Weekly News Brief | August 5, 2022
From the Office of Chancellor John Weispfenning, Ph.D.

This Wednesday, August 3, I was pleased to announce that Coastline College, Golden West College, and Orange Coast College identified nearly $4.5 million to pay off and forgive outstanding student debts acquired from Spring 2020 through Spring 2022. College allocations from the federal COVID-19 Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) will fully cover the costs. These are limited-use, one-time sources that must be spent by June 30, 2023, making them ideal for student debt relief.

I am proud of our colleges for working together to make this debt relief plan possible. The last two years have been difficult for many students and their families. The colleges recognized that, for some, food, housing, and other basic needs have competed with educational costs. While our fees are low and colleges offered some $70 million in fee waivers, grants, scholarships, and work study in each of the last three years, individual financial circumstances can continue to be a barrier.

In addition to relieving students' financial burden, the debt relief plan removes a barrier to registration or reenrollment for those who may have had a financial hold on their record. The intention is to boost retention and completion for continuing students, while hopefully allowing student who dropped classes during the pandemic to return.

These are one-time funds, and we may never be in this position again. Yet, in this moment, we have an opportunity to do something beneficial for our students, impactful for our colleges, and meaningful for our communities. That is a triple win worth celebrating.

Be well,

 John

John Weispfenning, Ph.D.
Chancellor

Report from the Board of Trustees

On Wednesday, August 3, the Board of Trustees met in regular session and convened a study session on employment benefits. The rising cost of health plans, and negotiations to minimize increases, were presented and discussed. Vice Chancellor Marco Baeza shared the structure and participatory governance role of the Coast District's Health Benefits Advisory Committee – with representation from faculty, staff, management, and subject-matter experts – as well as recent topics considered by the committee.

Vice Chancellor Andreea Serban presented on the implementation of AB 705 (2017), which seeks to direct a greater proportion of students in transfer-level English and math. On balance, the throughput – or percentage of students who continue to higher-level transfer classes – has improved with increased course starts exceeding expected slight decreases in course completion. Colleges are identifying ways to better support the success of students in level 100 courses, including summer preparation programs and tutoring services.

Chancellor Weispfenning announced the plan to use federal COVID-19 Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) to pay off and forgive student debts. Details will be discussed at the August 17 meeting. Additionally, the Board adopted impacts of competency-based education as a new negotiation subject with CFE, while also adopting joint initial bargaining proposal to re-open negotiations on grievances, evaluations, and classroom management with CCA-CTA/NEA. Trustees adjourned in memory of legendary sports commentator Vin Scully.

Schedule

Chancellor's Schedule, Week of August 8
Dr. Weispfenning is in the District, Monday through Friday