Vol. XXXV, No. 4

January 30, 2006

This Week at Valencia.

Wednesday, February 1

Design & Operations-Deans only, 1 p.m., East Campus, 3-113

Alumni Association Board of Directors, 5:30 p.m., Osceola Campus, TBA

Thursday, February 2

College Learning Council, 2:30 p.m., Winter Park Campus, 123

Friday, February 3

Student Development Group, 9:30 a.m., Osceola Campus, 1-258

NISOD News

Congratulations to Amy Bosley, Stephanie Freuler, Tracy Harrison and Brian Macon, for receiving the 2006 National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence in Learning Leadership Award. We are proud to have Valencia's learning leaders represented this year by these individuals, who were nominated by colleagues and selected by a representative group of peers. They will be honored by Dr. Shugart at a NISOD awards luncheon this spring and at a special ceremony at the NISOD Conference in May. Each award winner also receives a medallion appropriate for use with their academic regalia.

The NISOD International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence will be held May 28-31 in Austin, Texas. If you would like to attend the conference, please arrange for permission with your dean/supervisor, and email a statement of your interest to Kathy Adams, with a cc to your dean and provost, by March 1. Be sure to indicate if you have a proposal selected for presentation, including the topic. As in prior years, $15,000 has been set aside to fund travel by Valencia participants (up to $1,200 each). The travel funds will be allocated first to the awardees named above, then to conference presenters, and then to others who may wish to attend. If the number of applicants in either of the last two categories exceeds available funds, a drawing will be held to select names. Anyone applying and not selected through this process will be informed at the decision time.

Contact Kathy Adams at kadams@valenciacc.edu or ext. 3416 for additional information. For conference details, go to http://www.nisod.org/conference/.

News from Procurement

Purchasing Categories and Expenditures

Florida Statute 287.017 lists the purchasing categories and threshold amounts for goods and services purchased by all state agencies. They are:

Category One: $15,000
Category Two: $25,000
Category Three: $50,000
Category Four: $150,000
Category Five: $250,000

Bidding requirements for each individual college are then set by that college's District Board of Trustees.

Per Valencia's policy 6Hx28:06-12, the following thresholds are required:

a. $3,500 to $24,999 - Three (3) quotes are needed.

b. $25,000 to $250,000 - A formal "Invitation to Bid" or RFP is solicited by the Procurement Office and advertised for competitive bids. Award is approved by the Procurement Director

c. $250,000 or higher - A formal "Invitation to Bid" or RFP is solicited by the Procurement office and advertised for competitive bids. Award is approved by the Board of Trustees.

Best business practice dictates written quotes for any goods/services under the $25,000 threshold. This step ensures no questions, after the fact, about a price difference. When in doubt, call Procurement for guidance. We are more than happy to help you with the process of obtaining your goods in a painless and efficient way.

Copier Request
Please check your areas and let Procurement know if there are any non-functional, old copiers no longer being utilized. The college is paying monthly service and/or rental on several of these dust collectors. Send an e-mail to which includes the copier brand name, supplier, model number, serial number, campus location (including building and room number), and the VCC Property Control number if available.

To remove equipment from your area, fill out a property control form located on the Valencia Website at: http://valenciacc.edu/propertymanagement/. By gathering this information, it will help our efforts to establish a copier refresh program for all campuses.

Leadership Valencia

Oracle 11i for Beginners (2 day session) - This class is for any staff member who will be responsible for entering requisitions into the Oracle financial software system. Instruction will be given on how to check your budget and run reports. Directors and budget managers are encouraged to participate in this two-day workshop. Thursday & Friday, February 2 & 3, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Winter Park Campus, Room 134, registration code: TOR1.

Creating an Online Course With WebCT - Thinking about teaching an online class this summer? This project-based course will show you how to prepare your traditional course including how to prepare content, supplementary materials and evaluations; how to structure, pace, and subdivide the content; how to manage the course's assignments, tests and projects; and how to interact with your students in an online environment. NOTE: This is a five-week course commitment, requiring approximately 90 minutes per week. Attendees will be required to attend one day per week as they learn to develop an online course, using WebCT. Participants will complete a WebCT course for their summer session. Once registered, attendees will be e-mailed additional information confirming all meeting times. Friday, February 3, 10, 17, 24 & March 3, 2-4 p.m., Osceola Campus, Room 2-116, registration code: TWCT3.
Endowed Chair Program: Eligibility, Rewards, and Requirements - The Valencia Foundation recently asked the Faculty Council for recommendations to improve the endowed chair program. Learn about the revised program, process for application and financial benefits available to Learning Leadership Chair recipients. Applications are due in March so we invite you to learn about the process as you are putting together your proposal. Tuesday, February 7, 1-2:30 p.m., East Campus, Room 8-105D, registration code: LENDOW1.

Identity Theft: What You Can Do to Protect Your ID - As of April 2003, 11.8 million Americans have been victims of identity theft. If you do not own a shredder in your home and/or place of work; if you still carry your social security card in your wallet; if you do not check merchant copies of your debit/credit card receipts; if you still use the mailbox red flag; then you will want to attend this session. Tuesday, February 7, 8:30-10 a.m., East Campus, Room 5-112, registration code: GID1.

Circles of Belonging - Ever wonder what makes a person tick? Individual experiences play a huge part in shaping the way in which we interact with others and view the world around us. This in-depth interactive workshop will examine how diversity of experience impacts our interpersonal communications and relationships. Through discovery and discussion, learn more about yourself and the people around you. Participants will leave the session with an increased understanding of and appreciation for similarities and differences. Wednesday, February 8, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., West Campus, Room 6-202, registration code: PCOB1.

Grading Tools - Learn how to electronically manage your grade book utilizing three primary grading tools: MS Excel, MicroGrade and WebCT GradeBook. Participants will have hands-on opportunities to try out these tools to determine which of these three software packages best meets their needs. Wednesday, February 8, 10 a.m.-12 noon, West Campus, Room 6-221, registration code: TGRADE2.

One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey - Are you working more hours and getting less accomplished? Are you spending Saturdays at the office instead of on the golf course or with your family? Based on the book, The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey, this session looks at executives who never have time for family or their own job enhancement because they accept too many responsibilities-'monkeys' clinging to their backs, that more appropriately belong to their staff. Attend this workshop to learn how successful managers 'keep monkeys off their back. Note: Attendees will receive a copy of The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey. Thursday, February 9, 2-4 p.m., Winter Park Campus, Room 225, registration code: MONKEY.

PowerPoint Online - It is never too late to begin using a versatile tool. Why not learn at your own pace? This online course will take you through the following topics: learning the interface, creating and editing your first presentation, working with designs and outlines and incorporating multimedia into your presentation. NOTE: This is a four-week online course, requiring approximately 60 minutes each week. You will be required to log on and participate with assignments and interactive learning tools. Once registered, you will be e-mailed additional information regarding how to proceed. Friday, February 10, March 3, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Online Workshop, registration code: TPPOL.

Principles and Qualities of Genuine Leadership: Career Staff - More than ever, everyone in an organization needs a deep knowledge of leadership best practices and help in tailoring those practices to their own situations. To meet this need, the workshop outlines the universal leadership principles and qualities that help individuals become genuine leaders that can translate intentions into reality. The goal is to help participants achieve results by applying the principles and developing the qualities of genuine leadership. Friday, February 10, 8:30 a.m.-12 noon, Sand Lake Center, room will be posted, registration code: MPQGLCS.

Visit http://valencia.cc.fl.us/leadership to register for any Leadership Valencia class and for more information.

Who Will Be Valencia's Next Distinguished Grad?

The Valencia Alumni Association is now accepting applications for Valencia's Distinguished Grad award. For the submission deadline and other info, go to valenciacc.edu/alumni/scholarships.asp or call Alumni Relations at ext. 3124.

Hello and Goodbye

A warm Valencia welcome is extended to Aaron Babcock, Professor, Theater Technology, East, mc 3-2, ext. 2102; Chun Wai Ip, Professor, Mathematics, West, mc 4-23, ext. 1799; Matthew McAllister, Professor, Humanities, East, mc 3-2, ext. 2067; Laura Palmieri, Student Services Specialist, East, mc 3-15, ext. 2100; Bobbie Sartor, Professor, Emergency Medical Services, West, mc 4-14, ext. 1537 and Jeremy Weinsier, Professor, Mathematics, East, mc 3-16, ext. 2027.

Thank You's

To my Valencia family - I want to thank everyone who contributed to and who attended my going away reception last week. I was truly overwhelmed by the gifts, the caring speeches, and the number of people who came to share their thoughts and reminisce with me on my long career at Valencia. I will cherish my fond memories of the years I worked here and all the wonderful people I came to know and love.

                                                    -Diana Marini

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2: To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted. Thank you seems so insignificant a word for the many expressions of love and acts of kindness extended to my family and me during the death and memorial of my mother. It is always easier when others offer to shoulder the pain with you. Thank you for your continued support of my family and me.

                                                   -Bliss Thompson and Family

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, Staff Assistant in Marketing and Media Relations. Deadline for submission is 5 p.m. on the Tuesday preceding each Friday's distribution. Mary Jane can be reached at ext.1017, or mjjones@valenciacc.edu.