April 21, 2022

Attendees

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Attending Members: Bostick, Chacko, Glapion, Kobata, LeBleu-Burns, Mandy (co-chair), Mieso (co-chair), Nguyen, Tran (DASG), Wheat, Yi-Baker

Meeting Items

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Minutes Approval

There were no amendments to the previous meeting notes or to the agenda.

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SSPBT Priorities - Financial Aid Presentation

Financial Aid plays a huge role in terms of student access, equity, retention, all of the De Anza metrics, and has a significant impact on the success of our students.

Financial Aid Mission Statement:

The Financial Aid Office at De Anza College provides equitable assistance and access to financial aid resources to all current, past, prospective community college students, and their communities. We are committed to providing services and support, raising awareness of financial aid availability and eligibility to students to ensure they reach their educational goals. We strive to encourage student success for each individual student.

• Student Equity
  • Equity mindset in a regulated world. Financial Aid is heavily regulated and they
    keep an equity mindset when dealing with students and dispersing funds.
    
    

• Access to Education
  • Providing timely information regarding fee waivers, promise program and
    federal financial aid
  • Book vouchers for students
  • Funding for computers
  • Financial Aid disbursement on time
    
    

• Student Retention
  • Process academic progress appeals, CCPG (California College Promise Grant), appeals,
    requests for extensions, and dependency overrides
  • A new initiative to pay outstanding balances with HEERF funds
  • Work in conjunction with other departments on campus
    
    

• Student Completion
  • Ensuring students have access to tools for success
  • All the items above contribute to student completion along with the dedication of the
    financial aid team
  • Improvements in technology along with individual work
    
    

• Funds disbursed as of 4/21/2022:
  
  

 

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Many committee members commented on the phenomenal job that Financial Aid does for the students and thanked them for their outstanding work.

Mieso mentioned how the state and federal government (through HEERF) has provided us with funds due to the pandemic that in turn, assists us in providing support for students above and beyond what we are normally able to provide. These funds assist students currently taking classes and also help with retention efforts.

Glapion asked if they have the success rate for the students who did submit appeals/extensions and Mandy responded that they could likely find the data in the graduation numbers and can follow-up.

• Glapion also had a question regarding a previous presentation where data was showing certain populations of students were taking out more loans than others.
  • Mandy said they did look into this and they are still trying to find out why this is still occurring and will delve into this further this year. Students can take out loans and they wouldn’t know until it shows up in their account. They do caution students about taking loans and try to find alternatives or reduce loan debt.
    
    

Yi-Baker asked if there was a limit per student in regards to the emergency funds. Mandy responded that technically they do not have a limit and each case is looked at individually. There is a CARE/HEERF report posted for anyone who would like to review.

Full Presentation

Member and Program Updates

• Tran reported that DASG had their first in-person meeting this week and he enjoyed meeting everyone. There are some discussions on some bylaw changes but no major updates at this time.
  
  

• Bostick reported that ACE has been working with the District in conjunction with FA regarding the collective COLA negotiations and the reallocation of funds that was recently done from the certification study.
  
  

• Nguyen reported that FA will be “working to contract” starting Monday, April 25th due to the COLA negotiations. This will be ongoing until anything changes.
  
  

• Chacko reported that Classified Senate is working on Classified Professional Development Day scheduled for May 13th.
  
  

• Kobata said athletics is completing their regular season and a couple athletes have qualified for the state decathlon.
  
  

• Glapion reported on Academic Senate meeting: they discussed the “work to contract” agreement, a feasibility study for an affordable housing grant, the Energy and Sustainability Advisory committee gave an update, discussion took place about an IPBT decision regarding use of funds, a presentation on AB 928, and a discussion and vote on the resolution for the Shared Governance Task Force proposal.
  
  

• Yi-Baker reported that the DASG election numbers have been met and now they just have to go through the complaints hearing before the final numbers can be posted.
  • The flea market will be opening May 7th
    
    

• LeBleu-Burns said that the Timely MD contract has been approved by the board, which will provide students with 24/7 access to mental health services as well as crisis counseling. Basic needs referrals will also be available to students and can offer faculty and staff guidance for student support.
  
  • Mental Health awareness week is coming up May 9-13th
  • Discussion is under way for a name change for Psychological Services to find something less stigmatizing and more welcoming. The town hall dates will be May 16th and May 19th from 5-6:00 pm online via zoom. Click on the flyer for more information.
  • EOPS graduation event has been scheduled for June 10th
  • PCR testing is still available every week from Heath Services
    
    

• Mieso wanted to remind everyone to review the Equity Plan Re-Imagined document that was sent out and to forward any questions, comments, or suggestions to Alicia Cortez by May 6th.
  
  
  

Good of the Order

Members did not have any statements or observations to note at this time.