President/CEO Message

November 22, 2021

Campus Community,

I usually do not address campus rumors via the President/CEO Message. However, I thought it was essential to address one that I heard this weekend. I received a call from a former faculty member asking if Compton College was closing. Compton College is not closing. And will not close under my watch. The District's financial position is sound, with a reserve for contingency, Full-Time Equivalent Student (FTES) Hold Harmless Provision through 2026-2027, and we will work to grow enrollment.

In October 2021, I had to send a communication to retired faculty regarding a similar rumor sent in an email to our retired faculty that stated: "If the college gets closed due to fiscal mismanagement, the retirees will lose their District-paid health insurance." Again, as stated in the President/CEO Message - September 9, 2021, the District's retiree health benefits are fully funded according to the Actuarial Study of Retiree Health Liabilities for the Compton CCD, completed by Total Compensation Systems, Inc.

These types of rumors, spread by our employees, do not help with the recruitment of potential new students or the retention of current students. They impact campus morale and do not support our goals of improving student success. Hopefully, the above information will help to end these rumors in our campus community, and we can continue to work together to support our students and potential new students.

The President/CEO Message - November 22, 2021, includes COVID-19 information and other campus-related updates.

Compton College COVID-19 Update

Los Angeles County's Daily COVID-19 Data webpage reports 1,054 newly recorded confirmed cases in Los Angeles County as of 6 p.m. on November 21, 2021. For more information, go to publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/data/. As of November 15, 2021, 81.3% of Los Angeles County residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine; and 73% are fully vaccinated. For detailed vaccine information, including individual city data, go to publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/coronavirus/vaccine/vaccine-dashboard. Compton College is operating at Level 3 - Moderate Infection Rate according to the Compton CCD Pandemic Outbreak - Emergency Operations Plan.

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Report

In the President/CEO Message - May 20, 2021, and the President/CEO Message - May 27, 2021, the Compton College Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Report includes the days and times that areas on campus are occupied and the maintenance schedule and vendor assigned to the HVAC. The Compton College HVAC Report has been updated for the winter and spring 2022 terms, and the report is available here.

COVID-19 Booster Shot is Available for Compton College Employees

As a follow-up to the President/CEO Message - August 26, 2021, President/CEO Message - September 13, 2021, President/CEO Message - September 20, 2021, and President/CEO Message - September 27, 2021, and President/CEO Message - October 18, 2021, the third Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine dose (or 'booster shot') is available on campus. Individuals may call 1-877-612-8299 to register for an appointment or go directly to the on-campus Health Center. Below are the St. John's Health Center hours:

Mondays - 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Tuesdays through Fridays - 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Winter andSpring 2022 Enrollment Update

As of today, November 22, 2021, Compton College has generated:

122 FTES for the Winter 2022 term. Our fill rate is currently 42%, and our seats filled is 1,063.
53 FTES for the Spring 2022 semester. Our fill rate is currently 2%, and our seats filled is 340.

Click here to view today's enrollment snapshot.

Five-week winter 2022 classes begin January 4, 2022; the spring 2022 semester begins Saturday, February 12, 2022, with weekday classes starting on Monday, February 14, 2022. Students may apply and register 24/7 online at www.compton.edu.

Turkey Giveaway November 23 for Compton College Students

All Compton College students are invited to campus to pick up a free turkey tomorrow, courtesy of the Associated Student Government and Office of Student Development. This is a drive-thru event; students should enter campus from Greenleaf Boulevard (between Santa Fe Ave. and Long Beach Blvd.). Turkeys will be available for pickup between 10:00 a.m. and noon. Pre-registration required. Students may reserve their turkey online at comptontartars.com/Online_Tickets.

New College Hour beginning Spring 2022

As mentioned in the President/CEO Message - June 10, 2021, the college hour will be held from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, beginning with the spring 2022 semester. Please adjust your meetings accordingly, effective February 14, 2022.

Compton College Virtual Tartar Talks

I will host a special virtual Tartar Talks tomorrow, November 23, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. via Zoom Meeting. The focus will be on enrollment and recruitment, accreditation, and COVID-19. To participate, please use this link to register in advance: November 23, 2021, Tartar Talks Online Registration.

Compton Community College District Trustee Vacancy - Call for Applications

Due to a recent vacancy on the Compton CCD Board of Trustees, a qualified applicant will be appointed until the expiration of the current term, which is December 9, 2022. Candidates must be at least 18 years old; a resident of the College District and Trustee Area 4, which includes Paramount, Bellflower, Downey, Lakewood, and North Long Beach; a U.S. citizen; and a registered voter. A map of the Compton CCD is available online here.

Applicants must submit an application form and respond to a questionnaire to be considered for the position. The application package must be submitted to the Office of the President/Chief Executive Officer, Compton Community College District, 1111 East Artesia Blvd, Compton CA 90221; or by email to kcurry@compton.edu. Visit www.compton.edu//district/ for information, or call 310-900-1600, ext. 2001. Applications must be received no later than 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 1, 2021.

President/CEO Closing the Loop

Last Friday, I approved hourly assignments for the winter 2022 term for faculty who currently have reassigned time during the fall 2021 semester. Hours were approved for the Academic Senate President, Curriculum Committee Chair, Nursing Program Assistant Director, Instructional Specialist for English and Math, Program Review Faculty Coordinator, Student Learning Outcomes Coordinator, Faculty Accreditation Coordinator, Honors Coordinator, and the Professional Development Liaisons. I also approved hourly funding for Nursing faculty members to work in the Open Skills Laboratory, conduct Fit Testing and tutoring/math remediation during the winter 2022 term. Lastly, I approved hourly funding for faculty members participating in the OER Workgroup to begin their work as outlined in the Michelson 20MM Foundation grant.

Compton CCD Special Board of Trustees Meeting

The Compton CCD Board of Trustees, Special Board meeting, is scheduled for Tuesday, November 23, 2021, with the open session commencing at 5:30 p.m. Information on how to access the Compton CCD Board of Trustees meeting, is available here.

Final Thoughts

Last Friday, Compton High School won the semifinal game of the CIF Southern Section Division 12 playoffs against Tahquitz High School (Hemet, CA). On Saturday, November 27, 2021, Compton College will host the CIF Championship Game as Compton High School plays Quartz Hill (Quartz Hill, CA). As evidence of how Compton College continues to help and support our community, Compton High School has utilized our football field for some of their home games this season while their entire campus is under construction.

In the President/CEO Message - August 9, 2021, and the President/CEO Message - September 13, 2021, I talked about items that keep me up at night. This past weekend, I was very concerned about the construction management and the rise in construction and furniture costs for our current projects. As we make decisions on these projects, I will be exploring all funding options and opportunities to reduce costs. However, in some cases, we will not be able to accommodate all the construction or furniture requests. At the last Compton CCD Board of Trustees meeting, the Board approved my recommendation to transfer $350,000 from Workers' Compensation Funds to the District's Capital Outlay Fund to help with capital construction, including furniture for new buildings. Please be patient with us as we navigate some of the construction management issues. My overall goal is to ensure we complete all of our budgeted construction projects while also exploring additional funding opportunities.

Finally, the campus is closed Thursday-Friday, November 25-26, 2021, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Please enjoy this time with your family and friends and do not participate in Zoom meetings or webinars.

Please be safe and have a wonderful week.

Keith Curry, Ed.D.
(preferred pronouns: he/him/his)
President/C.E.O.
Compton College