Transcription
Community collegesmeeting needs.with speedMany get SUCCEED grants from FloridaINSIDE THIS ISSUE:Chapter NewsCouncil NewsCEO MessagePresident MessageAdvocacy UpdateLeadership NewsLegislative AgendaCalendar of EventsSpring 2007Florida Association ofCommunity Colleges113 College AvenueTallahassee, FL 32301(850) 222-3222www.facc.orgAlmost everyoneneeds of an education system and aknows that ourbusiness world thirsting for a talented laborcountry is facing apool. But, the good news is that thesevere shortage ofCommunity Colleges react and respond. Inteachers. It is athe last couple of years, community collegescritical situation anddeveloped baccalaureate degrees andone that has beencertificate programs in Education and alsodeveloping for manycreated technical courses of study. Onlineyears. Not only iscourses were added and facilities werethere a problem with a teacherexpanded to meet the growingshortage, there are insufficientneeds of the corporate demand“Reactandnumber of educated, professionalthat has been building in theand capable workers in dozensrespond they workplace. There are examplesof vital categories. The economyof community colleges workingdid.andof the State of Florida dependswith labor unions to educateFloridaon a trained and accessibleand re-deploy people into thenoticed!”workforceworkforce. Colleges haveadded bus transportation andThat’s where community colleges come in!even child-care facilities to their campuses.Think about what it would take to develop aprogram that can address the overwhelming.SUCCEED continued on page 3Leadership Meetings set FACC agenda for 2007The annual Leadership Conference thatbrings together the FACC board, commission,council and chapter officers took place onFebruary 8-9, at the Association’s offices inTallahassee. Nearly 100 energetic andenthusiastic leaders attended this importantmeeting from community colleges throughout“The Great 28.”While the meeting is designed to be a planningsession for FACC’s leadership, it also is anopportunity for idea-sharing, networkingand officer training particularly for thosenew to their particular positions in theAssociation.FACC CEO Mike Comins opened thegathering by providing an overview ofactivity during the past year as well as apeek at the legislative climate for 2007. Henoted that the “lay of the land” will bemuch different at the State Capitol thisyear since the recent elections resulted in anew governor and a change in the.LEADERSHIP continued on page 4
2Legislative agenda targets funding increaseWhen the FACC’s brain trust gathered in Tallahassee on February 8-9, 2007, the last thingthey expected was to sit inside the chambers and in the seats of the Florida House ofRepresentatives, but that is exactly what they did! The beautiful and elegant setting provided avery appropriate backdrop for the event and was a special treat for the nearly one hundredofficers who attended the FACC Leadership Conference. Thisspecial occasion was also filled with informative presentations,detailed strategy summaries and talks that included prospectiveoutcomes from the eyes of the Association’s lobbyists.FACC CEO Mike Comins opened the session with a comprehensivereport on the FACC advocacy process and how legislative policy isestablished. He noted that the state’s legislature is in session for just60 days and that each representative is only allowed to introduce sixbills during that time. These constraints make it very difficult to getsponsors for favorable legislation and require that FACC, its lobbyistsand members be very focused in their goals and methodologies.Mike Cominsspeaks to FACCmembers inFlorida HouseChambers.Thanks toVivianne Bonsall,Brevard Community College forsubmitting allpictures in thissection.Legislative AgendaCurrent - Spring 2007Governor Crist’s budget proposal, submitted during the first week ofFebruary, includes a funding request for community colleges slightlyless than was hoped for by FACC. However, there will be many adjustments andmodifications before it is presented for final approval later this Spring.“The days ofJim Roy (SJRCC) and Susan Lehr (FCCJ), two members of thecollege lobbyists team, cautioned that “how things are packaged” issuccessfuloften a key reason for failure or success. For example, you can’tletter-writingsimply say “we need a raise,” you must provide substance andandreason, and attach the request to proposals or addenda that maketelephonesense to a legislator. The two also urged the FACC membership tobuild relationships with their legislators in their own neighborhoods bycampaignsinviting them to events on campus whenever possible. They notedare over.”that the days of successful letter-writing and telephone campaigns areover and that effective advocacy is now a result of building personal relationships.The community college Legislative Budget Request approved by the State Board of Educationis detailed in the Message from the CEO (see page 6). The FACC goals also include: Increasing Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) project fundingCategorical Public/Private Matching Dollars for scholarships and academic program supportContinued funding of SUCCEED Florida grantsContinued funding for Educator Preparation InstitutesIncreased need-based student financial assistanceLeveling the playing field between Advanced Placement and Dual EnrollmentImproving student progression by reducing excess hoursEnsuring proper residency determinationsMaintaining an open climate of academic freedom for faculty and studentsWorking cooperatively with technical centers.LEGISLATIVE continued on page 5
3.SUCCEED continued from page 1In Florida, where 30,000 teachers per year are needed and our university system is onlygraduating 6,000, and 10% of existing teachers leave the profession annually, something “hadto give.” Imagine the effort it would take community colleges to impact an issue with such greatconsequences in a state where universities have twice as many professors as are in thecommunity college system. But the Colleges did respond, and the Educator PreparationInstitute projected to the Department of Education that 1,507 students would earn professionalteaching certificates in 2006. The good news is that Tallahassee noticed. As reported in thisissue of Current, many of Florida’s community colleges received SUCCEED grants from theState of Florida. Through these grants, the Florida Department of Education (DOE) awarded87 new competitive grants to support new and expanding programs in nursing/allied health,manufacturing, automotive technology and teacher certification in public and private careercenters, community colleges and universities — all areas designated by Enterprise Florida andWorkforce Florida as targeted sectors for statewide economic development. The SUCCEEDprogram stipulations are as follows: “Funds must be used to support new students and not tosupplant current funding .Funds awarded under this program may be used for personnel,student services, scholarships and financial assistance to students, materials, supplies,advertising, consultants and contracts, and other expenses (excluding construction) associatedwith increasing the capacity ”AdvocacyOne example of responsiveness is how quickly and effectively these 28 schools haveresponded to the state’s teacher crisis.Florida’s community colleges: meeting needs, serving our state and addressing the educationaldemands of a vibrant business community in search of talented and capable employees. FACCis proud of their work and will continue to support their efforts to meet these ongoing needs.We are VERY proud to report that many of FACC’s member colleges were awarded grants last year todevelop specialized courses of study to meet Florida’s needs including:Brevard Community CollegeAssociate Degree NursingApprenticeship ExpansionBroward Community CollegeAutomotive TechnologyDaytona Beach Community CollegeBuilding Construction TradesMedical Laboratory Tech CertificatesEdison CollegeNursing ProgramFlorida Community College at JacksonvilleNetwork AdministratorFlorida Keys Community CollegeNursing RNGulf Coast Community CollegeCareer Advancement in Specialized HealthcareHillsborough Community CollegeRegistered Nurse Partnership ProgramIndian River Community CollegeHomeland Security AcademyPre-Health Science AcademyInstitute of Culinary Arts ExpansionLake-Sumter Community CollegeNursing RNElectrical DistributionManatee Community CollegeAS Nursing DegreeMiami Dade CollegeBiosciences Job Growth Initiative 390,000 171,303 362,749 142,748 220,000 561,303 561,303 444,158 301,688 241,734 161,297 100,000 100,000 186,302 375,000 349,160North Florida Community CollegeAssociate Degree in NursingOkaloosa-Walton CollegeRadiography Tech/Emergency ManagementHigher Education and EmploymentPalm Beach Community CollegeBiotechnology IniatitveChild Care – Spanish SpeakingPasco-Hernando Community CollegeE-Business TechnologyPensacola Junior CollegeBuilding Construction SpecialistPolk Community CollegeRespiratory CareSt. Johns River Community CollegeNursingComputer Engineering TechnologySt. Petersburg CollegeRegistered NurseSanta Fe Community CollegeLife SciencesSeminole Community CollegeHealthcare Program ExpansionAS in Wireless TechnologySouth Florida Community CollegeNursingValencia Community CollegeDigital Media Technology 561,303 355,567 76,460 406,303 155,000 143,095 538,851 561,303 230,012 141,392 362,749 362,749 300,652 260,650 362,749 149,670 362,749Volume 40, Issue 1
4.LEADERSHIP continued from page 1composition of many key committees. Hereported that Governor Crist has submitted abudget and that modifications will beforthcoming after the legislature convenes onMarch 6th. Mike said that FACC will beworking for anincrease incommunity collegefunding and that hewould be addressingthe Association’sspecific goals duringthe legislative portionof the meeting (seeFACC legislativeagenda targetsfunding increase,page 2).Following hisoverview from theCEO, Comins had his first opportunity toFACC leadersparticipate inintroduce the 2007 FACC President, Dr. JeffLeadershipAlbritten, to the membership. JeffConference heldencouraged members to stand ready in caseat the TallahasseeCommunityof a call to action and urged leaders to seekCollege Capitolways to involve their commission, council andCenter.chapter officers in theAssociation’sactivities, particularly"FACC has had a very positiveadvocacy efforts. Herole in solving the state’sannounced that theteacher shortage."three goals for histerm will be: LeadershipCurrent - Spring 2007 Getting members more involved inadvocacy efforts;Increasing membership;Communicating more effectively with allFACC members and groups.Jeff spoke about the community colleges’very positive role in solving the state’steacher shortage (see feature article, onpage 1) and how quickly “The Great 28”have responded to issues like these in thestate. He noted that 60% of Florida'steachers started as community collegestudents.Chancellor David Armstrong spoke brieflyabout the success of the 2 2 system and thefact that other states are interested inFlorida’s innovative programs like these. Hecongratulated FACC on taking leadershiproles in helping the state deal with teachershortages and in representing communitycolleges with the State Legislature.Karen Pickles, Awards Committee Chair,Vivianne Bonsall and Joanne Hutton,Membership Development Committee Cochairs, offered insights into their committees’work and described how leaders can workwith them to carry out the missions of theircommittees.The 2007 Leadership Conference was agreat success both in terms of attendance andparticipation. Melanie Morgan-Jackson ofSouth Florida Community College summedup the sentiments of many attendees whenshe said, “The conference was fun andinformative. The icebreaker from Marsha(Kiner, FACC COO) really got us off to agreat start by allowing us to mingle the roomand meet others in a fun way. Anotherhighlight for me was the networkingopportunities. I was able to connect withsome employees from other institutions whoperform similar tasks at their institution. Wewere able to share ideas and futuristicthoughts on our areas. I also loved themorning session on Friday. Not only did weget terrific legislative information and becomemotivated by our guest speaker, but we gotto sit in the ‘real’ house chamber seats.I’ve already got the pictures, as I knew myco-workers would never believe me if I toldthe story!"Capping this special day was the visit to theFACC offices and a first-ever “open house”for the facility. Members witnessed firsthand how beautiful and prestigious the newheadquarters location is and were impressedby what they saw. Dr. Gary Sligh of LakeSumter Community College commented, “Icertainly enjoyed the lovely reception and alook at the offices. I suppose the thing thatstrikes me most about the offices is theirabsolutely prime location with respect to the
Dr. Jeff Albritten, FACC President, and the Executive Committee meet with Associationleaders (left). Attendees listen to Mike Comins, FACC CEO, in the House Chambers (right).LEGISLATIVE continued from page 1FACC will be moving forward in these areas and will keep members informed through thispublication, Perception (a weekly legislative update), and our new website, due in late Marchor early April 2007.5Leadership Conferencethe State Capitol and lawmakers. It is encouraging to see FACC as a presence there so nearto the Capitol and to know that our FACC staff is part of the heartbeat of the state governmentas it operates in Tallahassee. I was proud to see that presence exhibited so prominently thereon my behalf.” FACC is fortunate to have such involved and supportive members.A special thank you to Dr. William D. Law, president of Tallahassee Community College aswell as Bridget Ellwell and Chris Burney of the TCC Capitol Center staff for generouslydonating our meeting space and helping to make the arrangements for this event. TCC chaptermembers Renee Maples, Randey Burnette and Rita Dickey also deserve recognition for theirefforts and hospitality. FACC also would like to thank Jim Roy, Representative Joe Pickensand Jack Hall for their assistance in helping us secure the House Chambers for our event.FACC members Joanne Hutton and Vivianne Bonsall (left) and Marsha Kiner, FACC COO (right),at the Legislative Conference.VolumeVolume40,2, Issue 81
6Message from the CEOSo much has happened in the past year, it’s hard to know where to begin this message! Forstarters, I am very happy to report that the Association is prospering and there are some veryexciting changes on the horizon. Your Board has put in place a strategy that will enhancemembership benefits and promote the community colleges in Tallahassee and around the state. Itis exciting for the staff and me to be a part of this period of growth and membership service inthe life of FACC.Legislative NewsIn this issue of Current, you will find several reports on the February 8-9 “LeadershipConference” that took place in Tallahassee. Your Board, several committees and trusteesdealt with dozens of key issues facing the Association. Among them were legislativestrategies and 2007 budget proposals that will impact Florida’s community colleges. Youcan find the entire list of bills FACC is tracking on your behalf on the new FACC websiteat www.facc.org. However, highlights of Governor Crist’s first proposed budget are:Michael CominsFACC CEO A total funding increase of 66.4 million, an increase of 6% over the current base budget A college operating budget increase of 5.4% in state funds The highest per-FTE funding in the history of the System at 3,991 per FTE. This is anincrease of 220 or 5.8%. An amount of 58.2 million is recommended for Capacity - improved access, salarycompensation, funding the Community College Formula 4.2 million in new state revenues is recommended to fund the Educator PreparationInstitutes. This alternative form of certification will be a major source of producing newclassroom teachers to alleviate the public school teacher shortage in Florida Succeed Grants for Workforce Program were funded in the amount of 20 million. Thesegrants are used for start up funds for such professions as nursing, teaching and emergingtechnologies. Student tuition will remain constant as proposed in the Governor’s Budget. The Governor recommended 6 million for First Generation in College Scholarships, anincrease of 1 million.The Dr. Philip Benjamin State Matching Program was fully funded in the amount of 39.1 millionCEO MessageNew WebsiteAs mentioned in the last issue of Current, we are in the process of".a new website will becompletely overhauling our computer systems to ensure that the data isfully-integrated and in order to dramatically upgrade our services tounveiled.completed by latemembers. We are in the data conversion stage right now and it is ourMarch 2007."goal to have the entire process completed by late March 2007. Whileyou will not see any change in our website or online services until then, Ican promise you that in April you will be impressed! As part of this process, a new website willbe unveiled that will enable members to register for conferences and convention online, paydues electronically and update their own profile information, among other enhancements. Ieagerly anticipate the “ribbon cutting” on our new system as we update our computer systemsand website, and enhance services to members.Current - Spring 2007Publications and public relationsAnother major change you will see this year will be in the areas of publications and publicrelations. For years, we have done great things and had many successes as a collective group,but we only tell our story to the community college world. We will be developing a publicrelations effort this year that will begin to inform the general public about our activities and thegood work being done by FACC members in cities and colleges across the state.Our publications also will be undergoing a facelift in 2007. For many years, Current has beensupported by member dues and since 2006 been an electronic publication. We are planning towork with our affiliate members to determine if a higher-quality, published version of themagazine would be of interest and if it could be supported by advertising revenues. If so, we.CEO MESSGE continued on page 7
Message from the President7I am honored to be writing to you for the first time as your president. My election in Tampa in2005 was a very special time for me, and the days and months since have seemed like awhirlwind! However, the Florida Legislature is reconvening soon and it is time to get to theserious business of representing your interests in Tallahassee and enhancing the long list ofbenefits every FACC member enjoys.The first “executive decision” I would like to issue is a call for members to standready in case they are needed. Whether it is a legislative issue that requires thestrength of letter-writing or personal visits, or a volunteer to assist in helping withone of the many FACC meetings, events and community outreach programs, weneed your help! I spoke to one “observer” at our Tampa convention last year andhe told me that he had never seen so much member involvement and participationat an association event. That was quite a compliment coming from a person whohad served as an association executive for more than twenty years and hadmanaged dozens of similar events! The not-so-good news is that, for whateverreason, the high level of member participation has not always translated into theFACC advocacy effort. I don’t mean to be critical, but I do want to send out anurgent plea to every member of the Association! Get involved, volunteer, writeletters and help us achieve our legislative goals for the benefit of FACC, everyFlorida community college, and yourself!I was able to talk a little about my goals as your president during my acceptancespeech
Registered Nurse Partnership Program 241,734 Indian River Community College Homeland Security Academy 161,297 Pre-Health Science Academy 100,000 Institute of Culinary Arts Expansion 100,000 Lake-Sumter Community College Nursing RN 186,302 Electrical Distribution 375,000 Manatee Community College AS
