Vol. XXXVII, No. 09, March 10, 2008

This Week at Valencia

Monday, March 10

Professional Staff Leadership Team, Sand Lake Center, 1-114 (no time listed on Web calendar)

Wednesday, March 12

PSLT Luncheon, 12 noon, West Campus, HSB-105

DOT Deans, 1 p.m., Winter Park Campus, Rm. 123

College Curriculum Committee, 2 p.m., West Campus, 6-202

Thursday, March 13

Faculty Council, Winter Park Campus, Rm. 108 (no time listed on Web calendar)

Deadline Approaching for Submitting Orders for Commencement Academic Regalia

Commencement will be held on Saturday, May 3. The college is using a new vendor this year for the regalia, and the order process has changed. This is the same vendor that will be providing regalia for our students. Head sizes will no longer be necessary because caps are adjustable. Please contact Patty Nicholas for an order form. All orders must be submitted to Patty Nicholas at mail code DTC-3 prior to March 14.

Valencia will pay for the rental of your regalia if ordered by March 14. Payment for any orders received after March 14 will be the direct responsibility of the employee along with any surcharges for shipping. Regalia rates are:  Associate-$38.70; Bachelor-$28.70; Master-$32.15; Doctor-$41.85 (all prices include gown, cap, tassel and hood)

You are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to order your regalia without charge. If you have any questions, please contact Patty Nicholas at ext. 3465.

You will be notified via email when the academic regalia has been delivered to your campus Business Office.

Procurement News

Purchasing Card FAQ - Q: My transaction was pulled from PaymentNet and downloaded to Banner. How can I see it again? A: PaymentNet has many great reports that will help you keep track of all your PCard transactions, even if they have already downloaded to Banner. The “Transaction Detail with Account Codes & Notes” report will give you a list of all your transactions including the budget information and any notes. You can even limit this report by setting specific search criteria such as post date, vendor name, or transaction amount. Step-by-step instructions for this and other useful reports can be found under the tabs at the back of your PCard manual.

Reviewing and Approving P-Card Transactions - The reviewing and approving of all PCard transactions is a procedure that is critical to the success of the PCard program. Without this step our checks and balances would not be in place and potential fraud charges could appear. It is most definitely an audit criticism and susceptible to the suspension of your card.

Looking for old Lanier and IKON copiers - The college has nearly replaced all old and out-dated departmental copiers. We are looking for anyone that still has an old Lanier or IKON copier that we might have overlooked. Please send an e-mail to Mary Ellen Davies with the manufacturer, ID #, serial number, and VCC tag number.

Empty Copier Toner Cartridges - All copier toner cartridges should be thrown away after use. They are not recyclable for the vendor to use.

Bonds - Procurement sometimes calls for different types of bonds to be used with college purchases. Technically there are three types of bonds that could be required in a purchase contract:

• The bid bond guarantees that if the order is awarded to a specific bidder, it will accept the purchase contract.
• The performance bond guarantees that the work will be done according to specifications and in the time specified. If the college has to go to another vendor for rework or to get the order completed, purchasing is indemnified for these extra costs.
• The payment bond protects the college against liens which might be granted to suppliers of materials and labor to the bidder, in the event the bidder does not make proper payment to its vendors.

Sustainability Meeting - Please join Facilities and Procurement on March 12 for our first Sustainability Information Meeting located on West Campus, 6-202 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. See what the college and other local businesses are doing to support environmentally preferred products and services which have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment.

Guest speakers include: UCF, City of Orlando, Orange County, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and the U.S. Green Building Council. Vendors participating in a tradeshow outside Building 6 (West Campus) until 3 p.m. include: Peninsular Paper, OUC, Office Depot, Welbro Construction, Johnson Wax, American Ad Specialties, Buckeye Cleaning, State Contract Carpet, Mannington, Steelcase, Teknion LLC, Lawton Brothers, Baker Barrios Architects, and Florida Business Interiors.

Destination 2008

Teaching and Learning Support would like to invite you to join us this summer in Destination 2008, Valencia’s annual faculty development opportunity which brings educators together to define outcomes, design lessons, and learn techniques that will lead to improved student learning. All faculty, full and part-time, including counselors and librarians, are eligible to participate. 

Destination 2008 is designed to offer different programs to faculty who wish to experiment or are curious about various tools to improve student learning. We are able to provide the following tracks this summer:  Action Research, LinC, Alternative Delivery, and General Education Outcome. A full schedule, online application form and flyer are all available at http://faculty.valenciacc.edu/destination/

Leadership Valencia

Formation: A Little Lunch, A Little Literature and A Lot of Lively Discussions - Bring your lunch and join us for lunch and literature.This is a one-hour relaxed discussion with colleagues around poetry or short prose chosen each meeting by one of the group.March 11, 1-2 p.m., East Campus, Room 4-212B, registration code:LFORM-9 and March 18, 1-2 p.m., East Campus, Room 4-212B, registration code:LFORM-10

The Leader's Edge -Presented by Dr. Rick Bommelje - A highly interactive professional development program that focuses on how to lead more effectively.It is designed to benefit all employees, regardless of their position at Valencia.Participants will raise their leadership awareness in all areas of their lives, receive specific assessment on their leadership behaviors, learn specific leadership tools, techniques and strategies, and develop leadership action plans to use immediately. March 12, 2:15-4:15 p.m., West Campus, Room 4-120, Registration Code: PTLE

Sexual Harassment Learning Scenarios (Kickoff Meeting) - Become familiar with what constitutes and what does not constitute sexual harassment.Define sexual harassment and the two types: Quid Pro Quo and Hostile Work Environment.Learn what Valencia's policy is on this issue.Gain an appreciation as to how sexual harassment affects different individuals and the organization as a whole. Learn what to do as a victim or witness of sexual harassment at the workplace. March 14, 2-3:30 p.m., Sand Lake Center, Room 2-121, Registration Code: PTLE

Student Assessment of Instruction Tool: Class Climate - This is a face-to-face, hands-on professional development section that will support administrative assistants with entering and administering student evaluation of instruction surveys using the Class Climate system. Choose from one of the following:

• March 18, 1-4 p.m., East Campus, Room 4-133C, Registration Code: TCC-1
• March 19, 1-4 p.m., West Campus, Room 6-326A, Registration Code:  TCC-2
• March 20, 1-4 p.m., Osceola Campus, Room 2-116, Registration Code: TCC-3

Estate Planning: What Everyone Needs to Know - Estate planning and procrastination often go hand-in-hand. This session will provide tools to help you understand the benefits of estate planning - including maintaining estate control; how this helps your heirs; ways to avoid or minimize probate; and methods that save on estate taxes. We will briefly discuss special needs trust and spendthrift trusts for those special family members. You will be introduced to the four basic estate planning documents: will, health care surrogate, durable power of attorney and living will. In discussion, attendees will weigh the costs and benefits of a will versus revocable trust and explore the multitude of charitable planned giving strategies that establish you an income stream today and benefit your favorite charity tomorrow. A free box lunch and beverage will be served. Sponsored by American Association for Women in Community Colleges. March 20, 11:30 a.m.-1p.m., Winter Park Campus, Room 242, Registration Code: GEP

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Training – Part One - Planning to conduct a study involving Valencia students or employees? Not sure if your study needs to comply with Valencia's new mandatory Institutional Review Board (IRB) process for research projects? The Valencia IRB process is designed to encourage faculty, staff and student research, while protecting the participants, the college, and even the researcher. Part One will provide an overview of human search protection and how our IRB works with an aim to be as unintrusive as possible while complying with Federal regulations. Completion of this workshop satisfies the IRB training requirement for investigators of Valencia projects that have been approved through expedited or full review. March 21, 9-11 a.m., East Campus, Room 3-113, Registration Code:  PIRB1-2

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Training – Part Two - Planning to conduct a research project that will require completing the application for Valencia's new Institutional Review Board (IRB) process?  Part Two will walk through the Valencia IRB application process through interactive discussions, including questions and discussion of examples. (Recommended pre-requisite: IRB Training - Part One)  March 21, 11a.m.-12 noon, East Campus, Room 3-113, Registration Code: PIRB2-2

Podcasting 101 - Podcasts and vodcasts can deliver educational content for listening or viewing on students' computers and MP3 players, freeing learning from constraints of the physical classroom. There is a required face-to-face orientation to this introductory course, which begins on March 25. The remainder of the coursework will be completed online using WebCT.  Participants who have never used WebCT are strongly encouraged to attend. Please contact the section instructors if you have any questions. March 25, 1-2 p.m., East Campus, Room 6-326A.  Registration Code: TPC101

Podcasting 201A for Apple Users - This is a face-to-face course that will cover the basics of developing podcasts using Apple computers. Participants will have access to additional learning materials and reference documents online via WebCT. For more information, please contact the instructors. March 26, 2-4 p.m., West Campus, Room 6-326A, Registration Code: TPCAPP

Podcasting 201W for Windows Users - Learn how to create and distribute your classroom lectures, meetings and materials to students using Valencia iTunes University on software for Windows users. Although this is a face-to-face course, participants will have access to additional learning materials and reference documents online via WebCT. For more information, please contact the instructors. March 27, 2-4 p.m., Osceola Campus, Room 2-116, Registration Code: TPCWIN

Juggling Elephants - Juggling Elephants is a wonderfully lighthearted guide for everyone who feels like they're about to be squashed. It will help you better focus your time and energy, so you'll be able to enjoy more of things that are important to you. Above all, it will teach you how to run your circus instead of letting the circus run you. March 27, 2-4 p.m. East Campus, Room 5-112, Registration Code: GJE

Freedom From Smoking Program Starts This Week

Do you want to quit smoking but have a hard time quitting? Have you had a hard time trying to stay smoke-free after you quit? Do you feel like you owe it to yourself and those you love? Then the Freedom From Smoking program is for you. This program consists of eight sessions over eight weeks. Each session will focus on a different topic:

• Orientation/Discussion Process
• Coping with Urges
• Making a Plan to Quit
• Stress Management
• Weight Control
• Relapse Prevention
• Graduation and Celebration!

Freedom From Smoking offers a good support system and provides you with the resources to stay smoke-free for good. We will meet every Friday starting March 14 through May 9 (except April 4). The cost is $15 for a participation kit. Each kit includes a workbook from the American Lung Association used in each session and a relaxation CD.

Please contact Debi Jakubcin at ext. 2281 or email djakubcin@valenciacc.edu to register.

Make plans to join us for the next brown bag lunch: “Stressed? Don’t Blow It!” presented by Valencia’s Wellness Program in conjunction with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida on March 20

• East Campus, 11 a.m.-12 noon, 3-113
• West Campus, 1-2 p.m., HSB-120
• Osceola Campus, 11 a.m.-12 noon, Auditorium
• Winter Park Campus, 1-2 p.m., Room 224

Please enjoy the following excerpt from the Community Colleges for International Development (CCID newsletter, International News, Winter 2008 featuring Professor Steve Myers:

Guyana Expedition: A Life-Changing Experience

“Every spring break for 12 days, five students travel with biology Professor Steve Myers to the remote wilderness of Guyana, South America, as part of the Study Abroad and Global Exchange at Valencia Community College in Orlando, FL. Their destination is the Iwokrama Forest Preserve in Central Guyana, nearly one million acres (1,430 square miles) located in the heart of the Guiana Shield, one of the last pristine forests in the world.

Once the group lands in Georgetown, they head into the interior of Guyana on a six-hour trek aboard a four-wheel drive vehicle over a clay road to the preserve. That’s when the students begin to realize they are in for the experience of a lifetime. Upon arrival at Iwokrama, the staff will orient the students to what they will experience during their time at the preserve. The students’ main goals are to study the biodiversity of neotropics and learn about the endangered plants, animals and people.

The guides of the expedition are indigenous people who are very familiar with the plants and animals of the region. Students visit Fairview, the only Amerindian village in the Iwokrama Preserve. There they will see what daily life is like for the Macushi and Wapishiana Indians. They watch the processing of bitter yucca, a stable crop for the Amerindians. The students interact with the young children as well.

One of the high points of the trip is to travel to Whitewater Camp, several hours by boat from the main field station. There the students sleep in the rainforest in hammocks shrouded by mosquito nets. Accompanying the guides, the students watch them spear fish from the river and roast them on an open fire. They also try their hand at fishing for piranha (not as dangerous as it sounds).

The students are requested to keep detailed field notes that will serve as the basis for their teaching presentations when they return home. One of the things students find most fascinating on the trip is learning how indigenous people use plants for medicine, food, shelter and other needs. One of the guides will cut a capadulla vine and students will drink the water from it. They learn that survival is possible without modern conveniences.

The first Valencia trip to Guyana with students was in 2000, when the group joined Dr. Peter C. H. Pritchard at his sea turtle camp in northwest Guyana. Dr. Pritchard is a world-renowned authority on sea turtles and has studied them there for over 40 years. In March 2008, another group of biology students will once again join Dr. Pritchard and study 800 pound Leatherback turtles as they lay eggs on the remote beaches.

There is no doubt that this experience and the follow-up sharing with classmates back home empower students. They want to see more of the world as a result of this expedition, and they grow in their understanding of self and others; of common survival challenges that face the planet; and in their ability to move competently and sensitively across cultures. Every student who has gone down to Guyana has reported having his or her life changed forever.”