Residents State Concerns Over Silver Creek Campus Proposal

NPC Vice President for Administrative Services Blaine Hatch explained that exceeding the expenditure limit was not a surprise, but putting off a means to reduce expenditures that fall under that category could mean big problems down the road.

“Right now we have enough credits to keep us where we need to be, but that will only last us for another seven to 10 years. If we don’t start making some changes, we will face some dramatic concerns in the coming years,” Hatch reported.

The proposal would affect three campuses as classes and services would be reduced at Snowflake, and a majority of administrative offices would be moved from Holbrook and Show Low to the Silver Creek Campus.

Under the proposal there would be no changes to class offerings, with an English and math course, Allied Health classes and performing arts classes remaining at the campus with face-face instruction. The computer lab would remain in place at the campus, but the library would close. Distance learning classes would remain, but would be consolidated to one area. Academic advising and registration services would be reduced to part time.

As a result of the consolidation, those classrooms and two unused classrooms would be converted to administrative offices. In addition, college officials want to possibly lease out other unused space. The proposal would reduce expenditures for academic support by $108,000, student services by $95,000 and institutional support by $189,000 for a total of approximately $400,000 in savings.

Several people spoke against the proposal, with the primary concerns centered around the loss of the library and what some perceived as the college’s lack of interest in investment in the students who attend the Silver Creek Campus.

In response it was noted that enrollment at the Snowflake campus has declined over the years, making it difficult to justify staffing small classes and providing full-time support staff. It was also noted that many Snowflake residents attend classes at the Show Low campus already.

“Looking at the zip codes for our enrolled students, it shows that 36 percent of students from Snowflake and Taylor are already taking courses in Show Low,” stated NPC President Dr. Jeanne Swarthout.

Resident Larry Hildabrand stated that the proposal was damaging to the institution and that it deviated from the pioneer spirit. “Having all the administration in one area is a bad situation. Administrators need to be among their constituents to get new ideas and to see how things work. I think you can cut dead weight without these changes,” he said.

Resident Beth Johnson told the board, “I did not realize how much property tax was involved. Our community deserves consideration for that. I don’t think you need executive suites or rental property. We need more classes and more support, but you just keep taking away. I haven’t seen the investment in the community.”

Another resident stated that the reduction of students may be due to lack of offerings and expressed concerns over the potential loss of the library.

Snowflake Mayor Tom Poscharsky also addressed the board and those present, stating, “If students are not active, then how can you operate at a loss? Why aren’t students taking advantage of what’s offered? We are looking at all of this. I know there are concerns and I think it’s important that we are engaged. Taylor is with Snowflake and Holbrook, and we want to all work as partners.”

It was asked if other options had been considered, such as moving programs to the Snowflake campus.

“Have we considered relocating the nursing program to Snowflake?” asked board member Frank Lucero.

Swarthout responded that relocating the program would be challenging for many reasons. The classrooms would require a costly remodel to add labs, the State Board of Nursing’s approval to operate a nursing program is specifically for the Show Low campus and the program’s clinical relationships are all in Show Low.

Board member Prescott Winslow asked whether an increase in enrollment might occur in the near future with the implementation of NPC’s College Bound and Finish Line scholarships available to high school students and those in their final year of college.

Hatch replied that in order for the expenditure limit to expand, the college would need a significant increase in enrollment and that the demographics wouldn’t allow for that kind of growth.

“If no action were to be taken, the college could exceed the limitation by double or triple what’s allowed. Does the re-imaging of Silver Creek solve the problem, not even close, but it does help, especially since enrollment is low,” he added.

Chairman Ginny Handorf emphasized that each campus has different offerings and that in order to partake in them, it means making sacrifices. “Each campus offers something that the community believes to be important. Holbrook offers mechatronics, Snowflake has the performing arts center and Show Low has the nursing program. It’s at these campuses because they want it there. We have people that live far away from any campus, but go to the one that has what they need. We all have to travel to get the things that we want,” she said.

Board member James Matteson stated that the board needed to work on a firm plan to move forward next month, adding that he supported the proposal with some modifications.

The item was for discussion only. The board is scheduled to consider taking action at the next board meeting on Feb. 17.