Community Colleges of Ventura County*

"The shortfall of full-time instructors reduces the ability of students to meet with faculty since part-time instructors are not funded or required to keep office hours." The word shortfall implies that the current number of full-time faculty members has recently been reduced. This is not the case. VCCCD's ratio of credit hours taught by full-time faculty has been consistent since the early 1980's. It is true that part-time faculty are neither funded to provide nor required to keep office hours. However, office hours are not the only opportunity for students to meet with faculty. Students consult with faculty during breaks within class sessions, in scheduled appointments, as well as before and after classes. All part-time faculty are invited to establish VCCCD voice mail and email addresses to support their options for making contact with students and vice versa.

"Some core classes, such as mathematics, English, and social science, are not offered at all three colleges because of faculty shortages and budgetary constraints." It is true that budget reductions over the past four years impacted the course offerings at of access to core classes was not reduced at any of th all three colleges. However, student three colleges. 11/22/2000 10:00 0000021101 . . July 5, 2006 .> Honorable John R. Smiley Core classes are defined as courses, such as English Composition, that fulfill minimum requirements for the associate degree and for university transfer. The sections of mathematics, English, and social science core classes at the three VCCCD colleges have remained the same or increased comparing this academic year to the 2000-2001 academic year (see Table 1). The only exception to this statement is that the sections of mathematics core courses decreased over the past five years in keeping with the decline of about 1,200 students at Oxnard College. Budget cannot be used to explain the reduction in student access to mathematics classes at Oxnard College because the amount of funding per full-time equivalent student increased at all three colleges over the past five years, and increased most significantly at Oxnard College. Bond Measure S Projects "This information did not mention facilities for competitive athletics."

While the word "competitive" does not appear in the Measure S language, intercollegiate sports (competitive athletics) is a recognized aspect of physical education at the college level. It should not be inferred that the absence of such wording is meant to mislead the electorate.

"Measure S was placed on the ballot without a Facilities Master Plan prioritizing or directing use of bond funds." The revision of the Individual campus facility master plans to accommodate the Measure S projects is an expensive endeavor. It would have been a questionable expense to the District had the bond measure failed, especially in a time of fiscal exigency. The subsequent passing of Measure S provided funds and the reason to revise such plans and commence work to respond to CEQA. "Construction costs for the projects have more than doubled since Measure S was passed."

There has been a significant increase in costs within the building industry since the passage of the bond; perhaps a more accurate assessment of this increase would fall around thirty to thirty five percent. Conclusions "The VCCCD establishes a budget for the year, but often has to readjust it each semester C-01 based on student enrollment-generated revenue. Classes may be adjusted or cancelled due to these budget changes." (F-01 thru F-08) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ------ - --- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 5, 2006 Honorable John R. Smiley The budget for the Ventura County Community College District (not including Measure S) is approximately $200 million. An organization of our size does make changes throughout the year, moving budgeted revenue from one category to another. Student enrollment-driven revenue, however, does not affect the year in which an enrollment decline occurs. It is the subsequent year that is impacted, and can be budgeted for. Several years ago the district did budget for anticipated student enrollment growth revenue, and if that growth did not fully materialize, the current year budget was impacted. The District no longer follows that practice and only, budgets for student Adjusts? enrollment growth revenue after it is earned. The District's budget may be reduced within a fiscal year by State revenues produced by non-enrollment-driven means. If the State experiences a shortfall in State-wide property tax collection or an overall State revenue shortfall, the District may experience a reduction in anticipated revenues mid-year. This would typically occur in February when it is too late to cancel classes for that year, but may require a reduction of class offerings in the subsequent year. C-02 "VCCCD is not in compliance with the State Requirement of 75% of classes being taught by full-time instructors." The 75% requirement is an employment target set by the State of California. The District is in compliance with the law. The law reads as follows: "If a district's full-time faculty percentage, as calculated pursuant to Section 53308, is less than 75 percent, the following shall apply: (3) districts which, as determined from their base data, had a full-time faculty percentage of less than 67 percent shall apply up to 40 percent of their program improvement to allocation as necessary to reach the 75 percent standard...." The 75 percent is a target to reach and the District is by no means non-compliant as stated in the Grand Jury's report. The entire statute (51025 Full-Time/Part-Time Faculty) is found on of Title V. "Adequate plans were not prepared for Measure S prior to placing it on the ballot, C-09 specifically, no Facilities Master Plan was in place before Measure S was put on the ballot." To clarify, each campus was in possession of a facilities master plan, alheit of various age and currency. Measure S provided a reason (and the funding) to revise these plans to accommodate current "individual college academic master planning" as a part of the implementation of Measure S. 11/23/2000 10.00 DOTHIT ****** July 5, 2006 Honorable John R. Smiley Thank you for your interest in the Ventura County Community College District. We look forward to working with you and others as we build the finest Community College District in California. Should you require additional information or if I can be of assistance, please contact me at your leisure. Sincerely, The Thomas of James M. Meznek, Ph.D. Chancellor James H. Decker, Foreperson Cc: Trustees College Presidents Vice Chancellors Attachment: Grand Jury Report . • . - . Table 1 Comparison of Core Courses Offered by VCCCD Colleges Fall + Spring 2000-01 and Fall + Spring 2005-2006 Moorpark College Spring 2006 Fall 2005 Spring 2001 Fall 2000 13,360 13,704 13,030 13,677 Number of students 1,481 1,541 1,748 Total number of sections 1,675 83 95 72 76 English Core 119 129 111 111 Mathematics Core 220 240 203 195 Social Sciences Core $3,814 $3,112 Funding per full-time Equivalent student (FTES) Oxnard College Spring 2006 Fall 2005 Spring 2001 Fall 2000 6,143 6,259 7,230 7,554 Number of students 669 646 808 821 Total number of sections 38 41 38 39 English Core 48 49 59 65 Mathematics Core 73 82 89 96 Social Sciences Core $ 5,399 $ 3,732 Funding per full-time Equivalent student (FTES) Ventura College Spring 2006 Fall 2005 Spring 2001 Fall 2000 12,073 12,025 12,493 12,620 Number of students 1,213 1,179 1,491 1,350 Total number of sections 46 49 34 34 <b>English Core</b> 65 65 67 65 . Mathematics Core 136 134 143 127 Social Sciences Core $ 4,102 $ 3,264 Funding per full-time Equivalent student (FTES)