Readers' survey

PC News:
news@pcmail.maricopa.edu

Email:
corina.gardea@pcmail.maricopa.edu

Phone:
602-285-7433

Visit us on the Web:
www.phoenixcollege.edu

1. Comparison Enrollment Figures for Summer I 2003/04
2. Associate Director of NREMT Presents at PC
3. Results of 2004 Legislature
4. PC ACE Fundraiser a Great Success
5. Community Colleges Respond to Regents' Plan

Our total Headcount number increased by 6.2 percent.  Great job to everyone involved in this process!

2.   Rob Wagoner, Associate Director for the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) presented at a meeting hosted by Phoenix College EMT/FSC and the Arizona Dept of Health Services, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (ADHS BEMS).  Wagoner shared the vision of the Registry and its historical role in certification of EMTs at all levels to protect the public.  The NREMT exam, taken by students who successfully complete EMT104 Basic Emergency Technology, is the qualifying exam that allows EMTs to function in pre-hospital medicine in Arizona.   The Registry oversees the certification examination in 44 states.  Wagoner also presented the future plans of Computer Adaptive Testing and reported that Arizona is above the national standard for paramedic certification, largely due to the most successful paramedic program - Phoenix College EMT/FSC. 

Paramedic skills testing involves 12 standard stations.  Sixty-eight percent (68%) of paramedic test takers in Arizona pass the test on the first attempt.  The national average is 38%.

Additionally, Victor Dominguez, Central Region Coordinator for ADHS BEMS also visited the facility, faculty and staff and concurred with Mr. Wagoner's comments.

3.  Thanks to the efforts of many, community colleges statewide received full growth funding. This equates out to an extra $15.3 million statewide and $6.7 million for Maricopa over last year’s funding levels. Dual enrollment, ABE, and Family Literacy were also fully funded.

The last bill voted on was HB 2601 - community college cleanup.  This bill contained all of the cleanup language needed due to the elimination of the state board of community colleges. 

It also contained lease provisions that lifted the 15-year limitation on leases between community colleges and Indian tribes, the federal government, the Williams-Gateway authority, or involve real property that is owned by a nongovernmental nonprofit corporation and that is offered for lease in an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars per year to a community college district for purposes of expanding health care education programs. 

4.  The  ACE Golf Tournament Fundraiser was a great success.  The event raised more than $3,700 for scholarships and 56 players participated in the tournament. Dr. Larry Christiansen of Mesa Community College led the winning team. 

This event was a wonderful success thanks to a dedicated group of people.  I would like to give a special thank you to Frank Luna and his staff, the Golf Tournament Planning Committee, including: Ken Mattern, Dick and Patty Norton, Mike Vialpando, Bob Howell, Jitter McDannold and Lori Bayless.  I also want to recognize and thank Coach Ron Wolfley and NFL star Harvey Williams for their participation in the event.  An extra special thank you goes to the tournament sponsors, First Financial Education Centre, Bill Johnson’s Big Apple Restaurant and Villa de Paz Golf Course.

5.  On June 3, 2004 the Arizona Board of Regents held a study session to discuss the proposed redesign of the university system. 

The plan as proposed falls short in meeting the needs of urban and rural communities.  The Arizona Association of Community Colleges (ACCA) would like to pursue a model that is community based, focused on workforce and economic development.

ACCA agrees with the need for a statewide strategic plan for highter education; however, any discussion of higher education policy must include Arizona's community college system as an equal partner in the feasibility study, decision-making process and implementation plan. 

Look for more updates as this proposal progresses.