President/CEO Message
December 3, 2020
Campus Community,
Congratulations to the Compton College community on successfully completing the 15th week of the fall 2020 semester, and we have one more week to go. The holiday season is upon us! I want to congratulate the recently elected CCCD Board of Trustees members; we look forward to working with you. Two of the five trustee area seats were up for election during the November 3, 2020, General Election. Incumbent trustees Sonia Lopez, Trustee Area 3, who ran unopposed, and Barbara Calhoun, Trustee Area 2, will both serve four-year terms effective December 12, 2020. The President/CEO Message - December 3, 2020, includes COVID-19 information and other campus-related updates.
Compton College COVID-19 Update
Los Angeles County's current risk level is Tier 1 (widespread), according to California's "Blueprint for a Safer Economy." On December 2, 2020, there were 5,987 newly recorded confirmed cases in Los Angeles County. The county now has a total of 414,185 reported cases (including cases reported by Long Beach and Pasadena Health Departments). For more information, go to publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/data/index. According to the Compton CCD Pandemic Outbreak - Emergency Operations Plan, Compton College continues to operate at Level Four - Severe Infection Rate.
Essential Employees Work Schedule
The Essential Employees Work Schedule for Monday-Wednesday, December 7-11, is posted online here. The schedule will be updated every Thursday for the following week as employees continue to gradually return to campus.
Achieving the Dream Institutional Capacity Assessment Tool
As noted in the President/CEO Message - November 5, 2020, Compton College faculty, Classified staff, and managers/supervisors are invited to contribute to the Institutional Capacity Assessment Tool. The tool will take approximately 30 minutes to complete and guide the college to Achieve the Dream over the next three years. We extended the deadline to complete the Institutional Capacity Assessment Tool to tomorrow, December 4, 2020. The link to the survey and access code are available in the email-version of this message - check your @compton.edu email.
For individuals who complete the Institutional Capacity Assessment Tool, you may enter your name in an opportunity drawing, where four employees will win $200 each.
Pass/No Pass Grading Option
Consistent with the Resolution and California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office Executive Order 2020-12 - Temporary Suspension of Various Specified Grade-Related Regulations Due to the COVID-19 State of Emergency, Compton College will provide the Pass/No Pass (P/NP) grading option for fall 2020. The deadline has been extended to Monday, December 7, 2020, for students to select the Pass/No Pass (P/NP) grading option for fall 2020.
Students are strongly recommended to speak with a Counselor to discuss the options for taking a course Pass/No Pass and the impact it may have on their academic standing, admissions, financial aid, and transfer to a four-year university. Students should note that the California State Universities and University of California systems are no longer accepting the Pass/No Pass grade option. To discuss which option is best for them, students can Chat with a Counselor online here.
Free Groceries Available for Pick Up
With our partner, Sunrise Produce, Compton College will continue to distribute 1,200 30-pound grocery boxes at the east Greenleaf Boulevard entrance between noon and 5:00 p.m. on the following dates:
- Thursday, December 10, 2020
- Thursday, December 17, 2020
- Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Students must show their Compton College student ID or a copy of their fall 2020 class schedule. The grocery boxes are available on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. Compton College employees are also invited to pick up a box at the Greenleaf entrance. Drive-thru and walk-up service are available.
Please share this information with your students and remind them to check their @compton.edu emails for more information. All student communications are available on the Student Communications and Information webpage.
Oliver W. Conner College Promise Recruitment
A letter is being mailed to all in-district high school seniors encouraging them to apply for the Oliver W. Conner College Promise program. The letter includes the next steps for College Promise-eligible students in both English and Spanish. Students will be able to access the online application and additional information via QR codes. Click here to view the letter.
Winter 2021 Enrollment Update
As of today, December 3, 2020, Compton College has generated 166 FTES for the Winter 2021 term. Our fill rate is currently 41%, and our seats filled is 1,349. The Winter 2020 Enrollment Report is available here.
Compton Community College District Board of Trustees Meeting
The next meeting of the Compton CCD Board of Trustees is scheduled for Tuesday, December 8, 2020. The closed session begins at 4:00 p.m., with the open session commencing at 5:00 p.m. via Zoom Meeting. Information on how to access the Compton CCD Board of Trustees meeting is available here.
5th Annual Compton College Holiday Celebration
As a way to celebrate the holidays virtually and show appreciation to all employees, the annual Holiday Celebration has been scheduled for Wednesday, December 9, 2020, from 2 to 3 p.m. via Zoom Meeting. I sent the Zoom link and passcode, along with the invitation to all Compton College faculty, Classified staff, and managers/supervisors on November 29, 2020. Please check your @compton.edu email.
Final Thoughts
At the virtual Tartar Talks meeting, I shared with the campus community draft legislative priorities for Compton CCD for the 2021-2022 year. The legislative priorities will be shared and discussed at the Compton CCD Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, December 8, 2020. Below are the draft Compton CCD Legislative Priorities:
Focus on Immediate Budget Concerns
- Request additional funds to support Compton CCD expenses related to COVID-19.
- Request funding to "renovate" current buildings for safety, long-term pandemic protocols, and update remote instruction/work technology.
- Request additional funds to support Compton CCD general operating funds to address pension and instruction costs.
- Request to the Department of Finance to extend Compton College Full-Time Equivalent
Students (FTES) protection at 5,980 through 2028-2029.
Address Funding Programs that Support Facilities Growth
- Request $27 million to support student residential housing at Compton College for
100 beds. This will be for the first phase of housing at Compton College.
Support Initiatives that Promote Student Success
- Request continued support of funding for Student Equity and Achievement. The 2020-2021 budget of $2.3 million is supporting the Student Success Initiatives at Compton College.
As mentioned in the President/CEO Message - November 19, 2020, I am seriously concerned with the 2021-2022 fiscal outlook for Compton CCD since we do not know the full financial impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on California. However, we will continue to monitor the state budget and advocacy on behalf of our students and the community we serve.
In closing, please click on this link to see Compton College's three construction projects' progress.
Please be safe, and yes, my message is out earlier than usual because tomorrow is Friday!
Keith Curry, Ed.D.
(preferred pronouns: he/him/his)
President/CEO
Compton College
