Advisors appointed to decide standards
by Connie Yu, Managing Editor

   TCC is starting an advisory committee that will comprise administrators, students, faculty and staff members to help set the standards for most of the college’s services.
  “What we are looking at is to try to set some benchmarks for both the services of individuals and entire structures,” Dr. Bill Lace, executive assistant to the chancellor, said.
   Committee members will serve in three categories—teaching and learning, student support and administrative services. Two students will be invited to participate in each category.
   The committee will examine and set up standards of issues, such as how long a period is acceptable for students to register for classes or get other services.
   “We are very concerned about getting the students the best services,” Erma Johnson, vice chancellor for administration, said.
   Lace said the standards could also serve as a tool for determining budgetary needs.
   “So we can try as far as possible to staff at a level that will meet the standards,” he said.
   The committee is expected to help set standards on services, such as the college’s communications to students, the shuffling from office to office, use of technology and collaboration among college divisions, according to a released memorandum.
   Employee and student stress during the registration period and the long waiting lines in front of the registrar will also be examined, the memo stated.
   In light of the tightening budgets, which resulted in a continuous hiring freeze, and projection of steady enrollment growth in the future, administration officials decided to establish a committee to study the college’s student service quality.
   The chancellor established the administrative side of the committee about five weeks ago, Johnson said.
   The steering committee, which includes various administration officials districtwide, will help construct and monitor the service standards committee, she said.
   The chancellor’s cabinet will choose committee members who will represent the administration, faculty and staff members while campus presidents will decide on the student representatives.
   College officials did not offer any timeline to that process. However, Lace said the new committee might be able to offer its initial suggestions as early as the end of the spring semester.
   Students interested in serving on the committee or nominating other students should contact their campus president’s office, officials said.
    “We are really excited about it,” Johnson said. “We really want to get the student’s inputs. There will be a group of students that will help us set up the standards that we will strive for.”