MAY 19 SPECIAL ELECTION
|
Every employee should have received an Easy Voter Guide in
their mail boxes and this information can also be found online at
http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/quick-reference-guide/. The Community College League of California
(CCLC) has endorsed the six ballot measures (1A-1F) that will appear on the May
19 special election. CCLC says the measures are necessary to implement the
18-month budget adopted by the Legislature and governor in February, and to
avoid a $319 million cut to community colleges in 2009-2010.
SWINE FLU
|
The college and district are working together to monitor and
prepare for any potential impacts of the swine flu on our community and our
college. We do not have any swine flu incidents in our District at this
time. Further information and helpful resources can be found on the
college and district websites.
The
following precautions are recommended for preventing the spread of many
infectious diseases including the flu. Wash hands frequently and
thoroughly with soap and water. When soap and water are not available,
use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid contact with those that are ill
and encourage those who are ill to remain at home to keep from infecting
others. And last but not least, focus on keeping yourself healthy – get
plenty of rest, eat well, manage your stress and drink plenty of
fluids. I know that last sentence seems more difficult than the previous
ones given the time of the semester, but please do focus on your health even
during this very busy time.
WALK OF FAME CEREMONY
|
In an outdoor event held Friday morning, May 1, one of our
Grossmont College alumni was honored. El Cajon Police Chief, Pat Sprecco,
a graduate of the 1976 Administration of Justice Class, was honored. Pat
worked as a security officer on campus while he was a student. Pat spoke
of his parents both attending Grossmont College and graduating from the AOJ
program while raising a large family (14 children) and he spoke fondly of his
own experience at Grossmont. Pat’s story is quite inspirational in that
he initially started with the El Cajon Police Department washing cars and
through years of hard work and dedication now serves as the Police Chief.
ACCREDITATION UPDATE
|
Thanks to the efforts of the Accreditation Steering
Committee, the second follow up report to the Accreditation Commission for
Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) can now be found on the intranet at http://www.grossmont.edu/intranet/accreditation0409/default.htm.
Your login and password will be needed to access the draft report.
The website also provides an opportunity for you to provide comments which will
be reviewed by the steering committee. The follow-up report is scheduled
to be discussed through our collegial processes throughout May and suggested
feedback and edits will be reviewed by the steering committee over the summer.
The final version is scheduled to be submitted to the Governing Board in August
or September 2009 and to ACCJC in early October 2009.
LITERARY ARTS FESTIVAL
|
The English Department and Creative Writing Program hosted a
very successful 13th annual Literary Arts Festival, which featured several
on-campus events during April 20-30. Approximately 400 people attended a
book signing on April 30 by Jimmy Santiago Baca, an award-winning poet and
author who learned to read and write while incarcerated in the Arizona prison
system on drug charges. Other highlights included: “Hunger and Thirst,” a
presentation on April 23 of poetry, fiction, non-fiction and other literature
about food and drink, including what we hunger for, what sustains us and what
brings joy to families in our culture; “New Voices” a presentation on April 20
of creative writing students reading their short fiction, poetry, creative
non-fiction, novel excerpts and drama; and, “At Rise” a presentation on April
21 of up-and-coming drama writers reading their one-act plays.
Many thanks to Sydney Brown, Stephanie Mood, Oralee Holder
and the many supporters of the Creative Writing Program at Grossmont College
for their efforts on behalf of this annual event.
ASGC NEWS
|
Top vote-getters in the recent ASGC elections included Marc
Valenzuela as president, Preston Rosenbeck as vice
president, Christopher Enders as comptroller and student trustee, Jovanna
Ugarate as executive secretary, Shaun Stasny as director of publicity and Meray
Ajami as director of campus activities.
At ASGC’s recent Academic and Service Awards ceremony,
honorees included Tomomi Tsunoda as International Student of the Year, Danielle
Bryan as Female Athlete of the Year, Kurt Thompson as Male Athlete of the Year
and David Vasquez for the Sergeant Kenneth Joseph Memorial Award. Division
honors went to Giovanni Hanna (Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Exercise
Science/Wellness), Marissa Perino (Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences),
Breanne Ahearn (Communication and Fine Arts) and Peter Breinholt (Career and
Technical Education).
NURSING ACCREDITATION
|
The California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) has
tentatively recommended eight-year accreditation status
for the Grossmont College Associate Degree Nursing Program. The official letter
is expected to arrive from BRN this summer following its August meeting.
UPCOMING CEREMONIES
|
Here is a schedule of dates of graduation and other
ceremonies:
Police
Academy Graduation, May 1
Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony, May 2
Transfer Achievement Celebration, May 8
(students who have been accepted to a four-year college and university are
invited to attend to be recognized)
Foster Parent Appreciation Banquet, May 8
Students of Note, May 9
Corrections Academy Graduation, May 15
Cardiovascular Technology Dinner Celebration,
May 29
Nursing Pinning Ceremony, June 2
Commencement, June 3
Respiratory Therapy Dinner Celebration, June 4
OTA Graduation, June 5
OPT Graduation, June 5
Middle College High School, June 8
END OF OFF-SITE PARKING CELEBRATION
|
SAVE THE DATE! We are nearly through this year’s
parking challenge! There are only three weeks (12 days to be exact) left in
our off campus parking plan. Thanks to each and every one of you for all
that you did to keep your cars off campus over this academic year. To
show our appreciation to our college and district employees for their
sacrifice, Chancellor Miles and I will be sponsoring a joint celebration!
Please mark your calendar for the end of off-site parking celebration on
Thursday, May 21st @ 2:00-4:00 in the Exercise Science and Wellness
quad. Come join your colleagues, enjoy the refreshments and the
spectacular view as we celebrate everyone’s efforts during the “Students
First” campaign. Your support is very much appreciated!
UPCOMING EVENTS
|
Summer School registration runs through June 12,
with more than 500 sections available. Classes begin June 15.
The Grossmont College Theatre Arts Department
will present “Charley’s Aunt,” a famous comedy about a disguise that doesn’t
turn out as planned, on May 7-9 and 13-16. The play, first performed in London
in 1892, is directed by faculty member Henry J. Jordan.
The Grossmont College Photo Club will
host “Photo San Diego,” an event featuring buying, swapping and selling of used
and new photo equipment, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, at the
Digital Arts Building. Local residents are invited to bring their old photo
equipment to swap or sell. The event also will feature demonstrations of new
equipment, “try-before-you-buy” opportunities, prize giveaways of photo gear,
and portfolio reviews of student work, along with displays, presentations and
question-and-answer sessions with photo experts. Raffle tickets will be sold
with proceeds to fund student scholarships.
The Hyde Art Gallery is presenting its annual Art
Student Exhibition from May 11 to 21.
The Career Center will present “The
Benefits of Internships,” a free workshop from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on
Wednesday, May 13 in Room 60-627.
The 10th annual College Recognition Awards
ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2009, in the Student
Center.
The Grossmont College Master Chorale and
Afro-Cuban and Vocal Jazz Ensembles will present “Puerto Rico” at 3 p.m. on
Sunday, May 17 at the East County Performing Arts Center.