Pima Community College is downsizing a much-loved community program because it's a money-loser.
The Study Tours program allows participants to learn the science, history and culture of the Southwest from an expert guide in an informal, noncredit class. Hundreds of people participate yearly, visiting regional ghost towns, going on day trips to Mexico and even visiting the Grand Canyon, among dozens of other options.
Some guides were told Monday that the program is being cut. A letter-writing campaign followed, and PCC will host two public meetings to discuss the future of the program.
The program has not been changed yet, and the notifications were premature and unfortunate, said Rachelle Howell, a PCC spokeswoman.
Study Tours are on the chopping block because the program has lost $400,000 in 10 years, said Sylvia Lee, president of the Community Campus.
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In the 2008-09 school year, the program cost more than $131,500 and brought in nearly $88,000 — a loss of about $43,500, Lee said.
"There are a lot of people who enjoy these tours, and we recognize that," Howell said. "We just need to cut the ones that are creating a financial drain on the college."
Lee said PCC will retain some of the tours, but the program will look different.
John Dell, an expert guide with the program for 20 years, said he had 30 tours planned for the coming school year.
In a letter to participants, he wrote that many participants "seek a less formal continuing education program to learn about the unique natural and cultural histories of this region. Pima Community College has provided a great service to the community, and it should not be terminated to balance a budget."
Eileen Buckel, 66, has been taking Study Tours for four years.
"It would be an absolute shame to have the program eliminated completely," but it could possibly be scaled back, she said.
About 700 people enrolled in tours each year, Lee said. But 30 percent to 50 percent of planned Study Tours were canceled for low enrollment.
Class costs ranged from $29 for a guided local hike to $1,500 for a weeklong tour of national parks, the course catalog shows.
Faced with a growing enrollment and reduced public tax funding, PCC must cut its budget and use taxpayer dollars carefully, Howell said. College officials want to avoid layoffs or furloughs, she added.
Ultimately, the decision about the future of Study Tours will be made by Chancellor Roy Flores and the college's Board of Governors, she said.
The timing comes as Lee, who has been in her position for three weeks, and Vice President Terry Sawma, who has been in his job for a year, set a goal to make all noncredit classes self-supporting. Some programs, such as motorcycle training, already cover their costs, Lee said.
Howell and Lee didn't know how many letters and e-mails were received in the letter-writing campaign.
Howell, Lee and Dell weren't aware of any fundraising efforts to support the program without public tax money.
If You Go
• What: Public meetings to discuss the Study Tours program.
• When: 4 to 5:30 p.m. next Monday and Aug. 11.
• Where: Pima Community College, Community Campus, 401 N. Bonita Ave., Room A-109
