New Employees

A warm welcome to the following new GCC employees, approved by the Maricopa District Governing Board on Aug. 26: Barbara Anders, Employee Resources; Mike Gillispie, Applied Technology/Agriculture; and David Miller, English.

Enrollment Update

Enrollment always commands our attention at this time of year. Here are the numbers as of Sept. 15, with comparisons to Fall 2002: GCC total: headcount is 20,597, up by 1.4 %; FTSE is 9,870, up by 3.5 % GCC North: headcount is 1,569, up by 3.8%; FTSE is 511, up by 9.2%.

Electrical Problems and Solutions

Since August 18, GCC has experienced six partial power outages affecting limited areas of campus. However, help is on the way to prevent further problems. At various times, buildings affected have been the Enrollment Center, the 05 Building, Business, Language Arts, Humanities, and others. We know the causes of the outages and are addressing them. In one case, a faulty cable was to blame and it was replaced. At least four of the outages have been traced to a faulty transformer north of the 05 Building. We have since installed an interim transformer in that location. Doing so is giving us time to remanufacture the failed transformer, to be reinstalled by late October. Al Gonzales, Jack Gallegos, Harry Baker, Jim Tharp, and Chuck Ford have done great work in diagnosing the problems, coordinating with District Office support units, then devising a plan for a solution. Thanks to all.

A Request about Parking

As a result of enrollment increases, parking is again an issue of concern. Specifically, it has come to my attention that some GCC employees are parking in student lots rather than in designated employee parking areas. In particular, the southwest and north employee lots appear to have many open spots all day. Thus, I appeal to a sense of fairness and ask that all GCC employees follow standard parking procedures by displaying an employee parking decal, parking in employee lots--and not taking spaces away from students.

Budget Message Addendum

As a follow-up to the annual President's Budget Message sent College-wide on Sept. 9, a great deal of planning and budgeting information for GCC is available online at http://www.gc.maricopa.edu:2058/ie/p&b/p&b.htm Anyone with a GCC Glory (server) login and password may access this information as part of the annual budget planning process. I encourage you to take a few minutes to review the contents of this link. I hope that broad-based access to this information will continue to "demystify" the budget. Many thanks to Linda Hawbaker of College Research Services for gathering so much helpful data and presenting it in a simple format.

New HLC/NCA Contact Person

Our ongoing communication with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)/North Central Association remains a high priority. The HLC has appointed a new Assistant Director for Accreditation Services, Diane Nyhammer, who is the new contact person for GCC. We look forward to working with her.

Campus Signage in the Spotlight

At students' request, GCC will soon benefit from a powerful new communication tool allowing us to communicate with tens of thousands of people every day. To make this possible, a long-awaited electronic marquee sign will be installed at the corner of 59th Avenue and Olive. Construction will start soon and should be complete by about January 1. Funds for the marquee come from Evening Student Government and General Operations bond funds. The sign was approved by the Governing Board on Aug. 26 as the final step in a District-wide purchasing process allowing other Maricopa colleges to install similar marquees (notably, South Mountain whose marquee is under construction now.) Part of this initiative will focus on directional signage for the campus as well. To advise on use of the marquee as well as campus directional signage, an ad hoc committee representative of students, faculty and staff has been formed and will begin meeting soon. We'll keep you apprised of developments.

Consider Giving to United Way

GCC employees could break their own record in giving to United Way this year as we kick off our campaign, Sept. 22 through Oct. 31. Goals for this year are $27,500 and 134 or more GCC employees to donate. Last year, GCC raised $25,001 from 122 employees. As you may know, United Way assists a wide range of social service and other agencies throughout the Valley. United Way Co-Chairs Don Jensen-Bobadilla and Jeanette Stewart have scheduled a series of fun, motivational events to stimulate participation. From a bake sale (Sept. 24) to a salsa contest (Oct. 8), the GCC campaign will offer many ways to get involved and help make a difference in the lives of others through giving.

Fall Sports Preview

Congratulations to the Gaucho football team, Head Coach Joe Kersting and the coaching staff for beating New Mexico Military Academy, 37-14 in the season opener. This Friday night (not Saturday) at 7:00 p.m., GCC hosts the Air Force Academy JV Team. Other Gaucho teams that have started their seasons are men's cross country and soccer, as well as women's cross country, soccer and volleyball. Best wishes to all of our student athletes and our fine coaching staff. Go Gauchos.

Come See GCC's History

As reported in a previous newsletter, the newly renovated Administration Building has been identified as a prime location to showcase GCC's history through photography. Through the efforts of Judy Blake, Darlene Goto and Marsha Johnson, we have done exactly that. In the main corridor and Conference Room A-123, you can now see skillfully framed photos of GCC's construction, major events in our early years, famous visitors, and many of the College's students and leaders in a variety of activities that have been sources of pride for GCC. I believe we have captured important moments of our history and heritage for all to enjoy.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Chancellor Search Update

About 55 people attended a Maricopa District Chancellor Search Forum held at GCC on Sept. 9, in response to a request from the Governing Board. The forum featured Acting Chancellor Dr. Rufus Glasper as the sole finalist for the position. He presented an opening statement summarizing his values and priorities as a leader, as well as his vision for Maricopa. A 10-member panel of West Valley community leaders and employee representatives asked Dr. Glasper a series of questions on wide-ranging topics, followed by open questions from the audience. GCC was pleased to be chosen to host this important event and provide West Valley residents the opportunity to participate in the search process. The Governing Board is expected to make its decision about the next Chancellor at its Sept. 23 meeting.

GCC Hosts Unity Day, Sept. 11

In commemoration of 9/11 and in celebration of what unites diverse people, GCC hosted the first "Unity Day" on Sept. 11. Coordinated from a grassroots level and sponsored by the City of Glendale and other entities, the event combined music with inspirational messages and much more, beginning at the Soleri Amphitheater and continuing with a march to Sahuaro Ranch Park. The event was moving but also festive. I'm pleased the City continues to request GCC as a venue for major community events.

Dr. Phil D. Randolph
President
Glendale Community College