INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM HELD ON THE PRESCOTT CAMPUS FEBRUARY 27

By R. Oliphant
Thursday, February 28th, 2019

Prescott, Camp Verde, Prescott Valley, Wickenburg, and County discussed overview of projects that are prime for those areas

On February 27, 2019 Yavapai Community College was a co-sponsor of an investment and development forum held on the Prescott campus from 11 AM to 2:30 PM.

The program was presented by  Brion H. Crum, VP of Wealth Development, Caliber Companies; Daniel Lupien, Principal, Palmer Development Company; Adam Rutherford, CPA, Schutte & Hilgendorf, PLLC; Brett D. Siglin, member, Jennings Strouss Robert Witt, Founder, The Opportunity Zone Development Company, LLC.   It was moderated by Wendy Bridges from the City of Prescott.

The City of Prescott, Town of Camp Verde, Town of Prescott Valley, Town of Wickenburg, and Yavapai County did a rapid fire overview of their opportunity zones and the types of projects that are prime for those areas.  They also met with city and town officials and property owners within the various Yavapai County QOZs.

 

Categories : Economic Development

How to Do Business With Yavapai Community College and Beyond Conference Scheduled for March 1

By R. Oliphant
Sunday, February 24th, 2019

Free Conference (registration required) on Prescott campus for business owners in Yavapai County who want to do business with the Community College set up; no similar conference announced yet for East side of County

Members of the public who are interested in doing business with Yavapai Community College or the government in general are invited to attend a free conference Friday, March 1, on the Prescott Campus located at 1100 E. Sheldon St. The blog is unaware of a similar conference being scheduled for the east side of the County.

The March 1 morning session runs from 8:30 AM to 12 o’clock noon. The afternoon session runs from 1 PM to 4 PM. The event is being held on the Prescott Campus, building 3 – 119, 1100 E. Sheldon Ave., Prescott. Registration for the conference is required and you must register at eventbrite.com.

Yavapai Community College staff who are participating in the conference include: Sheri Denny, Sr. Procurement Specialist, Becky Goldsmith, Mail, Print & Distribution Manager, and Cassidy Grantham, Accounting Manager.

In a press release, the Community College states that “whether you are a business owner interested in doing business with the College or have had multi-year contracts with the College, this session is for you! We will start the conversation, introduce our staff, and explain the College’s current procurement processes and procedures, including dollar thresholds for different types of solicitations.”

The Community College also says that the afternoon session is “all about government contracting in general (beyond Yavapai College) and is sponsored by Yavapai College’s Small Business Administration Center and presented by the Arizona Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). This afternoon session is perfect for small business owners who know very little or nothing about government procurement. In addition, you will learn the ins-and-outs of maneuvering the world of government contracts at local, state, and federal levels.”

Categories : Event

DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD WORK SESSION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26

By R. Oliphant
Sunday, February 24th, 2019

Begins at 9 a.m. on Prescott Campus in the Rock House

The Yavapai Community College Governing Board will hold a work session beginning at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 26, 2019 in the Rock House, 1100 E. Sheldon St., Prescott. The public is invited to attend.  However, there will not be an opportunity for the public to address the Board on any topic at this work session. 

The agenda for the meeting had not appeared on the Board’s website as of Sunday morning. Agendas must contain information reasonably necessary to inform the public of the matters to be discussed or decided. A.R.S. § 38-431.09. Agendas must be available at least 24 hours before the meeting. A.R.S. § 38- 431.02(G).

The public has a right to attend, listen, tape record or videotape this particular meeting.  The public may not disrupt, or absent specific Board consent, speak at this meeting. See Ariz. Att’y Gen. Op. No. I78-001.

When the agenda is posted, you may view it by clicking on the following link and going to this page on the College web site.

Categories : Event

THE GROWING DEMAND IN THE SOLAR ENERGY FIELD OFFERS THE VERDE CAMPUS REAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES; WHY HASN’T A SOLAR FARM BEEN BUILT ON VACANT ACRES?

By R. Oliphant
Friday, February 22nd, 2019

With grant support, Verde Campus can build solar farm saving taxpayers thousands of dollars; it can also join other progressive community colleges nationally who are starting training students for the solar energy industry and developing solar technology labs

It’s time for Yavapai Community College to think outside the box in its development of the Verde campus on the East side of the County. With 80 acres of vacant land, one can only be puzzled by the failure of the Community College’s past administrations to seize the moment ago and begin developing a solar farm to provide electricity to that Campus and to be used as a training ground for solar technicians. There have been dozens of grant opportunities that it could have sought tout o pay for the farm and the training.  There remain many grant opportunities that could pay for it today.  

It seems pretty clear and with a solar farm, a career and technical education program on the Verde Campus could focus and begin to develop a workforce of solar energy technicians. There are already community colleges moving in this direction.

For example, in a  December 26, 2018 Community College Review article, it was reported that the  Kennebec Valley Community College in Maine has opened a solar heating and cooling Lab. The Community college was chosen by the U.S. Department of Energy ten years ago as one of nine regional resource and training locations nationwide. A new building was paid for in part by funds from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. Where was Yavapai college?

Another community college mentioned by the Community College Review offering solar thermal systems technician training is Arapahoe Community College in Colorado. The school features an Active Solar Thermal Systems Technician Certificate program to qualify students to work for solar systems dealers, installers or contractors. According to the college website, the program includes the following courses: Intro to Energy Technologies, Solar Thermal System Install, Field/Lab Experience (Capstone) Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems,  30-HR Construction Industry Standards. Piping Skills. These cover 19. credit hours.

The program correlates with the national standards set by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. This organization is currently in the process of creating a Solar Thermal Entry-Level Exam, which the community college plans to offer when it is available.

According to the Community College Review, the Salt Lake Community College offers training for instructors of solar photovoltaic and solar heating and cooling technologies. The Utah program is a partnership between the Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Program, Salt Lake Community College, Solar Energy International and the Utah Solar Energy Association.

Solar energy is the future and training is badly needed.  Wouldn’t it be great if Yavapai Community College began thinking outside the box and exploring how to prepare  some of its graduates for that eventuality on the Verde Campus.  Under its new leadership, I have hope that it will do just that.

Categories : Solar projects
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BLACK HISTORY MONTH FORUMS – POLICE VETERAN TO ADDRESS MINORITY MISTRUST AT PRESCOTT AND VERDE CAMPUS FORUMS

By R. Oliphant
Friday, February 22nd, 2019

Combined campus and community forum at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, in Building M, Room 137, at the Verde Valley Campus

In observance of Black History Month, the Yavapai Community College Respect Campaign, the City of Prescott and the Yavapai College Police Department invite community members to engage with someone who has been on the front lines of law enforcement and community conflicts. Furthermore, Col K.L. Williams, a 30-year police veteran and author of the book, “The Broken Badge,” is the moderator for Black History Month forums at the Prescott and Verde Valley campuses February  27 and February 28, respectively.

Williams, currently deputy police chief of Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA, will talk about how law enforcement can improve relationships in communities dealing with division and conflict. He also will talk to interested area residents about respectful discourse on polarizing topics.

A combined campus and community forum will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, February 28, in Building M, Room 137, at the Verde Valley Campus, 601 Black Hills Drive, Clarkdale.

On the Prescott Campus, there will be a talk with  students, faculty and staff at 1 p.m. Wednesday, February. 27, in the Community College’s Performing Arts Center, 1100 E. Sheldon Street.
A community forum will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, February. 27, in the YCPAC on the Prescott campus.

The community forums are free and all are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Andres, Brandelyn.andres@yc.edu.

Learn more about Williams and his efforts to build bridges between law enforcement and the community here: www.instituteofja.com.

Categories : Event

PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM EXAMINED IN DETAIL; COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES MAY OBTAIN TWO-YEAR DEGREE WITH MOST, IF NOT ALL, TUITION “FREE”

By R. Oliphant
Thursday, February 21st, 2019

College joins more than 200 other community colleges nation-wide in offering tuition free promise program to County residents

Yavapai Community College announced that it has initiated a tuition free scholarship program beginning in the fall 2019. In theory, every high school graduate seeking a two-year degree in Yavapai County could attend the Community College tuition free. The College goals driving the promise scholarship program are twofold: First, The College wants to increase its market for college bound students. Second, it wants to encourage students to complete and obtain a degree in a two-year period.

The new scholarship promise program has a specific  list of requirements. They include the following:

  1. Students who graduate from a Yavapai County high school (nowhere else), regardless of their grade point average, are eligible for the program. Persons completing a GED are also eligible.
  2. Students must complete their degree in two years, or the promise program will not apply to them. This means, according to the College, that they have the summer following graduation and the two years after that to take 60 credits and obtain their degree.
  3. Students must be “Pell eligible.” This means they must maintain a certain grade point average and take a minimum of six course credits per semester.
  4. The College noted that student tuition will in a large number of cases most likely be paid via a Pell grant. However, in those instances where the grant or scholarship fails to pay all of a student’s tuition, upon graduation the student will be reimbursed the out-of-pocket difference that was paid to the College. However, prior to graduation, the student must make up the difference. Graduation is a prerequisite.
  5. The program will only pay for 60 credits.
  6. The aviation program is excluded.
  7. Nursing students, many of whom are considered tier 3 students, will have to pay the college for the additional tuition between tier 2 and tier 3. That money is not reimbursable by the College.
  8. Students obtaining two-year certificates are not eligible for the program. This includes students in the career and technical education training program.

The 11 minute video clip produced by the Blog, which follows below, provides a detailed description of this program as it was outlined to the Community College Governing Board at its February meeting. The Community College is expected to provide greater details about the program before fall.

Categories : Scholarships

GOVERNING BOARD VOTES 3-2 TO INCREASE STUDENT TUITION ON COUNTY RESIDENTS

By R. Oliphant
Sunday, February 17th, 2019

Increase is a little over 4%; East County representatives say there is no need for increase given the surplus of funds in budget; declining market share

The Yavapai Community College Governing Board voted 3-2 to increase tuition a little over 4% at its meeting last Tuesday.  This follows a pattern followed by a majority on the Board where over the past decade tuition has been increased in some form every year and at a rate at least double that of  inflation.  The increase was opposed by the two members on the Board who represent the east side of Yavapai County.

The East-County representatives said that it was unnecessary to impose the increase on County residents this year because the College had failed to show there was an immediate need for funding.  They reminded the College that annually over the past several years it had reported a budgetary surplus in excess of $1 million dollars.  The College admitted that it anticipated a similar surplus this coming year. They concluded that given the annual surplus of funds anticipated in the coming budget,  there were more than sufficient funds to cover any cost increases incurred by the College for the next budgetary period.

They also argued that the College may be pricing itself out of the market despite what on the surface appears to be very reasonable tuition.  Paul Chevalier observed that in business when your product is not selling well, the last thing you do is increase the price.  He reminded the Board that over the past decade, the College has seen a steady decline in students seeking to take accredited courses.

Deb McCasland pointed out that the cost of attending college entails much more than tuition and that lower tuition meant more money for related living expenses.  The College generally agreed with Dr. Clint Ewell saying it costs a Yavapai Community College student at least $14,000 a year to attend if you include books, transportation and living expenses.  

You may view the arguments made by East-County representatives on the edited video clip below. You may view the entire Governing Board video and all the discussion by clicking here. 

Categories : Tuition

WEST COUNTY BOARD MEMBERS SHIVER AS CHEVALIER ASKS THAT PERCEIVED MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EAST AND WEST REPRESENTATIVES BE OPENLY DISCUSSED DURING BOARD REVIEW PERIOD OF MEETING

By R. Oliphant
Saturday, February 16th, 2019

West County members say they don’t want to discuss “history” and Chair refuses to go over the six specific areas contained in evaluation review document up for discussion; Chevalier seeks opportunity for Board to discuss how to achieve a consensus on difficult issues

Governing Board representative Paul Chevalier appeared to send shivers up and down the backs of the west-county voting bloc (Chair Ray Sigafoos, secretary Steve Irwin, member Pat McCarver) when he asked that they discuss the six-part self-evaluation the members had completed and included in the February agenda for “review.”  When he made the initial request, the Board fell silent with only Deb McCasland stating she agreed with Mr. Chevalier.

In his comments to the review compilation, Chevalier wrote that section 3.1.1.1 of the Board policy regarding proper notice that:

“A September, 2016 retreat action is a glaring example of failure to comply. Legal Counsel Adams, in the past, instructed this Board that `agendas must list specific matters to be discussed, considered or decided at the meeting. She defined ‘specific’ as follows: ‘Common sense test: Agendas must contain enough information reasonably necessary to inform the public of the matters to be discussed or decided.’ At the September Retreat the west side Board voted to suspend the Verde Valley Board Advisory Committee even though this was not a specific matter on the agenda. None of the following people were informed: The two Board representatives of the east side, the VVBAC members and the public in general. Ask any of them if you doubt me. As a result, Board member Filardo resigned.”

He also wrote that:

“At a Board meeting in 2016 the Board Chair refused the committee’s request to have the Board meet with it to discuss its recommendations. The Board Chair (at the time Pat McCarver) refusing the request stated publicly that she does not meet with committees.”

Sigafoos and McCarver both indicated that these incidents were past history and should not be discussed. Deb McCasland and Chevalier disagreed.

Chevalier went on to write that:

“The group is not a body that acts as a team. You have east side representatives and west side representatives. The west siders are the majority and, to the best of my knowledge, rarely accept important recommendations of the east siders. No compromise, no consensus and no sharing of Board leadership with the east siders is the majority practice. It needs to change.”

Chevalier pushed Chair Ray Sigafoos to find a way the Governing Board could discuss the issues he had raised.  He suggested a future retreat, workshop or meeting.  Sigafoos appeared reluctant to do so but eventually indicated he might.

You may view this unusual Board discussion on the video clip below.

 

Categories : Politics

McCASLAND AND CHEVALIER QUESTION AWARDING ALMOST $600,000 IN INSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS TO OUT-COUNTY ATHLETES

By R. Oliphant
Saturday, February 16th, 2019

Inappropriate use of taxpayer money as East County residents benefit little and taxpayers fund the scholarships; Sigafoos rules issue raised during scholarship discussion last Tuesday can only be decided when budget is discussed

East County Yavapai Community College Governing Board members Deb McCasland and Paul Chevalier questioned at the February meeting the use of almost $600,000 in merit scholarships going to the College athletic team members.  Chevalier pointed out that 90% of more of the athletes are not from Yavapai County.  (The College argued only 80% were from outside Yavapai County.) 

Chevalier argued he was not against scholarships but was against using County taxpayer funds to support significant scholarships for outside Yavapai  County athletes. He said that in fact he was for more scholarships for all students. 

Chair Ray Sigafoos ruled that the question of the awarding of scholarship funds to out-county athletes could be raised at a future budget meeting; it could not be raised as a part of the discussion of scholarships on the February agenda.

Below is a short video clip containing the arguments made by Deb McCasland and Paul Chevalier.

 

Categories : Scholarships

GOVERNING BOARD CHAIR SIGAFOOS REFUSES MCCASLAND’S REQUEST TO BE APPOINTED CO-LIAISON FOR BOARD TO FOUNDATION; ANOTHER EAST-COUNTY INSULT

By R. Oliphant
Friday, February 15th, 2019

To some, it appears Sigafoos is attempting to totally marginalize McCasland as a Board member; his effort also appears to have as its goal maintaining iron-fisted control of all Community College matters in the hands of the west-county voting bloc no matter how small

Recall that at the January session of the Community College Governing Board, the west-county representatives voted as a bloc to reject Deb McCasland as the Board secretary for the coming year.  Instead, they placed both the Chair and the Board secretary’s position in the hands of west-county representatives. McCasland had more experience and seniority as a Board member that Steve Irwin; however, she was rejected.

At the February meeting, representative Paul Chevalier wrote to the Board members of his concern over the fact the east-county had been shut out of any Board leadership positions for over a decade.  It is seems pretty clear after the February meeting that the west-county representatives cared little about his observation.

Also, at the February meeting, representative Deb McCasland made a request that she be appointed co-liaison for the Board to the College Community College Foundation. The Board liaison serves as the point of contact for information review, input, and approval prior to Board receipt. Board liaisons attend and participate in all meetings and conference calls of their assigned committees.

 Chair Sigafoos, who holds the sole power of appointment, said it was not possible to appoint McCasland.  Rather than appoint McCasland, who has a long history of working with the Foundation before retiring, he said he had two requests that the two members from the west side of the County remain.  (The Blog assumes the request came from west County representatives McCarver and Irwin who now are the two Board liaisons and sat with their mouths tight-lipped during this part of the meeting.) 

Rather than appoint McCasland because of her experience and seniority as a Board member, and relieve one of the existing members of the position, Sigafoos lamely explained that if he appointed McCasland he would have a quorum at the Foundation’s monthly meetings.  And he couldn’t do that. 

Sigafoos appeared to be heading toward appointing Paul Chevalier and relieving  McCasland of her current liaison position to the Arizona Association of Community College Trustees (AACCT). The AACCT, it should be noted, meets at most once or twice a year and is as lightweight of an appointment that you can get. When Chevalier refused the appointment, Sigafoos back-tracked and appointed McCasland.

It is suspected that Sigafoos wanted to leave McCasland with no liaison position at all so as to further marginalize her as a Governing Board member.

For those unaware, the Foundation meetings are viewed as major monthly social gatherings on the west side of the County with community leaders attending who reside primarily in Prescott and Prescott Valley.  It is often during these meetings and under the influence of these powerful west side civic leaders that the future course of Yavapai College is charted.  Persons like Board member Steve Irwin see the monthly meetings as a rare opportunity to develop contacts with community leaders that can no doubt help  his real estate business.

Because of the ruling by Sigafoos, McCasland is essentially barred from attending any Foundation meetings. 

Just another insult to the residents of the east side of Yavapai County.

You may view the discussion and ruling by Sigafoos on the video clip below.

 

Categories : GOVERNING BOARD
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