Swine Flu UpdateThe U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) has reported that 40 human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in the United States with no deaths. As of 3:30 p.m. today, 11 of the known cases are in California, the majority of which are in the southern part of the state. An investigation and response effort surrounding the outbreak of swine flu is ongoing. Please note: there are no confirmed cases of Swine Flu in Marin County at this time.

Information updates will be sent to college faculty, staff, and students through college e-mail, the MyCOM Portal, marin.edu, and through our AlertU emergency notification system. If you have not signed up for AlertU, it is highly recommended that you do so by clicking here.

Because this is a rapidly changing situation, you will find important updates at the CDC website, at the Marin County Health and Human Services website, and at the Marin County Office of Education (MCOE) website.

A podcast with general information about the swine flu is available at the CDC website.

In Marin County, the MCOE is working with the Marin County Department of Public Health to keep us informed and to prepare for any possible eventuality. They have assured us that preparation has been made to meet any potential challenge.

Here are some helpful facts prepared by the MCOE:

• Swine flu is a respiratory (breathing) infection caused by influenza viruses found in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu.
• Symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting. Please see your healthcare provider if you experience any of these symptoms. Most instances of this illness in the United States have been mild.
• Swine flu is spread person to person through coughing and sneezing from infected people. It cannot be transmitted by eating pork or pork products.

The most effective precautions for you and your family to take are the following:

• If you have swine flu symptoms, please stay home from school or work to prevent spreading the disease.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after using it.
• Wash your hands often using soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Try to avoid close contact those who may be infected with the virus.
  

Revisions to Participatory GovernanceBased on the recommendations by the Governance Review Council, College Council has approved two revisions to the May 2008 Participatory Governance Plan. The first recommendation establishes a Professional Development Committee (PDC) that will report to the Institutional Planning Committee. The PDC will be responsible for overseeing professional development planning, programs, and evaluation in support of the College Mission, Educational Master Plan, accreditation, and legal requirements. The committee will use the resources of the Office of Organizational Development and Planning, Human Resources, Campus Police, and other departments as appropriate. The committee will be composed of two representatives from the faculty, staff, students, and management. The second recommendation updates language regarding the governance review of board policies to be consistent with the existing process. The revised April 2009 Participatory Governance System (PGS) Plan is posted on the Participatory Governance web page.

You’re Invited to the President’s BreakfastYou are cordially invited to join the President’s Circle Board for the Fourth Annual President’s Breakfast held Wednesday, May 6, 2009, at 7:30 a.m. The keynote speaker will be Former Secretary for Education Kerry Mazzoni. The President’s Circle encourages innovation in teaching and learning by supporting the Educational Excellence Innovation Fund. The complimentary breakfast will be at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 101 McInnis Parkway, San Rafael. Seating is limited; RSVP by April 30 to Melinda Molloy at (415) 485-9508.

Self-Study SurveyThe college is conducting a faculty and staff survey for our accreditation self-study. The results will help us improve and meet the self-study accreditation requirements. The survey will also provide direct help to the self-study committee members who are working this spring and fall on writing responses to the accreditation requirements.

The survey has 42 questions divided into the four accreditation standards:

1) Improving Institutional Effectiveness
2) Student Learning Programs and Services
3) Resources
4) Leadership and Governance

It should take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

When completing the survey, please reflect on your experiences at the college. You will be given a series of statements and asked the degree to which you agree or disagree. There is also a neutral response if you neither agree nor disagree with the statement, and a response to indicate that you do not know enough about the topic or it does not apply to you. Responses are confidential and anonymous.
For questions about the survey, please contact Melody Creel in the Research Office.

For questions about the accreditation self-study, please contact co-chairs David Snyder or Blaze Woodlief at.

An e-mail has been sent to faculty and staff with the survey link; or you may complete the survey using the link below.
To complete faculty and staff survey click here.

EEIF Proposal Guidelines for Academic Year 2009-2010 The Educational Excellence Innovation Fund (EEIF) provides seed money that encourages College of Marin’s faculty and staff to dream out loud by encouraging the development of innovative ideas to improve teaching and learning at College of Marin.

The Educational Excellence Innovation Fund has four areas of concentration:
1. Leverage for Fund Development

• Provides start-up planning and financial support to faculty and staff in devising programs and services:
• Closely linked to college/district strategic goals/priorities
• Possesses significant potential for development of linkages with external organizations such as business, industry, government agencies, and community organizations
• Has a high level of potential for procurement of additional private or public sector funding as a result of Educational Excellence Innovation Fund support
• Coordinated with the activities of the Educational Excellence Innovation Fund, the President’s Circle, College of Marin Foundation

2. New programs reflecting business and workforce training

• Addresses emerging work force issues in the Bay Area and/or Marin County
• Provides learning opportunities into the environmental, medical, or technological workforce
• Increases career opportunities and skills development

3. New pedagogies, learning styles, and learning communities

• Introduces new teaching methods, such as utilizing technology and web-based instruction
• Implements faculty development of educational web sites
• Creates distance learning and online options for instructional delivery

4. Program revitalization

• Adds new components to existing programs
• Creates partnerships with business to expand program offerings
• Prospective applicants should discuss their proposals with their colleagues and obtain the approval from their division dean/departmentalsupervisor prior to submission. Interdisciplinary proposals are encouraged. Applications should include a brief proposal (no more than five pages in length) using the headings below.

The proposal should include the following information:

1.One-paragraph “proposal summary” of the project
2.Introduction/Need for Project/Relationship to College or District Goals
3.Project Goals/Objectives
4.Proposed Activities
5.Description/Qualifications for Project Coordinators and Others Involved
6.Statement of Potential for Future Project Development/Sustainability
7.Description of External Linkages to be Pursued (if applicable)
8.Proposed Budget—Provide an Estimate of Assigned Time or Other Expenses
(Please make sure the proposed budget includes detailed information including costs for teaching units, supplies, and other ancillary expenses.)
9.A timeline for the project
10.Evaluation/Accountability Report submitted at the conclusion of the project

For Administrators and Staff
Proposals should be submitted to the President’s Office by May 8, 2009, for projects to begin spring 2010. Awards will be announced in May.
For Faculty
Proposals should be submitted to U.D.W.C. per Article 8.3 of UPM contract by May 8, 2009, for projects to begin spring 2010. Awards will be announced in May.

For an EEIF proposal form, please e-mail Betty Schlaepfer.

College of Marin to Host NASA ExhibitCollege of Marin will host the exhibit “From Earth to the Universe” in honor of the International Year of Astronomy. The exhibit will be on display from Monday, April 27, to Friday, May 1, 2009, in the first floor of the Learning Resources Center. In an attempt to bring the beauty of astronomy to the public, the exhibit features images taken from both ground- and space-based telescopes. Images were selected to represent the wide range of observations available in modern astronomy and will include planets, comets, stars, nebulae, galaxies, clusters, and more.

This exhibit is funded by NASA’s Lunar Science Institute at Ames, NASA’s Fermi and Swift astrophysics missions via Sonoma State University, the Kepler and SOFIA missions via the SETI Institute, and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, Lockheed Martin, and several other organizations. For more information, please call (415) 485.9648.

Spring Job FairThe COM Job Placement Center and the Employment Development Department are co-hosting the annual Spring Job Fair. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, 2009, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Student Services Building, near Parking Lot 7. Bay Area employers will be on site to accept resumes and answer questions about employment. Free WI-FI is available.

The Job Placement Center establishes and maintains contacts with businesses in the community to provide students with job leads and internships in various fields. Job placement assistance is available to current students, as well as COM alumni of any age, and community members. This event is open to the public and is free of charge. If you would like additional information, please contact Carol Perez at (415) 485-9410 or stop by the Student Services Center, Room 206.

College of Marin Rally – Relay for LifeJoin the fight against cancer! Come to a relay in front of the LRC Building Wednesday, May 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free t-shirts and prizes will be given to everyone who stops by the booth. Sign up for the survivor lap; sign up a team; and learn more about this fantastic event happening at the College of Marin track July 25 through 26, 2009.

COM Instructor Speaks about ESLCollege of Marin ESL Instructor Adria Winfield will be speaking Wednesday, May 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Intensive English Program in Ohlone 158, Building 19 (near Parking Lot 6) at the Indian Valley Campus. Winfield will be speaking about the sessions she attended at the 43rd Annual TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) Convention in Denver this past March. Highlights of her talk will be ESL and service learning, using blogs and Wikis in the classroom, and methods of attracting ESL students to the community college classroom. Refreshments will be served. This talk is open to all faculty, staff, and students.

Innovations Conference at IVCCollege of Marin Indian Valley Campus is extending an open invitation to the community to be part of the Innovations Conference, a two-day event showcasing state-of-the-art career and vocational programs. The conference will be held on Friday, May 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday May 9, 2009, from 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. While both days are open to the public free of charge, reservations are required for Friday’s breakfast and luncheon sessions. Reservations for the events on Friday can be made by sending an e-mail.

You Are Invited to Attend COM’s Retirement Reception A reception honoring retirees will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2009, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Marin Art and Garden Center Garden Room, located at 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., in Ross. Join for this special event showing appreciation for those who have provided many years of dedication and service to College of Marin.

COM Transfer Recognition ReceptionCollege of Marin’s Transfer and Career Center will hold a Transfer Recognition Reception in honor of all those students transferring to a four-year university in fall 2009. The reception will be held Friday, May 15, 2009, at 6 p.m. in the Student Services Building dining hall. For more information, please contact the Transfer and Career Center located in the Student Services Center, Room 202 at (415) 485-9671 or by e-mail.

Registered Nursing Program Pinning CeremonyThe faculty and 2009 graduating class of the College of Marin Registered Nursing Program will hold their annual Pinning Ceremony Thursday, May 21, at 6 p.m. in the Fine Arts Theatre. The traditional Nurses’ Pinning Ceremony is held to observe the completion of the Nursing Education Program and dates back to Florence Nightingale. The pin itself identifies the particular school of nursing that the graduate nurse attended and symbolizes the philosophy, beliefs, and aspirations of the nursing program.

The ceremony is a community celebration of the completion of the nursing program and is evidence of the achievement, learning, and skill that the graduate nurse has attained. You are cordially invited to attend the ceremony with reception following.

Kudos

Latino College Awareness Day a Success!On Thursday, April 9, College of Marin was host to approximately 280 local Latino high school students who were eager to learn what the campus had to offer. The event was coordinated by Jorge Alfonso and the Office of Outreach and School Relations. Students gathered in the Fine Arts Theatre and heard an inspirational speech from Dr. Juan Carlos Arauz, a consultant, trainer, and writer specializing in areas related to immigration, youth, and education. Attendees enjoyed traditional sweet breads, took a tour of the campus, and received an introduction to Student Services and campus academic programs. Special thanks go out to all the COM Student Services representatives who took part.

Successful Luncheon Hosted by the Counseling DepartmentThe College of Marin Counseling Department hosted a very successful High School Counselor Luncheon on April 7, with over 40 high school counselors in attendance. Thanks to Nick Chang, Margaret Elliot, Robert Flynn, Letta Hlavachek, Robert Kennedy, Mario Lopez, and Alexandra Magallanes Rivera for participating in the event. The overwhelming positive response was that College of Marin has much to offer its students.

COM Baseball Leads Bay Valley ConferenceThe College of Marin baseball team is presently in first place with three games remaining. Paul McIntosh pitched seven scoreless innings followed by James Nagel and Richie Riboli, who each tossed a scoreless inning as well. Travis Senhaux hit a pair of triples and a double to bring home the 5-0 COM shut out. Saturday, May 2, is their last home game during regular season play. Come out and cheer your Mariners on to the conference championship! Join the team for a fan appreciation barbecue Saturday, May 2, at 1 p.m. at the College of Marin baseball field.

Malasky Breaks COM and BVC Records and Places in State Swimming ChampionshipMartin Malasky capped one of the finest seasons in College of Marin swimming and diving history with two second place finishes and one third at the California State Community College Swimming and Diving Championship. The meet was held April 23 to 25, in Long Beach, California at the famed Belmont Plaza Swim Center, home of the 1968 and 1976 Olympic trials.

Martin swam under the existing state record for the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 44.66 seconds and took second place in the event. This time was nearly two seconds under his previous College of Marin record time.

In addition Martin took second in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:39.89 (over three seconds faster than his previous best) and third in the 50 freestyle with a time of 20.66 (6 tenths under his previous COM record time). What a great ending to a successful season. Congratulations, Martin!

Student Services Newsletter Now OnlineStay in touch with happenings on campus. The Student Services Newsletter is now available online. Go to the Student Services page and click on the orange banner.

Performing Arts

COM Drama Department Presents Charles L. Mee’s Big LoveThe College of Marin Drama Department will present Big Love by Charles L. Mee in the Studio Theatre on the Kentfield Campus May 1, 2, 8 and 9, at 8 p.m. and May 3 and 10 at 2 p.m. Molly Noble, who directed last season’s smash hit, Dancing at Lughnasa, and who, in addition to her teaching duties at the College of Marin, is also Artistic Director of Porchlight Theatre Company, will direct the show. Tickets for Big Love are $15 general; $10 for students, seniors, and College of Marin employees and alumni. Tickets may be ordered by calling the College of Marin Box Office at     (415) 485-9385 or Brown Paper Tickets at (800) 838-3006.

Bookshelves to BroadwayThe College of Marin Dance Department presents "Bookshelves to Broadway" directed and choreographed by Sandi V. Weldon and Musical Director Judy Wiesen. The show transforms great literature – adapting it into Broadway musicals. There will also be songs and dances inspired by Shakespeare’s plays.

The performers come from COM’s hip-hop, tap dance, musical theatre, dancercise classes, and guest artists. Numbers come from classic musicals such as Guys and Dolls, The Wiz, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Little Women, Chicago, Annie, and more. There will also be a tap number based on a musical about Babe Ruth, a dancercise number from the movie Ten Things I Hate About You (a modern adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare) and two hip-hop dances. Favorite numbers from the College of Marin Dance Company’s spring concert will also be performed.

Don’t miss this one time only performance on Sunday, May 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the Studio Theatre, Fine Arts Building, Kentfield Campus. $5 donation suggested. For more information, please contact Sandi Weldon at (415) 457-8811 ext. 7732. If you would like to volunteer, please send an e-mail with your contact information.

COM Music Department Spring ConcertsPiano Repertoire Concerts
Paul Smith, Director
Where: Fine Arts Theatre
When: Wednesday and Thursday, April 29 and 30, noon
Cost: Donation suggested; parking $3

Chamber Ensemble Concert
Jessica Ivry and Paul Smith, Directors
Where: Lefort Recital Hall (FA 72)
When: Friday and Saturday, May 1 & 2, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Donation suggested; free parking

Concert Band
Douglas Delaney, Director
Where: Fine Arts Theatre
When: Wednesday, May 6, noon
Cost: Donation suggested; parking $3

College Chorus and Chamber Singers
Boyd Jarrell, Director
Where: Lefort Recital Hall (FA 72)
When: Thursday, May 7, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Donation suggested; parking $3

COM Symphony Orchestra*
Tara Flandreau, Director
Where: Fine Arts Theatre
When: Saturday, May 9, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Suggested donation: $15 general;
$10 COM students, faculty, staff,
seniors, and alumni. Free parking.

COM Jazz Ensemble
Douglas Delaney, Director
Where: Fine Arts Theatre
When: Tuesday, May 12, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Donation suggested; parking $3

Symphonic Band
Douglas Delaney, Director
Where: Fine Arts Theatre
When: Wednesday, May 13, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Donation suggested; parking $3

Music Department Recital Hour
Where: Fine Arts Theatre
When: Friday, May 15, 11 a.m.
Cost: Free admission; parking $3

On the Town:
Songs by Leonard Bernstein
Advanced Voice Class Recital
Linda Noble Brown, Instructor
When: Sunday, May 17, 3 p.m.
Where: The Tamalpais Retirement Community
501 Via Casitas, Greenbrae
Cost: Free admission

Showtime!
Beginning Voice Class Recital
Linda Noble Brown, Instructor
When: Monday, May 18, 2:10 p.m.
Where: Lefort Recital Hall (FA 72)
Cost: Free admission; parking $3

Contemporary Opera Marin
Paul Smith, Director
Tiburon Music Festival
When: June 20 to 28
Where: St. Hilary Church, Tiburon
www.tiburonmusicfestival.org

* Not recommended for children under 3 years of age.

Note: Due to construction at the College of Marin Campus, parking availability has been reduced. Concertgoers may use Parking Lot 4 (main lot behind Fine Arts Building), Parking Lot 16 (on the corner of Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and Laurel Ave.), and Parking Lot 2 (Across Sir Francis Drake Blvd., accessed via traffic signaled crosswalk.) Additional parking across campus can be accessed via College Ave. On weekdays and evenings Monday through Thursday, please park in STUDENT parking only, and purchase a daily parking pass from the machine for $3 or risk getting a parking ticket. Parking for events on Friday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays is free.

For additional information on the concerts, call the Music Department at (415) 485-9460 or by e-mail.

June Yokell’s Paintings on display throughout the CommunityCollege of Marin Matriculation Office Technician June Yokell’s paintings will be featured at a number of upcoming art events. Yokell’s work provides a quiet reflection on observations made in the natural world that surrounds us.

Where: The San Rafael Corporate Center
750 Lindaro Street
San Rafael, 94901
When: through October 9, 2009

Where: Marin Open Studios
Isabel Cook Building, Studio 19
1000 Sir Francis Drake, San Anselmo, 94960
When: May 2 and 3, 2009
Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Preview Party will be held Friday, May 1, 2009, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Levy Art and Architecture
1286 Sanchez Street, San Francisco, 94114
When: May 11 through June 30, 2009
Time: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This is a one-person show with a reception held Thursday, May 14, 2009, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

COM AthleticsAthletics Home Schedule for the Week of April 20:
Baseball vs. Los Medanos College
Saturday, May 2, 2009, 1 p.m. Kentfield
Athletics Away Schedule for the Week of April 20:
Baseball vs. Mendocino College
Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 2:30 p.m. in Ukiah
Baseball vs. Los Medanos College
Thursday, April 30, 2009, 2:30 p.m. in Pittsburg
Track and Field Nor Cal Championship Trials
Friday, May 1, 2009, 10 a.m. in Pleasant Hill

Results:
Baseball
April 21, 2009 COM 11, Yuba 6
April 23, 2009 COM 17, Yuba 0
April 25, 2009 COM 5, Mendocino 0

Swimming and Diving
Community College State Championships
April 23 to April 25, 2009
Martin Malasky
Second place, 100-yard freestyle
Second place, 200 freestyle
Third place, 50 freestyle

Track and Field
Ryan Gallagher has qualified for the Nor Cal Championship Trials on May 1 at Diablo Valley College. Good luck, Ryan!

Have a great week!

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

President's Monday Briefing webpage
Technical Contact: Nicole Cruz, Admin. Assist., 415-485-9648   x7648
Content Responsible: Cathy Summa-Wolfe, Dir. of Communications & Community Relations, 415-485-9528