GCC's Relief Efforts for the Gulf Coast States

I am heartened by the many GCC employees and students who have responded to the needs of those affected by Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. Examples abound of spontaneous and diverse forms of giving, in the finest GCC tradition. Here is just a sampling: employees volunteering to help evacuees; the student STEM Club organizing a non-perishable food drive; EMT adjunct faculty on standby if needed on the Gulf Coast; Associated Student Government taking donations for the Red Cross; Matrix Ministries selling black ribbons next week as a fund raiser; employees volunteering through various agencies to sort donated clothes and supplies; and Fire Academy students (along with a few alumni) organizing a car wash to raise funds for hurricane relief. Also, the MCCCD Foundation is administering donations and distributions via its "NOLA Student Relief" fund at MCCCD, 2411 W. 14th St., Tempe, AZ, 85281. Primary agencies providing immediate assistance and in need of donations are the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Thank you all for your efforts.

40th Anniversary Milestone

After teaching classes at various locations throughout Glendale, we opened the doors of our campus on September 12, 1966. Join me in celebrating our many successes of the last 40 years.

Presidential Finalist Forums Set for Sept. 15

Chancellor Rufus Glasper and the GCC Presidential Search Committee have scheduled campus and public forums for the two finalists for the GCC presidency. You are invited to attend afternoon and/or evening forums on Thurs., Sept. 15. Each forum will be held in the Student Union Cafeteria.

Campus Forums

1:30 - 2:25 p.m. - Dr. Toni P. Jenkins, Executive Vice President, Collin County Community College, Plano, Texas

2:30 - 3:25 p.m. - Dr. Debra McCurdy, Provost/Chief Operating Officer, Georgia Perimeter College, Dunwoody, Georgia

Public Forums

5:30 - 6:05 p.m. - Dr. Toni P. Jenkins 6:10 - 6:45 p.m. - Dr. Debra McCurdy

Attendees may ask questions of each finalist and provide written feedback to the Chancellor. Updates about the search can be found at http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/presidentsearch and additional updates will be sent from the Chancellor's Office.

Student Union Renovation Update

The first major renovation to our 40-year-old Student Union Building will begin in February 2006 with preliminary, necessary steps that are standard for change of this magnitude. In the short term, it is always difficult and inconvenient to go through construction projects, but it pays off in the long term knowing that students will be the primary beneficiaries. Specifically, the Student Union will not be available for large events beginning in late January or early February 2006. Construction begins with asbestos abatement in February 2006; the entire renovation is expected to be complete by March 2007. Student Life is suggesting possible alternate venues to coordinators of large events who were expecting to use the Student Union next spring. Many more updates will be forthcoming about Student Union renovations. Please look for updates at http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/masterplan

2005 Student Satisfaction Survey

The results of the 2005 Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory (SSI) are now available online at http://www.gc.maricopa.edu:2058/ie/Students/NoelLevitz/NoelLevitz.htm

The survey was administered at GCC in 1999, 2002, and most recently in Spring 2005. The SSI measures the current state of GCC through the perspective of students; ratings are based on students' first-hand experiences. GCC students rated each SSI item (e.g. "The campus is safe and secure for all students") for importance and satisfaction. All ratings are on a one to seven scale, with seven being highest. Results are distilled to compare GCC's 2005 results to its 2002 results; to other western community colleges; and to other community, junior and technical colleges. If you have questions or would like to discuss the results, contact College Research Services.

Innovative Learning Opportunities for New Faculty

New full-time GCC faculty are benefiting from a unique professional development program created at GCC that introduces them to our college's culture, people, and diverse resources. Spearheaded by Linda Smith and Tim Sylvester of the Faculty Development Committee, the First Year Residential Experience (FYRE) combines monthly meetings with online forums for weekly discussions about teaching strategies and various instructional issues. New this Fall is a faculty mentoring program. Additional components of faculty development at GCC encompass resources for adjuncts and workshops dealing with technology. My thanks to Linda and Tim, and many others who are bringing such depth and innovation to faculty.

Fall Enrollment Update

As of Sept. 7, 2005, total Fall 2005 headcount for all GCC sites stood at 19,743, with FTSE at 9,865, compared to 20,333 headcount and 10,093 in FTSE at this same time last year. I'll have updates for you in future issues of the newsletter. Enrollment opportunities are still available for Fall short-term or OE/OE courses.

Short-Term Learning Opportunities

This semester we are more aggressively promoting open-entry/self-paced and short-term classes. There are a wide variety to choose from in the convenient new schedule. Short-term classes include topics as diverse as computer applications, CPR, stress management and world religions. These and other courses represent wonderful learning opportunities for GCC employees, as appropriate given work schedules. I encourage you to pick up an Open-Entry/Self-Paced, Late-Start schedule in the Enrollment Center or other campus locations.

Maricopa-Supported Conferences in October

The Maricopa Community College District will be involved with two major conferences this fall in Phoenix: American Council on Education (ACE), "Educating All of One Nation - Realizing America's Promise: Embracing Diversity, Discovery and Change," Oct. 6-8; and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), "Championing Hispanic Higher Education Success: Preparing the Next Generation of Leaders," Oct. 15-18. Some presenters will be representing MCCCD and GCC.

September - October Events on Campus

Fall is always a busy time for educational and cultural events on campus and 2005 is no exception. I encourage you to participate or stop by the following free activities as schedules permit. These are event highlights through early October:

Thurs., Sept. 15, 6:30 p.m. – "Forgotten Fires," the first in the Many Faces of Hate series (free film series offered in partnership with the Arizona Anti-Defamation League), Student Union Lounge

Fri., Sept. 16, noon – "Flag Burning: The Constitution, the Court and Congress," Constitution Day Lecture by GCC Political Science Faculty Toni McClory, Student Union Lounge

Hispanic Heritage Month Events

Thurs., Sept. 22, 11:00 a.m. – Quetzal Guerrero & Cascabel Band, Student Union Cafeteria

Tues., Sept. 27, 11:00 a.m. – Storytelling w/ Ricardo Provencio, Student Union Council Chambers

Tues., Oct. 4, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Salsa Dance Workshop, Student Union Cafeteria

Fri., Oct. 7, noon - Martín Espada poetry presentation, Student Union Lounge

Wed., Oct. 12, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. – Carmela y Más Band and free food, GCC Mall

Jean Ann Abel
Interim President
Glendale Community College