GCC learns of pause in federal funding

By MEGAN HUGHES

[email protected]

Ironwood - The Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees learned on Tuesday of funding changes due to a pause of federal funds ordered on Monday by the Office of Management and Budget.

The freeze took effect on Tuesday at 5 p.m., according to Chad Lashua, vice president of business services.

However, on the same day, the Associated Press reported that U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan put a temporary halt on the freeze.

"On Jan. 27, there was communication sent out by the White House, pausing federal grants, loans and other assistance," said Lashua. "That has been reviewed. Basically, from what we have been told, it doesn't include Title IV federal funds, so loans, Pell (grants) and (federal funds for students in extreme need) are functioning as normal."

At this time, college officials are trying to learn what programs, grants and funding opportunities for their students will be affected by this pause. Lashua said he will attend a Friday meeting that will go more in-depth about what the pause affects.

Lashua noted that the TRiO program, which funds three college employees, is one that college officials know for certain will be affected by the funding pause. The TRiO program works to assist students who are in financial need or are first-generation college students or have disabilities.

"As of 5 o'clock this afternoon, we stopped receiving funding for TRiO," said Lashua. "We did make a draw-down before that time expired for all the expenses incurred."

He added that the funding pause "does not impact VA funding."

Lashua said that the information he had been provided encouraged individuals to contact their congressman to speak about how they have been affected.

Information continues to be released.

Also at the meeting, GCC President Chris Patritto presented the board with a brief update on the Lindquist Center.

"Over the last month and a half, we have put together some data from the Lindquist Center," said Patritto in relation to expenditures, rentals, food expenses, and roughly a 10-year summary of the facility.

"Moving forward, we are going to start looking at the whole picture and how we want the Lindquist Center to be used," he said. "Starting next month, we will be putting together some survey questions."

In the short term, college officials will look into the fee structure for the building, among other issues.

"We are going to look into what would make it useful now," he said, "We are going to come up with some short-term goals that we can do within a year, and of course some long-term goals. By 2027, we want to have a complete plan for where we want the Lindquist Center to go."

The regular meeting was preceded by the board's annual reorganizational meeting. Elected posts are as follows: chairman Susan Beals, vice chairman Michael McPherson, secretary John Lupino and treasurer Eric Fitting. Also serving are trustees Thomas Brown, Robert Stempihar and William Malloy.

The 2025-2027 representative to the Board of Directors of the Michigan Community College Association is Malloy, with Lupino as alternate.

In other news, the board:

- Voted to approve the updating and posting of the vice president of academics job description and, pending a budget review, voted to approve the creation of a director of academic services to support the vice president. Patritto recommended both actions.

- Discussed an antenna upgrade at the top of Mt. Zion that would involve replacing a 20-foot pole with a 40-foot tower. The board voted to approve the replacement of the antenna with the specification that it does not interfere with Ski Area Management operations.

- Heard that the water pump at Mt. Zion is down, and so is snow-making. The hill is currently relying on natural snow for skiing.

- Heard that multiple contractors requested the deadline be moved back a week to allow time to give comprehensive bids on the nursing remodel. The new deadline is Feb. 6.

- Heard the Houghton update. There was interest in potentially holding a board meeting at the Copper Country Center in the future.

- Was introduced to new custodial member Richard Harry, who will work in the Copper Country Center in Houghton.

- Heard Patritto say that he'd like to host another listening session on Feb 18 at the Copper Country Center. He also has scheduled a March listening session in Ontonagon and plans to schedule more for the near future, so as to gauge public priorities. In late February, Patritto will attend Michigan's State-of-the-State address, and hopes to set up meetings with appropriations individuals in Lansing. "Part of my goal is to get to know legislators even more downstate so when things come through, they have a face to put to the name," he said.

- Approved first readings of Board Policy 636 Interim Appointment and Board Series 637 Pregnancy and Nursing Protections Policy.

- Heard the foundation is converting over to a new software.

- Heard vice-presidential updates.

- Approved December meeting minutes as presented.

- Heard the personnel report.

- Discussed institutional fees for the 2025-2026 school year.