Fresno City College has seen reductions in the funding of most of its programs this year, but none is as severe as the cut in the budget of the Disabled Students Programs and services (DSP&S).
“I don’t think the campus and the community really understands what has happened to us; already, we’re looking at about 50 percent of our entire budget being cut. The campus got cut, but up to 10 percent; we are being cut almost 50 percent,” said Dr. Janice Emerzian, the director of DSP&S.
“The budget is all we think and talk about right now, and it has impacted us severely,” she added. “Right now we have already cut about $500,000 out of our budget, and almost all those dollars are staff delivering direct services for students.”
Established in 1970, DSP&S provides services for students with learning, physical or psychological disabilities. It has helped thousands of students achieve success during and after college, changing their lives, and creating opportunities for everyone involved in the program.
The program offers numerous programs to students, including the Workability program, Learning Disability Program, Adaptive Ornamental Horticulture, Adapted Physical Education as well as Independent living and Consumer skills classes for disabled students. Also available to students is a high tech computer center which instructs students in the use of computers, through adapted computer technology and the mobility express service seen throughout FCC campus. Many of these programs are in severe loss, according to Dr. Emerzian.
So how severely have the budget cuts impacted DSP&S? “I think it has impacted us. . . it has created a lot of anxiety for everybody; everyone is worried about their jobs; they’re worried about the students and how we are going to serve the students,” Emerzian said.
Many of the students who receive services from the DSP&S program have been affected just as severely as the staff. “They have to wait more than three weeks for an appointment; they can’t get testing on time; we don’t have in-class aides because we cut all of our student aides, about 60 to 70 aides,” said Emerzian. “Imagine your body and imagine cutting half of it off; how do you function? That’s exactly where we are right now.”
A growing concern for students and the future of the program echoes throughout the DSP&S office. Emerzan said, “We have about two thousand students on campus; many of them are frustrated; they don’t know what to do, and they feel helpless.”
There is evidence of growing frustration and dissatisfaction among the students who receive services from DSP&S. According to the results of an Accessibility Survey which provided opportunities for students to record their experiences using DSP&S and/or campus facilities, many students expressed unhappiness over the way they and the DSP&S program have been treated. Particularly, they expressed dissatisfaction about the location of the DSP&S office which is located on the second level of the student services building.
“It really is an insult to our students; it’s hard enough for them getting to school and then insulting them even further by not having the space and accessibility to just come and get the everyday counseling services,” said Yolanda Aguilar, a student services specialist in the DSP&S office.
DSP&S has asked for a one-level open building at the present Administrative Services building when it becomes vacant. “It will be more accessible, safer, much more room, less stress, more production, everyone will be happy,” said Daniel Olivio, president of the veterans club and a recipient of DSP&S services.
“This sounds like a need versus a want,” said Christal Hopkins, an alumna of FCC who continues to aspire to her goals despite suffering from cerebral palsy. “We don’t have that luxury of being able to pick and choose which area would be convenient because not all the areas fit our needs. It’s not only a convenience issue; it’s also a safety and legal issue.”