community


THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE


August 4-10, 2010


Page A-7


WCCCD broadens appeal, improves campuses


Fitch upgrades Wayne County Community College District’s bond rating to ‘A’


Strong Budgetary and Fiscal Management, Workforce Development Initiatives and District Wide Transparency Earn WCCCD Top Rating Fitch Ratings New York up-


graded Wayne County Com- munity College District’s (WCCCD) bond rating to A, from a previous BBB+, serving as a confirmation of WCCCD’s transparent, accountable and responsible accounting prac- tices and leadership.


Fitch noted, in a statement


issued May 28, 2010, that WCCCD’s bond rating was bolstered by “strong budget- ary and fiscal management practices which, together with the district’s renewed 10-year property tax levy, provide the district with sufficient finan- cial flexibility to meet ongoing spending pressures amidst a volatile revenue environ- ment.”


“Wayne County Community


College District strives to be transparent, accountable and responsible in its accounting principles and leadership, and the


we are succeeding,” WCCCD Chancellor Curtis L.


Fitch rating shows that Ivery


said. “We are pleased our hard work is recognized particu- larly during these challenging economic times.”


Fitch also noted WCCCD


benefits from recent statewide workforce development initia- tives that have insulated its state aid levels from the state budgetary pressures. Fitch’s key driver behind the rating was WCCCD management’s ability to maintain reasonable fund balances with a flat or de- clining tax base and increas- ing operating expenses.


Wayne County voters ap-


proved a 1.25 mill 10-year re- newal levy in November 2008 that will partially replace the current 1.5 mill levy when it retires in 2011. Combined with a decline in debt service in fiscal 2011, the renewal will yield additional flexibility. Fitch expects the district to have ample financial flexibil- ity to continue to internally fund its capital program and maintain balanced operations despite projected decreases in state aid and taxable value for


fiscal 2011.


The District is among the first colleges in the nation to regu- larly post and update all of its operational and financial de- tails on its public website as part of its Accountability and Transparency Initiatives.


WCCCD is a multi-campus


district with five campus lo- cations, University Square and the Michigan Institute of Public Safety Education (MIPSE), serving 32 cities and townships, spanning more than 500 square miles. WCCCD is committed to the continued development of new programs, hosting commu- nity-based training sessions, improving student facilities and services, upgrading tech- nologies, making capital in- vestments in massive building expansion projects and train- ing staff members to enhance their skills to maximize effi- ciency.


For more information about


WCCCD, call (313) 496-2704 or visit www.wcccd.edu.


Wayne County Community


College District earns highest reaccreditation recommenda- tion from the higher learning commission


‘Reinventing Itself To Be A Critical Partner In Economic Revival Of Southeast Michigan,’ report says WCCCD considered a perfect 10 with ten-year reaccreditation in findings report with zero improvements needed


Wayne County Community College District


(WCCCD) has earned the highest possible form of national academic approval with the rec- ommendation for a ten-year reaccreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).


The announcement was made by WCCCD


ChancellorDr. Curtis L. Ivery. “Earning another full ten-year reaccredita-


tion is a major accomplishment for any college, and doing so in the current environment of our great challenges just reaffirms to our commu- nity that WCCCD is fulfilling its promise to be a nationally leading, quality educational insti- tution committed to serving the students and communities of Southeastern Michigan,” Ivery said.


The recommendation for a full ten-year reac-


creditation was made with the unusual finding of zero improvements needed in the view of the HLC.


The HLC is an independent group of top edu-


cators from around the nation. They conducted an exhaustive on-site examination of WCCCD before making the reaccreditation recommen- dation.


The Higher Learning Commission of NCA


accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central Region.


It is an independent body and one of two


commission members of the NCA; which is one of the six regional educational accreditors in the United States.


“Building upon more than four decades of


service to students as a comprehensive com- munity college, WCCCD is reinventing itself to be a critical partner in the economic revival of southeast Michigan,” the HLC Evaluation Team concluded.


“One of the greatest strengths of the orga-


nization is its strength and sustainability of leadership,” HLC Peer Review Chair Dr. Phyllis Abt said when she delivered the findings to the WCCCD faculty, staff and Board of Trustees.


She praised the exemplary efforts by WCCCD


in the College’s self-study report and prepara- tions for the on-site examination.


“We were impressed by the efforts of the Dis-


trict and its Chancellor and recommend that the next comprehensive visit by HLC occur in 2019-20,” Abt said.


“In spite of an unemployment rate of more


than 20 percent, diminishing tax revenues and a declining population base, the College contin- ues to deliver high quality instruction to meet the needs of is growing student population, Wayne County Community College District is embarking into unchartered waters,” the HLC Evaluation Report mentioned.


“Based upon its past performance, its re-


silience in challenging times, its talented staff and visionary leadership, its passionate faculty and its immense community support, the team believes that the College will continue to meet the five criteria for accreditation.”


The HLC extended visit was the culmina- tion of an extensive self-study review focusing


Dr. Curtis Ivery


on the five criteria for accreditation: mission and integrity; preparing for the future; stu- dent learning and effective teaching; acquisi- tion, discovery and application of knowledge; and engagement of service. The team toured WCCCD’s campuses, meeting with faculty, staff, students and community members.


HLC team members for peer evaluation of WCCCD included:


• Dr. Phyllis Abt, Front Range Community Col- lege


• Dr. George Banziger, Lewis and Clark Com- munity College


• Dr. Helen Doss, City Colleges of Chicago-Mal- colm X College;


• Dr. Diana Doyle, Community College of Denver


• Dr. Rosalie Hine, Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana


• Dr. Rose Kuceyeski, Owens Community Col- lege


• Dr. Suzanne Laura Miles, Pima County Com- munity College, District


• Dr. Janet Perry, Oklahoma City Community College


• Mr. Jim Simpson, Maricopa Community Col- leges-Scottsdale


• Dr. Jerry-Sue Thornton, Cuyahoga Commu- nity College. About WCCCD: WCCCD is a multi-campus


district with five campus locations, University Square and the Michigan Institute for Public Safety Education (MIPSE), serving 32 cities and townships, spanning more than 500 square miles.


WCCCD is committed to the continued devel- opment of new programs, hosting community- based training sessions, improving student facilities and services, upgrading technologies, making capital investments in massive building expansion projects and training staff members to enhance their skills to maximize efficiency.


For more information about WCCCD, call (313) 496-2704 or visit www.wcccd.edu


SCULPTOR CARL GOINES shows Volunteer Amanda Stahl how to create the details that bring the sculpture to life.


Creativity fosters understanding of ADA


Matrix Theatre Company recently brought


together


local youth, community resi- dents, disability leaders and volunteers to learn about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as they put the fin- ishing touches on Matrix’s newest giant puppet, Justin Dart, a pioneer of the ADA.


In celebration of the 20th an- niversary of the passage of the act, they visited Detroit on June 22.


One of only a handful of


theatre arts organizations in the country to create giant puppets, Justin Dart took its place among Matrix’s collec- tion of historically significant “hero” puppets, which include figures like Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez, Mother Jones and Ella Baker.


The Matrix way of collab-


orative creation has been es- pecially successful with this project. Calls went out to community members, college students and disability rights activists to help with the de- velopment of this historic work of art.


“It was inspiring to watch


as this diverse group of people worked together to bring the


puppet to life,” said Matrix Ex- ecutive Director Shaun Neth- ercott.


As the volunteers worked


under the guidance of sculp- tor Carl Goines and Matrix Community Puppets Manager Megan Harris, curious youth wandered into the City of De- troit’s Roberto Clemente Rec- reation Center to see what was going on.


Matrix partner and project


co-organizer Janice Fialka explained the history of the ADA to the children who then shared their own stories about loved ones with disabilities.


“My Uncle Sam is in a


wheelchair, and he sometimes gets real mad because he can’t get though a door,” said Kyle.


“Interest is nationwide,”


said Volunteer Coordina- tor Ken Srdjak. “Donations have come in from all over the country. We have even re- ceived money from Justin’s wife, family and friends. If this continues, I am confident that we can reach our fundraising goal which will allow us to tour the puppet throughout the country this summer.”


“It’s time that Justin Dart


and his ideas become visible to all,” said Rich Feldman, Matrix partner and project co-orga- nizer. “It’s time that disability is recognized as a natural and beautiful part of human diver- sity.”


“Sometimes it happens


that an image or a piece of art can reconnect a community with a fallen soldier’s classic one liners that ‘lead us on’ to commit ourselves to ‘the revolution of empowerment.’ The Justin Puppet will be looming in streets shouting out the words, ‘I am with you, I love you, Lead on,’ for the ‘solidarity among all who love justice,” said Tom Olin, social documentarian and photojour- nalist for disability rights.


The Justin Dart puppet is


funded, in part, by Local Ini- tiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Michigan Disabilities Rights Coalition, the United Auto Workers (UAW), and many donors from across the country.


Matrix Theatre Company is


a non-profit community-based theatre located in Southwest Detroit.


For further information, visit www.matrixtheatre.org.


A YOUNG novice becomes part of the creative team as the puppet head takes shape. – David P. Anderson photos


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