December 9, 2008

NEWS: Trust Miguel


I'm officially a candidate for the Johnson County Community College Board of Trustees -- again. Follow my progress on my new campaign blog:
TRUST MIGUEL

November 21, 2008

NEWS: Trustee on Trustee Action

All-a-Board
JCCC Trustees name Melody Rayl to fill vacant position

The Johnson County Community College Board of Trustees selected a new member last night. They also voted to expand the board by adding an additional seat bringing the total number of trustees to seven.
Editor's Note: I was a finalist for the trustee position and will post my experience soon. However, I will say that I'm proud the college selected an individual, Meldoy Rayl, who has a campus connection that included working with students.
Posted last night on the JCCC electronic mail server, Infolist:
Trustee search process
Melody L. Rayl, Olathe, was appointed to fill the vacancy on the board of trustees at Johnson County Community College. Rayl, an attorney with Bryan Cave, LLP, and a former assistant professor in the administration of justice program at JCCC, will complete the term of Virginia Krebs, who resigned from the board in October. The term expires June 30, 2009.
The trustees interviewed eight candidates, selected from among 13 applicants for the board seat, following the regular monthly meeting. The other candidates were Laura S. Byrne-Harris, Leawood; William A. Dean, Overland Park; Ronnie Metsker, Overland Park; Michael M. Morales, Olathe; Kurtis M. Ruf, Overland Park; Mary R. Tearney, Leawood; and Sandra K. Willsie, Overland Park.
The candidates each had five minutes to present themselves to the board, and the trustees had 10 minutes to ask each candidate questions. Rayl will join the board at the next regularly scheduled meeting Dec. 11.
“Undeniably this is one of the best community colleges in the nation,” Rayl said. “I will be able to bring to the board experience in oversight and steering. The board is accountable to the community, seeing that their needs are served.”
Seventh board member
The trustees passed a resolution stating their intention to add a seventh member to the board. The trustees began discussions about the change in governance structure two years ago. With formal and informal input from the community, the board weighed the fact that the county has grown significantly in population and complexity over the last 40 years and came to consensus that the inclusion of a seventh board member would provide an additional and valuable community voice.
A resolution describing the board’s intent to adopt the new governance structure requires publication for three consecutive weeks in local newspapers. The notification process allows for a protest period, whereby qualified electors of the college district opposed to the change could submit a petition to call for the matter to be decided by a county-wide election. If no such petition is received within 30 days of the final notice publication, the position for seventh board member would be on the ballot for the spring 2009 board of trustee elections. The seventh trustee would take a seat on the board in July 2009.

November 7, 2008

NEWS: JCCC Holds its Seat

When Charles Carlsen stepped down as president of Johnson County Community College following allegations of unlawful harassment, the college's status in the prestigious League for Innovation fell into question.

After a year-long affirmation process that included site visits and meetings with the JCCC Board of Trustees, the League announced JCCC will keep its status in the League.

Posted on the Johnson County Community College electronic mail server, Infolist:
JCCC RETAINS ITS LEAGUE FOR INNOVATION BOARD SEAT
Overland Park, Kan. – Johnson County Community College will retain its seat on the board of directors of the prestigious League for Innovation in the Community College. The League for Innovation’s board of directors consists of the chief executive officers of 19 member institutions. League board members serve for as long as they remain the chief executive officer of a League member institution. When a college CEO changes, the college must go through a reaffirmation process to retain its place on the board.
The League for Innovation in the Community College is an international organization dedicated to catalyzing the community college movement. The League hosts conferences and institutes, develops Web resources, conducts research, produces publications, provides services, and leads projects and initiatives with member colleges, corporate partners, and other agencies. For more information about the League, see www.league.org. JCCC has been a League board member since 1978.

November 3, 2008

NEWS: Ledger Earns Top J-Prize

One for the Ledger

The Campus Ledger earned top honors at the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) and College Media Adviser (CMA) National College Media Convention in Kansas City, Nov. 1.
The Ledger, celebrating it's 30th year, brought home the Pacemaker award for excellence in collegiate journalist. Since 1927, the Pacemaker has been the highest honor available to ACP members and is considered the Pulitzer Prize of college media.
Twenty-five newspapers earned the Pacemaker. Judges from The St. Petersburg Times selected 48 entries for recognition out of 241 entries in three categories.
According to ACP newspaper finalists were selected based on excellence in the following areas:
  • Coverage and content
  • Quality of writing and editing
  • Leadership on the opinion page
  • Evidence of in-depth reporting
  • Layout and design
  • Photography, art and graphics.
Later in the fall, the ACP webpage will feature links to publication images and comments from the judges.
ACP is a division of the National Scholastic Press Association, a non-profit education organization which strives to educate and recognize the work of student journalists, to improve the quality of student media and to foster careers in media.

October 28, 2008

COMMENTARY: J Advice for new Prez

Guarding our Watchdogs


Frank LoMonte, director of the Student Press Law Center penned a terrific column on the Education Advice for the New President blog.
In the column, "Protect Student Journalism," LoMonte wrote that today's student journalists face more challenges and carry more responsibility.

"With professional journalism outlets slashing staff, the watchdog role of student journalists in holding our schools accountable for their performance is more important than ever," he wrote.

I've made a few emergency calls to SPLC while a staffer on the student newspaper The Campus Ledger. I wouldn't have been able to investigate and publish my 13-month investigative story on the allegations of sexual harassment against my college president, who immediately stepped down and retired when the story broke.

Student journalists give voice to the campus community and ensure public business takes place in public. Thank goodness there is an organization like SPLC that strives to ensure the rights and voices of student journalists.

Become a fan of SPLC on facebook here.

October 21, 2008

COMMENTARY: College Employee Endorses Candidate

Walking on the Ledge:
JCCC should not approve this message



With the transitions going on at Johnson County Community College, it might be difficult for some to understand the influence and limitations of these new campus positions.

Take the case of Jerry Wolfskill, director of Public Safety, as he assumes more responsibility with the newly formed JCCC Police department.

Terry Calaway, president of JCCC, posted an item Sept. 15 on the college's electronic mail server, Infolist, noting Wolfskill's new responsibilities with the JCCCPD.

"I have asked Jerry Wolfskill to take on the added leadership role for the Campus Police department," he wrote. "He will work with Chief Ramirez to continue to assess all means needed to assure a safe environment for all on our campus.

"In his new role Mr. Wolfskill will work to expand opportunities with our community police and law enforcement entities and will assure, along with the chief, that officer training and community policing are of the highest priority."

I doubt Calaway meant for these expanded opportuntites to include endorsing political candidates. Yet, Wolfskill has done just that.

Frank Denning a candidate for Johnson County Sheriff lists Wolfskill's endorsement on his website.

While inappropriate, the endorsement does not violate college policy.

According to college policy 422.02, "All college personnel enjoy the rights and privileges of any free citizen in matters of a political nature. Employees shall not use time for which college pay is received, nor college property, students, school equipment or materials for the purpose of solicitation, promotion, election, or defeat of any candidate for public office or of passage or defeat of any election issue."
To my knowledge Wolfskill has not used college time, resources or students to promote Denning's candidacy. However, he is using college property -- it's name -- and by making a public endorsement, Wolfskill suggests to the public that JCCC supports Denning.

As a private citizens, Wolfskill and JCCC employees can advocate for whomever they wish. However as an official of the college, Wolfskill should retract his endorsement and the Board of Trustees should amend college policy to prohibit employees from using their titles to endorse political candidates or issues.

October 17, 2008

NEWS: Keeping Krebs

An Offer She Couldn't Refuse
Representative Dennis Moore (D-Kan.), a former JCCC trustee, and Virginia Krebs celebrate her 87th birthday at the college in 2006.

JCCC names Virginia Krebs, the college's first employee, it's first Trustee Emeritus

Last night Johnson County Community College trustees unanimously voted to grant former trustee, Virginia Krebs, Trustee Emeritus status.

"To me, Virginia is a lady of vision," said Shirley Brown-VanArsdale, board chair.

Brown-VanArsdale said Krebs approached her at the end of the board meeting last month, took her hand and said, " I'm really ready. I'm ready to retire."

Before the vote, trustees heard from representatives of the Faculty Association and the college's administration urging them to inaugurate the new position by selecting Krebs the first to hold the title, Trustee Emeritus.

"She's helped build a foundation for what the college is," said Mike Martin, president of the Faculty Association. "We hold her up in high honor and we request that you do as well."

"It seems fitting that as we celebrate our 40th anniversary that we also honor one who has been an integral part of Johnson County Community College for more than 40 years," said Jerry Baird, executive vice president, Administrative Services.

"As the newest member of the board, I was only privileged to serve with Virginia for one year," said Don Weiss, trustee. "I don't often have a brush with greatness but serving with her was certainly one of those."

Jon Steward, trustee, recalled working with Krebs in the college's alumni association. Stewart said he was grateful to not only serve with her as a trustee but that he had the opportunity to know her before he was seated on the board.

"Her passion, commitment and dedication to this college is amazing and will probably go unmatched," he said.

"She recognized the role that a single citizen can play in improving their community," said Lynn Mitchelson, trustee and vice chair.

Krebs served as trustee for six consecutive terms numbering over 23 years of service on the board.

WATCH the video from the board meeting here.

According to college policy 116.00, the position allows a former trustee to continue serving the college.

"Trustees are welcomed and encouraged to continue participating in college activities and will be provided invitations to special college activities and events," the policy reads.

However, the policy does not specify the extent to which a trustee emeritus may participate in board activities.

The board created the emeritus position in April. Early in the creation of the position, Benjamin Hodge, trustee, voiced concerns that the emeritus title could be used to reward cronies rather than individuals who served the college. The board adopted a provision that requires all acting trustees must vote unanimously in favor for an individual nominated to the position in order for the emeritus status to be granted.

The board also met in executive session to create a time line for appointing an interim trustee.

  • Candidates must submit applications by Nov. 10.
  • Trustees will select finalists Nov. 12.
  • Trustees will interview finalists at their monthly board meeting Nov. 20.
  • Trustees will seat an interim trustee at their monthly meeting Dec. 12.
DOWNLOAD the trustee application here.


*Krebs' letter of resignation (as read by Brown-VanArsdale):

Please accept this letter as my official notice of resignation from the Johnson County Community Board of Trustees [sic] effective September 25, 2008.

I have greatly enjoyed my involvement with the college over the last 40 years and I appreciate having had the opportunity to work with so many wonderful people. Thank you for the support, guidance and encouragement you have provided me during my time at JCCC.

Even though I will miss my colleagues and and the college, I know the college is in good hands and the future of JCC [sic] is very bright.


Sincerely,

Virginia Krebs

**Trustee meeting summary (posted to the Johnson County Community College electronic mail server, Infolist):
The JCCC board of trustees met for their regular monthly meeting Oct. 16.

Trustee emeritus
Mike Martin, president of the Faculty Association, asked the board to honor long-time trustee Virginia Krebs, who has resigned from the board. Dr. Jerry Baird, executive vice president, Administrative Services, made the same request on behalf of the administration. The board voted to accept Mrs. Krebs’ resignation and to distinguish her as the first trustee emeritus. Trustee emeritus status may be granted to a former trustee who has demonstrated significant contributions to the college and the community as a trustee.

Awards and recognition
· Penny Shaffer, program director, Health and Human Services, was recognized for the $25,000 grant she received to fund a new advanced dementia care certificate program. The grant is from the International Longevity Center under the 2008 Community College Caregiver Training Initiative, funded by MetLife Foundation. The new 30-hour program will train family caregivers and in-home care workers to provide long-term home care services to older adults with cognitive deficits due to Alzheimer’s, dementia or stroke.
· Sara McElhenney and Claire Ehney from the Hiersteiner Child Development Center were also recognized. The center is one of the first early childhood programs to earn accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children – the nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals.
· Members of the Marketing Communications staff were honored for awards they received from District V of the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations. The awards received were gold, Stacy Boline and Ian Nance (poster series, related – International Homestay series); silver, Melanie Tull (poster series, related – 08-09 performing arts season) and Tim Barnhart and Peggy Graham (newsletter – Places) and bronze, Randy Breeden (special events – Master Chef series), Peggy Graham and Randy Breeden (magazine – People and Places at JCCC), and Bret Gustafson (color photo – Up and Under). Tyler Cundith was also recognized for 13 awards he received from the College Sports Information Directors Association, including five sports publications judged best in the nation. This year, JCCC was tied with Texas A&M for fourth overall in the country for sports publications awards, behind UCLA, Kentucky and Oklahoma.

Actions taken
· The board approved new courses in animation and practical nursing , course fee changes for the certified nurse aide program, an articulation agreement with Missouri University of Science and Technology and modifications to the content of the practical nursing program.
· The board approved the college’s participation in the Kansas Debt Setoff Program, which will enhance the collection of unpaid student accounts.
· The board approved a resolution authorizing signatories for fiscal year 2009 for a depository account for student loan payments with U.S. Bank. This account will function as a clearing account, with the balance being transferred monthly to the college’s main depository account at First National Bank of Olathe.
· The board agreed to renew the volume purchase agreement with Dell Computers for one year. The college benefits from the agreement through competitive pricing, decreased administrative and technical support, and reduced warehouse and storage requirements.
· The board approved hiring Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company Inc. to provide energy auditing services in an amount not to exceed $100,000. The audit will look at how the college can improve energy efficiency on campus, enhance building environmental controls, develop the implementation of sustainable operational practices, recognize LEED existing building certification opportunities and identify renewable technology demonstration practices.
· The board approved the purchase from Verizon Select Services Inc. for a call pilot system and the first year’s maintenance on the telephone switch at a cost of $194,873.46. This system will replace the current Meridian voice mail system that has reached the end of its useful life. The initial term of the contract for maintenance will be from Dec. 12, 2008, through Nov. 12, 2009. The contract is renewable for three additional years in one-year increments, upon the approval of both parties.
· The board approved the purchase from Blackboard Inc. of a one-card system at a cost not to exceed $85,489. The system will enable the college to issue cards to students, faculty and staff that can be used for identification purposes as well as financial transactions for areas such as the bookstore and dining services. It is anticipated that additional banking functionality may be added to this program in the future by contracting with a financial institution as a result of a separate competitive bidding process.
· The board approved the purchase of seven trucks for Campus Services from Midway Ford Truck Center at a cost of $139,297.16.
· The board approved the purchase of Adobe software and maintenance from En Pointe Technologies at a cost of $72,577.88 for use in computer labs and offices.
· The board approved the annual renewal of contracts for lamps with Voss Electric and Light Bulbs, Etc., for an annual expenditure not to exceed $80,000.
· The board approved the purchase from Infolink Consulting of implementation services for Cognos report-writing software at a cost of $50,903.
· The board also approved the purchase of two spectrometers for chemistry classes, track equipment, theatre equipment for Yardley Hall and Polsky Theatre, theater audio equipment, carpet for ATB and ITC, and theater lamps.

Trustee search process
The board discussed the search for new trustee during a workshop following the regular meeting. The board invites interested persons to fill Krebs’ vacancy and will announce the position in local newspapers. Persons interested in the position are asked to submit an application and a resume to the office of the president, Johnson County Community College, Attn: Dorothy Friedrich, vice president, policy and strategic initiatives. Applications may be picked up in the office of the president, room 112 of the General Education Building, and may also be found online at http://www.jccc.edu/home/depts.php/000001. (Internal note: The application will be posted Friday morning.)
Applications to fill Krebs’ vacancy on the JCCC board of trustees will be accepted until 5 p.m. Nov. 10.
The board will review the applications and narrow them to a list of final candidates at a special meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. Nov. 12.
The trustees will start their regular November meeting early on Nov. 20, at 4 p.m., to be followed by interviews with the candidates at 6 p.m.
The successful candidate will be seated at the regular monthly meeting Dec. 11.
The applicant chosen by the board will serve the remainder of Krebs’ term, which expires June 30, 2009.

Workshop
At the workshop following the regular meeting, the board also covered these topics:
  • A resolution regarding the addition of a seventh member to the board will be on the agenda for the November meeting.
  • The board also discussed facilities, including the proposed addition to the Library. The board met in executive session for 30 minutes to discuss matters related to real property and attorney-client privilege.
Next meeting
The next meeting of the JCCC board of trustees is at 5 p.m. Nov. 20 in the Hugh W. Speer Board Room, 137 GEB. Board of trustee meetings are open to the public. For more details, see a copy of the board packet at http://www.jccc.net/home/depts.php/000001/site/BoardMeetingInfo/JCCCBoardReports

October 15, 2008

NEWS: JCCC Connection to San Antionio CC Shooter

Community of Colleges
Library and President's office linked to Northeast Lakeview College

Yesterday's shooting at Northeast Lakeview College (NLC) in San Antonio, Texas provided multiple shocks for staff at the Billington Library in Overland Park, Kan.

Library Ties
The Johnson County Community College (JCCC) library staff found it difficult to learn of another campus shooting much less one that took place in a college library and was allegedly perpetrated by a librarian against another librarian. Yet for some staff, the name of the man police identified as the shooter left them stunned.

Alan Godin, the alleged assailant and librarian at NLC, is married to former JCCC librarian, Christine Godin.

Christine worked in the JCCC library from the mid-seventies until the late nineties when she joined the staff at North Vista College (NVC) in San Antonio, Texas, as director of Learning Resources. In June, Christine was promoted to Dean of Learning Resources.

Both NLC, where Alan worked as a librarian, and NVC, where Christine works, are two of the five colleges in the San Antonio Community College system. Christine also teaches theatre courses at NVC.

Second Connection
Eric Reno, president of NLC, where the shooting took place, applied for the presidency at JCCC in spring 2007 after JCCC's president, Charlse Carlsen, resigned amid allegations that he unlawfully harassed female employees. Reno visited JCCC for an interview with the college's Board of Trustees February 5-6, 2007.

Today the chancellor of the San Antonio Community College system posted this message on the system's webpage:
TO: The Alamo Community Colleges Family
FROM: Dr. Bruce Leslie, Chancellor
DATE: October 14, 2008
SUBJECT: Northeast Lakeview Shooting
Yesterday's tragic shooting at Northeast Lakeview College has deeply affected all of us, especially those who personally knew Donald Devin Zimmerman, as well as those who know his alleged assailant, Alan Godin.
On behalf of the entire Alamo Community Colleges' family, I would like to express our deepest sympathy and our condolences to Mr. Zimmerman's family, colleagues, students and friends and to the family of Mr. Godin. We will inform you about funeral arrangements and memorial services for Mr. Zimmerman when that information becomes available.

Counseling for Northeast Lakeview College faculty and staff is being offered at both Northeast Lakeview College campuses and at Northwest Vista College as well.

All classes at Northeast Lakeview college have been cancelled for today. Classes will resume Wednesday morning, October 15, at 8 a.m. Counseling for students will be available at both campuses when they return to their classes tomorrow.

We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

October 9, 2008

NEWS: Krebs on Krebs

The Campus Ledger's Matt Gallaway and Cameron Fletcher interviewed Fred Krebs, professor, History, and son of Virginia Krebs, trustee, who recently resigned her position.
"My mom's always been the shining light up there," he says in the audio interview.
Fred discusses his mother's stint as the college's first employee, her tenure as a trustee and what to expect in a replacement.
"We're gonna miss that -- not that sense of legacy -- but that sense of carrying out a trust with the community," he says.
Read
The Ledger story and listen to the audio interview
here.

October 8, 2008

NEWS: Trustee Vacancy Process

Julie Haas, executive director of Marketing Communications for Johnson County Community College, explained the process for selecting an interim trustee now that Virginia Krebs has submitted her resignation.

Haas posted this message on Johnson County Community College's Diversity Discussion Group listserv:
Carmaletta [Williams, executive director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion] and everyone, this is the process that will be used for filling the vacancy on the board of trustees.

Kansas statute spells out the procedure for appointing a new board member.

The board will first publish a legal notice in the newspapers announcing the vacancy and their intention to fill it.

Those interested in the vacant seat on the board can pick up an application from the president’s office and then return the completed application along with a resume to Dorothy Friedrich.

The board will review the applications, select a number to interview, interview those selected during a public meeting, and then choose someone to fill the seat.

The board will set the dates for when all this will occur at their regular monthly meeting next week (Oct. 16).
The Board's monthly meetings usually take place at 5 pm in the Hugh Speer board room (GEB 137) at JCCC. However the Oct. 16 meeting will begin at 4 pm. Board meetings are open to the public.

Board documents including reports, meeting minutes and videos of the meetings are available here.

October 3, 2008

BREAKING NEWS: Krebs Quits

Posted today on the college's electronic mail server, Infolist:
Virginia Krebs, Johnson County Community College’s first employee and a trustee since 1985, has resigned from the college’s board of trustees. The board will accept her resignation at their regular meeting Oct. 16.

The trustees will appoint someone to complete the rest of Kreb’s term, which ends June 30, 2009. Her seat on the board is up for election in April 2009. An announcement regarding the appointment process will be made at the trustee meeting.

“Virginia has been an inspiration to her fellow board members and the JCCC college community,” said Shirley Brown-VanArsdale, chair, JCCC board of trustees. “She recognized the dynamic role of the community college to be responsive to the needs of students and employers. Her knowledge and historic insights have been invaluable as we look to keep JCCC in the forefront of the community college movement.”
“Mrs. Krebs dedicated her life to the education of children and adults throughout Johnson County,” said Terry A. Calaway, JCCC president. “She truly was a leader in making JCCC one of the best community colleges in the United States. Our community is forever indebted to her and her family for all they’ve done to improve the quality of life in this county.”

Krebs spent a lifetime contributing to the community and to Johnson County Community College. She began on a small scale, as she helped establish the Crestview-Merriam PTA and served as its first president. Later, she served as the president of the Hocker Grove Junior High School PTA, president of the Shawnee Mission North High School PTA Council and president of the Shawnee Mission Area PTA Council. Her articulate and forceful support of public education in Johnson County earned her statewide recognition, and she was named program chairman for the Kansas State PTA.

In this position, she was able to help lead the movement for a number of key bond issues that began to establish the county’s public school infrastructure. This leadership role also gave her a broad perspective on the key issue of school consolidation, and she was appointed to state task forces responsible for revision of the state school code and the consolidation of area school districts. From this, the Shawnee Mission Unified School District was formed.

In 1963, following her PTA involvement, Krebs was appointed by the board of county commissioners to a task force charged with studying the feasibility of building a community college in Johnson County. She worked for three years on this task force, which organized the creation of the community college taxing district and put the issue to the voters. The proposal was approved 2-1 by Johnson County voters in 1967.

Krebs was urged by many in the community to run for the new college’s board of trustees, but she chose instead to become the college’s first employee, the assistant to the first board of trustees. She kept the official board records, was instrumental in helping the original board establish the philosophy and mission of the college, and helped the board hire the first college president. She and her late husband, Al, also helped the college find and occupy its first buildings in Merriam.

In 1969, Krebs was hired as the first director of community services at JCCC and figured prominently in the development of what became one of the largest and most successful continuing education programs in the Midwest. She helped identify needs and mobilize cooperation to create women’s programs, programs for senior county residents, a county-wide group to support the arts, a world affairs discussion program and family-oriented events, both educational and entertaining, and was instrumental in establishing cooperative agreements with community organizations. She retired in 1984.

In 1985, Krebs ran for JCCC’s board of trustees and won. She was then re-elected to the board for six consecutive terms, the last in April 2005. As a college trustee, she served as clerk, treasurer, vice chairman and chairman. She received the American Association of Community College’s regional trustee award in 1993 and the Regional Leadership Award from the National Council on Community Services and Continuing Education, Region VII, in 1996. She has been also been recognized by the American Association of Women in Community Colleges, which conferred on her its prestigious Woman of the Year Award. In 2004, she was named to the Mid-America Education Hall of Fame at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

# # #
Read Krebs' bio here

October 1, 2008

LIBRARY: Banned Books - Weak

Since it's Banned Books Week, I'm cloning my post from the Billington Library's JCCCLIB blog :
The book in question
Banned books usually make us think of inappropriate library materials at middle schools, maybe intense subject matter at high schools. Yet one would think a library on a college campus is immune; after all, this is where free thinking is encouraged.
That’s why I was surprised last spring when a patron demanded that the Billington Library ban a book. The book, Mapplethorpe, contained nude images along with other photographs.
She complained that children shouldn’t have acess to it.
I urged her to put that in our suggestion box.
But what I really wanted to say was, “Hello? Earth to crazy lady: this is a college library not childrens’ story hour at Borders.”
Materials at college libraries differs from those at public libraries because our primary charge is to provide materials that support courses. That matierial provide is selected to provoke thought, expand minds and facilitate discussions. Librarians work with instructors to procure material that enhances the required and suggested texts students purchase.
Sometimes that material is ugly, violent, sacrilegious or even naked.
If you can’t find material in a college library that offends you, then they aren’t doing their jobs.

September 17, 2008

INFOLIST: Title Wave

Editor's Note: I have something to say about this but I need to gather my facts ...

This message was posted on the college's electronic mail server, Infolist Sept. 15:
September 15, 2008 - Letter from President Calaway to JCCC Community
Just a few weeks have passed since we celebrated the start of the fall semester and the time is right to share several organizational adjustments which will take effect immediately. I have gathered input from the broad internal and external community and have considered that advice in light of my vision for our fine institution. As you have heard me share in the past my focus for our college will be laser-like on this agenda!
  1. Designing and implementing an outcomes based approach to curriculum and learning assessment that clearly and demonstrably improves learner knowledge.
  2. Implement an organizational and budgetary model which is equally focused on learning and funding of learning innovation initiative.
  3. Assure that a broad base of engagement opportunities are available to students and staff to support learners at all levels.
With the departure of Dr. Wayne Brown we were provided the opportunity to deeply consider the structure of our entire leadership function, how it supports learning and explore opportunities for our talented team in that arena. As a result of these factors I am pleased to share the following institutional enhancements.
First, as a result of his outstanding work and leadership within our college, I have asked Dr. Dana Grove to assume a restructured and expanded role, Executive Vice President, Educational Planning and Development/Chief Operating Officer. In this role he will continue to provide executive leadership for the following areas; Student Development, Workforce and Economic Development (formerly Continuing Education), Institutional Research, AQIP Accreditation, Institutional Strategic and Operational Planning, and Learner Engagement. He will also assume executive leadership for the College Information Services branch. Dr. Grove has provided outstanding leadership to our college and this dramatically expanded role will allow our college to benefit from his keen mind, effective leadership, and thoughtful style. With this structure adjustment and as a benefit to the outstanding leadership Dr. Grove has provided our college we will not be filling a third EVP level position and will redirect those funds into academic and student engagement initiatives. Ms. Sandra Warner has agreed to take on the senior level role of Interim Chief Information Officer upon the departure of Dr. Brown reporting now to Dr. Grove. This CIO position will be posted in the near future with the target date of January 1, 2009 for a final candidate to be in place. We have great confidence in Ms. Warner’s leadership skills and look for her to take us to exciting new places in support of learning and academics.
Institutional Research – National Benchmarking Study
Over the past several years the college has been deeply involved in the National Benchmark Study. This program provides vital comparative data to our college and our sister schools nationwide. The work in support of this study however has drawn resources away from the Institutional Research’s primary mission of learner outcome assessment and teaching support. Hence I have asked Dr. Jeff Seybert to take on the new role of Director, National Benchmark Project, within the Workforce and Economic Development Division. His role will include responsibility for the project and he will also conduct economic and market research for the branch. Please congratulate Jeff on this new focus of his work.
It will be our intention to immediately post the Director, Institutional Research position with an expressed leadership focus centered in learning and learner outcome assessment holistically across the college curriculum.
Campus Police and Public Safety Programs
With Dr. Brown’s departure I have asked Jerry Wolfskill to take on the added leadership role for the Campus Police department. He will work with Chief Ramirez to continue to assess all means needed to assure a safe environment for all on our campus. In his new role Mr. Wolfskill will work to expand opportunities with our community police and law enforcement entities and will assure, along with the chief, that officer training and community policing are of the highest priority.
Instruction and Learning Quality
Finally, with Dr. Grove’s significantly expanded role, Dr. Marilyn Rhinehart will take on the role of Chief Academic Officer and full responsibility for college credit instruction. She and I will work closely together to dramatically expand our college efforts toward a learning outcomes based approach to curriculum and instruction. We will have a clear focus on programs and services that will improve student success, retention, and educational goal attainment. We will also work directly together this fall to finalize the college’s academic leadership structure including filling all dean’s vacancies and finalizing our chair and Associate Dean structure. I have also asked Dr. Rhinehart to work closely with all academic support areas with an expressed focus on exploring and expanding the quality of our non teaching academic support. Each of our support areas do exceptional work and will look to build even further on their efforts by implementing a significant quality assessment approach to how we support work in the classroom. We will also continue to work closely with Dr. Grove’s efforts to strengthen our bond between Learner Engagement and Instruction.
Thank you for all you have done to keep us on track and focused on learning. Through your excellent work our college truly is providing a world class learning experience to all students.

September 10, 2008

NEWS: Innovation Validation

Major League
Will college strike out or hit a home run as it pitches to regain League of Innovation status?


When Charles Carlsen resigned following allegations he sexually harassed several female employees, the college's membership in the prestigious League of Innovation was in jeapoardy.

Last spring the college passed phase one of reaffirmation into the League. Entering the second phase requires a site visit by League board members.

A former JCCC president currently sits on the League's board and serves as a League Senior Fellow. Larry Tyree, former interim president, represented JCCC on the League's board after Carlsen resigned.

Tyree now serves as interim president of Monroe Community College in Rochester, N.Y., which is also one of the 19 members comprising the League's board.

Community Invited
League representatives will meet with the JCCC Board of Trustees, Sept. 16.

The next morning the public is invited to attend presentations to the League representatives focusing on diversity, sustainability and other campus issues.


This is the message posted today on the college's electronic mail server, Infolist:
LEAGUE FOR INNOVATION REAFFIRMATION PRESENTATIONS

JCCC is one of 19 community colleges in the country that sits on the Board of Trustees for the prestigious League for Innovation in Community Colleges. Every time there is a CEO turnover at one of these schools, it must undergo a “reaffirmation” with the League. JCCC successfully completed Phase I of this reaffirmation process last spring with submission and League acceptance of its reaffirmation application. (This document can be found at http://www.jccc.net/home/download/18217/LeagueReaffirmation.pdf .) The next and final phase consists of a campus visit.

On Tuesday, September 16, and Wednesday, September 17, President Jean Goodnow of Delta College (Michigan), President Steve Johnson of Sinclair Community College (Ohio), and League CEO Gerardo de los Santos will be visiting JCCC to conclude the reaffirmation process. They will be meeting with the JCCC Board of Trustees the evening of the 16th and will be hearing presentations on new initiatives at the school on the morning of the 17th. Here is the presentation schedule for Wednesday morning:

Time Innovation Presenters
9:00 – 9:20 a.m. Center for Sustainability
Jay Antle, Deb Williams, and Tim Gelvin
9:20 – 9:40 a.m. Diversity Initiatives Carmaletta Williams and Sean Daley
9:40 – 10:00 a.m. Bioscience Academy, KC Wired, Research Triangle Sally Winship, Tim Gelvin, and Luanne Wolfgram
10:00 – 10:20 a.m. Oral Health on Wheels Heather Flick
10:20 – 10:40 a.m. College Scholars Jim Leiker and Ellyn Mulcahy
10:40 – 11:00 a.m. Facilities Funding, Deferred Maintenance, Gateway and Lenexa
Jerry Baird
11:00 – 11:20 a.m. Teaching, Learning and Engagement Initiative Dana Grove, Bruce Harvey, and Rick Moehring
11:20 – 11:40 a.m. Edible Schoolyard/Wysong Challenge Joe Sopcich, David Smith, and Felix Sturmer

These presentations will be in the Hudson Auditorium in the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, and they are open to all wishing to attend. You are not expected to remain the entire morning, so come and go as your schedule permits. We will be happy to see you there. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Dana Grove.

September 5, 2008

NEWS: Employee Requests Gun as his Departing Gift

JCCC Aims to Please

An e-mail has surfaced requesting employees of Johnson County Community College contribute funds to purchase a gun as a going away gift for departing employee.
According to the Sept. 2 e-mail, Wayne Brown, executive vice president of administration requested a gun as a going away gift. It is similar to the guns recently acquired for the campus police force, which Brown was instrumental in creating.
The e-mail comes from Debbie Ross, an administrative assistant and Randy Garcia, sergeant of the newly formed JCCC police force.

From: Donna Wallace
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 5:09 PM
To: (recipients names have been omitted by the editor)

Subject: A message from Randy Garcia and Debbie Ross
As a going away present for Dr. Brown he has expressed an interest in a handgun similar to what the College officer's now carry. He was very instrumental in our Department purchasing our Glocks. We have been in contact with OMB guns and they have agreed to sell a handgun to Dr. Brown at their Department price. He receives a discount from OMB due to his retired military status. Contributions from our department have netted approximately half the price for the handgun.

We were wondering if your department would be interested in participating. If you or others in your area would like to be a part of this gift, please let us know. We will need to have the amount gathered by Friday afternoon so a gift certificate can be purchased.

We have a small window of opportunity to give this nice personal gift, but our time is limited. Since Dr. Brown's last day is Monday our donations from both areas will need to be collected within the next three days.

We apologize for the short notice but we were unaware in the change of his plans to leave earlier.

Please contact myself or Debbie Ross for any questions or concerns.

Thank you for your help and assistance,
Randy and Debbie

September 2, 2008

CALENDAR: ¡Viva!

Editor's Note: I helped organize these events and will serve as a participant in two of them. I'm also a founding member of the college's new Hispanic student organization that is co-sponsoring this program.

JCCC HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH EVENTS

The Hispanic Experience at JCCC
Regnier Center 101A
Sept. 9, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
A forum of JCCC Hispanic students and staff will lead a discussion of the Hispanic Experience at JCCC. Panelists include Miguel Morales, library aide and former managing editor of The Campus Ledger; Will Suarez, student; Gloria Rosso, counselor; and Luz Alvarez, Spanish professor; moderated by English Professor Steve Werkmeister. This event is free and open to the public.

Hispanic Heritage Month Movie: "Walkout"
Craig Community Auditorium
Sept. 15, noon-2 p.m.
Former spy kid, Alexa Vega stars alongside Michael Pena ("Crash") as a teacher and student at the center of the 1968 student protests in Los Angeles. These events not only inspired similar walkouts against anti-immigrant legislation in 2006, but they also shaped a generation of youth into civil rights leaders. This showing is free and open to the public.


Latino Writers Collective Forum
Hudson Auditorium, Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art
Sept. 25 - Reception at 6:00 p.m. - Forum at 7:00 p.m.
Kansas City’s own Latino Writers Collective, a group that meets regularly at The Writer’s Place to support Latino writers through readings and critiques and by coordinating events throughout the metro area, released its first anthology in May, "Primera Pagina, Poetry from the Heartland."

Members include Gloria Martinez Adams and Sofiana Olivera, cofounders Jose Faus and Linda Rodriguez, and JCCC students Carlos Duarte and Miguel M. Morales. Join us for readings from the collective’s work and
a discussion of the Latino writer’s unique role in both the literary world and the larger community. Prior to the forum, a reception will be held from 6:00-7:00 in the Atrium of the Nerman Museum. This event is free and open to the public.

Diversity Book Group: Books and Burritos
In Focus Dining, Commons Building
Oct. 3, 2-4 p.m.
Los Angeles Times reporter, Sam Quinones, has long covered the stories of Mexican immigrants from both sides of the border. His new book, "Antonio’s Gun and Delfino’s Dream: True Tales of Mexican Migration," profiles these lives, revealing the complexities of the issues and motivations that surround the larger immigration story. Of particular local interest, although it’s the story of the changing face of America, this book also includes the remarkable story of how a western Kansas town came to rally around its almost all immigrant soccer team.

Our Books and Burritos event will include both burritos for attendees and a discussion lead by English professor Danny Alexander. RSVP to Susan McGarvey, 913-469-8500, ext. 4327, or smcgarvey@jccc.edu. This event is free and open to the public.

August 31, 2008

WTF: Vegas

OK, so I took a long needed vacation to Vegas (I really should do more non-conference traveling).

Anyway, I sent pictures and vids to this blog thinking I sent them to my e-mail. I mean it was silly stuff like me at the Star Trek Hilton and riding that spiral escalator at Cesar's. No Journalists Gone Wild type of thing. Oh, but I did see The Beatles' LOVE by Circque du Soliel.


August 22, 2008

NEWS: (insert clever headline about officers and swearing)

Posted today on Johnson County Community College's electronic mail server, Infolist:
JCCC POLICE OFFICERS TO TAKE OATH OF EMPLOYMENT
JCCC will hold its first police officer swearing-in ceremony at 1:30 p.m. today in the Capitol Federal Conference Center of the Regnier Center. Fifteen officers will take an oath of employment as members of the JCCC Police Department. Most are retired officers from the Overland Park or Kansas City, Mo., police departments. Combined, officers in JCCC’s police department have 677 years of experience in police work.
The officers to be sworn in are John Armillo, Debra Bates, Larry Dixon, Larry Ealy, Randy Garcia, Bob Greenwood, Woody Hersey, Bill Huff, Michael Moore, Jerry Naas, Charles Northcutt, Gregory Russell, Chris Sager, Dan Stinson and Scott Wargin.

August 21, 2008

NEWS: All-Facutly Meeting notes

Posted Monday on the Johnson County Community College electronic mail server on behalf of Dr. Marilyn Rhinehart, Vice President of Instruction (The first section numbered 1-9 is fairly boring. Actually, the whole thing kinda is but it does address the reorganization, budget and renovations):
I hope everyone is off to a good semester! It is hard to believe it is the middle of August. Please take the time to read this lengthy message, for it is full of information about what has been and will be happening in the Instructional Area. If you have any questions, email me.

For those who did not or could not attend the all-faculty meeting on August 13, I wanted to be sure you were aware of the presentations and certain information on reorganization in the Instructional Area to date. With the exception of the welcome/introductions, faculty or staff requested the opportunity to make the presentations below and thus set the agenda. If you have any questions or want more information, contact the person whose name is listed next to the agenda item. Information on reorganization is interspersed throughout the material below.

(1) Welcome/Introductions

The following new full-time faculty were introduced. Some are filling positions that have been vacated; others are filling new positions. A few were hired mid-year in the last fiscal year. The list includes: Barry Bailey (Digital Librarian); Eve Blobaum (Sociology); Michael Carter (Information systems); Rosalee Dallman (Sociology); Damon Feurborn (Drafting); Asiya Foster-Nelson (Early Childhood Education); Frank Galbrecht (Administration of Justice); Bethany Graves (Industrial Technology); Darla Green (Interior Design); Cade Hamilton (Speech and Asst. Debate Coach); Melanie Harvey (Science); Kim Johnson (BOT); Nathan Jones (English); Tara Myers (Nursing); Jay Nadlman (Legal Studies); Mioshi Neal (Railroad/Welding); Rochelle Quinn (Nursing); Vivian Reinhard (Math); Edward Ronnebaum (Nursing); Judy Runser (Dental Hygiene); Chad Sanner (Polysomnography); Richard Schroder (Health Occupations); Heather Seitz (Science); Ken Sissom (Administration of Justice); Larry Weaver (Science); Michael Clark (Science); Tina Crawford (Business Law); Susan Huseman (Nursing); Lisa Parra (Reading/AAC); Angela Sears (Nursing). We also celebrated the life of Dr. Betty Bullock, who passed away on Monday, August 11. Minnie Adams’ new title is Director Career Pathways and Cooperative Programs (that we have with Metro CCD). Judy Korn joined the Library staff in a new supervisory position. We still have a few positions to fill!

(2) Faculty Summer Think Tank—Linda Creason was the emcee for this group and its new initiative. This group has distributed an email to which a number of you have responded already about a new standing committee called the Teaching, Learning, and Engagement Committee (TLEC).

(3) Reading Across the Curriculum: My Final Sabbatical Leave—Andrea Kempf

(4) The Academic Majors Fair—Mary Jean Billingsley

(5) The Kansas Post Secondary Technical Education Authority (TEA) and YOU—Bill Osborn

(6) Campaign 2008 Presidential Academic Seminar—Patti Ward

(7) JCCC Scholars Space—Judi Guzzy and Barry Bailey

(8) ANGEL (the new Learning Management System that will replace Blackboard)—Monica Hogan and Ed Lovitt

(9) Faculty Association Announcements—Mike Martin

Information on Reorganization:
The Reorganization Task Force Steering Committee approved the launching this summer of the search for several new deans and the start up of chair positions in Sociology and History in 2008-2009. FA President Mike Martin and I worked together to solicit faculty and staff to serve on the healthcare professions/wellness, business, technology, and distance learning search committees.

(1) Dr. Clarissa Craig was selected to lead the Healthcare Professions and Wellness Division (which includes not only cosmetology and our healthcare programs but also HPER faculty Susan Brown, Debbie Carrier, Joe Weis, Steve Javorek, Lori Mallory, Jill Stinson and Assistant Dean Dr. Dave Burgess).

(2) The search committees for Dean of the Technology Division and Dean of the Business Division are in the midst of their work as is the search committee for an assistant dean of Distance Learning.

(3) Stu Shafer is the new chair for Sociology and reports to the LA division dean. The History Department will begin its “start up” with the selection of a chair in the spring, 2009.

The Dean of Curriculum and Academic Quality position (Curriculum Coordinator Debby Hassur will work with this dean, but no faculty are in the reporting line) will be posted shortly, and review of applications will begin at the end of this month.

Currently, Csilla Duneczky is serving as interim assistant dean for the Sciences. Jeff Frost is serving as interim assistant dean for Math. Andy Anderson is serving as interim assistant dean for English and Journalism. Richard Fort is serving as interim assistant dean for Industrial Technology. Ruth Randall is serving as interim dean for Liberal Arts (which at the moment includes Math and Sciences). Bill Brown is serving as interim dean for the Business & Technology Division (until it is divided with the selection of the deans noted above). Patti Ward is continuing as the interim Honors facilitator.

What we called the Dean, Evening and Weekend Programs previously is now the Dean, Academic Support Division, which Dr. Lin Knudson continues to lead. The Library, Media Production, Educational Technology Center, distant learning, and evening/weekend programs are in the division, and Lin also oversees the ITP process and use of Astra schedule and Platinum Analytics for the Instructional Area. Alan Swarts has joined the division as the director of accelerated programs.

Larry Able will be moving to the Police Academy and report to Dr. Jerry Wolfskill to join continuing education opportunities for law enforcement personnel with the training of newly hired law enforcement officers who must complete the Police Academy successfully to remain officers with the local municipalities, sheriff’s department, and other agencies.

The Reorganization Task Force Steering Committee will begin meeting again soon to continue its work on the next steps that will be taken in the Instructional Area. Stay tuned!

Information on Budget for 2008-2009
  • The amount of travel money for full-time faculty professional development in the Instructional Area will be increased from $450/FT faculty member to $550/FT faculty member with formal approval of the legal budget by the Board of Trustees on August 19. This will take a little time because of the number of areas to which funds must be distributed.
  • Approximately $175,000 in funds to meet current supply budget needs and increases in the cost of a variety of services that affect the Library, the welding program, the new polysomnography program, the nursing program, the Lawrence Centennial High School where a new outreach initiative has begun, and a host of others areas was added to the budget as well as additional funds for media classrooms.

Remodeling/Renovation for Instructional Area either completed or near completion.
This has been a massive project.

OCB 272, 261, and 204 offices primarily for adjunct faculty use
SCI 224 (for full-time and adjunct faculty)
Language Resource Center
Library Archives
CC 214 for two offices
COM 201 (Honors and Service Learning space)
Police Academy and Police Academy Expansion (the latter for ADMJ)
GEB 238 and 240 for classrooms
Patient Simulation Lab (CLB)
Etc.


More to come later.
Marilyn
marilynr@jccc.edu