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WELCOME TO OUR EMPLOYEE TOWN HALL.
I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WORK YOU ARE DOING TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS, COMMUNITIES, EMPLOYERS AND EACH OTHER.
BEFORE WE GET STARTED I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE SHERRI ENRIGHT AND HER TEAM AT HUMAN RESOURCES FOR COORDINATING OUR FIRST EVER COLLEGE WIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAYS WHICH TAKES PLACE TODAY AND TOMORROW.
OUR FIRST-ROUND OF SESSIONS KICKS OFF AT 8:45 THIS MORNING THE NEXT ROUNDS TO RESUME AFTER THE TOWN HALL AT 11:15.
AS A REMINDER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IS A WAY FOR EVERYONE TO FURTHER DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS.
OUR COLLEAGUES HAVE WORKED HARD IN PREPARING FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
OBVIOUSLY I HAD TO TALK A LITTLE ABOUT LAST WEEK AND THE IMMENSE CHALLENGES THAT OUR ENTIRE STATE EXPERIENCED WITH THE RECORD LOW TEMPERATURES, THE SNOW IN THE ICE ALL COMPOUNDED BY THE FACT THAT BUSINESSES, COMMUNITIES ALL ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS WERE WITHOUT POWER, HEAT AND WATER.
OF COURSE, TEXAS BEING TEXAS, THIS WEEK WE SAW THE SNOW AND ICE MELT AND THE TEMPERATURES ARE BACKUP FOR SPRINGTIME.
IN FACT THEY WERE ALMOST SUMMERTIME TEMPERATURES AS WE GOT INTO THE WEEK.
I HAVE TO SAY REALLY IT CAUSES YOU TO HAVE TO PAUSE AND REFLECT A BIT AS WE BOTH THINK ABOUT THE IMAGES OF THE SUFFERING THAT FOLKS WERE GOING THROUGH LAST WEEK.
MANY ARE STILL EXPERIENCING EVEN THOUGH THE WEATHER LOOKS GREAT AND THINGS LOOK LIKE THEY ARE BACK TO NORMAL.
I KNOW VERY WELL FOR MANY OF YOU THAT IS JUST NOT THE CASE.
HE HANDS, I HEARD FIRST HAND FROM FOLKS WHO WERE DEALING WITH POWER OUTAGES, INTERNET OUTAGES, BROKEN WATER PIPES AND HVAC SYSTEMS OUT AND SO MUCH MORE.
I REALLY SUFFERED WITH YOU AS YOU WERE DESCRIBING WHAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH.
SOME OF YOU ARE STILL DEALING WITH THE CLEANUP IN THE AFTERMATH OF THAT.
KNOW THAT ALL OF YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AS I KNOW THIS IS NOT EASY.
PARTICULARLY ON TOP OF THE PANDEMIC AND SOME OF THE OTHER ISSUES MANY OF YOU ARE FACING RIGHT NOW.
CERTAINLY A CRISIS LIKE THIS HAVE UNFORTUNATELY BECOME ALL TOO COMMON.
AGAIN WITH THE PANDEMIC WE'VE ALL BEEN ENDURING OVER THE PAST YEAR THIS CAN BE EXTREMELY CHALLENGING.
I AM ALSO STRUCK BY HOW THIS REALLY EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR INSTITUTIONS AND THE ABILITY TO HELP PEOPLE.
SOMEWHAT OF A RETURN TO NORMALCY.
I WAS IN BOSTON THIS WEEK FOR THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS HEARINGS.
THEY ARE NOW UNDERWAY HEARING TESTIMONY FROM COLLEGES.
WE WERE UP AT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES TELLING OUR STORY.
AND THEN AN IMPORTANT PART OF THAT STORY IS WHAT WE DID TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND EMPLOYERS IN THE COMMUNITY DURING THE CRISIS.
WE WE'RE ABLE TO SHARE HOW EVEN DURING LAST WEEK AS WE HAD BOTH EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS WITHOUT POWER STRUGGLING THAT OUR AMAZING TEAM OF PEOPLE HELP OVER 1000 STUDENTS THROUGH THE WEEK WITH OUR HELP LINES, BY TEXTING, OUR FACULTY WAS ENGAGING THE STUDENTS HELPING THEM DURING THIS TIME.
THAT MEANS MANY OF YOU WHILE YOU ARE FACING CHALLENGES ON YOUR OWN WERE ALSO AVAILABLE TO HELP STUDENTS.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE YOU EVERY DAY.
DURING THIS PAST YEAR PARTICULARLY THE LAST WEEK WE IN MANY WAYS ARE UNDER THE RADAR WITH IMPACT THAT WE HAVE HAD WITH INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I APPRECIATE THAT EFFORT TO HELPING INDIVIDUALS.
IN A FUTURE TOWN HALL I WANT TO TALK MORE ABOUT WHAT LIES IN STORE FOR DALLAS COUNTY
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DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION BUT TODAY WERE GOING TO PICK UP ON SOME QUESTIONS YOU HAD AND WE WILL HAVE THAT LIFE TODAY AS WELL TO HEAR FROM SOME OF YOU AND WE WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU WHO JOINED LAST TIME WE HAD OUR SPEAKER TALK ABOUT HUMAN WORK.BASED ON YOUR FEEDBACK IT SEEMS MANY OF YOU HAVE ENJOYED THE EXTERNAL SPEAKERS.
I WILL BE LOOKING TO BRING SOME MORE IN OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE COVERING THE TOPICS THAT ARE OF INTEREST TO ALL OF US.
TODAY WERE GOING TO BE RESPONDING TO YOUR RESUBMITTED QUESTIONS AND WE WILL TAKE LIFE QUESTIONS AS I MENTIONED.
BE SURE TO SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO TOWNHALL AT DCCCD.EDU.
AND IF WE CAN'T GET TO THAT WE WILL LOOK AT OTHER FORMAT.
TODAY I HAVE SHERRI ENRIGHT OUR HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER, I HAVE DR. DR.
SHAWNDA FLOYD AS WELL AS THE PRESENT OF MOUNTAIN VIEW CAMPUS, DR. SHARON DAVIS OUR CHIEF CRITICAL RESPONSE OFFICER IN OF COURSE DR. JUSTIN LONON OUR EXECUTIVE VICE CHANCELLOR WHO WILL HELP GUIDE OUR CONVERSATION TODAY.
WITH THAT WE HAVE A PACKED MEETING JUSTIN, LET'S KICK IT OFF.
>> JUSTIN: THE FIRST QUESTION IS TO YOU DR. JOE MAY CAN YOU HEAR ME? OKAY.
WE WILL READJUST AND COME BACK TO DR. JOE MAY SHORTLY.
>> CHANCELLOR: I HAVE A TECHNICAL GLITCH BUT WERE GETTING USED TO THAT.
>> JUSTIN: WE ASKED THREE QUESTIONS AND WE ANSWER THEM FOR YOU.
THE FIRST QUESTION IS FOR YOU AND IT IS WEATHER RELATED.
THE WEATHER IS ON PEOPLE'S MINDS AND AS YOU HAD INDICATED.
THE QUESTION IS, CAN YOU GIVE US AN UP DATE ON HOW THE FACILITIES WERE IMPACTED AND WHERE WE STAND NOW IN TERMS OF THE CURRENT STATE.
CLEARLY PEOPLE ARE THINKING ABOUT COMING BACK NEXT WEEK.
THIS MORNING I HAD MY WEEKLY CALL THAT INCLUDED OUR SUPERINTENDENT, JUDGE CLAY JENKINS AND THE CITY MANAGER OF DALLAS THIS MORNING.
I'VE GOT TO SAY, AFTER LISTENING TO THEIR STORIES WE ARE INCREDIBLY LUCKY WITH OUR FACILITIES.
I WAS COMMUNICATING WITH THEM AND THERE ARE 100 BUILDINGS OFF-LINE AS A RESULT OF THE STORM.
WE HAVE TWO FACILITIES THAT WERE PRETTY DIRECTLY IMPACTED.
L CENTRAL BUILDING A HAS ABOUT FOUR FLOORS THAT ARE DAMAGED.
I THINK WE CAN CONTINUE TO USE THE UPPER FLOORS OF THAT NINE STORY BUILDING GOING FORWARD AND WE WILL PROBABLY BE IN REPAIR MODE FOR ABOUT A MONTH.
THEN AT BROOKHAVEN BUILDING D HAS HVAC ISSUES BUT OTHER THAN THAT WE ARE IN REMARKABLE SHAPE.
AND HATS OFF TO BOTH OUR FACILITIES TEAM AND OUR POLICE OFFICERS WHO WERE ON-SITE IN THE BUILDINGS PROBABLY SAVED A LOT OF DAMAGE IN THAT THEY CAUGHT THINGS EARLY IN THE PROCESS, ALERTED US TO IT SO WE COULD QUICKLY SHUT OFF THE WATER AND OTHER THINGS AS WE NEEDED TO.
THERE WERE A FEW MORE THINGS THAT OCCURRED LAST WEEK THAT WE WE'RE ABLE TO REPAIR OVER THE WEEKEND SO IT WAS UNAFFECTED.
THANKS AGAIN TO OUR GREAT TEAM IN THE WORK THAT THEY HAVE DONE AND GETTING US QUICKLY BACK UP AND RUNNING.
LET ME TURN TO DR. SHAWNDA FLOYD AND DR. BEATRIZ JOSEPH ALONG THOSE SAME LINES WE HAD A COUPLE QUESTIONS THAT WERE AGAIN TALKING ABOUT LAST WEEK AND THE WEATHER IMPACTS AND THEY MENTIONED WE HAD A NUMBER OF STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES THAT WERE IMPACTED.
DR. SHAWNDA FLOYD CAN WE START WITH YOU CAN YOU DETAIL HOW WE SERVED OUR
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STUDENTS THROUGH SUCH A DIFFICULT TIME AND THEN DR. BEATRIZ JOSEPH TO YOU AFTERWARDS?>> DR. SHAWNDA FLOYD: THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION JUSTIN.
I HAVE TO SAY WEATHER EVENTS ARE CHALLENGING FOR ANY INSTITUTION BUT ESPECIALLY FOR US BECAUSE WE HAVE OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR ABILITY TO COMPLETE THEIR COURSEWORK AS A MAJOR CONSIDERATION.
AS WELL AS ALL THE PLANNING THAT GOES INTO THE COURSES BY OUR FACULTY.
I KNOW WE GET A LOT OF PRESSURE WHEN THERE IS WEATHER EVENTS BUT WE ARE CAREFUL TO TAKE IT DAY BY DAY AND TO MAKE DECISIONS TO CANCEL CLASSES AS A LAST RESORT.
WE REALLY SPRUNG INTO ACTION ALONG WITH THE STUDENT SUCCESS COLLEAGUES TO REALLY START TO THINK OF MULTIPLE STRATEGIES, MULTIPLE CONTINGENCY CAN PLANS THAT WE CAN PUT INTO ACTION PENDING ON HOW THE WEATHER EVENTS TURNED OUT.
WE WERE CONSIDERING VERY DIRE CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH UNFORTUNATELY WE DID EXPERIENCE.
AT THE SAY AGAIN WITH A TOTAL TEAM EFFORT WE WORKED WITH THE HUMAN RESOURCES ON MULTIPLE CONTINGENCY PLANS SHOULD WE NEED THEM.
WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT OUR STUDENTS AND TO GET THE MESSAGES OUT TO THEM TO SUPPORT YOU TO STAY SAFE AND WARM.
YOUR CLASSES WILL BE HERE AND WE WILL WORK THROUGH THIS TOGETHER.
WE WERE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR FACULTY, STAFF, OUR OTHER EMPLOYEES.
WE DIDN'T KNOW WHO WOULD BE IMPACTED AND HOW.
A LOT OF OUR PLANNING ALONG WITH OUR STUDENT SUCCESS COLLEAGUES WENT INTO COMMUNICATION AND HOW WE FACILITATE THAT.
WE WERE HAPPY TO HAVE OUR MARKETING AND IT PROFESSIONALS WORKING WITH US SEAMLESSLY.
MY PRAISE IN THIS RESPONSE IS HOW WE CAME TOGETHER AS A TEAM TO WORK TO MAKE SURE WE HAD A CONSISTENT MESSAGE.
ONE THAT WAS CARE AND CONCERN FIRST BECAUSE WE DIDN'T KNOW WHO WOULD HAVE POWER AND WHO WOULDN'T HAVE INTERNET.
WHO HAD LOSS OF BASIC UTILITIES.
IN THE END WE PUSHED OUT MULTIPLE MESSAGES TO STUDENTS AS WELL AS TO FACULTY AND STAFF.
I AM VERY GRATEFUL AND I WANT TO GIVE A LOT OF WAYS TO FACULTY REALLY RESPONDED TO THE CALL.
NOT JUST REPLYING TO THE MESSAGE THAT I SENT OUT BUT SHARING AND WELCOMING TO SHOW THE MESSAGES THAT THEY WERE POSTING IN THERE E CAMPUS AND BLACKBOARD COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS ON APPS LIKE REMIND TO THEIR STUDENTS.
IT WAS DALLAS COLLEGE TEAM AND I KNOW WE CAN ADD MORE TO IT.
>> DR. BEATRIZ JOSEPH: ABSOLUTELY.
WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT OUR STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF MAKING SURE THEY WERE SAFE AND HAD THE RESOURCES THEY NEEDED TO WEATHER THE STORM SO TO SPEAK.
AS WE KNOW OUR STUDENTS NEEDED A LOT OF ASSISTANCE AND IN THIS TIME OF CRISIS OUR STUDENT CARE STAFF WORK THE 24 HOUR EMERGENCY RESOURCE LINE EVERY DAY PROVIDING RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE.
THE STAFF HELP STUDENTS FIND WARMING STATIONS AND ANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR CLASSES, OFFERED MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AND FEMA.
OUR TEAM LEFT TEAM WERE DOING CHECK-IN MESSAGES FOR STUDENTS WHO NEEDED HELP.
WE WE'RE ABLE TO SECURE SHELTER AND FOOD FOR ONE OF OUR STUDENTS WHO GOT STUCK IN AUSTIN DUE TO THE STORM.
OUR VIRTUAL START DELAY SERVICES SUCH AS ENROLLMENT AND DEVELOPMENT CONTINUE TO PROVIDE STUDENTS FROM ADM TO MIDNIGHT EVERY DAY.
IN A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES IN THE THINGS THAT DR. SHAWNDA FLOYD TALKED ABOUT, WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO SUPPORT STUDENTS IN THIS DIFFICULT TIME, WE EXTENDED THE DROP DATE FOR THE FIRST EIGHT WEEKS OF CLASSES.
SO WE COULD GIVE STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REGROUP.
TO TALK WITH FACULTY MEMBERS AND GET THEMSELVES ORGANIZED TO CONTINUE THEIR TERM WITHOUT INTERRUPTION.
WE ALSO WORK TO EXTEND DUE DATES FOR PAYMENT PLANS.
ONE OF THE DUE DATES FOR THE PAYMENT PLAN WAS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS STORM.
WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE COULD REDUCE THE ADDED STRESS THAT THE STUDENTS WERE ALREADY EXPERIENCING.
ONCE AGAIN I ECHO DOCTOR FLOYD'S WORDS.
IT WAS A TRUE TEAM EFFORT AND WE CONTINUE TO DEMONSTRATE OUR EFFORT TO CREATE A CULTURE OF CARE BY SERVING OUR STUDENTS AND SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS FACULTY AND STAFF AND ELIMINATE BARRIERS THE BEST WE CAN.
>> JUSTIN: THE NEXT QUESTION IS TO YOU SHERRI ENRIGHT ALONG THOSE SAME LINES AND THE WEATHER.
THE QUESTION IS, HOW ARE WE SUPPORTING EMPLOYEES WHO MIGHT BE IMPACTED BY THE
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STORM?I WILL ECHO DR. SHAWNDA FLOYD AND DR. BEATRIZ JOSEPH.
IT WAS A TEAM EFFORT TO COME TOGETHER AS TO HOW TO SUPPORT OUR EMPLOYEES.
WE WORKED EXTENSIVELY WITH DOCTOR DAVIS AS WELL ON RESOURCE TYPE THINGS.
WE ARE HERE TO PROVIDE AS MUCH SUPPORT TO OUR EMPLOYEES AS POSSIBLE.
OUR HR AND SERVICE TEAM DID IN FACT STAY OPEN LAST THURSDAY AND FRIDAY TO ASSIST AND THEY ARE STILL OPEN TODAY FOR GUIDANCE AND QUESTIONS.
THEY HAVE A LIST OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAT THEY CAN PROVIDE TO BILLY IF THERE ARE CONTINUED NEED.
PLEASE REACH OUT TO THEM IF YOU NEED THAT.
ALSO DR. SHARON DAVIS'S EMAIL HAD INFORMATION ON FEMA AND HOW TO APPLY FOR FEMA AID.
FOR LAST WEEK, ALL OF OUR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES WILL BE PAID EVEN IF THERE WERE PORTIONS OF THE TIME THAT THEY COULD NOT WORK AND NO PERSONAL LEAVE WILL BE REQUIRED.
FOR THIS WEEK WE ARE ASKING OUR SUPERVISORS TO BE FLEXIBLE AS POSSIBLE AS THERE IS TIME NEEDED TO DEAL WITH WEATHER ISSUES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED AS ALL OF TEXAS RECOVERS FROM THIS.
DR. SHARON DAVIS THE NEXT QUESTION IS FOR YOU.
YOU RECENTLY TWEETED OUT OUR PHASE IN RETURN PLAN AS WE HAVE HAD SOME QUESTIONS AROUND THAT.
I WANT TO COMBINE A COUPLE OF THEM TOGETHER.
THE FIRST ONE IS CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW THIS PHASED APPROACH WORKS AND WHAT STEPS EMPLOYEES NEED TO TAKE IN ADVANCE RETURNING TO CAMPUS OR OFFICE LOCATIONS AND THEN ALSO THE NEXT QUESTION IS, CAN YOU SHARE WHY WE ARE STARTING THIS PROCESS NOW CONSIDERING WE HAVE SPRING BREAK COMING UP AND PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SPREAD OF COVID AROUND SPRING BREAK ACTIVITIES?
>> DR. SHARON DAVIS: THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTIONS PAID THE PHASED APPROACH IS WORKING THIS WAY.
THIS WEEK WE HAD THE LEADERSHIP RETURN THAT STARTED LAST WEEK BUT BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER SITUATION THAT EVERYONE SPOKE ABOUT.
NEXT WEEK WE START THE AB SCHEDULE WHICH WE HAD PRIOR TO THANKSGIVING.
APRIL 5 WE WILL HAVE ALL NONFACULTY EMPLOYEES RETURNING ALL THOSE WHO ARE NOT ON REMOTE WORK AGREEMENTS WILL RETURN TO WORK WORKING 40 HOURS PER WEEK.
IN TERMS OF WHAT ACTIONS EMPLOYEES CAN TAKE, IF YOU HAVE NOT AN ON-CAMPUS OR YOU ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH IT WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO VISIT OUR COVID-19 WEBPAGE.
WE ALSO ENCOURAGE EMPLOYEES TO PRACTICE UTILIZING THE APP IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE THAT IN A WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CHANGES.
THEN WE ARE ASKING EMPLOYEES TO CONSIDER WEARING DOUBLE MASKS SO WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO WEAR A DISPOSABLE MASK UNDER THEIR CLOTH MASK.
THOSE ARE THINGS IN TERMS OF ACTIONS THAT EMPLOYEES CAN TAKE IN ADVANCE OF RETURNING.
REGARDING WHY WE ARE STARTING NOW VERSE IS WAITING UNTIL A LATER DATE OR TIME, WE ARE BASICALLY STARTING NOW BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN THE IMPACT FOR US NOT BEING FACE-TO-FACE AND THE IMPACT IT'S HAD ON STUDENTS.
WE WANT TO BE PHYSICALLY PRESENT.
I KNOW THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT SPRING BREAK.
WE WILL HAVE CONCERNS NOW OR IF WE START IN THE SUMMER OR IF WE DELAY IT TO FALL OR SPRING.
THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS WE ONLY HAVE ABOUT SIX PERCENT OF OUR CLASSES FACE-TO-FACE.
IF PEOPLE WOULD CONTINUE TO UTILIZE THE CDC GUIDELINES AND PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING PROTOCOLS.
WE ARE STARTING TO BENEFIT OURSELVES.
>> DR. JUSTIN LONON: I MIGHT ASK YOU ALONG THOSE LINES I KNOW YOU ARE IN REGULAR COMMUNICATION WITH COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS.
HOW DOES THE DECLINE IN CASES IMPACT OUR DECISIONS AROUND THESE THINGS?
>> CHANCELLOR: OBVIOUSLY THAT PLAYED A ROLE.
WE ARE MONITORING NOW THE DRAMATIC DROP IN CASES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE LOOKING POSITIVE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS.
CERTAINLY EVEN HERE LOCALLY WE THINK THE VACCINES HAVE PLAYED A ROLE IN THAT.
BUT, I WANT TO GO BACK TO SOMETHING THAT DR. SHARON DAVIS SAID.
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WE STILL NEED TO BE CAREFUL.WE NEED TO EXERCISE THE PROTOCOLS.
IN MANY WAYS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.
WE DO NOT WANT TO SEE AN UPTICK.
WE WANT TO SEE IT DECLINE BECAUSE THE FAILURE TO COME BACK IS REALLY HURTING STUDENTS.
I MENTIONED I WAS AT THE LEGISLATURE YESTERDAY.
WE WERE TESTIFYING ON THE FACT THAT COMMUNITY COLLEGES ARE SEEING A NINE PERCENT ENROLLMENT DROP ACROSS THE STATE.
MAINLY BECAUSE STUDENTS CAN'T WORK AND TAKE CLASSES MANY ARE IN REMOTE MODE.
WE NEED FACE-TO-FACE ON-CAMPUS ENGAGING WITH FACULTY AND THAT TYPE OF SUPPORT IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE ARE ABOUT.
HELPING ME MOVE FORWARD IT IS GOING TO BE IMPORTANT BUT WE ARE WATCHING IT EVERY DAY.
>> DR. JUSTIN LONON: DR. SHARON DAVIS, DR. JOE MAY MENTIONED THE VACCINES AND THAT'S ON PEOPLE'S MINDS.
THE CONCERN IS ABOUT THE LIMITED AVAILABILITY OF COVID VACCINES.
IT HAS FOLKS CONCERNED ABOUT RETURNING TO THE WORKPLACE.
IS THERE ANY OF THE ON IF AND WHEN DALLAS COLLEGE EMPLOYEES MIGHT BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE?
>> DR. SHARON DAVIS: CURRENTLY WE KNOW THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS OUTLINED THAT WON A AND 1B SECTIONS CAN HAVE THE VACCINE.
FRONT-LINE WORKERS AND THOSE 65 AND OLDER AND THOSE WITH UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS.
WE ARE DOING ALL WE CAN TO GET ADDITIONAL VACCINES FOR OUR EMPLOYEES.
WE WE'RE ABLE TO, WE GOT WORD ABOUT PARKLAND'S WALK-UP CLINIC AND WE WE'RE ABLE TO GET SEVERAL EMPLOYEES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.
ALSO ON A SHORT NOTICE WE HAD A PROVIDER CONTACT US AND SAY I HAVE SOME EXTRA VACCINES AND WE CALLED UP OUR HEALTHCARE EMPLOYEES AND GOT THEM VACCINATED.
THE VACCINE ADMINISTRATION LANDSCAPE CHANGES ALMOST WEEKLY.
BUT AS THE OPPORTUNITY PRESENTS ITSELF WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE OUR EMPLOYEES FRONT AND CENTER TO RECEIVE THE VACCINES.
>> DR. JUSTIN LONON: DR. SHARON DAVIS LET ME STAY WITH YOU.
HOW ARE WE SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY VACCINE EFFORTS?
>> DR. SHARON DAVIS: WE ARE DOING SEVERAL THINGS TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY.
WE ARE WORKING WITH COUNTY HEALTH HUMAN SERVICES.
WE OFFER OUR CAMP IS LOCATIONS AS VACCINE ADMINISTRATION SITES.
THUS FOR THEY ARE ONLY UTILIZING ON CAMPUS.
ADDITIONALLY THEY HAVE OPENED UP VACCINE REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE AT MOUNTAIN VIEW AND CEDAR VALLEY CAMPUS.
WE ARE DOING THAT THROUGH MARCH 12.
ALSO OUR NURSING STUDENTS AND EMS STUDENTS HAVE SERVED AND CONTINUING TO SERVE AS VACCINATED AS WITH PARKLAND AND METHODIST HEALTH SYSTEMS. THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE ARE DOING TO HELP THE COMMUNITY EFFORTS.
>> DR. JUSTIN LONON: THANK YOU.
LET ME TURN TO YOU DR. BEATRIZ JOSEPH IF I CAN, WE HAVE A QUESTION WITH EMPLOYEES RETURNING TO THEIR LOCATION SOON.
WHAT SERVICES ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE TO STUDENTS IN PERSON NOW?
>> DR. BEATRIZ JOSEPH: THANK YOU.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE FACE-TO-FACE SUPPORT THAT WE KNOW MANY OF OUR STUDENTS NEED GOOD BEGINNING ON MONDAY, MARCH ONE STUDENTS WILL BE NOTIFIED THAT THEY CAN SCHEDULE FACE-TO-FACE APPOINTMENTS FOLLOWING ALL THE PROTOCOLS THAT WE FOLLOWED BEFORE USING LIP COW AND FOLLOWING THE CRITERIA FROM OUR CRITICAL RESPONSE UNIT AND THOSE APPOINTMENTS WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE PLACE THE WEEKEND OF MARCH 18.
STUDENTS CAN MAKE APPOINTMENTS FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE STUDENT SERVICES.
SPECIAL SERVICES FOR INTERNATIONAL VETERANS, TRIO STUDENTS IF STUDENTS NEED AN ID THEY CAN MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AS WELL.
IF THEY HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING, STUDENT LIFE HEALTH SERVICES, COUNSELING AND ALSO ANY WRAPAROUND SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE STUDENTS FOR SUPPORT WITH BASIC NEEDS THROUGH OUR CONNECTION TEAM.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO - DOUBLE MASKS - TO MAKE SURE THAT THE STUDENTS GET WHAT THEY NEED.
>> DR. JUSTIN LONON: LET ME STICK WITH YOU.
WE HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT ATHLETICS.
WE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED A MODIFIED ATHLETIC SEASON.
CAN YOU SHARE WHAT YOU THOUGHT THAT WOULD IMPORTANT AND WHAT THIS MEANS FOR OUR STUDENT ATHLETES?
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WE ARE HAPPY YOU CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH A MODIFIED SPORT SEASON .WE LISTENED TO THE VOICES OF OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS AND WE EXAMINED AND ENHANCE OUR SAFETY PROTOCOLS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR CRITICAL RESPONSE OFFICE, THE DIRECTORS AND COACHES.
THROUGH THIS REEVALUATION WE WE'RE ABLE TO ENHANCE OUR PROTOCOLS BY INCLUDING TEMPERATURE CHECKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES AND TRANSPORTATION.
OUR STUDENT ATHLETES LOVE THEIR SPORTS.
THEY HAVE WORKED VERY HARD TO COMPETE.
WHILE WE HAVE A MODIFIED SEASON IT IS ALLOWING THEM TO PLAY THE SPORT THEY LOVE WHILE CONTINUING WITH THEIR EDUCATION.
SO, ANY OF YOU THAT SEE A COACH OR AN ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, PLEASE THANK THEM FOR THE WORK THEY ARE DOING TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS AND WE HOPE WE CAN GO BACK SOON TO A REGULAR ATHLETIC SEASON.
>> DR. JUSTIN LONON: DR. BEATRIZ JOSEPH, WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A DECLINE IN ENROLLMENT BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC HERE CAN YOU SHARE WITH US HOW WE ARE ADDRESSING THE ENROLLMENT DECLINE AND WE PLAN TO DO TO HELP SUPPORT TRADITIONAL AND NON- TRADITIONAL STUDENTS IN THE POST-PANDEMIC?
THE PANDEMIC CAUSED BY THE RECENT WINTER STORMS HAVE FURTHER EXPOSED BARRIERS AND INEQUITIES THAT OUR COMMUNITIES FACE.
THE REALITY IS THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY HARD ON AN OVERALL STRATEGIC PLAN TO ATTRACT STUDENTS AND OUR RECRUITMENT AND ATTENTION ARM OF ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT HAS DEVELOPED A TARGET POPULATION PLAYBOOK.
THAT PLAYBOOK IDENTIFIES MULTIPLE POPULATIONS AND THEIR UNIQUE OUTREACH AND RECRUITMENT STRATEGIES FOR CE AND CREDIT PROGRAMS. THIS NEW ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE WILL HELP DALLAS COLLEGE MAKE DELIBERATE CONNECTIONS WITH K-12 AND HIGHER ED PARTNERS FAITH-BASED AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH ORGANIZATIONS, CHARTER SCHOOLS AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS TO REACH ENGAGE PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS THAT WE MIGHT NOT HAVE REACHED BEFORE OR WHO BECAUSE OF THE CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES ARE NOT THINKING OF HIGHER EDUCATION AS AN OPTION.
ANOTHER VITAL COMPONENT TO OUR NEW ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE IS A FOCUS ON RETENTION OR RECOVERY EFFORTS.
TO ENGAGE STUDENTS WHO HAVE DROPPED OUT ALTOGETHER.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO FULFILLING THE PROMISE TO THE STUDENTS AND HELPING THEM COME BACK TO DALLAS COLLEGE TO COMPLETE THEIR CREDENTIALS.
YOU WILL BE HEARING MORE ABOUT OUR EFFORTS AND WE WILL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN SUPPORT THOSE STUDENTS WHO HAVE QUITE FRANKLY BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ECONOMY AND COVID.
>> DR. JUSTIN LONON: THANK YOU.
YOU RECENTLY SHARED WITH EVERYONE SOME GOOD NEWS REGARDING THE SACS VISIT.
CAN YOU TELL US WHAT THE NEXT STEPS ARE WITH THAT VISIT?
>> DR. JOE MAY: YES, SURE, HAPPY TO SHARE HERE I'M ALWAYS HAPPY TO SHARE GOOD NEWS INVOLVING SACS.
WE APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S HARD WORK.
AS A REMINDER, LAST JUNE, JUNE 12 TO BE EXACT SACS BOARD APPROVED THE CONSOLIDATION AND CREATION OF DALLAS COLLEGE.
IT MADE IT OFFICIAL AT THAT POINT.
BUT THEY DID REQUIRE A CHANGE AS A RESULT TO THAT AND A VISIT WHICH OCCURRED FEBRUARY 8-10.
NORMALLY OBVIOUSLY ALL OF YOU HAVE BEEN ON CAMPUS AND THERE WAS CERTAINLY A LOT OF HOOPLA ABOUT THAT.
THE VIRTUAL VISIT WAS SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT FOR ALL OF US BUT WE DID HAVE 18 MEMBERS JOIN US.
AS WELL AS THE SACS THAT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COLLEGE.
WE HAD THE PRESIDENT, FACULTY, ADMINISTRATORS, STUDENTS WITH CONVERSATIONS ABOUT EVERY ASPECT OF WHAT WE ARE DOING.
AND I HAVE TO SAY, RARELY DO I SMILE BROADLY WHEN SACS ISSUES THE REPORT.
WHEN THEY SAID THERE ARE NO RECOMMENDATIONS, HAVE TO ADMIT, THAT WAS EXCITING NEWS TO HEAR.
EXCITING NEWS FOR DALLAS COLLEGE.
THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE A YEAR OR 18 MONTHS OF WORK.
WE MET REQUIRED CRITERIA TO BECOME A SINGLE INSTITUTION.
THIS MEANS THAT INSTEAD OF HAVING TO WAIT TO GO BEFORE THE SACS BOARD SAY DECEMBER
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OR A LATER DATE, WE GO BEFORE THEM IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR.THAT IS TAKING CARE OF AND FINALIZING GOING FORWARD.
AND REALLY DELIGHTED ABOUT THAT.
THAT IT IS GOING TO ALLOW US TO REALLY FOCUS ON OUR LEVEL CHANGE.
WHICH, MOVING TO THE DEGREE WHICH WE WILL THEN VISIT ROUGHLY AROUND THE END OF JANUARY FIRST THROUGH FEBRUARY 2022.
AND THAT HAS OTHER IMPLICATIONS FOR US AS WE LOOK TO THE FUTURE.
WE WILL BE TALKING MORE ABOUT THAT WITH EVERYONE.
KIND OF A REMINDER ON THAT FRONT WE ACTUALLY HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO OFFER THREE BACCALAUREATE DEGREES.
WE HAVE ONE UP AND RUNNING AND WE WILL START TO TALK ABOUT OTHERS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THANKS DANIELLE VALLEY AND HER WORK AS THE LIAISON IN THIS PROCESS.
THERE'S TOO MANY TO THANK HERE.
AND FRANKLY, THE APPRECIATION OF OUR STUDENTS WHO REALLY SOLD IT TO THE TEAM.
WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE SUCH A GREAT GROUP OF STUDENTS HERE AT THE COLLEGE.
>> DR. JUSTIN LONON: DR. MAY LET ME STICK WITH YOU FOR A MOMENT.
IT IS HUGE TO GET PAST THE HURDLE AS FAR AS TRANSFORMATION AND REORGANIZATION OF DALLAS COLLEGE.
THE TRANSFORMATION IS ONGOING.
HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ON THAT OF HOW THE REBUILDING AND PUTTING NEW TEAMS TOGETHER AND SOME OF THAT PROCESS.
SOME EMPLOYEES HAVE EXPRESSED A SENSE OF LOSS DUE TO THE STAFFING CHANGES.
CAN YOU SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND PERSPECTIVE ON THAT?
I HAVE TO TELL YOU I'M GOING TO BE HONEST.
SOME OF IT WE DIDN'T FULLY ANTICIPATE.
I DON'T THINK I FULLY APPRECIATED THE EXTENT OF THE DUPLICATION IN MANY AREAS WITHIN DALLAS COLLEGE.
THAT IS WE GOT INTO THE PROCESS, LOOKING AT IT AND HOW DO WE BEST MEET THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS AND EMPLOYERS GOING FORWARD.
WHAT KIND OF STAFFING DO WE NEED TO HAVE IN PLACE TO SERVE THAT? IT RESULTED IN SOME CHANGES.
JUST TO SAY I CONTINUE TO MONITOR THAT DAILY.
WITH AN EYE TOWARDS EQUITY IN THE PROCESS.
MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE KEEPING IN PLACE THE TYPES OF INSTITUTIONAL MEMORY THAT WE NEED TO SERVE STUDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
BUT ALSO, I SHARE THAT SENSE, WE HATE TO LOSE ANYTHING IN THE PROCESS.
WE ARE WORKING DILIGENTLY AND THANKS TO SHERRI AND HER TEAM IN THE LEADERSHIP AS WE GO THROUGH IT TO MANAGE THAT AS BEST AS WE CAN.
BUT AS WE GO FORWARD IT DOES CREATE A CHALLENGE.
ONE OF WHICH I HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND IS DIFFICULT FOR ME AND DIFFICULT FOUR OTHERS AS WELL.
IT IS ONE THAT WE ARE WORKING THROUGH AND I APPRECIATE ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE HELPING US WORK THROUGH THIS TOGETHER.
>> DR. JUSTIN LONON: SHERRI, A SIMILAR QUESTION ON THIS TOPIC OF THE REORGANIZATION AND A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS AROUND THAT.
WHERE ARE WE IN TERMS OF THE ORGANIZATION AND DO WE HAVE AN IDEA OF WHEN WE WILL COMPLETE THE PROCESS AND WITH THE STATEMENT THAT SOME EMPLOYEES ARE PRETTY CONCERNED ABOUT THE TIME AND IT IS TAXING ON THEM AS WE GO THROUGH IT.
>> SHERRI ENRIGHT: THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.
THESE TYPES OF THINGS CAN NEVER HAPPEN QUICKLY ENOUGH.
BECAUSE OF THE ANXIETY THAT WAITING THROUGH THE PROCESS SOMETIMES BRINGS.
[00:35:06]
I WILL TELL YOU THAT WE STARTED WITH THE TALENT POOL ABOUT 10 MONTHS AGO.WITHIN THOSE WE HAD 520 POSITIONS POSTED.
WE HAVE ACTUALLY DONE QUITE A LOT TO GET THAT STRUCTURE UP AND RUNNING ALTHOUGH IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MOVE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
OF THOSE 500 WE HAD 298 FILLED DOMINANTLY INTERNALLY.
WE ARE SEEING THAT STRUCTURE COME INTO PLACE.
WE HAVE MOST LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN PLACE AND WE ARE NOW MOVING DOWN THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION'S.
OBVIOUSLY, WE WOULD ALL LIKE THAT PROCESS COMPLETED SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.
BUT, WE HAVE A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE STILL WORKING THROUGH SOME OF THEIR STRUCTURES.
I ANTICIPATE THAT OVER THE NEXT 3 TO 6 MONTHS WE WILL BE PRETTY CLOSE TO FINALIZING OUR NEW STRUCTURE AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
DON'T QUOTE ME, AS THE PROCESSES DO TEND TO MOVE A LITTLE SLOWER.
PLEASE BEAR WITH US AND BE PATIENT AS WE CONTINUE TO ROLL OUT THESE TELE-POOLS AND NEW POSITIONS.
>> DR. JUSTIN LONON: SHERRI, WE'VE ALSO HAD SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EXIT PROCESS FOR IMPACTED EMPLOYEES AND THE QUESTION REALLY IS CAN YOU TALK US THROUGH THAT AS A PROCESS FOR THOSE THAT MAY BE IMPACTED AND WHAT THEIR OPTIONS ARE AND WHAT STEPS THERE ARE FOR THEM?
>> SHERRI ENRIGHT: ABSOLUTELY.
AS DR. MAY SAID THIS IS NOT AN EASY SITUATION IN HAVING THESE DISCUSSIONS AND MAKING THESE MOVES.
IN SOME WAYS IT WOULD BE EASIER IF WE COULD DO THEM ALL AT ONCE BECAUSE I DO KNOW THAT PROLONGING SOME OF THOSE DISCUSSIONS CREATES ADDITIONAL ANXIETY.
BUT UNFORTUNATELY, GIVEN THE WAY THAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH THE REORGANIZATION IT IS JUST NOT POSSIBLE.
WE ARE WORKING ON A FUNCTION BY FUNCTION BASIS AND SOME STATE AREA WITH IN THE AREA OF THE FUNCTION.
THE PROCESS IS ONCE THE AREA HAS GONE THROUGH A REORGANIZATION AND GONE THROUGH THEIR TALENT POOL AND SELECTED THEIR NEW POSITIONS.
IT COULD BE AS DISCREET AS AN AREA OR MORE BROADLY TO A POSITION WIDE TYPE OF THING.
IT IS AT THAT POINT THAT WE MAKE THE DETERMINATION AS TO WHICH EMPLOYEES WILL BE IMPACTED.
I GET QUESTIONS EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE LIKE THIS BECAUSE I DO THIS JOB WHEN IS MY LAST DAY? IT IS NOT THAT SIMPLE.
WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE ENTIRETY OF THE ORGANIZATION AT THAT POINT.
ONCE WE MAKE THAT DETERMINATION THE EMPLOYEES ARE NOTIFIED IN PERSON.
THEY RECEIVED THE INFORMATION REGARDING WHEN THEIR LAST DAY IS, INFORMATION OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM THROUGH THE CONSOLIDATION PLAN AS FAR AS OUTPLACEMENT BENEFITS AND EDUCATIONAL PLAN, THE SEVERANCE THAT IS AVAILABLE TO THEM.
TYPICALLY WHEN THEY ARE NOTIFIED THAT WILL BE THEIR LAST DAY BUT GENERALLY THEY ARE PAID THROUGH THE END OF THAT MONTH AND THEN ASSUMING SEVERANCE DOCUMENTS ARE SIGNED AND THE APPROPRIATE PAPERWORK IS SUBMITTED THE SEVERANCE BEGINS AFTER THAT.
WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE IT AS CONCISE AS POSSIBLE.
UNFORTUNATELY, THESE THINGS DO SOMETIMES DRAG OUT A LITTLE BIT LONGER THAN WE WOULD LIKE.
>> DR. JUSTIN LONON: LET ME ASK ONE OF THE QUESTION TO YOU, SHERRI ABOUT WELCOME ASSISTANCE.
WE KNOW THEY'VE DONE AMAZING WORK AS THEY HAVE BEEN ON CAMPUS WHEN THERE HAVE BEEN TWO OTHER FOLKS AROUND.
THE QUESTION IS ABOUT THE FUTURE WELCOME ASSISTANCE ONCE WE TRANSITION BACK TO FACE-TO-FACE OPERATIONS.
>> SHERRI ENRIGHT: I CANNOT CONCUR MORE.
A HUGE KUDO TO OUR WELCOME ASSISTANCE THAT HAVE PLAYED A CRITICAL ROLE AS WE WORK THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND RETURN TO CAMPUSES.
WE CONTINUE TO UTILIZE THE PLAN IS TO CONTINUE TO UTILIZE THE WELCOME ASSISTANCE TO BRING OUR EMPLOYEES BACK.
THE PANDEMIC, WHILE WE ARE MAKING STRIDES, WILL BE WITH US FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
WE WILL BE CONTINUING, FOR INSTANCE, TO MONITOR AND TRACK WHO IS ON OUR CAMPUSES, WHEN THEY ARE WITHIN THE BUILDING TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE ARE WE
[00:40:05]
PROVIDING GENTLE NUDGING ON WEARING MASKS AND NOT CONGREGATING? ALSO WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF SECURING ANOTHER APPLICATION THAT WILL WORK SIMILAR TO THE APPIAN APP THAT WORKS WITH THE CAMPUSES AND THE WELCOME ASSISTANCE WILL BE IN TRICKLE IN ASSISTING WHAT THAT TRANSITION IS AS WELL.THE PLAN FOR THE NEAR FUTURE IS THAT THAT ROLE WILL CONTINUE AND WILL PLAY A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE AS WE COME BACK TO THE CAMPUSES.
>> DR. JOE MAY: JUSTIN, IF I CAN MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT THE WELCOME ASSISTANCE I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU ARE DOING.
I DON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE OUT THERE ABOUT ONE OF YOU SENT A LETTER TO ME THAT I FOUND VERY INSIGHTFUL AND DEEPLY APPRECIATED THE COMMUNICATION.
AS YOU DESCRIBE STUDENTS COMING ON CAMPUS HOW BADLY THEY NEED US.
WHY ARE WE COMING BACK? PART OF IT IS IT HAS BECOME CLEAR AS STUDENTS OUT OF FRUSTRATION SOMETIMES CAN'T GET A HOLD OF PEOPLE.
THEY SHOW UP AT OUR CAMPUSES AND THE WELCOME ASSISTANCE ARE SPENDING 30 MINUTES SOMETIMES WITH THEM.
HELPING TO SORT OUT THEIR PROBLEMS. IT ISN'T WHAT WE INTENDED THEM TO DO, BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE ON-SITE, THE FIRST PERSON THAT ANYONE SEES WHEN THEY COME IN THE DOOR, ALONG WITH HELPING WITH THE APP IN THE HEALTH AND SAFETY THEY ARE A VALUABLE RESOURCE FOR OUR STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY.
>> DR. JUSTIN LONON: THANK YOU.
LET ME TURN BACK TO YOU DR. FLOYD A SIMILAR QUESTION ABOUT IMPACT.
CAN YOU ANTICIPATE ANY ADDITIONAL IMPACTS ON ADJUNCT FACULTY AND TUTORS?
>> DR. SHAWNDA FLOYD: THANK YOU JUSTIN.
THIS COMES TO AN AREA OF TUTORING AND LEARNING COMMENTS THAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT.
THIS AREA HAS CONTINUED TO PERFORM AND SUPPORT OUR STUDENT.
IT IS IN A WEEK THAT GOES BY THAT I DON'T RECEIVE POSITIVE COMMENTARY FROM EITHER FACULTY OR STUDENTS ABOUT OUR TUTORS AND OUR TUTORING CENTERS ACROSS DALLAS COLLEGE.
I WANTED TO PULL SOME INFORMATION AND DATA TO SHARE.
OVER THE COURSE OF MARCH THROUGH DECEMBER 2020 THERE WERE 19,000 ONLINE TUTORING APPOINTMENTS.
THAT MEANS OUR TUTORS WERE DIRECTLY SUPPORTING THOSE STUDENTS.
THEY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN FACE-TO-FACE SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC IN TERMS OF DEVICE LOAN PICKUP, VOLUNTEERING TO MONITOR COMPUTER LAB SPACE, LIBRARY CONSULTATIONS, LAPTOP CURBSIDE PICKUP.
OUR TUTORS HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY ENGAGED WITH THE STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.
I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE AND REDESIGN OF TUTORING UNDER THE AREA OF LEARNING COMMENTS.
I'M NOT SURE IF EVERYONE CAUGHT THE EMAIL THAT CAME OUT FROM DOCTOR GREG MORRIS.
THIS AREA FALLS UNDER HIS PURVIEW.
WE HAVE A NEW DEAN COMING IN WHO HAS AN EXPANSIVE BACKGROUND AND I AM EXTREMELY EXCITED ABOUT THE WORK THAT THE TUTORS HAVE BEEN DOING.
THE WORK IS HONESTLY IN SUPPORT OF THE STUDENTS.
A BIG THANK YOU TO THE TUTORS.
EVEN THE STATISTICS COMING IN, WE HAVE 20 OF THEM VOLUNTEERING TODAY AND TOMORROW TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAYS.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THEY WANTED TO DO.
THEY REALIZE THAT THIS IS TIME THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE SET ASIDE FOR THEIR OWN DEVELOPMENT.
THEY WERE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT STUDENTS AND LOSS OF SUPPORT DURING THE WINTER
[00:45:02]
STORM.I TRULY LOOK FORWARD TO AN EXPANSIVE ROLE UNDER THE NEW LEADERSHIP WITH THE NEW DEAN AND I LOOK FORWARD TO LEARNING HOW TO MAKE THIS A MORE VIBRANT AREA THAT PROVIDES TO STUDENTS IN MULTIPLE WAYS.
AS FAR AS THE ADJUNCTS, THEY CONTINUE TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE AT DALLAS COLLEGE.
THEY ARE USED TO GETTING ASSIGNMENTS AT THE LAST MINUTE.
ADJUNCTS, WE RELY ON THEM HEAVILY.
WE ALSO HAVE TO LOOK AT OUR ENROLLMENT.
WE ARE CONSTANTLY LOOKING AT THEM TO BE THERE TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS AND COURSEWORK.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF BOTH OF THESE EMPLOYEE GROUPS AT DALLAS COLLEGE.
>> DR. JUSTIN LONON: THANK YOU.
DR. FLOYD LET ME STICK WITH YOU.
WE HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION THAT IS REFERENCING A NEW POLICY THAT WILL ASSIGN AN EQUAL NUMBER OF COURSES FOR FACULTY COLLEGE WIDE.
SOME EMPLOYEES SAY IT WOULD CAUSE INEQUITY BY LIMITING FACULTY MEMBERS ABILITY TO TAKE ON ADDITIONAL COURSES.
CAN YOU SHED SOME LIGHT ON THIS?
>> DR. SHAWNDA FLOYD: THIS COMES IN A DIFFERENT FORMAT AS WE HAVE A NEW COLLEGE DESIGN.
THEY ARE SUBMITTING THEIR PREFERENCES FOR TEACHING WHICH SAYS THE DAYS AND TIME THAT THEY WOULD PREFER TO TEACH CLASSES AND WHICH COURSES THEY ARE.
THE CURRENT MODEL THOSE PREFERENCES WILL BE COMPLETED AND THEN REVIEWED BY DEPARTMENT CHAIRS AND DEANS.
I SAY BOTH BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE HAVE SOME GAPS AS WE CONTINUE TO FILL LEADERSHIP BUT IT WILL BE REVIEWED BY THE LEADERSHIP AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
THEN THEY WILL START TO FILL THE COURSE ASSIGNMENTS.
ASSIGNMENTS ARE ALWAYS PROVIDED BASED ON ENROLLMENT.
AS ENROLLMENT FLUCTUATES THE DEPARTMENT CHAIR AND DEANS WORK CLOSELY WITH THE FACULTY MEMBERS AND ACADEMIC SCHEDULE TEAM TO ENSURE FACULTY REQUESTS ARE FILLED.
I HAVE TO UNDERSCORE THAT WE ALWAYS LOOK FOR OUR FIRST OBLIGATION TO ENSURE THAT ALL FACULTY WITHIN A DISCIPLINE HAVE THEIR TEACHING LOAD BEFORE HE BEGAN TO PRIORITIZE EXTRA SERVICE.
THAT IS OUR PROCESS AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO ENGAGE IN THE PROCESS AS ASSIGNING CLASSES GOING FORWARD.
>> DR. JUSTIN LONON: THANK YOU.
SHERRI, LET ME TURN BACK TO YOU.
WE HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS REGARDING THE RETURN TO WORK.
FIRST IS THE REMOTE WORK AGREEMENTS.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW AN EMPLOYEE CAN EXPRESS THE NEED TO CONTINUE TO WORK REMOTELY AND HOW LONG THE PROCESS TAKES AND WHEN THEY CAN TAKE LEAVE?
>> SHERRI ENRIGHT: THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION, JUSTIN.
YOU KNOW THE INABILITY TO RETURN TO WORK AND REMOTE WORK PROCESS THROUGHOUT OF THE PANDEMIC.
AND, THE NEED AS WE DID START RETURNING TO OUR CAMPUSES TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WERE CERTAIN HIGH-RISK POPULATIONS AND WHAT NOT.
SO, WE HAD THE PROGRAM INITIALLY FOR THE FALL SEMESTER 2020 FOR THE SPRING SEMESTER OF 2021 WE DID REVISE THE PROGRAM.
THE DEADLINES FOR SUBMITTING THE INABILITY TO RETURN TO WORK AND REMOTE WORK AGREEMENT HAVE PASSED FOR THE SPRING OF 2021.
THOSE SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN IN PROCESS AND IF THEY ARE NOT THEY WILL BE FINALIZED VERY QUICKLY.
IT IS OUR PLAN TO NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH THE INABILITY TO RETURN TO WORK PROGRAM AND AS IT CURRENTLY STANDS AT THE END OF THE SPRING SEMESTER, SUBSEQUENT TO THAT WE WILL BE RELYING UPON OUR EXISTING TELECOMMUTING POSSIBILITIES AND THE ACCOMMODATIONS THROUGH THE AMERICAN WITH DISABILITY ACT AND AT THAT POINT WE BELIEVE THAT THEIR JOB IS CAPABLE OF LEARNING REMOTELY ENDS OUR TELECOMMUTING PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND WORK WITH THEIR SUPERVISOR ON THAT.
OR IF IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR THEM TO RETURN TO WORK WE WILL LOOK AT WHAT KINDS OF LEADS THEY HAVE AVAILABLE.
AS WE TALKED ABOUT TODAY WE SEE THE NUMBERS CONTINUING TO DECLINE AND AS THE PROGRAM WAS REALLY PUT IN PLACE DUE IN LARGE PART TO THE PANDEMIC AND WINDING DOWN THE PROGRAM AND RETURNING TO THE NORMAL PRACTICES WITH RESPECT TO REMOTE WORK.
>> DR. JUSTIN LONON: THANK YOU SHERRI.
I HAVE A LIVE QUESTION THAT CAME IN AND THE QUESTION IS, I'M NOT SURE WHY I UNDERSTAND WHY SOME HIGH RISK EMPLOYEES ARE CONTINUING TO BE ALLOWED TO WORK FROM HOME WHILE OTHERS ARE RETURNING TO CAMPUS.
CAN YOU TELL ME THE DIFFERENCE?
>> SHERRI ENRIGHT: THIS WAS A VOLUNTARY SUBMISSION PROGRAM.
IF THE PERSON WAS IN A HIGH RISK CATEGORY THEY COULD COMPLETE AND IT INABILITY TO RETURN TO WORK REQUESTS.
THERE WAS THE DOCUMENTATION THAT THERE WAS IN A HIGH RISK CATEGORY AND THE REMOTE WORK AGREEMENT BY WORKING INTERACTIVELY WITH THEIR SUPERVISOR THEY COULD COME UP WITH A PLAN THAT WAS CAPABLE FOR REMOTE WORK AND PERFORMING.
IF SOMEONE IS COMING BACK THAT IS PERCEIVED TO BE AT A HIGH RISK CATEGORY IT COULD BE THAT THEY THEMSELVES DID NOT SUBMIT AN INABILITY TO RETURN TO WORK.
OR THEY DID NOT SUBMIT THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION THROUGH THE MEDICAL SIDE OR THEIR REMOTE WORK AGREEMENT.
THERE'S REALLY NO OTHER DIFFERENCE.
YOU'RE NOT CHECKING INTO THINGS IN TERMS OF TRYING TO IDENTIFY HIGH-RISK POPULATIONS AND SAY YOU CAN'T COME TO WORK IT'S A PROGRAM THAT WAS AFFORDED TO THOSE WHO COULD SUPPORT THE APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTATION.
[00:50:02]
>> DR. JUSTIN LONON: DR. JOSEPH ONE OF THE LIVE QUESTIONS THAT CAME IN IS CAN YOU CLARIFY THAT WE ARE BACK ON CAMPUS MARCH ONE WITH TEAM A? FACE-TO-FACE APPOINTMENTS WILL NOT RETURN UNTIL MARCH 8 WITH TEAM B?
>> DR. BEATRIZ JOSEPH: THAT'S CORRECT.
WE WILL SEND COMMUNICATION TO STUDENTS MARCH ONE TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY CAN START MAKING APPOINTMENTS.
THE APPOINTMENTS WILL NOT START UNTIL MARCH 8.
AS YOU KNOW BECAUSE OF THE WINTER STORM WE LOST A WEEK IN WHICH WE WERE TO HAVE LEADERSHIP ON CAMPUS THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO ORGANIZE AND STAY AWAY FOR A FEW WEEKS.
TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE EVERYTHING IN PLACE AGAIN, STUDENTS WILL GET NOTIFIED MARCH ONE AND THE ABILITY TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS STARTING THE WEEK OF MARCH 8.
>> DR. JUSTIN LONON: THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION.
DR. MAY, IS THE GOAL FOR DALLAS COLLEGE TO MOVE AWAY FROM OUR ORIGINAL MISSION OF OFFERING ASSOCIATE DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES TO THE VARIOUS DUTIES WE SERVE THAT RELY ON THIS ORIGINAL MISSION AND VISION FOR THE COLLEGE?
>> DR. JOE MAY: THAT IS AN IMPORTANT QUESTION.
IN FACT, THE REASON WHY WE ARE OFFERING THE BACCALAUREATE DEGREES IS TO SOLVE REAL WORKFORCE ISSUES THAT ARE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WE FOCUSED ON EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM INITIALLY BECAUSE OF THE IMMENSE SHORTAGE OF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.
I MET WITH SUPERINTENDENTS TO UNDERSTAND THEIR NEED AND I REALIZE THAT AT THAT TIME THERE WERE 4000 EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHERS SHORT OF WHAT WE NEEDED IN DALLAS COUNTY.
WE ACTUALLY OFFERED UP TO THE UNIVERSITIES THE CHANCE TO FILL THAT NEED AND THEY DECLINED.
FEELING AN OBLIGATION AS THE INSTITUTION IS REALLY CHARGED WITH SUPPORTING THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS, EMPLOYERS IN OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
IT REALLY FELL ON OUR SHOULDERS TO OFFER THE SOLUTION IN THE SOLUTION WAS TO OFFER A BACCALAUREATE IN EARLY EDUCATION.
THE SECOND, WE ARE PROVIDED BY LAW AS A CHANCE TO DO A BACHELOR OR SCIENCE DEGREE IN NURSING.
WE HAVE NOT MOVED FORWARD WITH THAT AS WE ARE GOING THROUGH IT WE ARE ANALYZING IT.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT WITH NURSES THERE IS A SHORTAGE THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE AND WE WILL BE MAKING THAT DETERMINATION.
I REALLY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE POLICIES, PROCEDURES, PRACTICES IN PLACE.
AND FRANKLY, THE ABILITY TO SUPPORT THE NEED OF A BACCALAUREATE.
WE HAVE ONE MORE THAT IS GRANTED IN LAW THAT IS A BACHELOR OF APPLIED SCIENCE OR BACHELOR OF APPLIED TECHNOLOGY.
BY DEFINITION, BOTH OF THOSE MUST BE AIMED TO SOLVE A WORKFORCE PROBLEM.
THE SAME MISSION THAT WE WERE CREATED AS DALLAS COLLEGE.
LIKE PART OF OUR MISSION IS NONCREDIT, PART OF OUR MISSION IS CREDIT AND PART OF OUR MISSION GOING FORWARD IS BACCALAUREATE.
THAT'S IT WE WERE HERE TO DO WAS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF INDIVIDUALS, EMPLOYERS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WE ARE OWNING THAT.
WE ARE NOT PUTTING UP BLINDERS AND SAYING NO JUST BECAUSE OF THE WORKFORCE PROBLEM.
AND THAT NO ONE ELSE WILL SOLVE IT.
IT'S JUST GOING TO GO UNSOLVED.
THE ANSWER IS WE OWN IT AND WE WELCOME UP WITH A SOLUTION.
WE ONLY HAVE TIME FOR A FEW MORE QUESTIONS.
THE NEXT ONE, DR. MAY, I KNOW THAT DR. JOSEPH WILL BE LISTENING TO INTENTLY IS THE UPDATE FOR THE SEARCH OF THE PRESIDENT OF MOUNTAIN VIEW.
>> DR. JOE MAY: OBVIOUSLY, COVID OCCURRED THERE.
WE WERE ALL SET HAD THE COMMITTEE IN PLACE LAST FALL.
HE HAD A SLATE OF GREAT CANDIDATES FOR THAT AND AS WE HAVE SEEN IN OTHER SEARCHES, SUDDENLY PEOPLE STARTED FALLING OUT OF THE SEARCH AS A RESULT OF COVID.
AND THE HEALTH ISSUES THEY WERE FACING AS A RESULT TO THAT.
BOTH ON A PERSONAL LEVEL AND ON A FAMILY LEVEL AS WELL.
I HAVE MET WITH THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS PRIMARILY OF THE SEARCH COMMITTEE .
WE HAVE A GREAT INTERNAL GROUP.
[00:55:03]
WE WILL BE LOOKING TO FILL THIS IMPORTANT POSITION.IN MANY WAYS, THE PRESIDENT OF OUR CAMPUS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.
I, REALLY HAVING SPENT THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS IN AUSTIN AT THE LEGISLATURE, IN REALIZING AND THE TEAM HAS TALKED ABOUT THIS OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS.
WE NEED TO STEP UP OUR ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIP IN MANY AREAS.
FOLKS ARE FEELING A LITTLE NEGLECTED OUT THERE.
HAVING THAT CAMPUS PRESIDENT TO REALLY MEET THE BRIDGE BETWEEN THE CAMPUS AND OUR COMMUNITY IS MORE IMPORTANT TODAY THAN EVER.
WE SEE DRAMATIC CHANGES OCCURRING IN THE WORKFORCE AS A RESULT OF COVID.
MANY OF THESE WILL BE PERMANENT CHANGES FOR WHICH WE ARE THE ONLY SOLUTION TO HELP MEET THOSE NEEDS.
WE ARE MOVING FORWARD ON THAT.
WE HAD TO GO OUT FOR A FEW MORE IN THE POOL SO IN MARCH WE WILL REALLY START THAT PROCESS.
DR. FLOYD WE'VE HAD MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT GRADUATION.
>> DR. SHAWNDA FLOYD: WE HAVE BEEN THINKING AND WE'VE HAD DISCUSSIONS AND WE ARE ACTIVELY WORKING AS A TEAM TO DISCUSS GRADUATION.
WE WERE VERY PLEASED WITH THE VIRTUAL GRADUATION HAD LAST YEAR.
WANT TO EXPLORE ALL OPTIONS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A CELEBRATION FOR OUR STUDENTS AND IS WORTHY OF THE MILESTONES THAT THEY ARE STEPPING THROUGH TO EARN THEIR DEGREE.
WE HOPE TO HAVE UPDATES SHORTLY BUT WE ARE IN ACTIVE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT GRADUATION.
>> DR. JUSTIN LONON: THANK YOU.
FINAL QUESTION TO YOU, DR. MAY.
THIS MONTH MARKS OR SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY AS CHANCELLOR OF DALLAS COLLEGE.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AS YOU WRAP US UP WHAT THIS ANNIVERSARY MEANS TO YOU.
WE HAVE SUCH AN AMAZING GROUP OF FACULTY THAT I HAVE LOVED ENGAGING WITH AND HELPING TO WORK WITH TO SOLVE PROBLEMS. STAFF AND LEADERSHIP, OUR BOARD HAS PROVIDED INCREDIBLE SUPPORT.
AS I THOUGHT ABOUT IT, AND LAYING IT OUT, I REALIZED SEVEN YEARS AGO THAT WE HAD MANY NEEDS.
TO LOOK AT IT NOW WHEN WE PASSED THE $1.4 BILLION BOND, WE ARE BENEFITING FROM THAT AND IT HASN'T BEEN OUT BUT IT WILL.
WE TALKED ABOUT THAT ALREADY THE AUTHORITY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF INDIVIDUALS, EMPLOYERS, AND IN THE COMMUNITY WITH A LEVEL OF CHANGE TO BACCALAUREATE DEGREES WHICH IS EXCITING OF COURSE.
THE WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE TO CREATE DALLAS COLLEGE WITH OUR STUDENTS.
THEY ARE ALREADY BENEFITING FROM AND ARE EXPRESSING IMMENSE APPRECIATION FOR.
LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE IT IS A TEAM EFFORT INTERNALLY BUT ALSO EXTERNALLY.
I AM JUST PROUD TO BE A PART OF A GREAT COMMUNITY BOTH INTERNALLY, EXTERNALLY AND REALLY SOLVING OUR COMMUNITIES PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES.
IN DOING EXACTLY WHAT DALLAS COLLEGE WAS CREATED TO DO.
WE MUST ALL BE PROUD OF THE IMPACT THAT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE WITH OUR COMMUNITY.
>> DR. JUSTIN LONON: GREAT, THANK YOU.
AS I SAID THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR QUESTIONS TODAY, WE APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S QUESTIONS.
WE HAVE 3000 PEOPLE JOINING US TODAY AND I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THE PANELISTS TAKING TIME TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.
I KNOW THERE ARE A COUPLE OF LIVE QUESTIONS THAT WE DIDN'T GET TO.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO UPDATE THOSE.
DR. MAY I AM GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO YOU FOR SOME FINAL THOUGHTS.
>> DR. JOE MAY: THANK YOU JUSTIN AND THANK YOU TO ALL THE LEADERSHIP WHO WAS PART OF THE PANEL TODAY.
I APPRECIATE YOU SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS.
I HOPE YOU ALL FOUND TODAY MEANINGFUL.
I REALIZE THERE ARE STILL QUESTIONS WE HAVE TO ANSWER AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO HELP COMMUNICATE THAT IN A WAY THAT ADDRESSES BOTH THE ISSUES AND CONCERNS BUT ALSO, THE FEEDBACK ABOUT WHAT WE NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT AND DOING.
I REFERENCED A LETTER THAT I RECEIVED EARLIER AND I HAVE SEVERAL EMAILS FOR FOLKS WHO ARE SHARING THEIR OBSERVATIONS ON WHAT STUDENTS NEED AND HOW WE CAN BE MORE HELP WILL.
WE NEED ALL OF US EVERY DAY REALLY FOCUSED ON SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS IN EACH OTHER AS WELL.
YOU ARE DOING THAT AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE WORK THAT WE ARE DOING.
THIS IS NOT A TIME TO TAKE RISKS.
[01:00:05]
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE SERVE THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY.ALSO ENGAGED IN THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAYS.
THAT'S COMING UP ON THE NEXT SESSION AT 11:15.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.