President/CEO Message

JuLY 19, 2021

The summer break, or so-called summer break, is moving so fast, and it is challenging to stay on top of the many emails and Zoom meetings. I think I receive more email communication during the summer than during the entire academic year. As I respond to the many email communications, I have to remind myself that I am entering my 11th academic year in this position. I guess time does fly when you are having fun. It is truly an honor to serve as the president/CEO of Compton College and Compton Community College District. Like many of you, I often think about the college and ways to support our students, faculty, Classified staff, and the community we serve. At the end of the day, I focus on students and their needs. The 2021-2022 year is all about the students and how we return to campus. I am excited about the challenges the 2021-2022 year will bring, and I can't wait to have an in-person commencement ceremony in the spring of 2022. The President/CEO Message - July 19 2021, includes COVID-19 information and other campus-related updates.

Compton College COVID-19 Update

Los Angeles County's Daily COVID-19 Data webpage reports 1,635 newly recorded confirmed cases in Los Angeles County as of 6 p.m. on July 18, 2021. The county now has a total of 1,267,860 reported cases (including cases reported by Long Beach and Pasadena health departments). For more information, go to publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/data/. Compton College is operating at Level 3 - Moderate Infection Rate according to the Compton CCD Pandemic Outbreak - Emergency Operations Plan.

Submitting Required COVID-19 Test Results

All employees scheduled to work on campus are required to submit monthly COVID-19 test results to the Vice President of Human Resources, Rachelle Sasser, at rsasser@compton.edu using their @compton.edu email address. Please note, included in the Memorandum of Understanding Between Compton Community College District and Compton Community College Federation of Employees (Locals 3486 and 3486A) Regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Work Assignments, Maintenance of Pay/Benefits, Leave, Health/Safety, Reopening the College, and Vaccination Plan, employees who have been vaccinated, do not need to submit monthly test results. More information on the process for employees submitting proof of being fully vaccinated to Human Resources will be sent in a separate email communication from the Human Resources Department.

Also, all Compton College students enrolled in an in-person class (meets in person on campus) must submit monthly COVID-19 test results. Students must email their test results, using their @compton.edu email address, to Human Resources Representative Kennya Lambert Martinez, at klambertmartinez@compton.edu before their first scheduled class meeting on campus and no later than the second week of each month while the class is in session.

Online Wellness Survey

All employees and students are required to complete the online wellness survey before entering campus. The survey is available via the MyCompton portal; click on the 'Daily Wellness Survey' tile. Individuals must complete the online wellness survey before entering the campus.

Fall 2021 Enrollment Update

As of today, July 19, 2021, Compton College has generated:

580 FTES for the Fall 2021 term. Our fill rate is currently 22%, and our seats filled is 3,628.

Click here to view today's enrollment snapshot.

The fall semester begins Saturday, August 21, 2021, with weekday classes beginning on Monday, August 23, 2021. Please encourage students to apply and register as soon as possible as some sections are already full.

Compton College Parking Permits for fall 2021

Continuing through the fall 2021 semester, student parking permits will not be available for purchase online or at the Bursar's Office. Tickets will not be issued to non-employees (visitors and students) who park in student lots during the fall 2021 semester (August 21 - December 10, 2021), weekdays, and weekends.

Compton College Distance Education

As mentioned in the President/CEO Message - March 25, 2021, the Distance Education Department sends out a weekly communication to the campus community on professional development opportunities, Canvas-related announcements, Canvas support services, and other DE-related items. Information contained in the emails is updated weekly and should serve as a window into the services provided by the Distance Education Department. All previous Distance Education Department Weekly emails are available on our website on the Distance Education Weekly Archive webpage.

Compton College Tartars Athletics

Full schedules for all sports are planned for 2021-2022. As of now, only the fall 2021 schedule of Tartar Athletic events has been finalized. Click here to view the calendar of fall 2021 athletic events. It has not yet been decided whether spectators will be allowed at home games.

Compton College Virtual Tartar Talks

I will host a special virtual Tartar Talks tomorrow, July 20, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. via Zoom Meeting. The focus will be on enrollment and recruitment. Please register here to participate.

Compton Community College District Board of Trustees Meeting

The next Compton CCD Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, July 20, 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.

During the 2021-2022 year, I strongly encourage you to review the Compton Community College District Board of Trustees meeting agendas. Each month, the information section of the board agenda includes the Board of Trustees' goals, updates on programs and services, District financial reports, and information on the Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee. The current and previous board agendas are available online at https://www.boarddocs.com/ca/compton/Board.nsf; click "Enter Public Site."

Student Services Peak Registration and Extended Hours for 2021-2022

This afternoon, Vice President of Student Services, Elizabeth Martinez, shared with me our 2021-2022 Student Services Peak Registration and Extended Hours:

Fall 2021 Peak Registration: Monday, August 9 - Friday, September 3, 2021
Monday-Thursday from 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 21, 2021, from 8:00 a.m. - noon
Saturday, August 28, 2021, from 8:00 a.m. - noon

Winter 2022 Extended Hours: Tuesday-Friday, January 4-14, 2022
Monday-Thursday from 8:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Friday from 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Spring 2022 Peak Registration: Monday, January 31 - February 25, 2022
Monday-Thursday from 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 12, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. - noon
Saturday, February 19, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. - noon

Furthermore, I have asked Student Services to utilize their division budget to make food available for students who are on campus on Saturdays while we are open to assist students with registration.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)Trial Court Decision

A federal judge in Texas on Friday, July 16, 2021, issued a ruling that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is unlawful. The decision is likely to be appealed to higher courts, and it does not immediately affect individuals who currently have DACA status. However, the decision blocked the federal government's approval of new DACA applications and renewals, although those who meet the requirements may still submit applications.

The Compton Community College District and Compton College continue to support our DACA community and advocate with the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office to ensure that our students have a safe and supportive learning environment to build better futures for themselves and their families. We also are concerned for students who may have questions or concerns based on this latest court decision, and our college resources stand ready to assist and support them. Resources are available online at www.compton.edu/studentservices/financialaid/daca-information-and-resources.

President/CEO Closing the Loop

Correction to my email communication to the campus community regarding Elizabeth Martinez, vice president of student services, last day with Compton College and Compton Community College District. It is Friday, August 13, 2021, and not Monday, August 16, 2021. The recruitment for the vice president of student services has already begun, and the position closes on Friday, August 27, 2021. I have asked Sheri Berger, vice president of academic affairs, to chair the recruitment committee. In the interim, I am recommending the hiring of Henry Gee as the interim vice president of student services. Henry Gee is the former vice president of student services from Rio Hondo College, where he served in that position from June 2004 through June 2020. Henry Gee has over 30 years of experience in senior-level student services administration. If approved at the Compton CCD Board of Trustees meeting, Henry Gee's first day of employment with Compton College and Compton CCD would be Tuesday, August 17, 2021.

Final Thoughts

We are preparing for the Fall 2021 Professional Development Week, and in the coming weeks, we should have the finalized agendas. As mentioned in the President/CEO Message - June 10, 2021, Professional Development Days are scheduled for Thursday, August 19, 2021 (mandatory), and Friday, August 20, 2021 (optional) via Zoom Meeting. We also have the New Faculty Orientation on Monday, August 16, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., and that evening we will have the Adjunct Faculty Orientation from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

In closing, please continue to encourage students to register for fall 2021 classes. We have to remain focused on student enrollment for fall 2021, and I look forward to talking to you about enrollment for the 2021-2022 year during tomorrow's Tartar Talks at 1:00 p.m.

Please be safe and have a wonderful week.

Sincerely,

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