Due to reduced state funding for Fiscal Year 2010, administrators at Ocean County College will implement internal cost-saving measures to ensure that the college remains affordable for students, according to a press release.

As a result of Gov. Chris Christie’s recently announced current-year spending cuts, Ocean County College will receive about $511,000 less in state funding than anticipated for FY 2010.

The governor also eliminated the $128 million Clean Energy Grant Program, from which Ocean County College would have received $562,500, further exacerbating a fiscal dilemma compounded by a budgetbusting winter, which, to date, has resulted in an extra $200,000 in snow removal costs, according to the press release.

Although a portion of the nearly $1.3 million shortfall will be covered by increases in student enrollment that exceeded FY 2010 projections, there is an immediate need to enact several internal cost-saving measures to handle this unanticipated deficit without raising student tuition, according to the press release.

These measures include:

• A selective freeze on hiring, with only essential positions filled.

• A selective freeze on position vacancies.

• Restricted OCC-funded travel.

• Deferment of some major capital projects.

• Delay in landscaping improvements.

• Further administrative reorganization for greater efficiency.

• Reduction in outreach activities.

• Deferment of Kinesiology and Forensic Science lab construction.

According to the press release, these actions will not impact Ocean County College’s academic excellence, its service to students, or the teaching/learning process.

The college continues to grow substantially in enrollment and will continue to accommodate that growth while maintaining the highest standards of instruction, administrators said.

The proposed budget cuts, deferrals, or reductions will not have a significant effect on the quality of service to students and the community, according to the press release.

At its January meeting, the Ocean County College board of trustees approved a $2 tuition increase for FY 2011, making OCC one of the two lowest-cost collegiate institutions in New Jersey.

In addition, there is no plan to increase tuition beyond the $94/credit amount approved by the board for 2011.