Heather Aguailar

The 2025-2028 Ventura College Student Equity Plan Executive Summary outlines the college's ambitious course for equity, building on past successes and aligning with the Educational Master Plan 2024-2030 and Vision 2030. The plan focuses on five key equity metrics: Successful Enrollment, Completion of Transfer-Level Math and English, Persistence, Completion, and Transfer. It identifies Black students, Hispanic male students, and low-income working adults as Intensive Focus Populations. By embedding racial equity into its institutional practices, policies, and culture, Ventura College aims to eliminate equity gaps and create an environment where all students, particularly those disproportionately impacted, can fully realize their goals through continuous improvement.

The Classified Senate meeting commenced with an adjustment to the agenda to prioritize reports due to committee conflicts. Public comment included a presentation on Institutional Equity & Effectiveness, prompting discussion regarding budget cuts and enrollment status. The Senate discussed the Treasurer's Report, noting deposits from fundraising activities and scheduling the New Classified Professional Orientation & Summer Bash. Reports concerning the Board of Trustees mentioned the relocation of the DAC and the approval of Resolution 2017.01 supporting the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, with anticipation of a new Chancellor announcement. The DCAP reported completion of the VCCCD Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives 2016-2019 and sought guidance on an accreditation recommendation concerning student learning outcomes assessment. The College Planning Council (CPC) approved the Education Master Plan and the Proposed Comprehensive Program Review Process. Additionally, the CPC approved the District Decision Making Handbook, which now formally includes the 9+1 for Classified Professionals. The meeting concluded with announcements regarding declining state rankings, calls for committee volunteers, and a union report.

The agenda for the Classified Senate meeting included administrative items such as the Call to Order, Adoption of the Agenda, and selection of an Interim Classified Senate Secretary. Key discussion and action items involved receiving reports from the Treasurer and various committees, including the Board of Trustees and SEIU updates. Significant topics included providing feedback on the Making Recommendations Document, discussion on changing the due date for Program Review Classified Hiring Prioritization, and the selection of a Classified Tri-Chair for the CPC. Additionally, updates on Guided Pathways and upcoming Professional Development opportunities were scheduled.

The meeting focused on the review and editing of the Student Equity and Success Advisory Committee (SEAS) Charge, which outlines its responsibility for strengthening equity outcomes and student success through assessment and implementation aligned with the college's plans. Discussions included defining leadership structures and memberships. Key action items involved a call to action regarding expanding counselor and staff participation through a formal letter and proposal, and planning Spring Semester workgroup meeting times to continue Action Plan Implementation. Workgroup updates covered completion and transfer strategies, including using targeted email and text messages to encourage students to create educational plans, and retention/persistence efforts involving outreach calls to students who had not registered for the spring semester. The Access & Enrollment group reported challenges with the overall onboarding process, noting that issues often stem from district-level processes. The committee also planned the timeline and structure for drafting the next Student Equity Plan (SEP) 2025-2028, aiming to establish an author team by February 1st.

The meeting focused primarily on the Student Equity and Success Advisory Committee (SEAS) charge, membership confirmation for the participatory governance handbook, and planning for the Student Equity Plan (SEP). Key discussions included defining the committee's role in strengthening equity outcomes, confirming the tri-chair structure, and addressing sensitive issues regarding counselor participation in workgroups, with a call for executive leadership to explore creative solutions like campus service days. Workgroup updates included the launch of an outreach phone call campaign to first-term men of color not registered for spring. Significant time was dedicated to establishing a timeline and structure for drafting the new SEP, including proposing an intermediary writing group, coordinating with Institutional Effectiveness on data analysis for populations of focus, and aiming to present input to the board in June.