Chancellor's Chat
San Bernardino Community College District
September 23, 2010
Bruce Baron
Interim Chancellor
 Greetings!
Happy Thursday!

We just got back from the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities conference in San Diego.  What a wonderful experience.  HACU does so much for Hispanic Service Institutions and for Hispanic students around the world including scholarships, grant opportunities, advocacy, and a myriad of other programs that ultimately strengthen our organizations. 

I was joined at this meeting by our college presidents, Deb Daniels and Gloria Harrison.  In addition, two of our students were sponsored and attended the conference, Damaris Castillo and Marina Serna. Below is a photograph of our students, with HACU President, Antonio Flores and Interim Chancellor Baron.  Our District was also recognized as the Outstanding HACU member of the year and we received a plaque that will be place on display in the Board Room.



Tomorrow is a special Board meeting to hear a presentation about the accreditation reports that are due at ACCJC in October.  In particular, the Crafton Hills follow-up report is critical and we are optimistic that the college will come off the probation status as a result of the excellent work effort.  Contributing to this report is the work completed to develop a District Strategic Plan, a District Program Review process, a District Technology Plan, and a Long Range Staffing Plan.  All of these documents are available for review on the District's website (see the links below).

I hope to see you soon.  Have a great week and don't hesitate to call me if you have a question or concern.

Bruce Baron
Interim Chancellor
382-4090

 
Valley College One of the Safest in California

The website StateUniversity.com has recognized Valley College as the 19th safest college campus in California.  The survey is based on severity of crimes and the frequency of crime. Many thanks are due to our police staff who work hard to deter crime on campus.  Also, thanks to the diligent efforts of the campus administration who take student discipline seriously and hold students accountable for their behavior while on campus. 
District Purchasing Goes Digital

The District is in the process of working with the County to adopt digitized signatures for purchase orders.  This will save almost a day a week in staff time and will also cut down the waiting time for faculty to receive their supplies and materials.  This improvement was one of the objectives identified for improvement in the District Program Review.  We anticipate the digitized signatures to be in place by the end of September.
It's Time for SBCCD to Make a Commitment to Sustainability

Heading to the Academic Senate and then to District Assembly is a draft policy and administrative procedure that establishes a District commitment to sustainability.  After the collegial consultation process the policy will come to the Board for approval. 

Sustainability refers to using, developing and protecting resources at a rate and manner which provides for the ability to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

It's time for SBCCD to step up and make an official commitment to sustainability.  We have already taken many positive steps in this direction from our L.E.E.D. buildings, to our "Green Workforce" training programs, to our Water Technology credit degree programs, to our current development of an energy master plan.  This is the logical next step.
Crafton Hills Program
Recognized as Best Practice by Federation for a Competitive Economy (FACE)

In its September -October newsletter, the Federation for a Competitive Economy (FACE) recognized the Crafton Hills College

SOA3R program.  The program refers to Senior Orientation, Application, Assessment, Advising and Registration which takes place at the high school level to facilitate transition for incoming seniors.  Research shows that SOA3R participants have a higher rate of success, retention, and persistence than non-SOA3R students.


One-Time ARRA Funds to be Distributed

Assembly Bill 185 (Chapter 221 Statutes 2010) was enacted, authorizing the release to community college districts of $5 million in one-time federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) State Stabilization funds.  While this is only $56,000 for SBCCD, these funds will be added to the budget model for distribution to the colleges in the final 2010-2011 budget to be enacted in October.

It is likely these funds will be utilized to support student services on campus in light of reductions in those programs last year.



District Strategic Plan

District Technology Plan

2010-2013 Long-Range Staffing Plan

Bond Measure Update

Accreditation Update for 9/23/2010 Trustees Meeting

Interim Chancellor Baron's Facebook Page

Interim Chancellor Baron's You Tube Site
 
Have a great week.  Let me know how I can help.
 
Bruce Baron
909-382-4090
bbaron@sbccd.edu