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March Weekly
Thursday, March 30, 2006
- Community College Initiative Target Ballot Moved to June ‘08
- Senate President Pro Tempore Proposes Increased Education Funding
- Assembly Budget Committee Discusses CC Budget
- Assembly Higher Education Committee Deliberates CC Measures
- 2006 FACCC Conference: Take Action!
- Call for Conference Presenters
- Nominations Open for FACCC Awards
- FACCC Elections Begin Monday: Make Your Vote Count
- FACCC Office Closed for Cesar Chavez Day
COMMUNITY COLLEGE INITIATIVE TARGET BALLOT MOVED TO JUNE ‘08
FACCC, along with its partners in the Californians for Community Colleges, decided on Monday to postpone qualification of the Community College Governance, Funding Stabilization, and Student Fee Reduction Act to the next regularly scheduled ballot. Unless a statewide special election is called after November ’06, the target election would be June ’08.
The new qualification period for the ballot will commence in August, and run for 150 days. All parties in the coalition will be redoubling their efforts in the next four months to raise money and build a campaign organization.
SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE PROPOSES INCREASED EDUCATION FUNDING
Senate President pro Tempore Don Perata (D – Oakland ) announced a ten-year plan to repay K-12 and community colleges over $3.2 billion. Perata made the announcement on Monday, to the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance.
The proposal would start with a $500 million in the 2005-06 budget year, and $270 million a year for the next nine years. The Subcommittee approved the additional $500 million for the current year while leaving the allocation details to future hearings.
ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE DISCUSSES COMMUNITY COLLEGE BUDGET
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee #2 on Education Finance met earlier this week to receive an update on the status of Compton Community College . The Subcommittee was informed that a former trustee had embezzled over $800,000 in district funds. Vice-Chancellor Dr. Jamillah Moore testified that the Chancellor’s Office is working to restore the college’s accreditation, and will continue to provide access to its students.
ASSEMBLY HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE DELIBERATES CC MEASURES
AB 2472 (Wyland) would have eliminated current law, known as AB 540 that allows students who attended and graduated from a California high school to pay resident fee levels, even though they lack immigration status. This measure was held by the Committee without a recommendation.
AB 2487 (Cogdill) would have reimbursed students up to 70 semester units of their community college fees if they complete a baccalaureate degree at the University of California or California State University. In defeating this measure, the Assembly Higher Education Committee expressed that it did not want to fee policies to separate transfer bound students from other community college students. Additionally, the Committee also expressed an interest in exercising fiscal restraint.
2006 FACCC CONFERENCE: TAKE ACTION!
Each year, the FACCC Education Institute (EI) works to provide an annual conference, bringing together community college faculty from across the state, higher education leaders, state legislators and more, for a weekend of networking and learning.
As community college faculty, you apply your passion to the lives of the students every day. Now it is time to apply that very passion to ensure the stability of California ’s community colleges. Join us October 12-14 at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in Los Angeles , California , and take an active role in your future.
Come learn how FACCC is working to advocate for the future of California ’s community college faculty through the initiative, and more. Meet with educators and professionals from across the state as we examine topics, such as teaching and learning, Student Learning Outcomes, employment issues, and advocacy.
CALL FOR CONFERENCE PRESENTERS
In line with continuing FACCC EI conference excellence, applications for interested presenters are now being accepted. Contact FACCC at (916) 447-8555, or click here for information and to apply.
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR FACCC AWARDS
Each year, FACCC recognizes faculty members who have shown exemplary dedication to their profession, their students, and their institutions. Nominations for this year's awards will be accepted through May 31. Click here for details and nomination forms.
FACCC award winners will be honored at the FACCC Annual Conference, October 12 - 14, in Los Angeles .
FACCC ELECTIONS BEGIN MONDAY
Don’t forget to cast your ballot for FACCC office. FACCC elections begins Monday, April 3, and runs through April 30. Visit www.faccc.org and click on the icon featuring “2006 FACCC Elections” to view candidate statements and to place your vote.
FACCC OFFICE CLOSED FOR CESAR CHAVEZ DAY
FACCC will be closed on Friday, March 31, in honor of Cesar Chavez Day. The FACCC staff wishes its members a good weekend.
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Friday, March 17, 2006
- Asm. Committee Passes Community College Measures
- US Senate Restores Money for Higher Education
- Consultation Council Discusses Compromise
- Call for 2006 Conference Presenters
- Register for the FACCC Part-Time Summit
- Nominations Open for FACCC Awards
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE PASSES COMMUNITY COLLEGE MEASURES
Tuesday, the Assembly Higher Education Committee approved the following measures:
AB 1943 (Nava) – would authorize local governing boards to offer “stand alone” courses, defined as those not part of an approved educational program. Current law requires the Community College Board of Governors (CCBOG) to review and approve courses of instruction that are not offered as part of an educational program approved by the BOG .
AB 1968 (Leslie) – would eliminate the mandate that low income students be exempt from paying transportation fees. Instead, it would allow a local community college board to adopt rules and regulations to exempt, or partially exempt, low-income students from paying a local transportation fee if transportation services are provided.
US SENATE RESTORES MONEY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
Thursday, the US Senate overwhelmingly approved an amendment to the FY07 budget resolution offered by Senators Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) to provide an additional $7 billion to the FY07 budget. This amendment allows the Senate to increase funds for the FY07
Labor- HHS -Education appropriations bill, including additional funding for key education programs, and reflects a major victory for the community colleges.
CONSULTATION COUNCIL DISCUSSES COMPROMISE
The Consultation Council for the California Community College System met on Thursday, March 16, to discuss the System's 2006-07 budget, legislative issues, and strategic plan implementation. The focus of the budget discussion was a "compromise" formula being proposed for future distribution of budgeted $130 million in equalization funds. FACCC continues to call for fiscal accountability from those districts receiving these funds. Now that significant progress has been made toward equalized per Full-Time Equivalent Students (FTES) funding, Chancellor Mark Drummond promised to bring a resolution of System commitment for increasing full-time faculty hiring to the next Consultation Council meeting and, ultimately, to the Board of Governors.
CALL FOR 2006 CONFERENCE PRESENTERS
Each year, the FACCC Education Institute (EI) works to provide an annual FACCC Conference, bringing together community college faculty from across the state, higher education leaders, state legislators and more, for a weekend of networking and learning. In line with continuing FACCC EI conference excellence, applications for interested presenters are being accepted. Contact FACCC at (916) 447-8555, or visit us online at www.faccc.org, under "Education & Events," to apply.
REGISTER FOR THE FACCC PART-TIME SUMMIT
Don't miss the upcoming FACCC Part-Time Summit! Summit topics include: Part-Time Empowerment, Part-Time Retirement, Unemployment Insurance, the State Budget and Legislation. Click here for details. Call the FACCC office to register at (916) 447-8555 or click here to register online.
March 31, 2006
Noon to 4:00 pm
Mesa Community College, San Diego
Room G106
Cost: $20 (lunch included)
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR FACCC AWARDS
Each year, FACCC recognizes faculty members who have shown exemplary dedication to their profession, their students, and their institutions. Nominations for this year's awards will be accepted through May 31. Click here for details and nomination forms.
FACCC award winners will be honored at the Annual FACCC Conference, October 12 - 14, in Los Angeles.
_______________________________________________________________Thursday, March 9, 2006
- Assembly Budget Subcommittee Discusses Community Colleges
- CCBOG Approves Redirected Growth Funding Priorities
- CCBOG Deliberates Waiving Fines on Districts Which Violated Hiring Requirements
- Congressional Community College Caucus Grows
- FACCC Elections: Nominations Deadline is Monday
- Register for FACCC’s Part-Time Summit
- Academic Integrity Workshop Comes to Glendale
- Nominations Open for FACCC Awards
ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE DISCUSSES COMMUNITY COLLEGES
Tuesday, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance inaugurated its hearings with an informational session about community colleges, as well as various other segments of public education. While the legislators expressed optimism for enhanced funding in next year’s budget, concern was raised about failure to increase the ratio of full- to part-time faculty. It is likely that this question will continue to surface during budget discussions, particularly in regard to the distribution of equalization funding.
CCBOG APPROVES REDIRECTED GROWTH FUNDING PRIORITIES
Monday, the Community College Board of Governors (CCBOG) agreed to seek legislative approval to redirect unused growth funding in the current fiscal year. Since it’s unlikely that the community colleges will hit its intended three percent growth target for 2005-06, there could be millions leftover, which, without legislative approval, could be lost to the community colleges.
The priority items are as follows (in descending order): 1) part-time faculty health insurance and office hours; 2) non-credit rate enhancement; 3) rural college access; 4) Matriculation; 4) professional development; and 5) full-time faculty hiring.
CCBOG DELIBERATES WAIVING FINES ON DISTRICTS WHICH VIOLATED HIRING REQUIREMENTS
Monday, the CCBOG also discussed regulations waiving fines on seven districts which violated their full-time faculty hiring obligations in Fall ’03 or Fall ’04. Since the matter was presented on a “first reading,” the Board took no action. Nonetheless, there was considerable sentiment expressed for the reconvening of the Full-Time Faculty Task Force to recommend a plan for achieving a higher percentage of full-time faculty.
FACCC, along with other faculty advocates, opposed the waiver of the fines. FACCC contends that the System needs to ensure progress, not slippage, on the full- to part-time faculty ratio.
CONGRESSIONAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAUCUS GROWS
The bipartisan congressional Community College Caucus has grown to 80 members. If you’re congressional representative has not yet joined the caucus, please take this opportunity to invite him or her.
FACCC ELECTIONS: NOMINATIONS DEADLINE IS MONDAY
This Monday, March 13, is the nominations deadline to run for the FACCC Board of Governors. If you're passionate about the profession and believe you can make a difference, submit your name for consideration.
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
REGISTER FOR THE FACCC PART-TIME SUMMIT
Don't miss the upcoming FACCC Part-Time Summit! Summit topics include: Part-Time Empowerment, Part-Time Retirement, Unemployment Insurance, the State Budget and Legislation. Click here to download the event flyer.
March 31, 2006
Noon to 4:00 pm
Mesa Community College , San Diego
Room G106Cost: $20 (includes lunch)
To register, contact Janet Oropeza at (916) 447-8555.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY WORKSHOP COMES TO GLENDALE
Unable to attend the March 10 Academic Integrity Workshop in Chula Vista ? Not to worry – FACCC is presenting yet another AI Workshop in Glendale on April 7. 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.
Glendale Community College
April 7, 2006 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Free to all faculty (please RSVP)
To RSVP online or by calling (916) 447-8555. Space is limited, so register early.
Click here to view the event flyer.
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR FACCC AWARDS
Each year, FACCC recognizes faculty members who have shown exemplary dedication to their profession, their students, and their institutions. Nominations for this year's awards will be accepted through May 31. Visit the FACCC Web site at www.faccc.org, under “What's New,” for details and nomination forms.
FACCC award winners will be honored at the Annual FACCC Conference, October 12 - 14, in Los Angeles .
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Thursday, March 2, 2006
- FACCC Lobby Day on Monday: Walk-Ins Welcome
- CCBOG to Deliberate Waiving Fines on Districts Which Violated Hiring Requirements
- CCBOG To Deliberate Redirection of Unused Growth Funds
- Assembly Committee Discusses Textbooks
- FACCC Elections: Nominations Deadline Approaching
- FACCC Part-Time Summit Registration Open
FACCC LOBBY DAY ON MONDAY: WALK-INS WELCOME
Walk-in registrations will be accepted for FACCC's Lobby Day, this coming Monday, March 6. Meet at the State Capitol, Room 437, at 8:30 am and join your colleagues to advocate essential faculty priorities in Sacramento. Please note that the FACCC PAC lunch is sold-out, and cannot accommodate walk-in registrants.
Although the deadline has passed for FACCC to make new legislative appointments, drop-in visits with legislative staff are encouraged.
Click here for more information.
CCBOG TO DELIBERATE WAIVING FINES ON DISTRICTS WHICH VIOLATED HIRING REQUIREMENTS
This Monday, the Community College Board of Governors (CCBOG) will deliberate adoption of regulations waiving penalties on seven districts which violated full-time faculty hiring requirements in Fall '03 or Fall '04. The penalties reflect the amount of money the districts saved by not complying with the hiring requirements.
FACCC, along with other faculty organizations, objected to the concept of the waiver when the matter was discussed last month in the Consultation Council. Although all districts suffered financially during the lean fiscal years, nearly all were able to comply with the prevailing law. FACCC contends that the System needs to ensure progress, not slippage, on the full- to part-time faculty ratio.
CCBOG TO DELIBERATE REDIRECTION OF UNUSED GROWTH FUNDS
Included on Monday's CCBOG agenda will be the requested redistribution of unused growth funds from the current budget year. Since it appears that the System will not grow at its projected three percent funded growth target, the Chancellor will be seeking legislation to redistribute these funds.
A Consultation Council task force will recommend the following categorical programs in priority order to the CCBOG this Monday. If adopted by the CCBOG, the System Office will take the matter to the Legislature and Administration for legislative authority.
The priority distribution list is: 1) backfill of part-time faculty office hours and health benefits; 2) non-credit rate enhancement; 3) rural college access enhancement; 4) Matriculation; 5) professional development; and 6) full-time faculty hiring.
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE DISCUSSES TEXTBOOKS
On Tuesday, the Assembly Higher Education Committee discussed the high price of textbooks at a special hearing. A panel of publishers, researchers, and students testified about the frequent development of new editions, and how these textbooks are often bundled with other materials.
Community college faculty members were conspicuously absent from the list of invited panelists. FACCC has since communicated with the Committee, emphasizing the role of faculty input in the development of textbook policy.
FACCC ELECTIONS: NOMINATIONS DEADLINE APPROACHING
March 13 is the nominations deadline to run for the FACCC Board of Governors. If you're passionate about the profession and believe you can make a difference, submit your name for consideration.
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 CaliforniaFor 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 the upcoming FACCC Part-Time Summit! Summit topics include: Part-Time Empowerment, Part-Time Retirement, Unemployment Insurance, the State Budget and Legislation. Click here to view invite (PDF).
March 31, 2006
Noon to 4:00 pm
Mesa Community College, San Diego
Room G106Cost: $20 (includes lunch)
To register, contact Janet Oropeza at (916) 447-8555.