I hope this letter finds you enjoying the pleasures of the summer season.  Our college community has been quite active this summer, and we are extremely pleased to report that the campus has been buzzing with double digit increases in student headcounts and FTES! While we are fast at work preparing for the 2008-09 academic year, we are also taking advantage of the planning opportunities afforded by the summer season.  

Our architectural award-winning Student Center is open and servicing students – the new facility is innovative and harmonious, and will be such a great asset to our students.  In addition to the services it houses, we are extremely proud of the three open spaces that have been developed: the plaza for large student functions, a gathering area shaded by a grove of trees for small gatherings and an intimate deck area overlooking the grand lawn.  I’m sure you will be as delighted with this new facility. 

Our nearly 90,000 square foot Communication Arts Building opened for classes in Spring 2008 and although it is large, it has a beauty and grace to the layout that is very inviting.

Thanks to the strong commitment of our Governing Board and Chancellor to increase the number of full-time faculty, the college is hiring eight faculty members – six in the instructional area and two in counseling. In addition, several classified staff positions are being filled to provide support in our new facilities.   

This academic year will be a significant one for the college, as we continue to advance activities to implement our College’s Strategic Plan. Providing leadership, as we move into the next chapter of Cuyamaca College’s advancement, are the members of our Academic and Classified Senates.  We welcome to the Academic Senate both returning and newly elected officers: Michael Wangler, President; , Vice President; Tim Pagaard, Full-Time Officer-at-Large; Lauren Halsted, Part-Time Senator-at-Large; and Judy Campbell, Part-Time Officer-at-Large. We welcome our Classified Representatives: Maggie Gonzales Vice President; Shari Ball,Member-at-Large, and elected senators - Sharron Hamlett, Diane Kew, and Patricia Bailey. As well, we welcome our new ASCC Officers: Bobby Carino, President; Charles Taylor III, Student Trustee; Angel Yoursif, Executive Vice President; Frank Al-Shamas, Treasurer; Monique Benitez, Evening Vice President; and Autumm Recktenwald, Secretary. 

Please join me and the leaders of our Academic and Classified Senates for the opening Fall Convocation on Wednesday, August 20^th.   The Convocation will begin with a continental breakfast from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. in the Student Center followed by the formal program at 9:00 a.m.

Welcome to the fall semester!

Sincerely,