President's News Burst for June 2008

Planning Retreats

Two collgewide Leadership Planning Retreats were held on April 11 and May 15. Discussions have covered changes, updates and feedback to the college’s annual planning cycle, as well as longer term cycles.  Our recent accreditation findings required that the college’s planning process and committee structure be streamlined and better understood by all constituents.  As such, much work has been done to date and follow-up will continue.  Stay tuned for more details on the college’s accreditation website as well as during flex week.

The group has agreed upon an emphasis on student learning/services outcomes, basic skills and innovative partnerships and workforce development through 2009-2010.

Accreditation

Work is progressing on accreditation reports in preparation for a Fall 2008 visit to our campus by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The follow-up report will be disseminated for review in September and will be due to AACJC by October 15^th.  Since our founding in 1961, we have been fully accredited on a continual basis by WASC.

Off-Site Parking

The Parking Alternatives Task Force is continuing its work on parking plans for faculty, staff and administrators that will go into effect in August. Construction begins in June on a new three-story parking structure in Lot #5. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held on June 18 @ 10:00 a.m.. During the year-long construction period, faculty and staff will be parking at Gillespie Field in El Cajon and riding a shuttle to the campus because there will be 800 fewer parking spaces on campus. A reminder letter will be sent to employees at home during the month of August with more details.  Information will be available during flex week convocation and also on the college’s website. Everybody’s cooperation during this time will be greatly appreciated.

Flex Week

Monday, August 18^th will the first day of Fall 2008 Professional Development Week. A schedule of workshops has been circulated. The final schedule will be posted on the Professional Development Committee website during the Summer (www.grossmont.edu/staffdevelop).

Web Staff Directory

Work will continue throughout the summer on a Web Staff Directory, an online pictorial directory that will feature individual employee photos of full-time employees. Access will be available only over the intranet. Our college photographer, Stephen Harvey, is available to shoot on a flexible schedule. It would be helpful if entire departments are shot at the same sitting so please contact Stephen to help Grossmont College launch a 21^st century staff directory.

WBITE Delegate

Linda Snider, Business Office Technology instructor, was selected by the California Business Education Association to serve as a delegate to the 9th annual Western Business and Information Technology Educators (WBITE) Professional Development Institute, which was held late May. WBITE is a professional business education association that includes business teachers from 10 states and seven territories.

Nursing Celebration

All previous graduates of the Grossmont College School of Nursing and friends are invited to celebrate 40 years of excellence in nursing education and attend a 40th anniversary alumni reunion reception and the 2008 School of Nursing Pinning Ceremony graduation on Wednesday, June 4, 2008. Please join us at 3 p.m. in the Main Quad with the induction of previous nursing graduate Dr. Dorothy Wiley, a public health researcher and nursing professor at UCLA, to the Grossmont College Walk of Fame (this celebration is presented by Grossmont College Foundation). At 4 p.m., a reunion reception honoring 5,000 previous School of Nursing graduates will be held in the Student Center. Then, at 5:30 p.m. in the Main Quad, please attend the 40th graduating class’ Pinning Ceremony as we welcome 70 new members to the profession. For information, phone (619) 644-7300 or send an e-mail to grossmont.nursing@gcccd.edu.

Upcoming Events

      Grossmont Middle College High School Graduation, June 2 @ 5:30 p.m., Main Quad

      Walk of Fame Ceremony, June 4 @ 3 p.m., Main Quad

      Nursing Alumni Reception, June 4 @ p.m., Student Center

      Nursing Pinning Ceremony, June 4 @ 5:30 p.m., Main Quad

      Commencement, June 5 @ 5:30 p.m., Main Quad

      OPT Graduation, June 6 @ 6:30 p.m., Main Quad

  

For those of our Grossmont College family headed to distant shores this summer, or those just determined to have a relaxing summer, safe travels and best wishes for a wonderful summer season!

President's News Burst for May 2008

Budget Update

Due in part to weak property tax revenues, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is now calculating the state’s budget deficit has increased to $20.2 billion. Community Colleges are certain to face some level of budget reductions. Unfortunately, there is no painless way to deal with budget cuts. Thanks to the diligent work of cost center managers, our college has developed scenarios calling for reductions of 3 percent and 5 percent. Our goal is to maintain current enrollment levels and core instructional areas, as well as student services, with fewer resources. The state budget situation remains uncertain, and we really won’t know the overall impact until sometime in May. Throughout March and April, many legislative budget hearings were held with virtually no actions taken by the committees and subcommittees. The Legislature is waiting to see what the Governor’s May Budget Revision holds -- in terms of revenue estimates and new budget solution proposals -- before they dive in to the hard work. Stay tuned.

Web Staff Directory

Do you ever walk across campus and run into a familiar face but can’t connect a name? Do you wonder what those folks who regularly send you emails look like? The college is creating a photo directory. The last directory was published in hard copy as “The Gallery” in 1996.  The 21^st century version will be housed on the intranet and will be entirely electronic.  This is important in our effort to go green, keep costs low and utilize the amazing talent of the dynamic duo (Stephen Harvey and Chris Rodgers).  The online pictorial directory will feature individual employee photographs of fulltime employees. Before the Semester ends, our priority is to schedule photographs be taken of faculty members. Our college photographer, Stephen Harvey, is available to shoot on a flexible schedule. It would be helpful if entire departments are shot all at the same sitting. Thanks for your cooperation and your response to e-mails relating to the Web Staff Directory.

Cinco de Mayo

Enjoy mariachi music and Carne Asada tacos on from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Monday, May 5 in the Main Quad. The celebration is presented by the World Arts and Cultures Committee.

“The Pillowman”

The Grossmont College Theatre Arts Department will present “The Pillowman,” a savage and macabre comedy, at the Statehouse Theatre. Performances will begin at 7:30 a.m. on May 8, 9, 10 and 14, 15 16, 17, and at 2 p.m. on May 10 and 17. No one under age 15 will be admitted. The play contains graphic content and strong language. Admission is $10 per person, $9 for military and seniors and $8 for GCCCD students (with ID). The box office is open one hour prior to all performances.

College Recognition Awards Ceremony

Come celebrate the good work of your peers!  Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 15. The 9th Annual Recognition Awards Ceremony begins at 2 p.m. in the Student Center.  Among the categories to be recognized: Distinguished Faculty, Teaching Excellence Awards, Vice President Support Staff Recognition, Faculty/Staff Retirees, Faculty Awarded Tenure, Kudos Recognition, New Degree Recipients, Book/Article Publications, Grossmont College Foundation Awards, Innovator of the Year Awards; President’s Leadership Award and Club Advisors Recognition.  Refreshments will be served, compliments of the Foundation office.

ASGC Awards

Associated Students of Grossmont College, Inc. held their 46th Annual Academic and Service Awards ceremony on April 30. Among the honorees: Aprinda Indahlastari as International Student of the Year; Debbie Yaddow, Interim Associate Dean, Health Professions, as Distinguished Faculty Honoree; Paul Schroeder, Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Exercise Science/Wellness Division Honor Award; Debra Barrett, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences Division Honor Award; Breanne Ahearn, Communication and Fine Arts Division Honor Award; Marina Saluto, Business and Professional Studies Division Honor Award; Greg Roberts, Sergeant Kenneth Joseph Memorial Award; Bryan Mobley, Man of Distinction; Amada Viele, Woman of Distinction; Adam More, Male Athlete of the Year; Shatari Dearman, Female Athlete of the Year, and many others.

  

School of Nursing

The School of Nursing (established in 1967) is cordially inviting all previous nursing graduates to celebrate 40 years of excellence in nursing education. A 40th anniversary alumni reunion reception and the 2008 School of Nursing Pinning Ceremony graduation will be held on Wednesday, June 5. Please join us at 3 p.m. in the Main Quad with the induction of Grossmont College alumni nursing graduate Dr. Dorothy Wiley, epidemiology expert and nursing professor at UCLA, to the Grossmont College Walk of Fame (this celebration is presented by Grossmont College Foundation). At 4 p.m., a reunion reception honoring all 5,000 previous School of Nursing graduates will be held in the Student Center. Then, at 5:30 p.m. in the Main Quad, please attend the 40th graduating class’ Pinning Ceremony as we welcome 70 new members to our profession.

  

Facility Updates

Plans are underway for scheduling sometime in late June a groundbreaking ceremony for the new, three-story parking structure in Parking Lot #5. Other dates to watch for: Grand opening in July for the Exercise Science & Wellness Complex; Groundbreaking in August for the Health & Physical Sciences building.  Off-campus parking for faculty and staff will begin in the fall.  Stay tuned for more information.

  

Accreditation

The Accreditation Steering Committee has been meeting on a regularly basis to address the four recommendations provided by the Site Team.  A follow-up report is due to the State in October 2008 which will then be followed by a mini-site visit. 

  

Commencement Update

We are honored to have Grossmont College alumni Karen Vigneault, founder and current chair of Nations of the 4 Directions, as keynote speaker at Commencement on June 5. Her organization serves Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transgender (GLBT) Native Americans.  Nearly 1300 Grossmont College students are eligible to graduate in June.

Police Academy

The Grossmont Police Academy will present its 28th annual graduating class at 6 p.m.  on Friday, May 2. Sgt. Keith Sears from the La Mesa Police Department will serve as master of ceremonies.

Brad Daluiso Golf Classic

The Grossmont College Foundation will host the sixth annual Brad Daluiso Golf Classic, a fund-raising tournament, starting at noon on Friday, May 9, at the Sycuan Resort & Casino’s Willow Glen Course. A handful of player spots are still available on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

The noontime shotgun start features a scramble format. The tournament’s founder and namesake is Brad Daluiso, who attended Grossmont College in 1987 and 1988, and played professional football and today, is a financial advisor and active supporter of Grossmont College. 

  

Condolences

This semester has been marked by a number of deaths among family members at Grossmont College.  Please keep our colleagues in your thoughts during this difficult period. 

Recently, the previous owner of the property where Grossmont College stands today died April 26^th.  Dr. Jack Hardebeck, a long-time friend of Grossmont College, passed away at home.  Prior to selling the property to the college, he considered the site for a thoroughbred racing track.