Weekly News Brief | January 22, 2021
From the Office of Chancellor John Weispfenning, Ph.D.

After the violence we witnessed on January 6, I am grateful that the national transfer of power came to a peaceful conclusion. It is my hope that peace will continue to prevail, and I look forward to working closely with our state and national delegations to limit further spread of COVID-19 and address the issues facing our country.

My thanks and congratulations to the team at Orange Coast College for setting up a testing site for all District students, faculty, and staff. In addition to supporting our essential on-site programs, this will also allow athletic teams to train and compete per association guidelines.

Additionally, I commend the diligent work of the team at Golden West College for identifying the source of recent power outages – and working to partially restore power with the hope to have all power reliably restored soon. Though online instruction has continued, this outage is an unwelcome disruption to our limited on-site operations. Thanks again to faculty, staff, and managers for your resiliency.

As we near the retirement of President Adrian at Coastline College, I also commend the constituency groups for putting together a search committee representing a broad range of college and community voices. More about the committee and the search can be found here (Link outdated).

Change continues to be our one sure companion for this academic year. Your resiliency has made all the difference for our students. They rely on your persistence and determination as we tackle each new challenge.

Be well,

 John

John Weispfenning, Ph.D.
Chancellor

Report from the Board of Trustees

On Wednesday, January 20, the Board of Trustees met in the first regular session of 2021. Chancellor Weispfenning and Vice Chancellor Andy Dunn spoke to Governor Newsom's latest budget proposal and the state budget process. Generally, brighter revenue projections are leading discussions about the state mitigating potential funding deferrals and cuts. Though significant uncertainty remains, one-time funds may also be available to address specific priorities of state leadership. Chancellor Weispfenning presented several District goals and ongoing efforts that address state priorities.

Vice Chancellor Dunn also presented on the status of Measure M projects, noting a milestone as bond proceeds have been fully exhausted and major projects reach completion. The Student Union at Orange Coast College is the latest project to signal completion.

Vice Chancellor Andreea Serban introduced an item on competency-based education, with fixed learning objectives but variable hours to reach those objectives. The state regulatory environment for this approach has changed, bringing with it potential funding for those willing to pursue pilot programs. The trustees endorsed Coastline College's application for such a pilot program, based on years-long preparatory work by the College.

In closing reports, trustees addressed the transfer of power – peacefully concluded this week – and celebrated the powerful voice of youth poet laureate and Los Angeles resident Amanda Gorman.

Trustees also addressed the heavy toll of the pandemic. In a somber moment, the Board adjourned in memory of those we lost – including four directly attributed to COVID-19.

In memoriam
Blanca Casanova (Coastline student)
Nina Chapman (GWC faculty)
Jessica Duggan (OCC student)
Jeffrey Alan Foley (Coastline student)
Jim Green (OCC campus safety officer)
Lorraine Henry (OCC retired faculty)
Daniel Mohammad Raza (OCC student)
Lee Moore (friend of the Coast District)
Mario Rojas (Coastline custodian)
Karen Schue (Coastline student)
Arcadio Uriostegui (GWC maintenance)

Schedule, Week of January 25

Chancellor's Schedule
In the District, Monday through Friday