Modernization Update: Relocation of Physical Education Programs
The relocation of the Physical Education programs occurred over the last few weekends. Faculty and staff have been moved into the portables now located in Parking Lot 11. Office space and classrooms have been moved into the portable units and charts are available noting all classroom and office relocations. The pool will be closed on February 29, 2008. The gym will close on March 31, 2008.The Diamond Physical Education Center will be under construction for approximately 15 months beginning mid-March 2008.

Measure C Bond Citizens’ Oversight Committee Is Preparing Its Annual Report
The Marin Community College District Measure C Bond Citizens’ Oversight Committee has met and is preparing its annual report to the community. The committee has reviewed last year’s (6/07) audit report, annual independent performance audit, and all quarterly financial statements to date. The committee noted at its most recent meeting that all of the audits have passed the approval of the auditors without exceptions. The committee’s report will be brought to the Board of Trustees at the April 15 regular monthly meeting and will be available to the public at that time.

Science Center Roof Repairs Update
The Austin Science Center roof repairs are intact and any final roof coatings will be applied after the rains have stopped for several weeks and temperatures are higher. The construction workers have been de-mobilized and will return in June 2008 to complete the project.

College of Marin Diamond Physical Education Center Modernization Ground Breaking Ceremony
The College of Marin Board of Trustees and Superintendent/President Francis L. White, Ph.D. are hosting a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the modernization of the Diamond Physical Education Center. Construction is scheduled to begin in early April. The community is invited to attend free of charge.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008
1:30 p.m.
Diamond Physical Education Center
700 College Ave.
Kentfield, CA

The refurbished center will feature the installation of photovoltaic technology, which is expected to provide half of the electrical energy required to run the facility. Construction also will include a new gym floor, new roof, new lighting, new HVAC mechanical systems, renovation of the entire gym, ADA upgrades, solar thermal to heat the pool, and reconfiguration of locker rooms to provide equal space for men and women. The costs of the renovations are estimated at $15.5 million. Bids for the project will open later this month.

From the Police Department:
New Emergency Notification SystemWe need your help to ensure the safety of our student body and employees. You can receive notifications about the status of campus closures and emergencies by signing up for a free notification service.
Marin Community College District Police Department, with sponsorship from alertu.org, is currently rolling out the AlertU emergency SMS messaging platform to enhance its current communication services during crisis situations. AlertU provide broadcasts of critical information in real time to the mobile devices (cell phones, etc.) of all employees and the student body. This is particularly important for those who may be in or near a crisis zone.
You can help by signing up yourself and also letting students know about this important service. Users need to know a little about how the SMS text messaging works on their cell phones. Those who are not familiar with how to use their text messaging should ask a friend, or their cell phone provider.
It takes less than a minute to sign up and there is no cost aside from any text messaging charges through your cell company.
Sign Up Instructions - There are Two Ways to Sign Up:
From a computer:
1. Go to www.alertu.org/mccd
2. Enter your cell number and indicate if you are staff, faculty, etc.
3. On your cell phone, you will receive a welcome text message: Please join MCCD’s Emergency Alert System. No spam. Reply Y to sign up…
4. From your cell phone, Reply “Y” (only the letter “Y,” nothing else)
5. That’s it
From your cell phone:
1. With your cell phone, text “MCCD” (your campus keyword) to 253788 (ALERTU)
2. You will receive a welcome text message: Please join MCCD’s Emergency Alert System. No spam. Reply Y to sign up…
3. From your cell phone, Reply “Y”(only the letter “Y,” nothing else)
4. That’s it
RECOMMENDATION: To make it easier for you to recognize emergency messages, store the number 253788 in your cell phone’s phone book as “AlertU”
We value your privacy as students and staff at Marin Community College District and can promise:
• You will never receive any mobile spam
• No personal information will ever be shared with anyone
• Only MCCD College Police will have access to the alerting system
• The AlertU system will only be used in the event of an emergency/crisis
• The service is free, though the users standard text message rates/plans apply
It is expected that in the event of a crisis or emergency, AlertU will greatly help minimize both risk and damage for our students, faculty, staff, and school. While this service is only one of the many methods that may be needed in getting the word out in a crisis, it should be the most immediate; reaching the most people.

For more information contact Sgt. Darryl Kesecker, Marin Community College PD, at

415-485-9478 or visit www.alertu.org.

Last chance to see Walkin’ Talkin’ Bill Hawkins….In Search Of My Father Theatre Arts Instructor W. Allen Taylor’s critically acclaimed solo show, Walkin’ Talkin’ Bill Hawkins….In Search Of My Father, will be leaving the Bay Area for the Big Apple! WALKIN’ TALKIN’ is currently being performed:

February 28 through March 2
8:00 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays;
3:00 p.m. on Sundays
The AfroSolo Theatre Company
762 Fulton Street at Webster, San Francisco
(Free secured onsite parking)

Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for seniors, students or groups of ten or more. Order through Brown Paper Tickets at 800-838-3006. Call 415-771-2376 or go to www.afrosolo.org for more information.

College of Marin Measure C Bond Citizens’ Oversight Committee Solicits New Members Seven committee members are being sought to serve on the College of Marin Measure C Bond Citizens’ Oversight Committee for the Measure C bond program. The committee is seeking applications for members representing: the community at large, a bona-fide taxpayer’s association, a student enrolled and active in a community college support group, a member of a senior citizens’ organization, a member active in a business organization representing the business community located in the district, and a member active in a college support organization. New members will be appointed by the College of Marin Board of Trustees at its April meeting. Applications are due March 28, 2008. Oversight committee members cannot be employees, officials, vendors, consultants, or contractors of the College of Marin. For application information contact the College of Marin President’s Office at (415) 485-9502.

Help raise funds for College of Marin Children’s Center The Children’s Center at College of Marin needs your support - and you can do it without giving them a dime! Simply register your credit cards and other accounts with ESCRIP. When you shop, College of Marin Children’s Center will receive up to five percent of your purchase amounts in fundraising dollars.

To enroll, go online to ESCRIP and follow the simple 1-2-3 step instructions. Enter College of Marin and select College of Marin Children’s Center. Then shop using your registered account cards – and you’ll be contributing to a worthy cause. Thanks in advance from the Children’s Center Staff and Preschoolers!

Faculty Art Show at the College of Marin Art GalleryCollege of Marin Fine Art Professor Katrina Wagner’s Valentine’s Day based paintings and sculptures are currently on display at the College of Marin Art Gallery at the Kentfield campus. The exhibit was hung by Andrea Antonaccio and staff.

COM to host a Career and Transfer Program Fair at IVC

Wednesday, March 19, 2008, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Explore careers and transfer programs in Public Safety, Health, Sustainability, and Education:

Public Safety and Health Professions
Dental Assisting
Medical Assisting, Phlebotomy
Administration of Justice
Emergency Medical Technician/First Response

Environmental Sustainability
Landscape Design, Installation, Maintenance, Organic Farming

Education
Early Childhood Education, Teaching
Child and Adolescent Development

International Film FestivalThe COM Department of Modern Languages presents the First Annual College of Marin International Film Festival, featuring films that represent the foreign languages taught at the College. Each film will be introduced by an individual who teaches that language. The following features, which are FREE and open to the Marin County community, will be shown on Fridays at 7 p.m. in Olney Hall 96. For additional information, call (415) 485-9348 (x7348).
       February 29 La Finestra Di Fronte / Facing Windows (2003), Italian
       March 7 Les Poupees Russes / The Russian Dolls (2005), French
       March 14 Hula Girls (2006), Japanese
       March 21 El Viaje de la Nonna / Nonna’s Trip (2007), Spanish
       March 28 Love is Never Silent (1985), American Sign Language
       April 4 Shaolin Soccer (2001), Chinese

Performing Arts Department Schedule

Benefit performance
The COMF is hosting a preview performance of A Midsummer’s Night Dream on Thursday, February 28, Fine Arts Theatre, to benefit The Drama Student Fund. The performance starts at 8:00 p.m., with a reception beforehand from 6:45-7:45 p.m. and
Q & A after the performance conducted by Director Jim Dunn and cast. Cost is $40 per person. To reserve a space, please send a check to COMF or call (415) 485-9657 and pay at the door.

Music
For additional information on any of the following Music Department productions, call (415) 485-9460 (x7460).

A Performing Arts Department combined production of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be offered on February 29, March 1, 7, 8, 14, and 15 at 8:00 p.m. and March 9 and 16 at 2:00 p.m. in the Fine Arts Theatre. This production will be directed by James Dunn, with musical direction by Tara Flandreau and choreography by Sandra Tanner. It is set to the music of Felix Mendelssohn and will be performed by the COM Orchestra. Tickets are $18 for general and $15 for students, seniors, COM staff, and alumni. For reserved seating, please call the box office at (415) 485-9385.

COM AthleticsResults:
Men’s Basketball         Napa 78 Marin 73
Women’s Basketball    Contra Costa 65 Marin 31
      Sara McEvoy scored 13 points for COM at Friday’s game.

Athletics Away Schedule for Week of February 25:
Men’s Baseball vs. Fresno City College Tuesday, February 26, 12 p.m. DH
Men’s Baseball vs. Napa Valley College Thursday, February 28, 2:30 p.m.

Together we can make great things happen!

Frances L. White, Ph.D.
Superintendent/President