NIC trustees need more time

COEUR d'ALENE - No decision. Not yet.

The North Idaho College board of trustees decided Wednesday night they need two more weeks to digest a major proposal for the school's sports teams to switch conferences for budget reasons as enrollment shrinks and the school brings in less money.

"We know that there is a problem, but for some of us that are just getting our arms around this, we would love to be able to be in a position where we had some time to talk about it," said Trustee Ron Nilson.

He added the conference-change proposal surprised the board.

"The board does need that time to process," said trustee Christie Wood. "We'll look at the entire budget, what everything means, all the ramifications, all the moving parts."

She said the extra time will allow alternative proposals and ideas to surface.

Trustee Judy Meyer said the effect of any decision must be explored.

"It might help the community understand," she said. "There have been a lot of numbers thrown around. I think we should be in control of the numbers that get shared, and if it needs a narrative with it, let's do that."

The board's meeting room in the Edminster Student Union building was packed with students, coaches, athletes and the public, all wanting to know if the school would stick with the National Junior College Athletic Association or move to a conference with teams that offer fewer scholarships and field a lower level of competition, such as the Community Colleges of Spokane.

NIC President Joe Dunlap and Athletic Director Al Williams are recommending a transition to the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges, which consists of community colleges in Washington and Oregon.

Trustee Todd Banducci said the budget crisis is a bit of a surprise, too.

"Suddenly we're here and we're threatened with eliminating sports or changing (conferences)," Banducci said. "I feel like that snuck up on us."

If the school stays in the NJCAA it could lead to cutting some sports, Dunlap and Williams have said.

Over the past 10 years, NIC's athletic program has operated at a deficit of $13.9 million. NIC school-wide is looking to cut $2.3 million from the next fiscal year budget.

The conference switch is projected to save the college roughly $600,000 per year in teams' travel and scholarship costs, and generate some tuition revenue.

Board chair Ken Howard said the board recognizes the importance of its decision to the community.

"This is an important issue for us to listen to the community on," he said.

During the public comment period at the start of the meeting, the board received roughly 30 minutes of public comment from athletes, coaches, boosters and the public.

James Duram, a student senator with the Associated Students of NIC, said the proposal by Dunlap and Williams is the most financially responsible alternative under the current budget conditions.

"I feel like it will also help to foster a more whole community for the school at large," with students being able to more easily travel to away games, Duram said.

Others aren't so hot on the idea of a switch.

"I have a lot less interest in the college if this happens," said longtime booster Don Sausser.