S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford started his final year in office by announcing a new budget plan that will have statewide effects.  Money will be cut from health care programs, worker pay and college programs.  
It is unclear how C of C will be affected by the 2010 budget, but thanks to a conservative fiscal policy and institutional reserves, the College is prepared to make the necessary changes to maintain the same educational experience.
In 2009, C of C was hit with two state budget cuts.  The first was a 4.04 percent cut and the second a five percent cut adding up to $2.3 million in total funds lost.  
Sam Jones, Director of Budgeting and Payroll Services, said that each year the College sets up an institutional reserve, which is like a savings account, with state and C of C funded money.  
“The institutional reserves are included in the budget, but are not pushed out for spending,” Jones said.
When the state cuts funding to College programs, like in 2009, C of C first takes money out of the institutional reserves to compensate for lost funding.
Next, the College looks at cutting money from departments.  “We do not cut positions, people or salary.  Just money used for operating pieces and supplies,” Jones said.
C of C has not had any furloughs in the last year.  “When money is cut, it is non-recurring money so we look at ways to permanently reserve cuts and not punish employees,” Jones said.  
The College’s main concern is keeping students happy in and out of the classroom.  “The institution’s goal is to take cuts in areas that least affect students,” Jones said.
Budgeting and Payroll Services works to maintain the same quality of student life, despite budget cuts.  
Part of student tuition goes toward paying for Student Activity.  “We are not looking in those areas when looking at budget cuts,” Jones said.
“Student Activity is a great way to meet people on campus and to step out of your shell,” said junior Brittany Foster. “I would hate to see our campus life changed because of budget cuts.”
It is also still unclear how much tuition will rise for the 2010-2011 school year.  The Board of Trustees will set tuition in June.  
The 2009 budget cuts allowed the College to take another look at their fiscal policy.  “The cuts forced us to look at all operations and areas to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible,” Jones said.
Jones said he hopes things in S.C. will start to turn around in 2010, but the only way to get state revenue is based on tax collection.
“Everything is tied to economic recovery,” Jones said.  
One way that S.C. is looking to increase revenue is by raising the cigarette tax.  S.C. has the lowest cigarette tax in the country at seven cents per pack.  Raising this tax could generate more money for state-funded schools like C of C.
The College could continue to be hurt by cuts if the economy does not improve.
 “I don’t expect that cuts will be turned around in the foreseeable future, but as the economy turns around, I hope that legislators see the value in higher education,” Jones said.