Department Changes and Relocations

In addition to consolidating functions in the Administration Building, several other unit moves are planned or have occurred, all designed to enhance efficiency:

Beginning this month, a reorganization has taken effect that integrates the Community/Public Relations Department with Community Education (special interest/non-credit classes), now based together in the same suite in Administration. Headed by George Martinez, these combined, complementary functions are already leveraging resources strategically so that we can make more progress with our College advancement goals. Doing so is increasingly critical as the District contemplates a possible bond election in 2004. The integration of these units capitalizes on the existing skill sets, strengths and interests of both areas--without having to add staff. More specifically, Community Education Coordinator Suzanne Higgins has new responsibilities in publications management (such as Gaucho Gazette) and news media relations, while Public Relations Assistant Suzanne Smelser now works in community education as well as marketing. The intent is that over time, they will exchange workloads as much as possible, with Suzanne Higgins retaining oversight of community education. The important linkage between non-credit programming and overall College instructional priorities remains, via the Dean of Instruction.

Other moves are planned and imminent:

Judy Blake, Alumni/Community Relations Coordinator, will move from Student Life into Administration, Room 111--with the goal of raising the visibility and effectiveness of these two critical areas of overall college advancement (which encompasses also marketing, advertising, publications, and other closely related areas).

Regis Della-Calce, Acting Director of College Business Services, will move from the Enrollment Center into Administration, Room 130. We will keep you apprised when that move occurs.

GCC College Safety, currently located in the Student Union, will relocate into the 06 building, and Student government will move into the offices vacated by College Safety. The overall effect of these moves will be much greater visibility for student leadership at a major crossroads of the campus; and a more discrete area for the video monitoring and the many other tasks central to the Safety Department.

More Perspectives About Campus Climate

As announced in my March 6 newsletter, my meetings with employee groups about campus climate issues continue. So far, I have completed four such meetings (with AACHE, MAT, M&O/Crafts/Grounds, and PSA), and it has been my pleasure and privilege to hear candid comments from many employees. We have focused our discussions on areas of concern identified in the Fall 2001 campus climate study: diversity, morale, communication, fairness, leadership, and decision-making/governance. My thanks to all employee group leaders for their participation, and to Linda Hawbaker and Jack Rose for gathering and compiling comments, ultimately to be released college-wide. Please note that we need not cover all issues in one session. We'll take as much as time as we need to gather broad-based input, so additional sessions may be scheduled with employee groups. As before, please "stay tuned" for more updates. I want to hear what all of you have to say.

Auto Safety Update

Following a relatively quiet start of the semester, GCC experienced a rash of auto break-ins at the beginning of this month. I have met with College Safety Director Debra Palok about this and was informed that the break-ins appeared to be the work of "professionals." A compounding factor for this spike in break-ins may have been three or four well-attended weekend events on campus during that time period. It is important to note that neighborhoods surrounding the campus were hit as well, and the incidents are under investigation by Glendale Police Department. College Safety is working closely with GPD, using our information and videotapes to assist the police with their investigation. Please contact Safety at 5-3535 if you see any suspicious activity in our parking lots.

Commencement Plans Set; 3,000 Attendees Expected

It's hard to believe that Spring Commencement will soon be upon us. Long-time GCC faculty member George Wittenberg will present comments from the faculty at GCC's 38th spring Commencement ceremony, Friday, May 16 at 7:00 p.m. I am pleased that our confirmed keynote speaker will be Maricopa County Schools Superintendent Dr. Sandra Dowling. As in years past, the ceremony will be held in the central college mall, and will confer Associate Degrees and certificates of completion. We expect about 3,000 students, family and friends to attend the ceremony. Questions about Commencement may be directed to Associate Dean of Enrollment Services Mary Lou Massal, at 5-3305.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Strengthening Ties to Educational Leaders

As a direct /follow-up to our successful Governing Board Listening Session on Feb. 20, I met recently with Glendale Elementary School District Superintendent Dr. Perry Hill. We enjoy a strong partnership with his district. I was encouraged by the outcome of that meeting, in which we discussed how GESD, the Glendale Union High School District, and GCC might share databases and other common resources for planning. Also, it was great to have Midwestern University President Dr. Kathleen Goeppinger on campus for a fine speech to the Women's Leadership Group. On April 1, I and some members of the GCC administrative team will be meeting with former Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Jaime Molera, now a consultant with the Peoria Unified School District, regarding Peoria's plans for a high-tech magnet high school. This is the kind of exploratory discussion that we are engaging in with the community on many fronts. I will keep you apprised of our results.

Looking Ahead to April Events

April is a busy month for more high-profile College events. You are invited! Look for more details about these and other upcoming events in the April Gaucho Gazette: International Days, April 2-3; Career Expo, April 2 (I heard that Bil Morrill has lined up 84 exhibitors--great work!); Adjunct Faculty Job Fair, April 3; Employee Recognition/Years of Service Ice Cream Social, April 9; Water Safety Day, April 10 (this will be huge and a tremendous community service); and an Astronomy/Physics/Geology Open House, April 21.

Dr. Phillip Randolph
President
Glendale Community College