Who are the Admin?

Wed Apr 27 2022

article Whaa?

How many administrators are necessary?

Great question. Back in 2012, BMCC had just 2 administrators: the VP of instruction and the President. Flash forward 10 years, and despite the student population declining and faculty cuts, there are now 5 administrators: 3 deans (one to oversee student success, one to oversee the transfer program, and one for career technical) who all report to the VP of instruction, and the President. The interesting thing about the administrative bloat in higher education is, literally, nobody knows who all these people are or what they’re doing. See the Forbes Article Bureaucrats and Buildings for more.

The new BMCC Budget for 2022-2023 even identifies the need for MORE administrators, suggesting expenses for a new Dean of Student Affairs and an Institutional Research and Planning Director. Are these wise investments of a limited budget? Will they enhance or enrich the student experience? Data suggests--- NOT as strong evidence suggests expensive administrative staff are not succeeding at their putative role on college campuses. Rather it is the faculty, who students regard as central to their collegiate experience. See Abram’s Article Professors Not Administrators for more information[a].

[a]I wonder if it would make the argument stronger to work in the fact that another part of the story is cutting administrators from the budget to then eventually create more administrators. We used to have a marketing department, but it got cut in the last round of cuts. I believe that we used to have something very close to a Dean of Student affairs but then it was left unfilled so that it could be cut from the budget. Only, a year later for these positions to be added back when more faculty are cut. Everyone has taken some cuts over the years but only the faculty get added back at a much slower pace than other positions.

"I know there are probably financial reasons for the layoff notices, but cutting instruction is (sadly) often the way overpaid admins balance budgets. Instruction is why people attend colleges. If there is no product, there will be no students. Cut bloat, sell capital assets, but keep instruction so you have a reason for students to enroll."

Stuart Watson

"Many of the professors at BMCC enriched my life and opened my eyes to the world in ways I had never previously imagined. The professors are what make the school what it is. if we are going to cut funding, might I suggest currting an overpaid administrator position?"

Anthony Goad

"This is an arbitrary and capricious attempt to target veteran educators, the most experienced. Administrators need to find money somewhere else. Either pink slip the junior faculty, and or admit mismanagement, and or layoff administrators."

Hugh Reynolds

"Futures are built on the foundation of a community college education. You need a talented, dedicated staff to make this kind of a difference. Please reconsider these cuts. Please. Reconsider. These. Cuts."

Tom Dougherty

"To diminish the opportunities for their education is to diminish their opportunities for a better life. This is especially crucial for a somewhat remote area such as served by Blue Mountain CC. The short term financial gain, if any, to the state/community college will certainly be offset by the loss to the community and students."

Ruth Perkins

"Some of these programs are the heart and soul of the college. It doesn't make sense to do this."

Kathryn Peterson