President's Newsburst - December 2012

PRESIDENT’S NEWSBURST

DECEMBER 2012

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

As the fall semester comes to a close, I wanted to pause and reflect on a few major accomplishments and milestones.  We continue to work tirelessly and collaboratively to achieve several meaningful things.  First and foremost, the state and local voters demonstrated their continued support for community colleges.  Through Prop 30, California voters stopped the drastic annual budget cuts to the California community college system.  Locally in East County, our supportive voters passed the GCCCD $498M facilities bond (Prop V).  Of course, through all of this, our collective work across the college to improve student success is making a difference.  The number of students succeeding, persisting and completing degrees and certificates is rising http://intranet.gcccd.edu/student-success-initiative/documents/student-success-files/GCCCD2011-12ProgressReport_Final111312.pdf.  Our work on accreditation has resulted in a self-evaluation report currently out for college-wide review (www.grossmont.edu/intranet/selfEvalReport13/default.htm).  Our wellness efforts are making a difference for employees.  I invite you to take a look at a few of our accomplishments from last year that support our strategic planning goals.

In closing, thank you for all you do to help our college and students accomplish great things even through these turbulent times.  Please accept my heart felt gratitude for all that you do each day to support our students, your colleagues and me.  Your words of support and encouragement have sustained me throughout the year.

May peace, joy, health and the love of friends and family encompass you during the holiday season.

ASGC/CARE HOLIDAY PARTY

The annual ASGC/CARE holiday party for EOPS, CARE and CalWORKs students will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7 in Griffin Gate. The CARE program student/parents are low-income, single head of household, CalWORKs recipients, who attend full-time, with a goal to build better lives for themselves and their children, becoming self-sufficient. We are looking forward to your continued generous support this year. Each year, the CARE Program receives toys from the Marine Corps Toys-for-Tots Program. This program provides toys for the children under 1 year to age 14. The CARE families include tweens and teens. This holiday party is a meaningful way in which our college helps these families celebrate this special season. 

AROUND THE CAMPUS

      We recently held an "Accreditation Self-Study Read-In". Our campus community spent time reviewing the latest draft of the college's accreditation self-study in preparation for next year's site visit by representatives of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC). Accreditation by this agency certifies that Grossmont College has met the standards of quality for public funding.  In preparation for the ACCJC visit, we have written a Self-Evaluation Report. The report is based on historical and contemporary information about the operations of Grossmont College. Please continue to review the draft Self-Evaluation Report and provide input online at www.grossmont.edu/intranet/selfEvalReport13/default.htm.

      All faculty and staff are invited to attend the fourth annual CHILI COOK-OFF, a highly competitive event, from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 13, at Griffin Gate. Enjoy extraordinary spicy and tasty chili, including vegetarian chili, from talented cooks at Grossmont College. Beverages will be provided. Prizes will be awarded to the top two chili’s from the following categories: Spiciest/Hottest; Vegetarian; Meat.  If you plan to enter the competitive cook-off or plan on bringing a dessert, chili fixings or cornbread to share, please contact Bernadette Black at ext. 7100.

      The DISTRICT HOLIDAY LUNCHEON will begin at high noon on Friday, Dec. 14 in the District Warehouse. Please join us to celebrate the holidays with your District colleagues. Please confirm your attendance so that we know how many to plan for. Bring your best side dish and be ready for some holiday fun. RSVP to Janet.Zullo@gcccd.edu, or at ext. #7701.

      The annual staff COOKIE EXCHANGE and contest for favorite cookie will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 18 in the Mail Center/BCS Lobby. Bring four dozen of your favorite homemade cookies or desert or a copy of your favorite recipe. Also bring a container to store your goodies. RSVP to ext. 7621 prior to Dec. 14.

RECENT CAMPUS EVENTS

      Office Professional Training (OPT) Program wishes to express appreciation for the campus support of its recent craft fair on November 15^th. Shoppers got a head start on holiday shopping on items from such brands as Scentsy Candles, Cookie Lee Jewelry and Tupperware.

      The Creative Writing Program reports that its recent “WRITE-A-THON” was a tremendous success. On Saturday, Nov. 17, 80 participants enjoyed writing in four genres, including fiction, poetry, drama and creative non-fiction. Sydney Brown said they especially enjoyed receiving a limited edition Lester Bangs T-shirt designed by Karl Sherlock, Grossmont College English Dept. faculty member. More than $6,500 was raised for the Creative Writing Program’s fall and spring literary events, including the 2013 Literary Arts Festival's guest author Tobias Wolff.

      Eighteen colleges and universities competed at the recent 20th annual Griffin Invitational Speech/Debate tournament, held Nov. 9-11. Among the Grossmont students who earned awards: Cameron Martin, Mayte Gutierrez, Ali Majed Aldhalimi and Erik Diaz. Other students who competed included Darron DeVillez, Donnell Narducci, Gregory Banach, Jeffrey Adams, John Price, Matthew Pecci, Samuel Thomas and Yael Moyal.  More than 150 Communication students assisted with the tournament. Faculty members who served as judges at the tournament included: Michael Elizondo, Charmin Lindholm, Denise Schulmeyer Jade Solan and Alisha Solan.

      The English Department’s Creative Writing Program concluded its fall 2012 Reading Series with “New Voices,” a student reading of poetry, fiction, non-fiction and drama, on Monday, Dec. 3. Artful, evocative and entertaining – the writers of the Fall 2012 New Voices Reading inspired all.   

      The Adult Reentry Program hosted “Your Passport to the Future,” a free informational meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 4. The meeting was designed for adults returning to school after a length of time to complete a degree or certificate, or to upgrade their skills for a new job or career. Speakers included former students who successfully returned to the classroom, along with information on admission procedures, transfer programs and financial aid.   

UPCOMING CAMPUS EVENTS

      The college’s Ceramics Program will host a Holiday Ceramic Sale from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 4 and 5, on the Main Quad. Jeff Irwin, Art, is organizing the event.

      The Grossmont College Guitar Guild will present the Grossmont Guitar Ensemble performing at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 5 in Room #221. Admission is free.

      The Grossmont College Concert Band will perform with the Cuyamaca College Concert Band for their annual winter concert at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at Cuyamaca College’s Performing Arts Theatre. General admission is $8 per person and $5 for students and seniors.

      The Music Department’s Afro-Cuban Jazz Ensemble and Grossmont College Jazz Band will perform together in concert at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6, at the Grossmont College’s Recital Hall, Building 26, Room 220. General admission is $10 per person, $8 for seniors and $5 for students.

      The Gospel Choir will perform a holiday concert at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7, at Trinity Baptist Church, 1150 Merritt Dr. in El Cajon. Admission is free.

      The Grossmont Guitar Guild will present “Blurring the Edges” a fundraising performance featuring Grossmont College guitar instructor Fred Benedetti and cousins Peter and Tripp Sprague, starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7, at Grossmont College’s Recital Hall, Building 26, Room 220. General admission is $10 per person and $8 for seniors and students. This jazz concert will features original new music by the artists. 

      The final Dance Master Class of the semester will be held on Saturday, Dec. 8. Guest instructor Suzanne Forbes-Vierling will teach African dance from 1:45 to 3:15 p.m. in the main dance studio.

      This is the final week of performances of the Theater Arts Department’s “My Three Angels,” directed by Jerry Hager. Performances will be held Dec. 6, 7, 8 at 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. The setting is December 1910, French Guiana. Three convicts, including two murderers and a swindler on work release, ingratiate themselves in the home of the Ducotel Family. On their way from France is an evil-minded cousin planning to oust the father of the family from his business, and a cold-blooded nephew intent on jilting the father’s daughter for an heiress. The convicts’ warm hearts, criminal arts, and passionate belief in the principles of justice intertwine to set matters right and, in so doing, redeem themselves as real life angels. “My Three Angels,” by Sam and Bella Spewack, is based on La Cuisine Des Anges by Albert Husson.

      The Grossmont College Music Department will present “Jazz Night,” an evening of students from the Jazz Studies Program performing a variety of different styles of jazz, starting at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9, in Room #220. General admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for students.

      The Grossmont Symphony Orchestra and Master Chorale will perform a “Baroque Christmas Concert” on Tuesday, Dec. 11 at St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Church, 1627 Jamacha Way, El Cajon, and on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at All Saints Episcopal Church, 625 Pennsylvania Ave., in San Diego’s Uptown District. Both performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, however a free-willing offering will be held at both venues. 

      The Hyde Art Gallery’s annual photography exhibit will end on Dec. 13. The exhibit, titled “Create, Connect, Client,” features 66 images from 13 different commercial and artistic professional photographers, including four graduates of the Grossmont College photography program. In-kind contributions for the exhibit have been made by the San Diego chapters of the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) and Artistic Photographers of America (APA), as well as Chrome Digital Labs.

HONORS

      Jeff Irwin, Ceramics, is featured in the December 2012 issue of San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles magazine. In an article titled “The Ceramic Menagerie,” Irwin is profiled for his ceramic animal/tree hybrids that resemble wall-mounted hunting trophies, along with his work with tiles and plates that resemble sepia photographs or engravings. See more at www.sdhg.net.

      Two faculty members won seats at the recent election. George Gastil, History, was reelected to a second four-year term on the Lemon Grove City Council. Gregg Robinson, Sociology, was elected to the San Diego County Board of Education, District 1. Robinson unseated incumbent John Witt with 55 percent of the vote. The County Board of Education oversees all 42 school districts within San Diego County.

      Justin Hudnall, project director of “The Far East Project,” joined Eldonna Lay, historian, author, former educator and curator of the Knox House Museum in El Cajon, for a recent interview on KPBS-FM. “The Far East Project,” made possible by a grant through the San Diego Foundation, is an ongoing effort to create a people's history of San Diego's East County by collecting poems, personal narratives, photographs and performances about life east of the I-5. “The Far East Project” is supported by English instructor Sydney Brown, who serves as Project Mentor.  A recently published book, “The Far East: Everything Just As It Is,” features writings by over 40 contributors, and a majority of authors, over half, are affiliated with Grossmont College, either as students or faculty. Hudnall hopes that “The Far East Project” will not only change people's perspectives on East County, but also will help jump start its economy through arts and culture.

      Two of our recent 2012 Respiratory Therapy (RT) graduates are appearing on the November cover of AARC Times, a national magazine published by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), an Irving, Tex.-based professional association. Angela Rizzuto and Arun Routledge were featured for their participation in the DRIVE4COPD awareness campaign, a national public health campaign designed to screen millions of people who may be at risk for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). As many as 24 million Americans may have COPD but approximately half don't know it and remain undiagnosed.  With 37,000 members committed to providing exemplary respiratory care and improving lung health worldwide, AARC’s mission is to advance the science, technology, ethics, and art of respiratory care through research and education for its members and to teach the general public about pulmonary health and disease prevention.

President's Newsburst November 2012

PRESIDENT’S NEWSBURST

NOVEMBER 2012

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

This is it. All hands on deck. Nov. 6 is an all-important election for California’s community colleges. Budget cuts are non-partisan – they affect us all. So, this is our chance to make a difference for the future of education in California.  I encourage all members of the Grossmont College family to exercise one of our most cherished constitutional rights and be sure to vote in the November election, whether via mail-in ballot or in person on Tuesday, Nov. 6. Take a friend, a family member or a co-worker to the polls on Nov. 6.  Thank you.

VETERANS WEEK

In commemoration of Veterans Day, Grossmont College’s Student Veteran Organization (SVO) will host a number of activities, Nov. 6 through 8.  Please wear the yellow ribbon provided in your mailbox to show your support for our veterans, active duty military and their families.  On November 6^th, an opening ceremony will take place from 10 a.m. to noon in the Main Quad. Following a color guard presentation and the national anthem performed by the music department, guest speaker Jerry Stadtmiller with the Veterans Village of San Diego will speak about the cost and consequence of war. Stadtmiller, the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder program director at Veterans Village, served in Vietnam as a rifleman for the U.S. Marine Corps and was severely injured by two AK-47 rounds. Military vehicles will be on display throughout the day Tuesday in the Main Quad. On Wednesday, Nov. 7, participants can take a physical training challenge between 9 a.m. and noon at the athletic track. Participants will receive a free barbecue lunch provided by ADSOC. To sign up, contact the Student Veterans Organization at svogcccd@gmail.com. Also on Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the SVO will have an information booth set up in the Main Quad, where Student Health Services and the San Diego Blood Bank Bloodmobile are holding a blood drive. Then, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Building 26, Room 220, a free showing is set of “The Longoria Affair,” a documentary about a funeral home in rural Texas denying services for a Mexican-American soldier following World War II, and the impact the controversy had on the town for years to come. On Thursday, Nov. 8, awards of appreciation will be distributed at a closing ceremony from 10 a.m. to noon at Griffin Gate.

BE WELL!

      The GC Wellness Initiative and Professional Development Committee are committed to helping you improve your health and wellness by providing employee fitness classes at no cost. Join the Zumba class from 5:30 to 6: 30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays in 42-101. An alternative for you may be the Yoga class held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in 42-101, and from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Fridays in the Health & Science Complex Lower Lobby. Recreational swimming is available from 4 to 4:50 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, and from 11 to 11:50 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Vilarino, our wellness coordinator.

      A farmers market recently opened about two miles from our campus at Pershing Middle School, 8204 San Carlos Drive, San Diego, 92119. It is open from 4 to 7 p.m. every Thursday evening.  The market is located in the northeast corner of the school’s soccer field to the street. Some fans have said it rivals the farmers market in Hillcrest with about 10 booths, all with organic produce, a few crafts booths and several food booths. Here is a recent review from Yelp, http://yelp.com/biz/san-carlos-farmers-market-san-diego.

      Volunteer-Led Activity Groups with your colleagues and co-workers offers fun, “good-for-the-soul” exercise. Join Linda Daley for walking at 9 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, and Laura Murphey at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Join Pat Murray for cycling at noon on Wednesdays.  Beginning jogging is available at 5:15 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays with Denise Schulmeyer. For hiking, contact Will Pines (North County), Bernadette Black (Cowles Mountain) and Anita Martinez (Mission Trails).

RECENT CAMPUS EVENTS

      Thanks to all who joined us for a “spirit-lifting” event on Halloween. We enjoyed caramel apples and a costume contest in the Culinary Arts patio. Here are the top costume winners:

Cutest

Patrick Aure, Athletics, as “replacement referee”

Veronica Romero, Counseling, as “Progressive Flo”

Scariest

Genie Montoya, Business Office, as “zombie”

Nadia Souza, Health Professions, as “Slasher secretary”

Creative
Justin Dile, Veterans Office, as “Tinkerbell”
Maria Castro, Financial Aid, as “poison ivy”

      Six universities attended our campus’ first-ever Nursing Transfer Day, held on Thursday, Oct. 28. The six campuses included: Azusa Pacific University, University of Phoenix, California State University San Marcos, Point Loma Nazarene University, National University, Brandman University (Chapman University system). 

SPEECH/DEBATE HONORS

Congratulations to our Speech/Debate Team for high scores at two recent competitions.  At the Pasadena City College tournament, held Oct. 26-27, awards went to: Cameron Martin, 2nd place Open Division in Program Oral Interpretation; Mayte Gutierrez, finalist in Open Division Program Oral Interpretation; Ali Majed, finalist in Open Division Extemporaneous. Other GC team members included Jeffrey Adams, Darron Devillez, John Price and Samuel Thomas. At the Irvine Valley College tournament, the first tournament of the season held Oct. 12-13, five GC students competed. Eighteen colleges participated, seven of which were four-year universities and 11 were two-year colleges. Awards went to: Ali Majed, 1st Place in Open Division Impromptu Speaking (out of 78 competitors) and 2nd Place Speaker Award in Jr. Parli Debate; Cameron Martin, 1st Place in Open Prose and 2nd Place in Program Oral Interpretation; Vanessa Spear, 3rd Place Speaker Award in Jr. Parli Debate. Also competing was Jeffrey Adams in Nov. Parli and Samuel Thomas in Nov. Parli, who won two debates out of four.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY GROUPS

Our recent professional development efforts have included the formation of professional development advisory groups. Debbie Yaddow is the point person for the administrators advisory group. Debbie is developing a survey for administrators, supervisors and managers to give their opinion regarding staff development needs. Nancy Davis is representing the supervisors. Pat Murray is leading the Classified Staff Professional Development Advisory group. Pat said a recent survey indicated that 60 percent of classified staff are participating in some aspect of professional development at Grossmont College. She said the classified group is planning workshops on such topics as “stress management” and “nutrition and cooking.” Members of the classified group include William Bown, Laura Murphey, Patty Sparks, Joe Balestreri, Irene Bauza, Pat Palma, Lucy Price, Tia Pickens, Rochelle Weiser and Dennis Sigler.

ACCREDITATION UPDATE

Barb Blanchard and Chris Hill, Accreditation Co-chairs, want to thank all who have worked on the draft of the 2013 Grossmont College Accreditation Self Evaluation Report. Now, Barb and Chris need your help for review of the report. You can find the report on the GC intranet at http://www.grossmont.edu/intranet/selfEvalReport13/default.htm. The report is divided into an introductory section and four standards which themselves are divided into subsections. For this review, you will find each individual section listed as an independent .pdf file. Here are some instructions to consider before beginning your review:

#1. Please read any or all of the sections and provide your comments in the feedback box provided below the document links. 
#2.When making your comments, please try to reference the specific section that is the focus of your comment.
Remember, this report is in draft form. There is still editing to be done that will include fixing grammar, correcting acronyms, and elimination of redundancies among other things. We are hoping that you can help us most by focusing on content.  In other words, are we missing anything important or are there inconsistencies in the information?  Thanks again for providing this very important feedback.  If you have any questions about the document or the accreditation process in general, please contact barbara.blanchard@gcccd.edu or chris.hill@gcccd.edu.

UPCOMING CAMPUS EVENTS

      This is the second year of our campuswide “one-book, one-campus” project. Students in classrooms across the campus are discussing “Silent Spring,” the book credited with helping to launch the environmental movement of the 1960s. A screening of the “Silent Spring” film will be shown held at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 7 in Griffin Gate (doors open at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.).  For the latest schedule, visit www.grossmont.edu/english/SilentSpring.

      The Occupational Therapy Assistant program will present its annual Assistive Technology Show from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 8, in the upstairs and downstairs student areas of the Building #34, Health and Sciences Complex. The show features students using everyday materials to create pieces of equipment to assist people with their daily living after injury or surgery.  The students will present their created assistive devices designed to assist an individual with common daily activities, such as opening doors, making beds or closing hatchbacks. This is truly an amazing event and really showcases the OTA program and students. Please stop by and take a look at the wonderful devices the students have created.

      Hyde Art Gallery will present its annual photography exhibit from Nov. 13 to Dec. 13. The exhibit, titled “Create, Connect, Client,” features 66 images from 13 different commercial and artistic professional photographers, including four graduates of the Grossmont College photography program. In-kind contributions for the exhibit have been made by the San Diego chapters of the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) and Artistic Photographers of America (APA), as well as Chrome Digital Labs. A reception with the exhibitors will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15.

      Many people are very insecure about their math skills and taking tests. The Grossmont College Adult Reentry Program will host “Math Anxiety,” a free presentation on managing text anxiety, from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the Career Center. Speaking will be Grossmont College mathematics instructors Jeff Waller and Jennifer Vanden Eynden. The seminar will assist students and prospective students with managing test anxiety and basic math study skills.  Usually people are put off by math because of a bad experience in school or perhaps by the scary look of written math, but this workshop will break down those barriers.

      The Office Professional Training (OPT) Program will host a Craft Fair/Holiday shopping event in the Quad from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15.  Invited vendors include Scentsy Candles, Cookie Lee Jewelry, Tupperware, and vendors of handcrafted items, such as Best Friends Craft Club. OPT students will also be selling pizza by the slice with soda. Get a head start on your holiday shopping early at this event.

      The Grossmont College Creative Writing Program will present an all-day creative 'WRITE-A-THON from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17, at Griffin Gate in Building #60. The event is open to students, faculty and the public, and is limited to around 80 participants. Participants will be invited to write in four genres, including fiction, poetry, drama and creative non-fiction. For a minimum donation of $50, participants will receive continental breakfast and lunch, raffle tickets for the opportunity to win a laptop computer donated by the Foundation for Grossmont & Cuyamaca Colleges and a limited edition Lester Bangs T-shirt designed by Karl Sherlock, Grossmont College English Dept. faculty member. Proceeds will benefit the Grossmont College Creative Writing Program’s fall and spring literary events, including the 2013 Literary Arts Festival's guest author Tobias Wolff.  For more event information, visit www.grosssmont.edu/english, or call Grossmont College Creative Writing Program Coordinators Sydney Brown at (619) 644-7523, or Karl Sherlock at (619) 644-7871.

      The Grossmont College Theater Arts program will present “My Three Angels,” directed by Jerry Hager, on Nov. 29, 30, Dec. 1,6,7,8 at 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 1 and 8 at 2:00 p.m. The setting is December 1910, French Guiana. Three convicts, including two murderers and a swindler on work release, ingratiate themselves in the home of the Ducotel Family. On their way from France is an evil-minded cousin planning to oust the father of the family from his business, and a cold-blooded nephew intent on jilting the father’s daughter for an heiress. The convicts’ warm hearts, criminal arts, and passionate belief in the principles of justice intertwine to set matters right and, in so doing, redeem themselves as real life angels. “My Three Angels,” by Sam and Bella Spewack, is based on La Cuisine Des Anges by Albert Husson.”

IN THE COMMUNITY

      The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce and Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District will host a free workshop on “Critical conversations: Utilizing Feedback Opportunities to Enhance Employee Performance” from 9 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at the Chamber’s Community Room, 201 S. Magnolia Ave. in El Cajon. Presenting will be Kathryn Rippy, director of organization development with The Centre for Organization Effectiveness. This workshop will discuss the importance of having critical conversations even when they are difficult, weighing the cost/benefit, navigating the difficult conversation to a win-win outcome and making this critical part of your organization or team. The workshop is designed to help East County small business owners improve their employee productivity and performance.

      Grossmont and Cuyamaca students are planning to participate at the Mother Goose Parade in El Cajon on Sunday, Nov. 18th. All members of the Grossmont College family are encouraged to attend the parade and cheer for the students and college mascots as they pass by riding on an antique fire truck. The parade is the largest parade in San Diego County and the largest west of the Mississippi. The parade will begin at Magnolia and Main Street in El Cajon. For more parade information, visit www.mothergooseparade.org. For information about GC students in the parade, contact Peg Marcus, president, ASGC.