Saturday, August 1, 2009

President's News Burst for August 2009



Budget Update  
It will likely be several weeks before the budget dust settles. In the days that followed the Governor’s signing of the budget, we heard different stories about which categorical programs will share the burden if the anticipated federal funds don't materialize. The confusion is as expected, considering the many conversations among budget staff and external constituencies and lack of specific language on the issue. Unfortunately, all of the decisions are a zero-sum game. To the extent one program is protected from a cut, other critical programs may shoulder a larger cut. Stay tuned for updated information and open forums on campus.
  
Enrollment
Below are enrollment comparisons as of August 6, 2009 for Fall 2009 as compared to Fall 2008:

Fall
2009
Fall
2008
Count
Variance
% Variance
Headcount
13,799
12,746
+1053
+8.3%
Units
129,727.0
121,790.5
+7936.5
+6.5%
  
Parking Structure Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Everyone is invited to share the excitement and attend the ribbon cutting of our new parking structure on Monday morning, August 17. It promises to be a beautiful summer morning for the festivities, which will be held outdoors on the top of the parking structure. The views of the foothills and the mountains will be picturesque. A continental breakfast will be served beginning at 7:30 a.m., with the ceremony to begin at 8 a.m. (The Fall 2009 Convocation program, which is the kick-off for Professional Development Week, will begin at 9 a.m. in the Student Center.) Among the planned grand opening festivities: remarks from campus representatives, community dignitaries and students, as well as a special checkered-flag ribbon cutting and vintage cars on display. The opening of the new parking structure, featuring 1,431 spaces and a 3,200-square-foot facility for Public Safety, will mark the culmination of “Students First,” a year-long campaign that involved extensive collegial consultation of many campus constituencies. I am immensely grateful to our faculty, staff and administrators for their personal sacrifices during the past year of parking off-campus and using alternative commuting solutions.
Cost Savings Recommendations
Due to budgets cuts, we can all do our part to reduce energy consumption. Together, we can lower our energy bill, which will redirect dollars into other areas. Everyone is encouraged to follow these simple steps:
·         Turn off your office and classroom lights when you are not in the room.
·         Utilize the natural light if educationally appropriate, especially in the 500 Building classrooms which are equipped with skylights.
·         Keep your classroom and office doors closed when the A/C is on. This allows the mechanical system to operate more efficiently (we can’t afford to try to air condition all of El Cajon).
·         Turn off computers and printers when not in use, over the weekends, and break periods.
·         Remove any unneeded appliances such as coffee makers, refrigerators, toasters and space heaters.

To reduce on printing costs:
*      Print the first page of your document on colored paper and the rest on white instead of using colored paper for multiple page documents. Print your documents double-sided whenever possible.
*      Reduce duplicating requests to save paper.
*      Post documents online instead of distributing them in class.
*      Limit supply requests.


Web Staff Directory
Everyone is encouraged to visit the Intranet to view the Web Staff Directory. As you can see, we have quite a few photos missing, but as people view it we hope they will want to be included. Visit www.grossmont.edu/intranet/staffdir. If your photograph has not yet been taken, please contact our college photographer Stephen Harvey (ext. 7377) for an individual appointment. In addition, appointments can be scheduled so that entire departments can be photographed all at the same time. Access to the Web Staff Directory is available only over the Intranet.

Student IDs
Please help spread the word that student IDs can now be acquired in the A&R office and, beginning Monday, August 24th, IDs will also be available in the LTRC.  The card is required when conducting college business or upon request of college staff. In addition, the card is required for access to Library Services, Health Services and some instructional laboratory areas, including some different off-campus clinical experience sites for health occupational programs. There are many benefits of obtaining a Student ID card, including identification for on-campus services, including the library and tech mall services.  They are also useful for discounts at off-campus locales (restaurants and shops) that offer a student discount. Plus, a Student ID helps the college maintain a secure learning environment.
  
Upcoming Events
On-campus upcoming events include:
*      A one-day film festival featuring 20 films produced by students and independent filmmakers will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8 at the Stagehouse Theatre. An all-day admission ticket is $5. In addition to film viewing, workshops will be delivered on script writing, casting calls and tips on how to make a film for under $500. Films in a variety of genres, including music videos, horror, comedy, drama, mystery, education and documentary, will be viewed. For additional event information, visit www.esifilm.org.

*      The 10th annual meeting of the Academy of Behavioral Profiling (ABP), an international law enforcement industry trade group, will be held Aug. 8-11 in Griffin Gate. The ABP’s annual meeting will be a training event consisting of four days of lectures on criminal profiling subjects, such as criminal psychology, crime scene characteristics, motive, victimology, ethics, forensic science and crime reconstruction. ABP members will deliver lectures on relevant subjects based on recent casework, research and legal decisions in the field. Forensic, investigative and behavioral science professionals from around the world will be on campus for this prestigious event. The event is open to the public. Cost for all four days is $30 for students, and $95 for non-ABP members.

*      The Grossmont College Athletics Dept. and Grossmont College men’s basketball coach Doug Weber is inviting all boys and girls entering the 3rd through 8th grades to Grossmont College’s first annual youth basketball camp, from 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday, Aug. 10-14. The camp will feature instruction on fundamental skills, group and individual contests and three-on-three tournaments. Cost is $75 per camper, which includes t-shirt, contest prizes and giveaways.