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Weekly News Brief | November 18, 2022
From the Office of Chancellor Whitney Yamamura, Ed.D.
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This past Board meeting, I reminded trustees that our budget assumptions are built on federal, state, and district policy as it stands today. That same day, Governor Gavin Newsom warned the legislature of a possible $25 billion state-budget deficit for the upcoming year. With a significant deficit on the horizon, projections based on the state maintaining the status quo may indeed be considered optimistic.
I want to assure you that the Coast District is working to build partnerships and consensus for better policy outcomes. Starting this Thursday, I joined our delegation of trustees, presidents, and others for the Community College League of California Annual Conference. We've begun the work to understand policies under consideration, craft positions, and develop advocacy strategies. This includes robust budget advocacy, reminding the state that our communities need us the most during times of hardship.
Colleagues from across the state have also looked at our own efforts, particularly around eliminating equity gaps. We seek to overcome the lull of complacency and apply practices with proven success. The Coast District is the innovator at the forefront of many of these new solutions, in others we are learning from others. This is true of every college and district, and I am proud to say that the Coast District is often the model.
As we enter an uncertain and potentially difficult state budget cycle, I ask that all of us lean in to advance our mission of equitable success. Optimism is a virtue, yet our optimism requires action if it is to become reality.
With that, I wish you a pleasant short week and Thanksgiving holiday. The Colleges and District Office will be closed Thursday and Friday in a celebration of thankfulness. The next edition of the News Brief will be posted on December 2, 2022.
With gratitude,
Whitney
Whitney Yamamura, Ed.D.
Chancellor
Postscript
On Wednesday, the Board of Trustees adjourned in memory of the brave Iranian protesters who have sacrificed their lives in the cause of basic liberties. More than 326 people have died, with thousands more imprisoned, following a brutal crackdown by the Iranian regime and its security forces. This tragedy strikes close to home for many in our Coast District community. The trustees and I stand with the protestors and with all those grieving the loss of family and friends.
Further, I note with sadness the tragedy of the University of Virginia shootings. Investigation is needed, yet we know that lives were needlessly lost to violence. May we join in care and compassion for all those injured and all those mourning the students lost.
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Report from the Board of Trustees
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On Wednesday, November 16, the Board of Trustees met and adopted a resolution setting long-term goals that the District should budget no more than 85 percent of its Unrestricted General Fund expenses for employees' salary and benefits, and the District should maintain reserves of no less than two-months expenses as the annual ending balance, pursuant to Board Policy 6200 and Administrative Procedure 6305 (as adopted this meeting). Trustees emphasized that these are broad parameters, not specific steps, and will be followed up with further discussion and incremental actions.
The Board further received a report from Chancellor Whitney Yamamura on District mental health resources and the ways service availability is being communicated to students and staff. Vice Chancellor Andreea Serban provided a report on undocumented students and the support being provided by the colleges. Colleges provided Draft College Midterm Accreditation Reports for a first reading. Jeff Jensen, Partner at Crowe, LLP provided a report on the District's external financial statement and bond audit, providing an unmodified opinion without adjustments or findings (i.e., a clean report). Orange Coast College Director of Public Safety Jim Rudy provided an annual report consistent with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. Director Rudy discussed districtwide efforts to monitor and reduce criminal violations, as well as appropriate training to intervene early in drug and alcohol abuse cases. The Board ratified the submission of the report to the Department of Education.
President Angelica Suarez presented on the Orange Coast College Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Plan. Vice Chancellor Marco Baeza followed with the Coast Colleges Annual Equity and Diversity in Hiring Report, highlighting gains towards equitable representation along with success stories of students and employees. Trustees echoed the importance of a representative faculty and staff for equitable student success. College student equity leaders Director Leighia Fleming, Director Susana Castellanos, and Manager Maricela Sandoval spoke about comprehensive efforts to close student equity gaps. The Board commended the work reflected in the reports and subsequently adopted the Student Equity Plans 2022-25 for Coastline Community College, Golden West College, and Orange Coast College.
The Orange Coast College Multicultural Center's first coordinator, Dr. Rendell Drew, presented on center programs and events promoting the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. Professor Drew addressed how the center navigated the pandemic and its work with campus partners to strengthen cultural synergies moving into the future.
The Board approved revised calendars reflecting addition of the Juneteenth holiday on June 19, 2023. Trustees adjourned in memory of the Iranian protesters.
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College News
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In support of diversity, equity and inclusion, Coastline College hosted Dr. Ron from USC for the first two of four sessions in this series of collaborative events, for faculty, staff and students running through Juneteenth, June 15, 2023. All are invited to attend the remaining session in 2023. |
COASTLINE COLLEGE |
| Coastline College celebrated the grand opening of its new Student Services Center building, which is providing students with a cutting-edge one-stop shop for admissions, counseling, student services, and the Office of the President and administration. This state-of-the-art building is helping to transform student services operations and strengthen connections with surrounding communities. | 
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GOLDEN WEST COLLEGE |
The Transfer Center is excited to host workshops for the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship this fall. This scholarship provides students with $55K per year to study any major. Earning one of these scholarships can be a game changer for students. The scholarship provides up to 55k per year to study any major and personal advising about selecting a college, navigating financial aid, and how to transfer to a four-year and maximize the student experience. |
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ORANGE COAST COLLEGE |
Orange Coast College's student-run newspaper, Coast Report, was honored during the Fall National College Media Convention in Washington, D.C. MediaFest 2022 brought together the Society of Professional Journalists, College Media Association and the Associated Collegiate Press for a multi-day conference that featured keynote presentations from well-known journalists and sessions designed to help students learn the craft. Coast Report was recognized with second-place honors in the CMA Pinnacle Awards in both the Media Outlet of the Year and Website of the Year among two-year colleges. The awards were given for work done during the 2021-2022 academic year. The Pinnacle Awards received more than 2,900 entries from two- and four-year colleges and universities across the country. |
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Schedule, Week of November 21 and 28
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Thanksgiving Holiday is Thursday, November 24, and Friday, November 25. Colleges and the District Office will be closed in appreciation of our students, faculty, and staff.
Chancellor, Week of November 21
Dr. Yamamura is in the District, Monday through Wednesday
Chancellor, Week of November 28
Dr. Yamamura is in the District, Monday through Friday
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publicaffairs@cccd.edu
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