Kentfield Campus
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CLOSING REMARKS – CONVOCATION, Friday, January 18, 2008 The week of Convocation was marked by a palpable spirit of cooperation and positive forward movement among the majority of faculty and staff. Those who attended the Program Review Boot Camp on Wednesday and Thursday felt it. Many of you commented on the sense of excitement, enthusiasm, and persistence that marked the event. I would like to thank the Boot Camp’s heroic organizers for their outstanding efforts: Yolanda Bellisimo, Melody Creel, Kathleen Kirkpatrick, Dong Nguyen, Derek Wilson, and Blaze Woodlief. This month’s discouraging budget news out of Sacramento reminds me of a song by the Rolling Stones titled “You can’t always get what you want.” The current budget crisis reaches across the state and College of Marin will not be insulated from its effects. Because we rely on local property tax revenues, the housing and mortgage meltdown will hurt the college. In addition, we will likely see fewer dollars in 2008-2009 for our categorical programs that are supported by state funding. Worse yet, Governor Schwarzenegger is asking for a $40 million mid-year cut from community colleges. Because the Community College League of California (CCLC) and the State Chancellor’s Office are mounting an effort to defeat the mid-year cuts, the impact on local districts is yet to be determined. We will not know the details of the tentative budget that the legislature will be voting on until April or May. Even then, there may be a protracted fight, leaving the state without a final budget until late summer, which makes budget planning especially challenging. Despite great uncertainty, colleges must plan and develop budgets for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. At COM we must plan our budget in such a way that we maintain fiscal stability without having to implement budget cuts. In order to adopt a tentative budget by the June 30th Education Code deadline, our budget development process will focus on projected revenues that take into consideration lower property tax projections, a serious state budget deficit, and projected expenditures. Hard copies of the 2007-2008 budget are available by contacting Betty Schlaepfer (ext. 7502) or Kathy Joyner (ext. 8101). In addition to the new state budget crisis, the Marin Community College District faces other longer-standing pressures including the bond modernization program, new technology, the recommendations of the Grand Jury Report, and last but not least, WASC. In terms of our accreditation status, we are well on our way to completing the last WASC requirement, which is Program Review. I had an opportunity to meet with the 25-person Accrediting Commission two weeks ago. At the meeting, several of the commissioners expressed doubts that COM would complete its program reviews. I was reminded (by the commissioners) that COM has had 21 years to accomplish this task. “What is different this time?” I was asked. I pointed out that under the current faculty, staff, administrative and Board of Trustees’ leadership, there is a fresh resolve to comply with all WASC standards and recommendations. I informed them that contrary to some beliefs, COM does not wish to lose its accreditation due to a lack of responsibility and accountability regarding WASC recommendations. They seemed satisfied with the documentation I gave them as well as with my responses. Of course, I can’t predict what they will do. The Accrediting Commission answers solely to the Department of Education in Washington, D.C. Whatever the outcome, we should remember that dedicated people on our campus stepped up to the plate this time to secure our institution’s future. By completing Program Review and using the data that has been collected, we will be able to more effectively plan for COM’s future and better integrate our planning process and budgetary needs. In order to achieve further improvements in planning and budgeting, the college now needs to develop a Strategic Plan. On a recent visit, the Accrediting Team expressed concern that the college did not have an annual process to update the Educational Master Plan Goals. In response to this concern, the Institutional Planning Committee and the Education Planning Sub-Committee will design a process this spring semester. The Strategic Plan will be shaped by external and internal factors, and by qualitative and quantitative data. It will inform college master planning into the future. Our community is changing and our college is changing. Change is hard. The College of Marin’s mission statement promises students educational access and success in transfer, workforce education/training, basic skills/ESL and lifelong learning. An institution’s mission statement is a contract with the public and its students. We are a diverse community in the most diverse state in the nation. If we are going to achieve our mission, we must be inclusive and respectful of diversity, and not settle for less. Our students must be our number one priority whether they are here for transfer, workforce training, basic skills/ESL or lifelong learning. I know that most of you fully support the college’s mission statement. I ask you all to reaffirm that commitment, to help all students who come through our doors to achieve their educational dreams now and into the future, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status. In other arenas, our Modernization Program is moving forward with six building projects in design and a groundbreaking scheduled for the first week in March; we are implementing new technology that will provide more efficiency in our daily work lives, while providing more access and information to students, faculty and staff; we are stabilizing enrollment at Kentfield and experiencing enrollment growth at IVC; and our Audit Reports have been extremely positive for the management of our general, categorical and bond funds. According to the auditors, we demonstrate best practices in sound financial management. After 21 years, Program Review is on track, and we’re planning for the future.Are we perfect? No. But our efforts to become a first-choice institution for students and the community remain our first priority. We should never stop asking the question, “How can I help students succeed?” Only by pursuing our mission and helping students be successful will we make COM an institution of first choice for students now and for generations to come. Maintaining a “students first” philosophy in college decision-making and planning is the real key to success as an educational institution. I appreciate all you have done to serve our students. Thank you and keep up the good work! Budget FAQ: Budget Reserve How much of a budget reserve does COM have? COM’s reserve is currently at 7.6%. For the 07-08 budget year COM has a projected budget reserve of $3,429,120. Why does COM have a reserve? Since the College of Marin is a “basic aid” district, a sizable reserve is required to protect the college from unforeseen events. The revenue from taxes in a fluctuating real estate market is less predictable than the guarantee of state apportionment that non-basic aid districts receive. For that reason, basic aid districts generally maintain a fiscal reserve in excess of state minimum guidelines in order to soften the possible effect of local property taxes plummeting due to an unexpected downturn in the real estate market or other factors. How is the amount of the reserve determined? The state recommends a minimum reserve of 5%. COM’s reserve is currently projected at 7.6%. A prudent contingency reserve is at least equal to the current-year differential between a district’s basic aid revenue and the state’s funding formula guarantee. The Grand Jury recommended that the college have a reserve of more than 30% to cover expenses in the event that the district falls out of basic aid status. At its monthly meeting in October 2007, the COM Board of Trustees adopted a resolution addressing Reserve Operating Principles and Guidelines, which established a minimum reserve of no less than 7.6% and, to the extent possible, a target of achieving a 17% reserve over time. Changes at IVC Over the next few months people on the IVC campus will be seeing many changes underway in preparation for construction and expanding enrollment at IVC. Please excuse the “dust” and any inconvenience, but we’re all excited about the fresh paint, some cleaned up floors and the many new computers. A special thanks goes to everyone in Bob Thompson’s area who have stepped forward to assist in this undertaking – this is another group that performs in spite of rain, sleet or hale!! What to Expect Parking lots 1 and 2 will be closed within the next couple of months as we begin projects related to the bond program. By late spring, the Auto programs will be packing to move to their temporary home west of IVC Corp. Yard, and Environmental Landscape program’s new greenhouse and shade structure will start construction, also west of the IVC Corp. Yard. IT Network cabling and upgraded electrical systems are being installed in the library, a new “smart” classroom where general lecture classes have been scheduled, and in Room #144 in Miwok to create a fully equipped computer-assisted classroom. In addition, a new Student Resource Career Center is being created in building 17 (the old library) where approximately 18+ new computers and a dozen older computers will serve students for lab hours for all IVC programs, including Multimedia, CIS, Networking, and general open lab. The new Internet Café space will also be located in building 17 to expand student gathering and study areas, and a new TechPrep Career office will share the student resource space that will include the Math and English labs. Heads up--the Xerox machine has been moved out of Pomo 101 and is now located in the staff and faculty mailroom in the Administration Center. Finally, during the next few months, the much anticipated equipment for the Marin Simulation Center will be arriving. The equipment will be set up for a fully-functioning Simulation Center that will be housed in Pomo 188, 180 and 186. We’re looking forward to an Open House where all our students, staff, faculty, and community will have the opportunity to see these remarkable robots in action—more to come!
Support Needed Two beloved long-time COM employees, Mary and Jean Felix Galzagorry, recently had a fire in their Novato home. Mary works as a custodian in the LRC building and Jean Felix works as a custodian in Dickson hall. For those who would like to help, Margaret Elliot from COMF has started a support fund to help them with their expenses in this time of need. To contribute, take your check directly to the COMF office in Fusselman Hall, or send it to COMF via campus mail. Best wishes to Mary and Jean Felix.
COM Athletics Men’s Basketball 1/23: COM v. Contra Costa at San Pablo, 7:30 p.m. 1/25: COM v. Alameda at Kentfield, 7:00 p.m. Women’s Basketball 1/23: COM v. Yuba at Kentfield, 7:00 p.m. 1/25: COM v. Los Medanos at Pittsburgh, 5:30 p.m. Baseball 1/25: COM v. Fresno City at Fresno 6:00 p.m. 1/26: COM v. San Jose City at Fresno, 11:00 a.m. COM v. Modesto College at Fresno, 2:30 p.m.
The Student Affairs Office will be hosting Welcome Week Welcome week activities will be held during the first week of spring semester classes beginning January 22 through January 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Apple Education Savings Program College has its advantages. Apple and College of Marin now make it easy for students, faculty and staff save on the latest Mac computers and more with Apple education discounts. Apple Education Savings Program benefits:
Visit: www.apple.com/edu/marin or call 1-800-MY-APPLE
International Film Festival The COM Department of Modern Languages presents the First Annual College of Marin International Film Festival, featuring films that represent the foreign languages taught at the College. Each film will be introduced by an individual who teaches that language. The following features, which are FREE and open to the Marin County community, will be shown on Fridays at 7 p.m. in Olney Hall 96. For additional information, call (415) 485-9348 (x7348).
Upcoming June Yokell, Outreach Assistant, has a one person show featuring her recent oil paintings at the Mill Valley Community Center. The event is scheduled through January 30. Performing Arts Department Schedule Music For additional information on any of the following Music Department productions, Contemporary Opera Marin Contemporary Opera Marin presents Homegrown 2 - more operas by Marin County composers, Broken Jukebox by COM faculty member Tara Flandreau, and two works by Tiburon composer Ron McFarland: Tamsen Donner and his micro opera, The Audition of Molly Bloom. Paul Smith is director of the production. The performances will be in the Fine Arts Building on Saturday, January 26, at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, January 27, at 2 p.m. Admission is $10 general and $5 for students, staff, seniors, and alumni. A Performing Arts Department combined production of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be offered on February 29, March 1, 7, 8, 14, and 15 at 8 p.m. and March 9 and 16 at 2 p.m. in the Fine Arts Theatre. This production will be directed by James Dunn, with musical direction by Tara Flandreau and choreography by Sandra Tanner. It is set to the music of Felix Mendelssohn and will be performed by the COM Orchestra. Tickets are $18 for general and $15 for students, seniors, COM staff, and alumni. For reserved seating, please call the box office at (415) 485-9385. Have a great week! Frances L. White, Ph.D. Superintendent/President President's Monday Briefing webpage Technical Contact: Nicole Cruz, Admin. Assist., 415-485-9648 x7648 Content Responsible: Cathy Summa-Wolfe, Dir. of Communications & Community Relations, 415-485-9528 |
College of Marin is fully accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. College of Marin serves approximately 9000 credit and noncredit students each spring and fall semester.
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For any member of the community seeking accommodations for the disabled, please contact (415) 485-9340. College of Marin students seeking academic adjustments should contact (415) 485-9406.