Chancellor's News Brief

The original intent of this letter today was to welcome you all back from the winter break and to speak about the benefits of rest before leading into a new year and new semester. It was intended to be a recognition of the known and unknowns in the field of education as we enter the chartered territory of a “normal” spring semester while acknowledging the unknowns of a presidential administration change. That was the intent, at least until the devastation and loss from the fires in Los Angeles became clear.

While the fires were not in our neighborhoods the images were familiar enough to impress upon us that they could have been in any neighborhood. The geographical proximity increased our connection. It is probably safe to say that each of us has a memory made in an area that no longer exists as we knew it - whether its deeply personal memories with family and friends who no longer have their homes or a simple drive up the coast.

The impact to our immediate area is air quality. This morning, our Air Quality Index (AQI) reached the level that required us to implement occupational safety measures per Cal-OSHA. This afternoon, we fell below that threshold. We anticipate those fluctuations to continue. Risk Services and college management are working with our colleagues who work outside to ensure all appropriate safety measures are followed. For those of us in the offices, we ask that windows and doors be kept closed as much as possible to mitigate the ash and dust coming into our workspaces.

Sometimes, action is the antidote to feelings of helplessness or being overwhelmed. There are many opportunities to offer support to those affected. A small list of donation and volunteer information is included below.

As we reflect on the devastation and loss caused by the fires, our hearts go out to those impacted. Whether through loss of their homes, memories, or neighborhood landmarks the ripples of this tragedy will be felt for a very long time.

With gratitude,

Dr. Whitney Yamamura

Chancellor

How to Donate:

• Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund
• California Fire Foundation
• Habitat for Humanity
• World Central Kitchen
• Pasadena Humane Society

How to Volunteer:

• Canine Rescue Club
• My Safe LA
• Volunteer County of Los Angeles
• American Red Cross

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!

The Orange Coast College Foundation has received the largest gift in the history of the College from an anonymous alumnus donor. The $9.44 million gift will support students in OCC’s Visual and Performing Arts programs.

“Investments like this one in our OCC arts students can have a profound impact on an institution like OCC,” says OCC President Angelica Suarez. “Donors are recognizing that their investment in our community college can benefit a greater number of students compared to other sectors of higher education.”

This gift will establish the OCC Endowment for the Arts, which will provide scholarships for students continuing their education at OCC or transferring to other institutions. The endowment fund will also support performance and exhibition opportunities for students in art, music, dance and drama.

“Gifts like these are transformational, for the student beneficiaries and for the College,” says Orange Coast College Foundation Chairman Jeff Hyder. “We hope this gift will inspire other philanthropically motivated alumni and community members to support OCC.”

Founded in 1985, the foundation currently has over $60 million in assets and has a history of supporting a wide range of programs and activities on the 23,000-student campus.

Chancellor, Week of January 13

Dr. Yamamura is in the District on Monday through Friday.