Spring Enrollment Update
Most of our Spring 2003 enrollment figures reflect increases. As of Jan. 12, overall headcount enrollment for all of GCC is up by 14.6 percent compared to the same time last year, with overall corresponding FTSE showing an increase of about 13.9 percent. GCC North headcount is up by 2.4 percent, with FTSE up by 12.5 percent. University-College Center (UCC) headcount is down by 19.3 percent, with FTSE down 25.5 percent. To streamline registration and give students options, Enrollment Services personnel are staffing temporary registration stations in High Tech Center 2, Math Solutions, and in the 05 Building all day for two days next week.

Financial Aid Sought More Than Ever
Interestingly, financial aid applications for GCC are way up--perhaps another economic and enrollment indicator for us. Financial Aid Director Ellen Neel reports that as of Dec. 14, 2002, her office had received more applications for 2002-03 (12,135), than for the entire 2001-02 award year (12,067). Many thanks to Ellen and her staff for accommodating such a spike in volume and for the care taken with each application.

GCC North Update
Our Northwest Education Center partnership with Deer Valley Unified School District, based at GCC North, continues to thrive. Since GCC North opened in Fall 2000, 107 high school graduates to date have successfully transferred and are now attending GCC North. In other measures of success, this semester GCC North will again offer classes at Anthem, and recent media coverage in newspapers has showcased student successes and the gratifying results of the partnership. The Center will host two more open house events for high school juniors and seniors on Jan. 23 and 30. Thank you, GCC North Coordinator DeeDee Denslow and all faculty and staff there for making these successes possible.

A New GCC "First": Adjunct Faculty Orientation
GCC made great strides in improving communication with adjunct faculty by hosting our first Adjunct Faculty Orientation on Jan. 13; two additional sessions will be offered Jan. 17 and 22 at various times of the day. Of our 600+ adjuncts, 109 attended on Jan. 13, with presenters covering important topics such as grading procedures, assessment, course competencies, college safety, and others. I believe these practical overviews will pay off in greater understanding and satisfaction among adjunct faculty, and in improved instruction. Chuck Jeffery, Karen Minnihan, James Morris, and the organizing committee did a first-rate job in coordinating the details and establishing what I hope will be a new GCC tradition. Plus, these orientations respond directly to recent Higher Learning Commission/NCA observations and suggestions for college improvement.

New District Boundaries for Glendale
A long, intensive effort to analyze and accommodate growth in the City of Glendale has resulted in new district boundaries, soon to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice for approval. An online map under construction now on the City of Glendale website will show the newly revised boundaries. Glendale Community College remains within the Barrel District, represented by Councilmember Tom Eggleston. After Federal approval, the City of Glendale is expected to adopt an ordinance formalizing the new district boundaries.

Safety Partnership
GCC is pleased to partner with the City of Glendale in one of the West Valley's largest community safety campaigns ever. The 2003 "City Safe Campaign" features a series of free educational events, two of which GCC will host: a "Keeping Kids Safe Online" seminar/workshop, Wed., Jan. 29, 7:00 p.m. in the Student Lounge, in which parents and caregivers can learn how to talk to children about the dangers of divulging personal information, how to access parental monitoring devices, and other related topics; and an Auto Theft Prevention Day, Wed., Feb. 26, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on the mall, featuring information and services related to safeguarding vehicle(s). Our role as an official partner in the City Safe Campaign reflects our commitment to safety in all its forms, for all students and employees. Look for additional details about these events distributed throughout campus and in the news media.