May 11, 2016
Dr. Robert Simpson Cypress College 9200 Valley View St. Cypress CA 90630-5897
I am sending the report from our midterm Athletic Program Review (Cycle II) phone conference conducted on April 27, 2016. As you will see from the report, the conference committee was quite impressed by the athletic program at Cypress College.
The following report includes many commendations and a few recommendations about the issues and action items from your last review in 2010. This was an excellent report that will help the athletic department continue to be the best it can be.
The committee consisting of Keith Shackleford (Irvine Valley College); Avie Bridges (Santa Ana College); Kevin Smith (Orange Coast College); Albert Gasparian (Golden West College); Martin Stringer (Santiago Canyon College); Jim Wooldridge (Riverside City College); and Tony Lipold (Saddleback College) enjoyed our conversation with Dr. Richard Rams and Bill Pinkham. The college has a long history of a very competitive athletic program. You have an outstanding athletic administration led by Dr. Richard Rams.
Sincerely,
John Keever, OEC Commissioner
CC. Dr. Richard Rams Bill Pinkham
CYPRESS COLLEGE PROGRAM REVIEW CYCLE II RESPONSES
Cycle II 2016 / Standard I
Commendations:
Cypress College’s response to recommendations of their prior OEC Program Review has been thorough. Their documents, methods of dispersal, and review processes have increased in their efficiency and sophistication. They have managed these tasks with extensive input from campus personnel and resources outside of athletics, thus increasing the de-silo-izing of the department and adding to the college’s efforts in meeting modern standards related to the Student Success Act and subsequent legislation and funding mechanisms. Their use of technology, especially in their management of the Student-Athlete Handbook via an app, is leading the conference.
Recommendations: None
Cycle II 2016 / Standard II
Commendations: Eligibility process in place is excellent.
Recommendations: The concept to require high school transcripts is a good idea in theory but it is not a requirement of the CCCAA.
Cycle II 2016 / Standard IV Staff Professionalism
Commendations:
Since the last review Cypress College has encouraged their Athletic Counselor to attend the CCCAA meetings and has done so accordingly. Cypress College no longer has an Assistant Athletic Director, and Bill Pinkham is now the Athletic Director supervised by Dean of Physical Education and Athletics, Dr. Richard Rams. Both the Dean and Athletic Director attend all CCCAA, CCCADA, and OEC meetings. Cypress College is well represented with the current structure.
Recommendations:
None
Cycle II 2016 / Standard VI Citizenship
Commendations:
Cypress College did an excellent job responding to the recommendations and have thoroughly addressed issues of citizenship through the student- athlete orientation and the printed code of conduct.
Recommendations:
None
Cycle II 2016 / Standard VII Gender Equity
Commendations:
Cypress College not only implemented CCCApply. They led the effort in the participation of Community Colleges across the state. Former Athletic Director Diane Henry was instrumental in this effort.
Recommendations;
None
Cycle II / Standard Eight: Fundraising
Commendations:
The Athletic Administration is to be commended for their research and identification of the necessary operating budgets to run the athletic department, and for incorporating requests for such funding into the shared governance process at Cypress College.
Commendations:
The Athletic Administration is to be commended for creating regular channels of communication and dialogue with the college administration to increase awareness of, and support for, financial needs required to support the athletic programs.
Recommendations:
There continues to be a shortfall with regard to the availability of monies for the salaries of Assistant Coaches. The burden of fundraising detracts from the coaches’ ability to teach and instruct, and on the ability of student- athletes to focus on their learning. It is recommended the athletic department continues to pursue college-based funding that is dedicated for the purpose of paying the Assistant Coaching Staff.