400 City College classes saved from cuts, 350 to 400 still planned to be cut next year - Yomi Akinyemi, the Guardsman CC SanFrancisco

In a special meeting to discuss the 2011-2012 preliminary budget June 2, the City College Board of Trustees said it plans to cut 350 to 400 classes, half the previous estimate, due to reduced state funds. Chancellor Don Griffin said the goal was to focus on eliminating “historically low-enrolled sections,” about 400 to 500 yearly, and “to reach our base and get enrollment growth funds” by adding classes with high demand such as English, math and science. The board said that the total estimated budget deficit was expected to be between $16.5 million in a best-case scenario and $22 million in the worst case. Vice Chancellor of finance and administration Peter Goldstein said City College expects $8.5 million to $14 million in state funding cuts and about $4.8 million in increased operating costs.