CAMPUS NEWS
Cañada College Begins Presidential Search
National search should be completed in May
Cañada College has initiated a nationwide search for a president. A 13-member search committee has been named and is working to identify finalists for the job. The process will be completed in early June.
Patty Dilko, Academic Senate President, and Marilyn McBride, Vice President of Instruction, are co-chairing the committee. Other members include Martin Partlan, Faculty in the Science & Technology Division; Dick Claire, Faculty in the Business & Workforce Development Division; Monica Malamud, Faculty in the Humanities Division; Katie Townsend-Merino, Dean of Humanities; Kevin Chappell, ASCC Student Body President; Gail Whitaker, Community Representative from San Francisco State University; Gloria Darafshi, a Faculty Member representing Student Services; Margie Carrington, Director of Financial Aid; Maria Lara, Admissions & Records Assistant; Maggie Souza, Administrative Assistant, President's Office; and Robert Hood, Director of Marketing.
The committee's work is being supported by Harry Joel, Vice Chancellor of Human Resources and Employee Relations, and Debbie Carrington, the district's Human Resources Manager.
The job announcement will be posted by Feb. 23 and the application deadline will be Wednesday, April 4. The committee will complete preliminary candidate screening the week of April 27 and interviews will be held the week of May 7.
Finalists identified by the committee will participate in open forums at the college with faculty, staff, and students May 15-17. They will then participate in interviews with the Chancellor and Board of Trustees. The Chancellor will make a final recommendation to the Board of Trustees and a contract offer is expected by the week of June 4.
Guiding the committee is a set of desirable attributes identified by the Cañada College community during a meeting with the Chancellor held in August, 2005, prior to the last presidential search.
Updates on the committee's work will be available at http://www.canadacollege.edu/inside/search/.
University Center Adds Interpretation Program
The University Center has forged a new partnership with San Francisco State University to offer a Spanish/ English Interpretation Program beginning Fall Semester 2007.
The Program offers bilingual students the opportunity to develop the interpreting skills necessary to be interpreters in public and private sectors, such as courts, state agencies, schools, medical settings, and businesses. Designed to prepare participants to pass the State of California Court Interpreter Certification Exam, the program will train bilingual students for a well-paid, flexible, and in-demand career.
Are you reading Fahrenheit 451?
In conjunction with Redwood City's reading of Ray Bradbury's classic novel, "Fahrenheit 451", the college will host a series of events exploring the complex issue of censorship.
Bradbury's novel is set in a society where censorship is prevalent and citizens learn only from television. Most books are banned and critical thought is suppressed. A number of professors are reading the book with their students and there will be many upcoming activities throughout the city related to the book.
Three events will be held in the Main Theater:
* "Shut Up and Sing" - The movie about the Dixie Chick's remark criticizing President Bush will be held on Saturday, March 31 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Dixie Chicks recently won five Grammy Awards for their latest album. More information is available at Shut Up and Sing!
* "The Camden 28" - The movie about Vietnam protesters will be held Saturday, March 3 from 2 to 5 p.m. and will feature a question and answer session with the director following the movie. More information about the movie is available at Camden 28
"Censorship in Contemporary Times: A Panel Discussion" - The panel discussion will be held Tuesday, March 13 from 9:45 to 11 a.m. More details will be released as they become available.
For a complete list of activities surrounding the community reading of "Fahrenheit 451" go to Big Read. If you would like a copy of "Fahrenheit 451" to participate in this community event, stop by the library and request a copy.
Binge Thinking: A Different Kind of College Hangover
Author, professor, to discuss the secret to college success
Zachary White, author and adjunct professor, will help college students overcome the phenomenon known as “binge thinking” in a special lecture from 10:10 to 11 a.m., Monday, March 5 in the main theater.
White is co-author of “Binge Thinking: A Different Kind of College Hangover”. The book details how college students often obsess over finding a perfect relationship and ideal job; the need to belong; the desire for recognition; dissatisfaction and loneliness. This obsession often overshadows the positive aspects of college life.
White's lecture, “The Secret to College Success: Learning How to Practice Your Passion and Purpose,” will help students learn how to handle the challenges of college life. He will discuss how students can overcome the pressure to know exactly what they will be doing after graduation. White's fast-paced, entertaining lecture will help students create, nurture and practice passion.
The lecture is sponsored by the Associated Students of Cañada College and is free and open to the public.
Textbook Rental Program To Receive National Award
SMCCCD program to receive the Innovation Achievement Award from the National Association of College Stores
An innovative textbook rental program that has saved local college students more than $336,000 in the past 18 months will be recognized by the National Association of College Stores at the organization's annual conference and trade show in March.
The San Mateo County Community College District's Funded Textbook Rental Program will receive the first Innovation Achievement Award in Orlando, Fla., at Campus Market Expo (CAMEX) 2007 March 23-27. The SMCCCD includes Cañada College in Redwood City; Skyline College in San Bruno; and College of San Mateo.
The district's textbook rental program was chosen from 32 entries across the country by a panel of industry judges. The district will receive $5,000, which will be used to purchase additional textbooks for the program, and will be featured in The College Store Magazine, a trade publication.
“We're very excited and proud to receive this honor,” said Tom Bauer, director of the district's bookstores. “We feel it validates our efforts to help reduce costs for students at our schools.”
The district's rental program allows students to rent any of approximately 125 different textbooks at about one-third the purchase price. Unlike students who own their books, borrowers can't write in or highlight passages in a rented book. Rental books are due back at the end of final exams. Since August 2005, more than 7,000 students at Cañada College and Skyline College have rented textbooks that, if purchased new, would have cost more than $448,000. Students rented those textbooks for just over $112,000.
“We are working to expand the program,” Bauer said. “We have put out a request to faculty at all three colleges to identify books that they can commit to using for at least two years that might be candidates for the program. We are in the process of identifying books that are suitable and beginning the fundraising effort to purchase those books. We will have titles for rent at all three of our colleges this summer and fall.”
The program has received the attention of some local members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Bauer will be one of thee panelists appearing before the U.S. Advisory Committee on Financial Assistance at a public hearing on March 5 in Santa Clarita. A report going to Congress in May will highlight, among other things, the program at SMCCCD. Bauer also recently presented at the national conference for Public Interest Research Groups.
“Our goal is to expand the program and continue to reduce costs for our students,” Bauer said.
Classified Senate Donates $1,000 to Textbook Rental Program
The Classified Senate has voted to donate $1,000 to the bookstore's successful textbook rental program. The money will be used to purchase textbooks that students can borrow for the semester. It is estimated that students save approximately one-third the cost by borrowing rather than purchasing the textbook.
The Classified Senate had a wide-ranging discussion on various student needs such as bus passes, lunch money, books, and childcare. Classified employees will research what resources are provided on campus and in the community and how the Classified Senate might supplement these resources.
At this point, the Senate decided to focus primarily on the funding that supports the academic needs of students. In addition to the $1,000 contribution to the bookstore's textbook rental program and its two annual $750 scholarships, the Senate provided the Associated Students with $300 in discretionary funds to distribute for emergency needs such as transportation and lunch money.
Classified Senate holds a number of fundraisers, the most popular being the Holiday Basket Raffle, and uses the proceeds to fund scholarships and classified staff activities.
Cañada College Theatre Arts Department Presents Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues March 15 - 24, 2007
What: The Cañada College Theatre Arts Department presents The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler, directed by Linda Hoy. A poignant and hilarious tour of the last frontier, the ultimate forbidden zone, The Vagina Monologues is a celebration of female sexuality in all its complexity and mystery. In this stunning phenomenon that has swept the nation, Eve Ensler gives us real women's stories of intimacy, vulnerability, and sexual self-discovery.
Based on interviews with over 200 women about their memories and experiences of sexuality, Eve Ensler's Obie Award-winning masterpiece gives voice to women's deepest fantasies and fears, guaranteeing that no one who reads it will ever look at a woman's body, or think of sex, in quite the same way again.
Bay Area award-winning actress and former Cañada College Theatre Arts Instructor Linda Hoy returns to Cañada College post-retirement to direct this production which features Cañada College students Bianca Beyrouti, Samantha Goldberg, Maryann Moore, Natali Nichols, Elizabeth Sachs, Kelsey Schiedeck and also director Hoy and Cañada College's Dean of Humanities Katie Townsend-Merino.
When: Opens Thursday, March 15 at 7:30 PM with gala reception following performance.
Closes Saturday, March 24.
Showtimes: Thurs-Sat at 7:30 PM. (March 15, 16, 17, 22, 23 & 24)
Where: Cañada College Flexible Theatre, 4200 Farmhill Blvd. Redwood City
Tickets: $10 General Admission, $9 Staff/Seniors, $5 All Students
Ticket Reservation: (650) 306-3396
FACES OF CAÑADA
Romeo Garcia Named Project Director for TRIO
Former Skyline employee is excited to work with Cañada students
Romeo Garcia enjoys working directly with students so it's not surprising that he's excited to be named the new project director for Cañada's TRIO and Student Support Services effort.
Garcia moves to Cañada from Skyline, where he spent the past two years working in the same position. “There were 330 students in the Skyline TRIO program,” Garcia said. “At Cañada, there are only 165. You can give students more personal attention here.”
In April 2005, Cañada received a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education to help low-income, first generation students and students with disabilities earn two-year degrees and transfer to four-year universities. Garcia will essentially serve as the “face” of that program, working directly with students to help them navigate through the higher education system.
“We can interface with EOPS, financial aid, admissions, DSPS and other programs on campus,” he said. “We want to help these students get the support they need to succeed. Many of them don't know about college. We want to connect them to resources and also create opportunities with student activities.”
Garcia said he was also attracted to the Cañada TRIO program because it is housed in the Learning Center. “We can enforce good basic skills in math and English and help students develop time management and study skills,” he said.
In addition to working at Skyline, Garcia also worked in a San Diego TRIO program that focused on high school and middle school students. “I want to focus on community college-aged students,” he said.
Garcia graduated from U.C. Santa Barbara and later earned his master's degree from San Francisco State University. He lives in Pacifica and is a volunteer director for Liwanag Kultural Center - a youth enrichment program based in Daly Center that serves northern San Mateo County youth.
Paul Roscelli Named 2007 Phi Theta Kappa Faculty Scholar
For the fourth time in his career, Cañada College Professor of Economics Paul Roscelli has been selected as a faculty scholar for the 2007 Phi Theta Kappa Faculty Scholar Conference and 2007 Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Institute.
Roscelli is one of only 24 faculty members from around the nation selected for the honor from a large pool of applicants. Applicants must be Phi Theta Kappa advisors who have exhibited exceptional knowledge of the current Honors Study Topic, Gold, Gods, and Glory: The Global Dynamics of Power. Applicants must also have demonstrated excellence in teaching. Roscelli also serves on Phi Theta Kappa's Honors Committee.
“It is an honor to work with 23 other faculty members from a variety of disciplines,” Roscelli said. “I especially value the diversity of thought that these individuals bring to the discussion of the honors topic: Gold, Gods, and Glory: The Global Dynamics of Power.”
The Faculty Scholar Conference, sponsored in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities, was held at Phi Theta Kappa's Center for Excellence in Jackson, Mississippi , Feb. 1-4. The Faculty Scholar Conference prepares the faculty scholars to serve as group facilitators at the Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Institute. During the conference, faculty scholars heard presentations on a variety of issues concerning the global dynamics of power and participated in discussion groups throughout the four-day conference.
The 39th annual International Honors Institute will be held at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, June 18-23. During this conference, Roscelli and the other Phi Theta Kappa faculty scholars will lead groups of 15 to 20 honor students in seminar discussions of the issues presented throughout the week.
“Being a faculty scholar is an opportunity to truly play the role of facilitator in a discussion among students of very different backgrounds who may hold very different views,” Roscelli said.
Interior Design Faculty to Present at Workshops
Sharon Kasser and Mary Jo Camp, two long-time adjunct faculty members in the Interior Design program, will be presenting at upcoming workshops.
Kasser, a graduate of the Cañada College Interior Design program, is presenting a workshop “What You Need to Know About the Business of Interior Design” at the National American Society of Interior Designers Conference, Interiors 07, in San Francisco on March 16. Kasser is an invited speaker.
Camp and Kasser will both present at the San Francisco Student Career Forum for Interior Design March 2-3. Camp's workshops are “Two Rooms that Make the Home - Design Trends for Kitchens and Baths” and“Kitchens by Design”. Kasser's workshops are “Getting Started With Your Own Practice” and “Decorator or Designer - What is Your Fate?”
Evelyn Posamentier to Participate in Panel Discussion
Evelyn Posamentier, an instructor in the library, has been asked to participate in a panel discussion on publishing at this year's Women on Writing Conference to be held at Skyline College, Saturday, March 3. Posamentier will discuss online versus print publications.
Judith Webb Presents at Conference on Aging
Judith Webb, adjunct faculty member, will make two presentations at the 2007 Joint Conference of the American Society on Aging and the National Council on Aging, March 7-10 in Chicago. Her presentations include, "Just Doing It and Keeping It Up: A Panel of Vintage Athletes Discuss Why and How," and "The Growth of Strong for Life: The Expansion and Sustainability of a Functional Fitness Program." She is a co-presenter with Candace Mindigo of Stanford University on the second presentation.
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.
SPOTLIGHT ON STUDENTS
Two Students Named to State's All-Academic Team
The All-USA Academic Team program annually recognizes 60 outstanding two-year college students. Phi Theta Kappa, USA TODAY, and the American Association of Community Colleges sponsor the All-USA Academic Team program annually. To be eligible, a student must post a minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA and be eligible to graduate with an associate's degree.
Mendoza played volleyball for Cañada and has been a tutor in the Learning Center. She started her academic career in the Community Based English Tutoring (CBET) program and had to learn English before advancing to college-level course work. She is majoring in Civil Engineering, has a perfect 4.0 GPA and will transfer to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Joy is majoring in Political Science and is applying to Santa Clara University and the University of San Francisco.
Cheerleaders Add Spirit to Athletic Contests
When Britany Glessman and her friends wanted to see more school spirit at Cañada athletic events they didn't just talk about it, they took matters into their own hands by forming a cheerleading squad.
“We started out as three girls with the same interests and goals,” she said. “We were interested in cheerleading and hip-hop dance and our goal was to get more students at athletic events.”
They formed a club and took the next step of designing and paying for their own uniforms. “We have a lot of fun at practice and after practice when we hang out together,” Glessman said. “We want to add hip-hop dance routines at halftime of the basketball games. This year we are a cheer squad but next year we want to be a cheerleading and dance squad.”
Glessman said it's important for club members to exhibit a positive and classy attitude. Members include Glessman, Rebekka Sullivan, Jennifer Tello, De'Shawn Lax and Ryan Allarde.
Students interested in joining the squad can contact Glessman at britanynicole!@hotmail.com .
Pre-Med Conference Scheduled for March 24
The annual Pre-Med Conference hosted by the Pre-Med/Health Club is scheduled for Saturday, March 24 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Student Center.
Health professionals will provide information about their careers and answer questions. General topics include job descriptions and the necessary academic requirements for careers in nursing, radiology, respiratory therapy, chiropractic medicine, naturopathy, osteopathy and other health-related fields.
The conference includes information sessions on the Stanford School of Medicine, allied health fields, and alternative medicine. There will also be a gross anatomy lab, radiology lab, nursing workshop, and a variety of motivational speakers.
The event is free and includes breakfast and lunch. For more information go to Pre-Med Health Conference or contact Stacey Kong, Pre-Med/Health Club Professions Club president at premedhealth@yahoo.com.
Graduation Web Page Established
To help students understand the necessary steps to receive their diploma or certificate, a new web page has been established. The graduation page will help students better understand what is required.
If you are planning to graduate or receive a certificate this semester be sure to visit the college's new graduation page. The page will help you understand what you need to do in order to receive your diploma or certificate. More information can be found at Graduation Page.
Editor's Note: If you have an idea for a student feature, contact Robert Hood at ext. 3340.
CAMPUS CALENDAR
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.
top
