April 27, 2010
Grand Opening of the NanoCenter 
The grand opening of the Center for the Advancement of NanoTechnology took place on April 22nd.  From left to right, Albert Maniaol, Matthew Isaac, Bruce Baron, Charles Terrell, Meyya Meyyappan (from NASA), Jess Vizcaino and John Futch.

Valley College from the air

 
 Chancellor's Chat
News from the District Office
 Bruce Baron
Acting Chancellor
Extension 4090
Greetings!
Happy April 27, 2010:
 
I hope you are doing well and feeling accomplished as we begin to wind down the spring semester.  We have been working hard at the District Office look at ourselves in a critical way and to use the many constructive survey comments we received during our Program Review to improve how we work.
 
Change is never easy but it is necessary and must be embraced.  My goal is to have District Office processes and procedures that are friendly to the end users and for the District Office to be seen as valued partners and problem solvers. I know I speak for all of the District Office staff when I say that our goal is to provide you with the best service possible.  How we do this will continue to evolve over time.
 
I want to share a saying that is not attributed to any one person but reflects my personal philosophy: 
 
"The person who really wants to do something finds a way; the other person finds an excuse."
 
Have a great week!
 
Bruce Baron
Acting Chancellor
909-382-4021
 Budget Update
The next milestone in the state budget is the Governor's May Revise which will be released mid-May.  At that time we will see what adjustments the Governor recommends for the Community Colleges System based on projected income and expense changes since the budget was released in January.
 
At our District it is budget development season and budgets are due this week for 2010-2011.  This first draft budget will be tied to our new district budget allocation model which is in final draft and out for feedback on the campuses.  The new model is open, transparent, and provides a known financial income level for the campuses for improved planning.  The model allocates all district revenue for unrestricted general funds and eliminates the uncertainty that funding is being held back at the district level.
 
With the passage of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, there is much promise of additional funding for the Community Colleges across the nation.  Some of the highlights include the following:
 
  • $2 billion over the next four years to support career and technical education.  
  • An increase in PELL grants to students of about $400 over the next nine years.
  • Elimination of the Federal Family Education Loan in favor of loans made directly from the government saving bank fees.
  • $2.55 billion to continue funding the Investment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions.
  • $750 million over five years to improve financial literacy, and to retain and graduate students.
 
It is clear that we must continue on our quest to develop resources that are outside the typical state funding stream.  Both of our colleges and the Professional Development Center have been successful in writing grants for innovative programs that will benefit our students.  Additional work is needed to expand on these resources.
 
Fortunately, the SERP will provide us with the assitance needed to develop a balanced budget for 2010-2011 if the Governor's Budget doesn't change for the worse.  With over fifty employees retiring through the SERP, the district is able to make the savings required to balance the overall budget.  We will be working with the two colleges over the coming weeks to review their budgets for 2010-2011 and preparing for the presentation of the Tentative Budget to the Board of Trustees in June.
Save the Dates
April 29 - 11am - Crafton Hills campus forum on the District Strategic Plan.
 
April 29 - 3pm - Valley College Campus forum on the District Strategic Plan.
 
April 30 - 2pm - District-Wide Safety Committee meeting in PDC-104.
 
May 4 - 1:30pm - District Office staff meeting to discuss the District Strategic Plan.
 
May 4 - 3:00pm - District Assembly - PDC -104
 
May 7 - 10:00am - District Strategic Planning Committee - ATTC 119.
 
May 10 - 1pm - Resource Allocation Committee.
Quick Links
On April 21, Acting Chancellor Baron made his first webcast to the SBCCD community on the proposed district budget model.  If you missed the webcast and would like to view the presentation please click here.
 
Board of Trustees Receives Update on Accreditation
On April 22nd, the Board of Trustees received a status report on the Crafton Hills College accreditation recommendations.  A follow-up report, due on October 31, 2010, will provide the updated evidence that we believe will result in Crafton Hills College being removed from probationary status.
 
Dr. Matthew Lee presented the report to the Board and he praised all of the faculty and staff involved for their hard work over the past year leading up to these final months of activity.  Dr. Lee provide an overview of the work completed to date with the following highlights:
 
  • The Crafton Hills College Educational Master Plan draft is in the final feedback stage.  Dr. Lee said that the report is exemplary and provides the necessary direction, goals and objectives to meet the accreditation recommendation.
 
  • The Crafton Hills College Planning and Program Review Process shows the integration between annual planning, the Educational Master Plan and the Strategic Directions, Goals and Objectives.
 
  • The addition of the new Director of Institutional Research at Crafton Hills College has jump-started the implementation of data reliability, access and training on the use of data recommendation.
 
  • The development of Student Learning Outcomes for instructional areas and the equivalent for non-instructional areas has progressed significantly and the college is ahead of schedule.
 
  • Administrative and governance structures have been put into place and used extensively which also addresses the recommendation pertaining to participation in decision-making and planning processes.
 
  • Crafton Hills College has developed a long-term financial plan that will inform the planning processes.
 
Additionally, the accreditation team made specific recommendations that included work required by the District Office that had an impact on both colleges.  This work has been progressing all year and is almost complete.  The District, working within the shared governance structure, has developed a new budget allocation model that is currently in the feedback phase.  Also, a District Technology Plan has been developed that is in the final phase of feedback.  A District Strategic Plan has been approved by the shared governance committee and is also out for feedback at the campuses and district office.  And, a Human Resources Staffing Plan is currently in development.
 
The Board asked several insightful questions and seemed pleased with the progress being made.  While no one can guaranteee what final actions the ACCJC will make when presented with the written evidence and the site team's visitation report, we are very optimistic it will mean the restoration of full accrediation to Crafton Hills College. 
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