Administrative Services Staff Meeting
December 10, 2002
PRESENT:
__x_ Rocky Bonura
SWACC_Janet Clarke
__x_ Mike D’Amico
__x_ Maurice Elmore
____Janice Ely
__x_Pam Fees
__x_Bob Gann
__x_Vic Hanson
____Alex Kelley
__x_Donna Manno
__x_David Miller
____Andy Nasatir
____Lynnda Nelson
__x_Allene Quarles
__x_Marcy Wade
__x_Satish Warrier
Minutes: Under Satish Warrier, change the last line to: “Tech Services has virus update
information on their Web site.” The minutes of December 3 were then approved.
CalPERS: Copies of a 2004 Marketing Timeline prepared by Keenan and Associates were shared
with the group because this could mean a big change in January 2004, and it is uncertain whether or
not the committee reps are communicating this to their constituents The Health Benefits Committee
gave Keenan the approval to look at other plans that might provide the same coverage that CalPERS
(which administrates the medical program, not dental or vision) offers at a lesser price. It was noted
that the Health Benefits meetings are open to everyone.
Budget: The State is looking at a $21 billion plus deficit in its budget. The only bright spot in the
State budget is the expected 7% increase in property tax. Consequently, the governor is suggesting
cost reductions in many areas including Prop 98. These proposals still need to be discussed and
approved by the legislature; however, if they implement even half of his proposals, ECC could face
a cut of a million or two this year (Double that if they implement them all). This will have a
significant impact on our funding level, and ECC must be prepared to make significant reductions.
ECC changes to be made:
 No faculty hires this coming year. Approximately $55,000 for each position saved.
 Two director positions will not be filled.
 Special temporary project administrators are to be authorized until March only, and they will
be reviewed very closely after that.
 It has already been announced that there will be no layoffs
 Care must be taken with how much PFE reimbursement money goes into reserves, where it
might be taken by the state.
 The Chancellor’s Office is pulling the plug on the high schools programs statewide next
fiscal year due to the controversy over “double dipping”. Savings: $450,000.
 FTEs in special programs like haz mat, etc. will begin being phased out.
 The cost for trash service for the Inglewood fire program should come from PFE funds.
Comments:
 Now may be the time to evaluate each program for its worth and look at how to take the
labor element out of it, automate it, etc.
 There is minimal usage of fields and stadium, but they are labor intensive to maintain.
 How can major cuts be made without cutting positions?
 Work-study students are not fully utilized.
 Why are front desks manned by students only?
 The State is looking at ways to increase revenues, including raising vehicle license fees,
tuition increases, etc.
AB 500: Copies of Marcy’s November 13 memo re: the impact of AB 500, were shared with the
group. What ECC has been doing (specifically, giving an ending date, etc.) is correct. Pat Caldwell
also sent out a memo (dated November 20) clarifying how to implement the new law for those in
her area. Board items for new casual people will go through Pat’s office.
Customer Service: There was discussion on how to measure progress toward identified goals.
There is a need to hear from everyone on how they perceive our services because of possible
differences between our assessment of how we are performing vs. how our customers feel we are
performing.
The CEI report on the results of the customer service training indicates that people don’t feel they
are being heard. Suggestions for changing this perception included:
 Empowerment - find a way to give people ownership of their jobs.
 Frequent regular meetings – these can keep people informed and help them feel they are an
important part of a team working together toward specific goals.
Based on the summary sheet, the next step is to get customer input on a regular basis. The original
survey instrument from the customer service survey done in 1998-99 is needed.
Committee Reports/Division Issues
 Bob Gann: There is still the potential for blackouts (more due to equipment failure than
shortage of electricity), and he shared information from Edison on how to handle these.
Could managers be notified (via E-mail) when the Board agenda is posted on the Infonet?
 Mike D’Amico: There will be a press conference in the Stadium on Thursday to announce
the recipient of a $600,000 grant for the DUI Task Force. Thanks for the support re: the pay
increase, and thanks to HR for getting the salary schedules out.
 Donna Manno: There will be no more training until February.
 Satish Warrier
 The Quarterly User Meeting for Academic Affairs will be held tomorrow. He needs a
list of the software that was included in the bond proposal (Bob will provide).
 Student appointment and reservation system training is being done by the vendor.
 They are looking at ways to prevent the E-mail server problems the college has been
experiencing. E-mail has doubled in the last few months (6,000 pieces of E-mail were
received in one hour one night), and attachments take up a lot of room. They may go
back to restricting by mailbox size rather than automatically deleting E-mail after 90
days (Items in Outlook Personal Folders are not deleted). Outlook Level 3 training
covers this aspect of E-mail.
 The Network Technician started today.
 Marcy Wade: They had already started the hiring process for the two positions that were
pulled. There is also the possibility of temps being cut off in March. Managers need to be
aware of and work to diffuse potential personnel problems due to extra workloads.
Although difficult times may be ahead, they can also present a chance to re-evaluate and
streamline the kind and amount of work performed. If there is a commitment to change, and
if transitions are made slowly and with care, there is an opportunity for positive change.
 Pam Fees
 This month, most divisions have agreed to distribute payroll checks to their own
temporary/casual employees in order to ensure that they receive them in a timely manner
(i.e. not via the U. S. mail). Only six areas in Academic Affairs rejected the idea of
distributing them to their own employees and will not allow the checks to come to the
divisions. Janice Ely will meet with these areas.
 The December 25th checks will be distributed on Friday the 20th. Those who normally
receive a check on the first will get it on January 2. A memo will be sent out to the
administrative assistants re: when payroll needs the information for the January 10th
checks.
Meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m.
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