Vol. XXXVI, No. 21

June 11, 2007

This Week at Valencia

Monday June 11

Student Affairs Leadership Team, 10 a.m., Winter Park Campus, 108

Wednesday, June 13

College Operations Council, 9:15 a.m., East Campus, 3-113

College Curriculum Committee, 2 p.m., West Campus, 6-202

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

Thursday, June 14

Faculty Senate

•  West Campus, 1:15 p.m., 6-202

•  Osceola Campus, 1:30 p.m., 2-237

An Important Hurricane Message From Administrative Services

Florida 's hurricane season began a few days ago and will last through November 30. I write to remind you about our hurricane policies and procedures and to ask you to join me in preparing for the 2007 hurricane season.

The National Hurricane Center warns that some part of Florida typically is threatened by a hurricane or tropical storm each year and provides information about hurricanes and other severe weather on its Web site at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ . During any threatening weather and hurricane season, the College monitors this site and notifies others as necessary.

If a serious storm or hurricane threatens our region, we may decide to cancel classes or close campuses. If we do cancel classes or close the College, we will place information on the College's Web site and disseminate details to local television and radio outlets. We also provide additional information and other preparedness links on our Web site to better assist you.

When a serious situation arises, we will strive to provide adequate warning to all students, faculty and staff. As in the past, we will use the West Campus Security office as our Emergency Operations Center to coordinate mission critical services.

We encourage everyone to begin preparation now so that you will be ready if the need arises. Now is a good time to stock up and take advantage of the tax benefits, which will be in effect until June 12. We have taken the first step for you by providing the following Web links:

Orange County

• www.orangecountyfl.net
• https://ocalert.net (new)

Seminole County

• www.seminolecountyfl.gov/dps/em

Osceola County

• www.osceola.org

Lake County

• www.lakegovernment.com

National Hurricane Center

•   www.noaa.gov

Department of Homeland Security

•   www.fema.gov

News from Procurement

With the upcoming fiscal year end and the start of new finance software, Procurement will have a cut off date for all purchases. Mark your calendars for close of business on Friday, June 22 to make all your purchases in the current fiscal year. All items must be received by June 29 in order for them to be paid out of the 06/07 budget. It is necessary to have a cut-off date this year to ensure a smooth transition between Oracle and Banner.

New postal rates went into effect May 14:

•  First class rate envelopes (6" x 9" or 9.25" x 4")are now 41 cents for the first ounce and 17 cents for each additional ounce

•  First class rate large flat envelopes (12" x 9") are now 80 cents for the first ounce and 17 cents for each additional ounce

•  First-class rate packages start at $1.13 for the first ounce and 17 cents for each additional ounce

•  Priority mail flat rate envelopes are now $4.60

The new rates are based, not on weight alone as before, but also on the shape of the package. Mail Services would like to remind everyone of some strategies that will help save on postage costs. For example, if the contents of a first class large envelope (12" x 9") are folded and placed in a letter-sized envelope (9 ½" x 4" or 6" x 9"), the postage can be reduced by as much as 39 cents per piece. If the contents of a first class package are laid out to fit into a large envelope (12" x 9"), the postage is reduced by 33 cents per piece.

Remember to write your departmental name and mail code on all outgoing mail. By doing this simple step the mail services staff will not have to open the mail to try and determine the original sender when a piece is undeliverable or returned. Occasionally, we have returned mail that even after opening, the sender cannot be determined. A return mail code on outgoing mail will greatly speed the return delivery process. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us to operate your mail services as efficiently as possible. Please call Yolanda Ortiz at ext.1755 if you have any questions.

Need a rental to use on your summer vacation? You can use the contract that Valencia has established with Enterprise Rental Car. The rates listed on our Web site are strictly for Florida travel, but you will receive a discount with Enterprise in any US city. Reference the contract number when ordering on-line. Personal credit cards need to be used for personal use. Additional information can be found at http://valenciacc.edu/procurement/facultystaff.asp.

Upcoming Leadership Valencia Workshops

Basic Banner, Banner Finance Self Service, and Banner for Budget Management - Please check the online calendar for the availability of these classes.

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. This session is sponsored by the Career Staff Council. June 12, 2-4:30 p.m., Winter Park Campus, Room 226, registration code: PLTTIP.

Identity Theft - 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, and if you still use the mailbox red flag, then you will want to attend this session. June 13, 2-3 p.m., West Campus, Room HSB-107, registration code: GIT.

Circles of Belonging - Ever wonder what makes a person tick? Individual experiences play a huge part in shaping the way 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. June 14, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., CJI, Room 100, registration code: PCOB2.

Student Travel Procedures - Do you ever anticipate traveling with students to conferences, field trips, meetings, or other events? If so, this workshop will offer information related to the policies and procedures for student travel. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in Q&A with seasoned student travel leaders. Come with your questions to learn from their experiences. This session is sponsored by Collegewide Student Development. June 19, 1-2 p.m., East Campus, Room 5-112, registration code: LSTP.

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. Choose from one of the following:

•  June 19, 1-2:30 p.m., Winter Park Campus, Room 225-226, registration code: PASL3

•  June 26, 1-2:30 p.m., East Campus, Room 3-113, registration code: PASL4.

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. June 21, 1-2:30 p.m., Osceola Campus, Room 1-172, registration code: LD101-4.

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? June 27, 1-2:30 p.m., East Campus, Room 5-112, registration code: LDE3.

The New Microsoft Office 2007 Inter face - This workshop will introduce attendees to the new Microsoft Office 2007 Ribbon interface, as well as exploring features such as the MS office button, contextual tabs and SmartArt Graphics. June 28, 1-3 p.m., Osceola Campus, Room 2-142, registration code: TNMOI-1.

New Full-Time Employees Corrections

Scott Bianconi, financial aid clerk, Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs, West SSB-201, mc 4-17, ext. 1168

Kimberly Wohl , accounting clerk II, General Accounting, DTC-300, mc DTC-3, ext. 3308

A Fond Farewell and Best Wishes to

Susan Meade, professor, Dental Hygiene, West Campus, retiring 6/19/07

Submissions to the Bulletin should be directed to Mary Jane Jones in the Marketing and Media Relations office. Deadline for submission is 5 p.m. on Tuesday to be included in the following Monday's publication. Mary Jane can be reached at ext.1017, mc 4-34 or mjjones@valenciacc.edu