Hartnell receives a waiver from the 50 percent spending rule

Hartnell administrators applied for an exception to the spending rule that dates back to 1959 in November, and President Phoebe Helm announced this week the waiver had been granted.

In the 2010-11 budget year, Hartnell spent 48.79 percent of its $35 million budget on teaching salaries and benefits. Had the exception not been approved by the Chancellor's Office, Hartnell would have had to make up the percentage difference and spend 51.21 percent in the classroom this school year.


While most of the Salinas college's spending goes toward student services, the formula enacted in 1959 does not take into account instruction that takes place outside the classroom, administrators say. And it does not contain "categorical funding" designated for specific programs that many administrators consider vital to instruction, such as student outreach or support for students with disabilities.