SBCC — The Bridge — Drop in international and out-of-state students for Fall amid COVID-19 pandemic

by Community Contributor • July 20, 2020 • Comments Off

Santa Barbara City College’s Community Newsletter

JULY 2020

Superintendent/President Utpal Goswami

Drop in international and out-of-state students for Fall amid COVID-19 pandemic

SBCC is bracing for a roughly 30 percent decline in non-California resident enrollment, especially students from outside the United States according to Superintendent/President Utpal Goswami. He offered his remarks during a virtual event titled “COVID Conversations” presented by the SBCC Foundation on July 16. In addition to enrollment trends, he discussed the college budget for the 2020-21 academic year. Read more…

SBCC rated in top 10 of best online colleges once again

The Optimal Guide to Online Schools is the latest education group to rate SBCC among the top 10 best California community colleges to earn an online associate degree or certificate. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted higher education to an unprecedented extent, prompting many students to rethink the traditional model of education and consider the benefits and safety of pursuing an online degree. Read more…

SBCC will play entire sports calendar in Spring 2021

There will be no sports in the Fall at SBCC as the governing body of community college athletics in California voted to move all its intercollegiate sports for the 2020-21 school year to the Spring season. The Board of Directors of the California Community College Athletic Association overwhelmingly approved implementation of its Contingency Plan on July 9. Read more…

SBCC Promise continues to draw students despite COVID-19

Hundreds of local high school graduates have already signed up to begin their secondary education this Fall at SBCC through the SBCC Promise program. The SBCC Foundation launched the SBCC Promise program in 2016, offering two years’ worth of tuition, fees, books and supplies for qualifying students. Read more…

Office of Communications wins top awards for public relations and marketing

When the Community College Public Relations Organization (CCPRO) held its annual awards ceremony on June 10 – a virtual watch party via Zoom this year – SBCC walked away with three first place awards, two second place awards and one third place award. SBCC’s Office of Communications has a long history of being recognized for its efforts. Read more…

Rotary Club of Montecito gives scholarships to SBCC students

In partnership with the SBCC Foundation, Rotary Club of Montecito and its supporting foundation have awarded ten $1,250 scholarships to high-performing SBCC vocational and career technology students. Rotary Club of Montecito has long prioritized education as a key area of focus by providing financial support to ensure Santa Barbara’s local youth can maximize their potential. Read more…

SBCC alum doing great things as grade school teacher

Former EOPS and Running Start student Omar Espinosa is now a teacher at Cleveland Elementary School. Upon receiving a grant from the Santa Barbara Education Foundation, he purchased cameras for his students and started a club and film program. The cameras allow his students to learn by capturing things they experience and then creating short videos — all while simultaneously learning about literacy and other subjects.

SBCC Monday Madness Jazz Orchestra goes virtual

Looking for a way to keep the band playing during this trying time and to keep spirits up for all who love music, SBCC’s Monday Madness Jazz Orchestra has been busy putting together the Virtual Jazz Orchestra Project. Their first effort was Count Basie’s “Splanky,” written and arranged by Neal Hefti. Watch the YouTube video of their performance…

SBCC Foundation hosts COVID Conversations

The SBCC Foundation is hosting a series of virtual gatherings, COVID Conversations: How SBCC is Meeting the Moment. These 45-minute Zoom get-togethers feature updates from leaders of various campus departments and programs on how they are adapting to the challenges brought about by COVID-19, followed by a Q&A.

Conversations between June 4 and July 16 included:

The Art & Science of Embracing Distance Learning, presented by SBCC’s Biological Sciences Professor Blake Barron and Art Professor Joy Kunz.
Adult Ed: How the School of Extended Learning Has Kept Our Community & Businesses Connected During COVID-19, presented by Melissa Moreno, SBCC Vice President, School of Extended Learning.
Cosmetology in the Time of COVID, presented by Cosmetology Academy Chair Michelle Puailoa and Esthetics Lead Instructor Jamie Muse Toste.
Child Care – Not Just Surviving, but Thriving During COVID-19, presented by longtime director of SBCC’s Orfalea Early Learning Center, Beth Rizo.
SBCC Superintendent/President, Utpal Goswami provided updates on COVID-19’s continuing impact on higher education, plans for the fall semester, and the college’s budget for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Click here for registration information for future conversations and links to recorded sessions when they become available.

Registration for Fall 2020

Fall registration for credit courses is now open, whether you are looking to earn an associate degree, certificate or transfer to a four-year university. Based on recent guidance provided by the state, county and Centers for Disease Control, a substantial majority of courses will be conducted online. A few selected classes may be offered face-to-face, but circumstances are subject to change.

View the Fall schedule…

School of Extended Learning registration now open

SBCC’s School of Extended Learning offers classes for the entire community, whether you are looking to learn English as a Second Language, earn a GED, enjoy life enrichment classes and so much more.

Visit the School of Extended Learning website…

Upcoming SBCC Board of Trustees Meeting – August 13

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, and in compliance with the Governor’s Executive Orders N-29-20 and N-33-20, the Board has temporarily suspended physical meetings. To watch via livestream, you can find the link after 1 p.m. on the day of the meeting posted on SBCC Official social media channels:
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedInThe Board meeting will be captioned and if there are any other accommodations required, contact jtuazon@pipeline.sbcc.edu by 4:00 p.m. of the day before the Board meeting. The agenda for Board meetings can be found at least 72 hours prior to the meeting on the Board webpage. Past meetings can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/user/SBCCBoardofTrustees.