Vol. XXXV, No. 29
July 31, 2006

This week at Valencia…

Wednesday, August 2

Design & Operations with Deans only, 1 p.m., West Campus, TBD

Thursday, August 3

Atlas Access Meeting, 9 a.m., West Campus, SSB-106

College Learning Council, 2:30 p.m., DTC, 1st Floor Conference Room

Annual Report of the College Faculty Council

The Faculty Council is the official voice of the faculty at Valencia Community College in matters of college governance, faculty rights and privileges. The council is comprised of the leadership of the college-wide Faculty Association, the body of full-and part-time faculty members that addresses concerns through individual, representative campus Senates.

Faculty Council engages in meaningful review of collegewide concerns and issues, selects faculty representation for college councils and committees, reports regularly to the District Board of Trustees, and functions as a collaborative partner with other councils and the president. Specific committees that report to the Faculty Council include the Evaluation Task Force and the Institutional Effectiveness Task Force. Although faculty council members have a voice in most decision making issues, special policy-level issues such as compensation and workload benefits are open for vote by the full association membership.

Issues affecting Valencia faculty addressed during the 2005-2006 academic year included the following:

• The Faculty Council endorsed the final draft of the intellectual property rights policy. The policy was collaboratively developed by faculty and college counsel to address general issues of ownership with the creation of copyrightable materials at the college.

• The Alternative Delivery Standards Plan was approved by the council. The plan adopts new procedures and support for online instruction at the college. The standards plan, with support from strategic budget initiative funding, will begin its implementation phase in the fall of 2006.

• The Faculty Council approved a plan by the Evaluation Task Force to pilot test the new student assessment of instruction. Thirty four faculty members used the new questions in their on-ground classes, potentially reaching over 3,300 students. In addition, the online and telecourse assessments reflect the new questions.

• The Faculty Council endorsed the work of the compensation implementation team. The faculty compensation plan, phase II, was approved by the District Board of Trustees at the June 2006 DBOT meeting.

News From Procurement

It’s that time of the year again! The strategic equipment list (better known as the wish list) is in the works for 2006/2007. Instructions, forms and timeline can be found at: http://valenciacc.edu/ procurement/facultystaff_FAQs.asp. If you have any questions, please call ext. 5532.

Food Services Update - The Little Bean Company, Valencia’s new food service provider, is very busy completing renovations and preparing new menus for the start of the fall semester. The existing food service facilities will have a fresh new look and feel with exciting new menu items.

There has been one small change to the food service proposal that some of you may not be aware of. The Little Bean Company had originally proposed to subcontract with Nature's Table to be a partner with them on Valencia’s new contract. Unfortunately, the two companies could not agree on contract terms and therefore Nature's Table will not be a participant in the college's food services contract. This was a very unexpected and unfortunate occurrence but will not affect the overall food services plan.

The Little Bean Company has hired additional staff and invested funds into new equipment to be able to provide the food service that was originally going to be subcontracted. In addition, key individuals from the previous provider have been hired by Little Bean to continue what was working well and to improve on what was not. Please know that we have the utmost confidence in The Little Bean Company to provide a selection, variety and quality of foods comparable with, or superior to, national and local brands.

We will be publishing detailed food service information in upcoming issues of the Bulletin, in the student paper and on the Web.

All of the current food service locations will be renovated and operational, with exciting new menus, on or before August 28 when classes resume. In addition, watch for additional locations to be announced.

So please help us spread the news. There’s a new chef in town and something good is cooking! Also, the word “cafeteria” will no longer be used on campus. That is old-school and we are in a new era. The new term is “café.” Check the Bulletin next week for more exciting food news. Bon Appétit!!!!

Hello and Goodbye

A warm Valencia welcome is extended to:

• Karen Cheung, marketing and production coordinator, Valencia Enterprises, mc 8-1, ext. 6604

• Susan Ioder, purchasing agent, Procurement Services, West, mc 4-42, ext. 5542

• James Knepper, security officer, East, mc 3-14, ext. 2000

• Kate Martin, student services specialist, Answer Center, West, mc 4-10, ext. 1344

• Michelle Martin, student services specialist, Answer Center, East, mc 3-15, ext. 2310

• Cheryl Newberry, student services specialist, Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs, West, mc 4-17, ext. 1501

• Lizza Renoso, staff assistant, Security, East, mc 3-14, ext. 2247

• Felecia Smith, student services specialist, Answer Center, West, mc 4-10, ext. 1344

• Lambert West, groundskeeper, West, mc 4-9, ext. 1754

A fond farewell and best wishes are extended to:

• Mandy Kornack, retiring 7/31/06

• Eleanor Tinkes, retiring 7/31/06

• George Dow, retiring 8/3/06

Academic Assembly

The fall term start up is rapidly approaching. As in the past, we will gather at Academic Assembly which is scheduled for Wednesday, August 23, 2006 on the East Campus.

Prior to the program in the Performing Arts Center, a continental breakfast will be served in the cafeteria on East Campus (building five) for all attendees. After breakfast, there will be both a presentation and ample time for dialog. Please make your plans to participate.

As always, many important topics and dates will be discussed. This gathering will provide an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of several of our colleagues and to take a fresh look together at our progress as a college.

8:30 – 9:15 a.m.: REGISTRATION AND CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST, Building 5, Cafeteria

9:15 – 10:15 a.m.: PROGRAM, Performing Arts Center

• Welcome - Lew Oliver, III, vice chairman, District Board of Trustees

• Recognition of 2006 Newly Tenured Faculty - Tom Byrnes, president, Faculty Association

• Recognition of 2006 -2007 Sabbatical Recipients - Tom Byrnes, president, Faculty Association

• Recognition of 2006 NISOD Excellence Award Recipients - Tom Byrnes, president, Faculty Association

• Recognition of 2005-2006 Advanced Degrees Conferred - Tom Byrnes, president, Faculty Association

• Faculty Address - Tom Byrnes, president, Faculty Association

• Recognition of 2006-2007 Endowed Chair Recipients - Geraldine Gallagher, president & CEO, Valencia Foundation

• Recognition of 2006-2007 Governance Council Chairs - Sanford C. Shugart, president, Valencia Community College

10:15 – 10:30 a.m.: BREAK

10:30 – 11:30 a.m.: PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

• Sanford Shugart

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 the Tuesday preceding each Friday’s distribution. Mary Jane can be reached at ext.1017, mc 4-34 or mjjones@valenciacc.edu.