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The Weekly
Friday, February 24, 2006
- LAO Analyzes Governor’s Proposed Budget
- Legislation Threatening Academic Freedom Reintroduced
- Federal Higher Education Commission Considers Higher Education Testing
- Last Chance for Lobby Day
- Nominations Open for the FACCC Board of Governors
- FACCC Part-Time Summit Registration Open
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LAO ANALYZES GOVERNOR’S PROPOSED BUDGET
The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) released two reports this week on the governor’s January budget proposal: ”Analysis of the Budget Bill” and “Perspectives and Issues” (Click on each to view in full). According to these reports, the state would end with a surplus of $2.6 billion if the governor’s proposed budget is fully adopted. Nonetheless, the operating shortfalls for the next two fiscal years would be $4 billion and $5 billion respectively.
Based on more recent data on actual inflation in the state and local government sector, the LAO estimates the community college and K-12 COLA could rise to 5.8 percent. The Legislature would need to approve this through the budget process.
LEGISLATION THREATENING ACADEMIC FREEDOM REINTRODUCED
FACCC, along with faculty organizations across the higher education spectrum, will once again confront the so-called “Student Bill of Rights.” The new measure, SB 1412 (Morrow), is substantially similar to last year’s SB 5 (Morrow), and last session’s SB 1335 (Morrow). FACCC previously helped defeat the prior bills, which purported to protect students while, in fact, threatening academic freedom. According to the Senate Education Committee’s prior analysis of last year’s SB 5, the measure stemmed from a national movement, whose followers believe "colleges and universities are bastions of political correctness and are hostile to the free exchange of ideas."
This year’s version has a new twist not contained in the last two bills. It would require that “all meetings pertaining to faculty hiring, promotion, and tenure must be audiotaped. The audiotapes shall be maintained and made available for review by appropriate authorities for compliance with state and federal laws and systemwide or campus policies.” FEDERAL HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION CONSIDERS HIGHER EDUCATION TESTING
Earlier this month, the Commission on the Future of Higher Education convened in San Diego to focus on whether standardized testing should be expanded into universities and colleges in order to provide the public with more information regarding student outcomes in higher education. Chair Charles Miller, a Texas business executive, has stated that while he does not see a No Child Left Behind Act for higher education, he supports public reporting of collegiate learning as measured through testing.
LAST CHANCE FOR LOBBY DAY
There is still time to participate in FACCC Lobby Day on March 6. While the deadline has passed to set up appointments with legislators, you may still attend the morning session with featured legislators. For more information, click here.
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR THE FACCC BOARD OF GOVERNORS
If you're passionate about the profession and believe you can make a difference, consider running for the FACCC Board of Governors. The nominating period has begun, and will run through March 13 - with elections held in April.
The following positions are open for the next election:
President-Elect
Vice President
Governors At Large - 3 openings
Regional Governors - openings in regions B, C and D
Governor for Part-Time - Northern California
For questions or more information, please contact Jeremy Goulart at (916) 447-8555, or via e-mail to jgoulart@faccc.org.
FACCC PART-TIME SUMMIT REGISTRATION OPEN
Don’t miss FACCC’s upcoming Part-Time Summit! Summit topics include: Part-Time Empowerment, Part-Time Retirement, Unemployment Insurance, the State Budget and Legislation.
March 31, 2006
noon to 4:00 pm
Mesa Community College , San Diego
Room G106
Cost: $20 (includes lunch)
To register, contact Janet Oropeza at (916) 447-8555.
Thursday, February 17, 2006
- LAO Releases New Report on Public Retiree Health Care
- Assembly Budget Committee Begins Hearings
- Joint Committee Deliberates Governor's Bond Proposal
- RSVP for Lobby Day: Photos and Bios Online
- Nominations Open for the FACCC Board of Governors
- Attend Upcoming Academic Integrity Workshops
- Save the Date: FACCC Part-Time Summit
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LAO RELEASES NEW REPORT ON PUBLIC RETIREE HEALTH CARE
The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) today released a report on the growing costs of providing for retiree health care. Explained within are changes in government accounting for health care triggered by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement 45 (GASB 45). According to the report, “GASB 45 will result in calculation of an unfunded liability for retiree health programs similar to the comparable figure for pension systems.”
Click here to view the report.
ASSEMBLY BUDGET COMMITTEE BEGINS HEARINGS
The Assembly Budget Committee conducted the first of many hearings on the governor’s proposed budget for 2006-07. While the Department of Finance testified that the governor’s January budget proposal is balanced for next year, it creates an operating deficit of $4.7 billion for 2007-08, and a potential $10 billion shortfall for 2008-09.
JOINT COMMITTEE DELIBERATES GOVERNOR'S BOND PROPOSAL
The Joint Conference Committee on Infrastructure Bonds met Thursday to discuss the governor’s multi-billion infrastructure bond plan. The Department of Finance testified that the governor’s plan is premised on how much bond capacity the state could handle. Legislators from both parties preferred to start by looking at infrastructure needs, rather than the State’s ability to fund projects.
RSVP FOR LOBBY DAY: PHOTOS AND BIOS ONLINE
Reserve your spot at this year’s FACCC Lobby Day, March 6. Click here to view photos and bios of the featured speakers.
RSVP by calling Janet at the FACCC office, (916)447-8555.
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR THE FACCC BOARD OF GOVERNORS
If you're passionate about the profession and believe you can make a difference, consider running for the FACCC Board of Governors. The nominating period has begun, and will run through March 13 - with elections held in April.
The following positions are open for the next election:
President-Elect
Vice President
Governors At Large - 3 openings
Regional Governors - openings in regions B, C and D
Governor for Part-Time - Northern California
For questions or more information, please contact Jeremy Goulart at (916) 447-8555, or via e-mail to jgoulart@faccc.org.
ATTEND UPCOMING ACADEMIC INTEGRITY WORKSHOPS
Presented by Jeanne Wilson, director of Student Judicial Affairs at UC Davis, these upcoming workshops will focus on strategies that community college faculty can use to uphold academic integrity in the classroom. The Academic Integrity Workshop is FACCC's most popular workshop and space is limited, so register today by calling Jeremy Goulart at (916) 447-8555. Don’t miss this free opportunity.
March 10, 2006 from 1:00 to 3:00pm
Southwestern College, Chula Vista
Room L238April 7, 2006 from 1:00 to 3:00pm
Glendale Community College , Glendale
Student Center | Room SC212Both workshops are free to all faculty (please RSVP).
SAVE THE DATE: FACCC PART-TIME SUMMIT
FACCC will be conducting a Southern California Part-Time Summit on Friday, March 31 at Mesa College . Workshops topics will include retirement, unemployment insurance, state budget and legislation. Stay tuned for details.
Friday, February 9, 2006
- Federal Budget Proposal Unveiled: Bad News for Education
- Congressional Community College Caucus Launched – Your Help Needed
- Senate Committee Continues Deliberation of Governor’s Bond Proposal
- Majority Whip Karen Bass (D – Los Angeles ) Scheduled for FACCC Lobby Day
- Nominations Open for the FACCC Board of Governors
- Attend Upcoming Academic Integrity Workshop
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FEDERAL BUDGET PROPOSAL UNVEILED: BAD NEWS FOR EDUCATION
President Bush unveiled his proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 Department of Education budget on Monday, which reflects a $2.1 billion cut from the current year. The Budget recommends slashing the Perkins loan program by just over $1 billion to under $133 million. The Administration notes its intention to phase out the Perkins program, which it calls inefficient and duplicative. Despite rising tuition costs across the country, Pell Grants would remain stable at $4,050 for the fourth year in a row.
Although the President’s budget proposal contains $850 million for Academic Competitive and National SMART Grants to college students, most California community college students cannot access these funds. They are restricted to full-time students who have taken a rigorous high school curriculum, prescribed by the Secretary of Education.
FACCC joined representatives of community college districts around the country to lobby for restoration of the cuts, and increased support of the community colleges at the federal level.
CONGRESSIONAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAUCUS LAUNCHED – YOUR HELP NEEDED
FACCC needs your help in securing the participation of California congressional representatives in the newly-formed Community College Caucus. In order to join, members of Congress need only communicate their interest with Representative Brad Miller (D – North Carolina) or Representative Michael Castle (R - Delaware). Currently limited to the House of Representatives, the Caucus intends to promote community college issues on the House agenda.
FACCC has long advocated the creation of a similar caucus in Sacramento , and will be discussing this latest federal development with state legislators.
Use the model letter (click here) to communicate with your congressional representative and encourage participation in the caucus.
SENATE COMMITTEE CONTINUES DELIBERATION OF GOVERNOR’S BOND PROPOSAL
This week, the Senate Education Committee conducted another hearing on the governor’s proposed higher education facility bond proposal. Reiterating his concern that the governor’s bond does not appropriately fund community colleges, Senator Jack Scott (D – Pasadena ) emphasized that community colleges educate the largest number of students in the state, particularly students of color.
Senator George Runner (R – Antelope Valley ) noted that community colleges face higher construction costs than either the University of California or the California State University because of mandatory compliance with the Field Act.
The Chancellor’s Office testified that 80 percent of the new student growth in public higher education over the next ten years will come to the community college system. While local districts have covered $13 billion in local bond funding, the System faces a $31 billion need over the next decade. The governor’s bond plan provides merely 21 percent of the community colleges facilities needs over the next ten years.
MAJORITY WHIP KAREN BASS (D – Los Angeles ) SCHEDULED FOR FACCC LOBBY DAY
FACCC has confirmed the participation of Assembly Majority Whip Karen Bass (D – Los Angeles ) for its Lobby Day program. Bass will be joining Assemblymembers Joe Coto (D - San Jose), and Senator Bob Margett (R - Arcadia ).
Join FACCC at Lobby Day, scheduled for:
Monday, March 6
State Capitol, Sacramento (Room 437)
8:30am - 5:00pm
No cover. Optional FACCC PAC Lunch, $25
You must RSVP in order for FACCC to arrange legislative visits, and to reserve a spot at lunch. RSVP today by calling (916) 447-8555.
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR THE FACCC BOARD OF GOVERNORS
If you're passionate about the profession and believe you can make a difference, consider running for the FACCC Board of Governors. The nominating period has begun, and will run through March 13 - with elections held in April.
The following positions are open for the next election:
President-Elect
Vice President
Governors At Large - 3 openings
Regional Governors - openings in regions B, C and D
Governor for Part-Time - Northern California
Descriptions of the FACCC regions, along with information about board duties and the FACCC election procedures, can be found by clicking here.
For questions or more information, please contact Jeremy Goulart at (916) 447-8555, or via e-mail to jgoulart@faccc.org.
ATTEND UPCOMING ACADEMIC INTEGRITY WORKSHOP
Presented by Jeanne Wilson, director of Student Judicial Affairs at UC Davis, this workshop will focus on strategies that community college faculty can use to uphold academic integrity in the classroom. This is FACCC's most popular workshop, so do not miss this free opportunity.
Academic Integrity Workshop
Southwestern College, Chula Vista
March 10, 2006 from 12:30pm to 3:00pm
Free to all faculty (please RSVP)
To RSVP for this workshop, please call Jeremy Goulart at (916) 447-8555. Space is limited, so register early. Details Here (PDF)
Friday, February 3, 2006
- Assembly Higher Education Committee Deliberates Facilities Bond
- FACCC Testifies on CalSTRS Actuarial Shortfall
- Dan Walters Analyzes Community College Initiative
- Don't Miss Democratic and Republican Leaders at Lobby Day
- Nominations Open for the FACCC Board of Governors
- Attend Upcoming Academic Integrity Workshop
ASSEMBLY HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE DELIBERATES FACILITIES BOND
The Assembly Higher Education Committee discussed the governor’s proposed facilities bond, providing $11.7 billion for higher education.
Secretary of Education Alan Bersin defended the governor’s measure which distributes the proceeds on a roughly equal basis between the community colleges, California State University , and the University of California . According to Bursin, the proposed split is justified by modernization projections submitted by all three segments, and upholds the previous compacts made with both the University of California and the California State University .
Both the Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Community College Chancellor’s Office emphasized that community colleges should receive a higher share because of the number of students they serve.
FACCC TESTIFIES ON CALSTRS ACTUARIAL SHORTFALL
Wednesday, FACCC testified before the Teachers’ Retirement Board ( TRB ) on ways to close the $24 billion actuarial shortfall in the Defined Benefit (DB) Program. The different options presented to the TRB include issuing pension obligation bonds, extending the current amortization period from 30 to 40 years, and employer and employee rate increases.
Click here to read article in full.
DAN WALTERS ANALYZES COMMUNITY COLLEGE INITIATIVE
Syndicated columnist Dan Walters devoted his Wednesday piece to the community college initiative, cosponsored by FACCC, the Los Angeles College Faculty Guild, the California Federation of Teachers and the Community College League of California. In his column, Walters asks: “Why should [community colleges] be left naked as one of the few remaining major categories of state spending without protection as the state continues to run up chronic deficits?”
Click here to read article in full.
DON ’T MISS DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN LEADERS AT LOBBY DAY
FACCC has confirmed the participation of Assemblymember Joe Coto (D – San Jose) and Senator Bob Margett (R – Arcadia ), both of whom play a major role in community college funding decisions.
Join FACCC at Lobby Day, scheduled for:
Monday, March 6
State Capitol, Sacramento (Room TBA)
8:30 am – 5:00 pm
No cover. Optional FACCC PAC Lunch, $25You must RSVP in order for FACCC to arrange legislative visits, and to reserve a spot at lunch. RSVP today by calling (916) 447-8555.
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR THE FACCC BOARD OF GOVERNORS
If you’re passionate about the profession and believe you can make a difference, consider running for the FACCC Board of Governors. The nominating period has begun, and will run through March 13 – with elections held in April.
The following positions are open for the next election:
President-Elect
Vice President
Governors At Large - 3 openings
Regional Governors - openings in regions B, C and D
Governor for Part-Time - Northern CaliforniaDescriptions of the FACCC regions, along with information about board duties and the FACCC election procedures, can be found online at: http://www.faccc.org/about/board.htm.
For questions or more information, please contact Jeremy Goulart at (916) 447-8555, or e-mail at jgoulart@faccc.org.
ATTEND UPCOMING ACADEMIC INTEGRITY WORKSHOP
Presented by Jeanne Wilson, director of Student Judicial Affairs at UC Davis, this workshop will focus on strategies that community college faculty can use to uphold academic integrity in the classroom. This is FACCC’s most popular workshop, so do not miss this free opportunity.
Academic Integrity Workshop
Southwestern College , Chula Vista
March 10, 2006 from 12:30 to 3:00 pm
Free to all faculty (please RSVP)To RSVP for this workshop, please call Jeremy Goulart at (916) 447-8555. Space is limited, so register early. View flyer announcement here.