By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – A review of Erie Community College's future is expected next week. That was the word from ECC's president who appeared before some members of the Erie County Legislature Thursday to present a proposed budget plan.
ECC President William Mariani appeared before the legislature's community enrichment committee.
He told lawmakers an ad hoc committee that includes the County Executive will begin reviewing the future of ECC starting Monday.
He said over the next six months they will consider three options - including a proposed plan to consolidate the three schools into one downtown campus.
But Mariani said they do not want to "create paranoia" about consoldiation plans among those working and attending the schools.
He said they will take a "logical approach" and review all options.
"I'm not sure we should be that focused on the concept of consolidation," said Mariani. "I would rather call it a flushing out of what really our institution should be in our area."
"Does that mean one campus downtown? Does it mean to continue three campuses, or satellites? All that is going to be addressed in the next six months."
Mariani added, at this point, no one has approached him with an actual consolidation plan that shows what the campus would look like, how it would serve students and how much it would cost for a downtown campus.
He said one of the next steps will include a "generic impact" study.
The college president said once a plan for the school is complete it will need approval form the board of trustees and then the legislature.
As for ECC's proposed budget, it is a $66.1 million dollar plan, a 6.8 percent hike from last year.
But Mariani said the school is experiencing a "substantial" increase in enrollment, which tends to put a drain on resources.
Eighty six percent of ECC's budget is due to personnel costs.
The proposed spending plan also calls for a twenty five dollar tuition increase. It is the first increase in four years.
The proposal includes $1.6 million to upgrade classrooms for high tech and purchase other equipment.
The legislature will hold a public hearing on July 8th and plans to vote on the budget July 11th.