Meeting Recap for October 14, 2014
President Susan Sheridan opened the meeting by recognizing Don Brown for donating the wine for the wine reception. She then introduced the head table which included three members being honored for their many years of membership: Nian Roberts (43), Tom Engel (31), and Dal Darraq (27). She also asked everyone to keep Doug Enoch in their thoughts as he recovers from a bad fall with serious complications. Doug is in ICU at UC Davis Trauma Center. Cards to his home would be welcomed.
President Susan then gave the podium to Amin Elmallah who introduced the day’s invocator, Rev. Alan Jones, who provided the opening prayer in which, among others, he prayed for all of those who were responsible for producing the food we were about to enjoy, preparing it, and cleaning up after we were done.
Sergeant-at-arms John Lemmon welcomed our honored guests. After some fellowship time President Susan called the meeting back to order to see if there were any “risk takers” in the audience, noting that she had changed her entry level giving from a “Chicken Out” to a “Bicyclist” in honor of the upcoming Sacramento Century event. Amin Elmallah got things going by donating $100 towards his Eddie Mulligan. Virginia Wade gave at the “White Water Rafting” level of $250 for the Sacramento Century event and Tom Engel became a “Bungee Jumper” at $1,000, followed in like succession by Mead Kibbey, Diane Woodruff and Past-President Beverly Brautigam for a grand total of $4,250 among them. Finally, Bob Rosenberg donated $150 towards his Paul Harris in support of bringing Major League Soccer to Sacramento.
President Susan was also happy to report that a total of 900 riders had already signed up for the event which was shaping up in fine form. Pam Saltenberger rose to continue to promote the Oktoberfest event following the bicycle ride. She was accompanied by Diane Woodruff and Diane Schachterle in dirndls to get everyone in the right spirit.
President Susan welcomed back Dr. Clarence Lee, who had just returned from active duty in Afghanistan. She thanked him for his service to our country as a U.S. Air Force Flight Surgeon. She also congratulated him on the birth of his son last week.
With that, President Susan then turned the podium over to Chair of the Day Diane Woodruff who introduced our speaker, Rotary Club of Sacramento member Dr. Brian King, Chancellor of the Los Rios Community College District.
Dr. King began by introducing the four colleges in the Los Rios Community College system and their founding dates: Sacramento City College (1916), American River College (1952), Consumnes River College (1971), and Folsom Lake College (2004). Collectively they serve over 77,000 students annually. It is the second largest community college system in California.
The standard model of higher education in California for the past 50 years or so has been the top 10% go to the UC system, the next 30% go to State College system, and everyone else goes to the Community College system. Dr. King said that mindset needs to change.
He then described what the “typical” Los Rios Community College student looks like. Only 18% are your typical 18 year old right out of high school. 63% are “low income,” 24% are half-time, 12% are full-time, 31% work full time while going to school, and 63% intend to transfer.
The biggest problem in recent years has been the effects of budget cuts coming out of the recent recession. Despite that, both degrees and certificates awarded during that period increased.
The major focus in higher education at the local, state and federal levels has been rate of completion, that is, how many students who start actually receive their degrees. Compared to other community college systems, Los Rios does very well. About 2/3 of college prepared students complete their degrees, while only 37% of those not college prepared do.
There is also an emphasis on understanding what a particular degree means in the way of earning potential. Los Rios Community Colleges has a “Salary Surfer” tool online which provides an estimate of what certain degree holders might earn before graduation, after graduation, and beyond.
After taking a few questions Dr. King thanked everyone for having him and President Susan expressed her thanks for his fine presentation.
With that she dismissed the membership admonishing everyone to remember to be “Good Rotarians!”