Fund-raiser saves 21 OCC classes

Christine Carrillo

Orange Coast College’s recent fund-raising efforts that have allowed

the college to return 21 classes to the 2003-04 schedule have also

turned the college into an example of efficiency for other community

colleges in the state.

The California Community Colleges chancellor’s office will

recognize OCC’s annual boat auction and marine gear sale during a

Board of Governors meeting later this month.

One of my duties is to “let the board know what’s going on at

colleges throughout the state, and I thought this was a really

interesting way for a college to fight back against the budget

crisis,” said Kirsten Macintyre, the public information officer for

the chancellor’s office. “I just wanted to give them some recognition

... bring it to the [board’s] attention.”

On Saturday, OCC’s School of Sailing and Seamanship held its

annual boat auction and marine gear sale. The event raised $63,587,

enough to put 21 course sections back onto the schedule after OCC

eliminated them because of state budget cuts.

“I think it’s an innovative way to save classes and help meet

students’ needs,” said Jim Carnett, director of community relations

for the college. “It’s a good example for creative ways of generating

money for the college.”

Because of the budget crisis, the college expects to cut 500 to

1,000 course sections from next year’s schedule. Since college

administrators have already established a fall schedule, the

additional classes, funded by Saturday’s event, will most likely be

added to the 2003-04 spring semester.

The event, which drew more than 400 people, offered a variety of

nautical items for auction such as boats, kayaks, rowing sculls,

sails, rigging, electronics, life rafts, outboards, inflatables and

dinghies.

“Most of the time, the money raised goes right back into the

sailing center, but this year, since the budget cuts were so drastic,

the sailing center decided to put the money back into the college,”

said Tabatha Wilson, development specialist for the OCC Foundation,

which organizes fund-raising events for the college. “It’s a good

event, and the people of Newport and Costa Mesa definitely make it

happen.”

OCC will hold next year’s boat auction and marine gear sale on

June 5. To donate items for the sale, call the college’s School of

Sailing and Seamanship at (949) 645-9412.

* CHRISTINE CARRILLO covers education and may be reached at (949)

574-4268 or by e-mail at [email protected].