President's Office

Opening Day

September 18, 2023

(1) Opening Day: Making Magic. 

Welcome to the start of the Fall quarter.  By now you have selected the sessions to attend for District Opening Day and have seen the communication from Dr. Ajani Byrd about the well-planned schedule for Flex Day and Opening Day (released today!), all held at Foothill College, Wednesday - Friday. On Friday’s “Foothill Opening Day” an energized morning will start outside the Smithwick Theater with breakfast burritos, starting at 7:30 am. We will gather inside the Smithwick at 8:30 am to share important campus-wide goals, plans, and a little theatrical whimsy.  I especially look forward to honoring the service milestones of Foothill College employees.   Both FLEX Day (Thursday) and Opening Day (Friday) will have virtual options for our adjunct faculty unable to attend in person and for those approved for remote work. Let's make some magic together! 

(2) AB 1887 Travel Ban Lifted. 

Motivated by data provided by the Human Rights Campaign, and other LGBTQIA+ supporting groups, California's travel prohibition to 26 states with discriminatory laws against the LGBTQIA+ community has been repealed. The laws were not deemed effective at undermining discriminatory legislation and some feared California advocates were sidelined from participating at important activation sites.  Instead, the new legislation would establish a LGBTQAI+ affirming messaging campaign in states on the travel ban list. The legislature approved the bill as an urgency measure, and it is effective immediately. 

(3) New Student and New Families Orientation. 

I’m delighted we are welcoming new families tonight in the Dining Hall (6:30 pm) and new students on Tuesday, September 19th in the Smithwick Theater (9 am). Tonight, parents will ask questions in support of their students. Tomorrow new students will begin to build community while learning about services, resources, and student clubs. My favorite session is titled, “How to Crush Your First Year at Foothill.” All are welcome! 

(4) Women’s Soccer on fire. 

Join me Tuesday afternoon. I'm headed to the pitch at 4 pm to catch the Women’s Soccer match against Ohlone. So far the Owls have yet to give up a goal. And in 5 games they have scored a whopping 34 goals against their opponents.  You read that right. There is no mercy rule in soccer. Congrats to the Head Coach Imaan Kerchgani, as well as Assistant Coaches Viviana Puebla-Santoyo, Jason Yanez, Mert Ergene and the entire Owl team. 

(5) Love our DACA students. 

Over the weekend, I joined Chancellor Lambert and President Holmes on a joint statement about a federal judge’s disheartening ruling that found the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to be unlawful. As the statement noted, the judge’s decision has no impact on a student’s eligibility to enroll or stay enrolled in our colleges. Our DACA students need your heart-forward care. Please capture the resources in the statement and share with the students you support and/or refresh your knowledge of Foothill College Dreamers and UndocuAlly resources: foothill.edu/dreamers  

Yours in service,

Kristina