March 4, 2010
New North Hall Project at Valley 
The new North Hall construction project at Valley College is really taking shape.
Chancellor's Chat
News from the District Office
Bruce Baron, Acting Chancellor (Ext. 4021)
Greetings!
Happy March 4, 2010:
 
Time is moving so quickly and our spring semester is racing toward completion.  Those of you who will gone for Spring Break have a restful and fun time. Thank you once again for all that you do for our students.
 
I want to share a saying by business author and speaker, Tom Peters:
 
"What skills will be required for tomorrow? Nobody knows. The important thing is to keep acquiring new ones. We're in an environment where education -- for life, for everyone -- is the game."
 
Have a great week!
 
Bruce Baron
Acting Chancellor
909-382-4021
Outcome of discussion on parking fees
We had a very lively discussion yesterday at District Assembly regarding the proposed fee schedule changes including the increase in parking permit costs.  It was very moving to hear from our staff and our students about the difficulties of paying higher fees.  Unfortunately, the need to increase fees is based on the legal requirement to pay all cost of parking operations and maintenance out of parking fees.
 
However, Based on the discussion we modified the original proposal and a smaller increase was proposed.   Here is the plan that was approved by District Assembly.
 
Here is the final plan.
  • The parking permit fee for fall and spring will be raised from $20 per semester to $30 per semester.  This is half of the increase originally proposed.  Summer permits will remain at $15 for an annual total of $75.  Motorcycles and daily permits will remain unchanged.
  • Parking violations for illegal parking and decal violations will increase from $20 to $50.
  • An ad-hoc committee will be formed from each constituency group represented on District Assembly, to look at alternative revenue opportunities that may be able to supplement the upkeep and maintenance of the parking areas.
  • These changes will be put into place effective fall 2010 and will be reexamined next year to determine if adequate revenues are being generated to cover the operating costs of the parking areas as well as the long-term maintenance costs.
 
I want to thank District Assembly members for a lively and constructive discussion and the ability to make a compromise.  I also want to thank the students and staff who came to share their views on the issue.   
This Weeks News
Outcome of parking permit discussion
Parking permit fees on March 2 District Assembly agenda
New mileage reimbursement rate coming
Quick Links
Save the Dates
District Budget Committee
Thursday March 11, 2pm in PDC 104
Resource Allocation Committee
Monday, March 22, 2010, PDC 104
District Strategic Planning
Friday March 12, 10am, ATTC
 News Briefs
Board will accept SERP retirement names at March 11 meeting.
 
The deadline to submit the SERP paperwork was March 2nd.  Over fifty employees chose to take the SERP.  Final names and numbers will not be officially released until the March 11 Board meeting.  It does seem as if we will be able to achieve our financial goals for the SERP and to make retirement a little bit "sweeter" for our employees. 
Budget discussion "heats up" at the state level
On Thursday, February 25th, the Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) released its analysis of the education proposals in the 2010-2011 Governor's Budget.  This report is significant because it is used as a starting point for legislative debate on the state budget for next year.  Some of the highlighs of the LAO's report include:
 
  • Increase in community college student fees to $40 per credit unit.  This would represent an increase of 54% over the current $26 per credit unit. 
  • Provide the recommended 2.2% growth increase to community colleges funded from the increased student fee income.
  • Reject the negative COLA of -.38%.
  • Reject the reductions to EOPS and Part-Time Faculty Compensation by $10 million each for the community college system.
  • Reduce the increased support of Career and Technical Education by $20 million from $68 million to $48 million.
  • Suspend the Full-Time Faculty Obligation. 
  • Suspend or modify the 50% law.
  • Suspend limitations on contracting out for non-instructional activities.
  • Add more programs to the community college categorical flexibility item.
 
There are some very controversial recommendations from the LAO that will receive a great deal of debate in the legislature.  We will follow this discussion closely. 
New mileage reimbursement rate coming soon
The District is moving toward the implementation of a new mileage reimbursment rate to be effective April 1, 2010.  The IRS has decreased the allowable mileage rate from $.55 to $.50 effective this past January.  We are seeking Board approval on a revision to Administrative Procedure 7420 which will allow the District to follow the IRS guideline for mileage reimbursement released each January.  Currently, we are waiting several months for notification from the state that a new rate has been adopted.  Please be aware that for all travel after April 1 to use the new rate.  Please call Ben Gamboa at extension 4089 if you have any questions.
 
 
Let me know how the District Office can help to support you in the important work that you do for our students.
 
Sincerely,
 
Bruce Baron
Acting Chancellor
San Bernardino Community College District