We hope this message finds you well and that you and your families are safe during this COVID-19 crisis. During our CCFC conference last year, we received feedback from some of our members requesting that future conferences not be scheduled on Veterans Day. While we enjoyed celebrating the service of our colleagues last year, and sharing personal stories of veterans who have touched our lives, the CCFC Board of Directors understands the importance of honoring this holiday and the contributions of the men and women who serve.

Unfortunately, we had already contracted for the 2020 conference dates before the 2019 conference. The 2020 conference will again be held over Veterans Day, November 11-13, 2020 at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas in Rancho Mirage, CA. This decision was made by the CCFC Board of Directors and staff based on the availability of the hotel to host our conference, and on the organization’s historical experience of holding past conferences on Veterans Day. The date cannot be changed for 2020 without great expense.

Going forward, we want to assure you that we will not schedule future conferences on Veterans Day. We have tentative dates reserved for 2021 that would meet this goal, and we are working to finalize contracts and secure the dates.

This November, we look forward to incorporating programming that celebrates our veterans and their connection to our community colleges. I want to give my heartfelt thanks to those of you, and your families and friends, who have sacrificed in service to our country.

We also recognize that the world is rapidly changing in response to COVID-19. We are evaluating options for the 2020 CCFC conference should the crisis and its effects extend into the fall. At this time, we are moving forward with planning for an in-person conference that features the elements that make for a robust experience: workshops and learning opportunities, the Trade Show, informative General Sessions, and more. You will hear from us in the coming weeks with opportunities to submit workshop proposals, assist in developing the educational program, and support the conference as a sponsor or exhibitor.

We will stay flexible and continue to do the important work that we do. I look forward to seeing you in November!

Regards,

William H. Duncan, IV

CCFC Chair

On Friday, April 3, the Chancellor’s Office released the 2020 Call Letter, requesting submission of state capital outlay project proposals and District 5-Year Construction Plans by August 1, 2020. This is a one-month extension of the typical deadline, in acknowledgement of the challenges districts are facing during the COVID-19 crisis. 

The Call Letter states that the following documents are due to the Chancellor’s Office by August 1, 2020:

The Call Letter addresses pending changes to the project proposal evaluation process. Beginning with the 2020-21 Spending Plan, which was approved by the Board of Governors last fall, the six former project categories A-F were collapsed into three categories: Category A – Life and Safety; Category G – Growth, and Category M – Modernization. The Chancellor’s Office also proposed changes to the scoring metrics to better align project criteria with efforts to improve student success. The scoring metrics proposal has been revised based on stakeholder feedback, and still requires approval by the Board of Governors. The Chancellor’s Office anticipates that new scoring metrics will apply to the 2023-24 Spending Plan and will not impact submission of this year’s 2022-23 Final Project Proposals.

Click here for the 2020 Call Letter.

Rebekah Cearley

CCFC Legislative Advocate