Last week many of us were stunned and deeply saddened by the horrendous acts of violence committed at Virginia Tech. At College of Marin, like many campuses throughout the nation, the tragic event has warranted a review of the safety measures that we have in place.

We are fortunate to have a professional District Police Department trained to handle all emergency situations, including crimes, natural disasters, workplace violence, psychological crisis, and disruptive behaviors on our campus. In addition, College of Marin crises teams comprised of individuals from District Police, Student Services, and Counseling Department have specific training on how to respond to disruptive situations.Emergency guidelines are posted in all buildings and also are available through the District Police Department. Should you or your students be experiencing painful feelings following last week’s tragedy, please contact COM’s Counseling Department.

As educators we have a common goal to help students improve their lives while providing a safe learning environment. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Virginia Tech students, faculty, staff and families. 

The following emergency plan has been submitted for your information by District Police Chief Charles Lacy:

BACKGROUND

The potential for a shooting or a shooting in the workplace exists on every college campus throughout the United States. Although the possession of firearms on or around our campuses is rare, their availability and past national and county shootings dictate the need for a response plan, in case a shooting or other violent attack occurs.

WHEN A SHOOTING OCCURS

•  CALL "911." Identify workplace and exact location. Remain calm and answer the police operator's questions. They are trained to obtain the necessary and required information for a proper emergency response.
•  Instruct students and employees to drop to the ground immediately, face down as flat as possible. If within 15-20 feet of a safe place or cover, duck and run to it.
•  Move or crawl away from gunfire, trying to utilize any obstructions between you and the gunfire. Remember that many objects of cover may conceal you from sight, but may not be bulletproof.
•  Try to get inside or behind a building and stay down.
•  When you reach a place of relative safety, stay down and do not move. Do not peek or raise your head in an effort to see what may be happening .
•  Wait and listen for directions from the police.

IF SUSPECT IS OUTSIDE YOUR CLASSROOM

•  Duck and cover. Keep students inside the classrooms and down on the floor. Move behind available cover inside the classroom.
•  Close and lock the outside door to the classroom if possible. Close the blinds, turn off the lights and stay on the floor. Do not peek out the door or windows to see what may be happening.
•  Report location of the assailant.

OFFICE PERSONNEL

In keeping with effective emergency planning, office personnel should have pre-designated assignments to ensure an effective response in case of a shooting. Actions by multiple persons must be taken simultaneously to expedite a response.

In response to a report of a shooting from a classroom or other area of the campus, have all persons in the office duck and cover onto the floor behind protective objects or into side rooms. Make required emergency telephone calls to the police from this position. It is crucial that telephone calls be limited to emergency calls only.

Note: Phone calls, other than for emergency purposes, should be made only after the police have cleared a phone line for that purpose. A phone call to friends or family will bring onlookers, bystanders, or concerned loved ones to the campus; interfering with the operation of emergency personnel and unnecessarily placing more people in danger.

CALLING "911"

When you call "911” identify your exact location. Remain calm and answer the operator's questions. Police dispatchers are trained to obtain the necessary and required information for a proper emergency response. As the police are being dispatched, answer the questions asked of you by the operator or police dispatcher. Although you are not expected to know all of the answers, answer them to the best of your ability.

Although you may think the questioning is wasting valuable time, the information you provide will enable phone personnel to dispatch officers and other emergency personnel safely and effectively. While you are being questioned, emergency personnel have been dispatched and are on the way.

You will be asked questions such as:

•  What exactly is happening and how do you know? Is it still happening now?
•  Where is the suspect now? What was his/her last known direction? Is the suspect still on campus?
•  Is anyone injured? Are there wounded and how many?
•  Where did it happen? What's the specific location of occurrence?
•  What weapons were used if you know? Knowing the number and types of weapons will assist the police in their response. Describe the weapon(s) or other dangerous object(s) if possible, and any visible ammunition:
•  Were any shots fired? Describe the sound and the number of shots fired.
•  Do you know who the suspect(s) is? If yes, identify him/her/them, and provide any background knowledge you may have.

POLICE/FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITY:

Law Enforcement or the Fire Department will take charge of the operation and maintain full control throughout the duration of the incident. Police/fire departments will establish a command post(s) where all operations pertaining to the event will be coordinated.

For more information about safety on our campuses please contact Marin Community College District Police Chief Charles O. Lacy at 415-485-9455.

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Kudos

To Professor Frank Crosby for his documentary film project that was recently featured on ABC 7 News in a segment titled Young Filmmakers Bring Attention To AIDS Camp (the segment is still available on the station’s website). Crosby and his students are producing a documentary that will raise awareness about the plight of HIV/AIDS in South Africa.  As part of the project, Crosby will bring his students to South Africa to collect the personal stories of children who are living with HIV/AIDS or who have lost parents due to the disease. 

To Professors Ingrid Schreck and Sara McKinnon for being selected as two of the “Outstanding Teachers” in Marin County.  Superintendent of Marin County Schools Mary Jane Burke will recognize Schreck, McKinnon, and other teachers at the Golden Bell Education Evening, Wednesday, May 30, at the Embassy Suites in San Rafael. Dinner begins at 5:00 p.m. and the program gets underway at 7:00 p.m.  Both professors will be featured in an upcoming article in the Marin Independent Journal.

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Personnel Actions

Board of Trustees appoints Interim Dean of Enrollment Services

Please welcome Bob Balestreri, Acting Dean of Enrollment Services, to College of Marin.  Bob’s experience has been primarily at City College of San Francisco where he served as an engineering instructor, Chair of the Engineering Department, and Dean of Financial Aid before being appointed as Dean of Admissions and Records in the early 1990s.  He led enrollment services in the credit, noncredit, foreign student, concurrent enrollment, and continuing education divisions until 2006.  Bob also has extensive experience in leading Banner implementation.  His vast experience in these critical areas will serve College of Marin well.

New Hire

Dustin Ruiz has been hired as a District Police Officer.

Resignation/Separation of classified personnel

Office Technician Marc Oncina and Heidi Samayoa Curriculum and Articulation Technician have resigned.

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Upcoming

The College of Marin Job Placement Office is holding a free Job Fair on Wednesday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Learning Resource Center Quad, Kentfield campus. More than 30 employers will be represented.

The Classified Senate is sponsoring a barbeque fundraiser in conjunction with this week’s Job Fair, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 25 in front of the Learning Resource Center. Stop by for a burger and support the work of the Classified Senate.

Come see the magic and beauty of Marin as seen through the paintings of Ray Bailey.  View colorful landscapes, tranquil waters, and peaceful mountain tops now on display at the Emeritus Center, Student Services Building, room 145.  There will be an artist reception on Thursday, April 26, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. The exhibit is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Associated Students of the College of Marin in association with the Cinema League will host the First Annual College of Marin Battle of the Bands on Friday, April 27. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 7:00 p.m. There will be a variety of great music, student films, and prizes. Students from all over the Bay Area will attend. Bands include: Exile, Pat Jordan Band, St. Laurent, Gen 7, Sentinel Beast and the  Presence. The concert will be showcased in the Student Services Center Cafeteria on the Kentfield Campus, 835 College Avenue.  Admission is $7 general and $5 with student I.D. For more information email Renee Sayles, or phone her at (415) 485-9390.

The College of Marin Theatre Arts Department will present William Shakespeare’s OTHELLO, The Moor of Venice as the last offering of the theatrical season.  OTHELLO will be presented in the Studio Theatre on the Kentfield campus on April 27, 28, May 4, 5, 11 and 12 at 8 pm and on May 6 and 13 at 2 pm.  The director for this production will be W. Allen Taylor, who directed the recent successful productions of FENCES and A RAISIN IN THE SUN for the College.  Taylor is also the recipient of the Bay Area Critics’ Circle award for the Best Solo Performance of 2006 for his one man show IN SEARCH OF MY FATHER – WALKIN’ TALKIN’ BILL HAWKINS.  Taylor will perform WALKIN’ TALKIN’ at the Cleveland Play House’s Dobama Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio next summer while on sabbatical.

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Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony

An induction ceremony for COM Phi Theta Kappa students will be held on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 at 6 p.m. in the staff lounge at KTD. Over eighty students have submitted the necessary fees and completed applications! Everyone is invited to attend.

COM Professor Betty Goerke will be speaking about her new book, Chief Marin: Leader, Rebel, and Legend, at several upcoming events:

• Friday, May 4, at 11 a.m. at the Marin Art and Garden Center Livermore Room; and
• Saturday, July 28, (tentative) Toby’s Barn, Point Reyes.

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“It’s your identity.  Keep it that way.”

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States.  The Human Resource Office in collaboration with Citibank is offering a free lunchtime seminar to provide tips on how you can avoid becoming an identity theft victim.  You will find out what to do if you are a victim, and steps to take to keep it from happening to you.

Monday, May 7, 12:00 p.m., Student Services Room A&B in Kentfield.  Lunch will be provided. Please R.S.V.P. to James.kuromiya@marin.edu,or at extension x7340. 

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Transfer Students Celebration

Come join us in congratulating our College of Marin transfer students.  The Transfer and Career Center in partnership with the Office of Student Affairs will host the celebration, Thursday, May 10, 6:30 p.m. in the Olney Hall Room 96. Please R.S.V.P. to Janice Austin, 414-485-9671 or Janice.austin@marin.edu, by May 1 if you plan on attending.

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Grand Opening of the Marin Simulation Center

The College of Marin will host the grand opening of the Marin Simulation Center on Thursday, May 17, 2007, at the Indian Valley Campus, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The dedication ceremony will be at 1:45 p.m.  Please R.S.V.P. to Nanda Schorski, or 415/883-2211 ext. 8200.

Retiree Celebration

Please join the celebration honoring individuals who have contributed so much to the College of Marin’s success.  We will be honoring employees who have retired since January 1, 2006.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  Light refreshments will be served.  Wednesday, May 16, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Marin Art and Garden Center – Livermore Pavilion, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in Ross.

Retirees to be honored:

Nancy Cavendar

Peggy Danna

Eric Ebert

Amy Fearnley

Carolyn Ferguson

David Ferguson

Vilma Holmes

Peter Kassebaum

Pru Lorenzi

Joyce Marks

Jim Owen

Sandy Roberts

Marti Sukoski

Victoria Vieria

James Webster

Micki Wendt

Sam Zuech

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College of Marin 80th Commencement Exercises

Friday, May 25, 2007

Physical Education Center, Kentfield Campus

For more information about Commencement go to the College home page. Updates will be posted online after May 3.

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COM to offer Summer Field Course in Africa

This summer COM is offering Biology 139: Ecology of Tropical African Ecosystems Field Work in Kenya, from June 25 to July 9, 2007. All who are interested in participating in this exciting field course opportunity are encouraged to attend one of the following informational meetings to learn more:

May 28 and June 11

Time:  6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Room:  SC 177, Kentfield Campus

*NOTE: A required number of students must sign up for the class to go. If you are interested please email Dr. Wambuguh.

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Applications for instructional equipment are available

It is time again to request the instructional equipment that you need for your courses. Any individual, group, or department can and should apply now for instructional equipment.  The Instructional Equipment Reference Guide and request forms are available from your manager or department chair, your dean, or from Anita Martinez, Vice President of Student Learning. Members of the Instructional Equipment Committee are available to provide assistance in completing the forms. The deadline for submitting request forms is May 15. If you need a copy of the Instructional Equipment Reference Guide, please contact your department chair, dean, or Carol Scialli in the Vice President’s Office (7401). Please refer to the following guidelines when calculating equipment costs:

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Information about calculating costs for instructional equipment

The Instructional Equipment Committee is recommending that you use the following information to calculate the cost of the items you are requesting.

1. Make sure that your order total includes all costs (tax, delivery, installation, maintenance/service agreement, software, etc). 
2. If your order total is $5,000 or more, you will need to get three separate written informal bids from three different vendors and select the lowest.  This is true even if your request includes a number of lower-cost items totaling $5,000.    
3. If your order includes computer-related equipment, please contact Maryann Kaehler for the current prices (extension 8181 or maryanne.kaehler@marin.edu.)
4. For assistance locating vendors or understanding the bidding process, contact David Erlenheim at extension 8162 or david.erlenheim@marin.edu.

Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Frances L. White, Ph.D.

Superintendent/President

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