President/CEO Message
October 11, 2021
Although it's already the second week of October, it feels as if the fall 2021 semester just started. Next week, we begin the second eight-week fall session. Please encourage your students to consider enrolling in one more class. Students may check the Searchable Class Schedule, which can be found online at www.compton.edu/studentservices/admissionandrecords/ClassSchedule, for the most up-to-date information on open sections. A variety of eight-week classes that offer the same credit as a full-semester section are scheduled to begin Saturday, October 16, 2021.
I spent this past weekend thinking a lot about our Campus Committees and how information from those committees is shared with different constituent groups. Much work is happening through our Campus Committees; however, it appears the information is not being discussed outside of the committee meetings. Individuals representing various constituent groups should provide regular reports on what is or is not happening in their respective committees to their constituents. Employees should also take the time to read the agendas and minutes of the Campus Committees that are of interest. For more information on the Campus Committees, please visit www.compton.edu/adminandoperations/campus-committees/. I cannot stress how important it is for the faculty, Classified staff, and students to serve on committees and provide creative input on various matters impacting our institution. If you have any recommendations or suggestions on improving the reporting from the committee meetings to the various consistent groups, please forward those recommendations to kcurry@compton.edu.
The President/CEO Message - October 11, 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 1,056 newly recorded confirmed cases in Los Angeles County as of 6 p.m. on October 10, 2021. For more information, go to publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/data/. As of October 7, 2021, 77.9% of Los Angeles County residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine; and 70% 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 4 – Severe Infection Rate according to the Compton CCD Pandemic Outbreak - Emergency Operations Plan.
Fall 2021 Enrollment Update
As of today, October 11, 2021, Compton College has generated 1,289 FTES for the fall 2021 term. Our fill rate is currently 61%, and our seats filled is 9,025. Click here to view today's enrollment snapshot.
Food Truck Tuesdays
All current Compton College students are invited to join us on campus tomorrow, October 12, 2021, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. as the Office of Student Development and the Associated Student Government host the first of three Food Truck Tuesdays. Students may choose one of Marolyn's Old Fashioned Burgers (beef or turkey) meals, including fries and a drink, for FREE!
To participate, students must 1) complete the online wellness survey (available via MyCompton Portal or bit.ly/Compton-Wellness), along with getting a temperature check and wearing a mask while on campus, and 2) must have a current Compton College student ID.
Additional Food Truck Tuesdays are scheduled for October 19 and October 26. Click here to add a reminder to your calendar. Thank you to Monique Anderson, Student Services Advisor, EOPS/CARE, for providing this recommendation.
Mobile Food Pantry On-Campus Tomorrow
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and Compton College have partnered together to provide FREE healthy food to our community. Tomorrow, October 12, 2021, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., the public is invited to stop by Compton College (enter from Greenleaf Blvd. between Santa Fe Ave. and Long Beach Blvd.) to pick up a box of free food. This is a drive-thru-only event, and no walk-ups are permitted. Due to limited supplies, food will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis. For more information, including upcoming dates, click here.
Compton College Parking Permits for 2021-2022 Academic Year
Continuing through the spring 2022 semester, parking permits will not be required for visitors or students who park in student lots during the 2021-2022 academic year (August 21, 2021 - June 9, 2022).
Compton College Football Game - October 16, 2021
In honor of Cancer Awareness Month, the Compton College Tartars Football team will host its annual "Pink" game. Compton CCD Board of Trustees Clerk, Barbara Calhoun, will provide the coin toss at Saturday's, game, which begins at 6:00 p.m. Tickets for all home games must be reserved online at https://www.comptontartars.com/Online_Tickets. Fans who attend the home game and wear pink will receive a free Compton College Tartars rally towel.
Annual Statewide Earthquake Drill
On Thursday, October 21, 2021, Compton College will participate in the Great Southern California ShakeOut, along with millions of other schools, businesses, cities, firefighters, police, and individuals who have registered for this event. At 10:21 a.m. October 21, all Compton College faculty, students, and staff - who are on campus - will "Drop, Cover, and Hold On." For those not on campus, this ShakeOut drill is a great opportunity to practice safety procedures in case of an earthquake at your home and other locations. This year, due to the ongoing restraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the College's participation in this annual event will be changed. Employees and students will not be asked to evacuate their locations as part of the drill. For more information, please contact the Compton College Campus Police, 310-900-1600, ext. 2999.
Upcoming Community Meeting
Compton Community College District Board of Trustees member Dr. Deborah LeBlanc is hosting a virtual Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, via Zoom from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public, and we will provide an update on facilities, enrollment, and the College's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Compton Community College District Board of Trustees Meeting
The next Compton CCD Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 19, 2021. The closed session begins at 4:00 p.m., with the open session commencing at 5:00 p.m. Information on how to access the Compton CCD Board of Trustees meeting via Zoom is available here.
Final Thoughts
By now, many of you are likely aware of the Academic Senate's recent action to pass a vote of "no confidence" calling for the immediate termination of both our vice president of academic affairs and me. I am saddened and disappointed by this action, and now is not the time to respond publicly to the claims made in the resolution. However, I presume the Compton CCD Board of Trustees will want me to prepare a response soon to the Compton Community College Federation of Employees, both Certificated and Classified, as well as the Academic Senate.
Regardless of the content, the resolution expresses genuine frustration related to student enrollment. As mentioned in previous President/CEO Messages and during the last Tartar Talk and the recent Academic Senate meeting, I am committed to improving student enrollment, and retention at Compton College before the conclusion of our Full-Time Equivalent Student (FTES) Hold Harmless Provision in 2026-2027.
In closing, since I was asked to take on a leadership role at Compton College in March 2011, I have worked tirelessly with you to ensure Compton College and Compton CCD continue to serve the community. Together we have restored Compton College's status as an independent college under the authority of the Compton Community College District Board of Trustees, worked with the state legislature to secure our FTES Hold Harmless Provision, secured $11.3 million from the state of California to support the transition from the El Camino Community College District, built several new facilities, and the passage of a $100 million facilities bond in November 2014. Since 2011, under my leadership, we have secured over $250 million from facilities bonds and state funding for capital outlay projects, as well as external funding in support of student success. My commitment to our students and our community remains strong, and I know yours does as well - and I am confident we can work together to ensure the future of Compton College and Compton CCD.
Please be safe and have a wonderful week.
Keith Curry, Ed.D.
(preferred pronouns: he/him/his)
President/C.E.O.
Compton College
