FROM THE EDITOR
Amazingly, we close the chapter on another year, and begin to write the next one. The end of the calendar year is a milestone to celebrate how far we've gone, and to mull over what we look forward to accomplishing in the next. I am grateful for you, my peers who make the work so worth it!
Veterans Support
Since our last edition, we have gone through some remarkable holidays and celebrations. One of them being Veterans' Day, celebrated every November 11. It is safe to say that we are all thankful to our veterans for their service; and proud of our uniformed service members. Fun fact: California is home to the largest population of veterans in the nation; proportionately, our community colleges are a starting or returning point for these men and women.
86 Cents of Every Dollar
The Foundation for California Community Colleges (Foundation) is the official nonprofit auxiliary of the California Community Colleges Board of Governors and Chancellor's Office -- the organization is tasked with providing statewide support for our student veterans.
CollegeBuys, a program of the Foundation, creates buying vehicles (i.e. contracts) for the CCCs for priority commodities and services that are used by our system. These buying vehicles, when used by each of our community colleges, yields funding that support statewide veterans, food and housing insecurity, scholarships and foster youth programs. As a matter of fact, 86% of every dollar generated by the Foundation and CollegeBuys are reinvested back into the community colleges.
$59 Million Reinvestment
In fiscal year 2019 alone, as a result of various efforts within the Foundation - including CCC usage of CollegeBuys agreements - resulted in $59 million of reinvestment into local community college programs and services.
Innovation and Impact Report
The Foundation provided direct grants, support, and cost savings to the California Community Colleges and the Chancellor’s Office to support students, colleges, college foundations, and the system. Find out more about the Foundation and its impacts in fiscal year 2019.
What does this Foundation-talk all mean?
It means you make this possible, and I think you should know how together, we have been impacting positive change. It has been a journey, but I know that we are all in this for the long-haul - no matter the year nor decade.
JC
INSIDER: COMMUNITY COLLEGES FACILITIES COALITION CONFERENCE
By: Jennifer Keiper, Director of CollegeBuys, Foundation for California Community Colleges
In November, the Community College Facility Coalition (CCFC) hosted its 26th annual conference in Sacramento with more than 500 industry peers and colleagues in attendance. The conference workshops addressed various topics such as emergency preparedness, capital outlay, space utilization, student housing, bonds, sustainability, and construction delivery methods such as design-build.
Notably, our peers were represented in the “Can I Use this Piggyback Contract?” panel (Ben Cayabyab, Contra Costa; Randy Vogt, State Center; Jennifer Keiper, FCCC) and the CCC Facilities-Procurement Guidebook workshop (Mina Hernandez, WVM; Rondell Schroeder, Mt. SAC; Yanely Pulido, San Mateo; Fred Diamond, Citrus; Jennifer Keiper, FCCC).
The Facilities Handbook was very well received with conference attendees, demonstrating the value of our systemwide collaboration on such resources, and garnered support from nine district representatives to serve on the 2020 committee. If you would like a physical or electronic copy of the handbook, please contact Nouriyah Saleh at NSaleh@foundationccc.org.
AN INVITATION
CCC PURCHASING CONFERENCE 2020
The annual California Community Colleges Purchasing Conference is coming up on March 18-20, 2020 in San Diego, CA. The event is the largest statewide convening for CCC procurement professionals, serving as the optimal forum for professional development, networking, and systemwide collaboration.
The 2020 conference theme is, "Plan. Procure. Perform. Designing a blueprint for innovation." Program and agenda is designed by our peers from the Purchasing Conference Workgroup and the CollegeBuys Advisory Group.
Last year, 51 of the system's 72 community college districts participated in valuable conversations. To register and/or find out more below.
INVITATION
The Statewide Policy and Legislation Workgroup for Procurement is being relaunched! This workgroup delivered intersegmental and best value legislation for the community colleges.
Expanding beyond legislation, the workgroup will tackle policy in accessibility compliance, construction, procurement and facilities handbooks, and many more - all with the aim of providing best practices to our system.
Statewide Workgroup for Policy and Legislation is seeking collaborative thinkers to join by reaching out to JC Sales via email: jsales@foundationccc.org
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CCFC Budget Update: Governor Proposes to Fund Almost All New Capital Outlay Projects Recommended by BOG
By: Rebekah Cearley, CCFC Legislative Advocate
On January 10, 2020 Governor Newsom released the 2020-21 budget proposal. The budget includes $153 billion in General Fund spending, with an estimated surplus of $5.6 billion. The Governor cautioned that we are in the eleventh year of economic expansion, and we are now seeing a slowdown of economic growth.
The Governor’s budget emphasizes policy issues such as addressing the risks caused by climate change and wildfires, as well as housing affordability and homelessness.
Capital Outlay and Proposition 51
The budget includes an increase of general obligation bond funding of $27.6 million for 24 new capital outlay projects. This is only one project less than the 25 new start projects recommended by the Board of Governors in its 2020-21 Capital Outlay Spending Plan. In 2019-20, community college capital outlay projects received $535 million for both new starts and continuing projects. For continuing projects, the budget notes that construction funding will be considered “consistent with project schedules.”
Click here for a list of projects that were included in the Board of Governor’s 2020-21 Capital Outlay Spending Plan. Please note that the Yuba CCD – Yuba College, Fire Alarm Replacement Project is the project that was not included in the Governor’s 2020-21 budget proposal.
Additionally, the budget recognizes that if voters approve Proposition 13, the 2020 Bond Act, these additional resources will be available to fund community college projects with a focus on the most critical capital needs and toward projects that have appropriate local matching resources. During the press conference, the Governor spoke about the importance of the 2020 bond, recognizing it as an “incredible opportunity” that will focus funding on areas with high needs.
Deferred Maintenance and Instructional Equipment
The budget proposes $17.3 million (one-time General Fund) for community colleges to address deferred maintenance.
Climate and Wildfire Budget
The Governor’s budget proposes to invest $12.5 billion over the next five years to meet the state’s priority climate goals of reducing climate risk while achieving carbon neutrality. A key component is a new $4.75 billion Climate Resilience Bond, proposed by the Administration for the November 2020 ballot, to address near-term risks like floods, drought, and wildfires while also addressing long-term risks like sea level rise and extreme heat.
To address wildfires, the budget includes $750 million for public infrastructure in high fire-risk communities (such as drinking water infrastructure, emergency shelters, and public medical facilities) and forest health. The budget also proposes $50 million (one-time General Fund) to support preparedness measures to bolster community resiliency, to build on the state’s 2019-20 power-resiliency investments. These measures will support critical services still vulnerable to power outage events, including schools, county election offices, and food storage reserves, with a matching grant program to help local governments prepare for and respond to the impacts of power outages.
Additional Items of Interest
Student-Centered Funding Formula – Recognizing that the formula is in the second year of implementation, the budget does not propose additional refinements to the formula for 2020-21. The budget recognizes improvements that the Chancellor’s Office is making to its data collection and implementation plan.
Apprenticeship – The budget includes $83.2 million in Proposition 98 General Fund to support community college apprenticeship investments, including: $15 million (Proposition 98 General Fund) to augment the California Apprenticeship Initiative; $20 million (one-time Proposition 98 General Fund) to expand access to work-based learning models and programs at community colleges; and $48.2 million (Proposition 98 General Fund; $20.4 million is one-time) to support projected growth in reimbursable apprenticeship instructional hours.
Broadband – The CCC Integrated Technology Categorical Program annually provides $41.9 million (Proposition 98 General Fund) to support system-wide technology capabilities, such as system-wide broadband connectivity services, data security services, and access to statewide multimedia hosting and delivery services for colleges and districts.
Food Pantries – The budget includes an increase of $11.4 million (Proposition 98 General Fund) to establish or support food pantries at community college campuses.
CCC Apportionments: $167.2 million increase (Proposition 98 General Fund) for a 2.29% cost-of-living adjustment. $83.2 million increase (Proposition 98 General Fund) for enrollment growth.
Next Steps
The Legislature will now begin reviewing the Governor’s proposal in-depth at hearings over the course of the next few months, as they work to meet a constitutional deadline of adopting the budget by June 15. CCFC will engage directly in this process and advocate for funding all of the projects in the 2020-21 Spending Plan approved by the Board of Governors in September 2019, including 25 new starts.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
On September 18, 2019, the California legislature passed Assembly Bill-5 (AB-5) which amended Labor Code Section 3351, and adds Section 2750.3; and amends the Unemployment Insurance Code Sections 606.5 and 621 relating to employment.
The intent of this legislation is to establish stricter tests for an employer to ensure that employees are not misclassified as independent contractors, and thereby, not receiving benefits to which employees are entitled and not generating employment taxes. All independent contractor agreements must satisfy the following three conditions:
- The person is free from the control and direction of the hiring entity in connection with the performance of the work, both under the contract for the performance of the work and in fact.
- The person performs work that is outside the usual course of the hiring entity’s business.
- The person is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, or business of the same nature as that involved in the work performed.
AB-5 is effective and enforced as of January 1, 2020.
Bill Background:
The California Labor Federation, sponsor of this bill, states that "unfairly labeling certain workers 'independent contractors' not only means those workers get no minimum wage or overtime, but it also means all the risk is shifted from a company to an individual. He or she must purchase and maintain a vehicle, pay for transportation expenses, and provide their own tools and supplies. They are not entitled to a safe workplace or protected from discrimination. That worker has no access to unemployment when the job ends, no workers' compensation if injured on the job, and no right to organize to improve conditions."
Resources:
- Link to AB-5 Text
- Link to AB-5 Checklist/Resources from CCCs
The Battle Over the Future of Proposition 13 Is Underway
By: Julie Chang, KQED News
While some took the weekend as an opportunity to decompress from the workweek, others took it as a chance to get a jump start on what may be the largest political battle over state taxes in this year’s election: the future of Proposition 13.
Quick-and-dirty: Proposition 13
This landmark proposition, passed in 1978, caps the amount of property tax a homeowner pays to 1% of the home’s market value when it sells and restricts increases in those values at 2% a year.
Simply put, a house that sold years ago at a much cheaper price pays significantly less in property taxes compared to a similar house sold at a much higher cost today. The law also applies to businesses.
But with less tax revenue coming in, public schools and local governments took a hit. The year after Proposition 13 passed, property tax revenue dropped 60%.
Despite controversies surrounding the bill, a 2018 report by CalMatters found that most residents still very much like Proposition 13. The report found that the approval rating for the proposition has remained consisted over the years — scoring above 50% since the early 2000s.
What’s Happening Now?
In an attempt to amass more funding, a coalition of over 400 groups and individuals launched a statewide campaign to revise parts of Proposition 13, known as the Schools & Communities First initiative.
The initiative calls for amending language around commercial property, not private homes.
John Gioia, who chairs the Contra Costa County's Board of Supervisors and is a supporter of the new initiative, said current property tax laws give corporations favorable treatment. He added that this initiative would force corporations to "pay their fair share" and invest those extra dollars to education, public safety, health and social services.
If the measure passes, the coalition estimates it could raise $12 billion a year in tax revenue.
For the initiative to make it onto next year’s November ballot, the coalition leaders said they need to collect nearly one million signatures.
Local Groups Taking To The Streets
In an effort to get ahead of the March deadline, local organizations across the state have begun canvassing to rally support for the initiative.
Gearing Up For Battle
But opponents argue that should this amendment pass, costs will go up for small businesses, consumers and possibly even homeowners.
The campaign calling on keeping Proposition 13 the way it is, known as the Californians to Stop Higher Property Taxes, says if taxes go up for businesses, consumers will be left to pick up the tab.
“If the landlord’s property rates go up ... the small business then has to pay more, then they have to charge their customers more,” said Robert Lapsley, president of the California Business Roundtable and co-chair of the pro-Proposition 13 campaign.
“This is going to be a hard-fought campaign,” said Lapsley. “We are under no illusions about that ... so we are gearing up for that battle.”
Connectivity Access Project for Foster Youth and MESA Students
Powered by the Sprint network, the Foundation brings affordable internet access to higher education students and faculty across the state through the California Connects Mobile Internet program. Available to students, faculty, staff, and Foundation employees, the program provides a low-cost internet alternative for higher education in California.
For $19.99 a month, California Connects enables participants to connect to the internet outside conventional school hours due to work or family obligations. The portable hotspot can deliver Sprint’s 4G LTE broadband network to ten Wi-Fi enabled devices, and is available for ordering through CollegeBuys.org. With this program, students now have one less barrier preventing them from accessing class registrations and online research tools required for coursework, getting them a step closer to course completion and transfer.
California Connects is bridging the digital divide by providing free access to internet connectivity to underserved and underrepresented populations – specifically our foster youth and MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Sciences Achievement) students. Over 2,000 underserved students will receive a mobile hotspot with 12-months of broadband internet access. This allows students and their household access to broadband internet connectivity for a multitude of devices; and affords students with expanded online learning options, and professional development courses towards their degrees, certification or career goals. As more educational and job offerings are available online, digital and computer literacy is critical to participate into today’s economy and technology investment within the education systems.
RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE
Priya Jerome Named District Services Administrator/Manager of the Year
On December 6, 2019 South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD) Chancellor Kathleen Burke, Vice Chancellor Ann-Marie Gabel, and their peers across the district honored Priya Jerome, Executive Director of Procurement, Central Services & Risk Management as one of the district's 2019 Administrator/Manager of the Year.
As detailed in several nominations, Priya is described as a transformative leader who personifies hard work, integrity, and compassion. Priya’s supervisor, colleagues, and subordinates alike share sentiments of admiration and respect for her and undeniably proclaimed her major contributions to the SOCCCD Procurement, Central Services, and Risk Management Department. Nominations about Priya, for the coveted award, included truly inspirational quotes, such as the snippet below:
“Priya is one of the hardest working administrators I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with at the District. Priya’s expertise and dedication to her work is a true testament of the results she has achieved and accomplishments she has made. Priya is dedicated to serving the District and colleges and does whatever she needs to do to meet the needs of our community.”
Chancellor Kathleen Burke Ed.D. said, “... As the Chancellor for SOCCCD, I have the pleasure of working with amazing employees who believe in what we do and understand who we are purposed to serve. I appreciate any opportunity to recognize hard work and relentless commitment to excellent education for students at Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College."
Congratulations on a much deserved recognition, Priya. You make us all proud. Thanks for continuing to elevate procurement professionals' impacts within your district and across the state!
Call for Nominations
PROCUREMENT PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
It's that time again, as part of our annual CCC Purchasing Conference, we induct two outstanding Procurement Professionals of the Year who have demonstrated exceptional zeal in championing systemwide collaboration, and contributed much to elevating the procurement profession.
Over the next few weeks, I encourage you to submit nominations for individuals who deserve to be recognized by our System. Northern and Southern California will each award a recipient based on nominations and subsequent voting. All full-time procurement professionals in the California Community Colleges system are eligible to nominate and be nominated for the award. Please contact your regional procurement associations for details. For more information on previous awardees, see the link below.
INVESTMENTS IN SYSTEMWIDE COLLABORATION
Ongoing investments to propel systemwide collaboration, amplify efficiencies, expand knowledge-base through professional development, and foster a forum for continued elevation of the procurement profession - that is how I think about the role of the CollegeBuys program - to support our community of dedicated procurement professionals throughout the state. On top of these responsibilities is the importance of listening to our community colleges, and investing resources when systemwide momentum and consensus are reached.
In early FY 2020, the program collected feedback that pointed to a very logical need and actionable next steps for an easy-access central contracts library for System (CollegeBuys) agreements. This need was expressed by both procurement officers, and Chief Business Officers. The CCC Contracts Library features 100 agreements for a wide-range of commodities: furniture, lighting, office products, technology software and hardware, classroom and administrative retrofit/new construction, online education technology, and many more.
Most of these contracts underwent rigorous compliance requirements to comply with California's Public Contract Code. Accordingly, homegrown contracts that underwent the RFP process were evaluated by our peers within the community college system. I invite you to explore the CCC Contracts Library (ccccontract.org or ccccontracts.com) below.
If you have any feedback or recommendations for its improvements, please feel free to reach out to collegebuys@foundationccc.org
Foundation for FIGHTING STUDENT HUNGER
Keetha Mills, President & CEO, Foundation for California Community Colleges
The Foundation for California Community Colleges has launched a campaign to fight student hunger across our community college system and I hope you’ll join me in supporting this important effort.
A recent California Community Colleges “#RealCollege” survey reported previously unknown levels of food insecurity on our community college campuses. Community colleges serve more low income students than any other system of higher education, and half our students have had to go without food or have wondered if they would have to go hungry in recent months. Among the survey’s results:
- A combined 52% of students said they either couldn’t afford to eat balanced meals or worried whether their food would run out before having money to buy more.
- 41% of respondents reported that they skipped meals or ate smaller portions for financial reasons, and 12% said they had not eaten for an entire day during the previous month because they did not have enough money.
- Overall, 7 in 10 students responding to the survey experienced food insecurity, housing insecurity or homelessness during the previous year.
We can make things better. The Foundation’s campaign to Fight Student Hunger will help connect students to the nutrition they need to succeed. Funds raised will be used to expand current efforts like the CalFresh outreach project, which raises statewide awareness of California's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and gives students regular access to nutritious food.
There’s a strong correlation between food challenges and academic success. Let’s reduce the anxiety and uncertainty caused by food insecurity, so that students can focus on pursuing their desired careers and achieve their dreams - and not where their next meal is coming from.
Credits:
Created with images by Austin Schmid - "untitled image" • laura goodsell - "Poppies" • Miranda Jane Pace - "untitled image" • Nikita Kachanovsky - "On my eames" • Katie Moum - "untitled image" • Element5 Digital - "untitled image" • Laura Ockel - "Light painting done with fancy sparklers. The camera is on a tripod, and the sparkler is waved over an area at a pre-focused distance away." • Cody Board - "House in Palm Springs, CA" • Sharon McCutcheon - "Pretty fairy lights bokeh wallpaper." • Jakub Kapusnak - "Fresh Fruit at the Market in Summer"