April 15, 2021 - Vision in Action No. 29
TOP 10 STUDENT CENTERED IDEAS TO USE FEDERAL STIMULUS RESOURCES
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected individuals across California — not only as a public health emergency but also a social and economic crises. California community colleges can serve as engines of social mobility and post-pandemic recovery — but, to do so, higher education leaders and policymakers need to redefine normal and prioritize student-focused investments.
The American Rescue Plan presents hope and opportunity amidst a difficult year. The $2.3 billion investment that California’s community colleges will soon receive from the Federal stimulus provides leaders an opportunity to innovatively re-invest the one-time funds in much-needed systemic changes that can ensure equitable opportunities and outcomes for all students. As colleges craft spending plans aligned with federally allowable uses, a group of community college leaders crafted 10 ideas centered around student needs and the urgency to act in their best interest. We hope our sister colleges and colleagues will consider these ideas.
Read 10 Student Centered Uses of Federal Stimulus Funds.
INAUGURAL 2021 SOCIAL MEDIA ADVOCACY WEEK KICKS OFF ON MONDAY
The California Community Colleges has proven time and again its critical role in helping to build a stronger California that lifts up all Californians. From serving some of the state’s neediest students to educating more than 70% of California’s first responders on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, California’s community colleges and our collective 2.1 million students are leading the state’s road to pandemic recovery and return to prosperity for all.
That’s why we’re asking you – our faculty, staff, students allies, partners and supporters – to engage, using the following advocacy kits, in the inaugural 2021 Social Media Advocacy Week from Monday, April 19 – Friday, April 23, to help protect the future of our system and students.
We need everyone’s support to ensure that students stay enrolled and have the resources they need to succeed. State leaders and policy makers must put students first by making strategic and sustained investments in the California Community Colleges.
Chancellor’s Office Advocacy Kit
Students Advocacy Kit
Allies & Supporters Advocacy Kit
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR BLACK STUDENT SUCCESS WEEK WEBINARS
Registration is now open for Black Student Success Week's daily webinar series: The Black Hour.
Throughout the week of April 26-30, The Black Hour will share insights and approaches for improving student success among Black and African American students at California’s community colleges. Webinars will be held from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. and are open to California community college administrators, staff, faculty, practitioners and students.
Find more information and register for the webinars at this link.
For updates regarding the week follow @cablackstudents on Twitter and Instagram.
System Guidance/News
The next Chancellor’s Office bimonthly systemwide webinar –a Virtual Advocacy Town Hall and DEI Awareness Month Celebration – will take place on April 21 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. The purpose of this Town Hall is to elevate our system’s priorities and share out about the critical role of community colleges in California, especially as the state turns to pandemic recovery. If you are already registered for the 2021 Chancellor’s Office System Webinars, there is no need to register again. You will receive a reminder email prior to the webinar with your link.
Please share the 2021 System Webinars registration link with your colleagues that are not yet registered. (Registration is only required once and the same link will be used to access all System Webinars in 2021.)
***The Chancellor’s Office Government Relations & College Finance and Facilities Planning divisions will not be holding its monthly systemwide Policy Advocacy Webinar this month, in lieu of the Virtual Advocacy Town Hall. Webinars will resume in May.***
The Chancellor’s Office is extending the nomination period for the 2021 Classified Employee of the Year Awards. This is an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the work of our Classified Employees that exemplify the Vision for Success and demonstrate commitment to equitable student outcomes in their local community. Please visit our Board of Governors Recognition and Awards webpage for full details. Nomination packets are now due Friday, April 16. Winners will be announced at the May 24-25, 2021 Board of Governors Meeting. For full details on submitting a nomination packet, please visit the Chancellor’s Office website here.
Registration is open for the third annual California Community Colleges LGBTQ+ Summit, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, April 28 and 29. Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley will open the conference with a keynote address. Breakout sessions include: ‘Before and After COVID-19: How to Initiate and Sustain a Successful LGBTQIA+ Initiative on Campus;’ ‘Challenges and Opportunities in Educating the Educators on LGBTQ+ Experience;’ and ‘Throwing a T-Party: How to Build Trans Spaces On-Campus.’ Find more information here.
Join the Chancellor’s Office College Finance and Facilities Planning division for its monthly Fiscal & Policy Webinar Series. The team will provide timely updates on issues related to college finance, state budgets and fiscal policy. Webinars will be held on the last Thursday of each month (excluding holidays). The next webinar is Thursday, April 29 at 11:00 a.m. Register here.
The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, in partnership with Cerritos College, Chaffey College, Foothill College, Compton College and Lake Tahoe Community College, is hosting the Courageous Leadership Webinar Series, an opportunity to support each other as we choose courage over comfort in leading Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), and anti-racism efforts on our campuses.
We invite college leaders to join the conversation to not only lift up what is working in championing DEI and anti-racism on campuses, but also share how we are navigating challenges and supporting each other in our struggles.
The final webinar is Thursday, May 2- from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Please register for the Courageous Leadership Webinar Series to advance DEI and anti-racism and be fearless in our commitment to make the California Community Colleges truly student-ready.
The Chancellor’s Office is committed to keeping everyone informed during this uncertain time. We encourage administrators, faculty, staff and students to regularly check the Chancellor’s Office COVID-19 resource page and the Chancellor’s Office Communications to Colleges section for ongoing executive orders, guidance memos and announcements. Current and prospective students can also get connected with their local college to find out specific resources and support services available as well as enroll in their local community college.
Online Instruction/Webinars
The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) conference is next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, April 20 – 22. Partners in Excellence 2021: Equity, Quality, and Innovation Through Action will focus on equity and innovation in higher education accreditation.
Through the Symposium, ACCJC hopes to provide a forum for higher education leaders on their continued path to educational excellence for all students. The program will feature both national and international speakers who are tackling the issues of racial and social justice in higher education and equity-minded education for all students.
Registration is free. Find a schedule of speakers and sign up here.
The California Counseling Network, a community of practice sponsored by the Career Ladders Project, is hosting a series of Counselor Roundtable zoom sessions. Each session is an opportunity to gather with fellow practitioners from colleges and high schools and engage in conversations that matter and support our work with students and colleagues. The next session is Friday, April 23 from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. and the focus is: Counseling, Data and Accountability: SCFF, Guided Pathways, caseload management and beyond…keeping our students at the center. Register at this link.
Student Supports
The California Youth Crisis line runs 24-hours a day, seven days a week: 800-843-5200. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides confidential assistance to anyone in crisis and their loved ones through a live chat and free 24-hour hotline at 800-273-8255. You can also text COURAGE to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
Items of Interest
Gov. Newsom says nearly half of eligible Californians have received COVID-19 vaccine, as vaccination eligibility opens up to anyone 16 years old and older in California.
What to know about Johnson & Johnson vaccines in California.
U.S. opens more distance in worldwide race against coronavirus
'Breakthrough' cases of vaccinated people who get COVID may be key to unlocking immunity.
