Improvements planned for Erie Community College
LYNN MARINELLI Legislature Chairperson
Erie Community College officials and the administration are seeking legislative action on two significant plans for Erie Community College campus facilities.

A plan to construct on-campus housing at the South Campus, which is to be financed through the college's foundation, requires legislative action involving the use of campus property.

A second multiyear proposal before the Legislature involves county capital projects borrowing totaling $17 million for a new academic building and parking garage for City Campus. They expect this action by the county to attract state matching funds. They are proposing $3 million for the North and South Campuses capital repairs, to be matched by $3 million of state funds.

As the Legislature determines the extent of the overall borrowing amount it will approve, it will decide priorities among needs, such as road repairs.

Capital borrowing discussions took place in the Finance and Management Committee on April 10 and will continue. The discussions, dealing with comprehensive facilities improvements involving ECC, will include how capital projects are integrated with academic programs, enrollment and other aspects of institutional long-range planning and yearly budgeting.

The necessity for campus capital projects and funding will also be assessed in relationship to state university matching funds approval, state Education Department regulations pertaining to facilities, and accreditation requirements.

In order to ensure a comprehensive assessment of capital project proposals now before the Legislature, consensus is needed on what will be the limit placed on borrowing. It will also require a commitment to phased multiyear funding for the proposed ECC projects if the initial borrowing is approved. The importance of Erie Community College to regional economic and job development

and training requires a decision on the level of commitment to long-term proposed capital projects. The significance of long-range ECC facilities planning and phased implementation require there be public input and constituents' comments on the college's future direction.

The academic-year budget for operations will be submitted by next month by the college's board of trustees to the executive and legislative branches. The recently passed New York state budget increased funding. Erie County's local share - which has remained flat for years - should be raised for 2007-08. Upon County Legislature approval in June, the SUNY board then acts. Finally, the college will soon begin a presidential search. I have agreed to serve on the committee, along with my colleagues Michele Iannello, chairman of the Community Enrichment Committee, and John Mills. Comments may be made by calling my neighborhood office at 832-0493, or e-mail to marinelli@erie.gov.