October

Student Leadership Institute

CalSACC, CCCSAA, CCLC, and the Academic Senate all collaborated this year to sponsor the first Student Leadership Institute, held at CSU Monterey Bay on June 6 - 9, 1999. The Institute was designed to include general sessions and facilitated small group breakouts. Topics for discussion included time management, leadership styles, ethics, team building, dealing with conflict, the role of the student on college committees, and building relationships.

AB 420: A Shaky Beginning, or a Dismal Conclusion?

While many issues regarding the use of part-time faculty need attention, the funding of office hours is among the most pressing. Students have the right to expect access to their professors, regardless of the employment status of the person assigned to teach the particular course section in which they enroll. Assembly Bill 420 (Wildman), recently signed by Governor Davis, addresses that need. Now faculty who teach even one course are eligible for reimbursement for holding office hours. But, this is locally negotiable.

Technology for Teaching Institute

The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges and the @ONE Training Project co-sponsored the second annual Technology for Teaching Institute June 13 through 18, 1999 at California State University, Monterey Bay. Over 90 participants from all around the state formed a cohesive and enthusiastic group under the leadership of co-coordinators Ric Matthews and Ian Walton and the masterful organization of Julie Adams.

President's Message: Teaching: A Call for Renewal and Rededication

The community colleges represent the best hope for legions of Californians whose economic fortunes and personal efficacy will rest on their ability to secure ever-increasing levels of sophistication with regard to processing information and applying critical judgment in their work and everyday lives. Beyond that, the community colleges are the space for literate public discourse in a multiplicity of communities across the state. The close of the century presents an opportunity for reflection on the state of the community colleges.

No Accounting for Partnership

Now in its second year, the Partnership for Excellence program continues to generate considerable controversy. In some districts collegial and collaborative approaches have worked to direct funds to much needed improvements in instruction and student services that address the five areas for increased student outcomes. However, in other districts, faculty report that Partnership funds have not even made it to the colleges, much less to the students.

Meeting the Needs of Learning Disabled CalWORKS Students

As a result of recent legislation directed at reforming state and federal welfare practices, California's community colleges have begun developing new curriculum and student services aimed at preparing CalWORKS students for the workforce. Creating new programs and services to meet the needs of these students has raised a variety of issues. At Sacramento City College, for example, recent discussion centered around such questions as the following:

What are the basic skills levels of incoming CalWORKS students? What are these students' levels of motivation and self-esteem?

Legislative Update

The California Legislature and the Governor have recessed for the term and will return to session in early January, 1999. The Governor signed several bills and many more remain on his desk awaiting his signature. He had until September 30, 1998 to either sign or veto those bills currently on his desk. Included in the legislation already signed by the Governor are the Budget Bills, AB 1656 and SB 1391, which provide, along with other state allocations, the community colleges $95 million for growth in enrollment and $74 million for inflation.

Ventura District Reviews Committee Structures, Develops Shared Governance Agreements

The Academic Senates of the Ventura County Community College District hosted Bill Scroggins, ASCCC President, for an afternoon focused on shared governance. A number of administrators joined faculty in listening to Bill's clear and thoughtful presentation and in a lively Q&A following the presentation. As a result, the Moorpark College Academic Senate is working with the college this fall semester in an attempt to review, describe and define the committee structure of the college.

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