Southeast : REINVENTING COLLEGE

The same management consultant paid to help Vice President Al Gore “reinvent government” has inspired Cerritos College to think about improvements.

James Belasco, who for the last couple of years has reminded numerous federal agencies from the post office to the IRS about the need for better customer service, recently delivered his message of “vision and values” to about 100 of the community college’s key staff and faculty members.

Roused by the six-hour workshop and determined to maintain momentum, they will meet at the end of the month with the board of trustees during a two-day retreat to share ideas.

“Most often academic institutions are not receptive to my message, but Cerritos was ready to listen,” said Belasco, who had been touted on campus after several employees attended a seminar he conducted.

“I came specifically because they were ready to make the changes that needed to be made.” Belasco waived his usual $20,000 fee as a community service.

Already, he said, about a third of more than 100 necessary actions identified during the conference have been completed. For example, for the first time in the college’s history, a joint academic and administrative calendar has been published, helping to eliminate scheduling conflicts. Cerritos College President Fred Gaskin called Belasco “a high-powered, masterful facilitator.”