March 30 2010
Chancellor's Chat
News from the District Office
Bruce Baron, Acting Chancellor (Ext. 4090)
Greetings!
Happy March 30, 2010:
 
Spring is blossoming on our campuses and it's beautiful. In spite of the challenges that face us, we have a great deal to be optimistic about.
  • At this time I can say that we will financially "make it" through 2010-2011 without contract staff layoffs.  The SERP will provide us with the needed savings to fund our existing staff needs, maintain a level of course offerings that will fund at least 14,300 full-time equivalent students, and maintain the services in our categorical programs at the 2009-2010 levels. We must remain conservative and stick closely to our fiscal plan. The state budget is far from final and many surprises can come our way.
  • Our construction projects are moving full-steam-ahead.  The new Communications/Media building at Valley is just about complete and the Aquatics Center and LRC buildings at Crafton Hills College are moving closer to that status as well. Work on Measure M is also moving forward with the hiring of engineers, architects and other technical and professional services.  Work is beginning to progress on the following projects:
  • Crafton Hills College - Renewable energy and energy efficiency projects; parking structure; modular classrooms; site lighting and parking access upgrade; and wellness pool.
  • Valley College - Renewable energy and energy efficiency projects; parking structure; program scope for the renovation of the business building; program scope of new P.E. complex; and site work, disabled access, and signage.
  • Work is rapidly moving ahead on the accreditation recommendations at Crafton Hills College and the District Office.  The District Office Strategic Plan is shaping up to the point where goals and objectives are in final development.  The District Office Program Review Process is also moving forward quickly.  The survey responses from the campuses have been very helpful in focusing on areas for improvement. 
  • The new $4.3 million grant from the Department of Labor through the Economic Development and Corporate Training Department will create training opportunities within the logistics (the movement and handling of goods) field for over 1,400 citizens.
  • Our campuses faculty and staff are working hard to provide successful academic experiences for our students and they are doing a great job! 
So once again thank you for your unique contribution to the success of our District.
 
I want to share a saying by author Susan Jeffers:
 
"We cannot escape fear.  We can only transform it into a companion that accompanies us on all our exciting adventures...Take a risk a day -- one small or bold stroke that will make you feel great once you have done it."
 
Have a great week!
 
Bruce Baron
Acting Chancellor
909-382-4090
Nano Microscope
 
This "nano" microscope is part of the new NanoCenter in the ATTC.  A nanometer is a billionth of a meter. In scientific notation this is written as 1x10E-9, meaning 1/1,000,000,000 meter. For those of us who are more familiar with inches, there are about 2,540,000,000 nanometers in one inch. The application of nanotechnology is the the creation and manufacture of mechanical devices and materials on an atomic and molecular level. This ability will allow major breakthoughs in engineering, medicine and science which will fundamentally change our lives and world.
Save the Dates
Grand Opening of Nanotechnology Center - Thursday, April 1 at 10:00 a.m. in the ATTC.
 
District Assembly Meeting - Tuesday, April 6 at 3:00 p.m. in PDC 104.
 
District Budget Meeting - Thursday, April 8 at 2:00 p.m. in PDC 104.
 
District Board of Trustees Meeting - Thursday, April 8 at 5:00 p.m. in Board Room.
District-wide Safety Committee
I have requested that the District-Wide Safety Committee be convened as a shared governance committee with linkages to the campus safety committees.  The goal is to have a forum for ongoing discussion about safety issues across the District and to work together to promote a culture of safety and to create a rapid response mentality to safety concerns. 
 
The Committee will be chaired by the Vice Chancellor, Human Resources who has the ultimate responsibility for safety District-Wide.  The Vice Presidents of Administrative Services will also participate since they are responsible for safety concerns at the campus level.  Faculty, classified staff, managers and students will also be a part of the committee.  Also, we have integrated emergency preparedness into the Safety Committee since this is a very important aspect of our safety program.  The Police Chief is also a Committee member.
 
The first meeting is scheduled for April 30, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the District Office.  The meeting is open to the public.
 
 
 
 
Today's News
District-Wide Safety Committee
Overhaul of District Photocopier Program
Sustainability
 News Briefs
Remember the April 16th cut-off date for purchasing from the unrestricted general fund accounts is fast approaching.  To see the cut-off instructions, click here.
 
Board accreditation workshop will be held on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 5pm.  This will be a comprehensive update on the status of Crafton Hills and other accreditation recommendations.
 
You may want to review the Contract and Agreement Handbook for information on the steps to process a contract at the District.  Click here!
Major Overhaul of Photocopier Program

SBCCD has historically operated a decentralized copier program where Crafton Hills leased Canon copiers from one vendor while Valley College and the District office purchased Sharp copiers from another. This decentralized copier program has led to higher maintenance, toner, and paper costs as copier and print usage has not been properly controlled.  

SBCCD publicly advertised Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 2010-03 for comprehensive copier solutions. The bid included the following services:

·  "Pooled" purchasing power with other public agencies to decrease procurement costs

·   A standardized maintenance program to decrease maintenance & on-demand repair costs

·   Fleet management services which evaluates usage and necessary maintenance and repairs

·   Print management services which allows print requests  to be more efficiently produced

 

SBCCD received nine (9) proposals, of which eight (8) were legally responsive to all bid requirements. The bids were extensively evaluated by College technology and District print shop representatives on the following criteria:

 

·   Value and quality of "pooled" purchasing contracts with other public agencies

·   Value and quality of copiers, printers, and multi-function devices

·   Value and quality of maintenance and repair services

·   Value and quality of fleet management services and software

·   Value and quality of print management services and software

·   Value and quality of a District-wide copier and printer survey

·   Experience of assigned account representatives

·   References of previous and/or current clientele

·   Demonstration of financial viability and stability

 

After evaluating the proposals, the evaluation committee recommends Konica Minolta Business Solutions as the best vendor to meet the short-term and long-terms needs and goals of a District-wide comprehensive copier solution. The District is able to enter into a "best-price" agreement utilizing a County of San Bernardino negotiated pricing agreement.

 

Sustainability
Our District has been moving towards a commitment to sustainability as part of a renewable energy program that began with the selection of the Crafton Hills Aquatics Center and the Valley Science Building to be LEEDS projects for energy efficiency as part of Measure P.  All of our Measure M projects will be LEED Silver standard or higher. 
 
In the coming months move toward a more formal commitment to sustainability. We will start small so we can be successful.  Then we can broaden the commitment if we choose.  To get the dialogue started here is some basic information to consider.
 
Definition of Sustainability: Sustainability is traditionally defined as the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (World commission on Environment and Development, 1987).  More specifically, sustainability involves the satisfaction of basic economic, social and security needs now and in the future without undermining the natural resource base and environmental quality on which it depends (EPA, 2010).
 
Sustainability practices that I believe we can achieve for a beginning program.
  • Implement green building construction and renovation elements through Leadership in Energy and Enviromental Design (LEED) silver certification or greater and through green building standards.
  • Utilize onsite renewable energy and alternative energy systems where appropriate and cost effective.
  • Maximize efficient energy utilization through energy conservation and building energy efficiency improvements.
  • Reduce domestic water use as feasible.
  • Reduce the generation of solid waste.
  • Pursue federal, state and utility energy grants, loans and subsidies.
You will be hearing more about sustainability in the coming months. 
 
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