President's News Burst for March 2009

BUDGET UPDATE

Good planning is certainly a virtue when it comes to budgeting. According to the State Chancellor’s Office, our estimated income from the State for this year (2008-2009) will not be quite as bad as we originally projected. Still, the State eliminated any cost-of-living adjustment, reduced our income and delayed numerous payments. Fortunately, the Governing Board set aside $2.7 million for a mid-year reduction, a figure that turned out to be right on target. State lawmakers recently approved a budget, which included the following highlights:

ü  2008-09: Eliminates cost-of-living adjustment.

ü  2008-09: Reduces state funding for mandates.

ü  2008-09: Defers $340 million in state payments to the 2009-10 fiscal year.

ü  2009-10: Funds 3 percent enrollment growth.

ü  2009-10: Maintains funding for the Competitive Cal-Grants program.

ü  General: Since there were no categorical or general apportionment cuts, language to allow categorical flexibility was not included.

ü  Future: Next year’s budget remains uncertain.  The May 19^th election and state revenues will determine what kind of adjustments will be made.  So as usual, stay tuned for more details as they emerge.

Even though the Governor recently signed the budget that was brought forward by the Legislature, some of our expenditures will be dependent on a May 19 special election. And no one can know for sure how taxpayers will respond at the polls. Looking into the future, the outlook for 2009-2010 continues to look bleak. We are continue to take a hard look at reducing operational expenses (freezing positions, restricting travel, freezing or reducing equipment expenditures and other purchases). We will keep you informed with as much information as we know. Thank you for your support and cooperation.

  

STRATEGIC PLANNING

Efforts are continuing on Grossmont’s 2010-2016 Strategic Plan. A Leadership Planning Retreat will be held on Friday, March 13. Activities scheduled for the Retreat include a review of Environmental Scan Data and an overview of both the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) Analysis and the Visioning activity held during Flex Week and Trend Analysis, as well as roundtable discussions on Institutional Goals and brainstorming on Institutional Foci. Work also is continuing on placing online all pertinent materials relating to Strategic Planning.

  

COLLEGE RECOGNITION AWARDS

Planning is continuing for our 10th annual College Recognition Awards ceremony to be held starting at 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2009, in the Student Center. Calls for nominations have been issued for several awards. Innovator of the Year nominations, to be reviewed by the Educational Development and Innovation Committee, are due now to Linda Daley. Excellence in Teaching awards are due to deans by March 20. Also due by March 20 are Vice President Support Staff award nominations. If you have received a new degree or have had a significant publication since May 2008, please submit this information soon to Pam Amor.

  

CHANCELLOR MILES’ FORUMS

Dr. Cindy Miles is extending a warm welcome to get better acquainted. As part of her Listening and Learning Tour, she wants to hear from you: What are your hopes and dreams for GCCCD? What has been working well that we want to preserve and protect? Where do we need modifications? How can we help one another to enable our best work? “Conversation with the Chancellor” forums will be held at Grossmont from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Monday, March 23 in Griffin Gate, and from 11:30 to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25 in Griffin Gate. Light refreshments will be served.

  

CULINARY ARTS DEPARTMENT DINNERS

The Culinary Arts Dept. will host on Thursday evenings from now through mid-May a five-course dinner prepared by culinary students. Cost is $15 per person. Funds will help raise money for travel expenses for students to compete in state and national culinary competitions, as well as maintain kitchen equipment and purchase supplies. The dinners will features appetizer (soup or salad), intermezzo (palate cleanser), entree, dessert and coffee service. Vegetarian meals also are available. Dinner service will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 19 and 26, April 2, 16, 23, 30 and May 7 and 14, at the Culinary Arts patio dining area near the Student Center. Dinners will not be served on April 9, which is spring recess week. Reservations can be made by phoning Michele Martens at (619) 644-7550 or 644-7549, or by e-mail at michele.martens@gcccd.edu. Space is limited and some dates may already be full.  

WALK OF FAME NEEDS YOUR NAMES

The Grossmont College Foundation is seeking nominations for its 2009 Walk of Fame Alumni Award. The Walk of Fame, located on the Main Quad area, is a display of several bronze plaques embedded in concrete that feature names of previous distinguished alumni. Nominees must have completed a minimum of 12 units at Grossmont College, earned a minimum 2.0 grade point average and contributed significant achievements and leadership in their field. Deadline for submission of entries is 4 p.m. on Monday, March 23. Names can be submitted via e-mail to Ernest Ewin, or call Alexis Popko for a nomination form at the Foundation office at ext. 7109. New honorees are expected to be announced in May. The Foundation’s efforts help fund scholarships, facility improvements and educational supplies, equipment and programs. The Walk of Fame program began in 1989. Among the 18 previous Walk of Fame recipients are medical researchers, political advocates, artists, athletes and community leaders.

MAKING HEADLINES

-- Kellie Watson of the Lady Griffins softball team was recently profiled as perhaps the youngest student-athlete to make her collegiate softball starting pitching debut. She is age 16. Read about her at: http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=918927.

-- Dr. Sunny Cooke was recently quoted in an MSNBC story about high enrollment at community colleges. Read the story at URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29375476/

  

UPCOMING EVENTS

      March is National Nutrition Month. Student Health Services is celebrating the month with several activities:

v  The 2009 theme is “Eat Right.” Information is available at Health Services.

v  Smoking Cessation meetings are held every Monday from 11 a.m. to noon in the ASGC Board room.

v  “Walk the Walk, Talk the Walk,” consisting of a 30-minute walk and talk with a nurse from Health Services will start at noon on the track on Thursday, March 25.

      The International Club will host a fund-raiser from 5 to 10 p.m., Friday, March 13, at Shakey’s Pizza, located between WalMart and Macy’s at Grossmont Center. Customers presenting a flyer will have 25 percent of their food sales donated to the International Club. For information, contact Counseling, ext. 7841, or Barbara Clark, ext. 7209.

      The Theatre Arts Department will present “Metamorphoses,” a play adapted from the classic Ovid poem, on March 12, 13, 14, 18, 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday, March 14 and 21 at 2 p.m. at the Stagehouse Theatre. Admission is $10 per person and $9 for military and seniors. No one under age 10 will be admitted.

      The Hyde Art Gallery will present an art alumni exhibition from March 16 to 26, featuring 23 alumni artists and more than 40 pieces, including ceramics, paintings and photography. The opening event reception is scheduled to be held on the last day of the exhibition, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, March 26.

      The Community College League of California will present the Community College Leadership Summit on March 19 and 20 at the University of San Diego. The Community College Leadership Development Initiatives Foundation is holding this Summit to explore the current and future status of community college leadership development through a dialogue among community college and university leaders. It also will result in the identification of strategic directions for community college leadership development programs, as well as goals and outcomes to be achieved in partnership with UC and CSU schools and independent colleges and universities. For more information, visit www.ccleague.org.

      The Grossmont College Science Festival will be held Friday evening, March 20, and throughout the day on Saturday, March 21. Telescope viewings are planning for Friday. Hands-on science demonstrations and exhibits are planned for Saturday. The theme is “Pathways to Tomorrow.”

      Second eight-weeks session begins Monday, March 23. About 2,500 students are expected to enroll in about 100 different, short-session classes, which will begin on March 23 and will conclude about eight weeks later on May 22.

      The Career Center will host “Generational Clash in the Workplace,” a free adult reentry workshop, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, and from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, Room 627.

      The Cajon Valley Union School District’s 2nd annual Career Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, here at Grossmont. Approximately 2,400 eighth graders will be on campus throughout the day.

      We will host the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce First Friday Breakfast on Friday, April 3, at the Student Center. Breakfast begins at 7:15 a.m. This is an outstanding opportunity to promote your departments to our local East County business professionals. About 150 people are expected to attend. Register your department with Alexis Popko at the Grossmont College Foundation.  Space is limited and tables will be assigned on a first-come, first-register basis. In addition, volunteers are needed. The Foundation will cover the cost of breakfast only to department personnel pre-registered and participating in this event.

      The Grossmont College Health & Wellness Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15 in the Main Quad.

      The Brad Daluiso Golf Classic, benefiting the Grossmont College Foundation, will be held on Friday, May 8 at Sycuan Resort.  Volunteers are needed. There are a variety of exciting volunteer assignments ranging from beverage cart driver to putting contest judge. Faculty and staff are invited to lock-in your price and play at a reduced rate. Register and pay before April 3 to earn $150 off the regular foursome price of $800 (your price will be only $650). Individual golfers are eligible for a 12.5 percent discount and play for only $175. For more information on volunteering or playing, contact Alexis at extension 7109.

IN CONCLUSION

According to recent news reports, university and college admissions offices in California report unprecedented uncertainty and confusion about how the depressed economy and state budget cuts could affect fall enrollments. As a result, UCs and CSUs say they cannot rely this year on the traditional admission formulas that were used in the past that typically have helped them hit enrollment targets. What this means for Grossmont is that some of these nervous college applicants, who are on pins and needles awaiting acceptance or rejection letters, may show-up at our doors. So, there may be times over the next few weeks when we will be called upon to offer an extra measure of understanding to more than a few students. In addition, let me share with you a very enlightening letter received by one of our administrative staff. The letter made me very proud about our college.

I just wanted to share with you what one of my son’s friends said. He went to Grossmont for a year, then to Boise State for a year and a half, then came back to Grossmont for a semester and is now at Long Beach State. He said, “Grossmont has, by far, the hardest classes he has ever taken.” I said that maybe the other classes were easier because they were upper class courses. He said, “No, the instructors at Grossmont were more demanding and better.”

        Grossmont College will be an exhibitor at the Greater East County Chamber of Commerce Alliance 2009 Networking Trade Show at Cuyamaca College, June 17, 5:30 p.m.

President's News Burst for February 2009

BUDGET UPDATE

Although we were expecting news of a state budget resolution by today, as of the writing of this issue, there is no news from Sacramento.  We hope to have word within the next week so stay tuned.  For now, given no meaningful news, we continue to look for ways to serve the increased enrollment demands with less funds than we had last year.  Though we are only two weeks into the spring semester, our estimates are that Grossmont College will be running  roughly 150-160 less sections this year than we did last year.  Our department chairs and deans have worked closely with faculty to minimize the negative impacts of this but our students faced less options and less variety than last year.  As a district, we have frozen non-essential purchases and expenditures in order to prepare for reductions in this year as well as for the next couple of years.  The state has delayed our January and February apportionment until at least July 2009.  As we receive more news, we will pass it along to you.

PARKING UPDATE

We have made it through two difficult weeks of “start of the semester parking”.  As you will see from our enrollment umbers, below, we are dealing with record enrollment this semester.  As I asked of you last week, please make every effort to park at Gillespie Field, especially during these first difficult weeks of the semester. We are serving about 1,400 more students than last fall, and that translates to about 350 or more parking spaces needed at a time when we are already severely challenged with parking. So, please, please do your part to park at Gillespie or use alternative transportation to help us during this time.

For department managers who have student workers, please ask if they would be interested in parking at our Gillespie Field parking location.  We can provide them with Gillespie Field parking passes and still be in compliance with our “staff only” contractual obligations with the airport and shuttle service provider. 

If you have been given a special permit to park on campus this spring due to the requirements of your job, or due to the nature of your job, please park in those areas designated and reserved for you. We ask that you not take a student parking space. 

Your continued support is much appreciated!

  

ACCREDITATION UPDATE

The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), Western Association of Schools of Colleges, has issued its action letter based upon our October 2008 follow up report and the November site visit.  There is great news and there is great news!  The first bit of great news is that the Commission accepted our report and will await our October 2009 follow up report.  You may be asking – why is this great news?!  In this climate of increased accountability, the odds of the commission taking negative action was not in our favor.  That is, many colleges receive actions of warning or probation taken against them during a follow up process. 

The other great news is that the visiting team noted tremendous progress in SLOs and integration of planning which were reported in the October 2008 visit.  I would like to thank all of you for your work in those critical areas!  We will need to continue to make steady progress in those two areas through our mid-term report due October 2010. 

For the immediate term, teams are busily working on those recommendations that must be resolved by October 2009 in four specific areas:

Ø  Diversity in hiring and human resource planning.

Ø  Delegation of responsibility and authority to the president of the college, including clearly defined policies and procedures for the selection and evaluation of the president.

Ø  Regular and systematic review of functions and goals, including: (a) Goal Setting and self-evaluation by the Board of Trustees; (b) Evaluation of the District’s services to the college and its effectiveness as a liaison between the College and Board of Trustees.

Ø  Effective working relationships across the entire college community (college, district, board of trustees) The entire College community must work together for the good of the institution. 

A draft report on these four areas will be shared with our college’s governance groups for input and will be available on the college accreditation website by  April 2009. 

SMOKE-FREE, TOBACCO-FREE CAMPUS

Just a reminder that, by policy of the Governing Board, Grossmont College is a smoke-free, tobacco-free campus. GCCCD is the first multi-college district in the state to prohibit lighting up anywhere on its campuses or other district property, according to surveys by the American Lung Association and the California Youth Advocacy Network. Of the 110 community colleges in the state, GCCCD is among eight campuses that are 100 percent tobacco-free. A smoking cessation program is available at Student Health Services.

ENROLLMENT

Registration is continuing at a record pace for the Spring 2009 Semester. Census Day is Feb. 9. Enrollment is expected to be at the highest in our 48-year history! The enrollment numbers as of Friday, February 6 show an increase of about 7.9 percent in headcount (about 19,471 students) and a similar increase in units over spring 2008.

  

NEW CHANCELLOR

Dr. Cindy Miles, president of the Hialeah campus of Miami Dade College in Florida, will begin as the next GCCCD chancellor on March 1. Miles was chief operating officer from 1999 to 2001 of the League for Innovation in the Community College, a consortium of leading community colleges in the U.S. and Canada. She was V.P. for learning and academic affairs at the Community College of Denver from 2002 to 2005. She began her higher education career in 1989, teaching developmental mathematics at Paris Junior College in Texas, and spent more than a decade as a medical technologist. Miles holds a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Texas at Austin. She received her master’s degree in secondary and higher education from Texas A&M University, and her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Texas in Austin.

  

DR. SUAREZ’S RETIREMENT RECEPTION

The Governing Board is cordially inviting staff to attend a retirement reception for Chancellor Omero Suarez in celebration of his service and accomplishments. The reception will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday March 3, at the Sycuan Resort, Garden Room, 3007 Dehesa Road, El Cajon. Please RSVP to Jennifer Danks at ext. 7570, or e-mail: jennifer.danks@gcccd.edu.

  

WEB STAFF DIRECTORY

More than 600 of you already had your photograph taken for the Web Staff Directory. The Directory is expected to go live by the end of the semester. The faculty and staff directory will include a link to the page where a staff person’s photo appears. 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. Access to the Web Staff Directory will be available only over the Intranet.

  

HIGH SCHOOL OUTREACH

GC’s High School Outreach program is continuing to serve the East County region’s 12 feeder schools that are part of the Grossmont Union High School District. In addition, the program reaches out to selected “out-of-service” high schools, including Patrick Henry HS, San Diego City HS, Poway HS, Lincoln HS, Morse HS and some schools in the Sweetwater Union High School District in Chula Vista, Bonita, National City, San Ysidro and Otay Mesa.

This month, you will begin to see some regular visitors to our campus from Helix High School.  Approximately 180 10^th graders will be divided into four groups and will be on campus for tours and meetings from noon to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 18, 25 and March 4.

  

FINANCIAL AID FAFSA WORKSHOPS

GC’s Financial Aid Office is offering free workshops to help students complete their online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Workshops are held in the Tech Center, Room 70-103. Dates are Feb. 9,11,17,20,23,25,27 and March 2. Times vary. Presentations are made in English, Spanish and Arabic. To schedule an appointment, call 7129.

  

SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM

Two members of the Speech and Debate Team participated in the Southern California Urban Debate League Swing tournament held at CSU Fullerton on Jan. 24-25. Colton Salaz of Grossmont took 2nd place in Open Communication Analysis, 2nd and 3rd place in the Open Extemporaneous category, and 4th place in Open Poetry.

FEBRUARY IS HEART HEALTH MONTH

Student Health Services is noting Heart Health Month in February with several activities:

ü  National Wear Red Day is Friday, Feb. 6.

ü  A Blood Drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17, and Wednesday, Feb. 18 in the Main Quad.

ü  “Walk the Walk, Talk the Walk,” consisting of a 30-minute walk and talk with a nurse from Health Services will start at 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26.

UPCOMING EVENTS

      The Theatre Arts Department will present “Inside the Actor’s Process -- Comedy” in the Stagehouse Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, and at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7. Come and explore the intriguing world of the actor. This year’s theme of comedy demonstrates the physical tools of acting and character development.  Admission is $5 per person.

      The Spring Scholarship Awards Breakfast will be held this Saturday, Feb. 7, starting at 9:30 a.m. in the Student Center. The event is hosted by the Grossmont College Foundation and the Scholarship Department.

      To mark the first anniversary of the opening of our new state-of-the-art sculpture facility, the Hyde Art Gallery will host “Forms in Metal,” a group exhibit of contemporary metalwork through Feb. 26. An opening reception will be held on Feb. 10 from 7 to 9 p.m. The exhibit features the work of 17 artists engaged in the production of metal objects of utility, ceremony and ornament. “Forms in Metal” explores the means by which each artist manipulates metal and makes use of it as a vehicle to convey a wide range of personal experiences, concerns, interests and ideas.

      Black History Month will be celebrated with a performance of the Afro-Cuban Ensemble, Hip-Hop Dancers and the GC Student Gospel Choir on Feb. 12, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Main Quad. Also scheduled is the Black History Month Gospel Festival on Friday, Feb. 27, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Room 220.

      Culinary Arts Dinners are starting soon!  Dinners will be held every Thursdays @ 5:30 p.m., starting February 26^th – May 14^th.  Cost is $15 per person.  Please contact Michele Martens @ x7549 to make your reservation!

  

RECENT HONORS AND RECOGNITION

      Dr. Sunny Cooke was recently quoted on MSNBC’s website about the crisis currently facing California’s community colleges over budgeting and enrollment. View a short segment of the story at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28940772/.

      The Office Professional Training (OPT) program recently held a graduation ceremony for its class of Fall 2008, which consisted of 29 students. At the event, attendees heard inspiring success stories of major life changes that have occurred as a result of this intense, challenging program that is offered through the Business Office Technology Department. The OPT program transforms lives by providing educational training and support services that empowers unemployed students to compete in a high technology environment. 

President's News Burst for December 2008

BUDGET CRUNCH

Don't be fooled!  California’s budget crisis is real.  And nationally, we are officially in a recession expected to last through 2009.  Because revenues have not been sufficient to cover public expenditures, resulting in an $28-billion shortfall, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed billions of dollars in spending cuts, most of them aimed at the state’s already beleaguered schools, colleges and universities.  The governor has proposed slashing about $330 million from community college budgets.  GCCCD is expecting a mid-year give-back to the state totaling $5.1 million.  At this point, it is anticipated that GCCCD will have to cut an additional $2.4-$2.7 million on top of the $2.7 million already set aside for the predicted give-back early on during out 2008/09 budget planning.  Higher education, like the financial markets, may be facing a dire, major correction. 

The Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) responded to the Governor’s cut to community colleges by recommending increases to student tuition and specific reductions in state reimbursement for selected courses.  The LAO recommended a tuition increase from $20 to $26 this January and another increase to $30 effective in July 2009.  The other suggestion was to reduce reimbursement for courses in exercise science, art, music, dance and the like.  Only one thing is certain at this time, there will be much discussion at the state level before agreement on an approach is reached to balance the state's revenue/spending issues.

It is unlikely that the newly constituted Legislature will successfully tackle the budget problem this month. There are 25 new legislators (15 Democrat, 10 Republican). The Community College League of California says that the new legislators know the state has a serious problem and want to take action, but their approach to action could not be farther apart.

In order to live within our means and ensure solvency and long-term fiscal health, several steps are currently under consideration, including reducing the number of sections with low enrollments and reducing hours of operations for some student services along with existing hiring and travel freezes.  The reality is that the budget constraints will mean an ongoing emphasis on achieving efficiencies, different ways of doing business, including trade-offs that allow us to serve the increased student demand with very limited funds.  Unfortunately, this is not a good time for cutting higher education’s budgets. The unemployment rate in San Diego County has grown to 6.8 percent. In response, people are enrolling in California’s community colleges in record numbers, and the demand for us to provide a high-quality education is growing. Our goal is to preserve classroom instruction and services to students. Your support is appreciated as we tighten our belts and weather these uncertain economic times.

  

CHANCELLOR CANDIDATES

Two finalists have been announced for the position of Chancellor, Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District. They are: Cindy Miles, Ph.D., President, Hialeah Campus, Miami Dade College, Florida, and Mark Zacovic, Ph.D., interim Vice President Administrative Services, Pasadena Area Community College District, California.  Both candidates are scheduled to appear at public forums in the Student Center -- Dr. Miles at 8:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10, and Dr. Zacovic at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11.  Please mark your calendars!

Miles has been president of the Hialeah Campus since its founding in 2005 as the seventh campus of Miami Dade College. Before assuming the presidency of the Hialeah Campus, Miles served as vice president for learning and academic affairs at the Community College of Denver from 2002 to 2005. Zacovic is a 23-year veteran of the California Community College system. He has served in various capacities at Santa Barbara City College, Lake Tahoe Community College, interim president of Santiago Community College District, and superintendent/president at Mt. San Jacinto Community College District. Most recently, he assisted two districts in an interim capacity: as vice president of administrative services at Contra Costa Community College District for 10 months, and currently, as vice president of administrative services at Pasadena City College/Pasadena Area CCD on an 11-month assignment.

CARE/ASGC HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

Our Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) program, which serves several hundred Grossmont College students who are single parents receiving public assistance, is hosting a holiday party at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5 at the Student Center. We need volunteers to assist with the party and donations of canned food, unwrapped toys, gift baskets and gift cards for distribution at the party to school-age children below age 17. We are expecting more than 100 children to attend along with their single parents. If you can help, contact Brenda Flores at 7698 or Sonia Smith-Ramsey at 7552. Canned food donations can be delivered to the ASGC office.

  

CHILD DEVELOPMENT STUDENT ASSOCIATION HOLIDAY DRIVE

Every year, the Grossmont College Child Development Student Association spearheads the “SHARING for the HOLIDAYS” drive, asking your participation in raising funds to help buy food and gas gift cards that will be given to some of our most needed students and their families.  Thanks to the generous support of our faculty and staff we have been able to help about 10 to 12 families every holiday season.  We hope to accomplish that goal once again!  Your generosity will empower some of our students to better provide for the necessities of their loved ones during the holidays.  Your gift will make a difference in a child’s life. Your gift, in the form of a check, can be mailed to the club advisor, Sonia Gaiane.  Please make your check payable to “Sharing for the Holidays Trust Fund.” Our deadline is December 8.  A special thank you note will be sent to you with our Internal Revenue exemption code to be used for income tax records.  We wish you multiple returns for your generosity.

GROSSMONT-CUYAMACA EARNS HONORS FROM GROUP

A state educational group focused on increasing college participation has recognized two programs in the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District (GCCCD). Two of the 15 programs recently recognized by the Campaign for College Opportunity are from GCCCD, including: The Cal-PASS Freshman Composition Alignment Project which Micah Jendian, Ryan Griffith and others participated in, aligns courses between high school, community college and four-year universities in the state; and Project Success Learning Communities, led by Sue Jensen, which helps students move from basic skills courses into college-level course work. Students are taught in back-to-back linked courses that allow them to establish a strong support group of peers. The Campaign for College Opportunities reviewed 102 community college and university programs across California and selected 15 for their quality and innovation.

GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT

The Smoking Cessation Committee reports that 174 people attended the recent Great American Smokeout event, with 32 people committing to quit for one day and four people actually handed over their cigarettes to be thrown out. Everyone was provided with information about the smoking cessation program available from Student Health Services, and two new smoke-free campus banners were unveiled. On Jan. 1, 2009, it shall be the policy of the Governing Board to prohibit smoking and tobacco use on all property owned or controlled by the District.

  

WACC COMMITTEE

The World Arts & Cultures Committee is accepting funding requests for special events to be held in the Spring 2009 Semester. Deadline for funding requests to Alba Orr, committee chair, is Dec. 19.

  

PARKING UPDATE

As we prepare to wrap up this fall semester, I want to thank everyone for their cooperation and assistance with our Students First campaign. The efforts were truly amazing and we accommodated the second largest fall enrollment in Grossmont’s history with 800 less parking spaces. We are halfway there, with only the spring semester separating us from completing the parking structure and being able to maximize parking needs on campus. Here are some important dates to keep in mind: 

·         Dec. 15, 2008, faculty and staff can begin parking on soccer field

·         Dec. 18, 2008, last day of shuttle service for fall semester

·         Dec. 19, 2008, all faculty and staff can resume parking on campus. Shuttle service discontinued until start of spring semester.

·         Jan. 23, 2009, last day to park on campus without special permits

·         Jan. 26, 2009, shuttle service resumes, all faculty and staff asked to park off campus unless a special permit has been authorized.

·         May 29, 2009, last day of shuttle service and off-campus parking.

CONVOCATION ON JANUARY 20, 2009 – NEW START TIME!

The Spring 2009 Convocation will begin at approximately 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 20. Brunch food items will be served. A later start time has been scheduled so that interested individuals can watch the U.S. presidential inauguration, which will begin at 9 a.m. Pacific time.  Faculty and staff will be able to watch the proceedings from the Student Center and Griffin Gate.

Whether you decide to sleep in or watch the historic event, please join us between 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. as we share brunch with colleagues and friends and begin Convocation.  The day’s activities have been carefully planned to include an all-college activity from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.  Staff, please check with your supervisor to ensure critical services can be provided during this busy day.

  

UPCOMING EVENTS

      The Grossmont College Symphony Orchestra will present “Mother Russia,” a musical program featuring the performance of Pyoltr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony #4 in F minor and others selections from Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky and Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich, starting at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, at the East County Performing Arts Center. Also performing will be contralto soloist Martha Jane Howe, a Grossmont College faculty member. Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, $11 for students and free for children ages 12 and under with a paid adult admission.

      You can support the International Student Scholarship Fund by buying a CD with piano music performed by our very own International Student Counselor Drew Massicot. Drew will be playing in the Student Center from noon to 1 p.m., Dec. 8-11. His piano solo CDs, “My Gift to You” (Christmas pieces), “For Your Love,” “Feel the Spirit,” and “Music from the Heart,” will be available for $10 each.

      The Adult Reentry Program will host “Get Your Life on Track,” a free informational meeting for adults interested in retraining for new jobs and careers, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9, in Griffin Gate. Speakers will include former students who successfully returned to the classroom, along with information on admission procedures, transfer programs and financial aid.

      A reception to welcome returning Governing Board member Bill Garrett and new Governing Board member May Kay Rosinski will be held following the Board Meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9 in Griffin Gate.

      The Grossmont College Afro-Cuban Ensemble, and Afro-Cuban Combo, under the direction of Derek Cannon, will be performing Tuesday, December 9th, at 7:30 pm at the Cuyamaca College Theatre. Admission is free for Faculty/Staff, $5 for the general public and $3 for seniors.

      A team of approximately 15-17 legislative staffers from Sacramento will be campus on Wednesday, Dec. 10, to tour the campus and meet faculty, staff and students to hear about successes and challenges.

      A send off gathering for Dr. Roger Owens will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, in the Hyde Art Gallery.  Music will be performed by Fred Benedetti. For information, contact Janet Carter at 7155.

      A year-end celebration will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17, in the Administrative Quad and College Conference room. There will be a chili cook-off with prizes awarded to the top  winners in three different categories. If you are interested in participating in the cook-off, please contact Alba Orr at 7623. Dessert and beverages will be provided.

RECENT HONORS AND RECOGNITION

      Carl Fielden, Jr., Learning Disabilities Specialist Coordinator, Assistive Technology Center, recently gave a presentation at the 20th annual International Conference on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, held in Anaheim. Carl spoke on “Healthy Helicopter Parenting: Preparing a College-Ready Independent (Rather than Dependent) Young Adult.”

      Kaiser Permanente has announced that six Grossmont nursing students will share $14,500 in scholarship money. Kaiser also gave scholarship money to nursing students from Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego City College and Imperial Valley College. Scholarships were primarily based on financial need to assist individuals who are pursuing nursing degrees, Kaiser said.

      The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) board of directors has honored five Grossmont nursing students with Richard Bea RN Memorial Nursing Scholarship awards. Richard Bea was a former Grossmont Hospital nurse and GHD board member.

      The Grossmont/Cuyamaca Speech and Debate Team participated in two recent tournaments. The team was presented with the 3rd Team Sweepstakes Award.

      Grossmont College’s own KGFN radio station participated in the recent San Diego Blood Bank’s Chargers Blood Drive, held Nov. 25 at the Town and Country Resort Hotel & Convention Center in Mission Valley. The 30th annual Chargers Blood Drive was presented by San Diego County Credit Union.

President's News Burst for November 2008

ELECTION RESULTS

With results from 100 percent of the precincts, Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board President Bill Garrett won reelection for Seat #3 with 81 percent of the vote over challenger Moe Bakeer (90,872 to 20,769 votes), and teacher/career educator Mary Kay Rosinksi, a 38-year resident of El Cajon, defeated incumbent Timothy Caruthers (68.73 to 31.63 percent, 79,828 to 36,923 votes). Caruthers, a practicing chiropractor for 22 years, was first elected to the board in 1996, and then reelected in 2000 and 2004. A former Grossmont student, Caruthers served several times as a board officer, including board president in 2003.

ACCJC ACCREDITATION

Two members of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accreditation team visited our campus this week. Dr. James Hottois, Superintendent-President at Palo Verde College, and Dr. Ronald Harlan, Dean of Instructional Services at Glendale Community College, had previously been here on campus for another accreditation visit in 2007. During their recent visit, they addressed four recommendations from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC). The recommendations that were addressed: #1. Diversity in hiring; #2. SLO progress; #3. Streamlining the institutional planning process; and #4. Excellent working relationships across the District. They expressed their appreciation for the enormous amount of work done by the college and district to address the four areas.  But given the current climate for accreditation, they urged us to continue to make steady progress in these areas. Their assessment will be sent to the commission for action at its January 2009 meeting.

PARKING UPDATE

A recent evaluation of available parking spaces on campus has resulted in changing the afternoon start time when faculty and staff are able to park on campus. Faculty and staff can now park in any student or staff parking lot on campus after 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday, as well as all day Friday.  In addition, in order to encourage parking on the soccer field, faculty and staff parking off-site will randomly be selected for soccer permits as well as a $25 gift certificates in daily/weekly drawings. All faculty and staff can park on campus from Dec. 19, 2008, through Jan. 23, 2009. Students are still encouraged to park on campus instead of local surrounding neighborhood streets. Unfortunately, some of our students who park on the residential streets have not been as tidy as they should have been. So, members of ASGC, as well as a crew of Grossmont instructors, have recently participated in several trash pick-up trips through the nearby neighborhoods.

BUDGET UPDATE

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has told state education leaders that he will push for a tax hike and deep cuts to schools to help close the state’s budget gap. Educators also have been told to prepare for immediate cuts in the range of $5 billion. A special session has been called this week to tackle the state’s rapidly developing budget crisis. The special session will consider both revenue/tax increases and spending cuts.  Community College advocates are arguing that one of the most important strategies the state can use is to keep the state’s job training engine moving by funding the existing enrollment in community colleges. Few expect the lame-duck special session will produce any miracles. Stay tuned.

CAREER EXPO

Grossmont’s 30th annual Career Expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19. The theme is “Take the Lead.” More than 120 exhibitors will be available to network with job seekers, who are encouraged to dress up and bring copies of their resume. For a complete listing of exhibitors, visit www.grossmont.edu/jobplacement. Presenting sponsors include the ASGC, Grossmont College Foundation, Sharp HealthCare, UPS and Wells Fargo. At 11 a.m., awards will be presented to sponsors by Carol LeBeau and Kimberly Hunt of KGTV/10News. The Career Expo is part of Career Week, which will feature free clinics on resume and cover letter writing, interviewing tips and salary negotiations. For more event information, call the Career Center at (619) 644-7614 or Student Employment Services at (619) 644-7611.

ROCK THE PAGE

The Creative Writing Department will host “Rock The Page,” an all-day creative write-a-thon fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 8, in Griffin Gate. The fundraiser is open to the public. Cost to participate is a minimum donation of $50, which includes lunch, an “I Rocked The Page” t-shirt and prize opportunities. For pledge sheets and more information, phone Grossmont College English instructors Sydney Brown at x7523, or Stephanie Mood at x7495. Attendees will be invited to spend the day writing in four genres, including fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction and drama. Proceeds from the event will be used to pay for the college’s Literary Arts Festival, to be held April 20 to May 1, 2009. Scheduled speakers at next year’s Literary Arts Festival include Dani Dodge, East County bureau editor of the San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper, and Jimmy Santiago Baca, an award-winning poet and author who learned to read and write while incarcerated in the Arizona prison system on drug charges.

  

GALA SUMMARY

The Grossmont College Foundation reports 340 people attended its recent seventh annual Dinner Auction and Gala, held Oct. 25 at the Hilton San Diego Resort, and helped raised about $130,000. “Imagine the Possibilities” was this year’s theme. Co-chairs were Judy Garrett and Beverly Wight. Speakers discussed the outstanding ongoing charitable work by the Grossmont College Foundation and the recently announced Osher Initiative for California Community Colleges, which is a perpetual matching endowment fund for scholarships. Many thanks to our corporate sponsors, college faculty, staff and volunteers. 

  

PRESIDENT’S LEADERSHIP AWARD NOMINATIONS DUE ON NOVEMBER 14

Nominations for the President’s Leadership Award and Chancellor’s Classified Senate Quarterly Award are both due on Friday, Nov. 14. The Leadership Award will be announced during the Spring 2009 Flex Week. Nominations of full-time administrative staff and other individuals in leadership positions at Grossmont College may be submitted by any member of the college community who has personal and direct knowledge of the nominee’s work, and who can comment on the unique and outstanding characteristics in support of the nominee’s excellent service to the students, faculty and staff. For the Classified Senate Quarterly Award, anyone may nominate any classified employee. The award celebrates a classified employee with recognition for outstanding work.

  

SPIRIT WEEK

ASGC will host a variety of activities during Spirit Week. Activities will be held at various times on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 11-13, leading up to the final regular season football game at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15 on campus. The Nov. 15 game vs. Saddleback has playoff implications. Spirit Week activities are expected to include pep rallies with football players, cheerleaders and Gizmo the mascot, as well as other events designed to generate enthusiasm and school pride among students, including a root-beer drinking contest and wet t-shirt contest.

  

AOJ INTERN ON NATIONAL TV

A Grossmont College Administration of Justice student with dreams of becoming a real-life CSI recently had a turn on nationwide TV – not on the popular CBS series, but on the NBC morning show, Today, interviewed in studio by co-anchor Matt Lauer. Gabrielle Wimer, a forensic technology student, was featured for her remarkable sleuthing as an intern for the San Diego Police Department. Assigned to go through hundreds of unsolved murder cases, her attention was drawn to one in particular: the brutal 1972 stabbing of Vietnam vet and postal worker Jerry Jackson. Detectives recovered fingerprint evidence, but without a national database to check, no match was made and the case eventually was shelved. When Wimer, 24, came across the case, the sheer volume of evidence prompted her to wonder what hidden information could be uncovered using modern-day technology. Her hunch paid off some three or four months later, when the FBI made a match of the prints she had requested to be sent through the agency’s database.  In mid-October, a 60-year-old man was arrested as a suspect in the stabbing death.

RECENT HONORS AND RECOGNITION

      Following a site visit in late October, the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission has recommended an initial accreditation for the Grossmont College School of Nursing. The initial accreditation is the first step in the process toward securing a five-year accreditation, which is expected to be announced in January 2009.

      Grossmont’s Foster Adoptive and Kinship Care Education Program is a partner with the County of San Diego Adoptions Agency. The County recently was honored with the 2008 Adoptions Excellence Award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for its support of adoptive families.

      Sunny Cooke has been named to the East County YMCA board of directors. The East County YMCA operates the John A. Davis Family YMCA in La Mesa, the Cameron Family YMCA in Santee, and the McGrath Family YMCA Sports Complex in Rancho San Diego. The East County YMCA is dedicated to improving the quality of human life and to helping all people realize their fullest potential as children of God through the development of spirit, mind and body.

      Joe Orate, Culinary Arts, competed against about 400 other individuals and earned an individual bronze medal in the fruit and vegetable carving category at the recent International Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany. Four Grossmont students traveled to Germany with Orate and Carrie Clay, Associate Dean/ROP, to assist in the preparation of the entry. They included Ana Lilia Hernandez, Carmen Reyes, Susan Demers and Modie Moore. Orate’s entry included turnip and radish flowers, squash, cucumbers, melons and beets carved into grapes. The Culinary Olympics, held every four years, drew about competitors from 52 countries.

      James Foran, Culinary Arts, participated for his fourth consecutive year at the recent “Celebrate the Craft” fundraiser held at The Lodge in Torrey Pines. The event matches local growers with many of San Diego’s most acclaimed chefs. Foran created a dessert using melons grown on a Temecula farm. Proceeds benefit Slow Food, an international organization dedicated to promoting ecologically sound food production.

      Grossmont’s Office Professional Training (OPT) program was highlighted in a San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper article published on Monday, Nov. 3. The article discussed greater enrollment for vocational programs at community colleges.

      Rick Griffin, interim director of the College and Community Relations Office, was a recipient of a business writing award from the San Diego Press club at its recent Excellence in Journalism Awards program. It was Griffin’s four consecutive year and seventh out of the last eight for winning a San Diego Press Club writing award.