Annual Commencement Ceremony was a great success

College of Marin held its 79th Annual Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 26, at the Kentfield Campus Diamond Physical Education Center. Of approximately 333 students receiving degrees and certificates this year, about 115 students took part in the formal ceremony. Sim Van der Ryn was the keynote speaker. Greg Brockbank, J.D. and President of the Board of Trustees, introduced Sim and helped me confer the degrees and certificates. Anita Martinez, A.B.D.  and Vice President of Student Learning, introduced student speaker Giovanna Mazzei. David Rollison, Academic Senate President, gave the closing address. Many thanks to all who participated and helped make this event a great success.

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Measure C Bond Program Campus Concepts presented to Board of Trustees (BOT)

This past week marked a significant milestone for the Measure C Bond Program.  On June 13, at the BOT Retreat, the District presented a pair of “campus concepts” outlining in broad terms how layout of the College of Marin campuses might look in future years.  These concepts were the result of several charettes, forums, and surveys conducted over the last few months, with broad participation by students, faculty, staff, administrators, neighbors, Board members, and the community at large.

While the campus concepts depict what could be accomplished and reflect long-range planning, the cost of fully implementing all of the features of these plans in the short term greatly exceeds our bond budget. The good news is that, as a result of the weeks and months of hard work, we now have an overall plan that will inform the next stages of our facilities development into the future. The bond program team is now charged with (1) turning those concepts into a program that will fit our current $249.5 million bond, and (2) seeking other funds to supplement the bond.

Upon Board approval, the modernization team – including constituents who are on campus and available to participate – will develop a detailed Program Definition Document outlining the specific projects, budgets, packaging, and schedules for the Measure C Bond Program.  The Program Definition Document (PDD), slated for wide-spread participatory review in September and October 2006, will become the handbook for completion of the Measure C Bond Program over the next several years.

The District also met last week with officials from the State Chancellor’s Office in Sacramento to launch discussions about possible State funding support for selected Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects.  Stay tuned for more information as it comes in.

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Kudos

College of Marin Trustee Barbara Dolan was recently honored at the 2006 CCCT Annual Conference with a Fulfilling the Trust Award for her dedicated service on the COM Board of Trustees for 20 years. Barbara was first elected to the BOT in 1985.

Alternate Media Specialist and Adaptive PE Instructional Specialist Bobby Bradford has just received his M.A. in Humanities, with a Creative Writing Emphasis, from Dominican University of California. As a playwright, he received the Outstanding Drama Student Award (four of his plays have been produced at Dominican, and one at College of Marin), and he was also the Graduate Humanities Academic Scholar for 2005.

Reprographics Supervisor Annie Ricciuti, Reprographics Clerk Jesse Harbison, and Matriculation Office Technician June Yokell received a special Kindness and Consideration Award at last week’s classified staff appreciation barbeque for dedicated support of their colleague and long-time COM employee Tony Grubman, who recently lost his battle with cancer.

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Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Furniture Fair

Why did we have a Furniture Fair before we know what our new buildings are going to look like?

There are several steps to developing standard furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) criteria.  The furniture fair is just one of the steps in the process.  The next step is the selection of color palettes, fabric types, and finishes. This information will be given to project specific design teams working on each building. The first project specific design team is currently working on the P.E. Complex.

When we think of “green” furniture, we think of wood.  Why was non-wooden furniture displayed at the fair?  

Green can mean more than wood.  Many materials used to build furniture are “greener” than wood; i.e., recycled plastics, metals and laminates.  All furniture manufacturers were asked to participate in the Furniture Fair based on their ability to supply “green” products.

Will departments have a chance to review and help select the FF&E that is more specific to their needs?

Yes, each user group will have many opportunities for input into the furniture that is specific to their departments needs.  Project specific furniture will be identified and bought on a project by project basis.

Will FF&E standard items be revisited on a project specific basis?

Standard, general-use furniture, such as the items displayed at the furniture fair, will not be addressed again.  The winning items from the fair will be brought forward to the Modernization Committee and the Board of Trustees for final approvals.  Once the approvals are obtained, standard finishes and color palates will be considered. 

How do we continue to have input?

The FF&E meetings are broadly representative of all college constituent groups and are open to all who wish to attend.  In addition, faculty with particular expertise in color palettes and design are participating in the selection process.

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Upcoming

June 22, 2006 – Last Day to add a Full-Session class

June 22, 2006 – Last Day for Dismissed Students to file a Petition to Return

June 22, 2006 – Last Day to Request Fee Refunds

June 23 and 24, 2006 – 7:30 p.m., Music Dept. presents Contemporary Opera Marin, Fine Arts Theatre

June 26, 2006 – Last Day to drop a Full-Session Class without a “W” grade

June 26, 2006 – Last Day to request a “CR/NC” grade

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Please update your outgoing voice mail message

We have recently received complaints from students calling COM offices on Friday and not reaching anyone. Please update your outgoing voice mail message indicating that college offices are closed on Fridays through August 4.

Together, we can make great things happen!

Frances L. White, Ph.D.
Superintendent/President

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