Mission Statement

The Butte College Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Department serves our community by providing diverse experiential learning opportunities in a progressive curriculum, using advanced technology, industry cooperation, and alumni support to prepare students for productive futures. 

Program Description

This program serves approximately 50 FT students per year moving through either one of two one-year certificate programs or an AS degree program. These students move into highly paid employment immediately following the completion of our programs. 
The program currently has one primary FT instructor, also serving as member of the Foundation Board, Land Use committee, and Sustainability committee and performing other duties as required, including equipment fleet management, planning and coordinating student, campus, and community service projects, and performing extensive work with Contract Education. 
The courses are being taught by 3 part time instructors with a total load of over 150% plus the one full time instructor, with an additional over load of 30%.  This is a total load of 275% for the year, easily justifying a second full time faculty.  And, a program improvement we have put in place for Spring 15 to close a gap in our instruction concerning technology and techniques for machine guidance , AET 44 Grade Setting and GPS, will increase the load on our instructional staff. It has become increasingly difficult to match loads with part time instructors due to restrictions in load distribution. It is also difficult to maintain continuity in the Heavy Equipment Program without two full time faculty working to stay current in the industry, as well as creating and maintaining industry connections. Without time to develop these connections, the growth and program improvements we hope to implement will be impossible to achieve. We plan to incorporate changes in methods of instruction to more closely replicate actual workplace conditions and techniques, and to coordinate instruction with industry certification. When considering health, life and safety, the current burden on the one full time instructor is over the top.  With the over loads and extra work relating to projects both on and off campus there is a huge concern about the health of that instructor.  The ped caps have been reset at 22 (currently running over those caps to increase FTE) for safety as well as access to learning and utilizing equipment, this is still a difficult number to work with and a student assistant should be available. (Note that industry does not work with anywhere near this number in their training programs). With two full time instructors and more time available the program as well as the students would be more successful and the capacity of the program could possibly be increased.  The Heavy Equipment Program has been impacted for a several years and we could accommodate more students if we increased course offerings.

Accountability for Previously Funded Items

Student Learning/Administrative Unit Outcomes

From the Outcomes Assessment report, our planned improvements were:
Instructors discussed ways to ensure that topics measured by the selected questions are adequately covered and learning checked previously to final exam so that students have opportunity to reinforce their learning. Plan to incorporate these questions into one or more daily quizzes between midterm and final exams. Recheck results on final exam Fall 2014.

Standards/Goals for Student Achievement (OSLED Departments)

			College			Program
Indicator	Source	2013-2014 Performance	Standard	Five Year Goal	Fall 2014 Performance	Standard	Five Year Goal
Course Success
-          Overall	PDR	71.1%	70%	73%
-          Transfer/GE	PDR	71.5%		73%
-          CTE	PDR	75%		77%	89.4%	80%	90%
-          Basic Skills	PDR	51.7%		55%
-          Distance Ed (all)	PDR	62.5%		64%
Persistence (Focused).  Note:  The Persistence (Focused) that is included in the PDR is a different indicator than the three-primary term persistence indicator, from the state Student Success Scorecard, that is used to measure institutional persistence.  The Focused Persistence indicator measures the percentage of students that took a second course in a discipline within one year. There is no relationship between the college and program standards in this area.	PDR	72.6%    (Three-Term) Scorecard	67% (Three-Term) Scorecard	75% (Three-Term) Scorecard	55.5%	45%	60%
Degrees	PDR	1,455		1,600	2	1	4
Certificates	PDR	366		475	47	35	55
Developmental Strand Completion
-          English	State	42%		45%
-          Math	State	30.7%		33%
-          ESL	State	25%		28%
Licensure Pass Rates
-          Registered Nursing	SC
-          Licensed Vocational Nursing	SC
-          Respiratory Therapy	SC
-          Paramedic	SC
-          Cosmetology	SC
-          Welding	SC
Job Placement Rates (Diesel Technology)	PIV	72%	60%	75%

                                             The AET Program is in compliance with the college standards. Hiring second full-time instructor will allow more effective instruction and planning for improving student performance. New Grade Setting class is enhancing use of GPS technology, and additional equipment obtained will improve access to students.  The college standard for job placement rates in Diesel Technology is 60%. We are please to show a 72% placement rate. Our placement rates are probably higher than 72% but some placements go unreported.    

Standards/Goals for Student Achievement (All Other Departments)

Strategic Direction

The AET Program supports the college in meeting its Strategic Direction and Priorities by ensuring that programs provide students with intellectual and analytical skills to effectively contribute to society. We do this by:

Reaching out to high school students by visiting schools, attending their job fairs, and hosting tours of our program. (Initiative 1.a)
Inviting industry guest speakers into our classes to help students identify potential career pathways. In the fall, we do a harvest field tour that provides students with an opportunity to see field and processing operations in the rice and tree crops areas. To develop soft skills, we provide a careers class (AB 20) that helps students to develop professional communication and writing skills, developing resumes and exploring career options.(Initiative 1.c.5)
Collaborating with industry, external agencies, and other institutions of higher education to ensure that programs are relevant and meeting current needs. (Initiative 1.c)
Advising and mentoring students to ensure they have educational plans that align with their career goals.
Conducting workforce training and support through Contract Education, the Training Place, the Small Business Development Center, the Health Workforce Initiative, and other regional and state efforts. (Initiative 1.h.3)
Using advisory committees to ensure that programs provide the skills needed in the workforce. We meet with our advisory groups on a regular basis to discuss ideas about how to improve our programs to meet industry needs. (Intitive 1.h.1)

 

Program Review

Program review recommendations have commended us for the quality of our hands-on training in heavy equipment operation. As per program review suggestions we have incorporated the latest methods of laser and GPS assisted grade setting. We have acquired the necessary equipment including state of the art software and a computer to run it, as well as integrated this into our curriculum with a new course AET 44 Grade Setting.

Department Goals

Enrollments are robust, our program is impacted. Partial cancellation of our program a few years ago upset the coordination between fall and spring semesters; we would like to have some flexibility in enrollments to address that issue to improve student success.

Future Development Strategies

Requested Non-Financial Resources

Current Financial Resources

Augmentation Requests

Original Priority	Program, Unit, Area	Resource Type	Account Number	Object Code	One Time Augment	Ongoing Augment
Description	Supporting Rationale		Potential Alternative Funding Sources		Prioritization Criteria
1	AET/HEO	Personnel			$0.00	$99,000.00
FT instructor	HEO program has increased enrollments. Part time instructors are retiring, and it is difficult to find qualified part time instructors. Another full time instructor is needed to maintain and develop industry contacts and assist in program management.				Maintaining core programs and services Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals Evaluating standards and goals for course success, retention, degree achievement, certificate completion, transfer, and credentialing annually Improving access, success, and completion of targeted student populations through the implementation of the Student Equity Plan Collaborating effectively with K-12 to set appropriate student expectations, align curriculum, and prepare students for college success Placing students appropriately, advising them effectively, and ensuring that they have educational plans
2	AET/HEO	Personnel			$40,000.00	$0.00
Move support staff from Perkins to district funds	This is the final staff member that needs to be moved from Perkins funding to district funds.				Maintaining core programs and services Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals Using data, research and collaborative efforts among divisions and departments to develop projections of student demand, or appropriate course offerings, locations, and modalities Reaching the Sustainable Continuous Quality Improvement level on the implementation of Student Learning Outcomes
3	AET/HEO	Equipment			$0.00	$35,000.00
Replace one tractor/backhoe/loader	The program needs to upgrade some of the old-worn out equipment to keep fleet in good condition by reducing horsepower while maintaining a more sustainable program. Our equipment is aging and none of our units were new when we obtained them. We should replace units on a regular and timely basis.		Career and Technical Education - Perkins Instructional Equipment		Maintaining core programs and services Addressing a shortfall identified during Student Learning (or administrative unit) Outcomes Assessment Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals Reaching the Sustainable Continuous Quality Improvement level on the implementation of Student Learning Outcomes
4	AET/HEO	Operating Expenses			$0.00	$500.00
Toilet Rental for HEO field operations	Need to provide toilet, shade, and drinking water facilities in the HEO fields due to distance from buildings. This funding would provide rental of toilets for the field during months of use.				Resolving health, life, and safety issues Maintaining core programs and services Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals Reaching the Sustainable Continuous Quality Improvement level on the implementation of Student Learning Outcomes
5	AET/HEO	Equipment			$60,000.00	$0.00
Water truck, 3500 gallon, 3 axle	Current water truck essential to HEO program and also useful on campus for other uses is a 1974 model. The tank is old and is leaking badly.		Career and Technical Education - Perkins Instructional Equipment		Maintaining core programs and services Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals Reaching the Sustainable Continuous Quality Improvement level on the implementation of Student Learning Outcomes
6	AET/HEO	Equipment			$60,000.00	$0.00
Transport Truck/tractor vehicle	Replacement of Truck that has a $10K value but requires a $40K emission device. Much wiser to purchase a 2008 model that will meet CARB on road emission standards.		Career and Technical Education - Perkins Instructional Equipment		Maintaining core programs and services Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals Reaching the Sustainable Continuous Quality Improvement level on the implementation of Student Learning Outcomes
7	AET/HEO	Operating Expenses			$0.00	$20,000.00
supplies and repair	Several of the tractors are in need of tires and replacement of worn out parts. Our program has increased enrollments without supplemental funding for supplies and maintenance.		Career and Technical Education - Perkins Instructional Equipment		Maintaining core programs and services Addressing a shortfall identified during Student Learning (or administrative unit) Outcomes Assessment Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals Reaching the Sustainable Continuous Quality Improvement level on the implementation of Student Learning Outcomes
8	AET/HEO	Facilities			$15,000.00	$0.00
Replace chairs and repair floors in MA classrooms.	Chairs in MA classrooms are very old, uncomfortable, and are beginning to fail. Floors in MA 209 have holes in floor covering and are getting worse.		Scheduled Maintenance (Facilities)		Resolving health, life, and safety issues Maintaining core programs and services Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals Reaching the Sustainable Continuous Quality Improvement level on the implementation of Student Learning Outcomes
9	AET/HEO	Equipment			$5,000.00	$0.00
Screen for separating rock/dirt	Previous rock screen was worn out and destroyed years ago, and we have been without since. We need a rock screen to provide useful materials and to provide practice with this device in our classes.		Career and Technical Education - Perkins Instructional Equipment		Maintaining core programs and services Addressing a shortfall identified during Student Learning (or administrative unit) Outcomes Assessment Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals Reaching the Sustainable Continuous Quality Improvement level on the implementation of Student Learning Outcomes
10	ART/HEO	Equipment			$12,000.00	$0.00
60 inch vibratory compactor	60 inch vibratory compactor for use in training and HEO projects We do not have this equipment currently in fleet.		Career and Technical Education - Perkins Instructional Equipment		Maintaining core programs and services Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals Addressing a shortfall identified during Student Learning (or administrative unit) Outcomes Assessment Reaching the Sustainable Continuous Quality Improvement level on the implementation of Student Learning Outcomes
11	AET/HEO	Equipment			$750.00	$0.00
new traffic cones	Multi-purpose traffic cones used in program classes are extremely old and failing.		Instructional Equipment		Resolving health, life, and safety issues Maintaining core programs and services Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals Reaching the Sustainable Continuous Quality Improvement level on the implementation of Student Learning Outcomes
12	AET/HEO	Equipment			$30,000.00	$0.00
Front Loader	Our loaders are aged and worn. We need to plan on updating at least one loader soon.		Career and Technical Education - Perkins Instructional Equipment		Maintaining core programs and services Addressing a shortfall identified during Student Learning (or administrative unit) Outcomes Assessment Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals Reaching the Sustainable Continuous Quality Improvement level on the implementation of Student Learning Outcomes
13	AET/HEO	Equipment			$20,000.00	$0.00
Float tractor with float and loader	Need replace aged and inadequate float tractor		Career and Technical Education - Perkins Instructional Equipment		Maintaining core programs and services Addressing a shortfall identified during Student Learning (or administrative unit) Outcomes Assessment Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals Reaching the Sustainable Continuous Quality Improvement level on the implementation of Student Learning Outcomes
14	AET/HEO	Equipment			$250,000.00	$0.00
CAT M-series Motor Grader 140M	Newer motor grader with modern controls and features will enhance program training and allow us to offer additional types of training with contractors, utilities, and other entities. Our older graders remain serviceable at this time, but the John Deere is 37 years old.		Career and Technical Education - Perkins Instructional Equipment		Maintaining core programs and services Addressing a shortfall identified during Student Learning (or administrative unit) Outcomes Assessment Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals Reaching the Sustainable Continuous Quality Improvement level on the implementation of Student Learning Outcomes
15	AET/HEO	Facilities			$303,241.00	$0.00
Ag yard and Bioswale	Ag, Biology, and Facilities have worked for several years to design and permit a plan to reconfigure the Ag yard and drainage to address issues resulting from construction of the LRC and paving of parking lot 4. We are 3 years into a 5 year permit with no action, and if the permit expires without action we will not be able to extend it. HEO can do this work for much less than the projected amount, if we can plan and begin.		Scheduled Maintenance (Facilities)		Resolving health, life, and safety issues Maintaining core programs and services Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals Meeting state water use reduction requirements Reaching the Sustainable Continuous Quality Improvement level on the implementation of Student Learning Outcomes
16	District	Facilities			$95,000.00	$0.00
Creek crossings	The creek crossing needs to installed so that sediment will not enter the stream. This would be site A on some of the preliminary plans.		Scheduled Maintenance (Facilities)		Resolving health, life, and safety issues Maintaining core programs and services Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals Meeting state water use reduction requirements