Services To Be Cut At Silver Creek Campus, But Study Will Determine Further Changes

On the table for consideration was the reduction of student services on the campus, including academic advising and registration services, closure of the library and reductions to campus staffing. Also under consideration was the possible relocation of the college administrators from each of the four campuses to renovated facilities on the Silver Creek Campus.

The proposed changes have not set well with the residents of the communities of Snowflake and Taylor, many of whom filled the meeting room along with staff members from the college.

Vice President of Administrative Services Blaine Hatch provided figures that would result from the proposed changes. The annual reduction in operational expenditures was estimated to be $413,000. A savings in capital expenditures of $77,000 over a period of 10 years was also expected due to the reduced need to equip the campus office and library with computers and other items. He also noted that the remodeling required for transfer of certain administrative functions was not expected to exceed $750,000.

Discussion began with board member James Matteson seeking verification that course offerings will remain the same.

Dean of Students Services Mark Vest explained that the reductions that would directly affect students would be in academic advising and registration, possibly requiring that students make appointments for services.

Board member Frank Lucero expressed his concerns about the high school sending its students to Eastern Arizona College (EAC) rather than NPC. “If that changes, then what? If we go this route then we can’t go back.”

Tensions rose slightly when he stated that no one in administration had gotten back to him after he requested contact be made with the State Board of Nursing regarding the possible transfer of the Show Low nursing program to Snowflake.

College President Dr. Jeanne Swarthout replied that no such request was made, a statement supported by her assistant, Lisa Jayne, who added that the subject was brought up at the last meeting, but no request made.

Lucero said he had made the request and felt that no decisions could be made regarding changes to the campus without all the information.

Matteson commented that he didn’t know if the Snowflake campus could accommodate the nursing program, but suggested that an architect’s design for a space plan be sought before making any changes to facilities, “something that could be utilized as input to the three-year improvement plan.”

Board member Prescott Winslow stated that he didn’t see evidence that the shift from EAC to NPC would take place. “We can justify changes as long as they’re not permanent. We need more evidence before consolidating all administration on one campus. I think there’s an advantage to having administration on each of the campuses,” he said.

A number of people addressed the board, including Taylor Vice Mayor Shawn Palmer and Councilman Jason Brubaker, and Snowflake Mayor Tom Poscharsky and Councilman Byron Lewis, as well as Patty Matyas, president of the Snowflake-Taylor Chamber of Commerce.

The individuals who spoke requested that the board postpone any changes until the communities of Taylor and Snowflake could consider ways to promote an increase in enrollment in their communities, the concern being that once facilities close, they will not reopen.

Lewis said, “I’ve seen closures take place at Pinetop and Heber, and it causes fear. We try to recruit business and teachers, and having NPC in the community is a big part of that.”

Palmer appealed to the board, stating, “We can help the college, but we need time. We don’t want to see any rash decisions without all the information.” He also indicated that the high school was not communicating what the college had to offer to its students and said he felt there was good evidence that enrollment can increase.

Matyas told the board that rather than remove services, an expanded arts program could help bolster the campus. “The performing arts center is our baby in the community. We need to expand on that and make it better utilized. We need a bigger arts program,” she commented.

Margaret White, the library technician for the Silver Creek Campus, presented the board with a petition containing 1,700 signatures from residents throughout the area, asking for more time to come up with a solution.

After careful consideration, the board, with the exception of Daniel Peaches, who mentioned a concern over a reduction in classes and faculty, approved the decision to move ahead with the proposal to reduce student services, but to allow services at the library to continue as changes are implemented over the next year. It was agreed to postpone moving administration and staff until a study could be conducted of the four campuses to determine the cost and impact of remodeling and consolidation, with the understanding that the study would be completed by mid-summer. Included in that approval was the cost to implement such a study by an outside consultant.

Board members who supported the decision included Winslow, Matteson and Lucero, with Chairman Ginny Handorf taking the vote.