Cuyamaca College’s newest kids are on a mission.
College turns to goats to clear dry brush.
A herd of 275 baby and adult goats are grazing on 50 acres of dry
brush on the outskirts of the pastoral campus for the next six to eight weeks
to mitigate a fire risk.
Oblivious to TV cameras and a pair of drones hovering
overhead, the four-legged masticators -- docile and tolerant of curious humans
with their cellphone cameras – were officially introduced to the public Thursday.
“Using goats will mitigate environmental impact and ensure responsible use of public funds,” President Julianna Barnes said at the media day function, where she introduced the “Goat Guy,” Johnny Gonzales, herd manager with Environmental Land Management.
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| Grossmont's PVAC |
The watchdog agency graded 25 school and college districts with school construction bond programs for their transparency in providing information to the public, including posting of meeting agendas and minutes, project descriptions, progress updates, and annual reports by citizens’ bond oversight committees. In all, 17 districts received an A-, the top grade issued by the taxpayer group, which noted scores were slightly lower this year, a trend it attributed to the distraction of the coronavirus pandemic and a shifting of priorities.
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| Dr. Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh |
“I am leaving my post after 31 years of service in the California Community Colleges to spend more quality time with my wife,” Abu-Ghazaleh said in an announcement to campus. “As we have spent more time together working from home in the past six months, we have revisited forgotten plans. Long before I left the classroom in 1999 to become an administrator, we envisioned living simply and retiring early to travel and pursue a more active lifestyle.”
Thanks to his long-standing commitment to equity for students, Abu-Ghazaleh leaves the college much changed from his start there five-and-a-half years ago. During his time as president, Grossmont College has been recognized twice as eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America's community colleges, that placed it among the top 150, or top 15 percent, of community colleges nationwide.
The colleges are currently deciding which additional spring 2021 classes need to be taught in person but can also meet safety protocols, such as physical distancing and regular sanitizing. The district is also looking into providing limited student support services on the campuses if public health conditions permit, Neault said.
On Tuesday at Grossmont College, cars lined up at the lot
outside Building 10 to receive the donated food, which included lentils, raisins,
soup, frozen eggs and sausage. To ensure physical distancing, the recipients
stayed in their cars and opened their trunks to have the food delivered. The
event was organized by Gizmo’s Kitchen.
Grossmont College employees volunteered to hand out the
food. “I’m glad that we’re able to do something, even if it’s just a little
thing,” said Jeanette Calo, a media communications instructor.
Looking to earn some quick college credits, update your skillset to help with career opportunity, or simply wanting to gain some knowledge?
The second eight-week classes of fall 2020 at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges are set to be held mostly remotely Oct. 12- Dec. 7, 2020 (some course begin Sept. 21) and at only $46 a unit for California residents, are a bargain. Most classes carry three units of credit, with financial aid available to those who qualify. Online registration is available.
Organized by history instructor Marty Ennis, the 1 p.m. free Zoom event will include a lecture, video clips and discussion about the still ongoing campaign for an official memorial honoring crash victims.
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| Sue Gonda |
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| Craig Milgrim |
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| Math instructors Susan Working, left, and Beth Smith |
