Blue waves behind the words Coast Colleges in dark blue

Weekly News Brief | December 2, 2022
From the Office of Chancellor Whitney Yamamura, Ed.D.
Chancellor Yamamura in front of the District Office

Typically, I use this letter to reflect on the past week. Today, I want to preview important conversations we will have next week.

On Monday, the District Consultation Council will discuss a return to 100 percent on-site schedules for Spring 2023. With California's state of emergency coming to an end, along with low levels of transmission and hospitalization, it is time to move beyond Beyond the Blueprint. On recommendation of the DCC BP/AP Subcommittee, the Board of Trustees adopted new policy and procedure to allow for some flexibility in telecommuting based on lessons learned during the pandemic. DCC will also be reviewing the rollout of that process.

On Wednesday, the Board of Trustees will receive a presentation related to matters of the Coast District's fiscal condition and stability. As Chancellor, my most important job is to ensure that the Coast District is in a good position to educate students, serve our communities, act as a reliable employer, and meet our obligations to retirees. A big part of that is budget transparency, so that everyone has the same set of facts. The public presentation next week supports that goal.

Participatory governance works when we trust in the power of dialogue and seek mutual understanding. I know that these will not be easy conversations. Despite the challenge, I look forward to next week's sharing of thoughts and ideas.

With gratitude,

 Whitney

Whitney Yamamura, Ed.D.
Chancellor

 

College News


Program of Special Note:
Disrupting Racism through the Lens of The Arts

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
On November 29, Coastline College continued their work on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Antiracism (DEIAA) with a Climate Study Listening Session. There were multiple opportunities and processes for participants to share their personal feelings, experiences, and ideas about how they may help to improve the culture of the college. These included a large group discussion and breakout sessions organized by affinity and constituency group. Physical and virtual writing rooms allowed for employees to record their thoughts about the guiding questions which were used throughout the listening session. Lastly, employees were given the opportunity to volunteer to serve on a college DEIAA task force to draft the College DEIAA plan.

 

The words Coastline College above a shield with the letter C.

GOLDEN WEST COLLEGE

Congratulations to Golden West College Professor Paul Kareem Tayyar on the release of his new book, Keats in San Francisco & Other Poems. Professor Tayyar was recognized as Golden West College and Coast Community College District 2013 Teacher of the Year. Tayyar's recent novel, The Prince of Orange County, received the 2020 Eric Hoffer Award for Young Adult Fiction. In 2019, he was the recipient of a Wurlitzer Poetry Fellowship.

 

A circle with the words Golden West College, Huntington Beach, on the outside with a central surfboard and the letters GWC.

 

ORANGE COAST COLLEGE

Orange Coast College Dean of Students Dr. Derek Vergara is the recipient of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Region VI Community College Professional Award for 2022. Dr. Vergara has been at Orange Coast since 2013. In his current role as Dean of Students, Dr. Vergara was instrumental in the planning of OCC's new Student Union. He previously served in various roles, including as Dean of Title IX and Student relations, where he helped develop Title IX protocols, working to ensure that students have the opportunity to safely report and to receive care and support resources if they experience any forms of harassment, sexual assault, or other gender-based discrimination or violence.

 

An Orange circle forming an O with two interior waves in dark blue forming two C shapes.
Dr. Vergara standing in front of his poster

 

 

Schedule, Week of December 5


Board of Trustees
The next regular meeting will be held Wednesday, December 7, with closed session beginning at 4:00 p.m. and open session at 5:00 p.m.


Chancellor
Dr. Yamamura is in the District, Monday through Friday

 


publicaffairs@cccd.edu

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