Monday, 17 May 1993

Welcome to the sixth annual Ocotillo retreat!

Little did I know in 1987 that the questions I asked 
our faculty then would generate so muchinterest, 
energy, and enthusiasm.

Most of you know that I try to visit our 
colleges/centers at least once a semester. You also 
knowthat I have an agenda specific to each 
college/center; that is, I want to learn answers to 
uniquequesbons at each one of our institutions. 
However, almost every semester I ask the same 
questionor set of questions at all our 
colleges/centers.

In the Fall 1987 semester, I asked our faculty a set 
of questions that really boiled down to twofundamental 
quesbons in relation to our investment in 
computers/telecommunications technology:

1. Who is in charge of the instructional agenda?
2. Who should be?

Our faculty's response was: We are! And Ocotillo was 
born.

I am delighted that Ocotlllo continues to be the 
vehicle by which large numbers of our faculty andstaff 
get involved in not only answering questions about the 
use of technology in theteaching/learning process, 
but--perhaps more importantly--that additional 
questions are generatedevery year.

Since its inception Ocotillo, in effect, has used TQM-
like principles in that it empowers those mostinvolved 
with the issues to recommend ways of dealing with 
them, based on data. As we learnmore about TQM, I 
think Ocotlllo will become more effective and 
efficient.

We thank all members of our faculty and staff who have 
participated during the 1992-93 academicyear, 
particularly those who have served as chairs and co-
chairs of the different Ocotilhcommittees.

Muchas gracias.

Alfredo G. de los Santos Jr.
Vice Chancellor for Educational Development

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©1993 Maricopa Center For Learning and Instruction 
(MCLI), Maricopa Community Colleges