Minutes of the Communication Committee
Ocean Avenue Campus, Room ArtsX 170 – March 30, 2009
Members Present: Tom Blair, Minna Huang, Joe Jah, Mamie How, Martha Lucey,
Andrea Niosi, Francine Podenski, Laurie Scolari
Members Absent: Kimberly Berger, Attila Gabor, Donald Lind, Athena Steff
Resource Persons Present: Beth Cataldo
Resource Persons Absent: Kristin Charles, A. Smiley Curtis, Tom Hetherington, David
Yee
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes from March 3rd meeting were approved.
2. OLD BUSINESS
A. INTEGRATED MARKETING PLAN
A summary of work group findings for the Integrated District Marketing Plan was
developed. Marketing professor Marilyn Goodman prepared two paragraphs for
possible inclusion in the forthcoming Accreditation Mid-Term Report. Committee
discussion ensued about the language in the summary. Recommendations include
changing “more targeted and effective publications” to “more targeted and effective
media.” It was agreed that the word publications brings to mind print formats whereas
the term media encompasses both print and online formats. The language used
should reference the web, which will undoubtedly be a broad and inexpensive
platform to promote the college. Furthermore, emerging technologies continue to
surface providing additional marketing opportunities. Terminology in the marketing
plan needs to be broad so the plan can act as a guide to inform decision making for
the long term. Other edits include adding the words web and emerging technologies
to the list of marketing avenues for international recruitment in the second paragraph.
Lastly, it was recommended that the acronyms AAIEP and AACC be spelled out.
Martha Lucey will take these recommendations back to the work group.
B. WEB PROJECT UPDATE
Beth Cataldo reported the web redesign and migration is on schedule. Students from
Graphic Communication are working with the templates and will be available to
assist departments with the migration of current sites. The next training will begin
the week of May 4th. It is projected that a beta site with a few main segments
(Student Services, Faculty, About CCSF) will launch June 30th. Cataldo also
informed the committee that student email accounts are coming; the email accounts
will be powered by Gmail but have the @ccsf.edu extension. Committee members
inquired about the CCSF calendar component. Cataldo will discuss the progress of
the calendar with EMG and report back.
C. CCSF ONLINE SHOPPING UPDATE
Francine Podenski reported the CCSF online shopping issue was discussed at the
College Advisory Council (CAC). Members of the council were unhappy that the site
was launched without a discussion. Currently, auditors are looking into “the stream
of money.” Concerns raised focus on tracking the money not the branding issue
brought forth by this committee. Communication committee members had previously
raised concerns about 1) the process of selecting images for CCSF products and 2) the
URL of the shopping site. The current URL has no CCSF branding.
A second issue related to CCSF T-shirts and decision making was brought up at the
CAC. It was unknown who made the decision to place a free t-shirt with the angry
ram on each graduate’s chair during the college graduation ceremony. Though the
Ram may be appropriate for some graduates who are interested in sports, it may not
be fitting for other graduates. This situation again brings to light that a need exists for
either an office or committee to oversee the CCSF brand.
3. NEW BUSINESS
A. CCSF DIGITAL SCREENS – PROGRAM FORMAT AND
INSTALLATION
Podenski reported about a contract signed by the district on September 8, 2008 with a
company that provides large flat screen televisions on campus. A section of the screen
is available for advertising. This contract was signed without going through the
Shared Governance process. The Communication committee would have been the
committee to recommend or oppose this contract. The issue of advertising on campus
is a major issue. Committee members were not happy to hear that a contract exists
that will bring more advertising to campus. The student representative reported that
Associated Students (A.S.) was approached to see whether it wanted a screen in the
Student Union; A.S. declined the offer stating it did not want advertising in the
student union. Committee members agree that resources should not be spent on these
screens. Money would be better spent on EATV which hasn’t enough resources and
reaches a far greater number of viewers. Others reported that these screens, if set up
throughout campus, would provide a means for emergency alert and general college
information. It will be reported to the CAC that the communications committee does
not endorse the new flat screens with advertisements.
B. K-12 OUTREACH PROJECT
Laurie Scolari reported on a two new video project funded by SFUSD’s Gear Up
Program, CCSF’s Outreach and Recruitment Office and in consultation with the
Publicity Office and Broadcast Electronic Media Arts department. “The Ambassador
Diaries” and “CCSF Student Support Services Video Tour” will be video podcasts
(vodcasts) available through iTunes U. The goal of the Ambassador Diaries is to use
current students and their stories to connect with potential students to help them
realize the community college pathway. The CCSF Student Support Services Video
Tour provides an overview of services available to students when they arrive at
college. Vodcasts will be available in the fall on iTunes. Committee members agree
these projects are a great way to promote City College and potential exists for future
uses indifferent languages.