Monthly Archives: October 2014

New Contact for Reserving Computer Labs for Instruction

Allison Hughes has joined the Academic Support and Learning Technologies division team as an Instructional Aide II in the Library. Allison will be assisting students who visit the drop-in computer lab located in the Library and will also serve as the point person for instructors who wish to reserve computer labs on campus for instruction.

Computer labs are available for faculty to reserve for occasional instructional use in Building 2 and in Building 8. To schedule a class in Room 2117B or in Building 8, please contact Allison Hughes at hughesa@smccd.edu or at extension 4392.

More information is available at http://www.skylinecollege.edu/insideskylinecollege/computerlabs.php

Article by Jonathan Paver

Coming Up…

Friday, October 31, 2014

Saturday, November 1, 2014

  • Día de los Muertos Exhibition, Skyline College, Building 1, Art Gallery
  • Student Photo Exhibit:  Images of Stigma, Skyline College, Building 2, 3rd Floor

Sunday, November 2, 2014

  • Día de los Muertos Exhibition, Skyline College, Building 1, Art Gallery
  • Student Photo Exhibit:  Images of Stigma, Skyline College, Building 2, 3rd Floor
  • 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Wrestling @ San Francisco State Tournament, San Francisco State

Monday, November 3, 2014

  • Día de los Muertos Exhibition, Skyline College, Building 1, Art Gallery

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

  • Student Photo Exhibit:  Images of Stigma, Skyline College, Building 2, 3rd Floor

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

  • Student Photo Exhibit:  Images of Stigma, Skyline College, Building 2, 3rd Floor

Thursday, November 6, 2014

  • Student Photo Exhibit:  Images of Stigma, Skyline College, Building 2, 3rd Floor

Friday, November 7, 2014

  • Student Photo Exhibit:  Images of Stigma, Skyline College, Building 2, 3rd Floor

 

For the latest information on events and activities happening at Skyline College, please view our calendar.

If you would like to include your college event or activity on the calendar, please submit the event, date, time and location to Jennifer Owen-Blackmon via email at owenblackmonj@smccd.edu.

College Governance Council Held on October 22

The College Governance Committee met on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 from 2:10 – 4:00 pm, in Building 4, Room 4343.  All council members were present.

The group considered the September 24, 2014 minutes unanimously and the minutes were approved. (M/S/U Browne/Perkins).

The group considered the 2013-2014 Annual Report unanimously and the report was approved. (M/S/U Blake/Utsumi).

Dynamics Between Disabled Students and their Professors

ASSC President Nicole Harris reported to CGC that some of her constituents have experienced poor treatment from their professors.  She would like to find a way for professors to be more empathetic in the classroom environment as well as addressing different fallacies for different DRC Students.

Dr. Sarah Perkins suggested that the CTTL could schedule workshops in collaboration with DRC throughout the year.  Dr. Stroud recommended that Dr. Blake work with Nicole to direct her concern to the Faculty Leadership and Administration Leadership of DRC.

Web Access is not Accessible to Everyone

ASSC President Nicole Harris shared with the CGC that many students have had trouble with the WebAccess and the online components of their classes because WebAccess is not accessible.  It is difficult for visually impaired students to navigate and decipher how the professors set up their sites.

Dr. Stroud will have a discussion in Cabinet so that Dr. Blake and Dr. Perkins can work with their departments to look into this concern.

EFMP Task Force – Reconstitute

President Stanback Stroud explained to the committee the history of the Educational Facilities Master Plan Task Force.

The Former Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) had Educational Facilities Master Planning Process (EFMP) Taskforce to provide overarching constituency input.  With impending CIP, we may want to resurrect the EFMP Task Force.

The purpose of this task force is to support college engagement in the revision and implementation of the Educational Facilities Master Planning Process during the Capital Improvement Program #3. The Task Force will serve as a means for faculty, staff, students and the community to provide input into the development and implementation of the EFMP.

EFMP Task Force will serve as a communication conduit to support college knowledge of the status and progress of CIP-3.  We suggest that EFMP meet quarterly to keep everyone informed and be able to provide input as needed. The membership would be from each constituent leadership group, representatives from some of the projects (i.e. someone from theater, etc), administrators, students and community representatives.  Vice President of Administrative Services Eloisa Briones will take the lead on calling this Task Force together.

(M/S/U Kate Browne, Michele Haggar) to reconstitute the EFMP Task Force. Unanimously.

Network at Night Event

Thursday, October 23rd from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the Hosting Gallery there will be a multi-Chamber Mixer.  This event will be to inform the multiple chambers of our service area of the Educational Master Plan and share with them the impact of the bond measure to the College.  Jose Nunez, Vice Chancellor of Facilities Planning, Maintenance & Operations, will be making a 5 minute presentation with photos of current needs.

Academic Senate Report

Academic Senate President Kate Browne reported to the CGC of their Fall Academic Senate meetings that will have visits from key administrators such as President Stanback Stroud who spoke on the college plans and challenges.  Dr. Angélica Garcia reported on the Student Equity Plans and Dr. Sarah Perkins discussed professional development.

In the coming Senate meetings Dr. Joi Blake will attend and speak about Student Services, Aaron McVean will discuss research and data and Jonathan Paver plans to discuss learning technologies.

The Senate have new committees that indicate areas of activity: College Accreditation Oversight, Faculty Evaluation Guidance, Study Abroad, Minimum Qualifications (Psychology, Reading).

Upcoming discussion on the District Strategic plan development and new Resource Allocation Model.  At the next SPARC meeting, Thursday, October 30 beginning at 2:00 p.m. in room 6202, Executive Vice Chancellor, Kathy Blackwood will present the new model.

The Senate and the ASSC are working together on the Disabilities Awareness month.  This will increase faculty-student involvement on joint efforts.

There is a concern that the District Academic Senate was not consulted on the 2015-2016 Academic Calendar which is going to the Board of Trustees for approval Wednesday, October 22.  Senate President Browne and Senate Vice President Fredericks feel that the information should have been shared.  Dr. Stroud explained that the calendar is a negotiated item with AFT and the District. It would be appropriate to direct their concern to AFT because the calendar is not a governance issue.

Classified Senate Report

Classified Senate President Alana Utsumi and Vice President Michele Haggar have been researching the possible need for a Classified Staff Code of Ethics, due to a conversation between one of the accreditation site visiting team members and a previous President of the Classified Senate.  After meeting with the President and Vice-President of the Cañada College Classified Senate this month, the two groups agreed that, while the Board Policy 2.21 DOES meet accreditation standards, it does not allow the Classified Senate equal representation with the Academic Senate or Associated Students, as those members have drafted and accepted a Code of Ethics specific to their constituency group.  In an effort to give a voice to the classified employees, and work towards change at the state level, our statewide 4CS (CA Community Colleges Classified Senate) has suggested and encouraged each Classified Senate to create their own Code of Ethics.  As such, we will continue to discuss and work towards creating that document.

​At the Senate’s last meeting, they went through each Board Policy that was up for review.  Senate Vice President Haggar acted as proxy for Linda Allen, representing the Classified Senate at the October 2014 District Shared Governance Meeting.

Associated Student Body of Skyline College Report

ASSC President Nicole Harris shared with the CGC that next Thursday, October 30 from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the main quad the ASSC will be hosting Skyloween 2014.

Four of the ASSC Council members attended the CCCSSAA which is The Community Colleges of California Student Affairs Association in Los Angeles at the Sheraton Hotel.  Students were able to attend workshops designed to enhance leadership skills. We were actually able to make connections with key constituency groups, such as the black caucus. The black caucus is interested in doing something at Skyline College.

The ASSC was able to fund the Financial Aid, Transfer Center, and Phi Theta Kappa requests for their events.  Four of the ASSC Council members will be attending General Assembly in Los Angeles in November.

Currently ASSC is in the planning stages for a Cancer Awareness event in November or December as well as planning other events for the remainder of the school year.

President Harris gave an update of the Skytalks event.  There has been a Task Force created and a name change.  Also they are gathering questions and searching for interview participants.

Vice President Dennis Zheng is a member of the Bond Oversight Committee and the ASSC is supporting Measure A.

Vice President Zheng and Amory Cariadus created a survey about improvements that student might on campus.  The results will be shared with CGC at a later date.

Vice President Zheng explained that there have been many student clubs that have been inactive in the past.  He has worked with the clubs and has created a list of 36 active clubs on campus.  The active clubs are:

  • Anthropology Club
  • Association of Innovative Minds
  • Auto Tech
  • Black Student Union (BSU)
  • Ceramics Club
  • Chess Club
  • Cosmetology Club
  • Dance Honors Society
  • Dead Beat Writers
  • Fashion Network
  • Filipino Student Union (FSU)
  • Gay Straight Alliance (GSA)
  • Heartwrenchers
  • Honors Club
  • Hoop’s Club
  • Inspiring Community Leaders
  • International Affairs Student Club (ISAC)
  • Journalism Club
  • Kappa Beta Delta
  • Latino American Student Organization (LASO)
  • Latino Unidos
  • Model United (MUN)
  • Phi Theta Kappa (PTK)
  • Public Speaking Club
  • Respiratory Therapy (RT)
  • SACNAS
  • Science and Research Club
  • Skyline Women
  • Society of Hispanic Professional
  • Stock Exchange
  • Student Roundtable
  • Surgical Technology
  • Theater Club
  • TRIO Club
  • Veteran’s Club
  • Women In Transition (WIT)

News and accreditation

President Stroud reported that the CCCCO has an item in the consultation process that will change the Board of Governors existing Title 5 regulations requiring all colleges to be accredited by ACCJC.  The new regulations will remove ACCJC and require accreditation by a regional accreditor as approved by the Board of Governors and recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education under the Higher Education Act of 1965.

SAD Seasonal Affect Disorder

Dr. Joi Blake, Vice President of Student Services shared with the CGC that Faculty Member Jennifer Merrill conducted a survey and recommended SAD lighting to the Health and Safety Committee.  SAD is a type of depression that’s related to changes in the seasons.  Jennifer presented findings and has asked the Health and Safety Committee to identify a location on campus for special lights can be installed to help people with SAD.  One of the locations suggested was in building 6, first floor student lounge.  President Stanback Stroud indicated that the recommendation will be taken through the governance process including the SPARC Committee.

Note

Kate Browne gave kudos to Michele Haggar for sharing her career story.  There were 80 people in attendance at the Career Pathways in Education event sponsored by ECE/EDU.

Senate President Browne also reported that CCCCO Vice Chancellor of Governmental Affairs visiting the campus Friday, October 17th.  He was impressed by our campus and plans to visit again.

Dr. Blake reported that the annual Shake Out Drill was a success.  From the event, there is work being done on updating the building captains list.

Dr. Perkins shared with the CGC that 2-3 times a year Skyline College gives a presentation to the Board of Trustees. At the October 22nd Board of Trustees meeting the Skyline College Beta Theta Omicron (BΘO) Chapter made presentation.  Our chapter has won the Distinguished Chapter Award for our Region.

Vice President of Administrative Services, Eloisa Briones gave an update of the new resource allocation model.  A new model will be implemented in the Fall.  Executive Vice Chancellor, Kathy Blackwood will be making a presentation at the next SPARC meeting being held Thursday, October 30th at 2:00 p.m. in room 6202.

Meeting Adjourned

Coming Up…

Friday, October 24, 2014

  • Día de los Muertos Exhibition, Skyline College, Building 1, Art Gallery
  • Student Photo Exhibit:  Images of Stigma – Opening Reception, Skyline College, Building 2, 3rd Floor
  • 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Film Screening:  Tattoo Nation, Skyline College, Building 4, Multi-Cultural Room
  • 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Women’s Soccer v. Las Positas College, Conference Division Match, Skyline College
  • 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Men’s Soccer v. City College of San Francisco in a Conference Match, Skyline College
  • 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., Women’s Volleyball v. West Valley College in a Conference Division Match, Skyline College

Saturday, October 25, 2014

  • Día de los Muertos Exhibition, Skyline College, Building 1, Art Gallery
  • Student Photo Exhibit:  Images of Stigma, Skyline College, Building 2, 3rd Floor

Sunday, October 26, 2014

  • Día de los Muertos Exhibition, Skyline College, Building 1, Art Gallery
  • Student Photo Exhibit:  Images of Stigma, Skyline College, Building 2, 3rd Floor

Monday, October 27, 2014

  • Día de los Muertos Exhibition, Skyline College, Building 1, Art Gallery
  • Student Photo Exhibit:  Images of Stigma, Skyline College, Building 2, 3rd Floor

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

  • Día de los Muertos Exhibition, Skyline College, Building 1, Art Gallery
  • 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Women’s Soccer v. Chabot College, Conference Division Match, Skyline College
  • 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Men’s Soccer v. Hartnell College in a Conference Match, Skyline College
  • Student Photo Exhibit:  Images of Stigma, Skyline College, Building 2, 3rd Floor

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Friday, October 31, 2014

  • Student Photo Exhibit:  Images of Stigma, Skyline College, Building 2, 3rd Floor

For the latest information on events and activities happening at Skyline College, please view our calendar.

If you would like to include your college event or activity on the calendar, please submit the event, date, time and location to Jennifer Owen-Blackmon via email at owenblackmonj@smccd.edu.

Facilities Department Welcomes Bryant Evans as Custodial Supervisor

Bryant EvansThe Facilities Department is proud to announce that Bryant Evans has permanently transferred to Skyline College Facilities as the Custodial Supervisor. Bryant has a rich history in custodial services, first starting at the College of San Mateo in 1995 as a custodian where he was promoted to the Lead Custodian, and then to Custodial Supervisor in 2002. As the newly appointed Custodial Supervisor at Skyline College Bryant will bring the core values of customer service, teamwork, professionalism and communication, which the Facilities Department strives for. Please join us in welcoming Bryant to the Skyline College Family.

Article by John Doctor

Bécalos Students Perform for Latin American Heritage Month

becalos students performOn October 14, 2014, El Grupo Bécalos, a music group comprised of five of our Bécalos students, performed for other students, faculty and staff in the Fireside Dining Room in Building 6 as part of the Latin American Heritage Month activities.  Members of the band were very comfortable on stage as they belted out traditional and up-beat Latin music and preformed a classic rock song completely in English.  These Bécalos students not only showcased their talents and knowledge of music, but also exhibited their progress in learning the English language.  Language immersion is one of the many goals of the Bécalos Program and the students have been demonstrating an increased level of English language ability since the start of the program.  Thank you to the ASSC for providing the Bécalos students with such a unique learning experience and opportunity. For more information on the Bécalos Program, please contact Pcyeta Stroud at stroudp@smccd.edu

Article by Troy Barros | Photos by John Saenz

Skyline Students Shine at SACNAS Once Again

SACNAS Group 2014At the SACNAS (Advancing Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans in Science) Conference on October 16-18, eight Skyline College students presented their original scientific research alongside students from University of Texas, Princeton University, Yale University, University of California, Brown University, Stanford University, and many others. The conference was held in Los Angeles and sponsored by UCLA and USC. Over 4000 graduate and undergraduate students from across the country attended the conference.

Papers were selected for the conference in a competitive judging from abstracts submitted in July. Skyline College students started their research last spring with Christine Case in BIOL 230 or BIOL 690. The students spent the summer in the lab to continue and complete their research. Stephen Fredricks worked with the students to register and prepare them for presenting at a national conference. At the conference, students were knowledgeable and professional, and represented Skyline College well.

All of these students now have their first publication. You can see the students and their posters at http://skylinecollege.edu/case/biol690/students14.html. Here are their research topics:

  • Photosynthetic Characteristics of Invasive Delairea odorata and Native Coastal Sage Scrub Plants – Jean Luke Campos
  • Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Rhodiola rosea, a Medicinal Plant – Sweta Sharma and Wafa Zeidan
  • Antimicrobial Properties of a Traditional Medicinal Plant, Lupinus variicolor – Jia Gwee
  • Antimicrobial Properties of a Traditional Medicinal Plant Mimulus aurantiacus – Jackson S. Womack and Keefah Khalil
  • Antibacterial Activity of Coffeeberry (Rhamnus californica), a Traditional Native American Herbal Medicine – Anna Portelli and Jashwin Sagoo

Pictured in the photo are: Top row from left: Jackson Womack, Anna Portelli, Jean Luke Campus, Wafa Zeidan, Keefah Khalil, Front from left: Sweta Swarma, Jia Gwee

Article & Photo by Christine Case

ASTEP Brings the Community Together with its Fall 2014 Family Night Event

ASTEP Family Night 2014 Phote 1 _10.21.14 On October, 8, 2014, the ASTEP Learning Community celebrated its fall 2014 Family Night with panache! Students, staff, faculty, and administrators who contributed towards the preparations for this event worked diligently, as they were eager to show family and friends why ASTEP has become so pivotal in the Skyline College Community and in their own lives. The assortment of various cuisines on deck encompassed a mélange of cultures within the ASTEP student body. This special event was well attended, but even more important was the collective feeling that all present appreciated this chance to step aside from the usual motions of life in order to bond in solidarity and get informed.

ASTEP Family Night Fall 2014 Photo 2_10.21.14The festivities began with a chance to mingle. Students who had brought along family members had a chance to introduce them to their ASTEP instructors and counselors, and ASTEP faculty, staff, administrators, and allies present had the opportunity to meet those behind the scenes of their students’ lives, students they have strived to empower all semester long. This was followed by a presentation of all faculty, staff, and administrators who support the ASTEP Learning Community and an explanation of each member’s role/s on the Skyline College Campus.

The range of other activities at this affair included a thoughtful explanation of ASTEP’s history and goals by ASTEP Learning Community Coordinator and Associate Professor, Nathan Jones, and an ice breaker where students had a chance to contribute their collective knowledge about the mission of ASTEP and its benefits for students. In addition, Language Arts Program Services Coordinator, Michael Manneh helped students and family members achieve greater awareness about what a learning community is and why and how such cohorts engender student success. This was followed by a culminating break down of specific ways that the ASTEP Learning Community supports students facilitated by ASTEP Counselor and Professor, Kwame Thomas and then a raffle. Last, but certainly not least, attendees finally had a chance to “get their grub on” thanks to the selfless contributions of many in attendance.

This was a heartwarming event that brought those in the ASTEP learning community and their families closer together in their understanding of one another and their motivation to continue supporting our students’ achievement in their uphill climb towards academic victory!

The ASTEP Learning Community welcomes students of all diverse backgrounds to join its ranks and strives to represent the experience of the African American community within Skyline College. For any questions about ASTEP, please feel free to contact ASTEP at 650-738-7037 or visit the program in Building 4.

Article by Chanel Daniels  I  Photos by Nathan Jones

Learning Differences Demystified

“Wee reed in vairee difrint waez frum hou wee see werdz” – Sam Barclay

learningdisabilitiesdemystifiedThe Disability Resource Center continued its celebration of Disability Awareness Month with Learning Differences Demystified, a tabling event in Building 6 on Tuesday and Wednesday. Students, faculty and staff were able to interact with learning disability (reading and math) simulations and experience how individuals with learning disabilities process information. DRC’s Learning Disability Specialist, Carol Newkirk, was on hand to answer questions about learning disabilities.

The Skyline community also learned that having a learning disability is not a barrier to success. Quotes from successful individuals with dyslexia like Richard Branson, Charles Schwab, Magic Johnson, Erin Brockovich, Keira Knightly, and Whoopi Goldberg were also on display. DRC’s Assistive Technology Specialist, Judy Lariviere, demonstrated iPad apps that promote student success, regardless of disability status. This event was a great opportunity for student, faculty, and staff to engage with DRC staff members and learn about the wide variety of services provided to students.

Disability Awareness Month concludes on October 29, with Colors of the Wind, from 12:10-1:10pm in room 6204.

Article by Melissa Matthews

Fall 2015 UC Transfer Admissions Guarantee Program a Success!

Each year, from Sept. 1- Sept. 30, Skyline College students apply to the UC Transfer Admissions Guarantee Program. Students who meet UC requirements for their campus of choice are able to apply for guaranteed admissions to that campus. UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara and UC Santa Cruz are the participating campuses in the UC TAG program.

Skyline College has a very hands-on personalized approach to TAG, where students attend TAG workshops and meet with a counselor to review all of their options and to get a final evaluation of their TAG application. We have a strong TAG Counseling team with nine Counselors participating!

This year, 92 Skyline College students submitted TAG Applications – marking a steady increase in applicants over the past 2 years! The largest increase was in applications to UC Santa Cruz. Last year, there were seven TAG applicants to UCSC and this year there were 22! Davis continues to be the leader in TAG applicants with 50 students submitting TAGs to UC Davis this year. Students will get the final results for the TAG as early as November 15th for some campuses and other will inform students during spring 2015.

Planning and qualifying for TAG is very tricky and early awareness of the program greatly contributes to ensuring as many students as possible are eligible and apply. Thank you to all of the faculty and staff who helped promote this program on campus! The Transfer Center will be partnering with UC Davis in the spring semester to offer a workshop to prepare students for Fall 2016 TAG applicants!

Article by Suzanne Poma