KESQ – 3/22 – College of the Desert holds first public meeting to expedite Palm Springs schematic design plans

The vision for the campus, which is a combination of the 2021 and 2023 schematic designs, includes: opportunities for “learning on display” like a culinary space that is visible from the street, an outdoor learning space, cultural center and even an entertainment center. Read full broadcast here

The Desert Sun 3/20 – College of the Desert welcomes public input on Palm Springs campus

College of the Desert will host a series of four public meeting through June to welcome input on design plans for the planned Palm Springs campus. The first meeting is at 9:30 a.m. this Wednesday. The meetings are scheduled to take place in the multi-purpose room at the Donald and Peggy Cravens Student Services Center…

The Desert Sun 3/16 – College of the Desert board meeting canceled; Palm Springs mayor criticizes the decision

College of the Desert has canceled the board of trustees meeting that had been scheduled for Friday. Palm Springs Mayor Grace Garner criticized the move, saying it only happened because Trustee Fred Jandt, who is leaving the board for health reasons, was not allowed to participate remotely. “Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Board of Trustees…

UKEN REPORT – 3/16 – BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING CANCELED WITHOUT EXPLANATION

The College of the Desert’s Board of Trustees meeting originally planned for Friday, March 17 has been canceled due to a lack of a quorum, COD officials have confirmed. They cited “unforeseen circumstances, but did not identify the circumstances. Trustees Rubén Pérez and Bea Gonzalez reportedly could not be at the meeting, though no reason…

UKEN REPORT – 3/13 – FRED JANDT SUBMITTED HIS LETTER OF RESIGNATION EFFECTIVE MONDAY, MARCH 13

iting health reasons, Fred Jandt, College of the Desert Area 3 Trustee, on Monday evening submitted his resignation to Superintendent/President Martha Garcia and Chair Bonnie Stefan, Uken Report has learned. His resignation is effective March 31. “Recently I have experienced a change in health status,” Jandt stated in his letter to Garcia and Stefan. “It is my judgment…

College of the Desert’s board of trustees receives ethics training amid controversy

The College of the Desert’s board of trustees underwent ethics training on Monday to ensure that they are aware of the laws and regulations that govern their work as public officials. The training covered a range of topics, including conflicts of interest, bribery, and government transparency laws. The board’s ethics training included a highly relevant…

The Desert Sun 3/8 – COD board needs to stop creating obstacles and get to work

James G. Williamson Special to The Desert Sun Hope is vital. Education is the key to translating hope into opportunity. With the vote by the board of trustees of the College of the Desert at their February  meeting to move forward with the West Valley campus, our students finally have hope. Hope that they will…

PMPB 3/9 – THERE ARE MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS RIGHT NOW, BUT THE TIDE IS SHIFTING

The tide is now shifting since the last couple of years that Superintendent/President, Dr. Martha Garcia took her position. Her lack of transparency and attempt to pause the Palm Springs Campus and Cathedral City Roadrunners program created an uproar in the community, along with a lawsuit filed against COD last September from the City of…

UKEN REPORT 3/6 – BEHIND-THE-SCENES OF COD CAMPUS DERAILMENTUKEN REPORT

PALM DESERT — Former College of the Desert Superintendent/President Joel L. Kinnamon announced in December 2020 that he was stepping down to spend time with his mom who he had learned probably had a year to live. He retired on March 31, 2021. Almost immediately, it appears wheels were put in motion to derail the COD campus…

DESERT SUN 3/1 – COD’s Martha Garcia named finalist for superintendent role at Mt. San Antonio College

The community college is located in the City of Walnut, east of Los Angeles, and has a larger enrollment than COD College of the Desert Superintendent/President Martha Garcia has been named one of five finalists for the top job at Mt. San Antonio College. The community college, which is located in the City of Walnut about…