Palomar College

The College Council conducted a meeting where they approved updates to several Board Policies related to governing board member activities, compensation, health benefits, education, and orientation. The council also approved governance structure revisions for the Benefits Committee and the ECCC. Discussion topics included faculty hiring prioritization, recommendations from the Governance Evaluation Task Force regarding council structures, and a review of the draft vision, mission, and values statements. Furthermore, reports were provided by various planning councils and constituent groups, covering topics such as accreditation reporting, enrollment and budget concerns, staffing shortages, and collective bargaining activities.

The council discussed updates from various committees and campus departments, including progress on website accessibility, accreditation steering committee status, and community outreach efforts. Key discussions involved the planning of upcoming AI literacy workshops, professional learning events, and the review of the college's Benefits Committee and ECCC governance structures. The meeting also addressed the district's search for a new benefits broker and ongoing strategic web improvements.

The council reviewed and recommended moving the updated Accessibility Statement to the College Council for further action. Members discussed strategies for institutional embedding, onboarding integration, and establishing clear support pathways. Additionally, the council evaluated its membership and subcommittee structure, focusing on improving alignment with council goals, communication, and reporting accountability. Reports were received from various subcommittees, including updates on faculty hiring, new program development recommendations, and progress on the Student Equity Plan. The meeting also included announcements regarding various campus programs, resource center roles, and upcoming student achievement celebrations.

The council reviewed and approved the Student Journey Enrollment to Completion Ad Hoc Committee's call center recommendation and the Budget Committee's recommendation. Standing reports were provided regarding the Accreditation Steering Committee's upcoming annual report, the Budget Committee's focus on enrollment trends and fiscal stewardship, and the Program Review and Resource Allocation Committee's progress on resource request prioritization and fund reallocation. Additionally, the council discussed preparations for an upcoming town hall meeting concerning enrollment, budget impacts, and growth initiatives, and reviewed progress on the council's goals.

The meeting included discussions on current enrollment data, updates on faculty hiring prioritization for Fall 2026, and a presentation on the expanded services and role of the Career Center. An update was provided on a website cleanup and accessibility campaign aimed at improving digital accessibility and quality assurance. Participants engaged in an exercise focused on developing accelerated career training and college preparation programs, exploring ways to reduce financial barriers for students through non-credit options and certification vouchers. Additionally, information was shared regarding the launch of a new consolidated help center system for support requests, alongside various departmental project announcements, including library exhibitions, international events, and the reopening of the planetarium.