As the president for 2012, I am honored to lead the Board of Trustees for this outstanding college district. I am proud of our commitment to deliver quality educational programs and services to students, businesses, and the community. As a former community college economics instructor in this district, I know that our focus has always been on student success. Despite the unprecedented cuts our programs have sustained due to Sacramento’s inability to manage state finances, we remain dedicated to student success.

Over the past year, community colleges statewide have seen revenue reductions exceeding $400 million. This cut translates into approximately 200,000 students statewide losing access to classes. Our colleges have been forced to reduce class offerings and eliminate or reduce services that enable student success. In fall 2010, a 0 fee increase raised student fees from $26 to $36. Another fee increase of $36 to $46 per unit is anticipated by fall 2012.

Through the past year, the employees at our colleges, and the Board of Trustees, have worked collegially to serve our students. We have made cuts to expenses, foregone pay increases, frozen hiring. The Board of Trustees even took a pay cut, and we have secured a large budget reserve. We have done so to protect us from Sacramento’s lack of dealing with the budget crisis.

Despite these obstacles, we remain unwavering in helping students attain their academic goals. Whether students dream of attaining an associate degree, transferring to a baccalaureate-granting institution, or earning a professional certificate, we pledge to help make that possible.

We strive to continue to provide the quality programs our students depend on through creative solutions.  For example, we are exploring how to serve more students with online classes. And, by forging strategic business partnerships, we can expand our career and technical education programs to put the unemployed back to work and to prepare for a brighter future. 

The Board of Trustees is committed to working with you through the many changes and challenges that await us this year. With your help, we are convinced that we will continue all that we have been able to accomplish to serve our students.  We deeply appreciate your participation in this effort and anticipate continued student success in 2012.

Respectfully yours,

Phillip E. Yarbrough
President

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