The Chancellor of Delgado Community College says the institution faces a budget deficit of $13 million as it deals with state funding cuts and decreased enrollment.

Dr. Monty Sullivan has placed a freeze on nearly all operational budget expenditures including overtime pay to college personnel, non-essential operating and repair expenses, and purchases of new equipment and supplies.

Sullivan says Delgado has seen a "substantial decrease" over the past four years in funding from the state and must make up for the lost revenue through "self-generated" funds, mostly tuition and fees.

Unfortunately, the college faces an estimated loss of $3.4 million in tuition and fee payments this year due to a drop in enrollment.

The enrollment for the current semester, 18,115 did not follow a five-year upward trend that began in 2006.  A record enrollment of 20,452 was reported in Fall 2011.

Sullivan says the college is now operating with a budget deficit of about 14%.

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