Daily Archives: November 9, 2017

Media Preferences Survey-Win a $150 Amazon Gift Card

Would you like to win a $150 Amazon gift card? Skyline College invites you to participate in a survey about how you use the media and spend your time. Your participation in the survey will help the college with its future marketing plans.

The college has hired Interact Communications to conduct the survey. All responses are confidential. Your name will not be connected with your answers and the college will not know if you participated in the survey. If you decide to enter the drawing for a $150 Amazon gift card, you will be directed to a different web site to leave your personal information.

To participate in the survey, go to: http://www.mediaprefs.com/139.

Enter the following password: 139917

Thank you for participating and helping future students!

CoWorking Day at the Bay Area Entrepreneur Center

The Bay Area Entrepreneur Center is now offering Coworking!

Coworking is an innovative, creative workspace where likeminded leaders come together to work on their own projects in a community atmosphere.

BAEC held their first FREE coworking open house on October 25, 2017. Entrepreneurs from different industries came together to ideate, create partnerships for business growth and to simply get focused on getting work done.

Students throughout the district are welcome to visit the BAEC and access many of the resources offered, free of charge. With the added service of coworking, students and community members now have the opportunity to utilize the facility, its amenities and engage with other like-minded folks. With a coworking membership, businesses will be able to use the Bay Area Entrepreneur Center as a place to host meetings and to get work done during office hours.

For more information on coworking and other memberships, please visit our website. To book a tour, email us at baec@smccd.edu.

Article by Terri Wade | Photo by Linda Truong

Social Psychology in Action!

After discussing research on helping behavior, students enrolled in the social psychology program applied the information by soliciting donations for the relief effort in Puerto Rico. They broke into groups and, based on information discussed in class, developed helping-related hypotheses that included the following variables:

  • Gender: Student hypothesized that females would donate more often than males.
  • Location: Students hypothesized that people would be more likely to donate in front of a church vs. a grocery store.
  • Group vs. individual:  Students hypothesized that people in a group would be more likely to donate than alone.
  • Reward: Students hypothesized that people would be more likely to donate if a reward was offered (a piece of candy).

Students had one week to test their hypotheses by collecting donations. As a result of their informal research, a total of $200 was collected and donated to United for Puerto Rico.

Article by Jennifer Merrill

Puente Hosts Second Mentor Mixer of the Year

On the evening of Nov. 6, Puente had its second Mentor Mixer of the academic year here at Skyline College. Mentors and mentees from two Puente cohorts met to engage in activities that allowed them to think more deeply about how to address challenges. Rocio Aguilar-Pedroza, one of the Puente counselors, started out with an “Infinity Loop” activity that was intentionally difficult. Groups were then given the solution and shared out their challenges in trying to solve it.

Afterwards Puente faculty Paula Silva, Alberto Santellan, and Lucia Lachmayr facilitated discussion and brainstormed ways to face other challenges that may seem insurmountable, capitalizing on hearing the mentors’ experiences on how to persist. The mentors and mentees came up with ways to address similar challenges in their lives. Groups came up with great strategies they were able to share with each other.

Finally, they discussed the importance of mentors and guides in their lives, past and present, and gave thanks on paper Calaveras (skulls) that we have posted on the LASO altar in the Multicultural Center. Come by and see it!

The event was a wonderful opportunity for students to see that their own mentors also have mentors and that these relationships are something that most professionals value, all reinforcing the concept that nobody does it alone.

The Puente students are incredibly grateful for our amazing mentors!

Article by Lucia Lachmayr

Governance Council Meeting Minutes

Governance:  College Governance Committee

The College Governance Council met on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 from 2:10-4:00 pm, in Building 4, Room 4343. In attendance was Christine Abella, Jesse Raskin, Regina Stanback Stroud and Christina Trujillo. Absent from the meeting was Eloisa Briones, Kate Browne, Angelica Garcia, Michele Haggar, Leandro Torre Mantilla and Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza.

 

Approval of Minutes

 

The September 25, 2017 minutes were approved. (M/C/U Christina Trujillo/Christine Abella) Unanimously.

 

The Academic Senate provided the following report.

Academic Senate meetings regularly include visits and discussions with key administrators about the state of the College and issues for this year.

 

October meetings included discussions on:

  • Comprehensive Redesign/Meta Majors and Guided Pathways. An ongoing, major goal of the Academic Senate, regular updates by Design Team Leads Jesse Raskin, Carla Grandy, Jessica Hurless, and Mustafa Popal included announcement of CCCCO grant application completion, first-draft of 4 Meta Majors to go to Classified Senate for comment in November, summary of Change Leadership conference, plan to present work to CSM’s Academic Senate in November, and call for Guided Pathways State

 

  • Focus on Equity. A second major goal of the Academic Senate this year, this month the Senate presented a multi-authored Skyline Academic Senate Resolution, which had a first-reading and full discussion. The Resolution on Equity was approved unanimously, and is posted on the Academic Senate web page in materials for 10/19 meeting, and will be submitted to Skyline Shines as well as to the next Board of Trustees

 

  • Academic Senate Revision Task Group. Chair Jessica Hurless will re-convene the Task Group with revised membership, and bring its recommendations to the full Senate by December.

 

  • Vice-President of Instruction Screening Committee. Categories of Faculty expertise were introduced for Academic Senate consideration; discussion planned for

 

  • District Academic Senate. Introduction of Academic Integrity [to Ed Policy], Cañada Academic Senate Resolution on District Media Server for

Actions/Approvals on:

  • Board Policies 2.30 [Political Activity]; 6.18 [Credit by Exam]; 6.24 [Articulation]
  • Tenure Review Committees [new and revised] of
  • Integrated Plan for Basic Skills, Student Equity, & SSSP, call for dedicated agenda item on Student Success in December/January.
  • Cañada’s Resolution on District Media Server was discussed with questions, no action: Cañada will do presentation about the issue to Academic Senate in

 

Reports from Academic Senate Standing Committees & Organizations:

  • Curriculum [Comprehensive Program Review item], -Educational Policy [working on Academic Integrity item], and –Professional Personnel [completing State Exemplary Program Award nomination]

 

  • Associated Students of Skyline College. Support of Academic Senate Equity resolution, and interest in attending Spring State Plenary [San Mateo].

 

  • AFT-faculty survey on workload will be revised and sent out by District PRIE by end of term.

 

  • Beyond the Margins: Learning Communities [11/8] & Equity Training Series [Spring]; call for Faculty Diversity Internship Mentors.

 

Forward into Fall Upcoming Plans:

  • State events & meetings [Area B/ Skyline hosted, & Fall Plenary/Kate & Jesse speaking, and Terry Chang attending]; visit by President Regina Stanback Stroud [TBA].

 

The Classified Senate provided the following report.

Classified recently unanimously adopted changes to the constitution:

  • Under Article 2: Name, we added Section 1: By laws-, The Classified Senate allows for the creation of By Laws to provide specific procedures, requirements, and general guidance regarding the implementation of the mandates and intent of this
  • Under Article 4: Membership, added Section 1 and Section 1A-
    • Section 1: The Executive Board shall identify a Senator per college department. The Executive Board shall determine the number of departments at the beginning of each academic
      • Section 1A: Senator Representatives are charged with representing constituents within their departments by reporting and/ or sharing information pertaining to Classified Senate business at Classified Senate monthly meetings and within their
    • Under Article 12: Meeting Time- Updated language
      • The Classified Senate shall meet on the first Thursday of each month from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Notification of the meeting location and agenda will be sent via email. at a time designated by the Classified

 

  • Update on Classified Staff representation on committees:
  • Katrina Pantig will serve as the shared governance representative for the Guided Pathways and Meta Majors efforts
  • Michele Haggar has been appointed and approved to serve as a Tri-Chair for the Accreditation Self Study
  • Classified Senate meetings added two standing agenda items:
    • Guided Pathways and Meta-majors
    • Accreditation
  • Classified Staff currently working with leadership to host Guided Pathways and Meta Majors open forum for Classified Staff on Friday, November 3rd from 12:00 pm- 2:00 pm. This is being initiated as a way to continue to pull in the voice of classified to help support student success
  • SMCCCD Classified Staff Leadership Team (members of the Classified Senate executive boards across the district) meet this past week to and set end dates to have our Statement of Ethics (formally Code of Ethics) developed, voted on, and approved by the board for adoption by Spring
  • See’s Candy Fundraiser underway- Final date to place orders with sellers is November Candy will be ready for pick-up Tuesday, Nov. 28. Our new goal is to raise over $1,300 dollars if possible.
  • Volunteer opportunity to Alcatraz was cancelled by organizers but rescheduled to Saturday, Nov. 4 and we still have 10 Classified Staff scheduled to
  • Natural Disaster Relief 5K Fundraiser- still happening. Currently building website to share for marketing and awaiting final decision for
  • CSEA Holiday luncheon is slated for Thursday, December 7 from 12 pm-2 pm at the Elk Lodge in San Mateo. Please add to your calendars. We will make this announcement at our next

 

The Associated Student Body of Skyline College provided the following report.

  • Student Equity Committee wrote a resolution in regards the Blackface Incident. The main purpose of this revolution is to let the students know that the ASSC does not tolerate this behavior; instead, we promote respect and
  • The ASSC has successfully organized Fundraiser events to help those affected by the hurricanes and the
  • The student body is also planning future events for the rest of the fall semester. At the moment, we are focusing on Skylloween, Tuesday, October 31st and Domestic Violence Awareness, held Wednesday, October 25th.
  • All the executive and senators positions in the council are now filled. The only position open is Associate Senator, with a max of five open

Dean Ray Hernandez of the Science/Math/Technology Division shared with the committee the Respiratory Care Accreditation Self Study.

Accreditation of respiratory care programs is a process that requires a comprehensive review of the program relative to the accreditation Standards. Decisions are based on the CoARC’s assessment of the information contained in the accreditation application and self-study report, the report of site visit evaluation teams, the annual Report of Current Status, as well as its review of any reports or documents submitted to the CoARC by the program during the current accreditation cycle.  A comprehensive self-study and site visit is conducted every 10 years. A

subcommittee of the RC advisory board completed the self-study. The overall report is strong with the program meeting all standards.

 

Associate Professor Jesse Raskin presented to the committee the Paralegal Studies ABA Accreditation information.

In Fall 2016, Skyline College applied to the American Bar Association (ABA) for initial approval of the Paralegal Program, to increase job prospects for graduates and raise local awareness of the program.  In Spring 2017, The ABA accepted the written report and scheduled a site visit at Skyline College on February 19-21, 2018. This visit is a great opportunity for us to show the ABA all we do as a College to support paralegal students in finding success at every step in their educational journey. To prepare, the Paralegal Program is working across the College to develop comprehensive readiness for the site visit.

 

Interim Dean Jacque Honda reported on Accreditation to the Committee

In preparation of our 2019 Accreditation Reaffirmation, our Accreditation Oversight Committee is in high gear and Skyline College, as well as the SMCCD, is now in Accreditation mode. Our Accreditation Liaison Officer, Interim Dean of PRIE, Jacque Honda, will work with the three Tri-Chairs: Faculty member Karen Wong, Administrator Will Minnich, and Classified Representative Michele Haggar, to identify the teams for each standard and oversee the writing of the Institutional Self-Evaluation Report (ISER). As soon as we receive Academic Senate

approval of the faculty co-chairs, we will make an announcement. The two year timeline is being crafted and updated and will be presented in November to the campus. We are also creating a comprehensive Accreditation Page, where all of this information, as well as updates, will be housed.

 

Luis Escobar – Dean of Counseling, Advising, Lasana Hotep – Dean of Student Equity and Support Programs, and James Houpis – Dean of Academic Support and Learning Technologies shared with the committee BSI, SSSP and SE integrated Budget Plan

The State Chancellor’s Office has been undergoing an effort to integrate three programs: Basic Skills Initiative (BSI) Student Equity Program (SE), and Student Success and Support Programs (SSSP). These programs were selected as a starting point for integrative efforts for two main reasons: 1) all three have the same ultimate goal of increasing student success while closing achievement gaps; and 2) there is a strong potential for overlap between and among programs. (Except from Chancellor’s Office MEMO, February 15, 2017)

(M/C/U Jesse Raskin/Jacque Honda) Approved for submission to the Board of Trustees for consideration. Unanimously.

 

Jesse Raskin, Vice President of the Academic Senate reported to the committee the Resolution on Equity Skyline College Academic Senate

The Skyline College Academic Senate has discussed the racial incident of Spring and the subsequent uncertainty, communication glitches, and questionable actions. We applauded the Skyline faculty who took the issue to the Board of Trustees and made recommendations, and prepared, with multiple authors, a Resolution on Equity. After reading & discussion, it passed unanimously at the October 19 meeting and President Kate Browne is following through with people and communities at the College. The Resolution is being put on the next Board of Trustees’ meeting agenda, The Academic Senate Governing Council has been invited to sign up

for the Equity Series this coming Spring, Social Justice/Ethnic Studies degree is being developed, and all Faculty have been encouraged to become Mentors in the Faculty Diversity Internship Program to begin next year.

 

Adjourn

(M/S/U Jesse Raskin/Christine Abella approved) Unanimously.

ABA Site Team Visit Paralegal Program

On October 2016, Skyline College applied to the American Bar Association (ABA) for approval of the Paralegal Program, to support graduates and raise local awareness of the program. While the program is already strong and graduates are getting jobs, approval could provide students with an additional edge in the competitive legal job market.

On July 2017, the ABA completed its review of the Program’s application and determined that Skyline College was a ready for a site visit on February 19 – 21, 2018.  We are very excited to showcase all that Skyline College offers to paralegal students! Preparations are underway for a great visit.

Last month, the Program met with the Advisory Committee, which includes legal professionals, program alumna, and current students. At the meeting, we discussed results from our recent surveys of students, graduates and local legal employers.

The surveys provided some encouraging data. For example, the survey of current students showed that nine in ten viewed their instructors as “competent”, “clear communicators”, and “welcoming.” Also, over 90 percent of students reported their study topics as “relevant” and their course learning activities as “appropriately challenging”.

In addition, committee members provided useful suggestions for tailoring the program to develop students’ skills and meet the changing needs of legal employers.

Moving forward, the paralegal program will be working across the college to ensure that we all are ready for the site visit.  We look forward to teaming up with you in these efforts.

For more information about the Paralegal Program, please contact Jesse Raskin, raskinj@smccd.edu or visit www.skylinecollege.edu/paralegal/.

Article by Maria Segarra and Nikki McLaughli

Skyline College Highlights Health and Wellness Through Health Fair

On October 25, 2017 the Skyline College Health Center team sponsored the semiannual Health Fair in the Dining Hall from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

This well attended event featured over 36 different agencies and health advocates. It is a great event to highlight some of the health and wellness related programs offered at Skyline College and have them shine in an open venue. Skyline College students from the Wellness Program were giving chair messages; Respiratory Therapy students were taking peak flows and blood pressures, the Cosmetology students were giving manicures and hand messages.

Representatives of TRIO were present letting students know how the program can support students in staying mentally and physically fit by supporting them in meeting their academic goals. Psychological services were also present where they educated students, faculty, and community members about their services here on campus and in the community.

SparkPoint highlighted the Dreamer program, food pantry, public benefits in addition to their Legal Aid Clinic.

The Skyline College Health Center was also happy to host nursing students from The College of San Mateo and San Francisco State University. CSM students were doing their part in keeping our community healthy by giving free flu shots and educating participants on how to ward off winter viruses. The SFSU students provided diabetes education, blood sugar checks and some great information on what an anti-inflammatory diet looks like and how changing your diet can truly benefit health.

Many San Mateo County Agencies were in attendance sharing how their various services can help to keep people healthy and happy. Just to name a few in attendance: Planned Parenthood, Family Health Services and Health Plan of San Mateo, Daly City youth, Healthways, Breath California, Pride Center, Rape Trauma Services, The Pride Center as well as many other non-profits and agencies.

The event was a success and one lucky student was the recipient of The Skyline Book Stores generous tablet raffle donation.

The Skyline College Health Center is still giving free flu shots, so if you have not received yours yet please come and get one while supplies last. There is no appointment necessary!

Article by Donna Elliott