President Board Report

October 22, 2024

ACTING SUPERINTENDENT/PRESIDENT’S BOARD REPORT

President Olivares-Lambert, Governing Board, Community Members:
As the fall season unfolds, student engagement continues across campuses at various academic, career, and social events. Beginning in early October, President Corah Miller and the CCSG hosted Pizza with the Presidents, where the Executive team participated in meaningful discussions with our students about the issues they face. On October 4, the InTech Team hosted 400 students for Annual Manufacturing Day. The event featured specialized sessions such as robotics and welding, and an opportunity to meet with regional employers. Board President Olivares-Lambert, Director Talwar and I accepted a proclamation from the City of Rancho Cucamonga in honor of inTech's work in the manufacturing community. The executive team and administrators came together to serve ice cream sundaes at the standing-room-only Enrollment Celebration last week. Instructional areas hosted ACC information sessions for our students which was well attended and well received. And Student Life treated students to the Fall Festival Celebration with pumpkin painting, costume, contests, live music, and a Farmer's
Market. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that last Friday IT hosted the District-wide Technology Summit to begin the development of the College's next Strategic Technology Plan.

Since my last report, Board President Olivares-Lambert and Board Member McDougal hosted the Board Dialogue and during this meeting, governance leaders discussed issues raised by the Senates, specifically. The following week the Executive Team met with the Academic Issues Group to continue to work through consultation matters. As I noted last month, the Executive
Team is committed to a joint training session with the Academic Senate, bi-monthly meetings during the fall semester, and public postings of minutes from these meetings.

I wrote this report before this discussion (and before Public Comments). So, I want to say something at the end about the input that we've received today. But as I continue, I’ll share that Academic Senate, Classified Senate and CCSG are all working on identifying their MacKenzie Scott Advisory committee members and Classified Senate is also working on identifying their members of the Caring Campus tri-chairs and the Classified Issues group, to begin work with us soon.

Today we heard from several speakers with various perspectives who are all very passionate about Chaffey. Despite our differences, we are all passionate about Chaffey. We've all been here, and we've seen difficult times, and we've emerged from difficult times. Communities sometimes experience challenges that call each member to reflect and problem solve, and that is not directed at any one individual. I hold myself accountable on that.

As the Acting Superintendent/President, I am fully prepared to take criticisms that come my way. I have always respected the Academic Senate's role and rights in academic and professional matters. I also firmly believe in the power of sincere dialogue to resolve any issue or conflict in the spirit of collaboration. We have been attempting to communicate with the Academic Senate leadership, to work through differences, to address concerns that are raised. And we are listening to you today, and we will continue to work toward understanding and taking responsibility for things that we identify as we will work towards resolution.

I agree, as it was said, that people’s feelings are real. And I agree that people need to come together. I am heartened to hear from Elizabeth Encarnacion’s comments related to both the desire to identify potentially a mediator to help facilitate difficult conversations and help to advance better accountability. I understand perceptions sometimes feel like reality when they aren’t really explored and uncovered. And sometimes perceptions are real, too, and we will accept that as well. We are prepared so far for two things to come from this conversation today: to continue to meet on a regular basis throughout the rest of the fall semester and then determine what comes next, and we are committed to address the concerns as enumerated in the Resolution.

I do feel like I need to just say this because I know that there’s been a lot of conversations about leadership, and I know Dr. Shannon isn’t in the room anymore. But I want to just say this about Dr. Shannon. I have worked in the community college system also, as you know, many years. And I’ve never known a finer, more intelligent, compassionate human being than our Dr.
Shannon. He is not the only president I’ve ever worked for but he is the most exceptional leader I have known. And part of it is because he isn’t a micromanager; he isn’t confrontational or difficult. And he will listen and will continue to be concerned about our community. Clearly, there are many members who know this, and we will work hard to make sure that everybody
experiences that, what I’ve experienced with Dr. Shannon.

I want to also just add that no one can deny the extraordinary level of engagement occurring in Student Services. Students are present, they are active, and they are leading in government like I have never seen before. They have access to services that we only dreamed of offering just a few years ago. This absolutely is a collective effort. This is something we all should be proud of, but not rely on the past, as you said, but going forward to build that as part of our expectation for our future. It requires leadership, and I will say, while it is a collective effort, it was absolutely under the leadership of Alisha Rosas.

Finally, I just want to say that I appreciate the candid comments. I took notes, and I am listening. I am confident that Chaffey College will not let this current situation interrupt our mission. I am confident that despite our differences, we will remain committed to accelerating opportunities and outcomes for our students. And I think, as we have all said, our students will always be our mutual concern, and will always be the starting point for our dialogue.

Thank you.

Lisa Bailey
Acting Superintendent/President
Associate Superintendent of Business Services and Economic Development