Rio Hondo College: A Past Practice Doesn't Make it A Good Practice

"That's they way we have done it" is a typical statement used to justify not following a written rule, procedure or policy.
Recently, on Friday, March 8, 2019 I sat on the Special Awards Committee, BP 1500 that states that "by March 1, a committee composed of the Superintendent/President of the college, the president of the Board of Trustees, the president of the Academic Senate, and the president of the Associated Students" will meet to recommend a Fellow of the College.

Two issues arose quickly; 1) the committee is meeting beyond the March 1 deadline and 2) where is staff(csea)? Staff are excluded on the committee by policy. I could not turn the other cheek and ignore the two serious issues for expediency. Rio Hondo College is government, a branch of the State of California and designed to be locally governed to represent local communities. This is a serious responsibility which the people and communities we represent demand transparency and accountability. How could I look the other way and say "well..that's the way we've done it for years". Responsible government requires us to follow our own rules and policy.

Board Policy 1500 has existed since 1977 and renewed in 2014.

So, in discussing it with the committee we had two choices: 1) not have a Fellow this year or 2) changed the date for the committee and add staff to committee. We choose number two. We agreed at making two small amendments that are temporary so we can consider the fellow yet understanding that this policy needs a comprehensive review after graduation. We made our amendments and "referred" (or committed) our amendments to the Planning and Fiscal Council for "review". Under Robert's Rules of Order the process to refer or commit gives you two choices: 1) refer without any specific direction leaving it open or 2) refer with the question (amendments) put forward for review. Choice number two is specific directions to the referred committee (PFC). The direction is that the Special Awards Committee proposes to make a temporary and small amendment to allow it to recommend a fellow to the board by changing its meeting deadline prescribed by BP 1500 and add staff to committee.

The policy overall is inconsistent and not cohesive. A summary of issues with the policy includes:

1) the Special Awards Committee for the Fellow's deadline is too restrictive.

2) Staff (csea) are excluded from the Special Awards Committee for the Fellow in gross violation of shared governance.

3) The nomination form for Fellow and Distinguish Service is not compliant with the policy and misleading.

4) Distinguished Service Award does not state that the Awards Committee, whom recommends the Fellow, also recommends the Distinguished Service Award but it does in practice. No committee exist for this award.

5) There is no deadline for Distinguished Service Award and can be awarded anytime.

6) Policy states that the Distinguished Service Award recipient must be "member of the Rio Hondo Community College District" which is a resident requirement but rarely has this been followed.

7) We do not have a staff (CSEA) award bestowed by the District. As it exist in policy, the "Classified Employee Award" is a state award that staff recommends a nominee and the Board endorses.

8) The deadline is the state deadline which all the above must occur by March 10. No nominee has been forwarded.

9) The Distinguish Faculty Award does have a nomination deadline of "third Friday in February".

10) The "Selection Process" for the Faculty award contains two sub-committees: 1) Academic Senate and 2) Superintendent/President of the college, the president of the Board of Trustees, the president of the Academic Senate, and the president of the Associated Students to "affirm" the first committees choice. This year (2019), the first committee has forwarded a nominee to the board, however, skipped the second sub committee. Policy not followed.

My intent, is to hold Rio Hondo accountable to its established policies. We need to follow policy or change it. The idea that "that's the way we do it here" contrary to policy is unacceptable. Yes, people say that questioning how we've done things, out of policy compliance, creates a "toxic environment". What I've learned and observed is that the stalwarts of bad practices react toxic stating the the questions are toxic. What is right?

RIO GATEWAY PLAZA: an Intermodal Transportation Center & Park at Rio Hondo College.

The time has come. The time to change the culture of the means by which we get to Rio Hondo College through bus, bike, walking, rideshare and equine (yes, horse).

I would like to introduce you to"Rio Gateway Plaza" an Intermodal Transportation Center and Park at Rio Hondo College. Located at the bottom of the hill, Rio Gateway Plaza becomes the welcome and transition to and from Rio Hondo from vaious points by alternative modes transportation.

We are going to change the culture of how we get to Rio Hondo College through “Alternative Modes of Transportation”.

The targeted alternative modes of transportation here are:

• Bus
• Bike
• Walking (Pedestrian)
• Rideshare/Carpool
• Equine (Yes, Horse)

Outside of a personal automobile, getting to Rio Hondo College hasn’t been easy or convenient. Rio Hondo’s geographic (dis) location makes it a challenge for students, staff and faculty to even consider alternative means of transportation that is convenient.

In these days of heighten environmental conscious, we want to encourage alternative modes of transportation but the fact is that if it’s not convenient it probably not going to happen.

As a former Rio Hondo student, I walked, rode the bus, bummed rides or rode my bike to Rio (before it was stolen). Back then, busses stopped running after 8:30-9:00pm so if you were enrolled in evening courses, which ended at 9:50 pm, you were screwed.

Walking is an adventure, especially at night, when you have to walk in the street most of the way (no sidewalks), with partial to no light, and through a cemetery. It’s just not safe.

Biking remains an unsafe journey as most, if not all, bike lanes, paths and routes from all directions stop about .5 miles short of the college rendering it a risk.

So, as you can see, getting to Rio Hondo College other than in a car is a bit discouraging. Those who walk, bike or ride the bus, especially students, brunt the challenge daily with little complaint. It’s no wonder they don’t go to Cerritos or Pasadena.

So, fast forward over decade, GoRio was finally adopted and implemented to encourage student bus ridership to Rio Hondo thereby increasing access and convenience. It took over ten years of advocacy, many board members and superintendents to realize (believe) the vision. The inspiration to develop and implement GoRio came from my experience as a student at Rio and at Sac State where the student government subsidized (all access) public transportation.

GoRio has always been an aspect of a larger vision whereby alternative modes of transportation are encouraged, supported, and instilled into the campus culture.

Brief outlines of the Components of Rio Gateway Plaza are:

1. Bus - GoRio
a. Curb Cut in Bus Stop for 2-3 buses (relieving back up traffic)
b. Shelter
c. Seating

2. Bike - BikeRio
a. Bike Station: Lockers/Cage
b. Special Access
c. Changing Room in restrooms (small bench)
d. Connecting/Creating bike paths from all directions to college
e. BikeRio Program

3. Walk/Pedestrian - WalkRio
a. Create/extend sidewalks to and from (in front of) Rio Hondo College
b. Increase walking pedestrian safety from all directions

4. Ride Share - RideshareRio
a. Safe and convenient Rideshare Drop off and Pick up Zone with connection to Rio Shuttle

5. Rio Shuttle Stop - RioConnect
a. Bottom Tier Stop
b. ADA Access from/to Bus stop
c. Seating
d. Shelter
e. Queuing (painted lines or rail)

6. Security/Safety
a. 24/7 Video surveillance
b. Periodic patrol
c. Blue light tower

7. Flag Poles
a. US Flag; State, RHC
b. Project Plaque

8. Landscaping
a. Native and drought tolerant plants
b. Trees
c. Gardens
d. Special Fundraising/Sponsor projects: Name Bricks, gardens, outdoor furniture

9. Amenities
a. Restrooms (changing room space)
b. Hydration station (filtered water)
c. Information Kiosk/Booth
d. Regional Map display cases
e. Outdoor Furniture (cement table/bench-chess, chaise, etc)
f. Recreation items (cement ping pong table)
g. Vending Machines
h. Wifi

Benefits of Rio Gateway Plaza:

• Increase economical means of access to Rio Hondo College
• American Disabilities Act compliance
• Encourages alternative means of transportation
• Reduce the demand for on-campus parking
• Provide a seamless transition from external transportation to the main campus
• Reduce carbon emissions
• Encourage fitness and healthy life styles
• Increase safety

What happens from here? The official roll-out begins to the campus community and the at-large district community through small informational presentations. The first of these roll oust will be to the Associated Students of Rio Hondo College, the Inter-Club Council and any other campus constituents who may allow a presentation.

Soon thereafter or in the interim, the Rio Plaza Advisory Committee will be formed and composed of the various campus constituent groups to provide initial feedback and suggestions.

Thereafter, a campus wide town hall will be conducted to formaly introduce the project to the greater whole.

Feedback and comments will be collected and incorporated from the Advisory Committee and the town hall which the college architects will submit plans to the Department of State Architect for approval.

Soon after state approval the project manager begins planning construction.

During this time, programming begins on the components with user groups and project staff (i.e. BikeRio, WalkRio, RideshareRio etc..).

Deserving Military Family

While sitting in Starbucks before Karate, I was crunching the numbers for our 6th Annual Summer Karate Camp at Mayberry Park and how many scholarships I'm going to award to students. Money is low and the demand high. A family of five girls walked in with their mother and sat in the couch across from me. They were so excited and chattering away about something. Then I heard, "mommy..is daddy going away again?" Mother, "yes". Then daddy walked in. A navy sailor and the kids crawled all over him. It was very heart wrenching. After their family time. I waited and approached them and offered the family of girls a scholarship to attend the Summer Camp. They were very happy and it turns out they live across the street from the park. Hope to see them soon. A deserving family. — at Starbucks.

Juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk at Mayberry Park

Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk at Mayberry Park Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 4:35 pm.

I really enjoy and appreciate observing these powerful and majestic raptors. It was a spiritual moment as I was walking in meditation and listening to Robert "Tree" Cody (AKA "Oou Kas Mah Qwet" or "Thunder Bear) and & Xavier Quijas Yxatol (track included below). Yeah yeah...i know it sounds cliché but true. I loved it.

He was obviously a Juvenile by his size, color, and the great risk he took to catch a mouse 7 feet in front of me in the middle of a park surrounded by humans. An adult would have not taken that risk.

Well..he snatched the mouse, he held it down clinching his powerful talons, ripped it open with his beek and then starred at me for 3 seconds and flew to a near by tree. He took off in less than a minute after realizing I was preying on him with my camera. I hope he's more careful next time.

Lobby Day January 2012 in Sacramento for Rio Hondo College

Lobby Day in State Capitol for Rio Hondo College. Legislative Agenda:

1) Support Balanced Approach to Budget n Support Temp Tax Initiative on Nov ballot.
2) OPPOSE cuts to CalWorks for transitional families that would eliminate students from a life of self sufficiency.
3) SUPPORT Increase in Course Offerings by allowing college to plan budgets in Jan not July if initiative passes
4) OPPOSE cuts n elimination if child-care sites at colleges that will devastate student families n child-care students.
5) OPPOSE cuts and increase of GPA for CalGrants that will eliminate over 240 students at Rio Hondo College.
6) SUPPORT Guarantee of tax n fee revenues in Budget.
And other issues.
7) Support Governors Temporary Tax Initiative on November Ballot.

at California State Capitol.

Temporary Tax Inititative on State Ballot in November

Sacramento,Jan.31, 2012: Community College League of California Endorses Governor’s Temporary Tax Measure

Following over $789 million in state funding cuts to community colleges over the last three years, the Community College League of California has endorsed Governor Jerry Brown’s proposal to increase the sales tax by 1/2 cent and increase marginal tax rates on high income earners temporarily to avoid even more devastating cuts. The unanimous position was taken by thirty-six members of the League’s policy boards representing chief executive officers and locally elected trustees from the League’s 72 district members.