A weekly publication for the staff &
faculty of Valencia Community College Vol. XXXVII, No. 36, September 29, 2008
This Week at Valencia
Wednesday, October 1
Learning Assessment Committee, 2:30 p.m., East Campus, 3-113
Thursday, October 2
College Learning Council, 2:30 p.m., West Campus, HSB-206
District Board of Trustees Meeting Summary
Reports
Fall Registration Update - Dr. Kaye Walter, chief learning officer, and Dr. Joyce Romano, vice president for Student Affairs, provided the board with the fall enrollment report. Dr. Walter began with an overview of the enrollment planning process. Dr. Romano then led a discussion on the data, sharing that in the current fall term the college topped 35,000 for the first time in the number of students enrolled.
In terms of capacity and how well the college did in meeting the increased demand, while the majority of students were accommodated, Dr. Romano said that we ran out of classes in some areas. In addition, she said that 1,600 students started the registration process but never enrolled in a class. Three thousand students were deleted for non-payment who did not re-enroll, about 400 more than in the previous year, which Dr. Romano said may be a reflection of the economic times.
Dr. Walter shared a chart with the number of capacity credit hours. This fall, 87.5% credit hours were utilized, which she said was exceptional for a college that has historically utilized 80% of the available credit hours.
Dr. Romano said that the college has seen tremendous growth in financial aid awards (scholarships, loans and grants). For example, the amount of financial aid awards increased 29% from fall 2007, for a total of 15,603 awards in fall 2008.
Dr. Romano gave a summary of the demographics of our students this fall. Of those, 69.3% were returning students, an increase over last year and an early indication that the students we welcomed last fall were able to persist. 16% of the total number of students was previous year high school grads; Dr. Romano said that while they grew in number they fell as a proportion of the total student body.
73.6% of our students this fall are 24 years of age or younger. Regarding diversity, 15.2% are African American and 26.6% are Hispanic, both representing an increase over the previous year. The fastest growing category of students are those that select “other” when asked to identify their race or ethnicity. Dr. Romano said that the federal government is expanding its classifications of how people identify themselves in census data to approximately 12 categories. Valencia, she said, will eventually adopt the same categories once the federal government finalizes them.
Finally, Dr. Romano said that 83.8% of students this fall are degree seeking, with two-thirds pursuing an Associate in Arts degree and the rest enrolled in Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science and certificate programs.
Annual Financial Review - Keith Houck, vice president for Administrative Services, reported that on the plus side, Valencia ended the 2008-2009 fiscal year with a $1.5 million surplus. Dr. Sanford Shugart, Valencia president, praised the college community for this, whom he said showed extraordinary stewardship in cutting the budget and exercising care in expenditures.
The unallocated fund balance, Mr. Houck said, decreased from 7.7% to 5.9% of operating funds due to board-designated land purchases and the state budget shortfall. He said we are mandated to have a 5% prudent reserve.
In reference to a chart shown on total revenue, Dr. Shugart emphasized that two years ago we were 55% funded by the state of Florida and now are less than 50% funded by the state, making us a “state-assisted” rather than state-supported institution. Over three-quarters of our expenditures, he reminded the board, are personnel costs.
The president said we anticipate additional budget cuts later in the year, but he stressed that the college should be reassured that we are prepared to manage those cuts due to careful planning and fiscal restraint. Statewide, Mr. Houck reported that there was a $6 billion dollar difference from 18 months ago to today in what the state’s revenues were projected to be and what they actually are.
Construction Report - Mr. Houck shared an interior photo of the new Signature Building (Module 8) on West Campus where construction is progressing on schedule. He said the new building will provide a big, open space for meetings and community events, seating 320 people for formal banquets or 400 theater-style.
Mr. Houck also displayed photos of the new Allied Health Building on West Campus and the start of the Valencia-UCF joint-use building. The East Campus parking expansion project is also progressing, he added.
Faculty Council Report - Michael Shugg, president, Collegewide Faculty Council, said the council will be meeting for the first time since the summer break on Thursday, Sept. 18. He said that the evaluation instrument for faculty has gone to faculty and deans. So far, the feedback has been quite positive. In response to Mr. Shugg’s report, the board passed a motion to express its gratitude to faculty and staff for their efforts to keep the college in sound fiscal shape.
Foundation Report - Dr. Shugart gave the Valencia Foundation Report, noting that the first capital campaign has been a huge success. There will be two celebrations at which the successes will be announced, including the November 8 annual foundation gala and a second event in January or February, being planned for the new Signature Building on West Campus.
President’s Report - Dr. Shugart and Dr. Bill Mullowney gave a detailed briefing on state issues, including the state college issue. A briefing packet was provided to the board.
Dr. Mullowney reviewed background information on proposed Constitutional Amendment #8, "Local Option Community College Funding," which originates from a previously authorized effort in Miami-Dade County to support Miami-Dade College.
The proposed amendment, he said, would require that the Legislature authorize counties to levy a local option sales tax to supplement community college funding. Voter approval would be required to levy the tax, with a 60% favorable vote by the public needed.
Dr. Shugart spoke about the law that established the new Florida College System, with community colleges and a new-to-Florida category of institutions called state colleges combined under one single system. Each community college has the opportunity to ask the State Board of Education to change their name to that of a “college,” dropping the word “community." Some community colleges that are offering bachelor’s degrees have already changed their names to “state college.” It was noted that these changes may impact the way higher education operates and is funded.
Dr. Shugart led a discussion exploring the options open to the college, and noted Valencia's strong commitment to our partnership with UCF via Direct Connect, reviewing the benefits of that model to our students and community. The Board requested that a workshop be scheduled in the near future to more fully explore these options as they impact our ability to serve our community.
New Business
Approval of Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for Interior Renovations, Modules 1, 3, 4, HSB and SSB West Campus - The board gave its approval of Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for Interior Renovations, Modules 1,3,4, HSB and SSB West Campus.
Internal Audit Plan - Undria Stalling, internal auditor, provided the board with the audit plan for next three fiscal years to provide the scope of work she plans to undertake. The board approved the plan as presented.
Consent Agenda - Items approved under the consent agenda were: Policy Amendments 6Hx28:04-43 Sexual Assault and Other Crimes of Violence and 6Hx28:06-19 Collection of Loans, VA Deferments and Other Student Accounts Receivable; Additions, Deletions or Modifications of Courses and Programs; Valencia Enterprises Courses and Fees; Human Resources Agenda; Submission of Grant Proposals; and Property Deletion.
All Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty
The Professional Development Implementation and Oversight Team (PDT) will be holding working sessions for the Professional Development Component to the Faculty Compensation Plan (aka PD Plan) on the following dates and campuses: Oct. 2, 2 p.m., West, 9-131 and Oct. 3, 12 noon, East, 7-110
Members of the PDT and Technology Learning Centers from the respective campuses will be present to answer general questions about the PD plan and help navigate the PD online tool. Please bring your activities and we will help you enter them in the atlas based "PD Online Planning Tool".
For general questions about the program before the working sessions, please refer to the "Where to Begin" Section of the PDT web site at http://faculty.valenciacc.edu/ association /pdtTeam2.asp.
Human Resource News
Supervisors of career service employees, it is time to talk to your full-time career service employees regarding their yearly performance evaluation. Packets were sent to supervisors via email July 2 that contain helpful guidelines to make this an effective experience. The evaluation(s) should be returned to Human Resources by September 30. College policy 6Hx28:09-09 states that full-time career service employees will be evaluated in writing at least once a year. The policy can be viewed on our website at valenciacc.edu/policies/. Contact Sherian Stevenson at ext. 8042 for any questions.
Information on Pay Dates Occurring During Upcoming Holiday Breaks
In the coming year there are two pay days that occur during a time that the college is closed for holidays, November 28 and December 26. Starting this year, we are implementing a new procedure for our holiday break payrolls so employees are not required to come in to work while the college is closed. Pay checks will not be distributed to the Business Offices, nor will they be mailed to your home, until we return to work from the break.
November 28 pay checks will be forwarded to the Business offices and mailed on December 1. December 26 pay checks will be forwarded to the Business Offices and mailed on January 2.
If you currently have direct deposit, you will not be affected by this change and no action is required. Employees who have direct deposit will have their funds available to them on November 28 and December 26 as scheduled and can access the deposit information via ‘Employee Self Service’ in Atlas.
If you do not currently have direct deposit and would like to have your paycheck directly deposited into an account of your choice and available for withdrawal as normally scheduled during those holiday breaks, you must sign up for direct deposit no later than October 22. The Direct Deposit Authorization form can be found online under ‘Valencia Forms’ in Atlas or by contacting the payroll department at ext. 8160.
Please be sure to distribute this information to anyone who may not have Groupwise or who does not receive the Bulletin on a regular basis. This includes part-time, student and adjunct employees who work with you.
If you have questions you may contact Joe Livingston at ext. 8069, or Bettie Cooper at ext. 8100.
Apply Now to Participate in Valencia’s Focus on the workplace Program
Take advantage of this great opportunity. Applications are currently being accepted to participate in Valencia’s “Focus on the Workplace” program for Spring Term and Summer Term A. This exciting program enables you to spend time out in business and industry so you can update your skills and knowledge related to your field, learn first-hand what employers need and expect out of their employees, and explore exciting employment opportunities and career paths available for students.
All full-time, tenure or tenure-track faculty are eligible to apply with your Dean’s approval. Eligible faculty are released from two 3-credit hour classes to participate. In the Spring Term, it would be two days a week over the course of the Term. During Summer Term A, it would be for a 6-week period. The deadline to apply is Fri., Oct. 17. For more information and to get an application, go to: valenciacc.edu/focus/ or call LeSena Jones at ext. 3344.
News from Procurement
Purchasing Card FAQ - Q: Is there a list of suppliers that accept the PCard? A: No. Any supplier that accepts MasterCard should accept the Valencia PCard, and in general, they do not have to be in Banner prior to use. Ask the supplier prior to purchasing if they accept Master Card, not PCard. Please check your Purchasing Card Procedures Manual, located on the web at: http://valenciacc.edu/procurement/ ProcurementCard.asp for complete details and how to acquire and use a Valencia PCard.
PCard Advisory: Please do not pay for conferences, events, or classes hosted by Valencia Community College itself with a Procurement Card (This includes classes held at Valencia Enterprises). Doing so causes the college to incur unnecessary bank fees to essentially process a payment to ourselves. Instead, please contact the Budget or Finance office so a journal entry can be completed to process such payments.
Mail Codes are necessary for our mail service staff to deliver inter-office mail to the correct location. There are several ways to look up mail codes:
Please write clearly the name of the person and mail code that your envelope is to be delivered to. Your help is appreciated by all.
Latest Leadership Valencia Offerings
Online Video Orientations with Visual Communicator - Visual Communicator Studio Session. This is a face-to-face introductory practice workshop with additional learning materials and reference documents available online via the Valencia Web. For more information, please contact the instructor Nemir Matos-Cintron. Oct. 7, 1:30-2:30 p.m., West Campus, Video Studio, 6-307, Registration Code:TOWV-1 or Oct. 14, 1:30-2:30 p.m., West Campus, Video Studio, 6-307, Registration Code:TOWV-2
Podcasting 201 for Windows Users - This is a hands-on workshop for windows users, consisting of two sessions of two hours each. Your facilitators will email you orientation details five days prior to the course start date. Completion of LTAD 3241 (Podcasting 101) is strongly encouraged prior to taking this course. Oct. 7, 2-4 p.m., Osceola Campus, Room 2-116, Registration Code: TPOD201-1
Dynamic PowerPoint Photo Slideshows - Make a Flash photo slideshow in PowerPoint the easy way. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn to make a photo slideshow in PowerPoint using the Photo Album tool. Topics covered will include animation effects, image editing, background music, and looping options. The workshop will then demonstrate how the slideshow can be saved in PowerPoint or converted to Flash and uploaded to a website using iSpring, a free software. Participants are encouraged to bring their own photos for use in the workshop. Oct. 8, 1:30-3:30 p.m. West Campus, Room 6-326A Registration Code TPPS-1 or Oct. 15, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Osceola Campus, Room 2-116, Registration Code TPPS-2
WebCT Essentials - This project-based online course will introduce you to all the new tools inside CE 6 and show you how to develop a new (or improved) WebCT component using the new system. Topics covered include: learning the interface for CE6; basic course design; presenting content to students; communication and assessment tools. Oct. 13 through Nov. 24. ONLINE, Registration Code: TWBE-1
Banner Finance/Purchasing Beginner Class - Banner for Beginners includes INB and Self Service. Oct. 14, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Criminal Justice Institute, Room 228, Registration Code:TBFB-2
Valencia Conversations: Running Virtual, Collaborative Meetings using GoToMeeting - Attend this session to learn how to use the college's new application for online meeting solution, GoToMeeting. Topics covered will include what is it and how it can be used; how to organize online meetings; how to participate in online meetings; Best Practices; and how to get started. Come see how this tool can enhance your next meeting. Oct. 17, 10-11:30 a.m., West Campus, Room 6-326A, Registration Code: TLC-5
Valencia Enterprises MBTI Qualifying (Certification) Program, November 18 - 21, 2008, - Valencia Enterprises is offering a four-day Meyers-Briggs certification course. MBTI is, and continues to be, a key personality assessment tool that is utilized by both faculty and staff at the college. The fee for the four-day program, which includes all materials and lunch each day, is $1,095 per person. This is a tremendous professional development opportunity for anyone interested in becoming certified to conduct MBTI workshops. You can also speak to your supervisor about the possibility of utilizing SPD funds to offset some of the cost to you. Not only is there a demand for Leadership Valencia MBTI workshops, but some faculty are also in need of certified trainers to interpret student assessments. This certification has a known value and looks great on your resume. If you are interested, please refer to the flyer attached to the collegewide email from Leadership Valencia for more information. The registration deadline is October 18. To register please call 407-582-6688.
To register for all workshops, unless otherwise noted, go to http://valenciacc.edu/ leadership/regstr.cfm. Be sure you have the approval of your direct supervisor prior to registering. If a workshop is canceled, only those registered can be sent a cancellation e-mail. To view the status of any workshop, check the Leadership Valencia calendar located online.
Teach In 2008
Celebrate American Education Week by being a “Teacher for a Day” on Wed., Nov. 19 at an Orange County public school of your choice. Each year many Valencia faculty and staff participate in this annual event that connects us with our local school classrooms. Talk to students about your career, your hobbies and your school days. To register visit the "Teach In" web pages at http://www.foundationforocps.org/WhatWe Do/TeachIn/tabid/69/Default.aspx. Call Linda Downing at ext. 1238 for additional information.
West Campus Word Processing Update
Due to the retirement of Cindy DuPree on September 24 all email request should now be sent to Cheryl Williams (cwilliams@valenciacc.edu). If you need to call, you can reach Cheryl at ext. 1266 or 1337.
Kudos
The IDH faculty will be presenting at the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas on October 25. The presentation is titled "An Interdisciplinary Studies Program, 30 years of Success" and will highlight the interdisciplinary program at Valencia Community College including its long history and reasons for success. The faculty members attending are Professors Ed Frame (coordinator), Gustavo Morales, Noy Sparks and Lisa Dennis
The IDH honors students chosen to attend and assist in the presentation are Svatlana Nechayena, Robert Revis-Pyke, Devyn Kandle and Luke Kelly.
Submissions to the Bulletin are encouraged, so please e-mail your achievements, awards, recognitions and relevant information for the college community to Mary Jane Jones in the Marketing and Media Relations office. Deadline for submission is 5 p.m. on Tuesday to be included in the following Monday’s publication. Mary Jane can be reached at ext.1017, mc 4-34 or mjones2@valenciacc.edu
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Faculty & Staff 
