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In
the current political and fiscal reality, “no college is an
island.” Like virtually every public education institution in the
state, GCC makes sure that professional political advocates
(lobbyists in common parlance) are actively working on behalf of the
college in both Sacramento and Washington, D.C.
For the past six
years, our Sacramento voice has been Patrick McCallum, former
Executive Director of FACCC. Patrick is known as one of the most
knowledgeable community college advocates in the state, and
represents a number of districts and at least one faculty union.
While we
concentrate on serving students, Patrick makes sure that
legislators, the governor and the Department of Finance (a key
player in the state budget process) are aware of the needs of our
college. At times, the Guild collaborates by sending faculty to
Sacramento or to local legislators’ offices to support Patrick’s
message.
This year, of
course, the message is at the survival level, given the
near-bankruptcy of the state. Thanks to Patrick and others in his
profession, our students have not (yet) been subject to the large
fee increases being imposed annually in the UC and CSU systems.
In addition to his
focus on budget items, Patrick also supports the college when it’s
time to get state construction funds for our buildings. The
spectacular Bhupesh Parikh Health Sciences and Technology building
required local bond money (Measure G), state funds and of course was
enhanced enormously by the generous donation of the Parikh family.
Much of the health care equipment in the building is the result of
Patrick’s strong activism in Sacramento.
And
inside the Beltway….
In order to get
certain kinds of federal funds, it is essential to have a consistent
message and voice in our nation’s Capitol. Currently, GCC is served
in Washington by Anchor Consulting, a firm that has guided GCC
faculty in the arcane details of writing proposals for federal
funds.
Since February of
this year, approximately ten projects have been developed and
proposed for funding.
Accelerated Culinary Arts Program
Multimodal Transportation Facility
Study Abroad Student Support and Financial Assistance
Campus Security
Infrastructure: Water and Power Academy
Sustainability Certificate Program
Campus Shuttle Service
Faculty and administrators involved in writing these proposals
include Darren Leaver, Ron Harlan, Karen Holden-Ferkich, Kristin
Bruno, Jan Swinton and many more. Some of the proposals (such as
the shuttle between Garfield and the main campus) require the
support of the city, so the city manager was also consulted.
These proposals
must be lobbied with Congressman Adam Schiff as well as the two U.S.
Senators, Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein. At different points
during the process, campus leaders may be asked to send letters of
support reinforcing the college requests.
Each member of our
Board of Trustees has been given one or more assignments to contact
the federal legislators and plead our case, and the Anchor
consultants are giving instructions about how to approach the busy
lawmakers on behalf of GCC.
If you want to know more, or to participate
in contacting our state and/or federal elected officials on behalf
of the college, please contact the President’s Office.
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