FRANKLIN—Colleges were feeling the strain from Gov. Timothy Kaine’s belt-tightening measures on Thursday as many educational institutions, including Paul D. Camp Community College here, have been ordered to slash their own budgets as a result.

PDCCC will have to cut its budget by 5 percent for the upcoming fiscal year. In practical terms, that means the college will not be able to fill a vacant administrative position in the Workforce division, will cut back on operating expenses across the board and will slash the number of classes taught by part-time faculty members.

Earlier in the year, when it became clear that the state’s revenues would be lower, the governor asked all state agencies to crack down on discretionary spending, according to the 58-page budget plan.

The latest plan reduces the general fund by $279 million, affecting 100 agencies and eliminating 1,406 jobs.

The news could have been worse for the college, said PDCCC President Douglas Boyce.

“Given the fact that we had to present 5, 10 and 15 percent budget reduction plans, we’re relieved they’re just asking us to reduce our budget by 5 percent,” Boyce said. “

Boyce said PDCCC went into this fiscal year with a 5 percent reduction carried over from last year.

Because of those reductions, the college wasn’t able to fill positions and postponed a 2-percent pay raise.

Boyce said, given the current economy, these probably won’t be the last budget-cutting measures the governor orders.

“We don’t know what cuts might be coming,” he said. “It’s going to be a long time before the state revenue bounces back.

“It’s going to be a tough couple of years.”