our new normal, drastic changes in budget projections do not change the fact that St. Louis Community College is vital to the region's workforce needs. |
|
|
|
| As there is much work to be accomplished due to rapidly changing budget situations, the COVID-19 Budget Response team is fast at work developing equitable solutions to address our budget challenges. To assist with that end, Senior Leadership will reassess the need to continue its voluntary furloughs after December 2020. |
|
|
|
| I am very encouraged by the faculty and staff’s continued dedication to our mission and students as we navigate through this crisis. Thank you for all that you do! |
|
|
|
| If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeff L. Pittman, Ph.D.
Chancellor |
|
|
|
|
|
