The impending budget cuts continue to chip away at De Anza College and its course offerings.  Recently, the Physical Education and Athletics Division has been asked to reduce its costs by 16 percent, an elimination of roughly $550,000 from the budget.

These reductions have been spread over the three departments that make up the division: physical education, athletics and massage therapy.  

“We came up with about 141 sections reduced from all of our offerings, and a 10 percent cut to our supply budget,” said division dean Rich Schroeder. “[We eliminated] the equivalent of one classified staff who was not named at this point. One full time faculty position was eliminated, which was an unfilled position and was to be our head men’s soccer coach.  One sport which remains unnamed at this time was also eliminated.”

Schroeder went on to dispel any rumors of the elimination of all assistant coaching positions.  “It hasn’t even been brought up as a topic.”

“We’re going to be seeing reductions in our part-time staff area, primarily those who teach sections that are to be cut,” said Director of Athletics Kulwant Singh. “Our equipment budget will be reduced as well, yet we didn’t have much equipment to begin with.”

Schroeder mentioned a serious financial issue against the cutting of sections. “It should be noted that physical education classes have very high productivity. The apportionment for all those extra students helps the college to offset the cost of lower enrolled classes. By cutting 141 [PE] sections, the college will save money in faculty salaries, but would lose approximately twice that amount in lost apportionment.”