Vol. XXXVI, No. 12

April 9, 2007

This Week at Valencia

Monday, April 9

Student Affairs Leadership Team, 10 a.m., East Campus, TBD

Tuesday, April 10

Strategic Budget Initiative Evaluation Session, 3 p.m., East Campus, 4-212B

Wednesday, April 11

College Operations Council, 9:15 a.m., West Campus, 6-202B

College Curriculum Committee, 2 p.m., East Campus, 3-113

Learning Evidence Team, 2:30 p.m., East Campus, TBD

Thursday, April 12

Faculty Senate
East Campus, 1 p.m., 3-113
West Campus, 1:15 p.m., 6-202
Osceola Campus, 1:30 p.m., 2-237

Commencement Ceremonies

Commencement ceremonies will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2007, at Silver Spurs Arena, Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee . The commencement ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. Please allow adequate travel time.

All ceremony participants are to wear full academic regalia and report to room number 157, between 9-9:30 a.m. at the Silver Spurs Arena. Staff will be available at the main entrance to direct you to this room.

Please remember that a ticket is necessary for each family member, including children, regardless of age. If you wish to obtain tickets for guests, please contact Paula Kerr, administrative assistant, Admissions and Records, extension 1506.

Valencia Foundation Announces Endowed Chair for Learning Leadership Recipients

Congratulations to the following distinguished professors and scholars, who have been awarded a Valencia Foundation 2007-2008 Endowed Chair for Learning Leadership.

Category I

Sue Luzadder Chair in Communications: Linda Anthon

Lockheed Martin Chair in Mathematics: Melissa Pedone   

Lockheed Martin Chair in Science: Lisa Macon

University Club of Orlando Chair in Humanities: Troy Gifford

Patricia Havill Whalen Chair in Social Sciences: Mark Guillette

Wayne Densch Chair in Geriatrics: Susan Stone

Abe and Tess Wise Chair in the Study of the Shoah: Paul Licata

Category II

University Club of Orlando Chair in Advanced Computer Technology: Heith Hennel

Hubbard Construction Company Chair in Technical and Engineering Programs: Andrew Ray

Bank of America Eminent Scholar Chair in Humanities: Tracy Harrison

Raymer F. Maguire, Jr. Endowed Chair in Communications: Christie Pickeral

Jessie and Eugene Drey Chair in English and Humanities: Ilyse Kusnetz

Hunton Brady Pryor Maso Architects Chair in Hospitality Management: Pierre Pilloud

Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association Chair in Hospitality Management: Jim Inglis

Maguire Family Teacher Endowed Chair: Tami Rogers and Patricia Woodbery

The Foundation is re-opening the application process for the remaining 25 chairs that were not awarded and which have a total value of $65,200. The guidelines, application and list of available chairs can be found on the foundation's Web site at http://www.valencia.org/ . The application deadline is May 9, 2007 and questions can be directed to Becky Gallup in College & Community Relations, ext. 3218.

Strategic Planning Update for March 29, 2007

The strategic planning effort continues to move forward, with significant events scheduled for April - October, and additional opportunities for anyone interested to get involved, highlighted in bold italics in this update.

But first, check out this cool video on-line. Did you know that China will soon become the number one English-speaking country in the world? Or that it is projected that the top ten jobs in demand in 2010 did not even exist in 2004, according to former U. S. Secretary of Education Riley? To see a very compelling presentation about the changes happening all around us even as you read this sentence, go to our strategic planning web site and click on the YouTube video you will find there (http://valenciacc.edu/strategicplan/bigmtg030207.htm).Planning means thinking about the future, and thinking not just locally, but globally. This video helps us to realize the enormity of the changes happening in our world.

Vision, Values, and Mission

The Strategic Plan is based on our statements of vision, values, and mission. A collegewide discussion of our current Vision, Values, and Mission statements was held on Learning Day, October 31, 2006.

New versions of these important statements were developed by a Task Force led by David Rogers. The Task Force met with groups across the college and circulated drafts for comment.

A draft was shared with the College Planning Committee on March 26, 2007.

The Planning Committee commended the Task Force for its work, noting the collaborative processes used, and asked that a final version be developed in April, incorporating the Committee's comments. This will be circulated collegewide for comment in late April.

The next version will be considered on April 26 by the College Planning Committee, and subsequently, a final version will be recommended to the President.

Big Meeting

The "Big Meeting" was held March 2, with over 140 people attending.

At the "Big Meeting" we identified key strategic issues that must be resolved if we are to meet our mission, and we named areas of focus for strategic goals.

A Task Force is now working to refine the lists of strategic issues and goals, and will present a draft list to the College Planning Committee on April 27.

The strategic goals and issues lists developed at the Big Meeting will be available for you to read starting in April on the Strategic Planning web site, under the Big Meeting tab (http://valenciacc.edu/strategicplan/bigmtg030207.htm)

Please feel free to share your thoughts with any member of the team that is working to refine these statements. Members include: Amy Bosley, Tom Byrnes, Kurt Ewen, Liz Gombash, Sonya Joseph, Susan Kelley, David Rogers and Michael Shugg.

Establishing Goals, Strategies and Objectives

It is anticipated that the lists of strategic issues and strategic goals will be finalized with input from the College Planning Committee on April 27, 2007.

The Planning Committee will work with the President to assign the strategic goals to governing councils.

The councils will work through Goal Teams to develop objectives and list strategies. This work will start in May and is scheduled to extend into the fall term. The goals, objectives and strategies will form the heart of the strategic plan.

If you are interested in serving on a Goal Team, please inform Susan Kelley (skelley@valenciacc.edu) or any member of the Communications Task Force. As soon as the list of goals is available, it will be shared so that you might decide on which Goal Team you would like to serve.

Evaluation Task Force

The Evaluation Task Force has started work on methods of evaluating the strategic plan each year as it is implemented, during 2008-13. Tom Byrnes is the Task Force convener. If you are interested in joining those who are serving on this Task Force, please contact Tom at ext. 1353, or tbyrnes@valenciacc.edu .

Communications Task Force

You are reading this because a member of the Communications Task Force made sure it found its way to you! Check out photos of some of the members at http://valenciacc.edu/strategicplan/employee-index.html How many of these faces can you identify?

Communications Task Force contacts are also featured on posters that were placed around the campuses in March. Look for these on your campus!

The Task Force continues to assist in updating the strategic planning web site www.valenciacc.edu/strategicplan, placing updates in the Bulletin, sending out e-mail communications, providing information to be shared in staff and council meetings. The members are also scheduling opportunities to share information and draft work products with students and the community, and to receive their feedback.

If you are interested in serving on the Communications Task Force, contact Karen Blondeau, convener, at ext. 1601, or at kblondeau@valenciacc.edu

Goals, Strategies and Objectives Task Force

This Task Force will develop the strategic goals and issues statements and assist the Goal Teams and the governing councils in coordinating the work of developing objectives and strategies for each of the strategic goals.

The initial members of the task force were recruited to help write the strategic goals after the "Big Meeting". Those members include: Amy Bosley, Tom Byrnes, Kurt Ewen, Liz Gombash, Sonya Joseph, Susan Kelley, David Rogers, and Michael Shugg. But, more members are needed, so this is your chance to get involved!

We are actively recruiting members for this Task Force, which is expected to complete its work in November 2007. If you are interested in more information about the Task Force or want to volunteer to serve, contact Susan Kelley at ext. 2969, or e-mail skelley@valenciacc.edu

College Planning Committee

The Committee is the group charged by the President with making decisions about the content of the strategic plan. You can access the meeting agendas and minutes at: http://valenciacc.edu/strategicplan/committee.htm

The Committee welcomed Brenda Jones as a new member representing career service staff, at its March 26 meeting. The full list of members may be found at: http://valenciacc.edu/strategicplan/committee.htm

In an effort to empower employees to take control of their health, the Valencia wellness program is introducing a walking program. Research shows that making and sustaining small, measurable changes to daily eating and activity routines can have a positive impact on health and effectively stop weight gain. Further, studies suggest that by implementing a worksite physical activity program and promoting a culture of activity, companies can: increase productivity, reduce absenteeism, lower turnover and reduce healthcare costs. A healthier workplace helps employees live healthier, longer lives.

Get started soon and don't forget to participate in National Walk at Lunch Day on April 18. Wear your sneakers to work and get moving!! For more information, visit our Web site at http://valenciacc.edu/wellness/. Please note in the last issue of the Bulletin the date was incorrect for this event.

Voices of Valencia Seeks Former Members for Reunion Weekend

The Voices of Valencia, who are currently celebrating their 10th year, are seeking former members who would like to participate in the 10-Year Reunion Concert to be held Saturday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center . The Voices of Valencia and any members of the choir will be presenting VOV REWIND and will be performing a song from each of their 10 years of singing, along with a special surprise piece to be announced at the concert. Anyone who desires to sing in this performance will need to attend a rehearsal on the morning of the concert at 10:00 a.m. There is NO COST to attend this rehearsal/concert. For those former members who would also like to attend the VOV Reunion Banquet, it will be held on Friday, April 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the East Stoney Brook Club House. The cost to attend is $40 per person. Please RSVP by April 10 to attend. For more information or to RSVP please contact the Founder/Director of VOV: James C. Jones at vov@rightnote.com . There will be free gifts to all attendees.

Voices of Valencia to Hold Summer Seminar Series

The Voices of Valencia will be offering a summer of seminars, training and team building this summer. As part of this summer course offering, the Voices of Valencia is sponsoring special training and special guest conductors to prepare for their upcoming Fall/Spring Season 2007-2008. If you would like to be a part of this Summer Session, register for MUN 1311, CRN# 31715. Class starts May 8, from 7-9 p.m., East Campus 3-124.Valencia Acappella ChoralE- for the BEST in A Cappella, featuring Mixed, Female and Male ensembles, please contact Mr. Jones RNP@rightnote.com

Important Human Resource Information For all 10-Month Faculty

There are 26 pay periods in the academic year 2007-2008. All 10-month faculty have the option of having their base salary disbursed in 22 payments over ten months, based on academic appointment, or in 26 payments over twelve months. Once the first payroll for the academic year is processed, this option cannot be changed until the next academic year .

Human Resources has revised the way we communicate the opportunity for faculty to change their salary payment option for the coming academic year. We will post a notice, similar this one, in the Bulletin but faculty will no longer receive a mailing at their home address regarding this subject. This change will improve efficiency, save postage and trees, and reduce the number of unsolicited offerings received by mail.

All 10-month faculty will continue to have the June/July window to revise their salary payment option for the coming academic year. Faculty who wish to make a change will be required to complete a form, available online at the HR Web site, and submit it to Human Resources no later than July 31. Changes are then effective for the first payday in the new academic year.

Please contact Vicki Nelson at ext.8031 if you have any questions.

Dr. Tami Rogers , nursing professor, is a contributing editor and academic reviewer in a recently released textbook by Lemone and Burke, Medical-Surgical Nursing Critical Thinking in Client Care, 4th Edition, published by Pearson Prentice Hall, copyright 2008.

Dr. Tami Rogers and Susan Stone , nursing professors have published an article entitled: "The Sage on the Stage vs. the Wire Head: A New Paradigm for Nursing Education" in the March issue of Dean's Notes , a publication of the National Student Nurses' Association for Nursing School Deans, Administrators and Faculty. This article discusses the introduction of technology and on-line techniques used to enhance and facilitate student education versus the use of standard lecture.

Office & Medical Office Administration Professors Betty Wanielista and Elizabeth Baab attended the 2007 Outstanding Business Technology Awards Student Recognition Ceremony on March 29 in support of Valencia award recipients, Cissy K. Reindah l and Michael L. Ankeny , East Campus, and Theresa Welsch and Michael Gyurnek , West Campus. The event was sponsored by the Orange County Business Technology Education Association and hosted at Edgewater High School .