Monday, December 11, 2006

• Safety and security
• Testing office
• Kudos
• Child Development Center prepares for spring enrollment
• Symphony Orchestra CDs will make wonderful holiday gifts
• Measure C Update Week of December 11-15 Kentfield Campus
• Indian Valley Campus: Storm Drain Repairs
• Measure C Construction Bond Program Community Forums
• Upcoming

SAFETY AND SECURITY: Controlled Access Hours

In order to protect the safety of personnel on District property and the security of District facilities, the following controlled access procedure is applicable for all employees in accordance with Board Policy 8.0001. Students must be accompanied by their faculty advisor or designated administrator to be admitted to district facilities during controlled access hours.

Monday through Saturday from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., Sunday, and all holidays are designated as controlled access hours. Individuals or departments requiring the use of District facilities during controlled access hours will be authorized by following the established procedure described in the following paragraphs. Employee and student rights to access facilities may be restricted during controlled access hours if it is considered necessary by the District administration.

Employees who need to use COM facilities during controlled access hours on a regular or anticipated basis must provide sufficient advance notice to their manager/supervisor, including the days, times, location, and an estimated duration of use. The manager/supervisor will forward the notification to the District Police. A new request must be submitted each semester. Employees who need to use District facilities during controlled access hours on an irregular or unanticipated basis must notify the District Police upon arrival, as specified below.

Prior to or at the time of access, the employee is to call (415) 485-9696 on the Kentfield Campus or (415) 883-3179 on the Indian Valley Campus giving the following information:

• 1. your name;
• 2. specific area of access;
• 3. telephone number in the access area; and
• 4. estimated duration of access.

If an employee needs to extend the access hours beyond the original estimate, the employee should call the District Police to advise them of the new departure time.

It is the expectation that all College of Marin employees will abide by this Board Policy. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Chief of Police Charles Lacy at (415) 485- 9467.

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In order to allow more flexible scheduling for students enrolled in Distance Education (DE) courses, COM will be offering make-up testing for DE students in the Distance Education Support Center (DESC) starting in spring 07. The Center will be open on Saturdays and some evenings, as well as some hours during the day. DESC will be located in the current Media Center and will have part-time staffing. We hope that, by offering support services during off-schedule hours, we will increase access to our DE courses for students who work weekdays. DESC staff will also provide academic support to students in online study skills to increase DE students’ chances of achieving success in these courses, a “best practice” recommended by WASC as well as by most professional organizations that have studied DE and technology-assisted learning.

While DE testing and support will be the first priority for staff working during these extended hours, limited make-up testing will also be offered to students in traditional (face-to-face) classes who, because of unavoidable circumstances, have been unable to take a test in class. These services will be limited and on a first-come, first served basis, so faculty members should schedule make-up tests during their office hours if at all possible.

Another category of test that can be proctored through the DESC is re-testing for the purposes of improving student learning. However, students who retake tests often receive the same grade on the second try unless there has been a focused academic intervention, such as tutoring or additional instruction. Therefore, retesting will be limited to students who have participated in some form of instructional support since the original test was taken. Instructors will be asked to verify that students have completed this step before they fill out the green testing form.

The new system will require that all students make appointments to take make-up tests through a scheduling webpage; students cannot do so by phone or email because our limited staffing must be devoted to proctoring tests instead of being used to schedule appointments. (We don’t have sufficient funds to do both; trying to schedule and/or re-schedule appointments by phone or in person often involves a lot of telephone tag.) The webpage is in development and the address will be printed on cards for students along with directions for making appointments.

Testing Forms will be sent to you electronically and by mail; additional forms will be available in the Media Center.

You should be aware of the following restrictions:

• 1) Exams not accompanied by a Testing Form will be returned to the instructor.
• 2) Please bring a copy of the test to the DE Support Center 1-2 days before the test is to be taken. A separate copy must be submitted for each student taking the make-up test. Faxed or emailed exams are not accepted by the DESC.
• 3) The DESC is not set up to store, file, or copy tests. If the instructor does not pick up the completed test within two weeks, it will be destroyed. It is the student’s responsibility, not that of DESC staff, to tell the instructor that there is a completed test to be picked up. It is the instructor’s responsibility to pick up the completed test within the time limits.
• 4) DESC will test students on an individual basis only. This means that group and class tests will not be given under any circumstances.
• 5) As always, the instructor must give the test on campus at least once.

For your convenience, the section below explains the policies and procedures for DE and make-up testing so that you may inform your students. Please feel free to include this language in your syllabus if you wish.

To provide support for distance education (DE) courses, and occasional make-up testing for classroom-based courses, College of Marin has opened a Distance Education Support Center (DESC) in the Media Center. DESC staff will assist you with your questions about your DE courses, offer help with study skills and strategies for success in online or media courses. You do not need to make an appointment for these services; just drop in during our service hours. In addition, DESC will offer make-up testing by appointment for DE students during extended hours (exact hours TBA). Instructions for scheduling makeup testing are as follows:

• 1) Make-up testing is available by appointment only.
• 2) To make an appointment for testing, you must use the online sign-up system. Appointments cannot be made by phone, email, or in person. The system will prompt you to fill in the following information: your name, your instructor’s name, your email, and your instructor’s email. You will receive confirmation of your appointment by email that will also be sent to testing personnel and to your instructor (using the COM email format: firstname.lastname@marin.edu). Appointments must be made no sooner than 8 days before and no later than 4 days before the test is to be taken. If you do not know how to use an online signup system, you may come to the Media Center and someone there will show you how to make your first appointment. However, please give the online system a try on your own first. Most students can use this system independently.
• 3) It is your responsibility to make sure your instructor knows that you are scheduled to take the make-up test so that the instructor can provide the DESC with a copy of the test 24 hours in advance.
• 4) Only tests accompanied by a green testing request form will be administered. These forms can be completed only by the instructor and must be completed in full. On occasions when more than one student from a class may have been approved by the instructor to take a make-up exam, there must be a separate form completely filled out for each student.
• 5) The instructor must bring a copy of the test to the DE Support Center 1-2 days before the test is to be taken. A separate copy must be submitted for each student taking the make-up test. Faxed or emailed exams and forms are not accepted by the DESC.
• 6) Before you schedule your make-up exam, you need to find out from your instructor how long the exam takes. You are responsible for scheduling the exam for the correct amount of time during the available hours. If there is a discrepancy between the number of hours allowed for the exam and the number of hours the student has scheduled, the student will be allowed to add time only if the DESC schedule permits it.
• 7) The maximum amount of time for any test taken through the DESC is three hours.
• 8) The DESC will make every attempt to ensure that no cheating occurs by requesting that students leave all electronic devices in a storage locker, allowing only the materials specified on the testing form to accompany the student to the testing space, and monitoring the student at regular intervals during the test. If a student is found cheating, using prohibited materials or equipment, or otherwise violating the stated rules or the academic integrity guidelines, the test will be invalidated and the instructor will be informed. These tests will not be rescheduled.
• 9)  There are limited hours available for these services, so the DESC cannot guarantee that every student will be able to schedule the make-up tests they wish to take during the hours available.
• 10) It is the student’s responsibility, not that of DESC staff, to tell the instructor that there is a completed test to be picked up. Tests can be kept in DESC for only a week, so it’s important for students to inform instructors in a timely manner.
• 11) If you require extended time for testing, you must bring documentation from DSPS. DESC does not have the resources to offer reduced-distraction testing; DSPS students who need this accommodation should arrange testing through DSPS.

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Open Enrollment for Medical Insurance Plans, Deadline January 17, 2007

Please check your mailbox for the memo regarding the annual Health Plan Open Enrollment period. During Open Enrollment you may transfer into another District-offered medical plan (Kaiser, Heath Net or Health Net Select) without pre-existing conditions. The effective date of coverage is February 1, 2007. Information about the plan options and enrollment forms are available by contacting the Human Resources Department, (415) 485-9340 or ext. 7340 from a campus phone, or the Payroll Department, (415) 457-8811 ext. 8163 or 8164. Enrollment forms must be turned in to the Payroll Department by January 17, 2007.

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Kudos

The new spring 2007 College of Marin Class Schedule featuring Art Professor and COM alumnus Chester Arnold on the cover has been garnering rave reviews from faculty, staff, students, and community members. The publication was produced by the Office of Student Learning and the Office of Communications and Community Relations. Special thanks to Cari Pogan for keeping the project on time and to Cathy Summa-Wolfe for her creative oversight and new ideas to improve the publication. Also, a big round of applause for Dave Mahoney, cover design, Janice Goucher, coordination and book design, Annie Ricciuti, expanding distribution to over 100 retail outlets around Marin, and Joellen Fitzgerald, Alganesh Hagos, Kim Garcia, and Heidi Samayoa, production. Kudos to all of the staff, department chairs, and faculty who helped ensure that the project was on time and accurate.

Bravo to Victoria Vieira and all the participating faculty, staff and administrators who contributed to La Academia’s success at retaining 100% of its students. A reception dinner for students and their parents was held last week.

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Child Development Center prepares for spring enrollment

The Child Development Center for the College of Marin is preparing for enrollment for the spring semester. Students’ children have first priority at our model preschool serving children ages 2.9 to 5 years of age; all children must be potty trained. Our warm and loving teachers are specialists in the field of early childhood education with an average of 15 to 20 years of professional child development experience. The Children’s Center focuses on nurturing the early learner’s development by fostering their creative play, satisfying their natural curiosity, and assisting them in their ability to relate to the world and the people around them. Most students qualify for state subsidies providing free or reduced child care fees. We offer breakfast, lunch, and snack as part of our program. The center follows the school schedule and is open from 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:45 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. Friday. We have a center at both the Kentfield Campus and the Indian Valley Campus. Preliminary applications can be obtained before December 15 at the centers or by calling Linda Hyland at (415) 883-2211, ext. 8221.

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Symphony Orchestra CDs will make wonderful holiday gifts

College of Marin Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Tara Flandreau, has created a professional audio CD of their fall 2006 performance. The CD features a variety of works, including Overture to Hansel & Gretel by Humperdinck, Jessica Ivry, conductor; Bruch Violin Concerto in G Minor with violin soloist, COM student Elizabeth Courtin; and Mozart's Symphony No. 40 in G Minor. Proceeds will benefit the COM Symphony Orchestra Program Fund. The CDs are $15 each and can be purchased through the COM Music Office. To order, please call ext. 7460 or (415) 485-9460. Cash or checks payable to the COM Foundation will be accepted.

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Measure C Update Week of December 11-15 Kentfield Campus

There will be no activity on the central campus area due to finals week. The only exception to this will be some miscellaneous installation of tree cables in Parking Lot #4 and Circle Drive on Thursday and Friday. This activity will not create noise. Tree removal will occur at the NE area of the baseball diamond Monday through Wednesday.

During the week of December 18 through December 22 tree removal work will continue requiring crane equipment in parking lot 2; located on the COM side of Laurel Avenue; Circle Drive, and the Taqueria areas. There will be a lane closure along Sir Francis Drake as required that will be coordinated with the Kentfield Fire Department.

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Indian Valley Campus: Storm Drain Repairs

Compacting, filling, and paving repair work will take place in the following areas: Central Campus Glade between Miwok and Business Administration Clusters; Service Road between Miwok Cluster and Creek and the Corporation Yard. Swale work will also continue along Ignacio Blvd. during the week.

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Measure C Construction Bond Program Community Forums will be held on December 13 and December 14, 2006. You will learn up-to-date details on how bond dollars are being used to revitalize both the Kentfield and Indian Valley campuses. Current site maps will be presented. The forums will include a question and answer session. The Kentfield Forum will be held Wednesday, December 13, 2006 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Olney Hall, Room 96. The Indian Valley Campus forum will take place on Thursday, December 14, 2006 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Campus Room AS101.

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The College of Marin Board of Trustees will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, December 12, at 6:30 p.m. in Deedy Student Services at the Kentfield campus.

The COM Latino Student Union is holding a toy drive. The LSU will bring toy collection cans to the COM Holiday Party at Willie’s this Thursday. If you would like to contribute to the toy drive, please bring a toy with you this Thursday or contact the LSU.

COM Dance Department students and members of the COM Dance Company will perform at the Fall Student Recital on December 15, at 7:30 p.m. in the Kentfield Dance Studio. The program will feature guest aerialist Brennan Figari who has performed on the Ellen DeGeneres Show among other venues. Sandi Weldon’s Tap Class, Hip Hop Class, and Ballroom Dance Class will perform and featured student guest choreographers will contribute their original choreography to the event. Special guest Morgaine Nile, The Bubble Lady and professional clown, will also perform. There is a suggested donation of $5 at the door. For more information, contact Sandi Weldon (415) 485-9411 ext. 7732.

COM Emeritus College will hold their Holiday Party Saturday, December 16,8 from 2:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 14 Lagunitas, Ross. (Lagunitas is the street directly across from the Art and Garden Center.) Emeritus Chorus will be singing; Ed Curtis and partner will demonstrate ballroom dances. For further information contact Emeritus College at (415) 485-9368.

COM Music Department Presents: Gian Carlo Menotti’s seasonal classic: Amahl and the Night Visitors, under the direction of Paul Smith Contemporary Opera Marin, under the direction of COM Music Professor Paul Smith, presents Amahl and the Night Visitors. This classic work by American composer Gian Carlo Menotti is perfect for the upcoming holiday season and is suitable for the entire family. Fully staged and sung in English, this performance, directed by James Dunn, lasts approximately one hour, The role of Amahl and the mother are shared by Seth Coad Douglass and Gail MacGowan (evening performances) and Liza Wallace and Carole Klein. Rick Wallace, Michael Irvine and Wendell Wilson, as the three wise men, are joined by a large chorus of villagers. For further information please call the Music Department at (415) 485-9460.

Friday, December 15 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 16 at 1:30 p.m. Lefort Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building Room 72, Kentfield campus Tickets are available at the door - $10 (general), $5 (18 and under)

Saturday, December 16 at 4:00 p.m. St. Hilary Catholic Church, Tiburon Donations accepted

Sunday, December 17 at 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. Ralston White Retreat, Mill Valley Donations accepted

Flu Shot Clinic: The Health Center will hold one more Flu Shot Clinic, the last for the season, on December 19, in Dickson Hall room 118 on the Kentfield Campus from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The cost is $20 for anyone over the age of 18. We do not bill insurance plans and we are not a Medicare provider. Flu vaccines are also available by appointment.

Next Year: Mark your 2007 calendar. COM Center for Regenerative Design will kick off its spring series with Healing People and the Planet, featuring Charlotte Brody and COM’s Interim Dean of Math and Science Dr. Erik Dunmire. This special event will be held on Friday, January 26, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Olney Hall. Brody will talk about healthier living using green principles and making health care more environmentally responsible. She is the Executive Director of Commonweal and a founder of Health Care Without Harm. Erik Dunmire will present his perspective on health and community. This event will be moderated by architect and Co-director of COM’s Center for Regenerative Design (CRD) Sim Van der Ryn, and Co-director of CRD Andres Edwards. For more information, go to www.greenmarin.net

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Have a great week!
Frances L. White, Ph.D.
Superintendent/President