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President's Message |
 We recently started another academic year, and with that comes the excitement of new beginnings - including a personal beginning for me as Mt. SAC's ninth president. The new school year also brings ongoing challenges the college has been facing for some time now.
With the California's fiscal woes showing little improvement, our state's community colleges will likely face an additional $70 million in revenue cuts midyear, which would trigger an additional fee hike for students statewide to $46 per unit as well as additional class section reductions at Mt. SAC. Our challenge remains to make the tough decisions to achieve financial stability while preserving educational quality and vital support services to foster student success.
As Mt. SAC celebrates its 65th anniversary this month, the college leadership and the entire campus community remain fully committed to the core mission of the college. And despite the economic and many other challenges we face going forward, I'm confident Mt. SAC will emerge even stronger and better.
Dr. William T. Scroggins
President & CEO |
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Fall Semester Starts with Crowded Classrooms | |
Despite a $10-per-unit fee increase and fewer class sections, classrooms across the campus were crowded and wait lists longer than ever during the first week of the fall semester (Aug. 29).
According to preliminary data, 25,632 credit students were enrolled for the fall semester-up 4.18% over last fall. Of this number, 15,323 were part-time credit students (up 12%), and 10,309 were full-time (down 5.8%). Fall credit class offerings dropped by 4%, from 2,941 in 2010 to 2,824.
According to the Instruction Office, 533 class sections were eliminated across all academic divisions due to budget reductions, representing 10,291 seats lost. Sections reduced by division: 31 in Arts Division; 37 in Business; 44 in Technology & Health; 45 in Natural Sciences; 81 in Physical Education; 104 in Humanities & Social Sciences; and 191 in Continuing Education.
Susan Jones, director of Financial Aid, recently reported on the 2010-11 distribution of financial aid funding and noted that over $51 million was distributed to students-an increase of 141% from 2007-08. Of that total, more than $36 million was in the form of Pell Grants, while $9.5 million was in Board of Governors fee waivers. Jones also reported that her office received and processed 34,716 financial aid applications over the past academic year-up 97% from applications filed (17,608) in 2007-08. As of a few weeks ago (Aug. 31), the Financial Aid Office has already received 30,476-clearly demonstrating the growing need for student financial assistance due to the strained economy. |
Osher Matching Scholarship Campaign Exceeds $1M Mark | |
Despite the worst economy since the Great Depression, the Mt. SAC Foundation recently completed the biggest and most successful scholarship fund-raising campaign in the college's history. Thanks to a 50/50 matching gift by the Bernard Osher Foundation, Mt. SAC was able to boost its $1.1 million raised by an additional 50%, thereby guaranteeing 110 $1,000 scholarships in perpetuity.
"This represents a remarkable accomplishment by our employees and donors and great news for our deserving students," said Richard Morley, Foundation executive director. "Our community, faculty and staff have all contributed to this great success."
The scholarships are the result of three years of intense fund-raising by the foundation's board of directors. In May 2008, the Bernard Osher Foundation challenged the foundations at all 112 California community colleges to participate in its matching campaign. Mt. SAC was among only six of the college foundations statewide that met the challenge and created over 100 permanent scholarships.
For more information about supporting the Mt. SAC Foundation, visit www.mtsacfoundation.org.
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Campus Community Marks 10th Anniversary of Sept. 11 |
Hundreds of students and employees came together on Sept. 8 for a poignant commemoration of the Sept. 11 tragedy in a solemn ceremony last week.
The event featured remarks by speech professor and military veteran Mei-Ling Hsieh and Mt. SAC 52nd Fire Academy Commander Alberto Aranda, who delayed his college education and dream of becoming a firefighter to serve two tours of duty in the Iraq War. 
Later, a bagpipe player led the flag-waving crowd along a flag-lined path to Campus Quad. There, many more students and faculty lined the balconies and listened to final remarks, sang the National Anthem and observed the release of a dozen white doves into the sunny sky, symbolizing peace and hope.
The campus flags remained at half-staff through Sept. 11-the day of the national memorial tribute. |
Construction Continues on Two New Buildings |
Two construction projects -- the Design Technology Center and the Early Childhood Education Center -- continue to make good progress on the Mt. SAC campus.
The 62,800-square-foot Design Technology Ce nter, the final major Measure R project, will consolidate computer-based design programs such as animation, architecture, graphic arts, photography and geographic information systems. It is scheduled to open to students next year.
The Early Childhood Development Center, a Measure RR project, will expand, consolidate, and improve the Child Development Center in a new protected site on the east side of campus and create a state-of-the-art Early Childhood Education laboratory. The 35,000-square-foot facility will feature child development classrooms, laboratories, observation spaces, and all required facilities for providing child care for more than 160 children. It is set to open next year.
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Planetarium Shows Return, Open to the Public |
The Mt. SAC-Randall Planetarium has launched its fall season with some spectacular shows, which are all open to the public.
The fall season runs Aug. 19 through Dec. 17 and will feature 50-minute shows each weekend except Thanksgiving. Two shows will be presented on Fridays and Saturdays at 7 and 8:30 p.m.
The fall lineup features: The Magic of Astronomy, Wonders of the Universe, Star Tales, Stars of the Pharaohs, Halloween Happenings, and the holiday favorite, Season of Lights.
For event and ticket information, visit the Planetarium's new website: www.mtsacplanetarium.com. |
Performing Arts Season Kicks Off! |
Mark your calendars and be sure to experience exceptional performances and exhibits by Mt. SAC students, faculty and professional artists.
The 2011 Artful Inspiration season is now underway. For event and ticket information, visit http://performingarts.mtsac.edu or www.4tix.org.
Coming up:
Michael Falzone: Examined
Sept. 15 - Oct. 13
Art Gallery
The Bacchae
Fri. & Sat., Oct. 21 & 22, 8 p.m.
Sun. matinee: Oct. 23, 2 p.m.
Clarke Theater
Fall Music Department Student Showcase
Sat., Oct. 22, 8 p.m.
Feddersen Recital Hall
Mt. SAC Bands and the Pacific Brass in Concert
Wed., Oct. 26, 8 p.m.
Clarke Theater
Fall Choral Concert
Fri. & Sat., Nov. 4 & 5, 8 p.m.
Feddersen Recital Hall
Repertory Dance Concert
Fri. & Sat., Nov. 4 & 5, 8 p.m.
Sun. matinee: Nov. 6, 3 p.m.
Clarke Theater
Fall Music Faculty Showcase
Sun., Nov. 6, 3 p.m.
Feddersen Recital Hall
An Evening of Vocal Jazz
Sat., Nov. 12, 8 p.m.
Clarke Theater
The Splendor of Taiwan:
Contemporary Photography Celebrating
The Republic of China Centennial
Nov. 10 - Dec. 8
Art Gallery
Fall Percussion Concert
Wed., Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m.
Feddersen Recital Hall
Uptown Jazz with the Mt. SAC Jazz Band
Fri., Nov. 18, 8 p.m.
Clarke Theater
Mt. SAC Chamber Ensemble Fall Concert
Sun., Nov. 20, 4 p.m.
Feddersen Recital Hall |
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