Dr. Bambara began by saying “Happy New Year” to everyone! She stated the new year brings many new opportunities for CVCC and as Dana Hamel, Chancellor Emeritus of the Virginia Community College System, said on May 24, 1996, “It is a great day to be alive in the Commonwealth.” Even in these most challenging of economic times, Dr. Bambara stated there is so much to celebrate.
Dr. Bambara reported on the presidential search and stated the process was successfully completed and on March 1, 2011, Dr. John Capps will be here to lead CVCC. She thanked all of the Board members for their participation in the selection process with special thanks to Mr. Giudice, Mr. Lamb, and Ms. Brown who stayed with the selection process from beginning to end. She also thanked the other board members who participated in the campus process for all four candidates from beginning to end. Dr. Bambara stated for the Board members who were unable to participate in all of the interviews, their efforts to attend the receptions and open forums throughout the week were appreciated. She also stated special thanks go to Dr. Tom Sparhawk and the members of the College Search Committee as well as Dr. Joey Fronheiser who prepared the data from the online evaluation process for the Board Search Committee’s review.
Dr. Bambara stated she is very excited for the College as she has worked with Dr. Capps since 2004 in various VCCS roles within the Academic and Student Services Council. She stated she also served as part of the executive leadership team during the time when Dr. Capps was interim president at Lord Fairfax Community College. Dr. Bambara stated she has the highest regard for Dr. Capps and based on her experience, CVCC has selected the crown jewel of community college leaders to be its next president. CVCC and Region 2000 are in great hands. She stated she and Dr. Capps will begin transition planning next week when he will visit here at CVCC. Until Dr. Capps arrives, Dr. Bambara stated she will continue to not only keep the ship afloat but keep CVCC thriving until its next captain arrives. She thanked all for the opportunity to serve CVCC as this has been an extraordinary experience.
Dr. Bambara stated through an earlier email just before the holidays, she shared with everyone what is in store for her when she leaves CVCC on March 1. She stated she is thrilled at the opportunity to serve Allegany College of Maryland (ACM) as their fifth president. She stated ACM has a student population of about 4,000, with a full service campus in Cumberland, Maryland, and two auxiliary campuses in the Pennsylvania counties of Somerset and Bedford. Dr. Bambara stated her husband, Michael, and she visited with ACM’s board chair over the holidays and had a tour of the area. She stated she feels this college and community are a great fit for the both of them. She stated she looks forward to joining ACM, the local community, and to providing leadership to this very special community college.
Dr. Bambara reported on the enrollment and the annualized student enrollment for 2010 (Summer 09, Fall 09, Spring 10) was 2,915 FTES, an increase of 9.9% over the previous year. She stated CVCC has seen an increase in growth over a three-year period of more than 25%. She stated in the summer of 2010, growth began to slow when a 3.58% increase was experienced and this past fall a 2% increase and served a record 5,500 students was seen. Dr. Bambara stated this spring the College is trending even with last year. CVCC’s academic and student services teams are looking at strategies to enhance the spring enrollment through additional classes during the second eight weeks. She stated the Off-Campus Centers’ enrollments combined have remained steady with just over 700 students again this spring, and 1,125 students are enrolled in online courses. Dr. Bambara stated new programs such as Culinary Arts, Campbell County Early College, and the expansion of machine industry and welding programs contribute to steady growth in enrollment. She stated the staff and she will continue to examine enrollment trends and implement strategies to ensure that CVCC continues to meet its mission of serving students in Region 2000. Dr. Bambara reminded everyone that CVCC is now serving 25% more students than in 2008 with fewer resources.
Dr. Bambara reported on the budget and stated she shared during the last Board meeting in November, all VCCS colleges were asked to submit a 2, 4, and 6% scenario for potential budget cuts. She stated CVCC was able to submit a proposal without impact to its valued human resources. However, the College continues to hold vacant 10 positions to help keep the budget balanced. She stated over the past two months, she attended several VCCS conference calls to discuss Governor McDonnell’s budget proposal for the next year. She stated the Governor has made a call for 100,000 additional undergraduate degrees (including associate degrees) for Virginians over the next fifteen years, and Virginia’s community colleges will play a major role in achieving this goal. Dr. Bambara stated the good news is that community colleges may be spared further budget cuts and if the Governor’s proposal holds and CVCC will not have to implement the 2, 4 or 6% plan. She stated the bad news is there is no provision to reinstate the funding that the College has lost over the past three years. Dr. Bambara stated there is more good news in the Governor’s proposal which includes a pool of $50 million in general funds in FY ‘12 for higher education innovation and for performance. This includes:
· Specific proposals for incentive funding to enhance student enrollment, retention, and graduation with a focus on students majoring in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
· Undergraduate student financial assistance
· Online course availability/enhancements
· Academic transformation through the use of technology
· The VCCS has completed phase one of the Re-engineering Task Force aimed to “ReThink” all aspects of its operations. Evidence of the success of the Re‐engineering Task Force efforts has been seen in the recent endorsement of its recommendations by the Governor’s Higher Education Commission. (She stated Re-engineering Task Force II is underway to implement the 10 recommendations from the Re-engineering Task Force I. The recommendations are listed on the VCCS’ website.)
Dr. Bambara reported on Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ (SACS) accreditation process and stated the College’s follow-up to its fifth-year report was submitted in September, and she is pleased to relay that at the annual SACS meeting in December, Dr. Fronheiser and she were informed that no further follow-up is required by CVCC. Dr. Bambara reported the College has one remaining follow-up in April to its substantive change report for three of the off-campus centers (Altavista, Bedford, and Appomattox). Dr. Bambara stated the College’s next SACS project is the Reaffirmation of Accreditation which is due in 2014.
Dr. Bambara reported just before the holidays, approval for the Culinary Arts’ Program was received which allowed the College to obtain the Department of Education’s approval to provide financial aid for this program. She stated the funds approved by the Board at the November meeting to provide aid to the students if the approval was not obtained prior to spring semester would not be necessary. She thanked the members for their willingness to provide the funding.
Dr. Bambara discussed the following successes to celebrate:
· The Business and Allied Health Division developed a $250,000 grant proposal that was approved by the Tobacco Commission for funding a Simulation Center to be used by CVCC, Lynchburg College, and Centra Health
· Secured a grant from the Dominion Foundation for half the cost of a Robotic Welding unit ($25,000.00)
· Received approximately $100,000 from the Tobacco Commission to purchase Biology equipment at the Appomattox Off-Campus Center
· CVCC achieved a 100% pass rate on the national boards for Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Therapy, and Medical Laboratory Technology, Professional Human Resources (PHR), and Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR)
· Received additional Perkins money for career coach salaries
· Participated in the VCCS Student Leadership Conference and received first place for the Team/Innovation Award, a service project submitted by Dental Hygiene students, “March for Hannah” a fundraiser to help with one family’s financial burden whose daughter was diagnosed with childhood leukemia.
· New Program exploration and expansion:
o Initiated the planning process for new programs in Veterinary Technology, Funeral Services Director, and a Medical Office Specialization in Administrative Support Technology
o Finalized articulation agreements with Old Dominion University for Administration of Justice, Accounting, Management, and Marketing
o Doubled the machine program enrollment
· The Amherst, Altavista, Appomattox, and Bedford Centers are all doing very well and Dr. Bambara stated she has visited each on a number of occasions since August.
· CVCC is very excited about the fourth location of its Early College program for Campbell County Schools. The first cohort of students enrolled in the General Studies program is doing well.
· Continued Early College offerings with Appomattox, Amherst, and Bedford County high schools
Dr. Bambara reported on the Off-Campus Centers and stated the College continues to experience challenges with the Early College program in Bedford and Amherst County Schools. Both systems decided not to fund the program this year, leaving its future up to CVCC and the parents who will have to fund the full tuition for the program. Both school systems will support student transportation for this year, and the College is hopeful that this support will continue in future years. New signage has been installed in Amherst and Bedford is now equipped to deliver compressed video courses.
Dr. Bambara stated in conclusion:
· Back to, “It is a great day to be alive in the Commonwealth." CVCC is so focused on being in the right place at the right time.
· CVCC has a record-breaking increase in the number of students served this year.
· New construction is well underway.
· In spite of another difficult budget year, a lot is going on at the College and in the VCCS to better serve the community.
Dr. Bambara thanked everyone for this tremendous opportunity to serve CVCC and for their support. Without it, it would be impossible to serve the students and provide for them the promise that CVCC is “Where Your Future Begins.”
Dr. Bambara reported there will be visits to the local delegation in Richmond on three occasions this year. (An invitation for the Legislative Reception was provided to each Board Meeting.)
1. February 9-Legislative Reception, with Mr. Sutton, and Dr. Bambara planning to attend
2. February 16-Two student leaders, Dr. Bambara, and Dr. Hicks planning to attend
3. February 23-Mr. Lightfoot, two student leaders, Mr. Poole, Mr. Lamb, and Dr. Bambara planning to attend
Dr. Bambara thanked all members that plan to attend the events stating she really appreciated them taking their time to assist the College in the important endeavor. Dr. Bambara stated on February 16 and February 23, the group will leave the College at 6:30 a.m. and return by 4:30 p.m. She stated the day will begin with a meeting with the Chancellor, Dr. DuBois, and the System Office Staff. She stated afterwards the group will go to the House or Senate in the Capitol Building, sit in the balcony, and be recognized by one of the delegation members. She stated that lunch would be next and then travel home.
Dr. Bambara stated the Legislative Reception this year will be held in the Empire Room at the Jefferson Hotel on February 9. Mr. Sutton will be driving the van which will leave about 3:00 p.m. and return at 10 p.m.
Dr. Bambara requested anyone interested in attending any of these events to please call Ms. Sykes to let her know.
Mr. Giudice stated these legislative meetings were very informative as he had attended several in the past. He strongly recommended for the members to attend.
Dr. Bambara stated she had distributed to each Board member the talking points from the VCCS for the Legislative meetings.
Dr. Bambara also stated she had distributed to each Board member a copy of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). She stated it contained important information about requesting public records and conducting public meetings. She stated she would be glad to answer any questions concerning this.
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