REDWOODS COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
Southern Humboldt Instructional Site Education Master Plan Advisory Committee
Community Presbyterian Church in Garberville (at 437 Maple Lane)
Thursday, September 29, 2011
MINUTES
Members Present: Joe Ashenbrucker, Mark Bryant, Geoff Cain, Jeff Cummings, Bob
Froehlich, Utpal Goswami, Susie Jennings, Julie Johansen, Geisce Ly,
Roxanne Metz, Daniel Miller, Dennis O’Sullivan, Stephen Quiggle,
Lorenia Salazar, Bill Stewart, Jim Stewart, George Truett, Linda
Turner, Shon Wellborn,
Members Absent: Bea Anderson, Patty Anderson, Joan Becker, Linda Brodersen, Garry
Eagles, Garth Epling, Ahn Fielding, Deborah Giraud, Pat Girczyc,
Christina Huff, Harry Jasper, Gabriela LaBonte, Barbara Lindsay,
Elizabeth Marshall, Jon Sapper, Catherine Scott, Margaret Taylor, Dee
Way, Katherine Ziemer
1. Call to Order: Interim President/Superintendent Utpal Goswami called the meeting to
order at 10:00 am.
2. Introductions and Overview: Interim President/Superintendent Utpal Goswami
welcomed all members and asked committee members to introduce themselves. Dr.
Goswami briefly explained College of the Redwoods’ current plans for the building at
286 Sprowel Creek Rd:
a. The classroom behind the stage will remain intact, allowing for the stage to
become a real stage.
b. Interior rooms will remain as is – CR will not spend money remodeling the
building’s interior
c. CR will repair the roof, exterior stucco, and restrooms for ADA compliance.
d. Dr. Goswami plans to take an alternative renovation plan to the Board of
Trustees in November.
e. Plans are on track to offer classes at the new site in fall of 2012
A question was asked about Bond funds and the dollar amount allocated thus far.
3. Process Check: Roxanne Metz, Director of Planning, Grants, and Institutional
Effectiveness, gave a brief overview of the Educational Master Plan (EMP) process at
CR: A comprehensive EMP was adopted in 2009, followed by the development of
site-specific EMPs. A plan for the Mendocino Coast has been adopted, and plans for
Del Norte, Southern Humboldt, and the 101 Corridor are underway. All of these sitespecific plans will inform the comprehensive EMP.
Dr. Goswami explained that the needs at each site are all very similar, and by taking a
District-wide approach, CR can allocate resources wisely and intentionally.
4. Review of Themes from the March 3 meeting: Roxanne presented the group with
the following list of Themes:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
Computer Skills – Basic and Advanced
Customer Service
Workforce Readiness Training – Skills and Attitude
Child Care: Need for Services / Need for Training
Transportation Need
Solar / Alternative Energy / Environmental Restoration
Stimulation for Older Population – Lifelong Learning
Provide Spanish and ESL Classes for Non-English Speakers
Professional Development
Partnerships are Vital
Water Academy Program with K-12
Theater Arts / Performing
Roxanne explained that the Strategic Plan will look at alignment issues with K-12 and
Basic Skills development. Regarding math and English skills/training, there are two
types of students: those seeking to transfer or earn a degree; and those seeking to
improve their developmental skills.
5. Workforce Training: There was a short discussion about the need for both computer
skills/training and customer service skills/training. The following needs were
identified and discussed:
a. Digital media and internet marketing, graphic design, web design
b. Basic bookkeeping skills – Roxanne noted that basic accounting skills cross
all the targets of opportunity
c. Members of the business community said there is a need for Excel proficiency
as well as the ability to execute practical business applications in the
workplace. (Young people know how to surf the internet and navigate social
networking sites, but have difficulty applying this knowledge/understanding
to practical business applications.)
d. Computer and technical training/education is generally not available locally.
Employees often learn on the job, making a hardship for employers.
e. Technical skills (such as specialized Technician Trainings) are needed locally.
f. There is a great need for Customer Service training.
Roxanne asked if Certificates of Completion would be of value to employers. The
resounding response was yes, they would be useful and valued.
6. Discussion regarding Delivery and Type of Classes:
a. Geoff Cain, Director of Distance Education, talked about developing online
curriculum that is accessible to all. He has been working with Rural Human
Services in Del Norte to develop online training sessions that may also be
useful to Southern Humboldt residents.
b. A concern was raised about scheduling the days and times that classes would
be offered at the new site. Online delivery offers students more choices and
flexible hours.
c. Roxanne explained the difference between credit-based classes for transfer or
degree seeking students (funded by the state) and community education (CE)
classes which are fee-based and self-supporting. The college will most likely
offer a mixture of both kinds of classes at the new site.
d. Geisce Ly, Dean, Mendocino Coast Center, further explained that CE classes
can be tailored to meet the needs of the community. There is much greater
flexibility in the classes we can offer. He explained the fee model of a 60/40
split between the instructor and the institution.
e. It was discussed that students who want/need credits are used to/willing to
drive to get them.
f. Dean Ly talked about the Financial Literacy classes that are being planned for
the Mendocino Coast, their target audience, and needed partnerships to sustain
them.
g. Roxanne asked if there was a need for Contract Training in Southern
Humboldt. There is. Dr. Goswami told the members that there is power in
local businesses letting CR know what contract training is needed. There was
discussion about trainings for teachers/educators. Currently, Southern
Humboldt educators must drive to Redding or Santa Rosa for professional
development trainings. Geoff Cain talked about joint professional
development sessions taking place via distance communication systems like
CCCConfer, webinars, and other methods. We are currently trying to pool
HSU, HCOE and CR together jointly for trainings in Eureka.
7. Credit-bearing Courses: Looking at the classroom delivery method mix (distance
learning, online, brick and mortar) that will work best when the new site opens. A
brain-storming session of classes, partnerships, and ideas ensued:
a. The college should continue existing partnerships to maintain efficiency.
(Example: CR offering classes at SFHS. It is a win-win situation. High school
students are currently experiencing success in taking college classes, which
helps reduce the fear of “going to college” in the future.)
b. Computer lab access at the new site: what will be available? We are looking
at a variety of options: Implementation of a possible card-swipe system is one
idea CR is investigating.
c. Develop new partnerships: The possibilities included Family Resource Center,
Senior Center, Community Farm, Farms to Schools Program, and Emerald
Technology.
d. Tutor and volunteer training classes were discussed.
e. Agriculture classes were discussed. Trustee George Truett suggested
homesteading classes might be popular: These classes could include a basic
understanding of electrical, plumbing, and carpentry, as well as how to fix
your house and what to do with your land.
f. HSU currently offers a bee-keeping class at SFHS.
g. Technology: What is already being provided? What is still needed?
Everything from “advanced preparation for college” to “how to communicate
with your grandchildren” was discussed.
h. Dr. Goswami inquired about the beneficial effects of offering financial aid
workshops here, noting that CR’s tuition revenue is roughly $1.8million but
qpproximately $16 million dollars per year is awarded in financial aid.
College is affordable.
8. Discussion of Next Steps:
a. Jeff Cummings, Dean, Career and Technical Education, reported that there is
a crisis across rural America. We must find creative ways to look at education
and community development. (“If you don’t know where you’re going, any
road will get you there.”) One strategy is to rotate degrees through rural areas.
Strategic planning is essential. Resources are finite.
b. Dean Ly offered a quote by Abraham Lincoln: “The best way to predict the
future is to create it.” We need to be deliberate and strategic. Progress needs
to be planned.
c. Jim Stewart, Principal SFHS, asks that we not forget about the “nuts and
bolts” kids. As high school funding shrinks, hands-on programs are the first
to be cut, and there is an ongoing and definite need for classes such as welding
and wood shop.
d. Students need help in filling out forms and applications such as the FAFSA,
scholarship applications, and applications to various colleges and institutions.
CR could provide instruction in this area.
e. The community looks forward to our presence in Southern Humboldt.
f. The committee members want us to know that they are grateful for and
appreciative of College of the Redwoods.
9. The Meeting was adjourned at 12:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Linda Turner, Administrative Office Manager, College of the
Redwoods, Mendocino Coast
Next Meeting:
Date to Be Determined