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Weekly News Brief | January 19, 2024
From the Office of Chancellor Whitney Yamamura, Ed.D.
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During the Board meeting this past Wednesday, we discussed the latest legislative assumptions and Governor Newsom's January proposal for 2024-25. In the spirit of transparency, I wanted to echo that discussion today.
Uncertainty surrounding tax receipts continues to create a revenue-projection roller coaster. The Department of Finance now projects a 2024-25 state deficit of $37.9 billion through a combination of higher revenue assumptions and cost deferrals. This is a much lower deficit number than the Legislative Analyst's Office projection of $68 billion. The LAO considers the DOF revenue projections to be optimistic.
Following years of high COLAs, the Governor is proposing a rather anemic 0.76 percent. Slower COLA growth likely extends the time we'll be under the funding floor. The lower COLA also does not cover expected benefit-cost increases.
In better news, no deferrals were proposed for community colleges. The January proposal also includes a $60 million increase from one-time funds to expand community college nursing programs and Bachelor of Science in Nursing partnerships. I know President Randall and the Golden West team are closely tracking that funding.
As a final note, the Governor is proposing an $8.5 billion in reduced funding including $494 million from the Student Housing Revolving Fund Program. If adopted, this will reduce the future availability of affordable student housing statewide.
We hope revenues flow into the state such that the LAO and DOF numbers do not worsen. We will monitor projections and keep our fingers crossed that the May Revise does not bring worse news.
With gratitude,
Whitney
Whitney Yamamura, Ed.D.
Chancellor
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Report from the Board of Trustees
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On Wednesday, January 17, 2023, the Board of Trustees met, announced, and appointed Meridith Randall as president of Golden West College. Trustees expressed trust and confidence following her work as interim president. President Randall thanked the Board.
The Board of Trustees heard a report on the budget outlook with focus on differing projections by the Legislative Analyst’s Office and Department of Finance. Chancellor Yamamura elaborated on that item in his Board report. The Coast District will continue to look to clarify and narrow assumptions as the budget process continues.
In a review of Board Policy and Administrative Procedure 6330, the Board directed that language be added to provide for consideration of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in Coast District purchasing. BP/AP 6330 will return for a new first reading when the language is developed through the committee process.
Trustees approved contractor services to perform cleaning, preparation, and application of sealant and water-resistant paint on the existing Literature & Languages/Social & Behavioral Sciences building. This will address issues that currently require plastic wrapping as a stopgap measure on the building. Coast District costs are anticipated to be reimbursed.
The Board adjourned in memory of OCC Foundation Board member Eileen Lewis, OCC Public Safety Dispatcher Bill Hudson, former Trustee Bill Kettler, and Relda Hicks – mother of Interim Vice President Rick Hicks.
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Persistent Innovation
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Please send examples of persistent innovation, by which we mean having a good idea and then putting in the hard work to make that vision a reality. The more examples submitted, the better the District can highlight your successes with the community! |
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College News
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COASTLINE COLLEGE |
The Coastline Scholarships are now open through February 12, 2024. Students are encouraged to share their story and narrative for a chance to win.
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GOLDEN WEST COLLEGE |
Congratulations to Golden West College faculty, Paul Tayyar (English), and Denise Gonzalez Bon (DSPS counselor), for winning December's Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching
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During this year's Best of Huntington Beach event, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, Interim President Meridith Randall presented Golden West College's vision towards "building bridges between our classrooms and the industries" within the community.
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| ORANGE COAST COLLEGE |
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The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) recognized Orange Coast College president, Dr. Angelica Suarez, as the recipient of its 2024 National President's Award. This award is the highest honor NASPA bestows on a college or university president or chancellor. Since Dr. Suarez began her presidency at OCC in 2019, she has emphasized a "Culture of Care," which set the foundation for revising the Educational Master Plan in 2021 and the development of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Plan in 2022. NASPA's National President's Award is a special recognition given to a college or university president who has, over a sustained period, advanced the quality of student life on campus by supporting student affairs staff and programs. Award recipients must show evidence of direct involvement in enhancing the quality of student life on campus, active attempts to involve students and student life staff in governing the institution, and demonstrable contributions to the profession that have an impact beyond an individual campus.
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Schedule
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Chancellor, Week of January 22
Dr. Yamamura is in the District, Monday through Friday.
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publicaffairs@cccd.edu
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