Governing Board Action Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Telephone: 644-7682 Subject: OUT-OF-COUNTRY TRAVEL TO , Date: MAY 20, 2014 /MINISTRY OF CULTURE

1. PROPOSAL Approve travel to Baku, Azerbaijan for Dr. Randall Tweed, Music Professor at Grossmont College; travel dates, June 13, 2014 through June 19, 2014, conditional upon clearance for safe travel by the U.S. Department of State. 2. INFORMATION IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSAL a. Summary of Issue

In preparation for the October 2014 Ballet project of Garayev’s “,” [a co- production between Grossmont College, the Foundation for Grossmont & Cuyamaca Colleges (Friends of Music), San Diego Ballet and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan], Dr. Randall Tweed has been invited by the Ministry of Culture to travel to Baku for the purpose of spending several days in meetings with various officials from the Ministry of Culture, the Azerbaijan State Ballet and Baku School of Music. Dr. Tweed will depart on June 13, 2014, and return on June 19, 2014.

b. Background

A collaborative project to introduce community college students from both campuses, as well as Southern and Baja California general public to the culture of Azerbaijan; a democratic Republic, through a complete ballet production of Gara Garayev’s, “Seven Beauties.” Dress Rehearsal: Friday, October 10, 2014; Concert: Saturday, October 11, 2014; San Diego Civic Theatre, a 3000-seat theatre, large enough to accommodate the required size of the orchestra.

c. Support of Strategic Planning

The 2014 ballet project, aided by the proposed trip to Baku, Azerbaijan, will support the following Strategic Areas of Focus:

(1) Student Access (Area 1) & Learning and Student Success (Area 2): The priority for all agencies involved in the project (Azerbaijan Ministry of Culture, San Diego Ballet, Grossmont College and the Foundation for Grossmont & Cuyamaca Colleges) is to expose the public (southern and Baja California) to the culture of Azerbaijan through the performance of one of Azerbaijan’s revered ballets.

Recommended: Approved for Consideration:

Sunita V. Cooke, President, Grossmont College

Cindy L. Miles, Chancellor Fiscal Review:

Docket Item No.

Sue Rearic, Vice Chancellor Business Services 306.1 Governing Board Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Telephone: 644-7682 Subject: OUT-OF-COUNTRY TRAVEL TO BAKU, Date: MAY 20, 2014 AZERBAIJAN/MINISTRY OF CULTURE

It has the potential for increasing the proportion of high school graduates enrolled at GCCCD through the invitation to all East County junior and senior schools’ music, dance and theatre department students, to attend, free of charge, the October 11, 2014, performance. All GCCCD Mus110, Thtr100 and Dance 110 students will be urged to attend the performance, with the support of a faculty required paper for student credit in the course.

(2) Economic and Community Development (Area 4) & Fiscal and Physical Resources (Area 5): This project continues the ongoing effort to collaborate with agencies throughout San Diego County, e.g., San Diego Ballet in support of the greater San Diego community. Also, the project further solidifies the relationship with the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan that could lead to the possibility of future projects related to students travelling to Azerbaijan for educational study programs. Because of the involvement of the Friends of Music, through the Foundation for Grossmont & Cuyamaca Colleges, potential exists for increased donorship through this high profile performance with local and state dignitaries, as well as local businesses being invited to attend, and even donate toward the ballet project, Café 21 (owned and operated by Azerbaijani/American citizens, Leyla and Alex Javadov).

d. Fiscal Impact of Proposal

The travel expenses will be funded by the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan.

3. BOARD ACTION The Governing Board grants authority to take action as specified in Item One of this docket exhibit.

Docket Item No.

306.2