President/CEO Message
March 18, 2021
Campus Community,
As I mentioned in the President/CEO Message - January 28, 2021, I meet with the Compton College Student Services Advisors, and today, I had my follow-up meeting with the Student Services Advisors. During the meeting, the Student Services Advisors reminded me of how important it is for faculty who are submitting early alerts to include written notes for the Student Services Advisors and the Guided Pathway Counselors to address with the students. The notes will assist with effective follow-up to our students. The Early Alert Team reaches out to students via phone and email to discuss intervention pathways based on low, medium, and high-risk alerts. If you need assistance with using the CRM Advise Early Alert system, please email Dr. Cesar Jimenez (cjimenez@compton.edu) or Dr. Rebekah Blonshine (rblonshine@compton.edu), or refer to the CRM Advise Early Alert Manual, which is available online.
The President/CEO Message - March 18, 2021, includes COVID-19 information and other campus-related updates.
Compton College COVID-19 Update
Los Angeles County's current risk level is Red Tier (substantial), according to California's "Blueprint for a Safer Economy." On March 17, 2021, there were 897 newly recorded confirmed cases in Los Angeles County. The county now has a total of 1,211,733 reported cases (including cases reported by Long Beach and Pasadena Health Departments). For more information, go to http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/data/index.htm. Compton College is operating at Level 3 - Moderate Infection Rate according to the Compton CCD Pandemic Outbreak - Emergency Operations Plan.
Spring 2021 Enrollment Update
As of today, March 18, 2021, Compton College has generated 1,215 FTES for the spring 2021 semester; the fill rate is currently 55%, and our seats filled is 8,223. The Spring 2021 Enrollment Report is available here.
Ten Oliver W. Conner College Promise posters have been installed within the Compton Community College District boundaries. The posters promote the Compton College Promise Program and provide viewers with a scannable QR Code for direct access to more information and the application. Click here to view the artwork and photos of the ads.
FREE Resources Available for Spring 2021 Students
It's not too late to apply for free resources for the spring semester. Laptops, Wi-Fi hotspots, calculators, meals & food vouchers, housing referrals, headsets, and financial assistance are available to currently enrolled students via the Student Resources Form, available here. Edquity emergency grants are available to those students who have experienced financial hardship and expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information and to apply for a grant or free resources, go to www.compton.edu/studentservices/student-equity-program/student-resources. Questions? Send an email to tartarsupport@compton.edu.
Professional Development Opportunity "Cultural Connections"
Compton College in collaboration with the Cesar Chavez Foundation is celebrating Cesar Chavez on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. This cultural discussion will feature a special guest speaker, Cesar Chavez's grandson Cesar Chavez who will share his amazing story firsthand! This event is open to all Compton College students and employees. We look forward to your participation. Click here for more details and the Zoom Meeting information.
Open Discussion
As we process the murders from March 16, 2021, in Atlanta, Georgia, we must, yet again, grapple with violent racism in our country. On Friday, March 19, 2021, at 3:00 p.m., we will have an open discussion. There will be no agenda, just an open forum to have a campus conversation. Today, March 18, 2021, the Zoom Meeting information was emailed to all Compton College employees by Tina Kuperman, Director of Diversity, Compliance, and Title IX.
Supporting the Health, Wellness, and Educational Needs of our Community
Earlier this week, I submitted an op-ed to the Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper to provide an update on the services and resources that Compton College has made available to our students and to address how COVID-19 is affecting the community we serve. Click here to read the full story.
Final Thoughts
This afternoon, while I was in a meeting, someone said, "Dr. Curry, you move too fast. Please give us a second to catch up." I have been moving fast and pushing forward since I assumed this position on March 16, 2011. And it's not a matter of not wanting to slow down, and I don't think I know how to slow down. I want Compton College to be the premier institution of higher education in California, the United States, and the world. I want scholars, practitioners, students, and the community to recognize us for our students' success efforts and continued transformation. The work that has occurred since 2006 has been tremendous. However, there is so much more that we can do in support of student success. So, it's not that I can't slow down. I am committed to the work we are doing and want to keep the momentum toward Compton College 2024 and onto Compton College 2035.
In the next couple of months, many decisions will be made related to the Eventual Return to Campus. My number one objective has not changed - keeping our employees and students healthy and safe. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health protocols will be our guide related to the Eventual Return to Campus, and we will continue to rely on input from you.
As I mentioned in the President/CEO Message - March 15, 2021, please hold 1-2 p.m. open on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. During our quarterly Tartar Talks, we will host a "Compton College Zoom Picture Day."Full-time faculty, Classified staff, and managers/supervisors will receive a Compton College t-shirt in the mail to wear during the virtual Picture Day in the coming weeks. The t-shirts came in today. Click here for a sneak peek.
In closing, yesterday I received two reminders from Travis Martin, Administrative Assistant with the Special Resource Center, so Happy Birthday Travis Martin!
Please be safe, and hopefully, we schedule the Zoom Free Day soon.
Keith Curry, Ed.D.
(preferred pronouns: he/him/his)
President/CEO
Compton College
