On Tuesday, November 14, 2023, the North Orange County Community College District (NOCCCD) Board of Trustees met for a regularly scheduled meeting. The following are highlights from the meeting held at 5:30 p.m. in the Anaheim Campus First-floor Board Room.
BOARD ACTIONS
The NOCCCD Board of Trustees acted on agenda items, including those highlighted below.
Instructional Resources: The Board of Trustees approved Cypress College's final draft of the 2024 Institutional Self Evaluation Report (ISER) for reaffirmation of accreditation for submittal to ACCJC. The current ISER is due on December 15, 2023 in preparation for the team peer review on March 18, 2024, and focused site visit during the week of September 16, 2024. Minor revisions and design improvements were made to the ISER draft presented to the Board on October 10, 2023. In response to Board feedback, an Acronyms and Abbreviations reference list, which will be submitted to the ACCJC review team, was also created and added to the Accreditation webpage.
Instructional Resources: The Board of Trustees received as information highlights relating to the Cypress College 2023-24 Professional Development Program, Fullerton College 2023-24 Staff Development Program, NOCE 2023-24 Professional Development Program, and District Services 2022-23 Professional Development Program. Board of Trustees Member Barbara Dunsheath expressed gratitude for the number of professional development opportunities available to all employee groups across the District's campuses. Dr. Dunsheath expressed support for the efforts of those coordinating these opportunities for the District.
Instructional Resources: The Board of Trustees tabled the revised Fullerton College Mission and Core Values, previously approved by the college's Faculty Senate, Classified Senate, President's Advisory Council, and Associated Students, for action at the second regular Board of Trustees meeting in February 2024. During public comments, Fullerton College Seante President Jeanette Rodriguez and Accreditation Steering Committee Member Bridget Kominek expressed support for the proposed Mission Statement. Fullerton College Director, Office of Institutional Effectiveness, Daniel Berumen presented the proposed Mission Statement, highlighting rationale for the Mission in terms of planning, alignment, and accreditation. Members of the Board of Trustees expressed opposition to language used in the third sentence of the statement and requested that the college make further revisions for approval.
Human Resources: The Board of Trustees approved the retirement of Fullerton College Facilities Assistant Lowell Peters, effective December 31, 2023.
Human Resources: The Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Scott Thayer to the position of Cypress College President, effective January 2, 2024. NOCCCD Chancellor Byron D. Clift Breland thanked the Search Committee for its efforts and the Board of Trustees for its appointment of Dr. Thayer. The Chancellor shared Dr. Thayer's background, including his 24 years of experience in various higher education leadership roles. Dr. Thayer thanked the Chancellor, Board of Trustees, constituent groups, and community for the appointment and expressed excitement at starting his work with the college and District in January 2024.
REPORTS
The Chancellor, campus Presidents, Members of the Board, and constituents shared updates on activities and events throughout the District.
Chancellor Byron D. Clift Breland commented on the following activities and events:
Vice Chancellor, Educational Services and Technology, Cherry Li-Bugg shared that the pilot winter intersession begins December 18, 2023, and as of today, has a 60% fill rate.
NOCE President Valentina Purtell, Cypress College President JoAnna Schilling, and Fullerton College President Cynthia Olivo commented on the following events and activities:
Cypress College Academic Senate President Kathleen McAllister read a resolution regarding a faculty transfer issue. Fullerton College Academic Seante President Jeanette Rodriguez thanked Board of Trustees Member Ryan Bent for attending a Communication Studies event, announced the upcoming ASCCC Plenary from November 16-18, 2023, and expressed disappointment in the Board of Trustee's decision to table the agenda item regarding Fullerton College's Mission Statement. CSEA President Pamela Spence commented on the NOCCCD: Focus on the Future event at Cypress College on November 3, 2023 and shared information on upcoming CSEA meetings, trainings, and negotiations. Adjunct Faculty United President Seija Rohkea reported on negotiations concerning pay and healthcare.
Fullerton College Student Trustee Chloe Serrano commented on a recent student trustee leadership conference, the football team's conference championship, and the APIDA student center and club. Cypress College Student Trustee Jesus Ramirez Jr. reported on a recent student trustee leadership conference, members of Associated Students visiting Sacramento for a hearing on Senate Bill 299 and planning to draft resolutions for General Assembly, and Cypress College Winterfest from 5-8 p.m. on November 30, 2023.
Board of Trustees Member Ryan Bent commented on shared governance and stakeholders, as well as shared recent events he has attended, including the OC Teachers of the Year Banquet, Fullerton College speech and debate event, football game, and veterans golf tournament. Board of Trustees Member Jacqueline Rodarte announced the Leo Fender Gallery at the Fullerton Museum and shared that she toured the Ponderosa Community Center in Anaheim where NOCE hosts English as a Second Language classes. Board of Trustees Vice President Evangelina Rosales shared her attendance at the COLEGAS Conference, OC Teachers of the Year Banquet, and NOCCCD: Focus on the Future events. Board of Trustees Member Barbara Dunsheath commented on her participation in NOCCCD: Focus on the Future and invited all to attend the women's caucus general membership meeting on November 17, 2023 and Cypress College Americana Awards at the Westin Hotel on March 16, 2024. Board of Trustees Member Stephen Blount reported on career opportunities and his participation in the NOCCCD: Focus on the Future and Cypress College Golf Classic events.
During public comments, Fullerton College Vice President, Student Services, Gilbert Contreras invited all to support a new scholarship through the Friends of Fullerton College Foundation for those fighting cancer.
NEXT MEETING
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the NOCCCD Board of Trustees will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 28, in the Anaheim Campus First-floor Board Room.
Board Highlights is produced by NOCCCD Public & Governmental Affairs as a summary of the Board actions and reports. It is not intended as a replacement of the official minutes of the Board meeting. For more information on the NOCCCD Board of Trustees, please visit: https://nocccd.edu/board-of-trustees.