MARICOPA COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
GOVERNING BOARD
SEPTEMBER 11, 2007
MINUTES
A citizens’ forum was scheduled to be held at 6:00 p.m. in the Student Pavilion at Glendale Community College in Glendale, Arizona, pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.02, notice having been duly given.
PRESENT
GOVERNING BOARD
Linda Rosenthal, President
Don Campbell, Secretary
Scott Crowley, Member
Jerry Walker, Member
Absent: Colleen Clark, Member
ADMINISTRATION
Rufus Glasper
Anna Solley
Maria Harper-Marinick
Ken Atwater
Ernie Lara
Velvie Green
Debra Thompson
Mary Kay Kickels
Ginny Stahl for Art DeCabooter
John Schroeder for Maria Hesse
Linda Thor
Gene Giovannini
Bernie Ronan
Attendance: Approximately 80 people
STRATEGIC CONVERSATION (6:05 p.m. through 7:45 p.m.)
Dr. Velvie Green, President of Glendale Community College, welcomed those in attendance to the campus which was currently undergoing some construction in the form of a new building for the Psychology and Nursing Programs. In addition, she mentioned the construction taking place at the GCC North facility located at 55th Avenue and Happy Valley Road. Dr. Green invited those wishing to tour the campus could be provided this opportunity with the assistance of students present specifically for this purpose.
Chancellor Rufus Glasper also welcomed members of the audience and commented that over the past years the mission of the Maricopa Community Colleges had evolved on the edges and that tonight agenda had been designed for the purpose of asking questions about the mission and what the mission should be. The Maricopa Community Colleges are the largest provide of workforce training in the state and also were responsible for healthcare and teacher training, distance learning, international education, in addition to providing students with transfer opportunities to four year universities. There is currently a need to reaffirm if these are the needs of our communities. The contract for the Maricopa Community College District started in 1963 and there is a need to revisit this contract and need input from the community. Dr. Glasper introduced three individuals who had participated in a pilot at Mesa Community College that explored the new social contract. He indicated they will serve as ambassadors for the district and pass the word about us, as well as answer any questions from the community. Lastly, Dr. Glasper introduced elected officials who were present in the audience. They were: Representative Ray Barnes, Councilmembers Joyce Clark, Steve Frate, Phil Lieberman,
Governing Board President Linda Rosenthal followed with comments that since there is no formal way of interacting with the community, this evening was intended to have community members talk about the Maricopa Community Colleges. She acknowledged the presence of fellow board members Don Campbell, Scott Crowley, and Jerry Walker. She thanked Glendale Community College for agreeing to host this event and encouraged everyone in attendance to participate and offer their input.
Alberto Olivas, representing the Center for Civic Participation, introduced himself and indicated his role as the evening’s facilitator. Mr. Olivas indicated that table facilitators would conduct table discussions centered on the following topics:
o General Education & University Transfer Education
o Developmental Education
o Workforce Development
o Civic Responsibility
o Global Engagement
Copies of the questions asked for each of the above topics are included as part of this meeting’s minutes.
Table Report Outs
Table 1: There was equal discussion to each area.
Table 2: Upgrading students to be better participants in the world. Promote civic responsibility.
Table 3: Need for triage mentality in academic programs: Pre-K through College, Civic Engagement, and becoming involved in issues. Need to internationalize student body and provide exposure to foreign students and foreign travel.
Table 4: Discussion had a strong emphasis on global engagement, workforce development and future trends, as well as workplace needs such as soft skills, workplace competencies, and technological needs.
Table 5: Advisement plays a huge role the transition from high school to college. Need to explain to students that signature programs such as criminal justice, etc., are available. Explain to student to students one-on-one what is needed to prepare for these.
Table 6: Civic responsibility is most important. Service to others, need to recruit people who care and find things that people care and bring them in.
Table 7: Academic advisement can ease transfer from high school to college and then four-year universities, and finally into the workforce. Development education is a great way to get off-track students back into education. Civic duty to explain that education is systematic process. No school system should be separate or independent. All should be interrelated.
Governing Board Comments
Don Campbell: Interrelatedness of education systems, i.e., elementary, high school, two-year. Need systematic concept. Globalization: no longer in a world where we look for countries where they are located. Companies are hiring either here or abroad and putting things on the internet. Need to stop countries from killing each other and working collaboratively.
Scott Crowley: It appeared the common theme was advisement. It would appear students need someone to guide them from one school system to another to help them be more successful.
Jerry Walker: Interrelatedness of education and workforce.
Linda Rosenthal: Hopefully some of the statements will be incorporated into our mission.
Adjournment: The meeting concluded at 7:45 p.m.
______________
Dr. Donald R. Campbell
Governing Board Secretary