College of the Mainland

History

College of the Mainland was launched in late 1966 when the voters of Dickinson, Hitchcock, La Marque, Santa Fe, and Texas City approved a building-bond issue of $2,850,000, having been largely an idea since 1935. Herbert F. Stallworth, who previously had helped establish two colleges, was selected to head the new college in April 1967, and Fred A. Taylor was appointed dean of instruction. Classes were begun in temporary quarters in 1967. On March 21, 1970, the administration building, learning-resources center, math and science building, and technical-vocational building were completed, and the College of the Mainland moved to its new campus on Palmer Highway. On May 16, 1970, residents of the college district approved $4,750,000 for a second phase of construction. The campus was expanded to include a fine arts building, a physical education complex, and a student center. The math-science and technical-vocational buildings were improved. In 1984 a third addition to the technical-vocational building was constructed. In 1991, two industrial education buildings were completed to house auto mechanics and diesel technology programs. In 1999, a new public service careers building opened to provide classrooms and labs for EMS, fire and police academies as well as housing the college’s pharmacy technician program.

In 2003, the college opened the COM Learning Center-North County in League City, Texas, part of COM’s extended service area. The center is a leased facility that offers college credit and continuing education classes as well as dental assistant, medical assistant and other health care programs.

In 2004, the college became one of only three in the state of Texas to offer a Collegiate High School program on its campus allowing high school students to complete their last two years on a college campus while earning an associate degree.

In 2009, Dr. Michael A. Elam became the College’s seventh president. After months of contract renewal negotiations, Dr. Elam resigned in November 2011 in a $191,000 settlement that involves him going on sabbatical through November 2012. Larry Durrence was named interim president effective January 2012. Dr. Beth Lewis became president in 2013.

The college budget is supported by state appropriations and local property taxes. Other sources of revenue are federal grants. Funds raised by College of the Mainland Foundation go toward scholarships.

Educational Offerings

Besides traditional community college transfer classes, vocational programs and continuing education courses, such as those designed for students pursuing careers in nursing and business, the college offers a process technology degree for those seeking employment as operators in the refineries and other petroleum-related plants.

As of 2009, student enrollment was 3,527; approximately 47 percent of which were registered in university-parallel degree programs, with 53 percent in vocational programs.

ESL/GED Education

COM provides free GED and English as a second language classes to individuals at locations throughout Galveston County.

Adult Basic Education courses are perfect for improving reading, writing and mathematics skills and preparing for the General Education Development test. These nine-week courses are tuition free and have convenient schedules during morning, afternoon or evening hours. Students who complete this course and obtain their GED participate in a graduation ceremony.

English as a Second Language classes help students improve their ability to read, write, listen and speak the English language. There is no minimum skill level required. Course are nine weeks and meet at many convenient locations. The tuition is free, and no books are required. Students of all abilities can conveniently achieve their English language goals with College of the Mainland.

High School Programs

COM offers a Collegiate High School, which allows students to earn an associate degree by high school graduation. Students can also remain involved in extracurriculars at their home high school.

Dual credit classes at the COM main campus or at the COM Learning Center-North County in League City allow students to earn high school and college credit simultaneously.

Upward Bound, a federally funded program, is open to students from low-income families, students who have disabilities or students who will be the first in their families to graduate from college. The program helps them with tutoring, visits to universities and academic advising.

Degree and Certificate Programs

COM offers degree and certificate programs in the following areas

Continuing Education

COM offers continuing education classes designed to help students pursue a new career or interest.

Courses include:

Allied Health Certificate Programs

Cardiac/Telemetry Monitoring Technician
Certified Nurse Aide Certificate
Dental Assistant Certificate
Electrocardiography Technician Certificate
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Certificate
Medication Aide Certificate
Phlebotomy Technician Certificate
Physical Therapy Aide Certificate
Patient Care Technician Certificate

Industrial Craft Certificate Programs

Entry-Level Welding
Entry-Level Gas Shielded Pipe Welding
Heating, Ventilation/Air-Conditioning
Mechanical Maintenance Technician, Basic Certificate
Mechanical Maintenance Technician, Intermediate Certificate
Mechanical Maintenance Technician, Advanced Certificate
Machinist Certificate
Real Estate Certificate

Student Life

COM students can participate in competitive club sports including flag football, soccer, and basketball. Over 20 student clubs and organizations, from the Gamers Union to Art Club, meet on campus. COM also has a Five Star Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the national community college honor society, that conducts projects on campus and in the community.

Allegations of hiring discrimination

In September 2007, the Texas City and Galveston chapters of the League of United Latin American Citizens accused four of the seven trustees of racism after a 4-3 vote against hiring Hispanic Juan Garcia of Tarrant County College to the post Vice President of Student Services (which had been vacant for a year prior), despite a recommendation from President Hayes. Board of trustees member Don Criss, who voted in the majority, said in regards to the decision that ""There's no race involved." Jesse Ponce, President of The Texas City chapter of LULAC, through a spokesperson, countered, saying "To note that `race played no part' in the rejection is pretty ridiculous..."

David Michael Smith

The college garnered national attention in 2002 when political science instructor and self-avowed Marxist David Michael Smith applied for tenure, prompting vocal opposition from some residents and another former professor, Howard Katz. The then college president Ralph Holm as well as Smith's department and many former students supported Smith's application and he was granted tenure.

In April 2010, the College of the Mainland, acting under then President Michael Elam, sought to modify the way union fees were deducted from faculty pay. Smith and a number of concerned parties raised an issue with this change in policy. Subsequently, Mr. Criss, a trustee, scheduled a board meeting to reverse the actions of President Elam. The board meeting was open to attendance, but not to comment. Smith who was then the president of the Faculty Union (COM-Unity) attended as a member of the public. Smith remarked once negating Elam's testimony. Smith made only one additional remark to President Elam. The total exchange lasted one minute. However, regardless of President Elam's attempts to further the conversation with Smith, Smith was given a negative reprimand by Elam, a negative performance evaluation, and removed from the hiring board. Challenging this, Smith sued claiming that this was adverse action that violated his first amendment right. The court found the case passed the Pickering test and ruled in Smith's favor having opined the "disruption was negligible."

In May 2013, Smith was notified by the President Lewis that he was placed on a Formal Disciplinary Level 4 as requested by the Vice President of Instruction. The reasons were vague violations of policy, but e-mail correspondence mention flyering on vehicles, and alleged insubordination stemming from different interpreations of policy. Three months later Smith's employment was terminated. The college refused to comment on the matter.

Fine Arts

The College of the Mainland Fine Arts Department creates opportunities for students and community members to acquire skills in the areas of art, drama and music. Classes in these areas are for students who seek personal enrichment, will continue their education at transfer institutions, pursue individual expression or pursue careers in the arts.

Since 1972, COM Community Theatre has presented over 228 presentations including children's theatre, concerts and workshops with attendance of more than a quarter of a million people. The theater has been recognized as one of America's leading community theaters, setting high production standards and developing one of this country's most innovative programs.

The College of the Mainland Art Gallery serves as a resource for the study of art and art history and presents works demonstrating contemporary standards of quality. It is free and open to the public Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment. Exhibitions include paintings, drawings, print media, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, film, digital media (including movie and still photography) and site-specific installations that are culturally significant and creatively express personal views.

COM Vocal Arts offers two choirs open to community members. The COM Mainland Singers meet Monday evenings and Mainland Chorale practices Tuesday evenings. The COM choirs toured Ireland in 2014.

The College of the Mainland Music Program is among the most respected community college music programs in Houston/Galveston area. More than 100 music students attend each year, participating in six varied ensembles and pursuing their goals in performance and music education. Many COM students have made appearances with community college all-state performing ensembles, and some ensembles have performed at national conferences and in Europe. The program's instrumental ensembles are open to community members and degree-seeking students.

Governance and Service Area

The college is governed by a seven-member board of trustees elected to six-year terms by the residents of the college district.

As defined by the Texas Legislature, the official service area of COM includes:

Facts