A Summary of the Board Meeting of November 10, 2009
Chancellor’s Report – Dr. Ned Doffoney
October 31 Meeting – Dr. Doffoney thanked the Board of Trustees for an extraordinarily productive meeting on Saturday, October 31. The Board’s support of student success initiatives will yield great value for both students and the community, he said. The Chancellor also thanked Fola Odebunmi, United Faculty President, and Marcus Wilson, Fullerton College Academic Senate President, for their contributions at the special Saturday work session meeting.
American Graduation Initiative – The Chancellor and Christie Noring, District Director of Public Affairs, participated in a webinar presented by the American Association of Community Colleges on November 5 to learn more about the current congressional versions of the American Graduation Initiative. This legislation, which would infuse $12 billion into the country’s community colleges, has been approved by the House of Representatives. The NOCCCD has particular interest in the capital projects opportunities portion of the legislation as a way to complete the Technology & Engineering Complex at Fullerton College. The voter-approved state funding for this project has been threatened by the current state budget problems. (The NOCCCD Board approved a supportive resolution for the American Graduation Initiative in August.)
Legislative Task Force – On November 5, the District also hosted the most recent monthly meeting of the Orange County Community Colleges Legislative Task Force, which involves representatives from the county’s four community college districts. At this meeting, the Task Force continued to focus its attention on California issues that could impact the well being of the NOCCCD and its students.
Black American Affairs Conference – With the support of the Board of Trustees, the NOCCCD hosted the biannual conference of the Western Region Council on Black American Affairs at Fullerton College this past Friday and Saturday, November 6 and 7. Feedback on the District’s support for this event has been remarkable, Dr. Doffoney said, adding appreciation to the faculty, staff, and students of Fullerton College for their professionalism and warmth in providing the conference location. “I am profoundly grateful to Sandy Cotter and Kenneth Robinson without whose help this conference could not have succeeded,” he added. “Our students were enlightened, our area hotels were filled, and our community has new friends. This was a great experience for our District, and I thank you (the Board) for your support, encouragement, and attendance.” Ms. Cotter is the Executive Assistant III to the Vice Chancellor of Human Resources, and Mr. Robinson is the District Director of Equity & Diversity.
Cypress College Institutional Effectiveness Report and Annual Report
President Mike Kasler presented the Cypress College Institutional Effectiveness Report and End of the Year Report for 2008-09.
The Institutional Effectiveness Report features a new Dashboard with progress readings in the areas of: Instruction; Student & Academic Support Services; Campus Support Services; Collaborative Relations & Marketing; and Climate, Involvement, & Participation. Following are some of the highlights from two of the areas overviewed by Dr. Kasler:
Instruction
- Transfer, Degree/Certificates – Forty-eight percent of the college’s students either completed requirements to transfer to a university or received their associate degrees or certificates.
- Enrollment Fill Rate – The enrollment fill rate in classes, which is a productivity indicator that continues to increase, was up to 90% last year.
- Post-Transfer Performance – Cypress College students who transfer to universities, on the average, maintained a grade point average that is comparable to other university students.
Student & Academic Support Services
- Student Satisfaction – In a survey, Cypress College students indicated they were more satisfied with their college’s support services than the average for other community college students nationwide.
- Student Participation in Matriculation – Students who participated in orientation activities, as one example, continued to benefit; these activities contribute to student success.
- Financial Aid – A record-breaking number of financial aid applications were processed and awards were disbursed at the college last year.
- International Students – The number of international students continued to increase.
Dr. Kasler capped his presentation with a video clip and highlights from the Cypress College End of the Year Report that featured the following highlights for 2008-09:
- Enrollment Recovery – Enrollment at the college went up last year to 14,900 in the fall.
- Graduates – Cypress College presented degrees to 890 students and certificates to 698 students.
- Health Center – The campus Health Center served 5,041 students.
- Faculty Honor – Among honors last year, a faculty member was recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice for work in the area of victims’ rights.
- Athletics & Academics – The Women’s Basketball Team was a top-25 national honor roll member.
- Launches – The college launched a new college website and social media campaign last year.
Among introductory comments in the End of the Year Report, Dr. Kasler summarized, “While we exit the (past) year with the specter of budget cuts on a scale we’ve not experienced before, I am confident in the collegial teamwork here at Cypress College. I frequently refer to teamwork with our employees because we are much more powerful working together than as individuals. I believe we are stronger than the sum of our parts and that our employees are the greatest resource available to help our students achieve. We have a great team here, and I know we will succeed in the coming year no matter how steep a hill we must climb.”
Comments from Members of the Board of Trustees
Cypress College – Student Trustee Cindy Garcia of Cypress College reported that Associated Students representatives visited the Legislature in Sacramento over the past weekend and were back on campus and ready to go to work on behalf of legislation that is supportive of students and community colleges.
Fullerton College – Student Trustee Rajan Vaidya of Fullerton College reported that Fullerton College was hosting a forum for District 72 candidates vying to fill a vacancy in the State Legislature in a November 17 special election.
Manager of Year – Trustee Donna Miller recognized Denise Simpson, Disabled Student Programs and Services Program Assistant for being selected as School of Continuing Education 2008-09 Manager of the Year. Ms. Simpson was unable to be present at the September Board meeting at which SCE’s employees of the year for the previous year were honored.
Black American Affairs Conference – Trustee Miller also recognized Chancellor Ned Doffoney for receiving the highest award of the Western Region Council on Black American Affairs at the organization’s conference last Friday and Saturday at Fullerton College. Dr. Doffoney was presented the Sankofa Award, which is given for exemplary leadership through service within the community college system. Trustee Miller added she was inspired by the students from Cypress and Fullerton colleges who attended the conference and how they expressed personal responsibility for their success in their studies and in life.
Legislative Task Force – Trustee Michael Matsuda reported that the Orange County Community Colleges Legislative Task Force is looking at a shift away from its traditional practice of meeting with state legislators representing the county’s four community college districts. Instead, the group is considering meeting with legislative leaders on issues of interest or concern among the colleges. Mr. Matsuda also said the group is discussing some “out-of-the-box” ideas for its legislative advocacy.
‘Beat the Drum’ – Trustee Barbara Dunsheath recommended a November 4 Los Angeles Times opinion-editorial piece “The California Higher-Education Debacle,” which was written by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the California State University system. The piece emphasizes the importance of each generation investing in education for the benefit of the next generation. It concludes that advocates need to “beat the drum” and bring much more attention to how the future of higher education is being threatened during the current period of dramatic budget cuts.
Fullerton College Centennial – Trustee M. Tony Ontiveros encouraged participation in the Fullerton College Buy-a-Brick Campaign, a project that will kick-off the college’s Centennial Celebration. Bricks that can be engraved with one to three lines of wording are available for $100.
Mendez Segregation Case – Board President Leonard Lahtinen cited the current issue of the OC Weekly publication, which features a story saying that Fullerton College instructors got their facts right in their presentation of the 1940s Mendez Case in Orange County that held unconstitutional the segregation of Mexican students into separate schools. He noted that “Tales of a Golden State: The Mendez v. Westminster Story,” a documentary film by Erica Bennett of the Fullerton College Library/Learning and Resource Center, features both the Mendez and Ramirez families that led the movement to integrate the county’s elementary schools. Many accounts of the historic proceedings do not include the Ramirez family. The documentary will be shown at the Fullerton College Wilshire Auditorium at noon Friday, November 13.
Student Passes – Board President Lahtinen also reported that he attended a recent meeting of the Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors at which he learned more about bus pass programs for students. Trustee Molly McClanahan thanked Mr. Lahtinen for attending the meeting, during which he waited for several hours before this topic was addressed by the Board. She also suggested that the cost of bus pass programs needs to be compared to the cost of creating and maintaining parking spaces on campuses.
Public Hearing
Contract Reopener – The Board held public hearings on contract reopeners proposed by Adjunct Faculty United and the District. No one commented at the hearings on the reopeners that addressed salary, benefits, assignment, scheduling, working conditions, and grievances.
Finance & Facilities
Quarterly Reports – The Board received the Quarterly Financial Status Report and the Quarterly Investment Report, both for the quarter ending September 30, 2009.
Instructional Printing Equipment – The Board authorized purchase of printing equipment for the Fullerton College Technology Department as it continues its transition from analog to digital equipment to provide students with learning experiences more relevant to today’s commercial printing environment. A Carl Perkins Act Vocational and Technical Education Act Grant will pay for the purchase.
Technology & Engineering Complex – The Board authorized submission of a letter of intent regarding the Fullerton College Technology & Engineering Complex. The letter will inform the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office and the State Department of Finance that the District intends to proceed with construction of the Technology & Engineering Complex, which is to be paid for largely with proceeds of a state bond approved by voters in late 2006. Fred Williams, Vice Chancellor of Finance & Facilities, explained that this matter was brought to the Board for public discussion because, even though it is minimal, there is a risk that the state's budget crisis will make it impossible for the state to reimburse the District in a timely manner for the $37.4 million in approved funding. Mr. Williams said that, if there is any problem, the likely scenario is that the District would have to front funds that eventually would be reimbursed by the state. He also explained that there is no real commitment to the project until an architect is hired to design swing space. The next critical junction after that would be a decision on whether to award contracts for construction, which currently is scheduled for September 2010. However, the letter of intent is necessary now as plans begin to materialize for remodeling of a large District building in La Habra to temporarily house the classes that will need to be moved as a result of the building renovation, demolition, and construction for the Technology & Engineering Complex.
Instructional Resources
STEM Grant – The Board authorized the Fullerton College Office of Special Programs to accept the second year of funding in the amount of $400,632 as a sub-recipient of a U.S. Department of Education College Cost Reduction and Access Act Grant. Fullerton College is working with the Rancho Santiago Community College District and Santa Ana College to help address the national and state need for a prepared workforce in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Specifically, Fullerton College will assist with seven major activities, including: strengthening the campus teacher preparation center to support future math and science teachers, establishing an academic resource center for students, and developing an articulated associate of arts degree in science with emphasis in pre-teaching.
Curriculum Changes – The latest summary of curriculum changes was approved for Fullerton College.
London Field Trip – Approval was given to the Fullerton College Fine Arts Division/Theatre Arts Department to offer a field trip to London, England, from March 27 to April 3, 2010.
Human Resources
Retirement – The Board accepted the retirement of Michael Bird, Cypress College Culinary Arts Instructor, effective May 28, 2010, and phase-in retirements for Kathleen Llanos, Cypress College English-as-a-Second Language Instructor, and Jane Wood, Cypress College English-as-a-Second Language Instructor.
New Director – Approval was given to the appointment of Richard Williams as the District Director, Facilities Planning & Construction.
Classified & Faculty Negotiations – The Board received the reopener proposals by California School Employees Association (CSEA) Chapter #167 and the District for 2009-10 as well as proposals by United Faculty and the District for 2009-10. Public hearings on the proposals were set for 6:30 p.m. November 24. In CSEA and District negotiations, the parties have proposed reopeners on salary, benefits, leaves, and hours and overtime. In United Faculty and District negotiations, United Faculty proposes no reopeners, and the District proposes reopeners on class size/multiple sections, class cancellation, and salary and benefits.
General
Board Policy 7210 – The Board adopted Board Policy 7210, Faculty. This policy will be placed on the District website in the near future.
Board Organizational Meeting – The Board scheduled on the agenda for November 24, the establishment of December 8 as the date of its organizational meeting.
Meeting Adjournment
The Board of Trustees meeting, on the eve of Veterans Day 2009, was adjourned in honor of all who have served in the United State Military. Condolences also were expressed for the families of those who died or were injured in the Ft. Hood, Texas, shooting last week.
Next Regular Meeting
The next regular meeting of the NOCCCD Board of Trustees will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 24, in the First-Floor Board Room, Anaheim Campus, 1830 W. Romneya Drive, Anaheim.
