President's Message

The Economy, The Budget, and Other Such Matters

Like many of you, I have spent every bit of extra time at home glued to CNN watching as major developments regarding our economy are presented to the American public at a dizzying pace. I am an optimist and always believe in the better nature of human beings to do the right thing; I must say, however, that last night I found myself restating those beliefs out loud just to increase my sense of security. I am one who loves the wisdom found in great quotes. Some of them are truly classical in the sense that they seem to be timeless and applicable to all times and all ages. Here's my favorite for this time and place.

"There's nothing to fear but fear itself."

Franklin Roosevelt, 1933

If we believe that this premise is sound and wise, then the most important factor that we can contribute to any discussions regarding the economy and the budget at the national, state, and local level is the factor of confidence and belief that the "big rescue" must first come from each of us, regardless of the locus of blame and other causal factors.

The State Budget and Community Colleges

As you know by now, 85 days into the fiscal year, Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law the 2008-09 State Budget and related trailer bill legislation. Erik Skinner, Vice Chancellor for Fiscal Policy, State Chancellor's Office, issued one of the best summaries regarding the State Budget. I have excerpted some of the highlights from his message below:

Overall highlights of the state budget:

• The budget contains $103.4 billion in General Fund spending; $144.4 billion from all sources.
• Bridges a $15.2 billion budget shortfall through a combination of cuts and borrowing.
• Makes $9.7 billion in cuts to numerous program areas.
• Relies on a grab bag of borrowing and one-time budget maneuvers totaling approximately $7.5 billion.
• Includes various budget reforms, including: a strengthened rainy day fund the specifics of which will go before the voters as a proposed Constitutional amendment at the next statewide election. In addition, if this reform is approved by the voters, it will also provide authority to trigger mid-year cuts, if needed, and the ability to suspend COLA provisions
• Contains a reserve fund of $1.7 billion.
• The enacted budget includes the following features for the California Community Colleges:
• $38.9 million to provide a 0.68 percent COLA on general purpose apportionments (no COLA is provided for categorical program funds); K-12 schools also received this same level of COLA.
• Enrollment growth is funded at 2 percent,
• Categorical programs are flat-lined at 2007-08 levels.
• Student fees remain level at $20 per unit.
• $75 million is provided to partially backfill a property tax shortfall for the 2007-08 fiscal year.  The total property tax shortfall for 2007-08 was $92 million.
• A new deferral of apportionment payments was instituted in order to address cash flow concerns at the state level. Specifically, $250 million in general purpose apportionments that normally would be paid in January, February, and March will now be paid in April, May, and June.
• A $531,000 cut to the Chancellor's Office budget.
• The Competitive Cal Grant program is sustained rather than eliminated as earlier proposed.

GREAT HAPPENINGS!

AIDS Walk - I was delighted to learn that more than 45 persons have signed up to participate in the AIDS Walk. Suzanne Khambata, Director, Student Health Center, and Polly Rose, our very own nurse Community Health Educator, have been at the forefront of this great effort. If you are interested in participating you may register to walk by logging on their website as follows:

To Walk

1. www.aidswalksd.org
2. Click the "Register Here" tab at the top of page 3. When prompted, indicate your desire to "Join a Team."
3. Select our team name - MESA COLLEGE HEALTHYCAMPUS 2008 -- from the drop down menu.
4. Follow commands.

To Donate:

• www.aidswalksd.org
• Select "support a participant."
• Type Suzanne Khambata Select name from drop down list.
• Complete Donation Page.

Voter Registration

I want to thank all of you involved in our Voter Registration Campaign. Please continue your efforts in educating and making information and materials available to one another and, most important of all, to our students. If you want more information about what you can still do, please call the Dean of Student Affairs Office (2699).

Succession Planning and Pursuit of Educational Goals

Last year, many of you participated in a general survey conducted district wide on the issue of "Succession Planning" and the critical role of professional development  to "growing our own,"  in other words, the ability to support current employees in their efforts to advance in their careers within the District through the pursuit of additional education and training.  Our District Office and, in particular, the Human Resources Division expect to roll out more detailed plans including the component of our Succession Planning efforts later this year.   In the meantime, I am interested in learning more about those of us in the Mesa College family currently engaged in pursuing educational goals, as well as those of us who plan to enroll at some future time. I have asked Susan Mun, Mesa's Site Based Researcher, to help me devise a very simple survey (just a few questions) so that I may gather quick and effective information to be used in planning future activities designed to help support those pursuing education and training. Please take a bit of your time my "clicking" on the link provided below. As you know, most surveys do not include the name of the individual completing the response. In this instance, we have provided you with the option of including your name/contact information if you choose to do so in order that we can create a list of individuals we can convene at future events and activities designed to provide district support where possible.

http://surveys.sdccd.edu/snaponline/surveylogin.asp?k=122239093606

President's Cabinet Update

This portion of the update provides you with a summary of key actions from our shared governance body, President's Cabinet.

At its meeting on Tuesday, September 23, the following actions were taken:

• Approved the Native American Heritage Celebrations & Film Series
• Heard the President's Cabinet Strategic Planning Sub-Committee Draft Report/Proposal. All shared governance constituent groups agreed to take the presentation material back for discussion, clarification and questions before proceeding to the next steps in the process.
• Reviewed the membership lists for President's Cabinet, Instructional Deans Council, Deans Council, and Student Services Council and welcomed two dean representatives, Dave Evans (Instruction) and Ashanti Hands (Student Services).

The Week That Was

At the start of the academic year, it has been our practice to gather together over a meal, namely breakfast.  We do this to signal the start of the new year, meet and greet one another, receive some orientation regarding new programs, policies or practices but most of all to remind one another why education is not a career but a vocation.  It is something we love to do, it is beyond imparting expert skills within our academic discipline, it is beyond providing student support services, it is truly something that ends up being more than the sum of its parts.  It has to do with the sense of well-being that comes from working in an institution of higher learning that we know is truly transformative in nature.

I chose to start this Friday update with a reminder of that inner sense of well-being, because we have just lived through one of the most difficult weeks in the history of our nation. I imagine that most of us do not pay daily attention to the comings and goings of Wall Street; well I certainly don't.  This week however, I found myself paying very close attention and learning more than I ever wanted.  In a matter of days, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. went into bankruptcy, Merrill Lynch & Co. was snapped up by Bank of America Corp. and the insurer American International Group, Inc., was bailed out by the government. Fannie and Freddie were not characters in a friendly neighborhood sitcom and my own bank WaMu was sold to JP Morgan (the good news is my ATM password still works). Then came the enormous drop on Monday when the Dow tumbled 778 points after the House voted down the financial rescue plan in the midst of  the probable (maybe yes, maybe no) signing of a "bail out bill' or is it the "rescue bill." There was Finger pointing, there were charges and counter charges. Offended Congressmembers "took their toys and went home;" what next.

Oh yes, the Vice Presidential debates some said historical, others said hysterical; what say you?

In the midst of all this we hold on to the belief that this is a great nation and that we can withstand this and more but only because it, too, is greater than that sum of its parts. It is greater than the 304,865,108 million persons that call this country home ( U.S. Census Bureau, the current U.S. population, as of 5:20 GMT (EST+5) August 14, 2008).  It is a belief that "We can do it," and knowing full well that this too shall pass, not because we sit passively awaiting doom and gloom, but because we have decided to continue with the "good work" that goes on unceasingly at throughout our country including Mesa College. Here are a few examples:

Awards and Recognitions

On Saturday, September 27, I was privileged to receive, on your behalf, The National Minority Role Models Access Diversity Award. Mesa was in great company that day with other awardees that included Michigan, Purdue, University of California San Francisco, Texas Tech University, and others.

On Tuesday, September 30, we received a much awaited award letter from the National Institute of Health (NIH), to continue the great work of the Mesa College the Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program. The grant is in the amount of $1.2 million and is to be spent over the next five years.  Thanks are in order to Yosh Kawahara  and Jaye  Van Kirk who originated the program and worked arduously during its first five years and now gratitude is extended to Joanne Hamilton, Bridges new Principle Investigator and Jodi Corliss both of whom wrote the current grant.  You will be hearing more about the fruits of this work that already boasts brilliant students, gifted researchers and distinguished alumni.

October is Transfer Month

How much do we know about the transfer function and its significance? Following are a few questions to test your prowess:

Faculty question:

• Do you know if the courses you teach transfer?
• Is your course degree applicable?
• If your course transfer, does it transfer as part of the major requirement or only as part of the lower general education requirement?

Questions for all:

• Who is the Transfer Center Director for Mesa College?
• Who is our Articulation Officer?

I imagine that most of you know the answer to these questions, if not; October is your month to find out.

The Beat Goes On

Great events that helped to lift our spirits.

10/1 - Music Recital featuring Robert Williams on flute and koto

10/2 - Reading and Lecture: Xicana Poet and Activist Lorna Dee Cervantes. Readings and discussions by one the Chicana Literary community's most powerful and creative voices and author of Emplumada, From the Cables of Genocideand Drive: The First Quartet: New Poems, 1980-2005.

10/3 - Workshop: Engaging Students in Chinese Language Learning Workshop. Prof. Qian He, UCSD, discusses how to engage students in one of the fastest-growing foreign languages taught in the U.S. today.

10/4 - Orientation Session: Health Information Technology Program. Potential students interested in this career program are invited to attend. Saturday, Oct. 4, 9-10:30 a.m., Room F-118. To register, call 619-388-2229.

10/4 - Orientation Session: Physical Therapist Assistant Program. Potential students interested in this career program are invited to attend. Saturday, Oct. 4, 9-10:30 a.m. Room F-114. To register, call 619-388-2684.

I'll conclude my notes to you this week by reintroducing a term I used during one of our "beginning of the year" meetings.  The term was "chaordic."  I was a little hesitant to use this term to describe our work at Mesa.  After all wouldn't it be better to use other terms like systematic, predictable, established, methodical, orderly, regular, efficient, logical (well you get the message I did think about it a great deal). When we met on August 21, I had no way of knowing how applicable this term would be in the weeks to come.

Chaordic:  - is a "portmanteau word." These are words that are created as a result of a linguistic blend, namely "a word formed by blending sounds from two or more distinct words and combining their meanings. In this instance the two words combined are chaos and order. The term was coined by Dee Hock in his book The Chaordic Age. The principles of a chaordic system:

Are based on clarity of shared purpose and principles. • Are self-organizing and self-governing in whole and in part. • Exist primarily to enable their constituent parts. • Are powered from the periphery, unified from the core. • Are durable in purpose and principle, malleable in form and function. • Equitably distribute power, rights, responsibility and rewards. • Harmoniously combine cooperation and competition. • Learn, adapt and innovate in ever expanding cycles. • Are compatible with the human spirit and the biosphere. • Liberate and amplify ingenuity, initiative and judgment. • Are compatible with and foster diversity, complexity and change. • Constructively utilize and harmonize conflict and paradox. • Restrain and appropriately embed command and control methods.

After reading this information, don't you think that Chaordic is a good definition for our current situation and, ultimately, a very optimistic and reassuring one? 

President's Cabinet Update

This portion of the update provides you with a summary of key actions from our shared governance body, President's Cabinet.

At its meeting on Tuesday, September 30, the following actions were taken:

• Approved for publication the Drug and Alcohol Awareness event scheduled October 29, 2008.
• Dr. Cepeda announced that this year's theme for the Site Board meeting presentation will be," Building a Culture of Evidence:  We Measure What We Treasure," with a focus on research and best practices.
• Reviewed Vice Chancellor Terry Davis' Budget Report to the Board of Trustees at its meeting September 25.  The report will be sent electronically to the shared governance groups, and Ron to provide a summary.

Introduced and welcomed Nancy Bromma, Assistant Professor/Nurse Practitioner, and Genevieve Cabanilla, Outreach Coordinator. 

The Budget Watch Continues

One of the most reassuring experiences for me on a weekly basis has to be the detailed discussion on the status of the State Budget and the immediate translation of that information as it impacts our District.  While the news continues to be sobering in the midst of the larger national and international context, knowing what has changed and what has stayed the same enables not only a solid move forward with all of our campus operations, it also permits us to make adjustments, as needed, to prepare for the future; in other words, no major surprises.  We all must be on the alert, keep a watch and keep each other informed.  Our steadfast work with students is the best recipe for ultimate success.

Sad News and a Tragic Loss

Many of you are aware that on Saturday, October 4, at approximately 2:15 a.m., several individuals were involved in a violent incident near SDSU. Three Mesa College Students received stab wounds as a result of that incident, with one of those students, Luis Santos perishing as a result of those wounds.  Santos was only 22 years old.  The news brought much sadness to the campus, and we gathered together to conduct a reflective memorial activity on campus signing notes and messages to be forwarded to the Santos family.

This incident raised much concern during President’s Cabinet, and it was determined that we needed to develop stronger, proactive educational activities to prevent senseless tragedies of this kind from continuing to occur. Brande Faris, Student Representative to President’s Cabinet, suggested the development of a campaign with strong student leadership and support for our Health Services Center, Office of Student Affairs, and other members of the faculty and staff, to identify ways in which we can better educate students on issues associated with alcohol abuse, violence, and general safety.

An Active Student Body

We have often talked about the "Learning College" and we have described it in many ways.  We also know that learning takes place in the classroom and outside the classroom walls as well. Research notes that one of the most important factors in student retention is the kind of campus climate that promotes engagement of the student in activities outside the classroom.  I am proud to say that at Mesa, such opportunities exist aplenty.  We have just completed "Club Rush," and Mesa counts 29 student clubs that cover the gamut of interests, skills and abilities.

The Week’s Events in Review

10/6 - "Yours Truly, Miss Chinatown" Documentary  Film, San Diego Asian Film Festival. Co-presented by the Mesa College Women's Studies Advisory Committee, Asian Pacific American Studies Program Committee, and Women's Student Union.

10/6-7 - Annual Majors and Transfer Day. Representatives from four-year colleges and universities provided students with information and assistance on topics such as transfer requirements and deciding on a major.

 

10/8 - Music Recital featuring jazz with Marc Dresser.

10/9 - Mesa College Biology Lecture Series.  Phyllis Hauptfeld, J.D., Site Director, University of Oklahoma, College of Nursing program.

10/9-11/6 Mesa College Art Gallery Exhibit; "PreMeditated: Meditations on Capital Punishment." Prints, drawings and paintings Malaquías Montoya. Mesa College Art Gallery,

10/10-19 - Mesa College Theatre Company Presents, "The House of Bernarda Alba" by Federico Garcia Lorca, in a new translation by Caridad Svich.  Directed by Juan Castro, opposition and lust collide in this tragic portrait of a family caught between dying traditions and dreams of personal freedom.  Apolliad Theatre, Friday and Saturday,  8 p.m., Sunday 7 p.m., $10  General Admission; some discounts apply. Box Office: 619-388-2621.

10/11 - Mesa Organic Garden Kickoff.  Students and faculty and staff members break ground, till the soil, add compost and plant the first seedlings in the Mesa College Organic Garden, which will serve as a laboratory, community resource, and garden for Mesa’s culinary arts program.  Local experts offer sustainable gardening tips. Public invited to attend. Saturday, 9-11 a.m., P100 Building at Marlesta/Genesee Ave.

President’s Cabinet Update

This portion of the update provides you with a summary of key actions from our shared governance body, President’s Cabinet.

At its meeting on Tuesday, October 7, the following actions were taken:

• Approved the publication of the Debate Watch 2008 event scheduled October 15.
• Accepted the proposed Strategic Planning Process and recommended the expansion of the current sub-committee to include students, staff, and additional faculty members.
• Reviewed the draft Mesa Campus Board meeting agenda and provided recommendations for greater inclusion of students and faculty.
• Discussed the tragic events related to the death of a Mesa student resulting from an altercation following an SDSU fraternity party. Identified steps that would be taken immediately to address psychological and emotional distress; including follow up steps to launch a preventative educational campaign to address issues of alcohol abuse, violent behavior and student safety.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage." - Anais Anin

At Mesa, life expanded with an amazing week of events some extraordinary and some inspiring and reassuring, that provided provided us with a sense of continuity and contribution to the community in which we live and work.

Good News came our way as we learned that a "side letter" agreement had been established between our District and the AFT Guild that permits colleges to expand part-time faculty loads from 60% to 67%.  This opportunity was made possible through the recent enactment of AB 591 (Dymally), a bill that gives flexibility to colleges enabling the assignment of part-time faculty to courses that carry high unit designations ( i.e. 5 unit courses). Logistics just became a great deal easier for department chairs!

 Vice President for Instruction Selection Committee-- The first meeting of this group took place this week as we start our search for Mesa's next Vice President for Instruction. In the meantime, I continue to be thankful and amazed at the level of professionalism and contribution by faculty, administrators and other staff persons who do their best to sustain an excellent level of educational services and program delivery for Mesa students.

Mesa Tapped to Participate in the 2008 Women's Conference - A week ago Friday, I received a call from Diane Woodruff, State Chancellor asking Mesa to be one of seven community colleges statewide to participate in expanding access to the program for the 2008 Women's Conference scheduled for October 22, at the Long Beach Convention Center. Hosted by California's First Lady Maria Shriver and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, The Women's Conference is the nation's premier forum for women. The stated mission for the Conference is:

"to inspire, empower and educate women from all walks of life to be Architects of Change in their own lives, in their communities and around the world. Every year, the non-partisan Women's Conference gathers the world's greatest hearts and minds to address the topics and concerns that matter to women."

It is expected that a roster of more than 70 world opinion leaders will participate in a series of panel presentations. Mesa will host a live feed in the LRC on the day of the Conference itself and has made arrangements for a delayed replay of the presentations scheduled in H-117-118 beginning 10/22 at 11:15 and concluding on 10/23. This delayed replay is scheduled to coincide with the regular class schedule thus enabling students to participate in the process through the use of campus based moderators. Attached to this e-mail you will find a copy of the program. In addition, if you would like more information, I invite you to log on to the conference's website at:

www.californiawomen.org

 Guidelines for Use of Campus E-mail - A short note to inform you that we continue to struggle with understanding the appropriate and inappropriate uses of campus e-mail. I have sent two communications regarding this matter and the issue continues.  We all acknowledge that this is a complex matter, and several members of the faculty and staff will work with me to find ways in which we can work to maintain civility, accommodate issues of academic freedom and most of all to behave in a manner that is consonant with the statement of professional ethics that we have adopted as a college.  There are rules and regulations, but the most important thing to have in a "shared governance" environment is the sense of responsibility to maintain a climate of mutual respect and professionalism. I am confident we can learn by going through this experience and that we can be fair, equitable but firm in dealing with continued transgressions on a case by case basis.

Dinner and a Drama- An evening of great food, great conversation and inspiring performances by Mesa students-- a pleasure for the senses all around!  Friday evening Mesa launched a very successful experiment, the pairing of a fine dinning experience entirely prepared by students in our Culinary Arts/Culinary Management Program. Dinner was followed by a preliminary brief lecture from Professor Maria Bolivar on the symbolism and imagery associated with Federico Garcia Lorca's play, The House of Bernarda Alba. We all were stars for a second or two, delivering lines in English and Spanish after we finished our dinner before heading to the Apolliad Theatre to enjoy the performance of very talented students in a very complex dramatic interpretation. The experiment proved a great success and we can look forward to continued programs of this type.  This was truly a collaboration in every sense of the word, standing as a clear example of "linked-course" instruction that maximized the talents of the Drama Department, Culinary Arts/Culinary Management, Music Department and Mesa's Public Information Office, where the idea first germinated.

 Campus Life

10/11 - Mesa Organic Garden Kickoff. Students and faculty broke ground, tilled the soil, added compost and planted the first seedlings in the Mesa College Organic Garden, which will serve as a laboratory, community resource, and garden for Mesa's culinary arts program. Local experts offered sustainable gardening tips and the public was invited to attend. 

10/15 - Spoken Word Event. A motivating and inspiring event reflecting on the importance of diversity on-and-off campus.

10/15 - Music Recital featuring the contemporary classical sounds of the Ellen Weller Ensemble.

10/16 - Film and Discussion "The Angry Eye:" Film screening and discussion of a remake of Jane Elliot's "Blue eyed/brown eyed" experiment highlights with striking force the subtle forces of discrimination that continue to exist in our society.

10/17 - 18th Annual Future Educators Conference. More than 100 high school students attended this forum for students who are interested in pursuing a career in teaching. This event is a collaboration between Mesa's Teacher Education Program,San Diego State University and Cal State San Marcos.

President's Cabinet Update

This portion of the update provides you with a summary of key actions from our shared governance body, President's Cabinet.

At its meeting on Tuesday, October 14, the following actions were taken:

• Approved the following major events:
  (a) "Interlude" Concert Performance, October 24, 2008
  (b) Continuing Education Student Day Events, November 12, 2008
• Heard Chemistry Professor Joseph Toto's presentation resulting from the work completed as part of his participation in the @One Scholar Project.  The research question posed was: to what degree will mini-lecture movies (MLM) improve student homework and final exam scores in a first semester online general chemistry course? If you would like more information please log on to: www.cccone.org/scholars/06-07
• Viewed a comprehensive presentation on the history, development and current status of Propositions S and N Projects. The presentation also established agreed-upon ASF (Assignable Square Footage) for every project on the list.  The presentation will be posted on Mesa's website. In addition, Vice President Perez will be making the same presentation through various other venues on campus.

The week of October 19 to 25 was a bit unusual. First, Mesa College was asked to host a two-day, satellite broadcast of The Women's Conference 2008. The Women's Conference was described by Maria Shriver, Conference chairperson as "the largest and most dynamic gathering of women in the nation. Recognized for its unparalleled capacity to empower and inspire women to become architects of change." Despite the extremely short notice we were given to gear up and take care of the logistics, the event was a resounding success. Because we had a live download and a delayed taping, the entire conference is available for viewing by those who may be interested.

Mesa also hosted a meeting of the Board of Trustees. As you know, the Board schedules at least four meetings at each of our three college campuses and continuing education. These meetings are the perfect opportunity to showcase special programs and innovations on campus. There is a catch-- the presentations cannot exceed one hour. Given the many distinguished and noteworthy activities on our campus, it is always very difficult to select from such fertile ground. In any case, this year's theme, "Building a Culture of Evidence," turned out to be one of the most informational and delightful examples of accountability "done right!"

Presentation to the Board of Trustees

Composers in our midst- On Friday, October 24, our Music Department presented "Interlude," a gala concert that is part of its recital series made all the more noteworthy by the fact that funding for these events is made possible by a partnership with Bumble Bee Foods. Friday's concert was special because it presented an irrepressible example of Mesa's creative genius. It featured two original works, Camber and Dances composed by our own Music Department professor Momilani Ramstrum and performed by professors James Romeo and George Svoboda. With the composer's permission, I hope to share this work when we next gather at the opening of our Spring Semester.

Safe and Sound

On October 20, I met with Charlie Hogquist, Chief of College Police. Many of you have met Chief Hogquist because he has made it a point to be very accessible on matters ranging from emergency preparedness to campus safety. Chief Hogquist takes the education and prevention part of his responsibilities very seriously. This time, he presented me with a briefing on campus safety as mandated by the Clery Act, a piece of legislation that requires schools to publish an annual report disclosing campus security policies and three years worth of specified crime and arrest statistics. In addition, The Clery Act requires that this annual report be made available to students, faculty, staff and applicants for employment.

The good news is that Clery reportable crime on campus and on public property surrounding the campus decreased by 12.5% in 2007 over 2006. In comparison, the City of San Diego saw a 4% reduction in their crime rate over the same period. Some of the most important highlights for this year's report are as follows:

Mesa College had no reported hate crimes from 2001-2007. There were no aggravated assaults, and, vehicle thefts were down from 30 in 2006 to 21 in 2007.

If you would like to view the entire report and you would like more information on the Clery Act, go to www.securityoncampus.org.

The Beat Goes On

Great events that helped to lift our spirits.

10/22 -- Music Recital featuring Dale Williams on guitar.

10/22 - Lecture and Performance: Rediscover the Long Forgotten Traditional Chinese Music & Musical Instruments. Three professional Chinese musicians performed from traditional Chinese music instruments such as er hu, pi pa and gu zheng in various classrooms. All three instruments were the mainstay of Chinese music and were enjoyed for thousands of years, until Western instruments spread to China in early 20th century.

10/22 - Sal Castro: The Struggle for Change and the East Los Angeles Walkouts of 1968: A Leader's Perspective. Sal Castro, a principal organizer and supporter of the East Los Angeles Walkouts, addressed the conditions in the East Los Angeles High Schools which culminated in the decision to boycott the schools.

President's Cabinet Update

President's Cabinet was canceled in order to prepare for the meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Mesa's Great Escapes

Imagine having a "near death experience" one moment and a sublime immersion in stress reduction next. This was the case for me this week. On Wednesday, Mesa College students took part in a "Mock Death Experience" as part of our Drunk Driving Awareness Campaign. The experience included simulated drunk driving through the use of glasses that impaired vision in increments in direct relationship to the alcohol level in the bloodstream.  What an eye opener!

 -no pun intended. Students also experienced being arrested and booked for Driving Under the Influence. More than 200 students walked by and witnessed first responders using the Jaws of Life to extract a victim from a demolished vehicle. The horrific experience concluded with a funeral complete with a casket and mourners. The entire event was punctuated when the story was brought home to all by Mark Crispino a former Mesa student whose brother died in a drunk driving incident.

On Thursday, I was in need of rest and relaxation and Mesa provided me with the perfect opportunity. I attended a magnificent event under the heading of " Lecture and Performance: Rediscover the Long forgotten Traditional Chinese Music & Musical Instruments ." Three professional Chinese musicians performed using traditional Chinese music instruments, such as er hu, pi pa and gu zheng.  All three instruments are part of the mainstay of Chinese music and have been enjoyed for more than 1,000 years. I can tell you that, as a member of the audience, I felt suddenly transported, not just to a different time, but to a different place, where beauty, and meditative melodies truly soothed the soul. It was my "Great Escape."

Today, Friday, I met with Mesa's InterClub Council (ICC). These students represent various members of the 23 clubs that are active on campus. I was on the agenda to introduce Hermes Castro; a wonderful, inspiring, charismatic Mesa student who is also a paraplegic and a victim of a drunk driver. If you would like to know more about Hermes log on to his inspiring website: www.hermescastro.com  Hermes' story is truly inspiring, and his spirit is so indomitable that he is on the verge of becoming a world explorer. In fact, Hermes will be joining Sir Robert Swan, who is known as "one of the great explorers and adventurers in history, and the first man to walk to both the North and South Poles."  Hermes will board "Yacht 2041" as part of Robert Swan's next expedition focusing on a Voyage for Cleaner Energy.  This entire adventure began when Robert Swan presented a lecture at Mesa College and Hermes was in the audience as part of a class requirement. After the presentation, the two talked, and the rest is history. The ICC is extremely inspired and will be raising funds to send Hermes to the Antarctic. 

The Beat Goes On

Great events that helped to lift our spirits.

10/29 - Music Recital featuring Janos Negyesy on violin.

10/29 - Drug and Alcohol Awareness Event. Simulator goggles, sobriety tests, a crashed car, a mock funeral, an arrest and a DUI conviction are all a part of this experiential drunk driving awareness event intended to change the behavior of college-aged students who drink and drive.

10/29 - Orientation Session, Hospitality Program. Potential students interested in this career programs in Hotel Management, Events Management, Culinary Arts/Culinary Management are invited to attend.

President's Cabinet Update

 

At its meeting Tuesday, October 28, the President's Cabinet:

• Approved the following Major Events:
  By consent:
  a)  Sal Castro Visit to Mesa College, November 5, 2008
  b)  Tri-Regional Meeting of Co-op Work Experience Educators, February 17, 2009
  
  By unanimous vote:
  a) Big Gay Awareness Fair, November 3-4, 2008
  b) Rocky Horror Picture Show-Halloween Party, as amended, October 30, 2008
• Heard Dean Yvonne Bergland and Professor Jill Baker's campus and district accreditation update, where they requested additional faculty and students for Mesa College's task force.
• Dean Bergland presented the 2008 Mesa Program Review Handbook which was revised to reflect the integration of Administrative Services.
• Discussed e-mail guidelines and the current controversy regarding use of the "DL."  Numerous suggestions emerged that ranged from finding a "technical remedy" to exercising peer pressure, referring to the college's Civility Statement and the possible creation of a separate "chat room" that could be used for discussion purposes.

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase" -- Martin Luther King Jr.

I have a question for you, how many of you saved the November 5, 2008, edition of your local newspaper?

Last Tuesday, as I sat alone watching the election returns with my family scattered to the four winds, I was thankful for technology that allowed me to text message, phone and use my webcam to bring together the bunch that makes up my immediate family. I realized that the number of immigrants in the group is growing smaller, followed by our children, first generation Americans, and then second generation Americans, of which there are now three grandchildren among us all, ranging from six months to three years of age. As is true with all families in this great country, there are both Democrats and Republicans, and we were all deeply engaged and deeply invested in the election results. As the countdown started and the electoral votes were being added to determine the next president of the United States, I was no longer cognizant that I was alone in my little apartment because the noise, excitement, furious text messaging, and webcam were going wild.  I realized that I had a full house of hope, civic engagement and full-blown participation in the American privilege associated with voting for our elected officials.

I will forever save in my electronic files the record of who among us awoke the earliest to vote, who among us was the oldest to vote (my father in law who turned 90 last August, followed by my mother who is 81; the youngest was my daughter Mariel, who is 24).  In our family lore there is also my story about who called the election first; this honor belongs to Isabella, my two year old granddaughter, who started a victory chant for Senator Obama at about 7:55 p.m. PST. There was also the late call at 10:00 p.m. from my sister Silvia, a registered Republican, who called to concede the election and say that even though her candidate did not win, this is a great country, and Senator McCain was a most gracious hero. I concurred.

The road ahead for us all, given the very complex set of economic, social, and global issues, is indeed steep, but as the quote listed above indicates, "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." (Martin Luther King Jr.)

Mesa's Many Steps - All in the Right Direction

Celebrating Participatory Governance: Twenty Years After AB 1725 – Mesa's faculty leadership was eager to participate in the Fall 2008 session of the Statewide Academic Senate, particularly because this year's conference was scheduled at the Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles. Mark Wade Lieu, President of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges, stated that, "we cannot but help celebrating the fact that terms like 'participatory governance,' 'academic and professional matters,' and 'collegial consultation' are part of our everyday vocabulary."

Indeed, President Lieu is correct, and I would add that the precepts of AB 1725 and participatory governance are now very much a part of the curriculum in schools of education at all colleges and universities in California that are engaged in preparing the next cohort of educational leaders in the State.

Students Breaking Records - On Thursday, October 30, Mesa College Women's and Men's Cross Country Teams competed in the Pacific Coast Conference Championships at Southwestern College. Mesa College's Women's team finished 2nd in the conference. Mesa College's Men's Cross Country team placed 1st in the Pacific Coast Conference and is ranked #1 in the State for Men's Cross Country teams. Both teams are competing today, at the Southern California Championships in Bakersfield, and I am waiting eagerly to hear the outcomes, because I understand that the State Championships will be held November 22 in Fresno.

Congratulations to Coaches Rene Ross and Thom Hunt; our students are not just taking steps in the right direction they are running to meet their goals as athletes and as scholars. Mesa is proud of our student athletes and their achievements.

Biology Lecture Series – One of the most intriguing activities within the academy has to be the Biology Lecture Series coordinated by our own Dr. Kevin A. Krown, Assistant Professor of Biology.  This week students, faculty and staff had the opportunity to attend a lecture by Dr. Mark Nijland, University of Texas Health Science Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Research. Dr. Nijland presented a seminar entitled "The Fetal Origins Hypothesis:  Where Health Begins." If you did not attend the lecture, then you missed on being conversant on "how epigenetic factors play major roles in development of phenotype and predisposition to disease in later life." (Kevin Krown, Ph.D.)  The good news is that you can catch the next one.

Walkouts - Staying with our theme of taking steps, on Wednesday, activist and educator Sal Castro discussed his central role in the 1968 East Los Angeles Walkouts. This event triggered a series of protests in East Los Angeles and in other high schools throughout California.  More than 20,000 students boycotted school for a week in opposition to unequal conditions in Los Angeles area schools. Now retired, Castro continues to lecture about his experience and the importance of education, equity and diversity for all students.  In 2006, HBO released the file "Walkout," which tells the story of Castro and the events surrounding the student protests. Where were you in 1968? (The question does not apply if you were not yet born).

Mesa Recycles - an event sponsored by the Honors Club and ASG urged everyone to "bring electronics, computers, printers, TVs, DVD and CD players, cell phones, cameras" and the like to the Free Speech area for recycling. No one doubts anymore, that we are living through the emergence of a comprehensive movement around sustainability in which everyone must do their part. Congratulations to our students for continuing to lead the way.

Native American Heritage Month - In 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November as "National American Indian Heritage Month."  This proclamation had been a long time coming beginning in 1915, when Red Fox James, a Blackfoot Indian, rode horseback from state to state seeking approval for a day to honor Indians and delivered the endorsement of 24 states directly to the White House. The theme for this year's heritage month is "Celebrating Tribal Nations: American's Great Partners." Here at Mesa a celebration was held on Thursday with traditional tribal singing, food and arts and crafts exhibits.

The Beat Goes On

Great events that help to lift our spirits.

10/9-11/6 -- Mesa College Art Gallery Exhibit: PreMeditated: Meditations on Capital Punishment by Artist Malaquias Montoya. Featuring the paintings and silk-screened posters of a leading figure in the West Coast political Chicano graphics art movement. Mesa College Art Gallery, D101. Gallery Hours: Tue., Wed., Fri., 12- 5 p.m.; Thu. 12-8 pm. Free admission.

11/1, 2 – Mesa College Dance Company Presents "Play the Floor." Outstanding performances featuring Mesa College dance students. Fri., Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Nov. 2, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., Lyceum Theatre, Horton Plaza.

11/1 – Orientation Session: Health Information Technology Program. Potential students interested in this career program attended an informational and inspirational program.

11/5 – Music Recital Hour... featuring Paul Bowman on Guitar, "a program of modern classical music. Bowman has been praised for his versatility and fearless attacks at dissonant sounds and unpredictable rhythms." - Joe Falleta.

President's Cabinet Update

At its meeting Tuesday, November 4,the President's Cabinet:

• Approved for publication the British Debate Exhibition scheduled for November 20, 2008.
• Introduced Sebastian Law, newly elected ASG President.
• Reviewed Academic Senate Resolution 08.10.4 regarding the Academic Calendar for 2009-10.

Discussion also ensued regarding the possibility of mid-year budget cuts, followed by summary presented by President Cepeda resulting from a panel presentation sponsored by USD's College of Educational Policy and Law (CEPAL) on the topic of the California Economy.

"An optimist will tell you the glass is half-full; the pessimist, half-empty; and the engineer will tell you the glass is twice the size it needs to be" - Anonymous

The Budget Question

In my attempt to search for the perfect quote for this week’s update, I had some serious choices to make. I finally selected the one above because I thought it would best prepare us for the budget discussions we are about to undertake. In many ways, I think you would agree with me that the message in this quote by an anonymous author has a certain beauty and simplicity to it. It manages to accommodate most personality types in our college and perhaps even the same individual depending on the topic of the budget discussion. What do you think?

In facing serious budget decisions, there are several steps that bode well in the development of an acceptable outcome:

1. Consider the greater good (this requires revising mission/vision/values);
2. Get all  the facts;
3. Know the implications of those facts to your particular setting (district/college/division/department);
4. Understand that the best recommendations come from those closest to the actual delivery of services;
5. Place all options on the table to maximize resources and reduce extraordinary impact on students;
6. Ensure transparency;
7. Maintain ongoing communication.

I am sure that you can think of a few other maxims, but these will do for now.  If we consider these steps, I feel confident that we are off to a good start in our joint process of deliberation. We have the bad news--cuts will happen.  We also have the good news: our district is well positioned with data and a budget process that will enable us to be deliberate in our decision- making process. Mesa as a college has a clear understanding of how our money has been spent, and we can use this knowledge to our benefit.

What can we expect?

There are many sources of information to consider in constructing a picture for our district and for our college. I have taken excerpts from some of the updates we have received over this last week.

The Community College League

All community college presidents throughout the state received a note from Scott Lay, CCLC President, reprinted below. Please note that there are some direct links to additional information, including an option to take direct action by sending a direct e-mail to the Governor’s Office.

CCLC Excerpt - November 14, 2008

"This morning, we shared with the media the impact of proposed budget cuts on California's community colleges. It's unfathomable, but the cuts would eliminate over a quarter of a million students. To put it in another perspective, it's like shutting down the University of California, only targeting our state's most economically disadvantaged and diverse population.

Meanwhile, in a new poll released today by the Public Policy Institute of California 83% of Californians express concern that the budget gap will cause significant spending cuts in higher education. As a hard-working advocate for California's community colleges, you'll be happy to know that the same poll gives the colleges a big "thumbs up." A full 66% of Californians believe community colleges are doing an "excellent" or "good job," but that there are significant barriers to affordability and accessibility.

We are launching our advocacy effort with a press conference featuring Chancellor Diane Woodruff today at 1 p.m. at Sacramento City College, and we are going to need your help over the next several months.

Will you join me today by sending a quick note to the governor to ask him to do what he can to protect the 250,000 threatened students?"

The Legislative Analysts Office (LAO)

Excerpted from the LAO’s Office Report November 11, 2008

"The Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO), which is the nonpartisan advisor to the Legislature, issued a report last Monday, November 11, analyzing the governor's proposed midyear cuts and making suggestions of its own.

In the report, the LAO generally endorses the governor's revenue proposals, but also calls for a partial restoration of the higher vehicle license fee ("car tax"). Additionally, the LAO recommends taking action now on deeper cuts for the 2009-10 fiscal year.

For community colleges, the LAO recommends:

• Eliminating the 0.68% COLA adopted in the budget act
• No 5% cut to the general apportionment
• Increasing fees to $26 per unit on January 1, 2009 and to $30 on July 1, 2009
• Reducing funding to the regular noncredit rate for:
  - "certain credit-bearing physical education classes (such as pilates, racquetball and golf)" effective January 1, 2008
  - "additional enrichment courses (such as ballroom dancing, drawing and photography)" effective July 1, 2009

Upon full implementation, the reduction in reimbursement rates would cut community college funding by $200 million in 2009-10. Colleges would not be able to keep the $120 million in increased fees."

District Office Response

A recent piece co-authored by Chancellor Carroll and Trustee Grosch, Community college’s budget woes, submitted and printed by the Union Tribune on November 3, served not only to provide one of the best overviews about the causal factors leading to the state budget debacle. Following are excerpts from that article that I consider to be the most pertinent to this update.

"The annual struggle to adopt a California state budget is like chaos theory in mathematics. Apparently random and disordered elements emerge with an order about them. Unfortunately, this year's collision of conflicting and unpredictable elements in the state budget has an order about them, but the consequences are disastrous for students and the state's economy."

"...California's lack of prudent fiscal planning and resulting vacillation from one budget crisis to the next endangers the ability of the state's community colleges to provide the educated work force the state needs to prosper. San Diego's economy is ill-served by a situation when more than 2,000 students seeking to upgrade their skills or transfer to a baccalaureate degree-granting college or university were turned away by the SDCCD from classes that were already filled this semester because the state cannot provide sufficient funding to educate them. Moreover, budget cuts have prevented the development of new programs in high-demand, vocational training areas."

We urge our state decision-makers to take hold of this fiscal situation and solve it once and for all by demonstrating the same discipline and following the same agenda that community college districts, businesses and other organizations follow at times of fiscal difficulty:

• Reducing expenditures and containing costs.
• Aligning expenditures with revenue.
• Establishing a reserve fund for emergency use.
• Increasing revenue.

In the absence of such an agenda, the state's fiscal chaos will continue on its path of random damage, with the predictable result of undermining its own, and San Diego's, future economic health."

The Beat Goes On

Great events that helped to lift our spirits.

Continuing Education Student Day. Students from all six of the San Diego Community College District's Continuing Education campuses were invited to Mesa  to tour the campus, learn about career-technical and academic programs and student services, and ways to make a successful transition from Continuing Education non-credit classes to degree and certificate programs offered at Mesa College. Did you know that these students outperform other students once they enroll on campus. Continuing education adult learners are extremely focused and very talented.

Mesa College Eco Awareness Series. Green Film: "Solar Energy:  Saved by the Sun" A very informative screening of a PBS/NOVA program was presented that focused on the question: can solar power help save the Earth from the depredations of global warming?

Orientation Session, Hospitality Program. Potential students were invited to a very informative session designed to respond to questions about the growing market for well trained professionals trained in the fields of Hotel Management, Events Management, Culinary Arts and Culinary Management. 

Orientation Session: Physical Therapy Assistant Program.  Potential students interested in this career program were  invited to attend a very informative session addressing not only training and educational requirements but also job placement potential in this growing market. 

Offering our Best Thoughts and Prayers

As some of you know two of our colleagues are facing serious medical problems, Matt Kofler and Barry Coleman. Keep them in your thoughts and in your prayers.

President’s Cabinet Update

There was not President’s Cabinet meeting this week because of the Veteran’s Day Holiday.