I'll have the privilege of accompanying more than 100 DMC students, employees and Regents for Community College Day in Austin Wednesday, Feb. 2. We'll meet with South Texas Legislators, collaborate with other community colleges and show our concern for the challenges facing the 82nd Legislative Session. The College is bracing to deal with the potential for unprecedented state funding cuts. This is our opportunity to emphasize the critical role community colleges play in Texas higher education.

 

In order to respond to College budget concerns and share information with members of the College District, I will lead the Executive Team in a Community Forum Tuesday, Feb. 8, at 12:30 p.m. in the Center for Economic Development. In cooperation with the Board of Regents, this Community Forum will share information we've received from the state as well as our own preliminary budget projections. This Forum will also provide an opportunity for questions from the audience. The monthly Board of Regents meeting will be delayed until 2 p.m. following the Forum that day.

 

Alumni, students, employees and other community stakeholders are invited to participate in one of three Town Hall meetings scheduled Thursday and Friday, Feb. 3 and 4, to consider the College's main purposes as articulated in our Philosophy, Mission Statement and Statement of Purpose. I urge everyone involved with the College to make time to participate in this important re-examination of a critical component of College Strategic Planning.  

 

More than two years of planning culminate with the groundbreaking for the Fine Arts Complex expansion Monday, Feb. 7, at 10 a.m on the East Campus. This expansion, designed to serve the major increase in drama and other fine arts students in recent years, will also provide the community with a new venue for theater performances in the future. Come join us as we "raise the curtain" for our new proscenium theater, financed with revenue bond funds.