http://www.msjc.edu/CollegeInformation/Administration/BusinessServices/Pages/San-Gorgonio-Pass-Campus-Environmental-Impact-Report.aspx

Re: Resolution 2012/13-235 / Subject: San Gorgonio Pass Campus Master Plan Final EIR

At the June 13, 2013 Board meeting the MSJC trustees voted 3-2 (Ashley/Motte) opposed, to certify the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Project; Adopt CEQA Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Project; Adopt the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program and Approve the Project as specified in the District Facilities Plan ( Phases 1, 2, 3).

Four required steps to approve a new college and/or educational center:

1) Evaluate growth potential in the district and the capability of existing colleges, campuses, centers and outreach operation to absorb growth.

2) Submit to the Chancellor’s Office for review and approval a Letter of Intent specifying district plans to increase services into an area/areas presently not being served.

3) If the “letter of intent” is approved, update educational program/facility plans/delivery methods for serving students from the under-served areas.

4) Prepare/submit to the Board of Governors a Request for Approval asking for formal recognition of a new college/center if it is the preferred alternative for  serving the identified area(s).

Source: Facilities Planning Manual/Chancellor’s Office

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Fact:  MSJC has done none of the above due diligence re Banning project.  Until this project enrolls 500 Full-time equivalent students (FTES), above the capacity of the other two state approved campus locations, it does not and/or will not receive state approvals to qualify for state capital construction funds and/or operating dollars. This means that “only after approval of the site by the Board of Governors that the Final Project Proposal may be submitted requesting State funds be made available to develop facilities on the site.” The Banning project will take years to reach this level of enrollment.

Local bonds can build it, but operational dollars will not be available until all steps above are undertaken. Until state approved it will take earned resource dollars away from existing state approved campus sites, increasing the cost per FTES at this site in the unnecessary duplication of operational expenses.

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“Banning has spent 11 years trying to get enough money together to build a $40 million railroad underpass at Sunset Avenue and this week the state Transportation Commission allocated the last $10 million.”

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This project will improve access for the MSJC Banning Learning Center located at Sunset/Westward Drive.

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http://www.msjc.edu/CollegeInformation/Administration/BusinessServices/Pages/San-Gorgonio-Pass-Campus-Environmental-Impact-Report.aspx

According to the district website, public review is available for a 45-day period beginning January 22, 2013, and ending March 8, 2013.  Written comments on the project must be received no later than 5 PM on March 8, 2013 as per instructions on the district’s site link.

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http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/hemet/hemet-headlines-index/20130207-san-jacinto-trial-starts-in-ex-college-officers-case.ece

“Two sides of the story of former MSJC police officer Chris Kuhl emerged as attorneys gave opening statements Thursday, Feb. 7 in Kuhl’s wrongful termination civil lawsuit against the college.”

“Segawa is expected to testify in the case next week.  He pleaded guilty in 2010 to eight felonies and two misdemeanors, including bribery, perjury and misappropriation of public funds.”

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The initial internal district investigation was never released to the BOT.  Prompted by former officer Kuhl, former Chief of Police Segawa was placed on administration leave when the Riverside County DA took over the investigation. Hopefully, the truth will come out in this matter and the college can resolve the issue and go forward to serve students.

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http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2013/01/steinberg-vows-legislation-to-pay-firms-for-investing-in-schools.html

“Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg vowed this week to craft legislation that would provide a money-making incentive for businesses to invest in high school or community college career education.”

“Steinberg wants to promote active partnerships between schools and businesses that provide both academic education and job skills.  Conceptually, business that agree to serve as partners in and invest money for a high school or community college career program would receive reimbursement from the state, plus interest at higher than market rates.”

“The financial incentive to business could come from direct investment or through tax credits.”

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If this legislation becomes law, businesses would have opportunity to invest tax dollars in their own firms while preparing students to be trained as future employees. A win, for students, taxpayers and the state!

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http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-adv-college-budget-20130121,0,2863029,print.story

“The governor’s recommendations are aimed at keeping community colleges affordable, keeping classes accessible and moving students faster through the system to allow them to graduate or transfer to a four-year university at higher rates. Brown’s spending plan must clear the Legislature, and some college officials have vowed - or at least try to modify - some portions.”

“Most of the schools 2.4 million students are unprepared for college-level work: 85% need remedial English, 73% need remedial math and only about a third of remedial students transfer to a four-year school or graduate with a community college associate’s degree.”

“The budget includes nearly $200 million in additional funding for the community colleges.”

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With such high stats of students requiring remedial math and/or english, it will be a challenge to move those students through the system at higher rates.  However, it would seem that the students who are college ready at first assessment or one class below that margin are the ones that should be matriculated, measured and fast tracked for a 2 year completion as full time enrolled students.  Most part-time students would be unable to matriculate within a 2 year time frame.  Completion rates are extremely important and need to be addressed/improved/measured by all ccc boards of trustees and administration held accountable.

The first thing that our colleges need to do for those transfer ready students is to meet the parameters of SB1440 regarding transferable degrees to UC and CSU.  Many colleges, MSJC being one of them, have missed the mark in this performance area in a big way.  Performance in that area will help address the governor’s concern for increased completion rates from California’s community colleges.

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http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jan/07/education-msjc-officials-considering-bookstore-opt/

“To put it more succinctly, they’ve been in the red the last two years, forcing officials to consider a number of options as college campus bookstores across the country struggle to compete against a number of online ventures taking large chunks out of colleges’ bookstore revenue streams”.

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The above statement and this article is factually incorrect.

According to the MSJC District Audit of 2011/12 re the Bookstore Fund ended the year on June 30, 2012 (Page 66) with retained earnings of $1,692,916.  That is NOT “in the red”.  On Page 13, auditors state “The Bookstore Fund continues to experience declining revenues and the fund balance has been eroded due in large part to transfers in the past two fiscal years to the Unrestricted General Fund Operating Budget.”

It is clear that the District Unrestricted General Fund Operating Budget is “taking large chunks out of the college revenue stream” not the “online ventures”.  The BOT at a previous meeting authorized borrowing from the Bookstore Fund up to $1mil due to state budget deferrals in revenue and common sense knows that borrowing cannot occur from a fund that is negative and/or “broke”.

It is very disappointing that administration allows this type of misinformation to be provided to the public.

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http://www.msjc.edu/PublicInformationOffice/Pages/Board-Highlights-December-2012.aspx

Dorthy McGargill was chosen to be the Board Chair at the organizational meeting of the board and newly elected trustee, Tom Ashley was sworn into office.

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http://www.collegecampaign.org/resources/our-publications/

“The resulting analysis is intended to provide stakeholders with a clear snapshot of the level of progress individual community colleges and CSU’s across the state have made in implementing SB 1440.  Before passage of SB 1440, each of the 112 community colleges established their own requirements to obtain an associate degree.”

“The primary measurement of CCC implementation is the number of Associate Degrees for Transfer that have been developed or are currently in progress at each individual campus based on the initial 18 Transfer Model Curricula developed at the state level and in place as of February 22, 2010.”

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At “2″ TMC’s, MSJC’s performance on this standard is minimum and poor and has a negative impact on all enrollments.  It is also unnerving, that the MSJC administration has not reported to the BOT on this issue.

Transfer is a critical issue for students and taxpayers and it is imperative that the MSJC BOT immediately direct administration to adopt a model template for degree design and a consistent outline for the process with regular update on implementation at local governing board meetings.

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Tom Ashley, of Murrieta has been elected as Trustee at MSJC over candidate Guy Romero.  Tom will represent Area 5 of Murrieta and Temecula and will replace long time Trustee Joan Sparkman who did not run for re-election.  The term of Mr. Ashley’s election will be four years.

Congratulations to Tom Ashley for a campaign well run and an overwhelming win of nearly 2-1 in votes!

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