Following 100 days, during an all-night session that started at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010 and concluded on Friday, Oct. 8, the State legislature approved the 2011-12 budget. According to California Community Colleges Chancellor Jack Scott, the budget includes an amount of good news for our system providing funds for greater growth in 2010-11 and expanding workforce training programs. However, the budget defers $189 million of the money promised until the next fiscal year.

The budget plan for community colleges includes:

• 2.21 percent enrollment growth ($126 million)
• $35 million to backfill categorical cuts imposed in 2010-11 (replacing the ARRA backfill)
• $25 million for the Economic and Workforce Development program to "meet emerging workforce needs"
• $20 million for Career Technology programs
• no cost-of-living adjustment (positive or negative)

The specific effects of this budget on COM will not be known until the CCCCO completes its analysis in upcoming weeks. While COM is a basic aid district deriving much of its funding from local tax dollars, we also receive significant state funding for our categorical programs. To the extent that categorical payments are deferred, the college’s cash flow will be impacted. The result of deferring funding will place a burden on college districts to either borrow funds or use reserves until the State makes funding available next year.

The bad news for the State of California is that 2011-12 budget is expected to begin with at least a $10 billion deficit, which will likely result in more budget planning pain for the state legislature next year.

Registration Priority Dates for Spring 2011
Athletes, CalWORKs, DSPS, EOPS, Veterans – Nov. 22, 2010
Continuing Students with 3 Semesters, Noncredit Students –Nov. 23, 2010
Continuing Students with 2 Semesters, Recent High School Graduates –Dec 1, 2010
Continuing Students with 1 Semester –Dec. 8, 2010
New and Readmitted Students –Dec. 15, 2010
Concurrently Enrolled High School Students –Dec. 22, 2010

Step up and save lives!
The COM Student Nurses Association is hosting a Bone Marrow Donor Registry Drive on Oct. 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Kentfield Campus near the Student Services Building. If you can't make it during this time, registration kits can also be requested online at http://www.aadp.org/pages/register.php. Please make sure to note that your request is in response to this event. Students will have tables set up to register donors in front of the Student Services Building. Please register to become a donor!

College of Marin Child Development Program Sponsors Child Care Food Program
College of Marin (COM) announces sponsorship of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). This program addresses an important need in our community. Through CACFP children receive nutritious meals and snacks each day as part of their preschool education. Best of all, many of the organic fruits and vegetables that the children enjoy each day are grown at the Organic Farm on the Indian Valley campus. The program is available without charge to all enrolled children at the College of Marin Children’s Centers at KTD and IVC.

Kudos

The founder of the College of Marin Italian studies program, Kathryn “Kathy” Freschi, was recognized last Friday by the Cristoforo Colombo Club of Marin for her lifelong service to the Italian community. The Distinguished Service Award recognizes Freschi’s pioneering work in the Italian community and her 30 years of commitment and passion for all things Italian, said long-time friend and colleague, Lido Cantarutti, a part-time Italian teacher at College of Marin, who presented Freschi with the club honor at a luncheon at the San Rafael Community Center. Freschi who has served as a dean of the non-credit Community Education and Services Program and chair of the Modern Languages Department, helped develop new disciplines of Japanese, Chinese and American Sign Language as well as launch the Study Abroad program on campus. Although not of Italian heritage she has devoted most of her life to studying the language and culture. Congratulations, Kathy!

Upcoming Events

Job Placement Center Hosts Information Session with Westamerica Bank
On Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010, Westamerica Bank in conjunction with the Job Placement Center is hosting a one day information session presenting employment opportunities to College of Marin students, alumni, and community members. This event will be held in the Student Services Building, Deedy Staff Lounge from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Various positions are available from tellers to customer service managers. Potential applicants are encouraged to apply online before their interview at www.westamerica.com. Business attire is encouraged and resumes will be accepted.

Modern Languages Department Hosts CCCFLC Conference
The College of Marin Modern Languages Department will be hosting California Community College Foreign Language Council (CCCFLC) Conference on Friday, Oct. 15, 2010. This Northern California conference will spotlight the language program at College of Marin, and will mark the organization’s first time north of the Golden Gate.

UC/CSU Application Workshops
The application filing period is just around the corner. Please encourage students planning on transferring to a four-year university fall 2011 to take the opportunity and attend any of the following workshops to help them with their personal statements and applications. Contact Emy Bagtas at (415) 485-9671 for additional information.

Schedule of UC/CSU Application Workshops

Disability History Summit and Webinar

In recognition of the first annual Disability History Week in California, College of Marin and the Marin Center for Independent Living will hold a Disability History Summit on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Kentfield Campus in the Student Services Building, Deedy Staff Lounge. The summit includes a screening of the award-winning documentary Disability Culture Rap. The documentary exposes participants to the culture and pride of people with disabilities. The discussion and documentary will be broadcast live via the Web so that attendees may participate. Following the screening and webinar there will be exciting speakers on disability rights, and local organizations will speak about recreation opportunities available to individuals with disabilities in the Bay Area. All participants will have an opportunity to view a nationally renowned Disability History Exhibit produced by Advocating Change Together. The exhibit is a 22-panel collage that traces 3,000 years of seldom-told history of people with disabilities. Lunch will be provided. R.S.V.P to Jessie Sandoval at (415) 459-6245 ext. 27 or mciljessie@gmail.com. For reasonable accommodations please contact Chris Schultz at least 7 days prior to the summit at (415) 485-9601.

COM Basketball Players will Recycle Electronic Goods

On Oct. 23, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the College of Marin Men’s Basketball Program will be holding a fundraiser event on the Kentfield Campus. Members of the community are welcome to bring their electronic goods and appliances to the recycling center that will be set up in Parking Lot 10, behind the Diamond P.E. Center. Electronic recycling involves anything that can be plugged into an electrical outlet. Items that cannot be accepted are batteries, and units containing Freon or liquid mercury. A small donation of your choice would be greatly appreciated when you drop off your recycled units. For more information please contact Bruce T. Furuya at (415) 485 9309 or bruce.furuya@marin.edu

Plant Sale and Open Farm Celebration

On Saturday, Oct. 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. COM will host a plant sale and open farm celebration at the IVC Organic Farm and Garden. In addition to sales and other fun activities, there will be live music with the trio Wagon. Families, friends, student and all are invited to attend the event featuring plant and produce sales, live music, fruit tastings, bouquet-making, and tours—fun for the whole family! For more information: jbrager@conservationcorpsnorthbay.org or (415) 720-2051. Plants and produce for sale include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, parsley, herbs, perennial flowers, sweet pie pumpkins, lettuce, kale, chard, winter squash, tomatoes, corn, and more.

Performing Arts

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
By August Wilson
Directed by W. Allen Taylor
October 15, and 16 at 8 pm
October 17 at 2 pm
Fine Arts Theatre
$20 general, $10 for students, seniors, COM employees, and alumni
 
The play that initiated Wilson’s ten-play series about the African-American experience in America in the 20th Century; this brilliant and explosive piece will keep you riveted in your seat! It’s 1927, and the Jazz Age is in full swing. Set in a run-down recording studio in Chicago, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is funny, salty, and carnal and opens a scathing window into repression, racism, and the exploitation of black artists by whites. Don’t miss this iconic piece by one of America’s foremost Pulitzer Prize-winning playwrights.

Contemporary Opera Marin
Day of the Dead and Halloween Themed Operas
Directed by Paul Smith
October 29, 30 and 31
November 5, 6, and 7
Lefort Recital Hall (FA 72)
Call (415) 485-9460 for further information
 
Parking Information
Due to construction at College of Marin parking availability is reduced. Performances may be accessed by using Parking Lot 16 after 5pm (at the corner of sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Laurel Avenue) and Parking Lot 2 (across Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, accessed via traffic signaled crosswalk.) Additional parking across campus can be accessed via College Avenue. On weekdays and Monday through Thursday evenings, please park in student parking only. Daily parking passes may be purchased from the machines in Lot 2 for $3. Parking for events on Friday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays is free.

Ongoing Events

COM Athletics

Men’s Soccer vs. Contra Costa College
            Tuesday, Oct. 12, 4 p.m. in Napa
Men’s Soccer BYE
            Friday, Oct. 15

Women’s Soccer vs. Contra Costa College
            Tuesday, Oct. 12, 3:30 p.m. in San Pablo
Women’s Soccer vs. College of the Sequoias
            Friday, Oct. 15, 3:30 p.m. in Kentfield

Women’s Volleyball vs. Napa Valley College
            Wednesday, Oct. 13, 6 p.m. in Napa
Women’s Volleyball vs. Laney College
            Friday, Oct. 15, 6 p.m. in Kentfield

Results
Men’s Soccer
            Oct. 5: COM 1, Napa 0

Women’s Soccer
            Oct. 5: Solano 8, COM 0

Former COM Employee Passed Away Last Week

Former employee Geraldine Pawlowski passed away on Oct. 3, 2010. “Geri” worked in the office of Academic Affairs for 28 years. She retired on Nov. 11, 2005. Per Geri’s wishes there will not be a service.
 

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Have a great week,

A. J. Harrison II
Superintendent/President

President's Monday Briefing Web Page
Technical Contact: Nicole Cruz, Assistant to Director of Communications and Community Relations, (415) 485-9648 x7648
Content Responsible: Cathy Summa-Wolfe, Director of Communications and Community Relations, (415) 485-9528