MOOA Massive Open Online Administration?

Here is an interesting observation by Benjamin Ginsburg. During my time as Academic Senate President, I attended many meetings where they were just copying what other schools had done to pass Accreditation. At the time some faculty wanted to reinvent the wheel, whereas I let my inner Economist take over and sided with the Administration in wanting to get it done.
Reading this essay the following section jumped out at me: 

Ginsberg pointed to the realm of strategic planning. He said that thanks to to the best practices concept, hundreds of schools currently use virtually identical strategic plans. Despite the similarities, however, these plans cost each school hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars to develop. The MOOA would formalize the already extant cooperation by developing one plan that could be used by all colleges. Ginsberg estimates that had the MOOA planning concept been in use over the past ten years, schools would have saved more than a half billion dollars.   See more 

insberg pointed to the realm of strategic planning. He said that thanks to to the best practices concept, hundreds of schools currently use virtually identical strategic plans. Despite the similarities, however, these plans cost each school hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars to develop. The MOOA would formalize the already extant cooperation by developing one plan that could be used by all colleges. Ginsberg estimates that had the MOOA planning concept been in use over the past ten years, schools would have saved more than a half billion dollars.  "One way to look at it," he said, "Is that through their tuitions students paid about $500 million for strategic planning that might have been used for curricular development or other educational purposes."  The MOOA plan, he declared, would end such wasteful duplication. - See more at: http://www.mindingthecampus.com/originals/2013/06/forget_moocslets_use_mooa.html#sthash.lmqg9EcP.dpuf

Ginsberg pointed to the realm of strategic planning. He said that thanks to to the best practices concept, hundreds of schools currently use virtually identical strategic plans. Despite the similarities, however, these plans cost each school hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars to develop. The MOOA would formalize the already extant cooperation by developing one plan that could be used by all colleges. Ginsberg estimates that had the MOOA planning concept been in use over the past ten years, schools would have saved more than a half billion dollars.  "One way to look at it," he said, "Is that through their tuitions students paid about $500 million for strategic planning that might have been used for curricular development or other educational purposes."  The MOOA plan, he declared, would end such wasteful duplication. - See more at: http://www.mindingthecampus.com/originals/2013/06/forget_moocslets_use_mooa.html#sthash.lmqg9EcP.dpuf

Ginsberg pointed to the realm of strategic planning. He said that thanks to to the best practices concept, hundreds of schools currently use virtually identical strategic plans. Despite the similarities, however, these plans cost each school hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars to develop. The MOOA would formalize the already extant cooperation by developing one plan that could be used by all colleges. Ginsberg estimates that had the MOOA planning concept been in use over the past ten years, schools would have saved more than a half billion dollars.  "One way to look at it," he said, "Is that through their tuitions students paid about $500 million for strategic planning that might have been used for curricular development or other educational purposes."  The MOOA plan, he declared, would end such wasteful duplication. - See more at: http://www.mindingthecampus.com/originals/2013/06/forget_moocslets_use_mooa.html#sthash.lmqg9EcP.dpuf

Moody's On Higher Education

Here is a story on falling enrollment at four year schools, and how they are dealing with this declining enrollment.
Here are two that caught my attention:

1. International students 
2. Cost efficiency in the Administrative area

We Need Your Help

This election is crucial for there are two propositions that will determine whether the State of California will continue to fund public education or not.
One proposition  (Proposition 30) will effect education funding in the short to medium term and the other (Proposition 32) is a cynical ploy to destroy organizations that advocate for public education. 
What is Proposition 30?
Prop 30 is a small sales tax increase (0.25% or 1/4 of a penny on purchases) plus a small increase in the income tax on those who earn more than $250,000. The money collected goes to K-12 and colleges and universities. If Prop 30 doesn't pass, Rio Hondo College will cut many more classes than it has already done. Rio students will find it much more difficult to transfer to Cal State and UC, plus the tuition at those schools will increase dramatically.
What is Proposition 32?
Prop 32 is a cynical attempt to prevent people from exercising their First Amendment right to freely assemble. Today workers can contribute to their unions PACs by having voluntary deductions from their paychecks; under current law people who don't wish to contribute can simply opt out. Prop 32 will turn this process around. What makes this a cynical power grab is that corporations, whose PACS are funded through corporate funds are exempt. It might be fair if corporations had to get a vote of their shareholders, but this isn't part of the proposition, since it was written by those corporations.
Also wealthy individuals with a personal philosophy are free to spend as much as they like.(see the picture below from No On Proposition 32 website)

Who is funding Proposition 32!

 If you are willing to help pass Prop 30 and defeat Prop. 32 please consider giving a little bit of your time to call and inform your fellow educators and the voters of California. Feel free to contact the author of this post for further information. 

Dr. Wetsman Emails Administration

Today  Dr. Wetsman (better known to his friends as Adam) emailed all Administrators and the Academic Senators.

The subject of the email was: "Academic Senate Motion"
 
The text of the email was as follow:

Hello everyone,

On Tuesday, the Senate passed the following motion:

Whereas Rio Hondo College, like other colleges across California, is facing severe budget cuts;

Whereas the administration, faculty, and staff are committed to finding budget cuts in a manner befitting shared governance;

Whereas all members of the administration are taking on extra duties, some performing the duties of multiple positions;

Be it resolved that the Academic Senate commends the college’s administration for their dedication and leadership during these difficult times, and directs the Senate President to forward this commendation to appropriate college leaders.

Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to the college.

Adam Wetsman, Ph.D.

Professor of Anthropology

President, Academic Senate

Rio Hondo College

 Adam and Vann are the senators responsible for this motion which was fully embraced by the entire Academic Senate.

Special Board Meeting Last Night

Last night there was a special Board meeting studying the Budget and the Presidential Search Process.
During open communication, two persons spoke. A representative of the CSEA spoke, and I spoke for my self. I said the following:

My name is Mike Javanmard and I am a Faculty member at Rio Hondo College. I am speaking for myself and do not represent any group on campus. Although I am a faculty member, I am here to declare that I stand united with the classified staff at Rio Hondo. Without the Janitors our classrooms would not be be a suitable place for learning. Without the grounds and mechanical staff important infrastructure would crumble around us. Without the classified staff in Admission and record, Financial Aid our students would not be able to sign up for classes taught by the faculty. Please consider this as you are making the tough decisions.

  Our Interim President informed the Board that we need to cut $7 million. We will cut 1500 FTES about 500 sections for a saving of $2.3 million.  That leaves another $5million for a cost cutting task force to come up with . There was a discussion as to the make up of this task force. Teresa reported the last cost cutting task force recommendations were.. (I could not hear her)
She would like to see a smaller task force consisting of 3 classified members, 3 faculty, 3 managers, the VP and one student. These members will have to commit to attending all the meetings and will not be allowed to miss a meeting.
The Board President Ms. Norma Garcia asked for Board members to report their top priority so the cost cutting task force will have some direction. Her top priority was the partnership programs and wanted to protect these programs.  Trustee Gary Mendez argued that "we can not have any sacred cows." This was followed by a tense debate between the two.
Finally, I was truly impressed by Trustee Vicky Santana when she asked for figures and asked for time to consider the various choices and think about this request by the Board President to prioritize.  Trustee Shapiro echoed the same sentiment.
"Time to  consider and think!"  I was impressed by Ms. Santana. Bravo!!
The topic switched to the presidential search process. At this point I left the room and can not report on it. 
  

RIO HONDO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Special Meeting, Monday, July 16, 2012, 6:30 p.m.

3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA 

AGENDA

I.          CALL TO ORDER

 

            A.        Call to Order (6:30 p.m.)

B.        Pledge of Allegiance

            C.        Roll Call

            D.        Open Communication for Public Comment

Persons wishing to address the Board of Trustees on any item on the agenda, or any other matter, are invited to do so at this time.  Pursuant to the Brown Act, the Board cannot discuss or take action on items not listed on the agenda.  Matters brought before the Board that are not on the agenda may, at the Board’s discretion, be referred to staff or placed on the next agenda.

Persons wishing to make comments are allowed three minutes per topic; thirty minutes shall be the maximum time allotment for public speakers on any one subject regardless of the number of speakers at any one board meeting.

            E.         Study Session

·         Discussion on the Budget

·         Presidential Search Process

II.         CLOSED SESSION

Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Section 59328-59338: Administrative Determination implementation from Discrimination Complaint

Pursuant to Section 54957

·         PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE / DISMISSAL / RELEASE

III.        ADJOURNMENT

Date of Next Regular Meeting: Wednesday, August 8, 2012, 6:00 p.m. (Rio Hondo College, Board Room, 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier)

Our New President

Tonight I saw that the Board has appointed Teresa as our new Interim President. This post will not go up till July 1 because I do not want to create any unnecessary difficulties for her with our current President.  I had the privilege of working with Teresa Dreyfuss six years ago on the Accreditation report. The section assigned to our subgroup was college finances. I was truly impressed by the integrity of her budgets. Although Rio Hondo was placed on warning by ACCJC, the section of the report dealing with the budget passed with flying colors.  Later in 2008 when I was elected as Academic Senate President, I had an opportunity to attend an ASCCC training for newly elected local Academic Senate Presidents. There I heard a talk by the top CCA budget person. I wrote about it on this blog  Here is my post from June 17 2008.  I wrote the following after attending this conference:

".... Talking of money and budgets the budget person from CCA who was explaining how to read these budgets commented that Rio Hondo and Mendicino have the most honest budget in the State. Now this guy was a CTA union analyst invited to teach us how to read these forms and sometimes correctly sees a conspiracy behind every budget. The next time you see Teresa give her a hug for being one of the best budget persons in the State of California."

 I am looking forward to serving with such an honest and capable leader.

Student Success Committee

Here is the link to the Student Success Committee report created by the Chancelor's office.
Here is a screen shot from the report that shows that the State will rearange priority registration to improve student success.

From the report on Student Success

Fee Hike or Reduced course offering?

Here is the link to the Legislative Analyst Office page that argues for fee hikes. I found the following section interesting, because it seems that we are in the process of cutting our course offerings.

Reduced Course Offerings. In a 2005 report to the Legislature on enrollment
changes at CCC, the Chancellor’s Office suggested that an unknown amount of the
enrollment decline can be explained by districts having reduced the number of
course offerings. This reduction was in response to concerns by districts about
possible cuts to the CCC system budget during this period. Community colleges
reduced about 10,000 course sections systemwide between fall 2002 and fall 2003.
It was not until spring 2005 that CCC fully restored this courseload. With fewer
course offerings, some potential students found there was no space in courses
they wanted and thus did not enroll. (This is also a possible explanation for
why enrollment in noncredit instruction—which is free for all students—declined
during this time period.)

A Cute Video on School Budgets

Here is an excellent video made by students in South Pasadena.

Here is a story that gives me hope. Students at Santa Ana College are fighting to keep classes for the summer.

"Now, in a move both creative and desperate, students are
raising money to help pay for summer classes by selling food and by pleading
with politicians -- and even instructors -- to contribute.For every $4,500 that
students raise for the Summer
Session Rescue Fund, one class for 30 students will be saved,
school administrators say. The school's nonprofit arm, the Santa Ana College
Foundation, has pledged to pay for any shortfall between student fundraising and
a full class offering."

State Budget Approved

The State Budget was approved today. I got the following email from Erik Skinner forwarded to me and I am posting it here. It explains how this budget will affect us.

Dear Colleagues:
Early this morning, after 45.5 hours in “lockdown,” the State Senate finally broke its impasse and approved a budget package addressing the state’s fiscal crisis. The Assembly passed the budget package shortly thereafter, sending it to the Governor for signature. The package covers both the current year (2008-09) and the budget year (2009-10) and contains significant budget cuts and new taxes impacting every sector of the budget and giving every constituency something to hate. The package is in most respects identical to the one described in my update from February 15—all the community college provisions are identical to the February 15 update.

The crucial 27th vote in the Senate was cast by Senator Abel Maldonado. He had been holding out while negotiating with Governor Schwarzenegger and Democratic
legislative leaders. In exchange for Senator Maldonado’s vote, the budget
package was modified as follows:
*Constitutional amendment to establish an open primary system (will go before the voters in 2010)
*Constitutional amendment to prohibit pay increases for legislators while the state has a budget deficit (will go before the voters)

*Elimination of the proposed gas tax increase and the personal income tax surcharge

*Increase in personal income tax rates (to replace revenue lost due to
elimination of gas tax and income tax surcharge)

Highlights of the budget package just passed by the Legislature are provided below.$41 Billion in budget solutions (2008-09 and 2009-10, combined):

*$15.8 billion in expenditure reductions, including $13.3 billion in cuts and $1.8
billion in other reductions (delays, fund shifts)

*$14.4 billion in temporary tax increases

*$11.4 billion in borrowing

*$1 billion reserve

Proposition 98 Cuts and Deferrals:

*Lowers Proposition 98 spending for the colleges and K-12 schools to $50.7 billion in the current year (2008-09), a reduction of $7.4 billion from 2008-09 Budget Act
levels.

*The current year-reduction is accomplished by $5 billion in funding swaps and deferrals and $2.4 billion in program cuts.

*After accounting for deferrals and funding swaps, the budget package provides about $700 million less in Proposition 98 funding in the budget year (2009-10) than provided for 2008-09.

California Community Colleges, current year (2008-09):

*$39.8 million cut to eliminate the 0.68 COLA

*$3.6 million reduction to capture unspent prior-year funds

*$4 million cut to mandate payments
*$340 million in apportionment funding deferred from January, February, March, and April to be repaid in July (this replaces the existing $245 million deferral that was added to the community college budget in 2008-09). This new deferral is likely to be a permanent feature of our budget.

*Delay repayment of existing $200 million June-to-July deferral, now to be repaid in October. This change is assumed to be permanent.California Community Colleges, budget year (2009-10):

*No COLA

*$185.4 million augmentation to fund 3 percent enrollment growth
*The budget does not include categorical flexibility provisions for the
colleges

*The budget does not include student fee increases

*The budget does not include other policy changes that have been discussed in recent weeks (property tax shortfall protection, lowering funding rates for certain courses, etc.) Such policy proposals will be heard in policy committees or budget hearings during the Spring.

*The budget maintains funding for the Cal Grant program. The proposal to eliminate new Competitive Cal Grants was rejected.

$14.4 billion in Tax Increases:

*Duration of taxes depends on passage of spending cap constitutional amendment. *Sales tax: Increased by 1 cent on the dollar, through 2011-12

*VLF: Increased to 1%, through 2013-14 if cap passes (2011-12 if cap fails). Separate 0.15% VLF increase to pay for local law enforcement programs (saves General Fund $600 million)

* 0.25 percent increase in the state personal income tax rate
*Reduction in Dependent Credit Exemption (Personal Income Tax) for 4 years if cap passes (2 years if cap fails) $11.4 billion in New Borrowing:
*$5 billion from lottery securitization (requires voter approval in special
election in May or June).

*$5.9 billion from Revenue Anticipation Warrant sale.

*$400 million in loans and transfers from various special funds.Spending Cap:
*Limits spending to rolling 10-year trend in revenues, amounts above the 10-year
trend would go into the rainy day fund.

*Allows adjustment of the spending limit to accommodate new tax
increases

*Money can be removed from the rainy day fund
when revenues fall below amount needed to support a baseline
budget

*Reduces the annual deposit from 3% to 1.5% (other 1.5% dedicated to education). 1.5% annual deposit ceases when fund is equal to 12.5% of revenues.

*Revenues above the trend line after the rainy day fund is full can be used for various one-time spending purposes, which can help balance the annual budget

Economic stimulus:

*Expanded Public Private Partnerships for transportation projects and corrections facilities
*Expanded use of design-build

*Meal break flexibility
for employees

*CEQA exemptions for 8 specific
projects

*Film/TV Production Tax Credit

*Small Business Hiring Tax CreditConstitutional Amendments:The following elements of the budget package will be placed on the next state wide ballot:

*Spending Cap (see above)

*Proposition 98. Addresses technical issue over the treatment of the maintenance factor in the Proposition 98 calculation. Ensures that colleges and K-12 schools will receive an additional $9.3 billion in future years.

*Mental health funds (Proposition 63). Redirects a portion of these special funds to create General Fund savings.

*Early Childhood development funds (Proposition 10). Redirects a portion of these special funds to create General Fund savings.
*Open primary elections
*Prohibition on pay increases for legislators in during years in which the state has a budget deficit

This sprawling budget package is one of the most complex—both technically and politically—that the state has ever seen. Clearly, the budget package’s many painful cuts will have significant negative impacts on Californians. The new taxes will put additional strain on households and businesses during these dismal economic times. However, despite these difficult consequences, a budget solution was long overdue and lack of action was beginning to risk profound, long-term damage to California’s fiscal health and ability to access credit markets. This package puts in place substantial solutions that give some hope the California has, at least for the moment,
stabilized its fiscal crisis.

This budget package, while it leaves the community colleges with significant challenges to tackle in the current and budget years, is a good one under the circumstances. It is clear that the state leaders who negotiated this budget deal placed a very high priority on protecting the capacity of the community colleges to meet surging enrollment demand. The relatively modest cuts to the community colleges and the provision of $185 million in growth funds for the budget year are proof that state leaders value the indispensable role that the colleges are playing during these difficult times. While all the leaders deserve credit for this, we understand that Governor Schwarzenegger in particular was steadfast in his commitment to limit the cuts to community colleges.The Governor has not yet reacted publicly to the passage of the overall budget package. However, all signals are that it will meet with his approval and be signed into law
expeditiously.

To the extent this budget protects the colleges, credit belongs to all of you who made your voices heard in the budget process during the past several months. So many of you lobbied in the Capitol, met with your local legislators, sent letters to state leaders, and convinced local newspapers to cover community college issues. We were also fortunate to have had Chancellor Scott join us at this challenging time—his meetings and phone calls with state leaders were pivotal to this budget outcome. Lastly I would note the great teamwork among the corps of full-time community college advocates working in the Capitol who stayed on message and kept pushing in the same direction. All these efforts combined to ensure that state leaders were aware of the surging demand we are seeing on our campuses and the critical role the colleges are playing to help Californians pick themselves up.

While today’s vote brings some temporary resolution to the budget process, I urge you to stay actively involved. The weeks and months ahead will present new challenges as the economy continues to sputter and, as a result, the state will face new fiscal challenges. As this occurs, we will need to be vigilant and active in order to
continue to protect the capacity of the community colleges to serve
Californians. For the moment, we will pause to take a breath and analyze the
fine print in the budget package. But tomorrow we must begin preparing for the
next round.

Regards,

Erik Skinner

Vice Chancellor for Fiscal Policy

Chancellor's OfficeCalifornia Community Colleges1102 Q Street, Sacramento, CA 95814-6511www.cccco.edu

phone: 916-323-7007 fax: 916-322-4783

Two Of My Favorites

Here are two of my favorite economists. Dr. Doom and the author of Black Swan who is a successful trader. This video was very depressing for me, and reminded me why I do not watch CNBC. The anchors are shiny happy people who miss the point being made by these two who "got it right".
Here is my insight: Our society concentrates too much on simplistic talking points and ignores the fundamentals.



Happy Valentines Day

Republican Budget Plan from School Services of California (click here)

I got the following from the CCA. I have highlighted the sections that will have the greatest effect on the community college. The most dangerous part of this proposal is the education flexibility provision.

Senate and Assembly Republicans on December 15, 2008, released their plan
to address the State Budget crisis.

Of the $15.6 billion in reductions, $10.63 billion is from
Proposition 98, which brings funding down to the minimum guarantee.

Republicans propose the following education flexibility provisions:

Restore the ability for schools and community colleges to
contract out for services such as student transportation, cafeteria services,
landscaping, and payroll.
Allow certificated employees to be laid-off after a 45-day notification
Enhance local control by cutting strings to categorical programs and
allowing schools to redirect funding to their highest priorities.
Give the Legislature more flexibility to allocate after-school program funding (with voter approval)

The Assembly will meet today to discuss the Republican proposal. If you live in a Republican District write and or phone them to stop this horrible proposal. This means less classes for our students. This means good bye March 15 and good bye 50% rule.

The Surge

LA Times article on enrollment. It is way up as Colin pointed out. My question is: what will happen with growth in enrollment going up and funding growing at 2% maximum?

"With the governor's proposed budget allowing for only 2% growth, many colleges
are anticipating funding shortfalls."

Will we cut the number of classes offered or something else?