From: Chancellor’s Office of Communications

Date: May 4, 2011 8:51:10 AM PDT

Subject: Today’s News | Office of Communications, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office | May 4, 2011

May 4, 2011
In the news: We wanted to share what we’re reading.  The purpose of Today’s News is to disseminate throughout the system media accounts about the California Community Colleges and related issues.  $4-million bequest is largest ever for Pasadena City College The Los Angeles Times (daily newspaper) Published:  Tuesday, May 3, 2011 | (Link to story) Scholar Baller program produces stellar results, many transfers The Lariat (Saddleback College student newspaper) Published:  Wednesday, May 4, 2011 | (Link to story) Journalism program earns top awards The City College Times (San Jose City College student newspaper) Published:  Tuesday, May 3, 2011 | (Link to story) Student aid cuts to generate half of expected savings California Watch (investigative news website) Published:  Wednesday, May 4, 2011 | (Link to story) Backers of oil tax initiative can start to gather signatures San Jose Mercury News (daily newspaper) Published:   Tuesday, May 3, 2011 | (Link to story) California weighs shorter school year as budgets wane The Sacramento Bee (daily newspaper) Published:  Wednesday, May 4, 2011 | (Link to story) Most of 13 parcel taxes passed Educated Guess (education trade periodical) Published:  Wednesday, May 4, 2011 | (Link to story) Legislative counsel says Brown’s redevelopment plan illegal The Sacramento Bee – Capitol Alert (daily newspaper) Published:  Tuesday, May 3, 2011 | (Link to story) Bipartisan effort to reach deal to control national debt stalls The Washington Post (national daily newspaper) Published:  Tuesday, May 3, 2011 | (Link to story) Congress considers West Coast oil drilling The California Watch (investigative news website) Published:   Wednesday, May 4, 2011 | (Link to story) Researchers sub feathers for petroleum in biodegradable flower pots; other products in works The Associated Press (national news service) Published:   Wednesday, May 4, 2011 | (Link to story) Amazon.com sues college stores association over textbook ads Bloomberg Business News (business trade periodical) Published:  Tuesday, May 3, 2011 | (Link to story) Report describes limits of inmates’ access to college education The Chronicle of Higher Education (education trade periodical) Published:  Wednesday, May 4, 2011 | (Link to story) 9/11 inspires student patriotism and celebration The New York Times (national daily newspaper) Published:  Tuesday, May 3, 2011 | (Link to story) Read The Office of Communications News and Notes for in depth news coverage, updates on Chancellor Scott’s initiatives and speaking engagements, budget reports, advocacy activities, Board of Governors information and the latest from the California Capitol.
© 2010 California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. 1102 Q Street, Sacramento, California 95811, Fourth Floor | 916.445.8752 Your privacy is important to the Chancellor’s Office. Please review our online privacy policy

From: Chancellor’s Office of Communications

Date: May 3, 2011 9:01:37 AM PDT

Subject: Today’s News | Office of Communications, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office | May 3, 2011

May 3, 2011
In the news: We wanted to share what we’re reading.  The purpose of Today’s News is to disseminate throughout the system media accounts about the California Community Colleges and related issues.  Governor Brown announces appointments The Imperial Valley News (local daily newspaper) Published:  Monday, May 2, 2011 | (Link to story) Senate OKs bill to delay DMV renewals; Brown likely to sign The Sacramento Bee (daily newspaper) Published:  Tuesday, May 3, 2011 | (Link to story) State Senate approves public employee contracts The San Francisco Chronicle (daily newspaper) Published:  Monday, May 2, 2011 | (Link to story) Fix pensions and we won’t have to fire teachers The San Jose Mercury News – opinion (daily newspaper) Published:  Monday, May 2, 2011 | (Link to story) Message to GOP, Brown: Go back to the table and make a deal San Jose Mercury News - editorial (daily newspaper) Published:   Sunday, May 1, 2011 | (www.mercurynews.com-www.mercurynews.com” target=”_blank” style=”color: blue; text-decoration: underline;”>Link to story) Admission constraints lead Cal State to favor ‘local’ students The Los Angeles Times (daily newspaper) Published:  Tuesday, May 3, 2011 | (Link to story) SRJC cuts trigger changes at Petaluma campus – local students urged to create plan for classes, enroll early Petaluma360.com (local news website) Published:  Friday, April 29, 2011 | (Link to story) Tough road ahead MJC grads look to future with uncertainty The Modesto Bee (local daily newspaper) Published:  Saturday, April 30, 2011 | (Link to story) Aid is available for students who need it The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (local daily newspaper) Published:  Tuesday, April 26, 2011 | (Link to story) Sarah Palin at West hills College: Government should ‘get out of our way’ The Associated Press (national news service) Published:   Sunday, May 1, 2011 | (Link to story) Aspen prize for community college excellence - list of 120 eligible community colleges The Aspen Institute (non-profit research institute website) Published:   Tuesday, April 26, 2011 | (Link to story) Cal reinstates men’s gymnastics The San Jose Mercury News (daily newspaper) Published:  Monday, May 2, 2011 | (Link to story) Educating students in remote areas can be costly California Watch (investigative journalism website) Published:  Tuesday, May 3, 2011 | (Link to story) Public broadcasters team with Gates Foundation to tackle school dropout rate with new programs The Associated Press (national news service) Published:  Monday, May 2, 2011 | (Link to story) University of Phoenix launches online course app Education Today (education trade periodical) Published:   Sunday, May 1, 2011 | (Link to story) How college campuses reacted to Osama bin Laden’s death Yahoo! News - The Dagger (news sports blog) Published:   Monday, May 2, 2011 | (Link to story) Deadline to raise U.S. debt ceiling pushed to Aug. 2, Geithner says The Washington Post (national daily newspaper) Published:   Monday, May 2, 2011 | (Link to story) Read The Office of Communications News and Notes for in depth news coverage, updates on Chancellor Scott’s initiatives and speaking engagements, budget reports, advocacy activities, Board of Governors information and the latest from the California Capitol.
© 2010 California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. 1102 Q Street, Sacramento, California 95811, Fourth Floor | 916.445.8752 Your privacy is important to the Chancellor’s Office. Please review our online privacy policy

From: Chancellor’s Office of Communications

Date: May 2, 2011 9:18:14 AM PDT

Subject: Today’s News | Office of Communications, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office | May 2, 2011

May 2, 2011
In the news: We wanted to share what we’re reading.  The purpose of Today’s News is to disseminate throughout the system media accounts about the California Community Colleges and related issues.  California Democratic leaders say party must put pressure on Republican districts The Los Angeles Times (daily newspaper) Published:  Monday, May 2, 2011 | (Link to story) As we see it: Avoiding an all-cuts budget: Brown’s last stand The Santa Cruz Sentinel – editorial (local daily newspaper) Published:  Sunday, May 1, 2011 | (Link to story) Let the people decide The Stockton Record - editorial (local daily newspaper) Published:  Sunday, May 1, 2011 | (Link to story) Guest opinion: Speak up, help save our schools The Santa Rosa Press Democrat - opinion (local daily newspaper) Published:  Friday, April 29, 2011 | (Link to story) Michael Rubio: A state budget update The Bakersfield Californian – op-ed (local daily newspaper) Published:  Saturday, April 30, 2011 | (Link to story) Huff fields questions, hears testimony on budget cuts The Glendora Patch (local daily newspaper) Published:  Saturday, April 30, 2011 | (Link to story) Gov. Jerry Brown to work during surgery recovery The San Francisco Chronicle (daily newspaper) Published:  Monday, May 2, 2011 | (Link to story) Getting college education has its challenges The Auburn Journal (local daily newspaper) Published:  Monday, May 2, 2011 | (Link to story) Donor pledges $4 million to Pasadena City College The Pasadena Star-News (local daily newspaper) Published:  Thursday, April 28, 2011 | (Link to story) Completion agenda for baby boomers Inside Higher Ed (education trade periodical) Published:  Wednesday, April 27, 2011 | (Link to story) An associate degree for Obama The Chronicle of Higher Education (education trade periodical) Published:  Saturday, April 30, 2011 | (Link to story) The American Model Inside Higher Ed (education trade periodical) Published:   Monday, May 2, 2011 | (Link to story) Read The Office of Communications News and Notes for in depth news coverage, updates on Chancellor Scott’s initiatives and speaking engagements, budget reports, advocacy activities, Board of Governors information and the latest from the California Capitol.
© 2010 California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. 1102 Q Street, Sacramento, California 95811, Fourth Floor | 916.445.8752 Your privacy is important to the Chancellor’s Office. Please review our online privacy policy

From: Scott Lay

Date: April 28, 2011 12:39:51 PM PDT

Subject: Budget hearings: Tomorrow in Pomona

April 28, 2011  Steven- I wanted to give you a quick update related to the budget events in Sacramento and around the state. Budget watchers are waiting for the next milestone in the budget process – the release of the Governor’s May Revision on Monday, May 16th. In anticipation of the May Revision, the Senate will hold budget hearings in various regions of the state. The focus of the regional hearings will be to highlight the impact of what an “all cuts” budget would mean to various segments of the state budget. The Senate has scheduled three regional hearings: Friday, April 29, 1:30pm: Cal Poly Pomona Friday, May 6: Bay Area Friday, May 13: Fresno The focus of the April 29th and May 13th hearings will be on public safety and education. While public comment is expected to be limited given the packed hearing schedule, it is important we have a community college presence at each hearing. If you have additional questions related to these hearings, please contact Elaine Reodica, League Regional Representative (951-850-0650 or ereodica@ccleague.org) who is helping to organizing community college advocates at both the April 29th and May 13th events. Sincerely, Scott Lay President and Chief Executive Officer, The League Orange Coast College ‘94

From: Scott Lay

Date: April 19, 2011 9:14:03 AM PDT

Subject: Steven, your community college is closing.

Read this online

April 19, 2011 

Dear Steven,

I regret to inform you that your community college will be closing. In fact, all of the community colleges within 50 miles are closing.

It’s easy to get lost and not be able to comprehend the big statewide numbers in California. What is $685 million in additional cuts in a system that spends billions? What does it mean when we eliminate 400,000 students from California’s community colleges that serve “millions”?

Today, when I speak at a special hearing of the Assembly Budget Committee in Rialto, I will try to put it in context. The difference between the governor’s balanced approach and the all-cuts budget (as identified by the Legislative Analyst) is the equivalent of shutting every community college within 50 miles of Rialto.

That’s right. It would take eliminating all state funding for Chaffey, Citrus, Crafton Hills, Desert, Mt. San Antonio, Mt. San Jacinto, Moreno Valley, Norco, Riverside City, and Victor Valley colleges to make up the difference between a balanced approach and an all-cuts budget.

The 400,000 students who would be forced out—and the 10,000 teachers and thousands of staff members who would lose their jobs—are not nameless and faceless. They are our children, our parents, our neighbors, our friends, our family. That is what this budget fight is about.

This morning’s SF Chronicle reports how three UC campuses have shifted freshmen slots from in-state residents to out-of-state residents, and a shocking table shows that of 6,167 additional students added to UC over the last two years, only 657 are California residents. While it’s not my job to criticize UC’s decision making and budgeting, I know that the assumption is that students will be redirected to community colleges. However, the slots just won’t be there.

Thomas Paine said “These are the times that try men’s souls.” While this isn’t the revolutionary war, indeed, these are the times that try our values, our morals, our character. Most of us have the blessing of a public higher education provided by the State of California. Will we turn around and lock the gates behind us?

It’s Spring Break for legislators, but their offices are still open. If you haven’t called the swing legislators in awhile, it’s time to do it again.

Sincerely,

Scott Lay
President and Chief Executive Officer, The League
Orange Coast College ‘94

From: Chancellor’s Office of Communications

Date: April 19, 2011 9:19:52 AM PDT

To: undisclosed-recipients:;

Subject: Today’s News | Office of Communications, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office | April 19, 2011

April 19, 2011
In the news: We wanted to share what we’re reading.  The purpose of Today’s News is to disseminate throughout the system media accounts about the California Community Colleges and related issues.  Brown’s countdown, day 100: California Teachers Association launches TV ad urging lawmakers to solve budget The Sacramento Bee (daily newspaper) Published:  Tuesday, April 19, 2011 | (Link to story) Budget obstinancy could backfire on GOP The Vallejo Times-Herald – editorial (local daily newspaper) Published:  Tuesday, April 19, 2011 | (Link to story) Napa Valley College enlists students’ help in reconciling budget The Napa Valley Register (local daily newspaper) Published:  Tuesday, April 19, 2011 | (Link to story) Transfer students discouraged by budget cuts The Pirates’ Log (Modesto Junior College student newspaper) Published:  Monday, April 18, 2011 | (Link to story) Imperial Valley College cancels summer courses KSWT Channel 13 (El Centro CBS affiliate) Published:  Monday, April 18, 2011 | (Link to story) State budget cuts threaten California’s Master Plan The Bay Citizen (Bay Area online newspaper) Published:  Monday, April 18, 2011 | (Link to story) UC admits more out-of-state freshmen The San Jose Mercury News (daily newspaper) Published:  Monday, April 18, 2011 | (Link to story) 3 UC campuses cut back on offers to CA residents The San Francisco Chronicle (daily newspaper) Published:  Tuesday, April 19, 2011 | (Link to story) Private universities more of a realistic option The Riverside Press-Enterprise (local daily newspaper) Published:  Monday, April 18, 2011 | (Link to story) In Silicon Valley, investors are jockeying like it’s 1999 The Wall Street Journal (national daily business newspaper) Published:  Tuesday, April 19, 2011 | (Link to story) Education industry pumps up Sacramento economy, report finds The Sacramento Bee (daily newspaper) Published:  Friday, April 15, 2011 | (Link to story) Compton College: On the road to recovery! The Los Angeles Sentinel (local weekly newspaper) Published:  Sunday, April 17, 2011 | (Link to story) Amador Community College Foundation to share big plans with public The Amador Ledger-Dispatch (local weekly newspaper) Published:  Friday, April 15, 2011 | (Link to story) SMC students lend a hand to ‘Hands Across California’ The Santa Monica Patch (local daily news website) Published:  Sunday, April 17, 2011 | (Link to story) Students link hands in support The Los Angeles Daily Breeze (local daily newspaper) Published:  Sunday, April 17, 2011 | (Link to story) Community colleges kick off fundraiser KXJZ 90.9 Capitol Public Radio (Sacramento NPR affiliate) Published:  Monday, April 18, 2011 | (Link to story) Read The Office of Communications News and Notes for in depth news coverage, updates on Chancellor Scott’s initiatives and speaking engagements, budget reports, advocacy activities, Board of Governors information and the latest from the California Capitol.
© 2010 California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. 1102 Q Street, Sacramento, California 95811, Fourth Floor | 916.445.8752 Your privacy is important to the Chancellor’s Office. Please review our online privacy policy

From: “Todd Frederick”

Date: April 14, 2011 9:32:48 AM PDT

To: “All Exchange Users Email List”

Subject: ADVOCACY ADVISORY - Hands Across California - Sunday, April 17, 2011 @ 2:00pm

Contact:  Sherry K. Holland 805-680-6479, 

sholland@handsacrossca.org

 Hands Across California – Sunday, April 17, 2011 @ 2:00pm

On Sunday, April 17 at 2 p.m., history will be made as an estimated 1 million people join hands in a line up and down California , all in support of California Community Colleges and their nearly 3 million students. Hands Across California will raise awareness of California Community Colleges like never before by being the largest-ever event held by any system of higher education. But more importantly, it will increase financial support for California ’s Community College students—a truly worthy cause. 

WHO: San Luis Obispo County residents including students, teachers, administrators, classified employees, nurses and small business owners.  Everyone is welcome to join! 

WHAT: An opportunity to show your support for California Community College students. Make a commitment to stand with us on April, 17 at   2:00p.m. by registering online at  www.HandsAcrossCalifornia.org . Volunteers are needed for this event. To sign up to be a Line Marshal (training and a Marshal t-shirt will be provided), please complete our online volunteer form:

Hands Across California Volunteer Form

WHEN:  Sunday, April 17, 2011 @ 2:00 pm

WHERE:  San Luis Obispo County Government Center , 1055 Monterey Street , San Luis Obispo

WHY:  Hands Across California will directly benefit the California Community Colleges Scholarship Endowment, a fund created to provide annual scholarship support to thousands of students in need from every one of California’s 112 Community Colleges, every year, forever.Ongoing reductions in state funding have put our public systems of higher education in crisis. California’s Community Colleges, which educate nearly 3 million students each year and are the largest provider of workforce training in the state and nation, continue to struggle with this divestment in education.

The three million California Community College students are facing their own crisis of affordability. Already 90 percent of full-time students are in need of financial aid, and almost half have no resources to pay for college. As the state continues to grapple with tough budget decisions, the cost of an education continues to climb for populations that can least afford it.

From: Chancellor’s Office of Communications

Date: April 14, 2011 9:13:53 AM PDT

To: undisclosed-recipients:;

Subject: Today’s News | Office of Communications, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office | April 14, 2011

April 14, 2011
In the news: We wanted to share what we’re reading.  The purpose of Today’s News is to disseminate throughout the system media accounts about the California Community Colleges and related issues.  At GOP fundraiser, a desire to work with Jerry Brown The Los Angeles Times (daily newspaper) Published:  Thursday, April 14, 2011 | (Link to story) Brown: Public’s safety at risk The San Jose Mercury News (daily newspaper) Published:  Wednesday, April 13, 2011 | (Link to story) Sac State students, employees protest budget cuts, tuition hikes The Sacramento Bee (daily newspaper) Published:  Thursday, April 14, 2011 | (Link to story) Thousands rally at Cal State campuses against higher education cuts The Los Angeles Times (daily newspaper) Published:  Thursday, April 14, 2011 | (Link to story) College students to protest high ed budget cuts Bloomberg Business Week (weekly business newspaper) Published:  Wednesday, April 13, 2011 | (Link to story) Protesters occupy building on Sacramento campus The San Jose Mercury News (daily newspaper) Published:  Wednesday, April 13, 2011 | (Link to story) ASO rallies at state capital for education The Sun (Southwestern College student newspaper) Published:  Thursday, April 14, 2011 | (Link to story) Death by 18,000 cuts The Sacramento News and Review (local weekly newspaper) Published:  Thursday, April 14, 2011 | (Link to story) Student body presidents: Budget cuts threaten dream of higher education New American Media (national ethnic news service) Published:  Thursday, April 14, 2011 | (Link to story) Valley college district slashes staff pay The Fresno Bee (local newspaper) Published:  Tuesday, April 12, 2011 | (Link to story) Hands Across California raises money for community colleges Suite101.com (online news service) Published:  Wednesday, April 13, 2011 | (Link to story) Hands-on event set The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (local daily newspaper) Published:  Wednesday, April 13, 2011 | (Link to story) Viewpoints: In cutting Cal Grants, choose students over shareholders The Sacramento Bee - opinion (daily newspaper) Published:  Thursday, April 14, 2011 | (Link to story) 10 colleges with most transfer students U.S. News & World Report (daily international newspaper) Published:  Tuesday, April 12, 2011 | (Link to story) Read The Office of Communications News and Notes for in depth news coverage, updates on Chancellor Scott’s initiatives and speaking engagements, budget reports, advocacy activities, Board of Governors information and the latest from the California Capitol.
© 2010 California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. 1102 Q Street, Sacramento, California 95811, Fourth Floor | 916.445.8752 If you prefer not to receive e-mail like this in the future, please unsubscribe by sending an e-mail to communications@cccco.edu. Your privacy is important to the Chancellor’s Office. Please review our online privacy policy

From: Scott Lay

Date: April 12, 2011 8:59:51 AM PDT

Subject: Pell Grants, Solar and Inspiring Students

Read this online

April 12, 2011 Dear Steven, Here are updates on a few things before I hope on my plane from the American Associaiton of Community Colleges convention in New Orleans back to California: Federal Budget Deal Mixed Bag for Pell Grants This morning, details finally emerged about the current year spending deal reached late Friday night to keep the federal government operating through the rest of the year. The final deal maintains the current maximum Pell Grant level of $5,550, but eliminates the “year-round” Pell Grant provision. According to the House Appropriations Committee, this will save $35 billion over the next ten years. In February, the House passed a bill to cut the maximum Pell Grant by $845, which would have cut $203 million in financial aid to 418,000 California community college students. As an alternative, President Obama called for eliminating the year-round Pell Grant. The elimination of the year-round grant will affect 23,000 California community college students who receive a grant, most often for summer school. As many colleges cut back summer school offerings due to budget cuts, we prefer the elimination of the year-round program as an alternative to slicing the grant award amount, if Pell Grants must be cut. Cutting back on funds for higher education access at all, however, seems stupid and economically short-sighted. The Pell Grant program is expensive, and the cost has grown dramatically as the “Tidal Wave II” bubble moves through college, millions of unemployed workers return to school, and more students get the maximum award because of tuition increases in the public sector and the skyrocketing enrollments at costly for-profit institutions. The program doubled from $16 billion to $32 billion between 2008-09 and 2010-11, as 2.7 million students became eligible and the average grants climbed $1,200. However, as the economy improves, the cost of the program will decline significantly. As a priority though, it’s a relatively cheap investment in our future compared to the one-year 2% “payroll tax holiday” costing $110 billion that was added to the tax cuts package at President Obama’s urging last December. That new tax cut, which surprised even the strongest supporers of the Bush tax cut extensions could have used to avoid these Pell Grant cuts, with $65 billion left over. The “starve the beast” mentality—cut taxes and then programs will have to be cut later—seems to be controlling the debate in Washington, and both parties share blame. Unfortuantely, the “beast” in this case are poor college students. Neverthless, this was a win. Thank you for your advocacy, and be prepared to keep up the fight! League Partner Sunpower Brings Manufacturing Jobs to California Today, at a press conference with Governor Jerry Brown and US Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, Sunpower Corporation and its partner Flextronics will dedicate a solar panel manufacturing plant in Milpitas, California. The plant brings 100 manufacturing jobs to the Silicon Valley and will produce 75 megawatts per year of solar panels. Sunpower, headquartered in San Jose, is the League’s partner in our solar program. The League has worked with twelve community college districts in solar panel acquisition and financing, and has encouraged Sunpower to locate more manufacturing jobs in California. USA Today Announces All-USA Community College Academic Team Yesterday, USA Today published the names of 20 outstanding community college students from across the country who made the All-USA Community College Academic Team. Three of California’s community college students were among those recognized from a pool of more than 1,600 students nominated from 800 colleges across the country. Congratulations to: Cassandra Beverly, Merritt College Kellee Green, Long Beach City College Alina Turpin, Cerritos College On March 21, the League hosted a luncheon in Sacramento for all of the state’s honorees. The luncheon is my favorite event of the year. For a couple of hours, we set aside the budget woes and get to recognize and meet with amazing students who are leading their peers in both academics and community service. I encourage you to review the program for the luncheon, which has short biographies on all of the inspirational students. Congratulations to all of the students recognized this year by Phi Theta Kappa! Sincerely, Scott Lay President and Chief Executive Officer, The League Orange Coast College ‘94