August is an exciting month at Southwestern College because it signals the beginning of the fall semester. It is a time when students and faculty are returning to campus. Faculty return to prepare lessons for their students, and students are working toward their future.
Classes—with a few exceptions—will be held entirely online again this semester. We recognize the challenges of online learning and have come face-to-face with the digital disparities many of our students face, including the lack of technology and internet access necessary to succeed in this online learning environment.
We have been able to partner with generous donors and leverage existing resources at Southwestern College to address these needs. This summer we distributed 300 free computer devices to students (adding to the more than 1,000 we distributed in the spring). We also expanded our wi-fi coverage into a designated parking lot so students could have drive-up access to free internet services. The fall will bring more students and more needs, and our amazing Foundation is already planning innovative ways to raise more funding to support student success.
Southwestern College faculty have spent spring and summer participating in focused professional development around distance education. Faculty understand that online learning is not ideal for all students, and they care deeply about our student’s achievement and well-being. As a result, the number of faculty enrolling in our distance education certification has risen exponentially since the pandemic.
Faculty who have enrolled in the certification program have committed to five weeks of preparing lessons that are engaging and comply with all requirements to ensure accessibility for any student learning need. This semester they will also have assistance from five online learning center trainers. These trainers are colleague mentors who have expertise in lesson design and implementation. I am confident that our faculty are among the most prepared to continue offering an excellent education to all enrolled students during this time.
Our students continue to demonstrate their resiliency. Many students struggle with basic needs such as food and shelter, yet they find the strength to register and take classes each semester. For the past four years, student-centered college employees have built a system of care for our students, including food pantries, community housing partnerships, a professional clothing closet and emergency grants. This system of care is a true testament to the dedication of our employees towards our student’s success. I am proud to announce that, with the support of our Governing Board, the Cares system of support will be institutionalized with the creation of a new full-time Basic Needs Coordinator position.
The Governing Board of the college continues to demonstrate Southwestern College’s values of equity, inclusion and student success through their governance. At their August 11 meeting, the Governing Board approved two significant resolutions supporting legislation on the November ballot.
Proposition 15: The California Schools and Local Communities Funding Act of 2020. We are supporting efforts to close the loopholes that allow large commercial properties to be exempt from paying their fair share of taxes to support schools, cities, parks, libraries and health and human services. The passage of this proposition would deliver nearly $500 million annually to
California community colleges.
•Proposition 16: Assembly Constitutional Amendment 5 would repeal Proposition 209 that prohibits Affirmative Action. The reintroduction of Affirmative Action will expand employment and advancement opportunities to many of our employees and members of this community.
We hope you, our community members, will continue to partner with Southwestern College – your community college. Together, we will begin this unprecedented fall semester fully committed to supporting student success knowing that their success is also their family’s and our community’s success.
Dr. Kindred Murillo is superintendent/president of Southwestern College.
