Governing Board Meeting Highlights
At the November 13, 2007, meeting the Governing Board:
- Board President Rick Alexander and other members of the Governing Board commended both colleges for their outstanding response and efforts during the October firestorms while simultaneously conducting their respective accreditation site visits;
- Heard Dr. Cooke’s report about the Accreditation Site Visit Team’s draft findings, including preliminary commendations and recommendations;
- Adopted “Zach’s Resolution” in support of returning driver education classes and behind-the-wheel training to all California public high schools;
- Heard a report about the Smoking Policy Evaluation Plan;
- Approved the annual revision to the Proposition R Funding Plan.
Other Governing Board highlights will appear in the Courier which is distributed electronically from the District Office. Hard copies are available in the Mail Room.
Accreditation & Fires Challenge And Taunt Us......But Cannot Daunt Us
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During the weeks before accreditation week we sent daily reminder e-mails, gave our campus community a photo-guide to introduce them to the site team, and prepared in a multitude of ways for a challenging week. Little did we know just how challenging the week would be! Who would have imagined that in the midst of a firestorm, our site visit would go forward?
Nevertheless, it did and you have seen how well we survived. We are truly blessed in that so many people are safe. So many people were engaged in the accreditation process that nearly 40 turned out for the Open Forum at the Doubletree Hotel Wednesday, October 24, and more than 100 attended the exit interview the next day. Meanwhile, back at campus, our facilities, grounds and maintenance heroes labored to not only keep the soot and ash under control, but to assist the members of the regional incident command center that set up base in our parking lots.
I have only been here a few months. I knew Grossmont was a tight and dedicated family, but this experience proved it!! Our “Survivor” celebration on October 31 was fun and festive. I do know this District and our Administration is very proud of the can-do, and did-do, spirit and energy.
It's A New Day Gala Resounding Success
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Thanks to Ernie Ewin, Executive Director of the Grossmont College Foundation, the Gala co-chairs Vicki Whitmire and Karol Schoen, and the hundreds of folks who contributed their efforts to making our recent event the best Gala ever. More than 350 guests enjoyed the silent and live auctions, superb cuisine, and fun entertainment all in the spirit of providing resources for our students through the good work of the Foundation. Gross sales broke six figures again, a gain of approximately 50 percent over 2006. Net profit exceeded $74,000, up more than 47 percent over 2006.
My heartfelt gratitude to those who contributed and organized gift baskets for the auction, recruited more than 130 colleagues to form a college presence for the event, and who served on the 19 sub-committees whose work made it possible. It was a beautiful event and the students of Grossmont College will benefit for years to come.
Faculty Receive Honors
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Cheryl Hinton, Cross-Cultural Studies adjunct instructor, will receive the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce award for Woman of the Year in Arts and Culture at the annual Women in Leadership Luncheon November 28. Cheryl is the Director/ Chief Curator for the tribal museum of the Barona Band of Mission Indians. She was recently elected by more than 600 members to the board of the Western Museum Association, a prestigious body that also includes a director of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
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Ruth Fatima Konopka’s, language instructor, Spanish course was nominated as one of the 25 best World Language courses at US colleges and universities as part of a best practices study conducted by the Educational Policy Improvement Center on behalf of the College Board. Ms. Konopka’s class was chosen from a national pool of the best in college-level teaching, meeting six selection criteria.
Fall Events Keep Campus Energy High
The Grossmont College Dance Department hosted two master class instructors Sunday November 4 in the New Dance Studio, Room 271. African Dance was taught by Suzanne Forbes-Bierling, Ph.D., and three different types of Latin Dance were taught by Liliana de Leon-Torsiello.
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World Arts and Culture Committee regrouped after fires, held Arabic Culture day with the Arabic Club November 5. The event was filled with music, dancing, exhibits, and fabulous food. Thanks to Sonia Ghattas-Soliman, club advisor, and to WACC coordinators Agustin Albarran and Yolanda Guerrero.
On November 7, the Grossmont College Guitar Ensemble presented a free concert for members of our college community.
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The next day, November 8, our Grossmont College Veterans Club hosted a fundraiser in the Main Quad, selling hot dogs, hamburgers, garden burgers and more!
The History department presented, The Crucible, a living history film and lecture series, a tale of hatred hysteria and betrayal based on the Salem witch trials and 1950s McCarthyism.
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Love Letters by A. R. Gurney and Directed by Beth Duggan is a story of love letters exchanged over a lifetime between two people who grew up together and went their separate ways. It is an evocative, touching and frequently funny piece of theatre. You can attend November 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m., and November 10 and 17 at 2:30 p.m. at the Stagehouse Theatre.
Student Health Services Series: November 7 Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention; November 13 and 27, “Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk” with a Health Services Nurse; November 15, Great American Smokeout, Main Quad, 10-1. Flu Shots, no appointment needed National Flu Immunizations week starts November 26.
TOPOPT Cookbooks For Sale
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The Alumni Association of the Office Professional Training program has completed a wonderful cookbook, “Good Cooking is OPTional” including all types of recipes from graduates, staff, family and friends. The book is on sale for $10, and would make a great holiday gift. Contact Dr. Mary Leslie for more information. All of the funds will be used to pay costs of training unemployed students to enter or re-enter the workforce in accounting, insurance, and office/administrative support positions.
High School Dance Day November 30
Local high schools are invited to participate in our annual High School Dance Day Friday November 30. This popular outreach project is scheduled 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on our campus.
TOPCareer Center And Job Placement Workshops - 11am - 12:15pm
- November 14: Systematic Job Search. Students will learn to counter the most common mistakes and see a demonstration of new job placement software;
- November 29: Top-Notch Interviewing Skills, presented by Janell Branson of the Office Professional Training staff.
Upcoming Events - Please Join Us
Creative Writing presents: A Student Reading, November 14 in Griffin Gate at 7 p.m.; and Eileen Myles, A Reading and Book Signing, November 27, 7:30 p.m. Hyde Art Gallery.
Social Landscapes, photography by Phel Steinmetz, will be presented in the Hyde Art Gallery, with opening event November 14, 7 – 9 p.m. The Exhibition runs through December 13.
“Be Wise” Science Program for High School girls for 30 students from San Diego region high schools to promote science careers for women. Saturday, November 17, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Science Laboratory Building. Coordinated by Dr. Cary Willard.
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Breaking Boundaries Dance Concert, November 29, 30, 7:30 p.m. Stagehouse Theatre and December 1, 2:30 and 7 p.m. and December 2, 2 p.m. Stagehouse Theatre.
Clay Club Ceramic Sale – November 27 – 29 Main Quad
“Baby It’s Cold Outside” presented by Grossmont Symphony Orchestra, December 2, 3 p.m.
East County Performing Arts Center.
Mark Your Calendar For December Events
- Tune in December 4 when KUSI’s Rod Luck will feature Grossmont College Corrections Academy during the 7:45 a.m. segment, and Advanced Forensics Photography during the 8:30 segment.
- December 7, Welcome Back Nursing Program Pinning Ceremony, 5 p.m. Student Center.
- December 13, Generic Nursing Program Pinning Ceremony, 3 p.m. Student Center.
- December 14, Corrections Academy Graduation, 6 p.m. Student Center.
Wishes For Happy And Bountiful Thanksgiving
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We all have much for which to be especially thankful this year. Please enjoy the Holiday break with your friends, family and loved ones, and know that we are especially thankful for our extended Grossmont College family.
Dr. Sunita V. Cooke