EDUCATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2020 HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A9 BMCC cuts administrator position By JADE MCDOWELL STAFF WRITER Blue Mountain Com- munity College has elimi- nated the position of vice president of college rela- tions as the college contin- ues to work to balance its budget. The position was held by Casey White-Zollman, who confi rmed her last day is July 9, said the move had come as a surprise to her when she was notifi ed on June 12. Bailey- Fougnier “I’m dis- appointed, because I really do love BMCC and the work that they do, and I will miss it,” she said. BMCC President Den- nis Bailey-Fougnier said the decision to eliminate one of the college’s admin- istrative positions was made to help fi ll the col- lege’s budget shortfall that preceded the pandemic. The college announced in April it needed to cut $2.8 million, and Bai- ley-Fougnier said the cut “puts us right at $2.7 million.” BMCC had previously announced on May 27 that it was eliminating 23 positions from its 2020-21 budget, including 11 lay- offs and 12 vacant posi- tions that would not be fi lled. Bailey-Fougnier said the vice presi- dent decision came later because he wanted to dis- cuss it with members of BMCC’s board. Many of White-Zoll- man’s previous duties, including public rela- tions and supervising posi- tions overseeing mar- keting and the college’s foundation, will move to Bailey-Fougnier. He said the college will now “take a pause” on more cuts while they wait to receive word from the state on what legisla- tive funding for commu- nity colleges will look like next year. They also won’t have a good idea of enroll- ment numbers until after August. Colleges and univer- sities received guidance from the state on June 12 for how they will need to conduct in-person classes in the fall. The rules are similar to what the state had already given K-12 administrators, includ- ing spacing students 6 feet apart, with no more than 25 people to a room for Phase 1 counties and 50 people during Phase 2. Bailey-Fougnier said now that the college has that guidance, admin- istrators will be putting together plans to reopen some things on campus. He said the biggest chal- lenge will be fi guring out how to safely provide career technical education classes. “It’s easier to have a sociology class remotely than welding,” he said. 1055 S. HWY 395, STE 111 HERMISTON, OR 541.567.6151 We still have signs available for all our Chamber Members! New Office Hours Our office hours have changed to allow our staff flexibility to meet with our members in their place of business. Stop by our office and pick yours up today . We can also be reached at 541-567-6151 kimberly@hermistonchamber.com kelly@hermistonchamber.com kellye@hermistonchamber.com Job postings News releases Events Calendar Member listing INFECTION CONTROL Complete Collection Service Licensed • Bonded No Collection • No Fee Tim Mabry President 461 E. Main Hermiston, OR 97838 (541) 289-9107 www.creditsinc.com Bank of Eastern Oregon. We’re here for you. 75 Years Checking and Savings • Deposit-taking ATM Term Loans • Lines of Credit • Home Loans Ag and Commercial Real Estate Loans KAITLIN ORCUTT SINCE 1945 PETROLEUM 345 N. 1st Place, Hermiston, OR 97838 541-28 9-5015 • www.mcpcoop.com Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS# 1043345 Hermiston 541- 303-8274•1475 N. 1st Street JARED LATHROP Ag & Commercial Loan Officer NMLS #414459 Member FDIC Keep It Local: AFFORDABLE FAMILY EYEWEAR Hermiston’s Best Value in all Eyewear 541-567-3790 298 E. Gladys Ave • Hermiston, OR www.affordablefamilyeyewear.com Our office is located at 6LQFH :%HHEH$YH+HUPLVWRQ25 1055 S. Hwy 395, Ste 111 Cornerstone Plaza 541-567-6151 Complete Collection Service Licensed • Bonded No Collection • No Fee Tim Mabry President 461 E. Main Hermiston, OR 97838 (541) 289-9107 www.creditsinc.com DISINFECT YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS. We have a thorough understanding of which chemicals to use for various types of germs and how to use them safely. HOME • COMMERCIAL 24 HOUR EMERGENCY 541-567-3781 • 1-800-238-1223 905 Diagonal • Hermiston www.osokleen.com CHAMBER MEMBERS: If you would like to advertise on this Hermiston Chamber page Please contact: Jeanne Jewett at jjewett@hermistonherald.com or 541-564-4531 ELMER’S IRRIGATION, INC. “Proudly serving & investing in the future of our communities” Hwy 395 • Hermiston 541-567-5572 P4 & MORE COMPUTERS 541-567-6562 115 W. Hermiston Ave., Ste. 150 Hermiston Oregon