A Summary of the Board Meeting of January 26, 2010
Chancellor’s Report – Dr. Ned Doffoney
A New Year – Dr. Doffoney welcomed the NOCCCD Board of Trustees to the first meeting of the new year and the new decade, noting that the colleges and the District are off to a promising start.
Board Presentations – Opportunities for the NOCCCD Board of Trustees to formally interact with elected officials and community organizations throughout the District are being scheduled. The first opportunity will be at the February 2 meeting of the Fullerton City Council.
Joint Faculty Meeting – On January 14, Chancellor Doffoney joined the District’s faculty unions and senates in a joint meeting designed to explore topics including the budget and accreditation as well as a very important discussion on educational planning and student learning outcomes.
CLASS Initiative – Dr. Kay McClenny of the CLASS Initiative at the University of Texas, Austin, will visit the District in the near future. The NOCCCD is participating in the CLASS Initiative this year, with the involvement of Dr. Jennifer Combs and Dr. Ken Meehan. Technical support is being provided by Deborah Ludford and District Information Services.
Master Plan – Dr. Kathie Hodge is providing tremendous leadership to the educational master plan. The planning process is on track, leading to a plan that will support the District’s future.
District Talent – Dr. Doffoney noted that, later in the meeting, the Board would have a chance to invest in the talent of the District. There are some amazing educational leaders in the administrative ranks, he said. Appointments regarding several of them were brought to the Board for consideration in the Human Resources section of the agenda.
Fullerton Baseball Coach – Dr. Doffoney said he found how good Nick Fuscardo, Fullerton College Head Baseball Coach, really is at the team’s Hot Stove Dinner. Nick introduced all of his team and their skills, as well as their prospects and their family members, all without notes. There is a deep and abiding love in this faculty member for the young men on the team, for the college, and for the community, said the Chancellor. We are indeed grateful for Nick and the contributions he continues to make.
‘NOCCCD Snapshots’ – As part of the Chancellor’s Report, Dr. Doffoney introduced Christie Wallace Noring, District Public Affairs Director, who presented a draft of a presentation entitled “NOCCCD Snapshots 2009-10.” The continuous-loop power point presentation with music is being produced for the Board to use in its upcoming presentations to area city councils and school boards, the first of which is scheduled with the Fullerton City Council.
Governor’s Budget – Fred Williams, Vice Chancellor of Finance and Facilities, presented an overview of the Governor’s proposed budget for 2010-11, released in early January. The NOCCCD would continue to be in relatively good shape with this proposed budget, said Williams, but the District still needs to continue to be careful during the ongoing economic recession. The NOCCCD’s biggest challenge will continue to be managing the state funding cuts to categorical programs, he added.
The Governor’s budget proposal has attempted to spare higher education from further cuts. However, if things change like they did last year in the budgeting process, state legislators could make significant changes that adversely affect community colleges. Williams said the District will once again develop plans for potential funding cuts of $5 million, $10 million, and $15 million.
“While the January budget is a good starting point, a lot could change in the coming months,” the Vice Chancellor said in his presentation. “We should remain cautious and be prepared for another tough year. We will continue to monitor the news from Sacramento.”
Board of Trustee and Resource Table members responded by highlighting the importance of transparency in the District’s budgeting process. Currently, the District Planning Council as well as individual campus-based budget groups are involved in budget information sharing, discussions, and decision making. It was suggested that a flow chart be created to both remind and inform how all of these groups work together.
College Presidents/Provost Reports
Cypress College – Dr. Mike Kasler, President
Spring Semester – The first week of the spring semester was even more hectic than usual due to the major rain storms taking place at the same time. Special thanks to the Maintenance and Operations staff and the campus safety officers. The Automotive Department staff also towed students’ stalled cars into the automotive area, where they helped re-start them . . . Enrollment Over Capacity – Budget reductions have caused challenges for students to enroll in all of the classes they need. Thank you to faculty members for their understanding and willingness to accept more students into their classes . . . Survey Completions – The Student Satisfaction and Campus Climate Surveys are complete, and the college’s Accreditation Standard Committees now will incorporate them into the self study that is underway this year.
Fullerton College – Dr. Sam Schauerman, Interim President
Enrollment Over Capacity – Fullerton College also has exceeded its normal capacity for classes in the new Spring Semester, thanks to the willingness of faculty members to take on larger classes . . . Classified Employee of the Year – Greg Manchaca, Testing and Assessment Specialist in the Counseling and Student Development Division, has been named Classified Staff Employee of the Year for Fall Semester 2009
. . . Art Exhibit – Elyse Pignolet’s work will be showcased in the Fullerton College Art Gallery through March 2 . . . Nixon Library Screening – The film Tales of a Golden State: The Mendez v. Westminster Story, developed by Fullerton College Librarian Erica Bennett, will be screened at the Nixon Presidential Library & Museum on February 10, from 7 to 9 p.m. . . Campus Diversity – The Diversity Committee is planning a first-ever Campus Diversity Forum to take place during Spring Semester. The forum will provide an opportunity to have a safe and respectful campus-wide dialog on issues of diversity and access at Fullerton College.
School of Continuing Education – Christine Terry, Provost
Amazing Minds Symposium – Jorge Gamboa, Interim English-As-A-Second Language Manager, has been nominated by a community partner to attend the annual Pearson Longman Amazing Minds Adult Education Leadership Symposium at no cost to the District . . . Faculty/Counselor Externships – Faculty member David Vu, Vocational Counselor Khanh Ninh, and Career Specialist Linda Langgle will participate in an externship to enhance the Quality Assurance Management Certificate Program for Medical Devices . . . Online Orientation Workshops – Ms. Ninh is also working with SCE’s Technology Team members to prepare online orientation videos for SCE’s three career certificates . . . Community Partner Donation – The Older Adults Program (OAP) was granted a $2000 donation in late December from the Kisco Cares Program
. . . ‘You Count’ Week – SCE launched the quarterly “You Count” campaign last week. The campaign emphasizes to students the importance of updating their personal information to help ensure accuracy of District data reported to the state . . . Available Classes – Although most classes began during the week of January 4, late-start, tuition-based community service courses are still open . . . Job Search Workshops – The Career Technical Education (CTE) Department will host four job search workshops in February. The workshops are open to CTE students and will provide one-to-one assistance in areas such as developing resumes, interviewing practice, and job hunting guidance. . . Patrick Henry College-Bound Workshops – The Office of Special Programs at Fullerton College is partnering with SCE to host career exploration and college planning workshops for Patrick Henry Elementary School fifth- and sixth-grade students and their parents. The next visit will take place on February 23.
Comments from Members of the Resource Table
Joint Faculty Meeting – Andrea Sibley-Smith, President of the School of Continuing Education Academic Senate, thanked those who attended the recent annual Joint Session of the NOCCCD Academic Senates and United Faculty. She said more than 100 people were in attendance.
Faculty Recognition – Marcus Wilson, Fullerton College Academic Senate President, expressed appreciation to the presidents of Cypress and Fullerton colleges for acknowledging how faculty members have been admitting extra students to their classes during the current budget shortfall and enrollment surge.
Legislative Stand – Fola Odebunmi, United Faculty President, expressed concern that the learning environment may be marginalized if the campuses are expected to maintain over-capacity classes. She said she is interested in taking a stand on this matter with legislators and the news media.
Comments from Members of the Board of Trustees
Humanities Building – Student Trustee Cindy Garcia reported that students are very happy with the renovated Humanities Building at Cypress College, which re-opened last week with the new semester.
Student Thank You – On behalf of Fullerton College students, Student Trustee Rajan Vaidya also expressed appreciation to faculty members for accommodating larger class sizes this semester.
Faculty Appreciation – Trustee Jeff Brown added his comments of appreciation for the efforts of faculty as they serve more students during a period of high demand for community college programming.
Haiti & the Arts – Trustee Molly McClanahan referred to a newspaper article that focused on how – “Everyone in Haiti is an artist.” She asked the college art departments to consider how they might help address and possibly uplift the artistic nature of Haitians who have been devastated by a major earthquake. Ms. McClanahan also offered to help, if it is possible for the colleges to do anything in this area.
State Trustee Board – Trustee M. Tony Ontiveros reported on some matters before the California Community College Trustees Board of Directors earlier in the week. He also serves on this state trustee board, which recognizes how the State Legislature is getting more involved in local education by restricting how funding should be allocated. Currently, for the state’s community colleges, the Legislature is focusing primarily on funding for transfer, career technical education, and basic skills programming.
Education Recognition – Trustee Leonard Lahtinen shared his continuing disappointment in the lack of recognition for education in the City of Anaheim, most recently at the Anaheim State of the City lunch he attended. He said he hoped this could change in the future.
Legislative Task Force – Trustee Lahtinen also reported on the recent Orange County Legislative Task Force meeting in the NOCCCD. At the meeting, he suggested that the county’s four community college districts consider conducting open houses on the same day in observance of Community College Month in April. The campuses are being surveyed about the possibility now. Additionally, Mr. Lahtinen indicated he is not ready to give up on the possibility of student bus passes from the Orange County Transportation Authority. He brought this matter up at the Task Force meeting as well.
New High School – Trustee Lahtinen reported on the recent dedication of the beautiful new Yorba Linda High School, which now stands on property formerly owned by the NOCCCD. He said the former high school history teacher in him also led him to do some research on the history of the property, which he compiled and distributed to the other trustees. Trustee McClanahan suggested that the compilation be attached to the minutes of the meeting.
Technology Assessment – Board President Michael Matsuda requested an inventory or assessment of technology in the District to help with planning in this area. Deborah Ludford, District Director of Information Services, responded that she would work with the campus technology directors who she added will be glad to have the opportunity to provide such a report.
Finance & Facilities
Non-resident Tuition Fee – Approval was given to set the District’s non-resident student fee next year at $183 per-unit with an additional charge for capital outlay of $20 per-unit for non-resident students. This represents a $7 decrease in the non-resident student tuition fee. The capital outlay fee once again remains unchanged.
Foundation Consultant – The Board authorized a new agreement with a fundraising consultant, The Magellan Group, to continue to assist with a project entitled “Initiating a High Performance Foundation.” The District first contracted with Magellan a year ago and, through this new agreement, will continue to assist in securing a future president of the NOCCCD Foundation Board and assist in the recruitment of a new executive leadership position for the Foundation.
Facilities Projects – For Cypress College, the Board authorized filing of a Notice of Completion of Work for the Humanities Building 1 Remodel Project and also authorized an agreement amendment for shake-down and re-commissioning of the Co-Generation Plant. For Fullerton College, the Board authorized an architectural agreement for design of modular swing space to be used during construction of the new Technology & Engineering Complex Project. The Board additionally approved construction program change orders that included both cost additions and deductions for the Fullerton College Physical Education Complex Renovation Project.
Instructional Resources
Campus Expenditures – Approval was given for expenditures related to the Cypress College Black College Fair and the Fullerton College KinderCaminata event.
Curriculum – The Board approved the latest Fullerton College curriculum changes, to be effective fall 2010.
School of Continuing Education Donations – The Board approved donations to the School of Continuing Education – $10,000 for book awards and $2,000 to cover costs associated with Older Adults Program classes.
Fullerton College Donations – The Board approved various donations to Fullerton College, including donations designated for the Puente Program, Child Development Lab, Fine Arts Division, Career Technical Education Event, Library Division, Physical Education Division, Student Affairs Office, and Technology & Engineering Division.
Human Resources
Interim Management Appointments – Approvals were given for Scott McKenzie to serve as Fullerton College Interim Vice President, Instruction, and for Martha Torres-Gutierrez to serve as Interim Dean, Instruction and Student Services, at the School of Continuing Education Anaheim Campus.
General
Recognition Resolution – The Board adopted a resolution recognizing Assembly Member Warren Furutani. Since being elected to represent Legislative District 55 in 2008, Mr. Furutani has focused on initiatives that include career technical education, higher education, and workforce development along with air quality, public safety, transportation, and Asian Pacific Islander Affairs. Among his first successful initiatives as a state lawmaker was Assembly Bill 37. This new law calls upon higher education institutions to extend honorary degrees to individuals whose college education was disrupted due to forced incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.
Next Regular Meeting
The next regular meeting of the NOCCCD Board of Trustees will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 9, in the First-Floor Board Room, Anaheim Campus, 1830 W. Romneya Drive, Anaheim.
