Increased federal grants and the work of staff to control expenses helped offset a challenging 2020-2021 budget year, and the current fiscal year is already off to a positive start, according to Three Rivers College administrators.
The information was presented Wednesday at a Three Rivers College Board of Trustees meeting.
While student tuition and fees saw a planned decrease of almost 2.4% and state grants were down by nearly 46% in the fiscal year that ended June 30, federal grants were more than twice what the institution originally budgeted, according to financial documents prepared by Chief Financial Officer Charlotte Eubank.
“You can see we underperformed (compared to) the previous year, but we outperformed our budget,” Eubank said. “That was a planned-for fluctuation in our business models... The bottom line there is over $3.9 million (in the black).”
Dr. Wes Payne, TRC president, praised the work of staff members to help control expenses as the college went through challenges last year. The college has offered instruction via remote, in-person except for some roadwork, which was delayed by rain. Contractors hope to get that done this week, he said.
In other business, the following personnel actions were taken:
• Accepted employment: Anthony Beane, assistant men’s basketball coach/player development coordinator; Abby Brewer, administrative assistant/financial aid; ShaeLynn Dixon, Welcome Center facilitator; Rachel Grubbs, part-time professional tutor; Zach McKenney, assistant baseball coach/academic planning & advising; Jeana Sanders, financial aid advisor; and Summer Shockley, adjunct faculty/part-time assistant softball coach.
• Transfer of position: Kayla O’Neal, administrative assistant/financial aid to financial aid advisor; Andrea Pierce, practical nursing instructor to practical nursing coordinator; Virginia Watson, senior administrative assistant/nursing & allied health to facilitator, Dexter; Gregory Watts, adjunct/part-time lead instructional assistant workforce to temporary instructor, industrial technology; and Marissa Webb, academic advisor/planning to assistant women’s basketball coach/academic planning & advising.
• Retirement: Janine Heath, executive assistant to the president; and Diane Patterson, coordinator, testing services
• Resignation: James Dow, instructor, industrial technology; Shane Howell, student services advisor II; Casey Julian, director, housing; Dawn Price, outreach specialist/Educational Talent Search; Bryan Sherrer, assistant men’s basketball/player development coordinator.
Upcoming events include:
• Paul Jackson reception: 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Tinnin Fine Arts Center. A reception to honor the creator of the mural on the exterior of the Tinnin building as he opens his art show “Watercolors,” in the Tinnin Gallery. The exhibit will be on display Aug. 29 – Oct. 29.
• International Overdose Awareness Day Presentations: 3-7 p.m. Aug. 31. Free event to the public to raise awareness of overdoses, reduce stigma from drug-related deaths, and acknowledge grief felt by families and friends.
• Red Cross Blood Drive: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sept. 2, Bess Conference Room.
• Mental Health Awareness Presentation: Let Us Share Our Stories: 2-4 p.m. Sept. 10. This event features three experienced guest speakers whose goal is to encourage people to speak up about mental health issues.
• Run 4 the Arts: 9 a.m. to noon, Sept. 11, Tinnin Center parking lot. Funds benefit endowed fund scholarships earmarked for students studying the Arts at Three Rivers.
• Out of the Darkness Community Walk: 5-7 p.m. Sept. 11, Campus Walking Trail; candlelight vigil, 7:30 p.m., Quad. Three Rivers Behavioral Health Support Program is hosting this event for families/friends who have experienced suicide, attempted suicide, or contemplated suicide.
The next board meeting will be Sept. 15.