Program review update

Thanks to all for getting their program reviews in on time! The program reviews were received both electronically and in hard copy. We are determining who was the first to submit their program review and a winner will be announced next week.

Budget outlook

Below are some basic FAQ’s on our budget outlook. In summary, COM’s budget looks on track for the current year even though the state and the non-basic aid districts are facing significant challenges and shortfalls. However in 2008-2009 COM faces decreasing revenues and increasing expenditures, which is not a good financial position. Therefore, the college will need to consider various options for creating a balanced budget. Institutional planning will drive budget planning next year and the related committees are moving forward.

FAQ: Budget outlook

Q1. How will the statewide property tax shortfall of $84.4 million affect College of Marin?

A. The property tax shortfall of $84.4 million announced by the California Community College’s Chancellor’s Office presents a significant challenge for all community colleges that are funded by apportionment. This statewide shortfall does not directly affect the College of Marin, which is a Basic Aid District funded by local property taxes.

Q2. What is the status of COM’s current budget?

A. COM’s 2007-2008 budget is on target. We budgeted $48.3 million in revenues, which is on track. Expenditures were budgeted at $44.9 million and it is expected that we will spend slightly less than that by the end of the fiscal year.

Q3. What does COM’s 2008-2009 budget look like?

A. The situation for 2008-2009 is less optimistic and the College of Marin will need to make some structural changes in the adopted budget. Due to a projected reduction in supplemental property taxes and a need to protect our reserves, budget reductions will be necessary. The budget and planning committees are in the process of discussing and planning the best ways to address this issue. At best, next year’s revenues are projected to be approximately at the same level collected for 2007-2008. At worst, there will be a significant drop in revenues. The committees will need to take into consideration the following in making their recommendations:

1. The estimated reduction in the supplemental property tax revenue for 2008-2009.

2. Projected increases in expenditures for:

    a. Step and column increases

    b. Increases in employee benefits

3. An estimated minimum reduction of $230,000 in categorical programs.

4. Projected state budget for 2008-2009 will have a minimal impact on COM’s Unrestricted General Fund budget because it is a basic-aid district.

Diamond PE Center Construction Notification

Associated with the previously announced closure of the Diamond PE Center due to construction, Parking Lot 10 will be closed to public use as of Friday, March 21, 2008. Use Lots 11, 12, or 13 for alternative parking locations. Vehicular and pedestrian access to the softball field, driving range, and Grant Grover School will be available via a fire lane along the baseball field. Lot 10 is located between the PE Center and the baseball field.

College of Marin High School Outreach

The College of Marin Counseling Department and Outreach Committee hosted a successful High School Counselor Luncheon on Tuesday, March 4. Over forty Marin County High School Counselors were in attendance. Transfer and Occupational Programs, as well as Student Services were highlighted. The overwhelming response was that Student Services at College of Marin are very student focused.

As part of continuing outreach services this spring, the College of Marin Outreach Counselors have provided orientations at Marin County High Schools to over 300 seniors. Over the next couple of months, these students will be taking the College of Marin placement exams at their schools which will be followed up with an individual counseling appointment so that they can meet their priority registration date of May 5.

Kudos

Banner system implementation is a huge project involving many individuals from various departments. The Finance, Human Resources, Financial Aid, Student, and Luminis Web Portal have all required an extraordinary effort by the Information Technology Department. IT staff members working on the Comet Project, Banner, and Luminis implementations have consistently shown their dedication and resourcefulness. Aaron Osheroff, Jeff Peck, Burton Schane, and Ron Walashek have been invaluable resources learning the new technology, working with the consultants as true partners, and being innovators always striving for success. In addition, the IT Technical Support staff members have helped prepare for Banner implementation in a variety of ways including deploying over 220 computers and printers during the previous 12 months. Thanks IT, for your dedication and hard work!

College of Marin graduate, Konrad Dryden, has gone on to teach Music and German at the University of Maryland in Germany. He recently published two biographies which can be found in many libraries worldwide. His latest is the first English language biography of the Italian composer Ruggiero Leoncavallo and includes a foreword by Placido Domingo. For more information, contact Dr. Konrad Dryden.

Another College of Marin student success story! Venus Amehli studied screenwriting under Sandy Handscher and has now gone on to produce a documentary film titled, Madams of the Barbary Coast. You can see it on KQED channel 9 as part of Women’s History Month. The film will air Monday, March 24, at 1 a.m. You can also see it on KQED World Tuesday, March 25, at 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. For more information about Madams of the Barbary Coast, visit: Madams of the Barbary Coast

Music

The College of Marin Jazz Band will present a concert Monday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m. It will be held at Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and Laurel Ave. Admission is free; parking is $3.00. The concert will be conducted by music instructor Douglas Delany.

For additional information please call (415) 485-9460 (x7460).

A.W.O.L. is back!

Those crazy (Actors Without Lines) improvisers under the direction of Carla Zilbersmith, will perform in the Studio Theatre at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 29. Admission is $10 at the door. Don’t miss this great evening of improvised theatre!

Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

Dance

The College of Marin Dance Department will present its annual spring dance concert, Dance Upon a Song. The concert will feature guest artists, San Francisco Ballet School Trainees, in a piece choreographed by Parrish Maynard. Tickets are $15 for general admission; $10 for students, seniors, College of Marin employees and alumni. Concert will be held Fridays and Saturdays, March 28 and 29 and April 4 and 5 at 8 p.m. in the Fine Arts Theater on the Kentfield Campus. For more information contact the College of Marin Box Office at (415) 485-9385.

Fine Art Exhibits

College of Marin Fine Arts Instructor, Katrina Wagner, has two upcoming exhibits.

“Portraits” is a one woman show being held at the Marin Theatre Company. It will be open Tuesday through Saturday, March 27 – April 19 from 12 to 5 p.m.

Marin Theatre Company

397 Miller Avenue

Mill Valley, CA 94941

She will also be part of a group fiber art show taking place at the Olive Hyde Gallery. The “40th Annual Textile Exhibit” will be open March 21 – April 19 from 12 to 5 p.m.

Olive Hyde Gallery

123 Washington (at Mission Blvd.)

Fremont, CA 94539

Computer Graphics for Architecture Exhibit

The Computer Graphics for Architecture class (Arch 141) has an exhibit currently on display in the student cafeteria. The SketchUp drawings are of a proposed Cafe adjoining the new Fine Arts building on campus.

College of Marin Exhibit

The Associated Students of Emeritus College present a watercolor exhibit featuring students of Marty Meade. Works by Alva Modlinka, Betty Wilson, Dorie Mohr, Sherri Davis, Karen Hooper and Nadine Heidacker will be on display at the COM Emeritus Center, Room 146, Student Services Building. Works will be on display until March 26. Please call (415) 425-9368 for more information.

International Film Festival

The COM Department of Modern Languages International Film Festival is winding down. Don’t miss the remaining two features, which are FREE and open to the Marin County community. Showings will take place in Olney Hall 96 at 7 p.m. For additional information, call

(415) 485-9348 (x7348).

March 28 Love is Never Silent (1985), American Sign Language

April 4 Shaolin Soccer (2001), Chinese

COM Athletics

Results:

    Men's Baseball:

    March 18: Solano 10 Marin 5

    March 20: Marin 14 Contra Costa 1

Marin’s win against Contra Costa brought in a season high 14 runs and 21 hits. Chris Dittmann and Fred Atkins each hit two home runs.

Athletics Home Schedule:

Men’s Baseball vs. Laney College Tuesday, March 25, 2:30 p.m.

Men’s Baseball vs. Mendocino College Saturday, March 29, 1 p.m.

Athletics Away Schedule:

Men’s Baseball vs. Yuba College Thursday, March 27, 2:30 p.m.

Swim & Dive Tri Meet Friday, March 28, All Day

Track & Field Bob Rush Invitational Friday, March 28, 11 a.m.

Have a great week!

Frances L. White, Ph.D.

Superintendent/President

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