Thursday, February 25, 2016

As pleased as punch: Understanding the Budget


     I don’t know how anyone could learn about the way our colleges are funded and how their budget decisions are made without thinking such words as “byzantine” and “ridiculous.” That, at any rate, is how I have long reacted to accounts of the process that I have been provided at my own college, IVC.
     Somehow, I doubt that such words were present in the minds of my polite colleagues who attended today’s chirpy presentation by the district’s Debra Fitzsimmons and various budgeteers. It was called “Understanding the Budget,” and it involved about fifty colorful slides and maybe five speakers with varying capacities to enlighten the benighted. The disquisition was all very friendly and nice. There was loads of good will in the room. Smiles all around. Hugs even.
     Me, I kept thinking about the convoluted processes and all the committees and their dubious serpentine inputery. I kept thinking about the inch-thick handouts packet I was given—with all the crazy graphics and charts.
     “WTF,” I thought.
     Who knows. Maybe others share my confusitude and dismay. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stick around for the Q & A. Dunno.
     Well, whatever. It was good to see friends and colleagues I rarely see.
     The Chancellor just emailed us to provide a link to some incarnation of the presentation. Here it is:
Link
     If you like charts and graphs and various iterations of flow charts, you’ll climax. Good for you.
     Me, I’m thinking: surely, this is no way to run a college. And there's nothing present to prevent things from just getting worse and worse. Everyone seems just as pleased as punch about the whole thing.

84 comments:

Anonymous said...

Speaking of the budget. Can anyone tell me just how a person can get away with not doing their work and still keep a job at the college.

Anonymous said...

state job

Anonymous said...

Incompetant management!

Anonymous said...

Yes 1:56am, the question of the moment. You mean like some of our Deans? I am hearing that over in arts things apparently ain't what the imported OCC clan perhaps promised? Anyone else hearing from our colleagues in arts?

Anonymous said...

The level of deliberate opacity and obfuscation In our budget, and frankly our other so-called processes, is a micro-manager and control freak's wet dream. They seemingly want everyone to be so frustrated with it that they give up. I recently over-heard a colleague say that, "this is a college where the administrators seem to be afraid of success". Success takes investment and commitment. The budget process reminds me of a bad day of constipation, bloated, uncomfortable and after a lot of work, grunting and pushing all one finally gets is one tiny little piece of shit for all that effort.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like favoritism to me 1:56 AM and a relationship issue between employee and supervision.

Anonymous said...

"this is a college where the administrators seem to be afraid of success." Somewhat true. Success does take investment and commitment but most importantly, it takes a college that truly recognizes the value of those employees (faculty, administration and classified) who invest their time and commit their talents to making Irvine Valley College great. It is becoming more and more clear that our college/district leadership values a shiny accreditation report that stack neatly away in bookcases, shiny plaques that hang on certain walls and shiny software that is of no more real value than the cardboard it is shipped in. Our leadership does not seem to value real time dedicated to making the colleges great for our students or making the systems that run the college efficient or effective. Our leadership does not seem to recognize true talent anymore unless that "talent" creates a shinier accreditation report or a shiny new plaque. We lost our way and its not so much a fear of success, but the fact that no one knows what success is anymore and if you dare to test its limits or ask questions along the way, you may not be around IVC here very long.

Anonymous said...

Today at IVC success has nothing to do with doing a good job for the students anymore but rather, its mostly about loyalty and political patronage to one's supervisor. Did I forget to mention empire building?

Anonymous said...

1:46 IVC has bad leadership in certain departments.They talk a good game with no substance. Leadership makes a big difference.

Anonymous said...

I give her kudos for getting out there and trying to be transparent! Never had that in the past at the district. And she does a pretty good job at it. Still not open here at the college, though! Probably never will be.

Anonymous said...

The norm at IVC is people not doing there jobs

Anonymous said...

The SC leaders are just horrible! Where do they get these people?

Anonymous said...

What's wrong is that a person who deserves to be fired isn't fired.

Anonymous said...

I agree with you 1:46 pm.

Anonymous said...

James Betencourt and Mark Murphy, two individuals that were suspended on October 23, 2015, and are in administrative leave,reason? James would have his flunky custodians cleaning his home and buddies Bar on over time paid, using the college cleaning equipment and cleaning supplies. While Mr. Bentercourt and Mr. Murphy are on Leave, the Idividuals that participated on comitting this fraud were not punished. One of this idividuals Faizal Pedraza, was hired six months ago, he has not pass his probationary period. Looks like Mr. Pedraza is getting rewarded for his action, is this fair, I think Mr' Pedroza should be fired.......

Anonymous said...

Dedicated, hard working faculty and staff are overlooked in favor of "better" people from the outside. Then after they are hired, the realization that the people they hired are incompetent (Richard Morley, etc.) The Administration has no loyalty to the employees. Consider all of the Deans, managers and staff hired in the last few years...almost every one has come from outside IVC. Glenn says we have the best people, but supports the horrible hiring process that allows this to happen. When it comes to hiring and promotions at IVC "The grass is always greener" and jobs go to the fancy resumes with empty suits and suit pants. Take a hard look at the people we've hired lately...what a joke!

Anonymous said...

WOW!! 1:20AM... If what you are saying is true about James and Mark I say what a crime against the District and they should be fired. As for Faizal being on probation and a classified employee if he was a part of any wrong doing he can be let go at anytime he just can't pass his probation or the union is obligated to protect him.

Anonymous said...

The union does not represent probationary employees, they can't.

Anonymous said...

Hey 1:20 AM I was wondering why James and Mark were on administrative leave. Another management mess up. I guess the next question is what is going to happen to the other custodians for their part in this day time soap opera.

Anonymous said...

Yes,I agree so my next question is where is this Faizal guy is he still working?

Anonymous said...

Faizal works in SSC downstairs, and his probably going to stay there, because mananagement is afraid of Firing him. As for the other losers who help Mark and James, they walk around like they can't be touched, they should give back the money they stole from the College by committing FRAUD......

Anonymous said...

Management and accountability...two words that are completely foreign to the Administrators at IVC.

Anonymous said...

10:44, rejection during probation is not a firing. The rejected employee has no legal recourse therefore management has nothing to fear.

Anonymous said...

There must be a reason after all this time this information comes out about what's happening with Mark,James and some of the custodians.

Anonymous said...

10:44, This Faizal character got caught stealing two electrical Gadgets from PE 200 the Gym, and these was on Faizal first month of working here. Mamagement was advice of this situation and nothing was done. I wonder if he was also responsible for other electrical Gadgets that went missing thruogh out the campus?????

Anonymous said...

My question to all this about Faizal and the custodians is? What's going to happen to them are they going to be suspended and Faizal fired. If all this is true then action must be done.

Anonymous said...

I was told that the locks on the supplies warehouse were change because one of the custodians that were on James paid roll still had a master key. Why is management afraid of this Clowns???

Anonymous said...

6:21, I heard Anthony over at SB IT is so clueless and ineffective they've hired an assistant director to do the job Anthony was hired to do in the first place!

Anonymous said...

10;01 I've believe that was the same clown that unlocked the door for faizal when he help him self to the electrical Gadgets....

Anonymous said...

I heard that one of the managers recently hired in A100 was let go. Supposedly it was reported on the last Board Agenda.

Anonymous said...

this blog offers the ability to enlighten employees about issues ongoing at the college. in this, it is invaluable. at some point though it begins to say more about some of the employees who post than those they are actually posting about. its an outlet to affect change but it does not also need to be an outlet for pettiness and half truths and rumors. this never takes the college forward.

Anonymous said...

8:26 - Absent open communication and transparency from the Administration, this blog offers the only information about what is going on. True, sometimes it involves half truths and rumors and people have to sort it all out, but it does allow for discussion to take place.

Roy Bauer said...

8:26 - "this blog" "involves half truths and rumors"? I do hope you are distinguishing between reader comments--for which the authors of DtB are not responsible--and DtB posts, for which we are. If not, please identify a "half truth" with which we have been "involved."

Anonymous said...

8:26 - The half truth and rumors comment was referring to reader comments, and not those of the authors of DtB. Whether one agrees with the commentary or not, the authors of DtB engage in the due diligence process to bring information to the campus. Issues raised by readers (sometimes rumors or half truths) often shine the light on areas that should be exposed. There is an old expression "where there is smoke their is fire" and I would hope that we continue to read the smoke signals.

Anonymous said...

11:29 - of course DtB is not responsible and they are they do involve due diligence with information. The old expression of "where there is smoke there is fire" is indeed true and thank goodness the blog is involved in allowing us to see the smoke. It is also important to recognize that some simply delight in always lighting matches whether or not any fuel is involved. They thrive on this activity. It is also important to recognize this type of smoke as well as we read through all the information the blog provides.

Anonymous said...

11:04, yes it is really sickening that the solution from administration is to double down by adding another manager before considering replacing the one that is inept. Rather than simply adding more staff to get the job done, now we have another person in the loop telling us to work faster!

The fact of the matter is that the move toward a managerialst environment is not going to solve any problems. It's simply a way to get someone's friend a high paying job and a wastful, bilking of the taxpayers!

Anonymous said...

7:51, yes she is Dr. Makkiko (can't recall her last name), the new outreach director working under VP Linda F. She didn't last more than 6 months. They keep coming up with all these new-fangled positions that pay very high management salaries, thinking that they will solve some sort of new problem... Do we really need an outreach person, shouldn't this be a function included in Linda F's job?

Anonymous said...

Why no funds for equipment and supplies? Spent on excessive administrative salaries. If IVC was a private company it would be bankrupt.

Anonymous said...

Plus Anthony wants to bring his cronies from golden west. Speaking of IT. IVC has a dingbat as its IT manager.

Anonymous said...

All these new high sallary management positions, outreach, diversity, compassion, etc... like a bridge to nowhere, a total waste! College students are supposed to be challenged, not coddled like small children. If the philosophy is that everyone must succeed in College, then what good is it in the end? Worthless.

Anonymous said...

We are creating the GENERIC generation, where everyone is the same. There are no winners or losers, no rewards for working hard or not working at all, no respect, responsibility, or accountability. The government will provide free college, free medical care, etc. so why bother making an effort to improve oneself.

Anonymous said...

Right on 12:55, dingbat at least. IVC IT is slower than the college's own network and wifi, ... and ..., don't get started about our two webmasters!

Anonymous said...

I just learned the IVC IT director has no College degree, not even an AA, NADA! The emporer wears no clothes...

Doesn't this fact completely fly in the face of the district authorizing him to direct a whole department at an institution of higher education? I heard he was hired because Justice wanted a "yes" man to carry out his marching orders. Is that true?

Anonymous said...

This can't be true. HR would never allow hiring a manager without a degree. Ask Teddi.

Anonymous said...

... the next time you hire a webmaster make sure they are certified in using SHAREPOINT!!!
Nathan Q had no prior experience in sharepoint. I blame it all on oaks for hiring incompetent twits. Every two years the pio wants to redesign the website. How about supporting all of the school's sites first. IVC's pages is under construction and outdated. Don't use the title webmaster if you don't know what the hell you are doing. Our first webmaster was head and shoulders above the Stooges we currently have. Good point about the IT manager what a buffoon.

Anonymous said...

The IT manager does have a college degree and has a bunch of IT experience from the military. Frankly, I would rather someone with real world IT experience than someone who took a few classes and got an online buy-a-Master's-degree. And the faculty love him; he is very supportive of faculty needs and requests.

Anonymous said...

love???
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

Anonymous said...

What degree does he have? I also heard he had no degree.

Anonymous said...

This is incredibly embarrassing for our college! I heard the college facility director did not have a degree or meet qualifications so they changed the qualifications so he could be hired. There is a pattern here.

Anonymous said...

9:12, Let's not forget that facility director's newly appointed assistant director. They just slid him right in without offering the position to the public. How does that work? I wonder if he has a College degree...

Anonymous said...

So many without advanced degrees? Seriously? We shouldn't worry though. We have Dr. Roquemore, Dr. Justice, Dr. Fontanilla, and Dr. Cipres to manage the college.

Anonymous said...

All these Doctor's, no wonder I'm feeling sick!

Anonymous said...

12:47, what degree does Hagan have? I saw his LinkedIn page where he lists several institutions attended but no mention of any degree.

Anonymous said...

Does one need a degree to manage? I have seen plenty of managers with degrees that are lousy leaders. I am not concerned with a piece of paper earned years ago.

Anonymous said...

6:19, when it is required by the employer, the answer is YES.

Anonymous said...

7:27 It is obviously not required by the employer so it seems clear that individuals are managing this college without degrees. It might benefit everyone to spend a little less counting degrees and a bit more time recognizing that real professionals bring many different backgrounds to their profession and this college.

Anonymous said...

An apple a day keeps the doctors away.

Anonymous said...

From a Classified point of view...
The pay is higher for those jobs that require a degree in the private sector than at this district. Low pay and no financial, carreer ladders, or other incentives to stay.

Anonymous said...

12:47, you sound like his cheerleader. Since you're so sure about this, he has a degree in what and from which institution? Do tell! Then you attempt to rationalize why he doesn't need one, so which is it?

Anonymous said...

I was told about the blog having write ups about what had happened in the F&M department and I see that there has been people releasing their frustration on what seems to be another dramatic event. I was told within the last week about some of the stuff that happened with the leaders in the department and what is happening with the person on probation. According to people this thing that happened was a traumatic event. This leadership seemed to like to abuse the power they were given. According to what I heard they decided to abuse half of the crew while the other half were treated well. Leadership according to what I heard were retaliating on certain members of CSEA because one half decided to take it apon themselves and report the unfairness going on. From what I heard it was a collaborative effort between the lower leadership and higher leadership to attack not just men but also women in the department. This event went on fr months with no resolve according to the person I spoke to. Finally after much reporting of the retaliation something was done. NOW!! as for the person on probation. This person was one of the ones treated fairly according to the person I spoke to. This guy on probation instead of working he would sit around and do nothing. He would leave campus when he felt and go get drinks,food etc and sit around with leadership for 2 to 3 hours. He would get caught standing around doing nothing while others worked. This wasn't a one time thing according to sources this went on for months and everyone new about it at least so im told. This stuff was reported and still he continued to do what he wanted and not caring about his job or the consequences of his action. According to what I heard, what I am saying is just the tip of the iceberg of what happened on campus. I don't plan to get into to much of it I am just supporting the earlier comments made about certain events.

Anonymous said...

12:47 is Hagan. Sitting behind a keyboard in a data closet is NOT real world experience. Neither is IT experience for an pitiful onlie college. His military IT experience is perfect for his job. Just do as he is told and don't ask questions. Sir, yes Sir!. A yes man. Faculty do NOT love him, get real.

Anonymous said...

Here's a question why is it that the custodians who went on the charade are not being fired? Are they not as guilty as the assistant director and Head custodian?

Anonymous said...

The lack of any response to the question posed by 4:26 tells us Hagan really has no degree(s).

Anonymous said...

Nor does he have any business being a Director, because he is not. He is there because he is a complete yes man. Look at all the toys he buys for the admin.

Anonymous said...

7:43 AM I agreed with you, I think the three imbeciles that help James and Mark with their side jobs should be dicipline: Specially Fazial this guy is still on probation, he should be fired.....

Anonymous said...

It's ashamed what goes on the F&M department they go from one corrupt Director to another corrupt assistant Director and Supervisor???

Anonymous said...

I just found out that one of those Clowns that help out Butter Ball Murphy and James Mcduck on their side job bought a new car, and that's all thanks to all the overtime they did on IVC's time.

Anonymous said...

I keep asking the same questions.....why don't the college leaders get fired over any of this? Why do all of these things keep happening and nothing happens? This has been going on for years. So inept and self serving. Doesn't matter which department-facilities, technology, whatever. I am embarrassed to work here.

Anonymous said...

I guess Butter Ball Murphy and James Mcduck got the last laugh, they were charging the Brewery's that the Clown custodians were cleaning thousands of Dollars, while the Clowns only got O.T. compliments of Irvine Valley College. The cleaning Business extended all the way to San Diego.

Anonymous said...

Include PIO/Marketing on the list of self-serving twits.

Anonymous said...

I just found out from a friend that works at U.C.I. that this faizal character, got fired from U.C.I. for committing fraud on work that he never did. My guess is that management at the University are smarter than management at a Community College level????

Anonymous said...

11:42 I have to give it to John Edwards, that all this Fiasco that's happening in the F&M department wouldn't of happened on his watch, Faizal would of been History...

Anonymous said...

TOUCHE 11:42PM AND 11:50 PM

Anonymous said...

10:10, it's because the district authorizes and rewards managers for their dishonesty. It is described as "tact" in their job descriptions.

Anonymous said...

When a department is trying to change the morale of its employees so that they will produce and get along that is a good thing. When a department is trying to change the morale of its imployees to respect management that is a good thing. So my question is? Why hadn't management taken care of the one employee that surely is guilty of doing all they did on probation. From what I heard this week nothing has changed.I was told that many are asking what is wrong with the F&M management. There is a clear case but they don't react to it. There is guilt and they don't react to it. From what I heard some of the employees are fed up with what's still going on and at some point they will plan to expose things they didn't want to say.

Anonymous said...

On the contrary 11:50pm. I heard he did know about some of the stuff happening. He was a little concerned that if he had made a move that the union would have been involved. You have to remember he made a mess of things long before this started happening and he didn't want to get involved in this.

Anonymous said...

12:55 AM I think management feels sorry for this Faizal character, so in the meantime this character feels inmune and he does whatever he wants, practically giving the bird to management....

Anonymous said...

2:29PM, you are right, F&M has been corrupt for a long time, all this that's happening started when Edwards was here and it seems like it just going to keep on going with the new Management.....

Hip hop said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Hip hop said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Roy Bauer said...

We at DtB have no way of knowing where the truth lies about the issues in Maintenance that some readers have been commenting on. My sense is that some comments have not been careful or responsible and have merely repeated possibly utterly unfounded rumors.
Let's cool it for a while, OK?

Anonymous said...

John Edwards finally retire and James Bentecourt finally Resign after being suspended for six months....

Roy's obituary in LA Times and Register: "we were lucky to have you while we did"

  This ran in the Sunday December 24, 2023 edition of the Los Angeles Times and the Orange County Register : July 14, 1955 - November 20, 2...