Volleyball Team Third in Nation
Congratulations to Coach Lisa Stuck and all players on the GCC women's volleyball team for placing third in the nation in the NJCAA tournament, held recently in Toledo, Ohio. Our team won the regional tournament leading to the nationals, despite illness and some injuries. Along with our reputation for excellence in academics, Gaucho athletics keep us in the national spotlight. Thanks to all who make that happen.

Safety Survey Reminder
Your opinions about campus safety matter. If you have not yet completed and submitted the recently distributed "Maricopa Community Colleges Employee Safety Survey," please take a moment to do so. Your candid responses in this one-page survey will help guide planning for safety services Districtwide and at GCC. The GCC Personnel Office in Building 06 is gathering surveys now.

Farewell Event to Honor Dr. Elsner
As announced Nov. 19, GCC Dean of Administrative Services Dr. Joyce Elsner will be transferring to South Mountain Community College in January. Joyce has served as a dean at GCC since 1989, and has held important leadership roles here and throughout the Maricopa system. Her contributions to GCC are indeed far-reaching. A farewell reception will be held for Joyce on Wed., Dec. 11, 1:30-2:30 p.m., in the Student Union Council Chambers. Please take a moment to stop by and express your best wishes to a colleague as she begins a new phase of her career.

Update on GCC 15-Passenger Vans
As previously reported by Associate Dean of Student Life Donna White, all Maricopa colleges are discontinuing the use of 15-passenger vans. There is a transition plan in place to discontinue use as quickly as possible. The use of 12-passenger vans has been approved through the Maricopa Community College District Risk Management Office. While replenishing our fleet, it was further recommended that colleges should diversify their fleet. Also, students may not drive any of the vehicles; background checks and training should be a requirement for all drivers. The Maricopa District is providing financial support for this change. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

Valley of the Sun Bowl at GCC, Dec. 7
Did you know that GCC has hosted 11 of the past 15 Valley of the Sun Bowl games? This GCC tradition is also a high honor that will continue Sat., Dec. 7 at 2:00 p.m., when the Gauchos play Garden City (Kansas) Community College in the Matt O. Hanhilla Stadium. If you are able, please stop by the game and encourage the many hard-working people on the field and behind the scenes who continually position our program to rank among the top 10 in the nation. Plus, these games often tend to be hard-fought and especially exciting for any sports fan. Best wishes to Head Coach Joe Kersting and all the players.

Psychology Students Seek Travel Funds
Psychology instruction has long been one of GCC's great strengths. Fourteen psychology Honors students are now part of that tradition by raising money to fund travel to the May 2003 Western Psychological Association Conference in Vancouver, B.C. They have completed research posters and want to share their work through the award-winning Psi Beta National Honor Society, GCC chapter. Psychology faculty have been incredibly supportive of students' projects and ongoing efforts, and I hope that others in the GCC family can find a way to support these students as well. They will represent all of us very well if they can raise enough money to be part of what could be a life-changing educational experience. To help and for more information, contact Psychology Faculty Member B.J. Jacobs at 623-845-5734.

Free Holiday Concerts
You need not go far from your workplace to find first-rate holiday entertainment and support GCC musicians at the same time. Our very own GCC performing arts faculty and students will offer a variety of free programs later this month. Here are select highlights of upcoming concerts, each beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center: Holiday Band Concert featuring Yuletide favorites, Dec. 10; Percussion Ensemble, Dec. 11; Vocal Jazz, Dec. 12. A GCC Holiday Choral Concert will be held Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m., at Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church, 8801 N. 43rd Ave. For more information about any of these concerts, call 623-845-3720.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Listening Sessions Come to GCC Feb. 20
Please mark your calendars now and make every effort to attend a high-priority event hosted by GCC on Thurs., Feb. 20, 2003, at 6:00 p.m.: a Maricopa Governing Board Listening Session, to be held in the Student Union Lounge. This public meeting will focus on the growth and needs of the northwest and west valley, featuring many community leaders sharing their perspectives about GCC and how we can continue advancing our educational mission. The Listening Session will be the second in a series throughout the Valley in 2003. For more information, contact GCC Community Relations at 623-845-3605.