President's Monday Briefing - February 1, 2010

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Modernization Update:

Public Forums to Discuss New Academic Center, Feb. 1 – Feb. 8The College of Marin modernization team is finalizing selection of an architect to begin the design of a new Academic Center to be located on the corner of Sir Frances Drake Boulevard and College Avenue.

To ensure that the campus community and the general public has an opportunity to participate in the process, the modernization team is hosting five open houses for interested individuals to view the boards prepared by the two architect finalists – ED2 International and TLCD/Cavagnero Architects. While there will be no formal presentations from the architects, members of the modernization team will be in attendance to answer questions and visitors will be invited to submit written comments for consideration by the selection panel.

The Academic Center Open Houses will be held daily, Monday through Thursday, Feb. 1 through Feb. 4, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., in a portable building, Room PV-4 located adjacent to the Diamond PE Center, College Avenue, Kentfield. An additional session will be held on Monday, Feb. 8, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Deedy Lounge, Student Services Building, 835 College Avenue, Kentfield. All open houses are open to the public.

An updated bond spending plan, including the Academic Center, was approved by the College of Marin Board of Trustees at its Jan. 19 meeting. The project includes replacing Harlan Center, Olney Hall, the Business Education Center, the Administrative Center, and the taqueria that is located at the corner of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and College Avenue.

A recommendation for award will be taken to the Board for approval on Feb. 16.

Despite Bad Weather Steel Beams Are Going Up Quickly on New Fine Arts Building in KentfieldDuring the worst rainstorms seen in northern California in many years, contractor Jeff Luchetti Construction began installation of the three-story steel framing for the New Fine Arts Building on the Kentfield campus. This $13 million facility includes a new three-story, 25,000 square-foot Fine Arts Building adjacent to the current arts building. The facility will house the college’s Fine Arts programs – ceramics, sculpture, drawing/painting, jewelry, print-making, art history and related courses. The structure will take advantage of its narrow width to operate on natural ventilation during the temperate season, improving indoor air quality. Large windows will provide ample natural lighting. Native, drought-tolerant landscaping will be used, not only around the building and in the new Arts Plaza connecting the two arts buildings, but also on the green roof. The use of sustainable building practices is concomitant with submission for LEED Silver Certification. Scheduled completion is winter 2011.

Saturday Services Provide Valuable AssistanceSaturday Services is a new pilot initiative. Statistically, students who register late are characteristically at risk of failure. Thus it is important to provide services which position them for success. The Saturday Services pilot offers two Saturdays when Student Services is open for normal business so that students who, because of work or other obligations, have not been able to complete the enrollment process, may do so before classes start. Saturday Services took place this semester the two Saturdays immediately before and after the first day of classes.

Preliminary data indicates 637 individual services were provided to students on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010. A satisfaction survey indicates that a large majority of students were pleased that Student Services was open and very satisfied with the quality of services they received.

Departments participating in this Basic Skills Initiative (BSI) sponsored pilot include: Admissions and Records, Financial Aid, Counseling, Transfer and Career Center, Student Affairs for Student IDs, Assessment and Testing, and ESL. An ESL Student Success Workshop was also held at this time.

For additional information, please contact Dean of Student Development and Special Services Greta Siegel at ext. 7619.

The Deadline to Apply for Financial Aid is March 1Students applying for Cal Grants, Marin Education Fund, and College of Marin Foundation scholarships must submit a federal student aid application and supplemental forms prior to March 1 for the spring 2010 semester. Students can apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Upcoming Events

Valentine’s Day ShowThe first Valentine’s Day Show opens today in the College of Marin Fine Arts Gallery. Work will be on display through Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010. An artists’ reception will be held Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

College of Marin Night in Marin CityOn Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Manzanita Recreation Center, 630 Drake Avenue, Marin City, 94966, College of Marin will hold a free informative event on preparing for a successful college experience. Presenters include representatives of Marin City Community Services District; College of Marin Student Services, Academic, and Career Programs; a college student panel, College of Marin Foundation, Marin Education Fund, as well as community and school leaders from Marin City and Marin County.

Questions may be directed to Rose Thompson at rose.thompson@marin.edu or (415) 485-9643. Parking is available nearby in the Cornerstone Community Church parking lot. There will be college and community resource tables, catered food, and door prizes.

This event was made possible by the Marin City Community Services District, Marin Education Fund, Community and School Organizations from Marin City and Marin County; and the following College of Marin services: Basic Skills Initiative, Student Development and Special Services, Bookstore, Communications and Community Relations, Student Affairs, College of Marin Workforce Program, Student Services representatives, and College of Marin Foundation.

Sunday SalonThe Emeritus Students College of Marin (ESCOM) and The Lark Theater are pleased to present Sunday Salon, a new film series beginning Feb. 28, 2010. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. and the festivities include a light continental breakfast, the film followed by a film critic’s commentary, and a question and answer period. The Lark Theater is located in historic downtown Larkspur at 549 Magnolia Avenue, 94939. The series of three films will be held February 28, March 21, and April 18. General tickets are $15 per show or $39 for the entire series. Emeritus members pay $13 per show or $36 for the series. To purchase tickets call The Lark at (415) 924-5111.

If you haven’t been to the Lark yet, this is a delightful way to enjoy the community owned historic movie theater. The film will not be announced in advance to add to the intrigue. Lark Theater Executive Director and film marvel Bernice Baeza will find the best and most interesting selection to offer in order to open your eyes and minds to something you might have missed the first time around. See you at the movies!

Ongoing

New Watercolor Exhibit at Emeritus CenterAn art exhibit of Bay Area artist Julie Cohn's recent watercolors is on display in the Emeritus Center, Student Services Building, Room 146, through March 25. A reception for the artist will be held Feb. 11, 2010, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sponsored by Emeritus Students College of Marin.

COM Athletics
Men’s Baseball vs. Hartnell
Thursday, Feb. 4, 2 p.m. in Kentfield
Men’s Baseball vs. Hartnell
Saturday, Feb. 6, noon in Salinas

Women’s Basketball vs. Mendocino
Wednesday, Feb. 3, 5:30 p.m. in Kentfield
Women’s Basketball vs. Merritt
Friday, Feb. 5, 5:30 p.m. in Kentfield

Men’s Basketball vs. Mendocino
Wednesday, Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m. in Kentfield
Men’s Basketball vs. Merritt
Friday, Feb. 5, 7:30 p.m. in Kentfield

Swimming and Diving vs. DVC and Chabot
Friday, Feb. 5, 3 p.m. in Hayward

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

President's Monday Briefing webpage
Technical Contact: Nicole Cruz, Assistant to Director of Communications and Community Relations, (415) 485-9648 x7648
Content Responsible: Cathy Summa-Wolfe, Director of Communications and Community Relations, (415) 485-9528

College of Marin is one of 112 public community colleges in California and is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Approximately 10,000 credit and noncredit students enroll each fall and spring semester. Classes also are offered during the summer.

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