Vol. XXXVI, No. 19

May 29, 2007

This Week at Valencia

Wednesday, May 30

NISOD Awards Recipient Luncheon, 12 noon, Citrus Club

The Black & Red, 6 p.m., Embassy Suites-Downtown

District Board of Trustees Meeting Summary

Valencia President Sanford Shugart recognized Valencia 's Brain Bowl Team who won the national championship against teams from Dartmouth and other universities. In attendance were Brain Bowl coaches and Professors Chris Borglum, Lois McNamara and Boris Nguyen, student members of the red team (number one in nation) and students from the black team (number three in nation). The students included Taz Zifos, Jaclyn Constantine, Carrie Nieroda-Kraus, Mark Prather, Lane Silberstein, Ian Mackenzie and Tristan Byars.

Also recognized by Dr. Shugart were Tom Byrnes, political science professor and outgoing Faculty Association president, who is retiring after 35 years at Valencia; incoming Faculty Association President and English Professor Rose Watson; Faculty Association President-Elect and theatre professor Michael Shugg, and retiring counselor Julia Ribley, who is responsible for producing the college catalog and is believed to be the longest serving employee at Valencia.

Reports

Valencia Enterprises - Joe Battista, chief operating officer of Valencia Enterprises, introduced the board to Paul Minerd, executive vice president of sales and operations for ProSource, a national flooring company with local franchises. Valencia Enterprises designed a leadership development program for Minerd's sales team under the direction of Carolyn McMorran, senior performance consultant for Valencia Enterprises. Following Mr. Minerd's account of his satisfaction with Valencia Enterprises consulting and performance improvement services, Mr. Battista gave a presentation on Valencia Enterprises' financial status, recent successes and reorganization.

Strategic Planning Update - Susan Kelley, vice president for Institutional Advancement and co-chair of the College Planning Council, presented an update on the development of a strategic plan for 2008-2013. She said that the council should have strategic goals finalized in late June and will then establish measurable objectives for each goal. The Strategic Plan is scheduled for completion this fall when it will be presented to the board.

Quarterly Financial Indicators - Keith Houck, vice president, Administrative Services, reported that the college's finances were in good shape, highlighting an increase in student fee receipts due to the college extending the registration period for the summer terms, and an $85,000 rebate from use of the P-Card, almost double the rebate of last year ($47K).

Kirkman Property Briefing - Mr. Houck gave a presentation on the two parcels of land that front Kirkman Road outside of the West Campus perimeter road that the college is interested in selling to provide additional funding for facilities. After some discussion on the appraisals obtained for the land and zoning issues, the decision was made to postpone moving forward with putting the property up for sale until the June board meeting, where the college would invite its consultants to provide additional information to the board.

Construction Report - Mr. Houck provided a written report on the approval of a design for Building 10 ( Signature Building ) on West Campus. No oral report was given.

Faculty Association Report - Mr. Byrnes said that the Faculty Council continues to work on implementing their plans for faculty professional development and are making refinements to the process of tenure review. He added that they recently approved a number of policies and procedures including a student code of conduct.

Valencia Foundation Report - Valencia Trustee Raymer Maguire reported that the Valencia Foundation has received $13 million in private gifts, which with matching funds would total $18 million toward the Foundation's first capital campaign. The capital campaign will begin its public phase in the next three to four months once a steering committee has been recruited for this effort. Mr. Maguire also said foundation board members were in the process of developing a strategic plan for 2008-2013 in keeping with the college's strategic planning process.

President's Report - Valencia President Sanford Shugart began his report by sharing a recent article from the New York Times which listed Valencia as one of "the nation's best community colleges." Moving on to the legislative report, Dr. Shugart said it was a good session for Valencia in terms of operating dollars. The real news, he said, however, was in terms of PECO funding. The president characterized it as the "best PECO year we have ever had," thanks to the work of Senator Daniel Webster who was instrumental in helping Valencia counter proposed cuts and secure funding for three new buildings on the West Campus including a joint-use facility with UCF, the Building 10 "Signature Building" and Mod 8. The president ended his remarks by thanking Bill Mullowney, college counsel, who had one of his best sessions ever, and by recognizing Joyce Romano, vice president, Student Affairs, and the people she represents, for pulling off another great commencement ceremony on May 5.

New Business

Kirkman Parcel A & B - Discussion was postponed until the June board meeting.

Consent Agenda

Approved under a consent agenda were the following new business items: 2007-2008 college catalog changes; 2007-2008 student and lab fees; safety and security fee implementation plan; energy performance contract; various amended policies; various deleted policies; additions, deletions or modifications of courses and programs; Valencia Enterprises courses and fees; Human Resources agenda; submission of grant proposals and property deletion.

Budget Workshop

Following its regular board meeting, the trustees conducted their 2007-2008 budget workshop.

Internal Search for 4-Month SLS Faculty Opening at Osceola Campus

If you have a Master's Degree, experience teaching student life and study skills, and would like to be considered for a 4-month SLS 1122 teaching position for Fall and Spring Terms 200708 at the Osceola Campus, please submit your resume and a statement of interest to Interim SLS Director Mary Allen via email at mallen@valenciacc.edu or interoffice mail at mail code 3-24 no later than June 6. For more details, contact SLS Administrative Assistant Myrna Figueroa at extension 2802, or mfigueroa@valenciacc.edu.

Procurement News

Mail Services - The mailing process of the college is NOT for personal use in accordance to Policy 6Hx28:4-09. Any personal business should be handled and paid for at a local post office on your time.

Preferred Suppliers - There are a lot of vendors (a.k.a. pesky salespersons) that are calling individual departments attempting to sell toner cartridges and other consumable items. They are not from our preferred supplier list and are not the best value or in the best interest of the college. Please refer all such calls to the procurement office at ext. 5532. College Policy (6Hx28:04-04) states that agents, sales persons, and solicitors shall not be permitted on campus to distribute literature, solicit funds, or sell to faculty, staff, students, or campus organizations without specific approval by the president or an authorized designee. If you are having a problem with a supplier, please let Procurement know so we can document such behavior.

Procurement Card Use and Sales Tax - Procurement card holders are reminded that the college is State of Florida sales tax exempt. Our tax exempt number is embossed on the front of the card for easy reference. You can also find a copy of the college's tax exempt certificate on the Procurement website at http://www.valenciacc.edu/procurement/vendor.asp. It is recommended that cardholders inform vendors of the college's status before finalizing any sale to avoid instances of improperly charged tax. Any unresolved sales tax issues, depending on the circumstance, may be the responsibility of the applicable cardholder.

With these Upcoming Leadership

Valencia Workshops

Basic Banner, Banner Finance Self Service, and Banner for Budget Management - Please check for availability prior to registering for any of these classes as many are filled.

Distracted Driving: Expect the Unexpected - Attend this informative workshop to learn how to become a defensive driver. This session will sharpen your skills and hone awareness for this common activity while preparing you for the upcoming summer rainy season. May 23, 2-3 p.m., West Campus, Room HSB-211, registration code: GDRIVE

Disability Etiquette - Learn the answers to common disability etiquette questions. Should you offer to open the door for a person using a wheelchair? Is it ever okay to pet a service dog? How should you communicate with a student who has a hearing or vision impairment? When should you refer a student with a disability to the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD)? These questions and more will be discussed. Please choose from one of the following:

•  May 30, 2-3:30 p.m., Osceola Campus, Room 1-172, registration code: LDE1

•  June 5, 1-2:30 p.m., West Campus, Room HSB-120, registration code: LDE2

Disability 101: Student Learning and Accommodations - Have you ever wondered about disability issues? What different disabilities may challenge a student's learning? What are your rights and responsibilities concerning students with disabilities? Join us to find out how the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) determines students' eligibility and accommodations. Some highlights include an overview of the Office for Students with Disabilities services; disabilities and how learning is impacted; accommodation decision-making and related processes; rights and responsibilities; and legal implications of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please choose from one of the following:

•  May 31, 1-2:30 p.m., East Campus, Room 5-112, registration code: LD101-2

•  June 6, 1-2:30 p.m., Winter Park Campus, Room 115, registration code: LD101-3

American Sign Language Survival Skills: Surviving as an EARthling in a Deaf World - Would you like to be more comfortable interacting with someone who is deaf? This session will provide basic American Sign Language survival signs and techniques to communicate effectively. Please choose from one of the following:

•  June 6, 1-2:30 p.m., Osceola Campus, Room 1-171, registration code: PASL1

•  June 7, 1-2:30 p.m., West Campus, Room HSB-120, registration code: PASL2

Institutional Review Board Process - A workshop to train faculty and staff in the college's new Institutional Review Board (IRB) process. Please note that this date is tentative. June 6, 1-4 p.m., East Campus, Room 8-105D, registration code: PIRBP-3

Investing Basics - 20 Tips for Becoming a Smart Investor - This forum for discussion will not make you a top stock picker, or provide 'insider's information'. Rather, attendees will learn about and discuss financial planning and the balancing of risk and reward as well as help deciding on a personal investment policy statement. This session will discuss methods, as determined by the Financial Planning Association, to become a well-informed investor. Bring your favorite beverage; a free box lunch will be served. Sponsored by American Association for Women in Community Colleges. June 7, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., East Campus, Room 3-113, registration code: GIB20

Listen or Thy Tongue Will Keep You Deaf - This practical workshop, based on an old Indian proverb, will focus on the importance of listening in our daily jobs. An overview of the Myers Briggs Indicator will help attendees understand personality types and how they can impact listening skills. As an avenue for discussion, attendees will receive a copy of Listen Up written by Larry Barker and Kittie Watson. Sponsored by the Career Staff Council. June 12, 2-4:30 p.m., Winter Park Campus, Room 226, registration code: PLTTIP

To register for all Leadership Valencia classes please go to http://valenciacc.edu/leadership/

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.

Payroll Reminders

Is your W-4 up to date? You may need to file an amended W-4 form, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate, if your filing status, exemption allowances or exempt status has changed since the last W-4 you filed.

If you need to make a change, the W-4 form can be picked up in the finance offices on each campus or contact the payroll department at ext. 8160.

Do you have direct deposit? Did you know that employees who use direct deposit enjoy these benefits?

•  access their entire paycheck on payday

•  save up to 26 hours per year not standing in check cashing line

•  are paid when on vacation or out of the office

•  never worry about a lost paycheck

Contact Payroll Services at ext. 8160 to sign up.