CAMPUS NEWS

Two Open Forums Scheduled for Presidential Candidates

The two finalists for president of Cañada College will be on campus next week for open forums.

Allan Hoffman, vice president of instruction at Hartnell College in Salinas , will be on campus from 1:45 to 3 p.m., Monday, March 13. The forum will be held in Room 142, Building 3.

Cecilia Cervantes, president of the College of Alameda , will be on campus from 1:45 to 3 p.m., Tuesday, March 14. The forum will also be held in Room 142, Building 3.

These forums are designed to give faculty, staff, students and the college's community partners a chance to hear from the finalists and ask questions. Participants will also have the opportunity to provide written input to the San Mateo County Community College District Board of Trustees, who will make the final decision.

"I encourage everyone to attend these two events," said Marilyn McBride, vice president of instruction and co-chair of the Presidential Search Committee. "These forums are a very important part of the process of find a new president for our college."

The 13-member search committee, comprised of faculty, staff, administrators and student body president Veronica Espinoza, spent the last six months reviewing nearly 40 applications, conducting interviews and finally narrowing the field to the two finalists.

State Approves Cañada College Video Game Art Program

The program helps students gain entry to the industry

The college has received the green light from the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office to begin a new 3D Animation and Video Game Art program this fall that will help students gain entry to the Bay Area's growing video game industry.

It is the only program of its kind in the region offered by a community college. It provides students a low-cost alternative to earning an education that can help them begin work in the animation and video game industry. A new state-of-the-art computer studio will house the program. Classes will begin in August at the start of the new fall semester.

"We're very excited about this program," said Jeannie Mecorney, professor of Multimedia at the college. "We worked closely with our partners in both the video game and animation industries to develop the curriculum so that our graduates will have the skills to succeed."

Mecorney said program advisors from Bay Area video game design companies Electronic Arts, Popcap Games and contacts at PDI/Dreamworks were consulted from the beginning as plans for the new program took shape.

"We worked closely with industry experts to better understand the current technology used to develop 3D graphics and animations," Mecorney said. "Our program will have cutting-edge technology and a carefully planned curriculum designed to train our students for entry level positions or transfer to four-year institutions."

Dani Castillo, a multimedia professor at the college, has developed nine new courses for the program using Alias' Maya software, the industry standard. Castillo began teaching five years ago after an extensive career in the video game industry.

"We're very excited about this program because students want a career building video games and our local companies need skilled workers," Castillo said. "Because we're a community college, we can provide the same education as many of the for-profit schools at a fraction of the cost."

The new program joins existing certificates in graphic design, web design and a newly developed digital photography certificate. The Cañada College Multimedia Program currently offers certificates in graphic design, web design and multimedia. Students can also earn an associates degree or earn credits to transfer to four-year universities.

Current and former students have worked with the college to offer input into the new degree. They agree it will provide the tools necessary to gain access to the animation/video game industry.

Jeremy Fratkin received his Multimedia Certificate at Cañada College and is now earning a bachelor's degree in Digital Visual Media at Ex'pression College for Digital Arts in Emeryville.

"What I learned at Cañada made it so much easier when faced with real-life work opportunities and the rigorous coursework at Ex'pression," he said.

Current Cañada student R. Anne Hernandez interned at ExpressoFitness this past summer and said she knows first-hand about the timeliness and importance of the new program.

"The new 3D Animation and Video Game Art Program comes at an exciting time when video games have surpassed the movie industry in revenue, therefore the demand for talent, skill, knowledge and application in this area is high," she said. "Many other institutions have courses that teach a student what they need to know but not how to apply it. The strength of Cañada's courses is that they teach a student how to practically apply the knowledge they've gained in real world situations."

Mecorney said internships are an important part of the current curriculum and will continue to play a pivotal role for students enrolled in the new major. The Multimedia Program at Cañada College has an advisory committee composed of industry experts and Mecorney said students have already begun working for some of the companies represented by advisory committee members.

Mecorney said community colleges provide a solid connection to the rapidly developing animation and video game industries because the colleges can adapt curriculum to quickly changing trends, offer teaching assignments for industry partners and have a track record of successful experience with non-traditional students.

"We can even reach those students who spent time playing video games rather than studying for their SATs," Mecorney said with a smile.

A Sign of the Times: Update on Way-finding

Campus will have new signs to help motorists, pedestrians and it's possible a new electronic sign will be placed at the entrance to the college

Motorists and pedestrians will soon be able to find their way around campus easier thanks to the installation of new signs. Julie Vogel, a representative of Kate Keating Associates Inc., provided an update on the project at the Feb. 2 College Council meeting.

Vogel told the Council that a Campus Way -finding Committee was established when plans for the new Library/Learning Resource Center were approved. Vogel has been working with the committee to develop a signage program that can grow and change with the campus.

The new signs fall into two categories: Vehicular and pedestrian.

"The goal is to make it easier to find your way around campus," Vogel said.

The plans call for the installation of 12 strategically placed campus maps supported by well defined building identification signs. Vogel said building numbers would remain but names would be taken off buildings that hold multi-subject classes because they are confusing.

The vehicular signs will direct motorists to parking lots, the library, Student Resource Center, Theater, gymnasium and shipping and receiving. Vogel said the signs will help motorists find the appropriate lanes and parking lots. She said it is possible that parking lots will be identified by letters rather than numbers in the future so that there is no confusion with building numbers.

In addition to the vehicular and pedestrian signs, Vogel said the committee has been discussing the placement of an electronic sign at the entrance to the college off Farm Hill Boulevard .

"I think students would like a digital sign," said Noel Chavez, College Council committee member and Associated Students of Cañada College Vice President. "Is there any way we can upgrade the sign in the cafeteria?"

While Vogel said the sign in the cafeteria is not part of the upgrade, she did say that all of the new signs can be changed easily so they won't be outdated in a few years.

Master Planning Process Begins

Second All-College Meeting Scheduled for March 29

If you want an opportunity to voice your opinion regarding the future development of our campus, plan on attending the March 29 all-college meeting.

Elizabeth Gibbons and Ileana Saldivia of Steinberg Architects of San Jose are leading the discussion. They led a similar discussion at the March 2 all-college meeting. The firm is taking input from the college community to help develop a master plan that will guide development on campus for the next 30 years.

"Now is the time for us to listen," said Gibbons. "We want to create a strategy that will provide facilities to support the education plan and mission statement of the college."

Gibbons said members of her firm have met with administrators at the college to begin dialogue regarding the master plan. The first all-college meeting produced ideas ranging from finding a facility for the child development center to creating a staff, faculty and student lounge.

At March 29 all-college meetings ideas will continue to be refined. Gibbons said the District's Board of Trustees will approve the final plan and implementation will begin within the next seven years.

Landscaping Upgrades on the Horizon

Improvements will "enhance the sense of place"

Landscape architect Aditya Advani of San Francisco landscape design firm Royston Hanamoto Alley & Abbey said upcoming landscaping upgrades on campus will "enhance the sense of place" and significantly improve the look and feel of campus.

Advani made his comments at the Feb. 16 College Council meeting.

The landscaping improvements are tied to the construction of the new Library/Learning Resource Center but are not limited to that area of campus. He said the full project will go to bid in March.

Advani said the upgrades include aesthetic improvement, renewed plantings, and functional improvements. Included in the project are the recent upgrades to the campus entrance and redevelopment of the central quad.

Advani said substantial work is being done at the "Y" at the top of the hill to create a more pleasing entrance to campus for motorists. This will include removing the sculpture garden behind Building 3. Campus is expected to go through a process for "adopting" sculpture pieces or possibly keeping the sculpture to incorporate into the landscape improvements.

A new amphitheater that will seat approximately 150 people will be constructed near Building 13 and the Frisbee lawn and the fountain near Building 17 will be reconstructed. The amphitheater will connect "upper" campus to "lower" campus and will provide easier access to persons with disabilities.

Budget & Planning Makes Hiring Recommendations

ECE instructor, EOPS Director, and History instructor top the list

The Budget & Planning Committee has recommended the college hire a new Early Childhood Education instructor, a director for Extended Opportunity Programs & Services, and a History instructor. The recommendation was unanimously approved by the College Council at its Feb. 2 meeting.

Patty Dilko, chair of the Budget & Planning Committee, said the college divisions had recommended hiring nine faculty but the current budget allows for only three. She said the ECE faculty position had been previously approved in Spring 2005 with the retirement of Dianne Eyer. The college also must hire an EOPS director to meet state requirements. With the resignation of full-time history instructor Jennifer Helton, Dilko said it became clear that hiring a new history instructor was a top priority.

The hiring recommendations will be forwarded to Interim President Tom Mohr.

Changes Expected for Budget and Planning Committee

Name will change and committee will directly advise the President

The Budget and Planning Committee could soon have a new name and a new role on campus.

Patty Dilko, chair of the committee, presented a set of recommendations to the College Council that will alter the way Budget and Planning operates. These changes include changing the name of the committee to Planning and Budget and having the committee advise the college president directly rather than advising the College Council. The committee is currently an ad-hoc committee of College Council.

"The committee will still report its recommendations to the College Council but it will advise the President directly," she said.

Under the proposed guidelines, the committee will advise the President on development of the planning process including strategic planning and annual planning; budget development and oversight; identification of and planning for hiring; and communication regarding the institutional planning and budgeting process.

The proposal calls for the committee to be co-chaired by the Academic Senate President and the Classified Senate President. The committee will be composed of the Vice President of Instruction; Vide President of Student Services; Co-Chairs of the College Council; President of the Academic Senate Governing Council and one additional Academic Senate Governing Council member; President of the Classified Senate and one additional Classified Council member representing SCEA; and one student representative. The President, College Business Officer and College Researcher will serve as ex-officio members.

The College Council is expected to review the proposal and discuss it on March 16.

Cañada College to Host One-Man Play About Depression

Comedian's production details his personal struggles and survival

The college will host "Side by Side: A Journey With Depression," a one-man play written and performed by Brian Wetzel, a stand-up comedian whose career and personal life were absorbed by his struggle with clinical depression and subsequent addiction.

The play will be held Friday, March 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the college's Main Theater. It is free and open to the public. It is presented by the Cañada College Health Center and sponsored by Associated Students of Cañada College. Due to strong language and adult themes this show is not appropriate for children or young teens.

Bringing his sense of humor and experiences together, Wetzel takes his audience on a unique journey of laughter, painful truth, and, finally, hope. By walking side by side with the affliction, Wetzel finds a way to keep surviving, keep learning, and keep living. The play is directed by Lizann Bassham.

For information about Wetzel and the play go to www.frontporchspirit.com.

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FACES OF CAÑADA

Helia Ying Joins Cañada as Payroll Clerk

Helia Ying of San Mateo has joined the college as the new payroll clerk. She'll be assisting Terry Watson, financial analyst, and Vickie Nunes, college business officer.

Ying was the partnership accountant for Technology Funding, Inc. in charge of payroll and partnership accounts. This is her first job in higher education.

Helia is married and has a 24-year-old daughter who has graduated from U.C. Berkeley and an 18-year-old daughter attending U.C. Irvine.

"I was familiar with Building 3 in Cañada because my younger daughter was a member of the Peninsula Youth Orchestra and they used to practice on the campus," Ying said. "The artistic sculptured bushes were the first to catch my eyes. This is such a beautiful campus and the people are very friendly."

Editor's Note: If you have ideas for the Faces of Cañada section of the online newsletter, please contact Robert Hood at ext. 3340 or by e-mail at hoodr@smccd.edu.

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SPOTLIGHT ON STUDENTS

The Physicists Opens March 23

The play will be Linda Hoy's final production before retirement

The scene is a madhouse and the focus in on three inmates who are nuclear physicists. One thinks he is Newton and another, Einstein. The third has visitations from Solomon. They appear to be nice, likeable lunatics, but nothing is as simple as it seems. Are they really mad? Or are they playing some murderous game with the world at stake?

This is the scene for The Physicists the spring production by the Theatre Arts Department. The play by Friedrich Durrenmatt opens March 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Flex Theater. It runs through April 1. Tickets are $10 general admission, $9 staff/seniors, and $5 for all students.

The play also marks the final production for director Linda Hoy. Hoy, the college's only drama professor, will retire at the end of the semester.

"It's really bittersweet," Hoy said. "I love directing and I love the kids but I'm really excited for retirement."

Hoy and her husband Bill will become full-time RVers, traveling across the country in their truck and travel trailer. "We both love the open road," she said. "Bill is really fun to travel with and we're excited."

Hoy said she is dedicating this last play to her Cañada students.

"Not just those who have been in all 10 shows," she said, "but those students who have been in my classes. I admire all of them for their courage and tenacity, for coming into this unknown territory of the theater and risk looking foolish and trying something new and very different from what they were used to. It is that courage, that willing spirit that has made my time at Cañada worth it. I'm grateful for each and every student and with my fondest love I want to dedicate this last piece to each of them."

Hoy has been at the college for the past five years. Prior to that she was a director and actor in Bay Area theater. She also worked in Hollywood, acting in Dynasty with Joan Collins and in a Movie of the Week.

She began in theater when she was four-years-old and as she said, "I never left that hot spot."

Political Awareness Club Promotes Critical Thinking and Information

If you are looking for a place to learn about the latest political issues, exchange information, and engage in critical thinking you should consider attending the next event hosted by the Cañada College Political Awareness Club.

The student club was started two years ago and has now blossomed to nearly 30 members. On March 1, the club held its first public debate to discuss renewal of the Patriot Act. An overflow crowd attended the event in Building 3, Room 142.

"Our goal is to promote critical thinking and the exchange of information," said Elysse Kray, president of the club. "We want a balanced discussion of the issues. We want to present the audience with accurate information, not just opinion."

The club will host a campus-wide discussion on the current war in Sudan on Wednesday, April 5 at 1 p.m. in Building 3, Room 148. Titled "Sudan : Genocide or Civil War," Kray said the focus will be on the United Nations' actions - or lack of actions - in the country. A similar discussion will be held May 3. It's titled "Gay Marriage: Ethics vs. Legalization."

The club is planning an event to raise awareness about the upcoming primary elections in San Mateo County and will register voters. A forum has also been established at www.smccd.net/forum/canpac. If you are interested in participating in the on-line forum send an e-mail to welovepolitics@yahoo.com to receive a password and user name.

Speech Professor Anthony Perez is working with members of the Political Awareness Club to hone their public speaking skills and also hosts their weekly meetings held on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. in Room 223, Building 3. Political Science Professor Lezlee Ware serves as the group's faculty advisor.

Cañada Receives Award for Poster Presentation at HP Conference

A team of Cañada College professors and students received the award for "Most Convincing Evidence of Impact" in the poster presentation at last week's 2006 Hewlett Packard Technology for Teaching: Worldwide Higher Education Conference held in Monterey .

There were 52 entries at the conference and only two awards were given. As a prize, the college received an HP camera and carrying case.

"I am so proud of our team, especially the students who participated in the presentation," said Amelito Enriquez, professor of engineering and mathematics. "They did a great job."

The students included Rosa Aguilar, Juan Alcantar, Juan Jimenez, Alvaro Martinez, and Juan Quant.

The Cañada College poster presentation focused on how HP wireless technology is used during classroom instruction to create an Interactive Learning Network that allows real-time student assessment and assistance with individual or group focus. Enriquez and other professors in the Science and Technology Division have created a system that links notebook computers to allow teachers to monitor students as they work through problems.

Cañada College was one of six invited to give a presentation. It was the only college from California and the only community college invited. The conference was attended by educators from 17 countries and five continents.

Amelito Enriquez, professor of engineering and mathematics, talks to students (from left to right) Juan Quant, Juan Jimenez, Juan Alcantar and Rosa Aguilar, at last week's HP Technology for Teaching: Worldwide Higher Education Conference held in Monterey. Cañada's poster presentation received the "Most Convincing Evidence of Impact" award at the conference.

 

 

 

Students Juan Alcantar and Rosa Aguilar work on problems at last week's HP Conference in Monterey.

Enriquez prepares for his presentation at the HP Conference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Editor's Note: If you have an idea for a student feature, contact Robert Hood at ext. 3340.

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Please see the EVENTS CALENDAR on inside Cañada for the latest event listings.

Editor's Note: If you would like to submit an event to the Cañada Calendar of Events please contact Debbie Joy at ext. 3318, or use the link at the bottom of the Calendar.

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