Monthly Archives: November 2017

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

Art Exhibit Profiles 1,000 Years of Latin American Art

BreachingWalls_PosterThe Skyline College Art Gallery is proud to present an unprecedented exhibition highlighting 1,000 years of Latin American art.

“Breaching Walls: Real and Imaginary” (showing Nov 6 – Dec 1) brings together artwork from major private and public collections of “Arte Hispano-Americano.” The artists whose work is exhibited in “Breaching Walls” are primarily 20th century Mexican and Mexican-American painters, printmakers, photographers and sculptors. The exhibition focuses on the artists’ use of symbols that have retained relevance over centuries; symbols which have roots in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.

COME SEE THE EXHIBITION:

  • OPENING RECEPTION: November 8, 2017 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Skyline College Art Gallery

(Light refreshments will be served; All are welcome)

  • EXIBITION DATES: November 6 – December 1, 2017

This is one of the most extensive exhibitions to have ever showed at the Skyline College Art Gallery, and represents a labor of love for the individuals who have helped to bring it to bear. We hope you will stop by, either the opening reception or on your own time, to enjoy these amazing works.

Composting Starting at Skyline College!

compost binWhen you put something in the garbage it doesn’t just go away. The waste we generate as a campus has adverse impacts not only to the environment but to the people in the community as well. That’s why we are instituting a food waste diversion program as Skyline College’s part to keep the planet and people healthier.

Waste services at Skyline College currently include landfill and recycling, but starting this month composting services will begin in the Sky Café and in all campus restrooms.

The Sky Café in Building 6 will introduce a new compost bin to include with our recycle and landfill bins. By composting items such as banana peels, coffee grounds, coffee stir sticks, and compostable utensils we will send less waste to landfills.

Restrooms will also be a part of the initial launch as paper towels can be composted. Paper towel dispensers and bins will have new signage to educate users about the disposal of paper towels in restroom bins and all other waste in designated landfill bins.

SMCCCD will now be compliant with CA Assembly Bill 1826: Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling, and is also one of the first community college districts to implement a comprehensive composting program.

Composting will be deployed throughout the campus in a series of phases throughout the next year, beginning with the Sky Café and campus restrooms.

For more information about SMCCCD’s Zero Waste Program click here, and check out the Sustainability at SMCCCD Facebook Page for updates.

Article by John Doctor

Getting New ESL Students Enrolled For Spring 2017

The English Language Institute hosted its twice-annual ESL Registration Day on October 28, 2017 from 9:00am-3:00pm. We had over 30 new ESL students who attended the event and completed the key steps to enrollment! Many of them are friends and family of current Skyline College students.

The new ESL students enjoyed meeting ESOL Counselor Virginia Rosales in the “Ask Me Anything about Skyline” table. They also appreciated speaking to Sparkpoint, Financial Aid and Adult School staff.

Thanks to: Minerva Velasquez and Adriana Johnson for helping with the Student ID Numbers; Goldie Lee and Jacky Ip for running the placement tests; ESOL Counselor Virginia Rosales for an informative orientation; and Jairo Barreto for his solid IT Support. Also, many thanks to the ELI student assistants and Leigh Anne Shaw, Stacy Nojima and Erinn Struss for the excellent teamwork.

Article and Photograph by Mylene Foo

Hospitality and Tourism Bridge Experience Hosted at South San Francisco Adult School

 

As part of the Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Initiative, Andrea Vizenor, Director for The Center of Career and Workforce Programs, has continued her work to bridge neighboring adult schools as well as high schools to the Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) Program at Skyline College. Together with Serena Chu-Mraz, Professor for English of Other Languages (ESOL), students are able to experience the HTM program offsite at South San Francisco Adult School – these courses are open to adult school students and high school students at Peninsula High School located in San Bruno, CA.

The adult school students kicked off the Fall Semester with a non-credit course called Hospitality ADVANCE 1, a 6-module dynamic training program that integrates English language development competencies with a set of essential hotel/restaurant operations skills and capabilities. This was a stepping stone to take the next set of courses being offered for credit and for students to work towards a Hospitality and Tourism Management certificate (certificated can be completed in as little as two semesters).

The courses at South San Francisco Adult School started on October 10, 2017. A group of students from Peninsula High School were able to join the program after Hospitality ADVANCE. Courses include HTM 124 – Excellence in Guest Service and HTM 101 – Introduction to Hospitality and Tourism Mangement. HTM 124 prepares students to take the exam needed to earn the Certified Guest Service Professional (GSP), industry-recognized credential offered through the American Hotel and Lodging Association while HTM 101 gives them an overview of the careers and different segments HTM has to offer.

The next courses slated for Spring 2018 are Hospitality ADVANCE 2, HTM 125 – Restaurant and Banquet Operations, and HTM 230 – Hotel and Resort Management. The bridge program is thoughtfully designed for students to not only earn industry recognized certificates but to earn the Guest Service Entry-Level Professional Skills Certificate as little as two semesters. For more information, please contact: Andrea Vizenor at vizenora@smccd.edu

Article by Elizabeth Tablan | Photo by Cladia Paz

College Governance: SPARC Meeting Updates

 

The Skyline College Strategic Planning and Allocation of Resources Committee (SPARC) met on Thursday, October 26, 2017.

District 2017/18 Budget Update

Executive Vice Chancellor Kathy Blackwood, provided an overview of the District Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2017/18. The committee was able to ask questions and discuss the budget outlook and external impacts. Budget details are included here. She noted that the Board of Trustees and Chancellor Galatolo are looking at ways to expand the Promise program to provide greater support to students and achieve student success.

Skyline College 2017/18 Fund 1 Adopted Budget

Eloisa Briones reviewed the Skyline College Fund 1 Adopted Budget. The Committee moved to adopt the 2017-18 College Budget.

Integrated BSI/SEP/SSSP Plan

James Houpis, Dean of Academic Support and Learning Technologies, Lasana Hotep, Dean of Student Equity and Support Services, and Luis Escobar, Dean of Counseling, Advising, and Matriculation gave a joint presentation on the Integrated Basic Skills Initiative/Student Equity Plan/Student Success and Support Program Plan for Fiscal Year 2017-2019.

The State Chancellor’s Office has implemented a new Integrated Planning process for these three categorical programs. The College receives annual allocations for these programs and have two years to expend the funds. The Integrated Plan allows the College to leverage and maximize the use of the funds. Further details can be seen here.

The committee voted recommend that the Integrated Plan be approved by the College Governance Council.

Technology Plan

Dean Houpis shared the Skyline College Technology Plan 2018-2022 with the committee. Plan details can be viewed here. The committee voted to recommend that the Technology Plan be approved by the College Governance Council.

Comprehensive Program Review Update

Dean of Science, Mathematics, and Technology Raymond Hernandez provided a comprehensive overview of the Associate of Science in Respiratory Care program, including the self-study highlights, evidence and outcomes. The program will be undergoing accreditation review.

Accreditation Update

Jacqueline Honda, Accreditation Liaison Officer and Interim Dean of Planning, Research, and Institutional Effectiveness briefed the committee on updates to the Accreditation process. She noted this cycle, we changed from a co-chair to a tri-chair structure. The chairs are William Minnich (Administrator), Karen Wong (Faculty), and Michele Haggar (Classified). Interested parties who would like to serve on the writing teams should submit their information on to https://surveys.smccd.edu/n/accreditationwriting.aspx, and direct any questions to Dean Honda at hondaj@smccd.edu.

Next meeting

SPARC is scheduled to meet on November 9, 2017 (Thursday) from 2:10 to 4:00 p.m. in Room 6-203

Skyline College Welcomes New Program Services Coordinator

The Skyline College Financial Aid Department is proud to welcome Madison Steele as the new Program Services Coordinator.

In this position, she will help promote Financial Aid and Scholarships through in reach and outreach efforts, work one-on-one with high need students and collaborate with additional campus programs, learning communities and services.

Steele is a first generation college graduate and third generation Mexican American.  She was born in Los Angeles, grew up in Antioch.  She earned her A.A. in Psychology from Diablo Valley College and B.S in Business Psychology from Palo Alto University.

Steele started working in Financial Aid as a Federal Work Study student back in 2013, and later worked as a Financial Aid Counselor for at Menlo College and Palo Alto University.

Steele has extensive knowledge of Federal and State Financial Aid regulations. She is skilled in helping students navigate through the application process, hosted consumer workshops for the public and students as well as liaise between institution and various scholarship foundations and associations.

Please come by the Financial Aid Department to help us welcome Madison to the Skyline College family.

Article by Regina Morrison

 

Announcing the Launch of NOVA Job Center – Signups Open Now!

We are excited to announce that the NOVA Job Center will be launching services on Monday, November 6, 2017 at the SparkPoint and Career Services Center (building 1, floor 2). This new program will be offered as a part of SparkPoint and Career Services, complementing our current service offering by providing additional one-on-one career counseling, workshops, resume assistance, interview preparation, job search support, and other resources for individuals seeking employment. NOVA will be fully integrated into the SparkPoint program, thus all services are available at no cost and open to both students and community members.

You can sign up for the registration session right now on Monday, November 6 from 2-4pm at the Career Services Center. There are three ways to sign up: · Email us at skylinenova@smccd.edu

  • Call us at (650) 738-7904
  • Drop by the NOVA offices at room 1-221A and let us know that you want to sign up for registration!

Can’t make Monday? We will have registration every Tuesday after that at 1:30-3:30pm. If you are interested in enrolling and have scheduling conflicts with registration times, let us know and we will be able to accommodate you.

If you have any questions with regards to the NOVA Job Center, please contact the NOVA Program Services Coordinator, Kathleen Velasquez, at velasquezk@smccd.edu. For more information on the NOVA Job Center program in general, check out our website at https://www.novaworks.org/.

We hope to see you here and help you land your dream job!

Article by Kathleen Velasquez