On May 14, 2024, the NCCFT presented to the Board of Trustees 16 initiatives to preserve, renew, and save the college by investing in specific programs and student services. The college administration’s proposed budget, filled with program and service cuts, will disproportionately harm students of color as well as all students from under-resourced communities. The college’s budget has no plan to grow the college and remedy the forcasted deficit. The NCCFT’s proposed 16 initiative for the 2025 Operating Budget would boost current enrollment by about 6,450 students by expanding high-demand programs and much needed student services. The NCCFT proposal is designed to attract and retain students.
The 16 initiatives include restoring funding to NCC’s in-demand nursing program, the award-winning theatre and dance program, and to the biology department that graduates a predominantly minority student population in a field that lacks diversity. The initiatives include support for the cyber security degree and certificate programs, enlargement in growth-related fields like UX/ UI web design, hospitality programs, as well as reinstatement of the Language Immersion Program (LINCC), which does not require hiring new faculty. The NCCFT also proposes returning the Admissions Office to capacity, with an emphasis on hiring bilingual Admissions faculty.
The NCCFT plan would increase enrollment by as much as 54% over the current 12,000 registered students, and, for an investment of only $4,300,000, generate as much as 8 times that much in revenue, around $32,250,000, based on the expected enrollment increases. To achieve these results 43 new full-time faculty must be hired.
At the May 14th Board of Trustees meeting, we also urged the college to: complete the renovation of the Student Union, which has been closed all year; restore campus dining services with affordable options; restore eliminated bus lines; and accept the Common Application so that it is easier and more affordable to apply to NCC.
16 NCCFT Investment Initiatives for 2025 NCC Operations Budget
Note, in our Examination of the NCC Financial Plans and NCCFT Proposals to Grow Enrollment, written after the administration’s April 2, 2024 General Faculty meeting, (also available on the NCCFT blog,) we pointed out that although the college predicts a deficit in all its various budget presentations, it does not have any initiatives for new sources of revenue. We presented 7 cost-saving proposals for stability and growth. These 16 NCCFT Investment Initiatives for the 2025 Operations Budget are a development of the first cost-saving proposal suggested in that report.
NCCFT Initiatives for the 2025 NCC Capital Budget
Please make plans to meet with us at the Nassau County legislature on Monday June 10 for our press release! We will meet in front of the Nassau County legislature from 11:00 -11:25 a.m. We would also love to have you join us at the Legislative Assembly at 1:00.
4 Responses
Wow HMS has been a successful program for years that graduates many women and people of color, yet even our union does not acknowledge the great work we do with nothing.
Did you submit something? Because each department was asked to submit some ideas.
Dear Vondora: All the programs cited have a majority people of color and women in the program. This was NOT a comprehensive list of all commendable programs, but select suggested initiatives the college could undertake to grow/invest in our students. There are MANY more initiatives the college could invest in (including the one you head). I think you know how much your work and program are valued. Thank you for always doing so much for the college and our students.
My wife found a great career as a registered nurse thanks to the intense training at NCC. Please continue that outstanding program to meet the needs of the growing medical industry on Long Island. We need the excellent nurses you have given us.
My daughter found her footing as an adult when she turned her study habits and her grades around at NCC.
This small gem, NCC is an integral part of SUNY at the Nassau County Hub. You have served us well before management compromised teaching values by soliciting donations from Sands Casinos.
Reject Las Vegas Sands and any other outside groups who would stunt the moral and academic growth of our students. Jobs at a casino is not what you want for the NCC student body. Return to what made you a valued partner in Nassau County.