The winter season is always a time of resolution, reflection, and connection. It is a time of gratitude and acknowledgment of what was and the hope and excitement of what is still to come. Through your resilience, determination, and tireless efforts we are finishing the semester strong.
This week, I am grateful to the Accreditation Writing Leadership Team (AWLT) for completing the required edits of our Institutional Self-Evaluation Report (ISER), and very appreciative of our Governing Board for their approval of the ISER at the board meeting on Tuesday, December 7. To the many faculty and staff that pushed for the completion of this milestone, I am thankful to each of you! At the same meeting, the Governing Board approved a resolution to adopt criteria to guide the adjustment of trustee areas consistent with legal requirements, including reasonably equal population and Section 2 of the Federal Voting Rights Act, and which address other concerns and considerations important to the District. These required adjustments to the trustee areas are a direct outcome of the 2020 U.S. Census results. We are currently developing a timeline, inclusive of receiving public comments and community hearings, to aid in the development of new trustee area boundaries. The deadline to finalize the new District map is March 1, 2022.
As the end of the semester approaches, our community may be feeling the pressure of pending deadlines as well as our Spring 2022 return to onsite work and learning. Because of our demonstrated unwavering commitment to the success of our students, I am certain that we will get through this together. With the official return to onsite work, there may be unknown challenges that arise. Please be assured that we will be vigilant in addressing any issues in a timely manner. Please stay in close contact with your supervisor, as this is the best starting point to address any concerns.
The Week in Review
Campus Engagement
At the invitation of faculty member Wade Rollins, I was able to visit with Graphics Communications students and gain a better understanding of the program. I was extremely impressed with the entire program. It feels as though whenever I explore a new program, I experience a deep sense of Palomar pride. The diversity of learning we offer our students is phenomenal. Thank you Professor Rollins for the invite!
This week I also attended several student performances including, Current Waves– a performance of student music compositions directed by Madelyn Byrne, the Winter Dance– a student performance directed by Patriceann Mead, and the Palomar Chamber Singers and Palomar Chorale student performance directed by John Russell. I am awed and inspired by the talent and dedication our students display toward their craft. I also had the opportunity to virtually listen to the entertaining performer Larry Thompson who was featured in this week’s free Concert Hour.
The Student Life and Leadership team hosted an outstanding Human Rights Day event on Thursday. The event featured a small Farmer’s Market, clothes from Comets Closet, Humanity Showers, and representatives from Cal-Fresh, the Disability Resource Center (DRC), Health Services, and the Pride Center. A special thank you to the Student Life and Leadership team, led by Sherry Titus, for hosting such an incredible opportunity for our campus community.
Our annual toy distribution event for our EOPS/CARE/CalWORKs/FYRST students served 50 families, and 107 children received new store-bought gifts/toys for the holidays. The EOPS/CARE/CalWORKs/FYRST team partnered with the Palomar College Foundation, Campus Police, and Toys for Tots to make the event a success. This event truly captures the holiday spirit and our Palomar commitment to student engagement and success. Thank you to the EOPS/CARE/CalWORKs/FYRST team, led by Steven Salter, for their efforts to make this a successful event- even in the cold rain during Thursday night’s distribution.
Community Engagement
On Thursday morning, we hosted a “sneak peek” of the Ernest J. Allen Library at the Escondido Education Center. Guests present included members of the Escondido City Council, City Administrators, Escondido Library Foundation members, Board President Mark Evilsizer, and members of the Executive Team. The “sneak peek” enabled our community partners to get a glimpse of the remodel, new furniture, and materials made possible through our donor partnership with the Escondido Library Foundation. Thank you to Stacy Rungaitis, Julie Lanthier Bandy, Tom Medel, and Alexandra Doyle Bauer for your collaboration in designing and implementing this community relations initiative.
COVID-19 Update
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted earlier this week to continue the COVID-19 pandemic emergency declaration and is expanding access to monoclonal treatments and testing of all types. This action reiterates the continual impact of the pandemic in our region. The County Public Health department indicated that the small increase in cases can be associated with multi-household Thanksgiving holiday celebrations, and the highly contagious Delta variant. Our campus continues to be a microcosm of the County, as we have seen a slight increase in COVID-19 related exposures. All of those impacted by these exposures have been contacted by the COVID-19 Response Action Team (CRAT). Our Weekly COVID-19 Return to Campus and COVID-19 Update Meeting included many health-related updates, statistics, and discussion points associated with Spring 2022 planning. Please review the recording here.
Accreditation
The ISER will be delivered to ACCJC by the end of the week. We have posted a notice in the San Diego Union Tribune regarding our upcoming accreditation visit and the opportunity for the public to provide third-party comments on our accreditation status. The public may provide this comment by accessing this link. A similar posting will occur on our social media platforms. We are continuing to prepare for our virtual site visit on February 28 thru March 3, 2022. We learned this past week that Dr. Catherine Webb will serve as our new ACCJC liaison. Our final campus accreditation forum will take place on February 9, 2022. More details will be shared via email as the date draws closer.
Comets of the Week
The EOPS/CARE/CalWORKs/FYRST team, led by Steven Salter, are our Comets of the Week. This group of talented and dedicated colleagues have continually identified and implemented creative ways to serve our students throughout the pandemic. Our students are very fortunate to have such a wonderful team serving their needs. Thank you EOPS/CARE/CalWORKs/FYRST team!
Have a great upcoming week. Go Comets!
For pictures of the various events from this week, follow:
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