| A Message from the Chancellor  Governor's May Revise is a Good Start, Includes More Equalization Dollars for Coast CCD
On May 13, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger released his revised budget plan, increasing the community college budget by approximately $83 million above his January budget proposal. The significant increase raises the community college share of Proposition 98 to 10.46%.
Two key revisions in the Governor's budget will have a significant impact on the Coast Community College District budget if they survive the budget process. Those revisions include:
1. An increase of $40 million for Equalization . The Budget Act of 2004 provided $80 million to begin equalizing disparities in funding per credit full-time equivalent student (FTES), with the goal of equalizing credit rates to the 90th percentile pursuant to the statutory formula. That first installment for equalization brought $3 million in new, ongoing funding to the Coast Community College District.
The $40 million for equalization in the May Revise is an important next step towards equal funding per student for every community college, and will bring total support for equalization to $120 million over two years, or approximately one-half of the total cost to achieve this goal. We are grateful to the Governor for including it in next year's budget, but will continue to encourage our Legislators and the Governor to include a full $80 million installment for equalization in the final 2005-06 budget.
2. Increase in the COLA factor from 3.93 percent to 4.23 percent. The increased Cost of Living Adjustment will mean about a quarter of a million dollar increase in funding to the Coast District in 2005-06.
The Budget Big Picture
Despite the state's continuing fiscal difficulties, the governor has proposed significant new investments for community colleges in his January budget and proposed further increases in this May Revise. It is gratifying that the governor recognizes community colleges as a critical partner in increasing the effectiveness of California's workforce, and is committed to continuing the system's multi-year plan to equalize funding rates and maintain student access.
However, we continue to face significant challenges. Fee increases and budget cuts in recent years have turned away over 100,000 students statewide at a time when demand for higher education in California is at historic highs. Operational costs such as insurance, retirement contributions, and energy continue to outpace increases in funding, eroding the funding available for student instructional and educational services. The governor's proposal to shift $40 million in State Teachers Retirement System contributions from the state to local college districts will require further cuts in services.
The governor's proposed budget takes a good step toward providing the resources needed to meet the needs of students and communities served by our state's community colleges. However, significant needs continue, and we will urge our Legislators to work with the governor to find the means to meet our other critical system priorities. In particular, it is critical that the state provide equitable student access in every community in the state. The community college system has established priorities for enrollment growth, credit equalization and funding increases for noncredit programs. The governor's budget continues progress toward equitable access through funding of 3% enrollment growth and $40 million for credit equalization. It is essential that we continue progress to enhance access to a quality community college education in every community college district and among both credit and noncredit programs.
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Congratulations to the 2005 Coast District Managers of the Year!
The 2005 Coast District Managers of the Year were announced at the May 6 Coast District Management Association Spring Social. CDMA President Melinda Nish offered her congratulations to the following winners:
Lois Wilkerson, CCC
Judy Neal, District
Doug Larson, GWC
Kevin Ballinger, OCC
Lois Wilkerson, CCC, Judy Neal, District, Kevin Ballinger, OCC
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Coast Community District College Board of Trustees Recognizes 301 Employees for Service
The Board of Trustees recognized 301 employees for long-standing service at the annual Service Awards in April, including nine employees who have worked for the District for 35 years.
Employees recognized for 35 years of service included:
- Herrick F Arnold
- Darrell D Ebert
- Tom S Garrison
- Dolores L Harper
- Richard C Hernandez
- Mickey Mefford
- Harvey E Reynolds
- Theodore Edwin Wall
- Frank Yeargain
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"It is because of the employees in this District - faculty, staff and administrators - that Coast District students receive a quality education at an affordable price right in their own neighborhood," Trustee George Brown told a crowd gathered for the event. "It is with pleasure that I say thank you."
The 301 employees were recognized as follows:
- 116 employees recognized for five years of service
- 28 recognized for 10 years of service
- 65 employees recognized for 15 years of service
- 41 for 20 years of service
- 20 recognized for 25 years of service
- 22 for 30 years of service
- 9 employees recognized for 35 years of service
For a complete list of all employees honored this year, click here
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Coast District Trustee Walter G. Howald Re-Elected to State Trustee Board
Coast Community College District Trustee Walter G. Howald was elected last month to a statewide policymaking board  representing California community college trustees. Howald will serve a two-year term on the Community College League of California's (CCLC) California Community College Trustee (CCCT) board of directors.
The 21 members of the CCCT board are elected by the 72 local community college district governing boards in California. Trustee Howald was appointed to the Board last year, and was elected by trustees throughout the state from a field of 19 candidates.
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Coast Colleges Celebrate Financial Aid Awareness Week
Students looking for help identifying and applying for financial aid to attend Orange Coast College, Golden West College and Coastline Community College were offered assistance at several free events and workshops this week. The colleges hosted free financial aid events and workshops in May to help students identify and apply for financial aid programs that are available year-round.
The events are part of a statewide effort to recognized May as Community College Financial Aid Awareness Month.
Orange Coast College Director of Financial Aid Melissa Moser said that financial aid is still available at each of the three Coast Community College District colleges for the upcoming fall term. She said the college financial aid offices are committed to doing everything possible to help students obtain that aid.
California Community Colleges financial aid programs already serve a half a million students each year, awarding more than $1.1 billion in federal, state and private aid last year.
Still, Moser said many current and potential students remain unaware of the opportunities to obtain financial aid or think they can't apply after the Cal Grant March 2nd deadline. According to Cynthia Pienkowski, financial aid director at Coastline Community College, "There is no reason why any current or potential student attending Orange Coast, Golden West or Coastline should not apply for financial aid."
A comprehensive and easy to use Web site, www.icanaffordcollege.com is a new statewide resource for students interested in applying for financial aid.
The site, in both English and Spanish, provides basic information and forms for those who are ready to begin the financial aid application process. Visitors can also use the site to directly connect by phone or email with a local financial aid officer for free one-on-one assistance with completing forms.
For those who lack Internet access, there is a toll-free helpline, 1-800-987-ICAN (4226). The helpline connects callers to the financial aid office at the nearest community college or one of their choice within a 25-mile radius of their zip code.
"Financial aid is available to cover enrollment fees and to help students pay for textbooks and other educationally related costs," said Rick Rams, financial aid director at Golden West College. "Increased fees should also not be a deterrent. Help is available to cover fee increases and other expenses."
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New Program Makes it Easier for Community College Students to Register to Vote
More than 1,000 students at Coast Community College District colleges have registered to vote since November, thanks to a new program that allows them to request voter registration materials when they register for classes.
The Coast Community College District implemented the program last November at all three colleges: Orange Coast College, Golden West College and Coastline Community College. Since then, 1,017 Coast District students have requested voter registration materials while using the Touch Tone Telephone Registration to register for classes. The student government organizations at the colleges have also been actively promoting the program with their fellow students, increasing the number of registered voters among college students.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 18-24-year-olds were the age group with the lowest voting rate (19%) in the November 2002 congressional election, and the voting rate for that age group continues to decline. According to a recent story at Rutgers University, reasons for the low voter turnout among students in that age group include living away from home, not knowing where and how to register to vote, not having the time to register, and not realizing the need to re-register when moving away from principal residence. The California Community Colleges have made voter registration a system priority.
The new Coast District program allows students, while registering for classes over the phone, to push a few buttons and have voter registration materials mailed to them. The California Secretary of State's office sends the student a voter registration packet and information in the mail. The student merely signs the voter registration materials, sends it back to the Secretary of State's office in the mail, and he or she is registered to vote in the next election. Students can also use the system to register at a new address. Students must be US citizens and 18 years or older to participate.
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| LEGENDARY 80-FOOT RACING SLOOP, KIALOA III DONATED TO ORANGE COAST COLLEGE
 Kialoa III, the legendary 80-foot maxi yacht that dominated offshore racing in the 1970s, has been donated to Orange Coast College by her owner, John B. (Jim) Kilroy of Marina del Rey.
After 31 years of ownership, Kilroy has presented his aluminum sloop to OCC's School of Sailing and Seamanship.
Kialoa was sailed earlier this month by Kiroy's crew from Uruguay, where she was berthed, to Panama. An OCC crew took over and is currently sailing her up the West Coast of North America to Newport Beach. She's expected to arrive at OCC's Sailing Center the middle of next month.
"After three wonderful decades of racing and world cruising, it was important to me that Kialoa III continue on with her tradition of great friendships and voyages," said Kilroy, who is chairman of the board of Kilroy Realty, one of the nation's largest industrial and commercial real estate development firms.
"I wanted Kialoa to return to the West Coast. Orange Coast College's sailing program was the logical choice for her new home."
"Kialoa is a tremendous boat for our school," said Brad Avery, director of OCC's sailing program. "She was launched at a time when racing boats were conservatively designed and heavily built, which makes her ideal for taking students offshore safely and comfortably.
"She's big, fast, and recognized the world over, so it will be lots of fun for our students to be aboard."
Kialoa will join another Sparkman & Stephens classic at OCC, the 65-foot Alaska Eagle. The college has owned the former global racer for 23 years and has sailed her more than 300,000 miles on student training voyages throughout the world. Kialoa's first voyages under the OCC flag will be a series of trips to Catalina Island this summer. Much longer voyages are in the planning stages.
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OCC SALUTES 442 STUDENTS AT 47TH HONORS NIGHT CEREMONY
 Orange Coast College honored 442 students this month at its 47th annual Honors Night Awards Ceremony.
The college handed out in excess of $344,000 in scholarships to 308 students, a new OCC record. A total of 134 students received leadership and service awards.
The ceremony, held in OCC's Robert B. Moore Theatre, was attended by a thousand students, parents and guests.
Orange Coast College student trustee, Shana Jenkins, a sophomore from Westminster, captured the fifth annual Sharon K. Donoff Student Leader of the Year Award. Jenkins, who will transfer next year to either USC, UCLA or UC Berkeley, received a plaque and a $500 scholarship.
Anne Ward of Huntington Beach received the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce Les Miller Award as OCC's Woman of the Year for 2004-05. George Dosoglu of Fountain Valley was named the Les Miller Man of the Year.
Eight students shared the prestigious Joseph R. Kroll Student Leader of Distinction Award and received engraved gold pens and $300 scholarships. Kroll Award winners were Kristina Bonnett, Anh Hoang and Anne Ward of Huntington Beach; Todd Bowen and Beth McFarland of Costa Mesa; George Dosoglu of Fountain Valley; Shana Jenkins of Westminster; and Tami Tran of Garden Grove.
Twenty-nine students received the Robert B. Moore Pin. The sterling silver lapel pin, named in honor of OCC's former president, is awarded to students who have assumed leadership roles and exhibited exceptional dedication in service to others.
Chris Richards of Fountain Valley was named OCC's Disabled Student of the Year.
Friends of the Students awards went to OCC professor of counseling services, Anna Katsuki; skilled maintenance worker, Mark Goode; and senior community relations director, Jim Carnett.
Thirty-eight students accepted engraved pens for student leadership. Ten earned gold certificates for volunteering a minimum of 70 hours of service to the college, and 57 students received silver certificates for a minimum of 20 hours of service.
Approximately 250 corporations, service clubs, individuals and campus organizations contributed awards. Back to top
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 Asian Business Association of Orange County Honors Dr. Currie
Coastline's own Ding-Jo Currie was recognized recently by the Asian Business Association of Orange County (ABAOC) and Nordstrom as an Asian Pacific American Heritage Role Model for Asians and Women in Higher Education.
The event celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, was held at Nordstrom in Brea, Calif. The ABAOC is a non-profit organization serving the needs of growing Asian American businesses in Orange County.
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Rick Gregory Earns Top Chemistry Award Rick Gregory will be recognized by the Orange County Section of the American Chemical Society as the Outstanding Chemistry Student at Coastline Community College. Rick was honored at the April meeting of OCACS held at Concordia University, Irvine.
Rick is beginning a program at Cal Poly Pomona that will lead to a Master's degree in International Development or a related Animal Science theme. Cal Poly has agreed to customize the degree and requirements in recognition of the special requirements Rick will face in places in the underdeveloped world. Rick and his wife, Sherry, plan to visit Uganda this summer to begin laying plans for service to poor. Sherry plans to work in medical missions, while Rick will help villagers to develop plans and methods for working with livestock.
"This couple is changing their entire lifestyle to go and serve others," stated chemistry lab instructor Ken Ostrowski. "Their story is amazing, I am honored that Coastline can be part of it." Others who are interested in the Gregory's story and their continued activities may request their newsletter by sending a blank email to: Gregory.ltr.IN@hotpop.com.
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Class of 1985
 Tinh Nguyen
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The 2005 Graduating Class of Golden West includes 751 associate in arts degrees, in which 123 are honor student recognitions. A total of 288 students will receive certificates of achievement.
The commencement speaker, Andrew Hall, is the chief of police at the Westminster Police Department in Westminster, where he rose through the ranks during his 24 years of service.
Hall has been the city's police chief since October 2004 and is a graduate of GWC's Police Academy and the FBI National Academy. He holds a master's degree in Human Resources and Organizational Development and a Juris Doctor degree. In addition, he has been an active member of the California State Bar since 1994. Last October, Chief Hall was honored at the Golden West College 13th Annual President's Courtyard of Honor ceremony for his accomplishments in higher education.
Tinh Nguyen is the 2005 recipient of the R. Dudley Boyce Outstanding Student award. He currently serves as the Public Relations officer of the ASGWC.
Tinh's ability to lead by example is an inspiration to all students. He is a member of the Alpha Gamma Sigma, an honor society that recognizes students who demonstrate academic excellence, student success, and community involvement on community college campuses. As a member on various committees, he is highly respected for his remarkable leadership and teamwork abilities.
Tinh is also an active volunteer for campus events, such as the Red Cross Blood Drive and Project Page Turner, which Golden West College students and volunteers donate and read books to elementary school children.
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GWC's Deffner Being Inducted into California Wrestling Hall of Fame
 GWC veteran wrestling coach Dale Deffner was inducted into the California Wrestling Hall of Fame in Fresno, Calif. on May 14. Deffner's coaching career spans five decades, including over 200 dual meet wins in his 35 years at GWC.
As a coach Deffner began in 1965 at Long Beach State University, compiling a 46-14 record at Division I before coming to Golden West in 1970. At GWC Deffner has coached 31 conference champions, nine individual state champions and 27 All-Americans.
Deffner has served as a wrestling administrator in several capacities including Southern California Wrestling Association Chairman (1973-2000) and a member of the National Wrestling Coaches Association board (1994-2000). In 1980 he was named the National AAU "Association Chairman of the Year."
The mission of the California Wrestling Hall of Fame is to recognize the individuals and groups who, because of their outstanding dedication, have contributed immeasurably to the establishment, maintenance and continuation of amateur wrestling in California.
Deffner is already a member of the Orange Co. Coaches Wrestling Hall of Fame (2000), National Wrestling Hall of Fame (2000) and the National AAU Wrestling Hall of Fame (2003).
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