The Student Learning Outcomes workshop led to a packed house in the Garden Room. It was a joint presentation by Faculty and Staff Development, chaired by Chini Johnson-Taylor and the SLO arm of the accreditation effort, led by Tom Vessella. More than 45 faculty and classified staff, along with three administrators filled the Garden Room for a three-hour workshop led by Dr. Janet Fulks, professor of microbiology at Bakersfield Community College. Dr. Fulks represents faculty on the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges in the following areas:

State Senate Curriculum Committee Chair, State Senate SLO/Accreditation Chair, State Senate Basic Skills/Non-Credit Chair , Area A representative for the State Academic Senate, State Senate representative for ARCC, Perkins and Hewitt.

Dr. Fulks talked about the need to be thorough and clear with Student Learning Outcomes, giving a college its best chance of having a solid accreditation visit. Her presentation was recorded and will be posted below, and you’ll be able to access it anytime.  The workbook and glossary can be found on the Staff Development webpage.

SLO Workshop Videos

Part 1

Part 2

http://www.vimeo.com/7048455

Part 3

http://www.vimeo.com/7049791

Part 4

ASO president Allison Reid set the tone of the event by saying dialogue is good for the soul. She and her board put together an open forum in the E-building grass, designed to address questions and issues facing Trade Tech students. Dr. Chip Chapdelaine spoke on behalf of the campus leadership and addressed every question raised. He was supported by the vice-presidents who were in attendance. One of the key issues raised, surrounded accreditation and the school’s planned response to our sanction. Dr. Chapdelaine introduced interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Kathleen Burke-Kelly who has the task of guiding our response and being the key liaison with the accrediting team. Dr. Chapdelaine spoke about the measures being taken to address all of the recommendations, including the work that started back in the summer. Several students brought up the issue of an assignment in a visual communications class, which offended some students. Dr. Chapdelaine explained the process that is underway to respond to students’ concerns, and said personal apologies had been offered by the instructor and the administration. Several students questioned the closure of classes along with the Winter and Summer sessions. Dr. Chapdelaine laid out the budget situation, and also explained that legally the bond construction funds cannot be used for operation of the college. He talked about the campus efforts to keep as many classes open as possible, but that the state cuts have made things very difficult for the college.

It was a special day of dialogue for our students, and several had a chance to speak with Dr. Chapdelaine and other administrators immediately following the event.

Congratulations to ASO president Allison Reid for her efforts in keeping the students informed and engaged.

Video

Accreditation response remains the number-one priority among the Trade Tech staff and part of that response is making sure there is plenty of dialogue surrounding accreditation issues. President Chip Chapdelaine and VP of Administration Mary Gallagher delivered a detailed and thorough presentation about the accreditation responses before a packed house in the Garden Room. It was a gathering of the Classified Convocation and those attending listened intently as Chip and Mary discussed all of the work that already has taken place in answering the accreditation recommendations. They looked at the three major recommendations, dialogue and communication, integrated budget and planning and collegial consultation. There was also a call for action that is being repeated at gatherings throughout campus. The call is for everyone to play a role in the accreditation response. For those who didn’t get a chance to attend, you can watch the accompanying video. Congratulations to Lori Hunter and her team for putting together an excellent program.

Video

September 17, 2009
President’s Opening Speech

Lots of smiles and lots of work were the order of the day for the Faculty Convocation 2009, just before the opening of the Fall semester. For many the day also involves the renewing of friendships, talking about those summer trips and wondering about the new construction. This year the theme was our accreditation status. With more than 200 faculty members cramming into the cafeteria and eating the wonderful culinary breakfast, organizer Chini Johnson-Taylor welcomed everyone and explained the urgency in making sure our accreditation response is proper. President Chapdelaine also focused on the need to put together a report that clearly responds to the accrediting team’s recommendations. The faculty also heard from Daryl Holter, the new president of the LATTC Foundation. District deputy chancellor Gary Columbo also stressed the point that the college has work to do, but he is confident that Trade Tech will have its sanction removed. Marilyn Maine and Eddie Afana discussed program review and its process. Vice presidents Marcy Drummond, Ramon Castillo and Mary Gallagher gave a great presentation on the full accreditation recommendations.

Once again the push was toward a common goal. The LATTC Student Services retreat at the USC Radisson Hotel focused on accreditation, and our need to work together to remove this college from probation. Organized and led by Dean of Student Services, Dr. Theda Douglas, the day was centered around the need to understand probation and to develop strategies to respond the accreditation team’s recommendations.

President Chip Chapdelaine set the tone for the day by delivering a rousing welcome speech about the successes of this college and how much it hurt him personally to have Trade Tech placed on probation. He was extremely positive in saying that he knows will can remove the sanction and make what is currently a remarkable college even more remarkable. ASO president Allison Reid echoed those comments during her address and stated that the students are willing to do whatever it takes to assist in the strategies needed to remove the college from probation.

District vice-chancellor for Institution Effectiveness Gary Colombo attended the retreat to give a district perspective and to explain the efforts that helped remove LA Southwest College from probation. Chapdelaine, Colombo, Douglas, VP Student Services Ramon Castillo, Dean of Academic Affairs Vincent Jackson, Dean Cynthia Morley-Mower, Dean of Enrollment Management Dr. Raul Cardoza, Associate Dean of Matriculation Dorothy Smith and researcher Eddie Afana then joined as a panel to answer specific questions from students about accreditation and the campus itself. It wrapped up with Colombo stating he has no doubt that we can remove our sanction if we simply work together on it. VP Student Services Ramon Castillo gave a quick overview of accreditation and what it entails, repeating the accreditation theme of “Keep Moving Forward”.

After lunch, the retreat attendees were given an update on campus construction, then a presentation on the three recommendations laid out by the accrediting commission. There was a presentation on student discipline. Finally department head Marilyn Maine and researcher Eddie Afana conducted an exercise on creating a mission statement. Each entity attending the retreat was the given the task of creating their own mission statement tied to the college mission statement.

There was discussion and exchanges on a wide variety of topics. The retreat got people thinking about where we need to go as a college. Thanks need to go to Dr. Theda Douglas and her committee for a day of insight and information. The 110 attendees came away with a new sense of teamwork and commitment.

ASO Q&A – Part 1 of 2

ASO Q&A – Part 2 of 2

Accreditation Presentation – Student Services

College Council at Retreat in Santa Barbara

There was just one topic discussed at the College Council retreat in Santa Barbara this past weekend. That was accreditation. The leadership at Trade Tech met to lay out strategies and timelines for a sweeping response to the probation sanction placed on the college. There is truly a sense of urgency among the representatives who attended the retreat. The college leadership realizes that fingerpointing or laying blame will not help in removing us from probation. What we need is a lot of hard work in collecting data, developing a true planning cycle and putting together a report that shows what a remarkable college we have. The retreat was facilitated by college experts Peter Gaarn and Don Averill who have an extensive background in bringing together college stakeholders on single issues, including accreditation. The College Council retreat attendees were led through a series of exercises to best identify our current status and to set a course for completion of the accreditation report due in March.

VP Dr. Mary Gallagher presenting to College Council

The task is clear. We have a lot of work to do over the next few months, during a time when we will have a robust Fall semester starting. During a time, when we will be opening new buildings. There is really only one way to insure that this work is completed, and that’s if all of the stakeholder groups join together in this effort. We are at a critical crossroads.  Everyone needs to focus on what is needed to remove ourselves from probation. We must succeed for our students and our community and we cannot allow misinformation or negative attitudes derail us.

A very important piece of this effort is communication and we will be sending out notices on the the website and through email to keep everyone informed about what we all can do to make this effort successful. Please make a commitment to join us.

Academic Senate Reps to College Council

View Summation of College Council Retreat (PDF)