October 10, 2024
Dear SRJC Community,
I want to start this month’s Institutional and Workplace Culture Initiatives update by acknowledging that doing the work of creating a culture of equity, inclusion, and belonging takes time. During my first seven months here, I participated in SRJC Voices sessions with colleagues across the District. During those sessions, I learned of the strong sense of pride in our institution and the equally strong desire to improve our institutional culture. We continue to come together to acknowledge our gaps, reflect on our experiences, and build progress toward real change. You may not yet see or feel the impact of this on your day-to-day work. But in time, the work we are undertaking together will become evident. I am so grateful to each member of our community who is sharing their voice and committing to creating this cultural shift.
To that end, I am pleased to share updates across several initiatives as part of our IDEAA: Institutional and Workplace Culture Initiatives priority.
1. Fostering Open Dialogue and Community Engagement:
Individual Listening Sessions: Last month, I communicated to the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department and Shone Farm community that we have aggregated the data from the individual listening sessions conducted with colleagues. Themes that emerged through the individual listening sessions include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Community building & communications
- District operations
- Employee onboarding & development
- Fiscal constraints: funding model for Shone Farm and academic programs
- Health & Safety
- IDEAA: trainings & development
- Student support needs
The District leadership team, in consultation with college and community partners, is now crafting actions to address areas for growth. Our goal is to have these actions outlined by the end of October, including identifying leads and completion timelines.
Facilitated Discussions: Since September, we have held seven facilitated discussions with faculty, classified professionals and students and we have five remaining sessions scheduled before the end of the month. We also launched an online form for individuals who may prefer to share their individual contributions instead of attending a group discussion. If you have not done so already, please register for a session, or complete the online form, to ensure your voice is heard.
- In-person/Zoom Session: https://signup.com/go/cbVKuYo
- Online Form: https://santarosa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a9wCFUcFIhm1XAa
2. IDEAA Taskforce:
The initial Taskforce meetings are focused on establishing norming structures and frameworks to create an environment built on common ground and trust. At its October meeting, the Taskforce reviewed its charge and identified subgroups to focus on deliverables, including definitions and clarifying next steps. Future meetings will focus on further developing the Taskforce structure to address the areas highlighted in their charge. Progress will be communicated to College Council as they continue to shape recommendations for the District. Several members of the taskforce attended the CCC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion institute in Irvine, California, as well as the African Diaspora Educators Summit in Ghana, Africa, via the African American Male Education Network & Development (A2MEND).
3. Operational Assessment and Changes:
Vice President of Human Resources:
The recruitment for the Vice President continues to move on schedule. The first round of interviews is scheduled for the week of October 14th and candidate forums will be held on October 28 and 29. The forums will be held via zoom to ensure maximum participation and will be recorded and available for viewing. Forum participants will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the candidates which will be considered in the next steps of the hiring process. The finalist interviews are scheduled for the week of November 11, 2024.
HR Website:
Human Resources and the Office of Marketing and Communications have evaluated the HR website and identified ways to improve accessibility and ease of use. The updated website will launch on November 1, 2024.
Board Policy (BP) and Administrative Procedure (AP) Review:
Three policies were presented to the Board of Trustees for first reading as part of the October meeting agenda. Title IX and technology related policies and procedures are currently under constituent group review. There are several policies and procedures aligned with the cultural and operational shifts currently being drafted and will be presented to College Council this month.
Clear Reporting Mechanisms:
The District has made considerable progress on refining the complaint process which highlighted the need for changes to Board Policy and Administrative Procedures. Those updates are currently underway and will be brought to College Council this fall. Additionally, the District is purchasing software to support a reporting process that is intuitive and streamlined while ensuring protection of the privacy of all involved.
Training Programs:
As part of our ongoing management leadership development program, in September, managers attended an in-person New Hire Orientation covering SRJC Culture, HR practices (benefits, employee portal, Notice of Absence, Salary Schedules, Job Descriptions, etc.), District Policy and Emergency Preparedness, Marketing/Communications, among others. The New Hire orientation will be offered monthly for all new employees, including individuals hired since March 2020.
In October, managers will participate in a refresher training on HR hiring practices, as well as continue the work of establishing “Leadership Standards of Excellence.”
This is just a snapshot of the work being done across the District and will continue to provide additional monthly updates on this important work. I look forward to seeing the outcome of this work and the impact it will have in creating a shift in the norms of our workplace for equity and justice.
In Community,
Dr. Angélica Garcia, Ed.D.
Superintendent/President
707-527-4431, angelicagarcia@santarosa.edu
