Chancellor's News Brief

I hope this message finds you well. I am mindful that last week’s budget message was heavy. Even though I am secure in my decision and directives to drive us to a more stable fiscal outlook that doesn’t mean I am unaware or unphased by the impact of these decisions on our colleges. As I start my third year and reflect on all the positive aspects that define the Coast Community College District; I am reminded that while we continue the work of aligning our spending to our fiscal realities, we are also doing the work of our core mission: to provide excellence in education to our students.

One way I found to connect with our core mission is through reflection on the traditions and the vibrant culture of our institutions. We all look forward to the end-of-year traditions—our awards ceremonies and graduation events—that celebrate the successes and achievements of our students and colleagues. These moments are significant, showcasing the hard work and dedication that define our district. However, the traditions that take place at the beginning of the school year are equally as important.

These traditions that kick off the academic year, though perhaps less publicized, set the tone for the months ahead and bring so many opportunities to remind ourselves of the good and necessary work we do. One such tradition is the first day of the semester pizza delivery and district team visit to the enrollment centers at the colleges. For those of us from the District office who visit the colleges, this small tradition is more than sharing a slice of pizza; it's a way to connect with the energy of the colleges, remind ourselves of our purpose, and start the semester on a positive note.

Another key tradition is our "Take a Break with the Chancellor" sessions. These open forums provide an opportunity for me to hear from you about campus happenings, to share ideas, and to connect in an informal setting.

My personal style is to embrace a free-flowing dialogue; I don’t come with a written agenda. While I am inclined to tell stories and maybe talk a lot; I prefer to know what is on your mind. I am looking forward to hearing about ways we can better support our students, improve our processes to lighten your workload, give space and attention to our DEIAA work, and to celebrate all the traditions and stories that make your specific college special. Please join me at one of the sessions. The invitation is at the bottom of this letter.

Thank you for your continued dedication and hard work. I look forward to seeing you next week.

With gratitude,

Dr. Whitney Yamamura
Chancellor

Wednesday night’s board meeting saw the approval of the Coast Community College District Adopted Budget for 2024-2025. After a motion by Trustee Moreno and a second by Trustee Hornbuckle the trustees took turns affirming and confirming the information contained within the budget presentation and the thoughtful work of all involved to produce it. Chancellor Yamamura specifically acknowledged the input from the classified and faculty unions whose questions and comments in budget presentations provided an important perspective that highlighted some specific areas of improvement which resulted in ongoing savings at each campus.

Following the public hearing on the budget were the reports from the student government leaders from each campus. Mathew Tuong from OCC, Amelia Le from Coastline, and Breanna Barerra from GWC each presented on the opening days of student leadership and club activities at their colleges. Trustee Prinsky highlighted a recent team building event hosted at Coastline where all three colleges’ student leaders participated.

As is the case with each of the first board meetings of the month the leaders of all constituent groups, and the members of the board gave reports. The trustees commended each of the colleges on their very successful Flex Day events. The president of the OCC Classified senate, Jeanette Grimm, reported on the results of a recent classified survey asking about their priorities and needs, stipulating her intent to fulfil those as much as possible in the coming year. Rob Schneidermann, president of CFE, called attention to the enrollment numbers and available open sections at each campus, cautioning on a potential unintended consequence of efficient scheduling: not fulfilling a student need. The Academic Senate presidents reported on their involvement and focus on accreditation (GWC), common course numbering (CCC), and the passage of AB1805 through the state senate and assembly (OCC).

The meeting was adjourned in memory of three retired faculty members from OCC:

• Ted Baker, Faculty and Dean of Fine Arts from 1969-1999
• Robin O’Connor, Faculty, Adaptive Kinesiology from 1998-2018
• Jaki Kamphuis, Faculty, Student Success Center from 1988-2022

Submitted by Jerry Marchbank, Senior Director of Facilities Planning & Construction

In 2010, the District began exploring the potential for creating a local funding stream to support ongoing technology and building infrastructure needs. This idea was largely a result of several successive years when one-time State funding, which was so heavily relied upon to fund these needs, had been unfunded, creating a backlog of “deferred maintenance” projects totaling in excess of $30M at Coast. The State’s historical pattern of large funding swings in one-time state funding sources made it nearly impossible to proactively plan for building and technology upgrades. This inevitably left our campuses with outdated technology, malfunctioning systems, and dis-repaired classrooms until funds were granted by Sacramento.

As we began contemplating Measure M in 2012, Coast explored the possibility of taking a portion of the Measure M bond funds to establish an “endowment” that would provide a stable and predictable source of funds over the long-term. The idea of creating a locally controlled program for this purpose was novel but Coast embraced the opportunity to chart this new course. Bond counsel, tax attorneys, underwriters, and financial advisors all shared the same sentiment, “it’s complicated,” they said, to which Coast persisted, “It’s complicated? So that means it’s possible. Let’s do it!” With the support of the voters in passing Measure M, Coast District established a $60M endowment which provides us with the ability to improve technology and maintain critical building infrastructure when funding from Sacramento is again cut short.

Fast forward 12 years…due to the strong investment market in recent years, Coast has realized a meaningful return on our investment. Our $60M initial investment is projected to provide $84M in funding through 2040. While districts across the State are “deferring” their building and technology upgrades, Coast is able to draw upon our endowment. Thanks to those who persisted in their quest to make this idea a reality, and to the voters who supported this vision, our district can make continued investments in our classrooms…our students…even when times are tough!

Please send examples of persistent innovation, by which I mean having a good idea and then putting in the hard work to make that vision a reality. The more examples submitted, the better I can highlight your successes in future letters and in the community!

National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The theme for 2024 is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.”

To find out more information, click on the image below.

Recently, the Dean of Students (DOS) Team gathered for their annual summer retreat at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). This year’s retreat centered around the theme “DOS Olympic Games: Centering Relationship Building.” Given the numerous transitions within the Dean of Students office, the event served as a crucial opportunity to reconnect, rebuild, and refocus efforts.

The day was filled with a variety of activities designed to foster team building and collaboration. Highlights included a Bake-Off Challenge that encouraged creativity and teamwork, as well as in-depth discussions aimed at clarifying the team’s core purpose and crafting a shared vision for the future.

Looking ahead to the 2024-2025 academic year, the Dean of Students staff is committed to several key objectives: prioritizing a student-centered approach to directly contribute to student success; enhancing effectiveness through innovative improvements in work and procedures; offering flexible engagement opportunities for students to interact with the office and its programs; and continuing to provide equitable services that address and reduce the college’s equity gaps. With these goals and a renewed sense of purpose, the DOS Team is poised to make a meaningful impact in the coming year.

The Orange Coast College Friends of the Library (FOTL) will host a screening of the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour on Wednesday, September 25 with a new selection of films. The event will begin at 7 p.m. in the Robert B. Moore Theatre and feature an international selection of films presenting a wide range of outdoor adventures and portraits, including climbing, mountain expeditions, remote cultures, and the world’s last great wild places.

The Banff Mountain Film Festival is a flagship program of the Banff Centre in Canada. The festival began more than 35 years ago as a one-day event featuring films about mountain climbing and has grown into a nine-day event with more than 840 screenings throughout the year.

Chancellor, Week of September 9
Dr. Yamamura is in the District, Monday through Friday.