Summer saw the cycle of life for the Cuesta family-- a few weddings, new babies, retirements, deaths, new hires, special trips, and, of course, the annual summer ice cream social. Our summer session was successful; however, both student enrollment and the number of credits students took were down from last summer.

Enrollment will receive more of our attention this year because Cuesta appears to be in decline. In 2003-2004 we just barely made our growth target of 2% by generating 9,051 FTES, but we were short 42 FTES to earn all the growth dollars allocated after second period apportionment. Because this summer session was down 5% in WSCH/FTES, we will need to increase enrollment for fall and spring semesters to capture all the growth dollars tentatively allocated to the college. Students are why we come to work; welcome them into your classes.

Cuesta’s budget for 2004-2005 is improved. Some good news: 3% growth (2% for Cuesta), 2.41% COLA, equalization funds which increase the dollars/full-time equivalent student (FTES), categorical programs such as EOPS, DSPS, matriculation, and financial aid are funded at approximately last year’s level, and there’s an increase in equipment and scheduled maintenance funds. The part-time faculty pro rata funds are under-funded as in 2003-04. Students will pay $26/credit unit. (See the article "Budget News")

Students will be billed the additional $8.00/credit after this semester begins. Answering students’ questions or referring them to the Financial Aid or Counseling can help us collect tuition and keep students in class.

Building projects will make news again this semester. On the SLO Campus construction of the Library Expansion Building begins next month. This two-year project will bring wonderful new homes for Student Services, Instruction, and increase the size of our Library. Two years from now the disruption to the center of the campus will result in a great addition to the campus. While the bids for the Theater Arts Building on the SLO Campus all came in more than 50% above the allocated state bond funds, the architects are working to reduce costs while retaining the approved design and drawings. The project will be bid for a second time later this fall. On the North County Campus, the Allied Health, Science and Math Building is well on its way to being ready for lab science classes in spring and full occupancy by summer 2005. The NCC LLRC will get started in early 2005, and by the end of this year, several of you will have worked with the architects to complete the preliminary and working drawings to remodel the science buildings on the SLO Campus and design the Trade and Technology Building on the North Campus.

Creativity, first-class events, and "Cuesta class" to recognize: The Cuesta College 2004-2005 Catalog is now on CD ROM! Student Handbook is on-line! Cuesta College Booth was a popular success at the Mid-State Fair! 237 students received over $130,000 in scholarships at the most elegant ceremony! Looking for a courageous student? Get to know new student Cameron Clapp who spoke at the ceremony. His is a story of how alcohol changed his life and acceptance of change, courage, and creativity helped to resurrect his life.

The year begins with new people and new challenges. We’re riding wave upon wave of change. But there’s good news for all of us who don’t surf. We don’t have to "get all wet" if we simply anticipate and accept the changes, and creatively make them work to improve Cuesta College for our students and us.