THANK YOU!
|
Nothing would be more fitting
than for the first words of the fall 2009 semester in our electronic newsletter
to be THANK YOU! I want to say how grateful I am for the untiring spirit,
commitment and dedication of each and every one of our employees. I know
that these are very challenging times for us, we reduced budgets and personnel and increased numbers of
students. We face new territory every day. I know that your classes
are larger and that the students you serve seem even more stressed than the
usual academic stress. Given all that, I never cease to be amazed by the
positive, can-do attitude that I see and hear from you. I appreciate your
commitment and your good work on behalf of our students.
ENROLLMENT UPDATE
|
Below are enrollment
comparisons as of September4 for Fall 2009 as compared to Fall 2008. As
the table below shows, we are up nearly 12% in headcount while our section
counts were reduced by 8% and our classroom rill rates are at 94%!
Fall 2009
|
Fall 2008
|
Count Variance
|
% Variance
|
|
Headcount
|
20,450
|
18,273
|
+2,177
|
+11.9%
|
Units
|
180,681.5
|
163,402.0
|
+17,279.5
|
+10.6%
|
# of Sections
|
1,738
|
1,885
|
-147
|
-7.8%
|
BUDGET NEWS
|
After the budget damage has
been done by the Sacramento lawmakers, we’re now doing our best to deal with
the consequences. We’re living through a perfect storm: fewer state dollars for
education, fewer students accepted to UC and CSU, fewer classes due to state
budget cuts, and higher enrollment with fewer dollars. In addition, we’re
seeing more adults return to school due to the bad economy. In fact, for the
2008-2009 academic year, enrollment at the state’s 110 community colleges
skyrocketed to 2.9 million, a 4.9 percent increase compared to 2007-2008,
according to the State Chancellor’s Office. However, as we face sustained budget
deficits, our commitment is stronger than ever to protect core programs and
preserve as many classes as possible in the areas of transfer, career technical
education, and basic skills. I am proud that the tough times have not stopped our faculty, staff and administrators from
providing as many students as possible with a quality and affordable education.
Yes, we are trying to work miracles by using miniscule budgets to provide
quality education and workforce training. Unfortunately, I am fearful that the
current divestment in higher education may severely impair California for years
to come and undermine the state’s economic recovery.
ACCREDITATION REPORT
|
Our Follow-up Report to the
Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), due on Oct.
15, is scheduled for review and approval by the Governing Board at their Sept.
8 meeting. In January 2008, we received seven recommendations based on our
college’s self-study and October 2007 site visit. Our first Follow-up Report
was submitted Oct. 15, 2008. This current Follow-Up Report addresses
recommendations dealing with diversity, the selection and evaluation of the
college president, Governing Board self-evaluation and District relations among
the various constituency groups. You can read our Follow-Up Report on the
intranet at
2010-2016 STRATEGIC PLAN
|
A draft of our 2010-2016
Grossmont College Strategic Plan is being readied for review. Circulation
through collegial consultation will begin later this month. The Plan represents
the goals and strategic directions that we will pursue to respond to the
changing educational needs of the East San Diego region. The Plan was developed
during 2008-2009, and started with research on the demographics of the
community, students and college performed by the GCCCD Institutional Research
office. Teams of college employees scanned the horizon for future trends likely
to impact our community and college within the next 3-5 years and those
emerging trends along with an analysis of our
Strengths/Weakness/Opportunities/Threats (SWOT) were also included. All
of this and our all-college vision activity during Spring 2009 Convocation were
compiled and reviewed during our Leadership Planning Retreat last April.
Review of the Plan is scheduled by Academic Senate, Classified Senate, Student
Services Council, Instructional Administrative Council, Administrative Services
Council, Planning and Resources Council, Leadership Council, ADSOC, and
President’s Cabinet. I invite your input so look for an opportunity soon to
review the electronic version of the plan or be part of a discussion.
GROSSMONT COLLEGE
SELECTED AS MILITARY FRIENDLY SCHOOL
|
Grossmont
College has been selected as a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs magazine. Criteria
for selection as a Military Friendly School involves an ongoing effort to
recruit and retain students with military experience, including having
qualified personnel available on campus to accommodate military veterans
interested in higher education. Schools on the list range from state
universities and private colleges to community colleges and trade schools. The
common bond is their shared priority of assisting veterans with their
educational goals and recruiting students with military experience. The
national list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities, community
colleges and trade schools which are doing the most to embrace America’s
veterans as students. Grossmont’s selection as a Military Friendly School comes
at a time when financial aid for tuition, textbooks and housing is available
through the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill. According to the Student Veteran Organization
of Grossmont College (www.svogrossmont.org),
more than 600 military veterans are currently attending Grossmont in Fall 2009
with the support of their veterans benefits, an increase from about 470
veterans who were enrolled in the Spring 2009 semester.
COST $AVING
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.
ANNUAL FALL SCHOLASRHIP
AWARDS BREAKFAST
|
The annual Fall Scholarship
Awards Breakfast will be held on Saturday, September 12 in the Student
Center. The program begins at 10:00 a.m. presented by the Grossmont
College Foundation and Grossmont College Scholarship Department. These
scholarships are competitive and based on a selection process established by
the Grossmont College Scholarship Advisory Committee and any
additional criteria established by the sponsor. In all, 48 students will
be awarded scholarships that exceed $32,000. For the first time, 13
recipients will be Osher scholars, with each one receiving $1,000. The
Grossmont College Foundation is participating in a fund-raising challenge for
scholarships in perpetuity with the Bernard Osher Foundation of San Francisco,
which is offering Grossmont College – along with every one of California’s 110
community colleges – a 50% match ($1 for every $2 raised prior to June 30,
2011). Grossmont Osher Scholars were selected based on financial
need. Scholarship funds will be used to help defray the cost of
textbooks, equipment, lab fees and other items beyond registration.
WEB STAFF DIRECTORY
|
The Web Staff Directory can be assessed by visiting www.grossmont.edu/intranet/staffdir.
If you want your photo included, and if your photograph has not yet been taken,
please contact our college photographer Stephen Harvey (ext. 7377) for an
individual appointment. In addition, shooting can be scheduled so that entire
departments can be shot all at the same sitting.
FLU SEASON IS HERE
|
We are closely keeping an eye
on national, state and county flu preparations for this year. We are preparing
for contingencies in the event of a campus-wide outbreak or recognition of a
serious influenza threat. The college has been tracking student and employee
illness since the spring outbreak. We will pass along more information
about flu vaccinations and other preparations as reliable information is
available to us.
The following information may
be helpful as you respond to issues and concerns from students or other
employees.
ü Please encourage those students and
employees who are sick with flu-like symptoms to stay at home and seek medical
attention as their situation and medical history warrant.
ü The college is continuing to track
student absences through the Health Services office to monitor any possible
instances of H1N1 flu.
ü If you know of students who have
been ill or absent with flu-like symptoms, please contact Health Services with
the name of the individual for tracking. Please inform students that if they
are confirmed to be ill, they should report to our Health Services area to be
“cleared” of illness.
ü If students are present in your
class and complain of flu-like symptoms, please refer them to our Health
Services area (located in the administrative area, building 10, next to the
Counseling Office).
ü Everyone should be washing their
hands frequently and also using alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and
water are not available.
ü Hand sanitizing stations are
available around campus public areas.
ü Recommend that students check the
college website for updates or call the flu line at 619.668.1718 or x1718 from
campus for helpful
information.
Thank you for your time and
for assisting us in serving our students and safeguarding their health.
RECENT HONORS
|
v
Patricia
Morrison, Library
Dept. co-chair, had an article published in the August 2009 issue of “The
Academic Author,” a newsletter published by the Text and Academic Authors
Association (TAA). The article was entitled “Librarian: Prevent Junk Overload
When Surfing Net.” TAA is a membership associated dedicated to assisting textbook and
academic authors.
v Bob Yarris, Adjunct Instructor,
Health Professions, has been named to the First 5 San Diego Commission’s
Technical and Professional Advisory Committee. First 5 San Diego oversees early
childhood programs. The Committee advises the Commission about community needs,
existing resources, research and best practices. Over the past three years,
First 5 San Diego has awarded $67 million for programs serving young children
from prenatal stage through five years of age.
DISCOUNTED TICKETS
AVAILABLE TO GROSSMONT COLLEGE FOUNDATION GALA
|
It’s not too early to buy
your tickets to attend this year’s Grossmont College Foundation Gala to be held
on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino.
Festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a reception and silent auction,
followed by dinner starting at 7 p.m., live auction and live entertainment. The
2009 theme is “Reaching New Heights With You.” The theme reflects the college’s
partnership with the community that assists in the college’s efforts to reach
“new heights” in educational excellence, workforce training, scholarship
programs and an endless array of new opportunities for students. Proceeds will
benefit important student scholarships and under-funded programs at Grossmont
College. Tickets begin at $200 per person, however, GC faculty, staff and
administrators pay only $93.75 which is a 53% savings. All major credit
cards are accepted. For reservations, contact Alexis Popko at the Foundation
office, (619) 644-7109.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
|
The
Grossmont Griffins football team opened the 2009 season on Saturday
evening with a game against San Diego Mesa. The game was played at Cathedral
Catholic High School in Del Mar due to field readiness issues at Mesa College.
An intra-squad scrimmage was held last Friday, Aug. 28.
The
Fall 2009 service hours for Student Health Services is 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on
Mondays and Tuesdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 8 a.m.
to 3 p.m. on Fridays. For emergencies when the office is closed, contact Campus
Police at (619) 644-7654.
Student
Health Services will host a Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on
Tuesday, Sept. 8, and Wednesday, Sept. 9, in the Main Quad.
The
San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce is hosting an E-Waste collection
event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, and Sunday, Sept. 13, at
Grossmont Center, between Lava Fitness and Fuddruckers. For more information,
visit www.eastcountychamber.org
The
Grossmont College Theatre Arts Dept. will present Shakespeare’s “The
Tempest,” directed by Beth Duggan, in the Stagehouse Theatre on Oct. 8, 9, 10,
14, 15, 16, 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 10 and 17 at 2 p.m.