Vol. XXXV, No. 8

February 27, 2006

This Week at Valencia.

Monday, February 27

Instructional Affairs Committee, 8:30 a.m., East Campus, 3-113

Wednesday, March 1

Design & Operations-Deans only, 1 p.m., Winter Park Campus, 123

Alumni Association Board of Directors, 5:30 p.m., Criminal Justice Institute, 209

Thursday, March 2

College Learning Council, 2:30 p.m., East Campus, 3-113

Friday, March 3

Student Development Group, 9:30 a.m., Winter Park Campus, 223


Antonia Eiriz: Cuban Legend-Anita S. Wooten East Campus Gallery, through March 17

District Board of Trustees Meeting Summary

Reports

Strategic Learning Plan (SLP) Refresh - Valencia President Dr. Sanford Shugart introduced David Rogers, professor of English and special assistant to the Learning-Centered Initiative, to update the board on progress made on action items identified as urgent in the Strategic Learning Plan. Highlights included the implementation of an annual enrollment management plan, the implementation through the Achieving the Dream Initiative of academic activities designed to improve student mastery and success in preparatory courses, particularly math, the establishment of a professional development task force charged with reviewing and recommending improvements to Valencia's professional development programs and resources, and the ongoing audit of all courses to better align them with the most recent SACS accreditation report and with the college's core competencies.

Spring Term Enrollment - Dr. Joyce Romano, vice president, Student Affairs, presented the Spring 2006 Enrollment Report. While FTE grew only half a percent, Dr. Romano reported that most of our community college colleagues across the state have indicated that they are also flat or down in terms of enrollment. Reasons for this, according to Drs. Romano and Shugart, are the lingering effects of hurricane activity and lower than average unemployment.

Financial Summary - A mid-year financial report was given by Keith Houck, vice president, Administrative Services. While enrollment has not grown to the two percent level we projected in our budget, Mr. Houck said, an increased number of students are non-residents or life-long learners and therefore pay higher fees. This has helped to bring our revenue close to alignment with our projections. Regarding the college's goal to attract and retain minority suppliers, Mr. Houck noted a gain of $400,000 in spending with minority suppliers, or $2.7 million total up from $2.3 million spent during the same period the year prior. He said the college would be heavily involved in the Hispanic Summit in early March seeking additional suppliers.

Construction - Helene Loiselle, assistant vice president of Facilities, said that the college would be putting forth an RFQ in March to identify an architect for our next building on West Campus. Building 10 will encompass approximately 100,000 square feet at a cost of $23 million.

Internal Auditor - Undria Stalling, board internal auditor, gave separate PowerPoint presentations as a follow-up to her review of the petty cash fund and the procurement card (p-card). Both audits uncovered minor procedural issues that have since been addressed or corrected.

Faculty Association - Amy Bosley, president of the Collegewide Faculty Association and professor of speech, began her comments by saying that the college's shared governance system was working well to promote collaboration in decision-making. As an example, she said that an academic policy cluster review had been kicked off with 45 faculty and staff working on reviewing all academic polices. The groups will share drafts of policies in April and will finalize their recommendations by late summer or early fall. Ms. Bosley also reported that the first draft of the Alternative Delivery Standards Plan had been shared with the college at large for feedback. This plan reflects a collaborative effort between faculty, instructional technology, deans and provosts on proposed standards, policies and procedures with regard to distance education and alternative delivery programs and courses. Progress was also reported on the redesign of the endowed chairs program, with the adoption of a simplified application, evaluation process and funding procedures. Lastly, Ms. Bosley said that the sabbatical selection committee approved all six applications for sabbaticals in the coming year. Board member Ed Moore spoke for the board in expressing their deep
appreciation and support for the work of Valencia's faculty.
 
Valencia Foundation - Bertica Cabrera-Morris, board trustee, reported on the foundation's capital campaign to raise $20 million over a three-year period, and on the next Taste for Learning fundraiser planned for Oct. 14 at the Royal Pacific Resort. She recognized the foundation for its recent ranking by the Orlando Business Journal as the 15th largest nonprofit service organization in Central Florida, based on income for the most recent fiscal year. Dr. Shugart added that a report from the National Association of College and University Officers (NACUBO) put Valencia at the top of the nation's list for the largest community college endowments in 2005.

President's Report - Dr. Shugart advised the board that a request for proposals was being prepared to solicit new bids from food service vendors. Plans call for the contract to be awarded in May with services to commence July 1.

Governor Bush recently announced his budget proposal for next year, which, Dr. Shugart said, was very favorable to Valencia. The college met with the governor's staff to request the state to fund the previously approved formula for community colleges at $80 million per year for the next four to five years. If fully funded by the legislature, it would bring Valencia up to the average in funding per FTE for the southern regional states.

The Valencia Conference on Legal Issues in Community Colleges, which offered front-line leaders valuable legal knowledge, proved to be a tremendous success. Organized by Dr. Bill Mullowney, college counsel, and Dr. Fiona Baxter, director of College and Community Relations, the legal issues conference drew 182 attendees and many noted legal experts from around the country.

The president recognized Ms. Loiselle, who made the board aware of two recent architectural awards for Valencia facilities. The Florida Educational Facilities Planners' Association (FEFPA) awarded first-place ribbons in January to two Valencia projects: the Health Sciences Building on the college's West Campus by Hunton Brady Architects and the Technical Sciences Building on the Osceola Campus by Schenkel Shultz Architecture.

Dr. Shugart discussed plans for the Professional Development Center located adjacent to the East Campus. The center incurred significant damage in the last hurricanes, prompting the college to consider selling the property and lot and redirecting money from the sale toward other kinds of facility uses.

The president invited the board to the college's 2006 commencement ceremony, which will take place on May 6 at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee.

In lieu of a March board meeting, the president invited the trustees to take part in an annual financial workshop on March 21 to make recommendations for the next two years of financial plans for the college.

Dr. Shugart announced that he has agreed to serve on a policy council for Charlie Crist's upcoming run for governor.

New Business

Dr. Shugart withdrew the first item under new business, the recommendation concerning Mr. Williams, for later consideration at the April board meeting. The board unanimously approved all remaining items presented as new business including a Valencia Foundation approval of state matching requests; additions, deletions or modifications of courses and programs; Valencia Institute courses and fees; Human Resources agenda; submission of grant proposals; and property deletion.

News from Procurement

Check out the updated Procurement Web page for faculty and staff. There is more information than you know what to do with! We are adding special features and links every day. Suggestions and comments are always welcomed. We want to know how to better serve your needs. http://valenciacc.edu/procurement/facultystaff.asp

Student evaluation forms are no longer available through college-wide stationery. Copies may be requested through your campus copy center. A charge of $.01 per copy will be billed to your department budget. An effort to put this form online for the students is in the planning stage.

Remember that Valencia is a tax-exempt institution. For online purchases, be sure your supplier knows that we are tax exempt. You can find the tax exempt certificate online at http://valenciacc.edu/procurement/vendor.asp. If using petty cash, tax is NOT reimbursed by the Business Office.

Leadership Valencia

Journeying Toward an Undivided Life: Formation Trust Circle - Formation work creates open and trustworthy spaces where participants can reconnect with the inner self, working independently, yet together in a quiet, focused space. Presenters will utilize A Hidden Wholeness, by Parker J. Palmer as a road map to consider how ideas presented in the book intersect with our lives. Tuesday, March 7, 2-4 p.m., East Campus, room 8-105D, registration code: LFORM0307.

Basic Internet Skills - This course is designed with learning environments and beginner faculty in mind. Attendees will review the structure and history of the Internet, how to navigate and find information, and how to start using the Internet in your classes. This workshop will also review the various Valencia course types that use the Internet (Web-enhanced, traditional, hybrid, online and telecourses) as well as the Valencia systems available to help you manage your course. Tuesday, March 7, 1-4 p.m., West Campus, room 6-221, registration code: LINT1 or Wednesday, March 8, 1-4 p.m., Winter Park Campus, room 134, registration code: LINT2.

Closing the Leadership Gap: Reading Circle - An impassioned examination of the vital importance of women in leadership roles in politics as well as business. Insightful and inspiring, this is a call to action for the increased presence of women in powerful leadership positions in this country. Note: Sponsored by the Valencia Chapter of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC), attendees will receive a copy of Closing the Leadership Gap, by Marie C. Wilson. Wednesday, March 8, 2-4:30 p.m., West Campus, room 9-110, registration code: LREAD.

Employee Orientation: Discovering Valencia: Visions, Values, History and Mission - Explore the history and vision of Valencia Community College. Join us for a fun session that will explore who's who and what's what at Valencia. Topics include Valencia's academic programs, services, facilities, image and role in the community. Friday, March 10, 1-5 p.m., East Campus, room 5-112, registration code: GNEO310E.

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 with an increased understanding of and appreciation for our similarities and differences. Friday, March 10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Winter Park Campus, room 224-226, registration code: PCOB3.

To register for Leadership Valencia classes and for more information go to http://valenciacc.edu/leadership.

Tutors Needed

The West Campus Tutoring Center is in need of tutors for all subject areas, especially accounting, algebra, math (all levels), statistics, all computer courses and English. Interested students can apply at the tutoring center, located in SSB-248. Positions pay $6.15 per hour. For more information, please contact Ronald Woodruff, ext 1249.

Hello and Goodbye

A warm Valencia welcome is extended to Carrie Driscoll, Manager, Product Development, Sand Lake Center, mc 8-1, ext. 6655 and Leonides Reyes, Business Office Coordinator, Winter Park Campus, mc 5-2, ext. 6894.

A fond farewell and best wishes to Mary Sugier, who is retiring February 28.

Thank you

On behalf of my family, I would like to express our sincere thanks for the support, comforting words, flowers, cards and sympathy during the loss of our mother. Words cannot express how blessed we feel to see such a beautiful act and outpouring love on your part during this difficult time. Thanks Valencia family for your support, encouragement and most important of all, your prayers. May God bless you.

                                 Love,
                                 Carmen Perez & 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.