June 16, 2026

Summary

The meeting began with a review of the committee's charges and norms, followed by the approval of the previous minutes. The committee then discussed and approved the proposed Program Vitality and Innovation Committee (PVIC) and approved a conditional budget augmentation for the Physical Education and Athletics Division lottery fund. Additionally, a General Fund B-Budget update highlighted a structural deficit, with expenses currently exceeding revenue. As this was the final meeting of the academic year, the committee acknowledged members whose terms end in spring 2026, as well as those retiring: Christina Wright, Eric Mendoza, Erick Aragon, Jayme Brown, Martin Varela, Michelle Hernandez, Randy Bryant, and Sam Bliss.

Program Vitality and Innovation Committee (formerly Program Sustainability Committee)

During the RAPP review of the latest PVIC draft, members noted that the committee will likely convene only after the program review cycle and upon referral. Tri-chair Lisa shared that Classified Senate leadership wants explicit notification regarding referrals and outcomes; and while governance channels are implied, Classified Senate leadership already denoted in the PVIC draft where they would like Classified Senate explicitly named. Additionally, RAPP tri-chairs noted that PVIC operations, including templates and rubrics, still need further development.

AVP Sam made a motion to approve the PVIC draft. Student Zander seconded the motion. Of the 16 members present at the time of the vote, 14 voted in favor and 2 abstained. The PVIC was approved.

Physical Education and Athletics Lottery Allocation

Dean Eric requested a permanent $60,000 augmentation to the Physical Education and Athletics Division lottery allocation, raising it from $190,000 to $250,000. Noting that the division does not receive Strong Workforce or Perkins funds, Dean Eric cited regular expenses such helmets, uniforms, and practice and game balls. Additionally, Dean Eric sought approval to align with summer vendor contract negotiations for the upcoming academic year.

Tri-chair Ram noted that while the permanent increase has not yet been vetted by Business Services, he proposed using the VPI contingency funds for a one-time $60,000 augmentation for both the 2025–26 and 2026–27 budgets, with plans to discuss a permanent 2027–28 augmentation later.

VP Farhad motioned to approve Tri-chair Ram’s proposal, and Classified Agustin seconded. The motion passed unanimously with all 16 members present voting in favor, approving the one-time $60,000 augmentations for 2025–26 and 2026–27 budgets.

College Budget Update

VP Farhad presented the college’s General Fund B-Budget update, which covers operating expenses like office supplies, travel, consulting, temporary staff, and equipment. The presentation was structured around three key questions: where the budget stood in 2010–11, how it reached its current state, and where it is headed. In short, B-budget expenditures currently exceed revenues, and fund balances are projected to decline further.

Following district guidance to spend down reserves, the college's fund balance dropped from $5.4 million in 2010–11 to $1.1 million in 2024–25. While this spend-down strategy assumed that ongoing expenditure would decrease and revenues would rise, neither materialized. Consequently, the 2025-26 ending fund balance is projected to reach a $1.7 million deficit.

To build a sustainable carryforward balance, VP Farhad outlined solutions focused on revenue generation and expenditure containment. Attendees discussed and agreed on the need for a shared campus-wide responsibility to address these financial challenges and build trust through transparency.

Attendees: Ram Subramaniam, Veronica Acevedo Avila, Lisa Ly, Farhad Sabit, Michele LeBleu Burns, Sam Bliss, Agustin Espino Diaz, Jayme Brown, Patricia Del Rio, Erick Aragon, Eric Mendoza, Jamie Pelusi, Felisa Vilaubi, Cecilia Hui, Christina Wright, Zander Blackman, Alisa Omeragic, Martin Varela

Absent: Garrett King, Michelle Hernandez, Glynn Wallis, Aisyah Faisal, Blen Ashebr, James Nguyen, Salvador Pedroza

RAPP Voting Members: Ram Subramaniam, Veronica Acevedo Avila, Lisa Ly, Farhad Sabit, Michele LeBleu Burns, Sam Bliss, Garrett King, Agustin Espino Diaz, Jayme Brown, Patricia Del Rio, Erick Aragon, Eric Mendoza, Michelle Hernandez, Jamie Pelusi, Felisa Vilaubi, Cecilia Hui, Christina Wright, Glynn Wallis, Aisyah Faisal, Blen Ashebr, James Nguyen, Salvador Pedroza, Zander Blackman.

Non-voting Advisory: Martin Varela, Randy Bryant, Shagun Kaur (for Erik Woodbury)