The fee increase went into effect with the passage of the state budget in July. For a full time student taking 15 units, the enrollment fee increase will add another $120 to the cost of attending a community college this semester. That is an increase from $270 a semester to $390.

To help offset the fee increases, the state budget also set aside $38 million earmarked for financial aid outreach to community college students statewide. I know you will all do your part to make sure students are aware of the financial aid options available to them as they work out ways to finance their education in the face of this increase.

Last week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a consent order approving the sale of the KOCE broadcast license to the KOCE Foundation.

At the same time, the District received notice that the FCC dismissed a petition to deny the transfer of the license to the KOCE Foundation. That petition was filed by Community Television Educators of Orange County, Inc., affiliated with Daystar Television, an organization that also submitted a bid to purchase the KOCE license.

In its denial, the FCC stated that “KOCE-TV Foundation is fully qualified to be the licensee for KOCE-TV, Huntington Beach, California. Additionally, we find that grant of the application will further the public interest, convenience and necessity. Accordingly, the petition to deny filed by Community Television Educators of Orange County, Inc. IS DENIED and the application to assign station KOCE-TV from the Board of Trustees, Coast Community College District to KOCE-TV Foundation IS GRANTED.”

The FCC sent out a public notice of the tentative approval on September 14, triggering a 30-day public comment period. Following the 30-day public comment period, the FCC will have 10 additional days in which to issue its final approval of the sale.

Coast Board Opposes the California Performance Review’s Recommendation to Fold State Community College Chancellor’s Office into Department of Education

Saying it would jeopardize the system’s effectiveness without any apparent cost savings, the Coast District Board of Trustees have gone on record to oppose a recommendation by the California Performance Review to consolidate the Community College State Chancellor’s Office into a Division of Higher Education reporting to the Secretary of Education.

The Board adopted a resolution opposing the recommendation at their meeting September 1.
“ The proposed consolidation of the Chancellor’s Office into a Division of Higher Education would shift discretionary authority affecting the education of nearly two million Californians to a Deputy Secretary for Education, reducing public involvement in and oversight of the decision-making process and rendering the colleges more vulnerable to political interference,” the resolution states.

You can read the full text of the resolution on the Coast District web site at http://www.cccd.edu/public/archives/pr090304.htm.

Measure C Citizens Oversight Committee Tours Construction Sites at OCC

Measure C Citizens’ Oversight Committee Chairman Jim Garmon enjoys a
hardhat tour of OCC’s construction projects

On Wednesday, September 8, I had the pleasure of joining members of the Measure C Citizens Oversight Committee on a tour of the Orange Coast College campus. The committee was there to see first hand the construction projects currently underway that are being funded by the general obligation bond measure.

Passed by voters in November 2002, Measure C will provide $370 million over the next two decades to fund construction, renovation and repair projects at the three colleges.

The committee’s tour included stops at the new soccer field, LeBard Stadium, Watson Hall, the new District transportation facility and adjacent student parking lot, the new server room, and the site where the new Library/Learning Resource Center will be erected.

The Committee also took a tour of the OCC Sailing Center and the Measure C-funded improvements to the seawall, as well as the new ramps and other facilities that have brought the center up to city code and ADA compliance.

Following the tour, the Committee held its quarterly meeting at the District Office and received a report on the progress of construction projects at all colleges in the District. In the spring, the Committee will take a similar tour of projects at Coastline and Golden West.

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District News

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Coast District Trustee Ruiz Appointed to National Trust Fund Post

Armando Ruiz

The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) has appointed Coast Community College District Trustee Armando Ruiz to the association's Trust Fund Board. The appointment was made at ACCT's July 2004 summer board retreat in Michigan by the association's board chair, David Rutledge. Ruiz was on the ACCT Board of Directors for six years and has also served as chair of the association’s Pacific Region, comprised of the Western United States and the Pacific Islands. The Association of Community College Trustees is a nonprofit educational organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern over 1,200 community, technical, and junior colleges in the United States, Canada, and England.

New Chancellor, Vice Chancellor to Speak at AAWCC Dinner 9-28

The American Association for Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC) Coast District chapter invites all who are interested to attend the first dinner meeting of the year on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 at the OCC Captain's Table at Orange Coast College.

Get a glimpse of the future of the Coast Community College District and meet new Chancellor Ken Yglesias and Vice Chancellor of Human Resources Joe Quarles.

The event will be held from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. and will include dinner and time for questions and answers. Bring a friend. Non-members, students, and other colleges are all welcome! Cost for the event is $12 for members and $14 for guests. To register, email Arlene Eckstein aeckstein@mail.cccd.edu at the District Office, or call her at extension 84655.

New AAWCC Board

The 2004-05 AAWCC Executive Board has been selected. Board members this year include:

Cheryl Tittle, President
Erin Cohn, Vice President, Program
Judy Tallman, Vice President, Membership
Margie Bunten, Vice President, Publicity
Karen McLucas, Vice President, Mentor Program
Sandie Dawkins, Recorder
Arlene Eckstein, Co-Treasurer
Anh Auduong, Co-Treasurer
Ding-Jo Currie, Parliamentarian
Cheryl Tittle, NAWBO Chair
Delores Harper, South Coast Area Rep
Carolyn Loy, CCC Campus Rep
Joanne Cooper, DIST Rep
Nancy Cross, GWC Campus Rep
C. Montgomery, OCC Campus Rep
Jeanette Lee, AAWCC Photographer

Anyone interested in participating in AAWCC activities or serving on the Board, please contact President Cheryl Tittle ctittle@gwc.cccd.edu at extension 88358.

Parham Named Coast Community College District-Site Employee of the Year

Martha Parham

Martha Parham, public information specialist for Coast Community College District’s public affairs office, has been named the District-site 2003-04 employee of the year. Parham, a resident of Lake Forest, received the award at the August employee picnic from District Chancellor Kenneth Yglesias. She was among 11 employees nominated for the award. Parham began working in the District public affairs office in May 2002, and is responsible for coordinating events, creating advertising and marketing strategies, and managing publications for the District. She is pursuing a Masters of Arts degree in English from National University, which she expects to complete this year.

Parham said she was surprised to receive this year’s employee honor.

“I am extremely shocked and incredibly honored,” she said. “There are so many wonderful people that work within the District. I am truly humbled to receive this award from my colleagues!”

“Martha is an exemplary employee and most deserving of this award,” said Chancellor Yglesias. “She is always willing to do whatever it takes to get a job accomplished, and she is always there for the students, faculty and staff of the District, as well as for members of the public. We are all extremely proud of her.”

In nominating Parham for the award, her colleagues shared the following evidence of her work ethic and positive attitude:

“She works at maintaining the professional image of the District to surrounding colleges and the public. Every employee and student has in one way or another been impacted by Martha's commitment to the job and community. She has demonstrated professionalism, dedication, commitment and service to colleagues. She brings a can-do attitude to all projects and is willing to go out of her way to assist others.”

Chancellor Yglesias (far right) congratulates Employee of the Year nominees pictured (l-r): Kathy Richards, Kahn Raddavong, Dottie Schulke, Martha Parham, Kathy Surgenor, Shannon O’Connor, Toni Johnson, Lisa Dupuy and Debbie Bales

HR News

The District’s Indemnity medical plan will institute two changes on October 1, 2004:

1. Blue Cross of California’s Prudent Buyer Network will become the preferred provider organization. To find out if your physician is in the network you should either call your physician’s office or access the Blue Cross of California website, www.bluecrossca.com. Provider directories will be sent to campus mailboxes in October. Remember, Delta Health Systems will still administer the plan and pay the claims.

2. Medco will replace Advance PCS as the Indemnity medical plan’s prescription administrator. Members will need to obtain new prescriptions when using Medco’s Mail Order Home Delivery program. New prescriptions will not be needed when obtaining refills at retail pharmacies.

Please look for two mailings from Medco: one mailing will consist of a Welcome Letter and brochure explaining the Medco program; the other mailing will contain a new ID card. Present the new ID card at the pharmacy and at all medical providers beginning October 1st as new information will be on your card.

If you need additional cards, please call the District Benefits Office at (714) 438-4727.

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Coastline Community College News

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"What I did Last Summer... or La Mia Estate, 2004"

By Lynn Torrini

What does an artist do when offered the chance to have a solo art exhibition at Antica Compagnia del Paiolo* in Florence, Italy? Well, she gets into her studio and paints from early morning through Conan O’Brien, pausing only to shower and teach art classes at Coastline! Yes, that’s how I created 11 new paintings for the exhibit, which opened on June 11. Shipping the paintings was a challenge, but they arrived and cleared customs on June 10--just one day before the opening! About 80 people attended the opening, with “Toscana TV” sending a journalist to interview me--in Italian!

Next summer, I’ll be back in Florence with my good friend Professor Jane Bauman for Coastline’s 2005 Study Abroad Program, “Splendors of Florentine Art.” Students will live in Florentine apartments during the entire month of June while studying Art History and Renaissance Art Techniques. Kevin Donahue has all the details: (714) 241-6215.

*The Antica Compagnia del Paiolo was formed in 1512 in Florence by Andrea del Sarto and others to promote Florentine art. Over the centuries, artists, writers, musicians and others with strong ties to Florence have been invited to join the Paiolo. Members include Henry Moore, Andre Segovia and Franco Zefferelli. I was delighted to be accepted as a member in February 2003.

We Are “Swingin’ At Sunset” Again!

Don’t miss the fun! Coastline’s Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Program will host its fourth annual dinner dance and silent auction, “Swinging’ at Sunset,” on Saturday, October 2, 6:30 pm at the Radisson Hotel in Newport Beach. Festivities include dinner, a silent auction and dancing (including a swing dance demonstration and lesson). Our student speaker is always the highlight of the evening. Bruce Miller’s career as a computer technology services professional was abruptly interrupted by an aortic dissection which resulted in a stroke. He will share the story of his amazing survival and subsequent rehabilitation journey. His wife, Linda will also share Bruce’s story from her own perspective. Most students in the ABI Program cannot return to pre-injury careers due to cognitive impairments resulting from their brain injuries. Many struggle financially while working hard to regain thinking skills vital to successful daily living. By supporting this event you will have a profound and personal impact on Coastline students coping with a brain injury!

Tickets are $80 per person. For more information, please contact Brenda Aronson at (714) 241-6214, ext. 17219 or baronson@mail.ccc.cccd.edu. We are also looking for silent auction items for the event; if you have an item you’d like to donate, please contact Brenda as well. We’d be happy to pick up the item, or you can send it to Brenda’s attention at Coastline’s Costa Mesa Center.