President/CEO Message

April 29, 2021

Another week is almost over, and we are inching closer and closer to commencement. Let the countdown begin! I, like many of you, am looking forward to and preparing for commencement. I know there are plans for Zoom Watch Parties, so lunch will be provided by Compton College and Compton Community College District. This evening I approved $20 UberEats vouchers to be provided to all full-time employees for Friday, June 11, 2021, as part of the commencement festivities.

The President/CEO Message - April 29, 2021, includes COVID-19 information and other campus-related updates.

Compton College COVID-19 Update

Los Angeles County's current risk level is Orange Tier (moderate), according to California's "Blueprint for a Safer Economy." On April 28, 2021, there were 341 newly recorded confirmed cases in Los Angeles County. The county now has a total of 1,232,373 reported cases (including cases reported by Long Beach and Pasadena Health Departments). For more information, go to http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/data/index.htm. Compton College is operating at Level 3 - Moderate Infection Rate according to the Compton CCD Pandemic Outbreak - Emergency Operations Plan.

Safe Return to Campus

This afternoon, I was informed that many employees are wondering when they will be asked to return to campus. I want to provide a recap on decisions regarding the Safe Return to Campus.

President/CEO Message - April 19, 2021, I revised the start date for providing enrollment services on campus from May 3, 2021, to May 24, 2021.
President/CEO Message - April 1, 2021, I announced we would be offering up to 30% of our courses in-person on the Compton College campus. The remaining courses (approximately 70%) are offered online for the fall 2021 semester.
President/CEO Message - March 25, 2021, I announced the Abel B. Sykes Jr. Child Development Center (CDC) would reopen to Compton Community College District employees and Compton College students on Monday, April 19, 2021.
President/CEO Message - March 22, 2021, I shared that non-essential managers/supervisors were required to be on campus at least two days per week, beginning the week of Monday, April 19, 2021.

In the President/CEO Message - March 4, 2021, I talked about the importance of a gradual return to campus. The next step in the Safe Return to Campus planning includes the following:

Monday, May 17, 2021, the opening of the Football/Soccer Stadium. The Football/Soccer Stadium will be open to the community walkers from 4:00 to 7:30 a.m.
Monday, June 21, 2021, opening the Library/Student Success Center, by appointment only, to Compton College students
Monday, June 21, 2021, offering one Physical Education and one Cosmetology course on-campus
Tuesday, July 6, 2021, begin offering Physical Education/Athletics Courses on campus.

Those are the only decisions that have been made regarding the Safe Return to Campus. In the future, I want to make sure we are providing timely notification to our employees regarding their Safe Return to Campus. Furthermore, I will be working with the Pandemic Coordinators to schedule training for employees who are returning to campus regarding our health and safety protocols.

Face Coverings Required on Campus

To help ensure the health and safety of the Compton College campus community and the public, face coverings are required to be worn on campus by all individuals, including employees, construction workers, and visitors:

Indoors when other people are present, including common areas such as hallways, restrooms, and elevators, and
Outdoors when keeping a 6-foot distance from others is not possible.

To ensure that masks are worn consistently and correctly, employees are discouraged from eating or drinking except during their breaks when they can safely remove their masks and physically distance themselves from others. This requirement follows federal and state safety requirements and local public health directives, including the CDC's "How to Wear Face Coverings" guidelines (updated January 30, 2021).

Compton College Virtual Job and Resource Fair May 4-7, 2021

To help the community rebuild its workforce and match job seekers to jobs, Compton College is hosting a Virtual Job and Resource Fair May 4-7, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day. The four-day event is open to the public and will include online workshops in resume writing, job fair tips, career exploration, a chance to network and interview for jobs, and more. There will be opportunities to enter raffles and win prizes each day. Click here for more information and a daily agenda.

Participating employers include Hyundai, Think Together, SoCal Gas, Child Care Careers, Behavior Frontiers, Palisades Media Group, Alamitos Enterprises Jiffy Lube, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Covenant Care, and Nick Alexander Imports. Visit TARTARS@Work to begin connecting with employers at www.collegecentral.com/compton/.

Compton CCD Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Futuris Public Entity Investment Trust

In the President/CEO Message - April 26, 2021, I mentioned the updated Compton Community College District Actuarial Study of Retiree Health Liabilities would be completed in early May 2021. The study has been completed and is available here. As of June 30, 2020, the report states that the Compton CCD Total OPEB liability has increased to $15,005,388. Previously, the Compton CCD Total OPEB liability was $14,103,782. This week the Planning and Budget Committee reviewed the revised Funding Schedule, which will be presented to the Compton CCD Board of Trustees at their May 18, 2021 meeting. At the Board of Trustees meeting, I will recommend the Compton CCD Board of Trustees have our OPEB liability fully funded by June 30, 2023.

Compton Community College District Board of Trustees Meeting

The Compton CCD Board of Trustees' next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18, 2021. The closed session begins at 4:00 p.m., with the open session commencing at 5:00 p.m. via Zoom Meeting. Information on how to access the Compton CCD Board of Trustees meeting is available here.

Final Thoughts

This morning, I was quoted in another article regarding community college enrollment in the Inside Higher Ed "Steep Enrollment Declines This Spring," discussing the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center's recent data. As we all know, community colleges are experiencing an enrollment decline, but the impact on Black students and men of color concerns me, particularly in our community.

As a reminder to all employees, in fall 2019, the Compton CCD Board of Trustees adopted Compton College's Statement of Civility and Mutual Respect, which states the manner in which we interact with one another is critical to cultivating and maintaining a meaningful and effective intellectual environment. I know that we might not agree on everything that is happening on campus, COVID-19, Safe Return to Campus, and other items; however, we can disagree with one another with civility and mutual respect. We don't have to be disrespectful to others because their views or opinions may be different. I hope we all can set an example for each other by creating a civil and respectful environment for all.

In closing, when I started at Compton Community College on August 15, 2005, I had no idea that one day I would be serving as the President/CEO of Compton College and Compton CCD. Each day I work hard to ensure the campus is safe, employees are provided a healthy work environment. At the same time, I explore potential programs and partnerships and work closely with the Board of Trustees on policies and procedures for Compton College and Compton CCD. If only the campus community knew half of the issues and concerns we have faced during my tenure, that could have affected our future outlook as a college. From the first day in this position, my primary concern has been to monitor the finances of this institution and ensure we never have any of the financial issues of the past. I need to tell you that I am working hard to address all of our issues on this campus, and I am a tireless advocate for Compton College, and I am your #1 supporter. I might not say it enough since I am so busy in Zoom meetings, but we are doing amazing work at Compton College.

Please be safe. I still have too many Zoom meetings for a Friday.

Sincerely,

Keith Curry, Ed.D.
(preferred pronouns: he/him/his)
President/CEO
Compton College