Notes from the President to the Board of Trustees, March 13, 1998

The March 13, 1998 Notes from the President begins with a summary of legislative news as the legislature winds down. A meeting occurred with representratives Steve Conway and Gigi Talcott on February 26. A WACTC Meeting from February 25-27 saw awards given to the All Washington Academic Team in the Capitol Rotunda on February 25. Representative Pat Lantz greeted TCC Students. Senator Valoria Loveland addresses Washington Residents on the Capital Debt Forgiveness Bill (SB 5098). Capital budget requests for the 1999-2001 biennium were being reviewed and the college had a project on the renovation list. Early in February, Pamela Transue, President of Tacoma Community College, attended the Women Community College CEO's Meeting. Sessions worthy of mention include "Authenticity in Leadership," and a session on the nature of power and powerlessness, and how concomitants of victimhood and oppression can lead to the genesis of hate crimes. On February 7-10 Doctor Transue attended the ACE annual meeting in San Francisco. A February 4 City Club Speech in Tacoma was held at the University of Puget Sound. President Transue attended a meeting in Seattle of the Northwest Association of Schools and COlleges, to provide an update on new accreditation standards. The Capital Visions Task Force has met with the Tsang Partnership to help with the concept of pattern language. The Diversity Council met on February 19 to discuss topics surrounding diverse candidate pools. The devaluation of currency in Asian countries led students to experience tremendous difficulty in their ability to complete their academic year, during the International Student Crisis. Projected Revenues from the Running Start and International Student Union tuition was higher than expected, leading to equipment purchases. On February 13, President Transue had meetings with community members, including the Executive Director of the Port of Tacoma, the President of Pierce College, a Port Commissioner, and staff from the downtown center. A recent management forum saw several ideas emerge. February 18 saw the college hold a banquet attended by people connected to TCC. Tacoma Public Library has a "Day of Rememebrance" event to introduce a new book by retired TCC faculty member Ron Magden. The title of the book was Furusato, and it focused on the experience of the Japanese American community in Tacoma, particularly during the internment period. On February 20, The Black Student Union invited President Transue to make the openng remarks at the homecoming event, entitled "Reaching into the Past as we Soar into the Future." Board Chair Alberta Canada has been chosen as the commencement speaker for the year. A School Counselors Meeting on February 19 saw Doctor Transue making the opening remarks to a meeting of the community and technical colleges from across the state of Washington. On February 22, President Transue attende a reception at the house of Dick McCormick, President of the University of Washington. President Transue attended a News Tribune Reception. The Year 2000 issue is being addressed and an aggressive replacement policy is being considered. On March 13, President Transue plans to attend the Pierce County CEO Meeting. Faculty positions in Art and Political Science are in the process of being filled. The Board awarded Tenure. "Get Acquainted" Sessions are continuing and the President continues to seek ideas and opinions regarding the college. President Transue takes time to recognize an exemplary student diagnosed with a terminal illness. Faculty Achievement Awards recognize innovation and were presented on February 23. President Transue is asked to serve as a member of the Study Commission on the Arts in the 21st Century. A TCC Choir Concert with the TCC Singers and the TCC Voices gave a concert on March 10. TCC Future Focus - Second all-campus meeting of Future Focus was held March 9, and time was used to develop a values and vision statement for the college.