A brief Presidential history of IVC (à la LA Times)

"Farmer Ed" Hart, c. 1978

(à la LA Times) - A companion to upcoming Historical posts
     (For an account of the controversial selection of the Jeffrey Rd. site for the district’s second campus (i.e., IVC), see "Shut up," he told her.)

Ground Broken for Second Saddleback College Campus, LA Times, Nov 12, 1977

      Saddleback Community College District has broken ground here [Nov 1] for its second campus, due to open next fall.

•      The 20-acre parcel, now an orange grove, is at Jeffrey Road and Irvine Center Drive. Campus architect William Blurock is preserving as many of the trees as possible.

Jan. 15, 1979
     It will start out the size of a junior high school. And it’s a long way from getting a name of its own.
     But students will begin taking classes next Monday at Orange County’s newest community college, known as the north campus of Saddleback College.
     College officials say they expect to enroll about 1,500 persons at the outset, many of them taking courses both at the new campus (carved from an orange grove at Irvine Center Drive and Jeffrey Road) and at Saddleback College (14 miles south in Mission Viejo).
. . .
     During a press preview last week, the campus was still very much a construction site. The raw buildings were surrounded by mud. A workman was painting a door through which visitors entered.
     Campus administrator ED HART had his full-time faculty there for introductions—all 11 of them. [In 1981 the North Campus was elevated from satellite to full-campus status.]

Sep 18, 1981
     Saddleback Community College District trustees have announced the appointment of a chancellor and two college presidents to direct the growing college district at its campuses in Mission Viejo and Irvine.

March 15, 1985

     After a short search that yielded suggestions such as Gumby College and El Torito College—Home of the Nachos, the Saddleback Community College District board has voted to rename Saddleback College's north campus Irvine Valley Community College.

July 02, 1985

     …"This is the only new college in the state," pronounced Bill Watts, president of the board of trustees of Saddleback Community College District. He referred to the fact that Irvine Valley College was on Monday becoming an official, independent entity--no longer just the northern extension of Saddleback College, 14 miles away in Mission Viejo.

. . .

     "Today is our birthday," said ED HART, president of Irvine Valley, as the dedication ceremonies got under way.

September 16, 1986 

     DALE LARSON, dean of instruction at Irvine Valley College, has been named the college's acting president, succeeding Ed Hart. Hart recently announced his intention to retire, effective Nov. 1, and Larson is phasing in as acting president, said Saddleback Community College District spokeswoman Donna Hatchett. Larson, 46, has been with the college district since 1969. He became director of instructional services at Irvine Valley College in 1979, and in 1982 the title was changed to dean.

Dale Larson, 2008

April 15, 1987

    RONALD KONG, dean of Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, is the new president of Irvine Valley College. The Saddleback Community College District, which governs Irvine Valley College, announced that Kong, 49, will assume his new post June 1. Kong succeeds Ed Hart, who retired from the presidency at Irvine Valley last November and is now president emeritus. Irvine Valley, which has 4,766 students, is one of two colleges in Saddleback Community College District.

June 7, 1989

    ANNA L. MCFARLIN, vice chancellor of administrative services for Saddleback Community College District, has been named interim president of Irvine Valley College. McFarlin, who has been with the district since 1969, was recommended by Chancellor Richard Sneed and approved by the board of trustees at a meeting Monday night. She replaces Ronald A. Kong, who resigned last week to become president of Alameda College in Northern California. Kong's resignation is effective July 1. McFarlin, who was dean of students at Irvine Valley College before assuming the district vice chancellor's post in 1987, started as a counselor at Saddleback College in 1969.

Groundbreaking at Saddleback College, north campus (Nov 1, 1977)

March 20, 1990 

     Memorial services will be held Wednesday for Edward A. Hart, founding president of Irvine Valley College. Hart, 61, died Sunday of cerebral lymphoma at his Dana Point home after a yearlong illness, a Saddleback Community College District spokeswoman said Monday. Hart came to the Saddleback District in 1975 from Chabot College in Hayward….

March 28, 1994 

     Anna L. McFarlin, who has served as president of Irvine Valley College for five years, has announced plans to retire. McFarlin's tenure as president was marked by substantial growth. Enrollment at the college doubled to 10,000 and several new buildings were constructed, including the Student Services Center, the Child Development Center and several athletic facilities.

June 24, 1994 

Ron Kong, c. 1987

     Five candidates have made the final cut for president of Irvine Valley College, officials said Thursday. They face mid-July interviews for the president's job, said Saddleback Community College District spokeswoman Diane Riopka. The person chosen will succeed Anna L. McFarlin, who has been president since 1989. McFarlin announced her retirement March 14 and will leave in August, Riopka said.

September 23, 1994

     Irvine Valley College has a new president. DANIEL LARIOS, former dean of instruction at Tillamook Bay Community College in Oregon, took over the job this term. Larios, 46, a dean at Saddleback College for six years before moving to Oregon, succeeded Anna L. McFarlin, who retired after 25 years with the Saddleback Community College District and five years as Irvine Valley College president.

Feb 19, 1997

     Irvine Valley College President Daniel L. Larios resigned Tuesday to accept the top post at Fresno City College.

     Larios served as the college's president for more than two years, 

Ann McFarlin, c. 1990

March 19, 1997
    ROBERT A. LOMBARDI, chancellor of Saddleback Community College District, did not have to look far for somebody to serve as interim president of Irvine Valley College: He'll do the job himself.
    Lombardi, who is paid $145,000 a year, will assume the additional post April 1 with the departure of Daniel Larios, who is leaving to become president of Fresno City College in his hometown

April 30, 1997

    RAGHU P. MATHUR, an Irvine Valley College chemistry instructor and chairman of the school of physical sciences, has been chosen interim president of the college. ROBERT A. LOMBARDI, chancellor of the two-college Saddleback Community College District, had been filling the post since March, but the district's Board of Trustees decided he was needed in the chancellor's office full time, district spokeswoman Diane Riopka said.

Inexplicably, Roquemore's appointment appears to be permanent

September 09, 1997
     ...Meeting in separate closed sessions, the board eliminated 10 department chairs at Irvine Valley College, one of two campuses the district oversees, and appointed chemistry professor Raghu P. Mathur interim president. On Monday night, the trustees voted 4 to 3 in closed session to make Mathur's appointment permanent.

Dan Larios, c. 1996

July 1, 2002 

    GLENN R. ROQUEMORE, officially becomes president of Irvine Valley College today, following his appointment last week by trustees of the South Orange County Community College District. Roquemore, who had been vice president of instruction at the college for the past two years, was chosen to head the two-year college after a nationwide search, said officials for district, which includes IVC and Saddleback colleges. 

SEE Saddleback College North opens (LA Times)

One man's collision with the Math Blob

CSUF math professor in textbook battle draws support and opposition (OC Reg)
Excerpt:

“This has been the toughest week of my life,” said Bourget, who was reprimanded by university officials after he assigned alternative textbooks instead of one co-authored by the university’s math department chair.

FORUM: Boring but not dreadful

Roquemore: inanity and vacuousness perpetually front and center

     The college (IVC) is holding an "open forum" today (in A100) at 11:00 and then again at 5:00. I decided to attend the first one. I stayed until noon, then got back to my office to prepare for my next class.

     Lisa just came in the door. "How was the forum?" she asks.

     "Boring but not dreadful," I say, chirpily.

     "Why don't you report that?"

     "OK."

P.S.:

     Just now, Lisa reported that a friend had attended the forum. Said friend, "I nearly fell asleep."

     So there's that.

Nothing much happened

P.P.S.:
     The vegetarian sandwich provided by the college was pretty good.
     Attendance was so-so. Coulda been worse.
     During the hour that I attended, the folks on the panel seemed preoccupied with the issue of campus safety. There was much talk about earthquake preparedness and "active shooter" countermeasures. (The "big one" is gonna happen, I know. On the other hand, the chances of encountering an "active shooter" at the college are likely lower than the chances of being hit by lightning--or finding a literate administrator in A100.)
     VP Linda F (she has a doctorate in "education" with a special emphasis on "cookies and punch") yammered like she does about the many and various ways that the campus is addressing student populations that don't do well, academically. (No groups were mentioned by name.) We've been snagging grant money, she said. Big bucks. (She did mention the amount, natch. Over a mil.)
     The student government kid seemed  pretty sharp. Panelists seemed to fear him. ("Good God, what will he say next! Can't anyone control him!") —RB

Carto dead

Willis Carto, Far-Right Figure and Holocaust Denier, Dies at 89 (NYT)
     You’ll recall that right-wing Trustee Steven Frogue was a fan of some of Mr. Carto’s publications and invited speakers, some of whom were affiliated with Carto’s “Liberty Lobby,” to a Saddleback College “forum” on the Warren Report. Despite this, the Faculty Association "old guard" remained loyal to their "guy," who was, they said, misunderstood.

SEE:

* Studying the Lessons of Steven J. Frogue : Profile: The teacher and Saddleback trustee does not retreat from controversy that his views generate.
* THE SAYINGS OF CHAIRMAN FROGUE
* IS TRUSTEE STEVEN FROGUE A HOLOCAUST DENIER?
* Ray Chandos defends Steve Frogue
* 1998: Ken Woodward defends Frogue and our corrupt union on KPFK

Update on Cole

SINCE we last posted about Cole Sundeen and the campaign to purchase an accessible van to "help Cole get there," Cole has continued to undergo treatment in the clinical trial at UCLA and the family remains hopeful as they approach the end of the rather grueling 12 weeks of Phase 1, which involve early morning commutes and overnight stays.

Meanwhile, our renewed efforts to highlight the campaign and raise funds resulted in almost $3,000 more in donations from staff, faculty - and students! Thank you!

Please continue help pass the word. To donate, click here: Help Cole Get There!

Consider placing the link on your Facebook wall and in other social media venues.

Rebel Girl first read about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in Peggy Wolfson's award-winning essay, "Moonrise" which appeared in The Atlantic in  2001.  In it, Wolfson describes life with her son Ansel, named for the famed photographer Ansel Adams. Wolfson writes," The name seemed apt; Ansel was, as people often told us, prettier than a picture, amber-haired and round-eyed, with a perpetually quizzical but serene countenance and the build of a slender but sturdy miniature football player."

A recent re-reading made Rebel Girl appreciate even more the daily challenges faced by Polly, Cole and their family as they make their way in the world.

excerpt:

I am at the Grand Union in Dobbs Ferry, New York, with my son Ansel, who is thirteen years old. It's raining. He begged to come, so I brought him, not really wanting to, because I had to bring his wheelchair, too: it weighs more than 200 pounds and isn't easy to maneuver into the minivan, even with the ramp. I have to wrestle the motorized chair until it faces forward and then, bending and squeezing into the narrow confines of the van, I have to fasten it to the floor with several clasps. By the time I have done this even once, I'm irritable. A trip to the supermarket means doing it twice and undoing it twice....

....Before loading the groceries I open the van door so that Ansel can get in the front seat, where he always sits if Joe isn't with us. He parks his chair at a distance from the minivan, so that I'll have room for the ramp, and starts to rise, laboriously. No, "rise" sounds too easy, like smoke going up a flue, airy, like yeast bread rising in the oven. Ansel does not rise. He shifts sideways in the seat and pulls himself up heavily, propping his eighty pounds against the armrest for balance. He leans with his left arm, twists his right shoulder around to straighten up, and brings his hip and buttocks to a partly standing position. Actually he's sort of bent in half, with his hands still on the chair's joystick. There is a moment of imbalance. His feet are planted far apart, farther out than his hips, and he needs to bounce back and forth a few times to bring his feet together. Finally he's up. He begins walking toward the door in his waddling, tiptoe way. His spine is curved quite a bit from scoliosis, his stomach is forward, his hands are out at his sides chest-high, his fingers outstretched.

His balance is so tenuous that his five-year-old brother, Toby, can knock him down. Sometimes Ansel will bellow, "I'm tired of everyone always leaving things all over the floor! Don't they know I'll fall?" It's true that we're a little careless about this. But Ansel will trip over anything—an unevenness in the sidewalk, the dog's water dish, some bits of food on the floor, things expected and unexpected—and sometimes over nothing. Sooner or later he falls. It's part of the routine. And the older he gets, the more he falls.

To read the entire essay, (and you should, says the professor of English!) click here.  It's smart and brave and yes, heartbreaking.

But do remember even as your heart breaks, that there has been medical progress since Wolfson wrote about her son Ansel.  Today, Cole Sundeen and so many others are benefiting from that progress and their lives are longer and more active.  And Cole, as a participant in the ongoing critical 12 person trial, is now an active contributor to even more progress. As Polly said to Rebel Girl not too long ago, our love makes us brave, courageous.

And we can help him get there.

Cole Sundeen at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.  October 28, 2015.

*

More trouble for the OC Register

With bankruptcy filing, local group bids for ownership of Freedom Communications (OC Reg)
     Freedom Communications Inc., owner of The Orange County Register and The Press-Enterprise, filed for bankruptcy protection Sunday as part of a management-led plan to acquire the struggling newspaper company....

Orange County Register Declares Bankrupcty, be Bought By...Mike Harrah?! (Gustavo Arellano)
      Who declares bankruptcy midnight on a Sunday, after a reporter starts asking questions? The Orange County Register, of course!
     Yesterday, multiple, trustworthy sources who requested anonymity told me the Register's parent company planned to file bankruptcy sometime this week, if not sooner. I sent out an email for comment to Reg publisher Rich Mirman and one of their attorneys, which weren't returned by press time.
     Then at 1 a.m. last night, a source sent me a press release officially confirming the story, along with another thing I was hearing: that notorious landlord Mike Harrah--the man who bought the Register's offices and land last year, and has been trying to build a 37-story office tower for over a decade--was going to put in a bid with Mirman to take over the Register.
     OH MY GOD...

October meeting of the SOCCCD board of trustees: tedium and nit-pickery—Plus cool radio interference (and, maybe, a future Big Broadcast)!

     See HERE for Natalie's Board Meeting Highlights.
     It's 6:25, and it looks like everyone's waiting for 6:30 and the start of the open session. Earlier today, at 4:00, the board met to review the Chancellor's performance. Wonder how that went? Pretty well, judging by Gary's demeanor. He seems untroubled.
     I see at least six trustees. Where's Marcia?
     They'll start soon, I'm sure.
     Right now, Pendergast, Poertner and Whitt are huddling about something, I know not what. I've spotted Marcia. Immediately to my right, trustee Jemal is speaking with students; they all seem pretty chummy, which is good, I guess. Wright is jawing with Brenda way to the left. Now Marcia's finding her way to her seat.
     6:29 - the room seems pretty full: excitement, I guess, about the new faculty contract, to be approved tonight. (Item 6.16)

     Here we go:
     6:30 - Reading of actions in closed session: no actions taken in closed session.
     Invocation: Milchiker.  Ends with, "...we pray for peace, Amen."
     The pledge is recited. Good grief.

     Next: some recognitions
     IVC's Prez Roquemore comes up. Dean Doughty (Dean Of Instruction, Economic And Workforce Development) comes up next: recognition for achievement re C-STEM RoboPlay Competition. IVC doesn't have a team, yet they "placed." (2nd, statewide, robotics) Blah, blah, blah. RoboPlay video challenge. 1st in state for best overall video. Mary Kim is director. Etc. Professor Chandos, evidently, was involved. (Good Lord.) Blah blah. Congrats. Nine students participated. Five here today. Photo op.
     Next: Saddleback's Tod Burnett: medallion awards at National Council on Marketing and Public relations. Evidently, SC has a "marketing team." Radio ad, etc.
     ALSO: Cal Comm Colleges Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Bill Kelly, et al. Big applause. The board members stand! Good freakin' grief. They don't stand for anything academic. They stand for football.

Myers

     Public comments:
     Charles Myers: (Communication Arts Instructor.) We are strongly in agreement with proposed collaboration with Cal State campus (I forgot which). Thanks for your support!

     Board Reports:
     Terri Whitt: attended several events. Something was "amazing," she said. Attended 30th Anniversary ceremony at IVC. "You've gone a long way," she says (of IVC), patronizingly.
     Marcia Milchiker: attended many events, including SC homecoming. (God, they love that sports shit.) 6 of the 7 trustees "were there." Gosh, what a "hands-on board"! Visited the Casa Del Sol, blah blah blah, Solar Decathlon. Our house (done by IVC with UCI, Chapman) was best. House that conserves energy, etc. Makes a difference in "keeping our environment sound."
     James Wright: also attended several events. There was a national moment of silence re the shooting at Oregon conducted at both campuses. (Natch, he didn't notice the special installation at IVC.) Mentions Solar Decathlon. We took 9th place. Blah blah blah. OC School Board Association dinner/event was "very well received." Attended conference in San Diego of national trustees. "We had a White House official" speak to us. Discussed the notion of free tuition in some states. Attended the homecoming at SC, the 30 year celebration at IVC.
     Tim Jemal: mentioned the shooting in Oregon. An attack against one community college is an attack on "all of us." Homecoming, etc. Solar Decathlon was fantastic. Impressed with use of grey water in Orange house. Missed the 30th Anniversary at IVC. I wasn't there when Marilyn Monroe sang "Happy Birthday" to the President. (Har har. In fact, everyone in the room warbled "Happy Birthday" to TJ. I rolled my eyes and imagined being at a real college.)
     TJ Prendergast: was very impressed by the Solar Decathlon houses. "Everybody had such great ideas."  These students weren't even majoring in engineering. OC School Board Association dinner was good, etc. Trustee conference in San Diego was good; valuable information. Homecoming, IVC's 30th, well put together.
     Barbara Jay: I left for a cruise on the Panama Canal right after the last meeting (she said), so I've missed much of this. Attended IVC's 30th. "Glenn Roquemore, you did a great job on that." (No, you didn't.) I can't believe it's been 30 years. Impressed with support from City of Irvine. Attended "partnership breakfast" put on by SC. It was "great." Very informative for K-12 leaders. Mentioned newspaper article about Saddleback College, nearing 50 years. (She's running way over time. A timer appears on the screen.)
     Dave Lang: I'll be brief since others covered my ground. Homecoming game--Saddleback was victorious. Congrats. Made it to Solar Decathlon. That was "a lot of fun. Interesting." Surprising, the talent. Couldn't make the 30th Anniversary event. It's been a busy time.
     Student trustee: everything he attended was "well done," including the meat at the BBQ.

     Chancellor (Poertner's) report: item on agenda: Accreditation. Everybody's goal for this year and next: working on accreditation. We're expecting the whole thing to be "quite positive." Also tonight: proposal for joint partnership, SC radio and Cal State Northridge radio station (both stations are 88.5). There's a problem with interference between the two stations. We'll turn the problem into something positive. This will be of "great interest to you."
     President Roquemore (IVC): Tragic events at the Oregon CC, our hearts go out, etc. Both colleges have "excellent emergency environments." (No they don't.) We've been working on this since "Virginia Tech." We've been meeting to step things up. Mentions something about "blue lights" around campus and "innovative door locks." (The cops have the keys.) We've been stepping up training, trying to involve faculty, students. The situation is being taken "very seriously." Solar Decathlon: 1st time that an American CC was involved in this kind of event. Tod and I worked together closely, blah blah. "Absolutely incredible." Held our "Golf Classic." We raised money. Be sure to see "Hairspray." It's a "blockbuster," people are enjoying it. Blah blah blah blah blah.
     President Burnett (SC): Blah, blah. Homecoming was successful. "Overwhelming victory." (He swells, yet further, with pride.) This Saturday, we beat OCC, the bastards. 14th time. Blah blah blah. Solar Decathlon: we're very proud of what our students and faculty did. Glenn championed this. Golly, thanks. Nov 10: at Disneyland Hotel: our own bio instructor Karah Street. Street will be honored, among others. Family night is coming up. Mark your calendar: OC (something) showcase. Thoughts and prayers to SC student who was killed in a hit-and-run accident recently.
     IVC student government: nice report. (I love how students refer to trustees as 'you guys.' Who can explain it?) Mentions "Million Student March" demanding free tuition. This kid seems to support that. He seems to assume the trustees are with 'im. Not so sure.

     No board requests for reports.
     We will advance 6.16: employee master agreement
     Rec: board should approve contract. 
     UNANIMOUS "YES" VOTE.
     We take a break.
     There's an outbreak of applause re contract. It's an absurd moment. I yawn. Half the audience trails out, into the night. They got what they wanted.

Item 4.1 - Update on accreditation
     [Break ends:] 7:14: Craig Justice comes up to give report
     Blah, blah, blah. Explains the basics of accreditation, how the ACCJC gives us standards, how we write a report in relation to standards. [He doesn't mention that the Accreds are fascists and morons.] Explains 4 basic standards. A new one: "integrity." Blah blah blah. There've been "overall changes" to simplify the format. It's now a 7-year cycle (not 6). An effort to be "more pro-active." Turns it over to Bob C:
     New Accred standards: standard 4 especially. This one has popped up (as a problem) in the past. New standards perhaps have brought clarification to the process, and that's good. I just returned from Greece: cradle of all things academic (I guess). He tells a Cosgrovian joke. I cringe.
     Decision-making roles, processes are important. Several trustees will be asked to be interviewed--so that we have documentation that we are complying with ACCJC standards. Etc. (Trustees look concerned.) A closer look at Standard IV: blah blah blah. When we talk about the Brown Act and the Ed Code, says Bob, this means nothing to ACCJC, which is not a California agency. Mentions a standard: once the board makes a decision, every board member must support it, etc. Mentions "delineations of district and college functions." Blah blah blah.
     Next: Kathy S: Would like to point out: every college approaches its self-evaluation differently. IVC and SC are similar but not identical in this regard. Mentions Accred workgroups, following standards. We have a broad, inclusive group, SPAC (Strategic Planning and Accred Council). Also AOWG: Accred Oversight Work Group. 16 Workgroups, 72 members. 96 Tears. These numbers will change over time. Reps from all groups on campus. On Sharepoint, we have all the documentation, work. Events: during Flex Week, mini-retreats, etc.
     Juan Avalos (VP for SS): blah, blah, blah. And I mean that. Standard 2 is the megastandard of Accred, he said, I think. More blah blah blah. This guy speaks like a tiny, chintzy needle gun. Boink boink boink. Ting.
     Kathy S: Now, the Accred timeline. "Not greatly detailed." More blah.
     Bob C: we're pretty much parallel with IVC. (It's a theme. Parallelism and collaborationism.)
     Kathy S: a huge amount of collaboration in reports. Served us well, this collaboratin'. We're working together well and will continue to do so. Lots of sharing. Lots of hugs. It's best for all, the more we work together, hug. Yadda yadda.
     QUESTIONS?
     Wright: when will reports be handed in to ACCJC? Avalos: must arrive at ACCJC in Feb or March for their meeting.
     Bob C, quoting those dang Greeks again: "all life is uncertain." Hope we'll be less uncertain about this process than in past.

     Consent Calendar. 5.7, 5.8. 5.12, etc.They vote on balance. Unanimous.

     5.1 - Lang had some nit-picky point about the minutes, a "unanimous" vote that was not. Fix the record, goddamit.
     5.7 - Wright: two courses with the same title. The need for a correction is noted. Also: no labs for certain courses. How can that be? Schmeidler answers. One course has labs included already. (Bio 94, I think.) Wright is being his occasionally nit-picky and stubborn self. It became a war of Chem vs. Bio. Good grief. Prendergast joins: shouldn't it be clear from the title that a course includes a lab? (I think this is called "micromanagement." Yep, I'm sure of it.) KS tries to explain that we do things that way in part owing to articulation concerns. That's what some of the other systems want. Wright is a dog with a bone. He is unmoved; he as that look. He won't let it go; this is no way to run Bio classes (he implies, with eyebrows and the slight tilt of his old head). But he eventually relents. They vote. Unanimous yes.
     5.8 - Wright: more nit-pickery. They vote. Unanimous yes.
     5.11 - Lang: wants to mention, Audit committee met earlier this afternoon. Also Foundation officers were present. We agreed in principle with district's recommendation on this item. Didn't like some of the wording. With that change, moved approval. Fitz: we'll make that change. Vote: unanimous yes.
     5.12 - Pulled on behalf of Chancellor. Fitz: authorized signature list, blah blah blah. Too tedious to listen to. I'm feeling faint. Unanimous yes.
    5.14 - Transfer of Budget Appropriations. Wants clarification. Fitz answers. None of this is out of reserve. Blah blah. (This may be interesting, but I sure don't know about it.) Vote: unanimous yes.

General Action items:

     Item 6.1: letter of intent to establish collaborative operating agreements for radio stations, blah blah blah.
     What is proposed is syncing of signals between two radio stations with same number. Proposed partnership. Speaker notes main players, people in the room, etc. Familiar faces, I guess.
     Terry Somebody (Terry Wedel, now-retired Director of Broadcast Services for KSBR Radio) now speaks. He explains: in old days, cities surrounded by rural areas, broadcasted outward to rural oblivion. KSBR/KCSN--our station and Northridge's. He shows "contours" for KSBR and KCSN. There's much overlap. KCSN contours are bigger (wider), more powerful signal. There's an area where the signal of our station just won't get picked up. 40% of the population intended to receive signal can't listen to KSBR. There's a lot of "radio no-man's land." It's a mess. Peculiarities. First twenty-one years, we were adversarial (the two stations, institutions), and that didn't work. About 15 years ago, we tried to finesse things. Any way to fix this (interference) snafu? Expert said: "you're screwed." But expert added: you can combine signals, might be great. Northridge said: no way, Jose. But somebody new (and good) got hired up at Northridge and things changed. A long conversation commenced. Went forward with study about feasibility of combining station. (Showed slide, showing coverage after combining stations.) Looks good! Syncing the two signals, one giant station. We can get to 11 million people! Imagine! Right now, we get to half a million. Ultimately, a group met at CalState Northridge Prez's office. Realized big pluses.

Jim Rondeau

      So now we have a "letter of intent." An authorization to begin negotiations of issues that have to be worked out. Intent: to create a very equal partnership -- interference-free signal, etc. Sync signals. Adopt the best format to build audience. (We're in the #2 market in the nation; New York is #1.) Huge coverage: 11 and a half million people. Co-branded as a joint service, etc. A rare opportunity.
     Will cover all of OC and LA counties. Right now, we use general fund. We could be raising up to $5 million a year. If you approve this letter, we can begin negotiating. Blah blah blah.
     Fitz: asking tonight: approval. Move to next stage, negotiation. Will come back to board with agreement (operating agreement included). Joint powers authority created. Will involve legal counsel. Very specialized people necessary (legally).

     QUESTIONS?

Wedel

     Jemal: say more about fundraising, etc.
     "More."
     No, really.
     Stations of this size: are able to fundraise to larger audience. KUSC, for instance. Large amounts of money. They're flush, those bastards.
     Jemal: We're talking about a brand new business model for this operation. Sounds like our station's content will dramatically change.
     We have wide content now. We'll be making changes to meet the audience in any case. Always evolving. Nature of the beast, I guess. Fundraising "is a game of percentages." The numbers will be much larger, thus the funds raised will be larger. Student enthusiasm will grow if we do this. Right now, very little student involvement.
     Jemal: will this meet FCC approval?
     Fitz: yes. (She elaborates. I don't care.)
     Prendergast: transfer pathways between our students and Cal State N?
     Yes. The station will "be a big recruitment tool." Will attract professionals. (Jim broke in to say: really, each college will produce its own programs, independently. Still, really, two different stations.)
     Lang: yes, as you acknowledge, you won't be able to raise lots of funds immediately. So will there be big upfront costs?
     Terry (former SC radio guy): he seemed to say that its time to reconsider the kind of radio station we want to be. (My brain is cutting out; long day.)
     Other guy: Currently, our college is spending $341K a year. I think there will be a cost savings going forward.

     Faculty guy (Myers) steps up: perfect timing to do this, from a cost standpoint.
     Other guy: there's a lot of enthusiasm over build-out.
     Fitz: notes all the things that will be covered in negotiations. If you approve this tonight, we can always back out.
     Jim: lays it on pretty thick: other great opportunities here. Blah blah blah. It all sounds pretty exciting. As it is now, our station is a volunteer operation, so.... We're talking about something much better for students. Look at KUSC, KPCC, KCRW(I think), etc. Branding opportunity, marketing opportunity.
     The ability to inform both counties: the courses we offer. Very exciting.
     Whitt: you said we will target a larger audience. That's not "content." Etc. (God, she's earnest.)
     Jim: seemed to answer her issues well. We won't be diluting the content. There will be some different content. Change can be difficult. We'll be able to produce higher quality content. Change will occur in any case. Going from an market covering 372,000 to over 11 million. Meyers steps in again: the content will increase in quantity and quality, ten-fold. Greater depth.
    Whitt: her concern is with "faithful listeners." (WTF?)
    Milchiker: Terry shouldn't have been allowed to retire (laughter). Talks about student DJs, etc. Won't this new reality be daunting for our students? Maybe their heads will pop.
    We won't put on the air a first-timer (something like that). Marcia: I wish you well in the negotiations.
     Student trustee: wouldn't KCSN's programing dilute our own? (I never understand this kid.)
     Programing will be fully integrated. Blah blah blah.
     Prendergast: has the Cal State Northridge board already acted on this?
     Fitz: they don't need to. Blah.
     Call for vote:
     No, Jemal: if you pull this off, it will be a very significant achievement. Kudos for moving forward with this.
     Vote: unanimous yes.

     6.2 - approved unanimously
     6.3 - approved unanimously
     6.4 - unanimous yes vote

     6.5 - Grant re Asian American/Native American/ Pacific Islanders. Lang: what percentage of students are in this category? Roquemore: he mentioned a surprisingly high figure--twenty-something percent. Jemal: congrats. Would like to learn more about activities of the grant. Vote: unanimous yes
     6.6 - Unanimous yes.
     6.7 - Liberal Arts Building Project, IVC. Unanimous yes.
     6.8 - Life Science Building Project, IVC. Unanimous yes.
     6.9 - Board policies, etc. Lang carps about paragraph D (5404). Wants some language change. Lang gives recommendations. Fitz: that doesn't change the meaning, so looks OK. Blah blah blah. They vote: unanimous yes.
     6.10 - More board policies--for review and study. Unanimous yes
     6.11 - Paying absent trustee. No discussion, unanimous yes, as usual. Good grief. A tiny monument of corruption, still standing
     6.12 - Police Officers Association, district initial proposal. Opportunity for public comment.
     Public hearing now open. Public comments? None, natch. Hearing now closed.
     Further discussion? No. Of course.
     6.13 - Academic Personnel Actions. Unanimous yes
     6.14 - Classified Personnel Actions. Bugay mentions some small changes. Unanimous yes
     6.15 - Full-time faculty hiring lists. Bugay: modifications, exhibit B. Blah blah. IVC: two additional positions. Guidance and counseling: generalist. Veteran. Lang: listed in priority order? Yes, realistically, how many expect to fill? For Saddleback: 4-8. For IVC: 10-14. Vote: unanimous yes.
 

Reports:

     7.1 - blah
     7.2 - blah
     7.3 - blah
     Etc.

Next up: reports from admin and governance groups.

--Hence, I'm outa here. (8:56)

SEE ALSO: SOCCCD's "$200K Club" (according to Transparent California, 2014)