WESSON — With state revenue collections below projections,Copiah-Lincoln Community College is preparing for the likelihood ofa funding cut in the near future and perhaps another one nextyear.

“We’re looking at a cut probably in the next 60 days,” Co-LinPresident Dr. Howell Garner said during Thursday’s Board ofTrustees meeting.

State community and junior college officials have been informedthat only $2 million to $6.5 million will be available to actuallyfund Educational Enhancement Fund (EEF) appropriations, which nowtotal $14.1 million statewide. That would mean cuts of over $12million in a worst-case scenario and $7.6 million in a best-casescenario.

EEF money is divided into three sections.

Co-Lin’s share of one of those sections, which comes straight tothe school, is $189,000, Garner said. Co-Lin’s share of the othertwo sections, which involve workforce training reimbursement andbond debt service, was not known; however, Garner said any cutswill have at least an indirect effect on the college.

With cuts in the forecast, Garner mentioned a “cushion” thecollege built into its budget earlier this year.

“We’re in good shape to withstand the first onslaught of budgetcuts because of what we put in the budget,” the president said.

However, Garner said college officials are working on short-termspending plans and will have to review budget items in the springif there is another round of cuts.

“It does not look like a good year,” Garner said.

Dr. Jim Stribling, chairman of the board, agreed.

“The bottom line is we’re going to have to tighten our belts therest of this year and next year,” Stribling said.

In other business, Co-Lin officials are optimistic Wolf HollowGolf Course is closer to breaking even and possibly turning aprofit next year.

A review of revenue and expenditures showed the course finishingfiscal year 2000 with a $37,973 deficit. That was more than fiscalyear 1999’s deficit operations of $23,231, but Garner said therewas some hole work and other expenses last year that raisedexpenditures.

With some personnel changes that reduced expenses and continuedlevels of play, Garner is looking forward to a balanced budget andthe possibility of even being able to put profits in the bank.

“We feel confident it’s going to happen,” Garner said.

In student-related matters, Dr. Paul Johnson, dean of thecollege, informed trustees of Associate Degree Nursing programstudents’ success with state board certification exams.

Officially, Johnson said 21 of 32 students to take the statetest have done so and all have passed. The dean said he had heardword that several others had also taken the test and the pass ratewas still 100 percent.

“It looks like another great year for our nursing program,”Johnson said.

Dr. George Brumfield, chairman of the Student ServicesCommittee, recognized several athletes who have been honored asDistinguished Academic and Academic All-American.

Distinguished Academic All-Americans, who maintain a 3.8 GradePoint Average, include Amanda Turner, a tennis player from SilverCreek, and Adam Different, baseball player from Braxton. AcademicAll-Americans, with a 3.6 GPA, include baseball team members LanceNewman of Brookhaven and Christopher Dunn and Breck Honea, both ofMagee.