Campus

Published by the Office of Institutional Advancement A News MagazineDigestVol. I Edition 2 January 2012 Tackling Issues The newly formed College Council A Good Deal The Bookstore has bundled together a Changing Rules Many students will be affected by streamlines decision-making while moving forward special 50th Anniversary T-Shirt and sweatshirt for only changes in eligibility for federal financial aid. Staff with key recommendations on communications and $20. Page 3 should be aware of these new rules to assist students. ethics Page 2 Page 8

A Solution for a new Semester

Glen Harvey, Instructional Support Technician for Area 1 Biology, formulates a chemical reagent, Benedict’s, which will be used by students in the Biology 1 lab. Benedict’s determines whether a liquid substance contains a reducing sugar.

Photo by Robin Shepard Page 1 Campus Digest january 2012 College Council Accomplishes Several Goals New Group Moves on Important Governance, Ethics, and Communication Issues

By Dr. Benjamin T. Duran dancy in decision- We also understand that our Strategic Superintendent/President making. Plan needs to be completed, and we intend We recognize to accomplish that before the end of this s a result of the work we have been the need for im- semester. We will be gathering together our doing to respond to the recommenda- proved communi- planning group once again to develop our tionsA of the Accrediting Commission and cations across the objectives, action plans, and timelines, and to begin to address the Strategic Plan’s ini- District. In fact, the to identify those responsible for guiding tiative on communication, we formed the Accrediting Com- the institution toward its goals. “College Council,” which will serve as the mission for Com- My overriding concern, and the focus munity and Junior of my remaining time with the District College’s top-level shared governance body. Dr. Duran The Council has been meeting regularly Colleges (ACCJC) is to move us toward proficiency and sus- since it was formed last October and has is requiring tainability in proceeded to work toward several impor- us to address areas of pro- tant goals, one of which, of course, is the the need for “My overriding concern, and the focus of gram review, creation of our Districtwide newsletter, the “dialogue that student learn- Campus Digest. is inclusive, my remaining time with the District is ing outcomes, It is our intent that the College Coun- respectful, to move us toward proficiency and sus- and integrat- cil serve as a clearinghouse and forum for intentional, ed planning dealing transparently with crucial College informed, and tainability in areas of program review, as required issues . . ..” Its fundamental purpose is to documented student learning outcomes, and integrated by ACCJC. provide information, facilitate communica- and about planning as required by ACCJC.” Improving tion, and solve problems related to shared institutional our campus governance. quality and climate with The work of the Council, its agendas improvement.” To that end, we have begun better communications, better governance and action plans, and its membership ros- to discuss all aspects of our communica- structures, and better decision-making pro- ter can be found on our MC4Me portal at tions, from top-down, bottom-up dialogue, cesses will help us move off of warning and https://mc4me.mccd.edu/MC_Council/ to messaging directed to and from our stu- secure our full accreditation. default.aspx, and I strongly encourage you dents. Merced College is now a half-century to visit the site often for current news. We have also worked toward a Distric- old. As we celebrate our past during the Another important function of the Col- twide Code of Ethics, which was presented coming year, we need to look into the fu- lege Council is to survey existing campus to the Board of Trustees for a First Reading ture. Our future is our own responsibility. committees, examine their various roles and during its January 17 meeting. The Code It is the result of the collective efforts of all responsibilities, and to make recommenda- of Ethics is meant to express our collective of us. The College Council is a key compo- tions for operational improvements. In the values, behaviors, and is a commitment we nent in defining that future, in creating the case of the Council, its primary role has all need to make in order to work together conditions for our success, and preparing required the cessation of two existing com- harmoniously and the with respect and the groundwork for plans and goals that mittees, the President’s Advisory Council collegial spirit each of us deserves. It will will guide us in the next 50 years. and the Board Agenda Review Committee. serve to remind us that we are all responsi- I wish you all a wonderful and produc- In other words, we’ve streamlined these as- ble for creating the environment necessary tive new year, and I look forward to hearing pects of our shared governance operations for dialogue that is transparent, inclusive your thoughts and concerns as we continue and that has allowed us to eliminate redun- and respectful. to build our future. Lady Devil Water Polo Player Recognized as Statewide Athlete of the Month

Following up on a great season, Lady McGee led the state in scoring with 91 in the championship game, 3 assists and Devils water polo player Kailiponi “Poni” goals, 46 assists and 52 steals. In Novem- 2 steals. At the State Final Four she had McGee was selected by the ber she helped lead the women’s water polo 4 goals, 1 assist, and 3 steals in wins over Community College Sports Information team to the Coast Conference Tournament Diablo Valley and . She was Association and California Community Championship with wins over De Anza, named MVP of the Cost Conference, the College Athletic Association as the No- Ohlone, and Cabrillo. Northern California MVP and was select- vember 2011 Athlete of the Month. McGee scored 10 goals including 8 ed as an All-American. Page 2 january 2012 Campus Digest

Professor Uses Games An Offer You Can’t Refuse to Help Students Learn

Students may not consider their college education to be all fun and games, but for foreign languages instructor Dr. Caroline Kre- ide, college courses should incorporate games to enhance learning. “Pleasure is the best facilitator for learning to take place,” wrote the German and Spanish professor in the November edition of Connections, a journal of the Foreign Language Association of Northern California. “Empirically, we know that enjoyment helps us assimilate new material with practically no effort, and psychologists have corrobo- rated this fact by considering play an essential feature in any child’s cognitive development,” Dr. Kreide wrote. Games have long been part of a child’s education, but when they enter college as adults, games all but disappear from an in- structor’s bag of teaching techniques. Dr. Kreide’s experience is that games are powerful motivators. “Games have not been used in the college classroom because of two assumptions,” she said, “the first one being that they fail to transmit sufficient depth in an academic content, and the second one being that most college students are expected to be motivated and self-disciplined.” The reality, she said, is that college students struggle with their own boredom and lack of motivation, which prevents them from becoming effective learners. Dr. Kreide has had her share of unmotivated students over the years. To learn about their struggles in the classroom, she began to use questionnaires at the end of each semester to ascertain which Photo by Robin Shepard activities worked and which ones didn’t. Games were always at Student Alejandra Bustos wears a 50th Anniversary T-shirt. the top of the list for the activity that worked the best for learning. The Bookstore is selling anniversary T-shirts with a She discovered that whenever a game was played in class, stu- sweatshirt, both for only $20! Get yours today! dents who were tuning out and nodding off would be transformed into focused and involved participants. Game playing allows stu- dents to leave the class with a positive feeling about the subject. Dr. Kreide uses several board games in the classroom such as Accreditation Work Progresses “Memory,” “Jeopardy,” and “Battleship.” She has been able to tweak By Dr. Anne Newins these games to get the most out of them as teaching tools. Her rule VP of Student Services for her foreign language students is that English is not allowed. “For a teacher, the sweetest moments of classroom games are Work continued on the Follow Up report over the holiday hia- those when students passionately feud over how to answer a ques- tus. Writing team members have created preliminary drafts and tion correctly,” she said. “In those instances the class explodes in plan to have final drafts ready for editing by February 2. The most spontaneous discussion about the subject matter.” complex sections to write have been Recommendations 1 and 3, Games create decentralization in the classroom and decon- which address program review and integrated planning. struct the traditional hierarchy by spreading attention and power In related activities, College Council meetings have been throughout the classroom. Students become more active agents in scheduled for the coming semester. Significant topics will include their own learning, she said. In foreign language classes, Dr. Kreide the Strategic Plan, revisions of our planning handbooks, and ongo- said, “games help to get language under a student’s skin.” ing discussion about the role of the Educational Master Planning Dr. Kreide’s article includes several examples of successful Committee. Committees have been designated and members now games that she has used in the classroom. If games are used well, are being chosen for participation. she said, “the competitive spirit will sooner or later rouse even the Training opportunities are being provided during Flex Days less motivated student, resulting in pleasurable learning.” and within departments. A group will attend Accreditation Train- (This atrticle was first published in the Merced Sun-Star) ing in Anaheim sponsored by WASC and the Academic Senate. Page 3 Campus Digest january 2012

A New Web Page MC Hires Two New Academic Deans and More Library Hours Merced College appearances such as The Donny & Ma- By Dr. Susan Walsh has welcomed two rie show. His music is heard world-wide Interim Co-Associate Vice President new academic deans, through VH-1 video as well as Capital John Albano and Dr. Public Radio in Sacramento. He has per- Technology & Institutional Research Kevin Kistler. formed with the Stockton and Merced Albano, who symphonies, The Sons of the San Joaquin, Merced College has a new public is already familiar and has recorded and produced origi- web page. to the campus and nal CDs including “Collage,” “The Road After years of adding informa- community, assumes West,” and “Conversations,” featuring tion and graphics to the old Merced the role of Dean of Finnish clarinet master Rauno Tikkanen. College Web Page, it had grown too Albano Humanities and So- Dr. Kevin Kistler, formerly a dean at cumbersome to navigate efficiently. In cial Sciences., while the and assistant 2011, a Web Page Design Task Force Dr. Kevin Kistler to the vice president of Instruction, began was called together to design a new, comes onboard as his Merced College career in January. Dr. easier to use web page. Working with the Dean of English Kistler’s career in education started as an Merced College Web Master Mike and Child Develop- instructor of junior high school math and Smith, the group developed a new ment. language arts. He developed a passion for look, which was fine-tuned in last fall. Albano, who has teaching basic skills when he was worked The new web page became Mer- been teaching music on literacy and reading skills with incar- ced College’s home page this month. at Merced College cerated and at-risk students. Dr. Kistler Thank you to Mike Smith and mem- for 10 years, has de- further developed his classroom and on- bers of the Web Page Design Task veloped new courses line skills by teaching college success skills Force. Your hard work has paid off. Kistler in jazz history and and composition classes at the University The Merced College Library is very music appreciation. of Phoenix, where he had taught part-time pleased to announce extended hours He created the College’s Guitar Orchestra since 1996. for the spring 2012 semester. and has directed its Jazz Ensemble. He has His experience teaching in the English Thanks to one-time funding from developed and promoted several well-re- Department at the College of the Canyons the Student Success Task Force, the ceived events, including the World Guitar added to his litany of valuable professional library will be open two more hours Night, Glorious Gospel Jubilee, hARTs- experiences. He was a curriculum consul- on Fridays from noon until 2 p.m., fest, World Cultures Week, Autumn Af- tant with the U.S. Department of Educa- and 14 Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. faire, Faces of Merced College photography tion from 1990-1996 while working on a Saturday dates are: Jan. 28, Feb. 4, 11 project, Wahneta Hall Trust Fund perfor- grant for literacy and curriculum standards. & 18, March 3, 10, 17 & 24, April 14, mances in Applegate Park, UOP Brubeck Dr. Kistler started his college education 21 & 28, and May 5, 12 & 19. institute Jazz Quintet master classes and as a first-generation, academically under- Thank you to ASMC for advocat- performances, and much more. prepared and economically disadvantaged ing for extended hours. Thank you to As a musician, Albano has performed student. Through loans, full-time work, the Student Success Task Force for throughout the US and Caribbean with and study, he completed master’s degrees in putting more library open hours in to Grammy-Award Atlantic recording art- Divinity, Business Administration, and his your Action Plan. ist Steve Tyrell, including numerous TV Ph.D. in Education, as well as a law degree. Sheriff’s Department Donates Police Cars to Criminal Justice Program

In an effort to promote and support Criminal Justice program at a cost of only Justice students and staff. two important goals in the College’s one dollar per car. Gregory noted that the support and Strategic Plan (“assuring student access “These cars will surely help with en- continued partnership with the Sheriff ’s and success” and “partnering with the hancing the Criminal Justice Program by Office is especially appreciated during community”), Criminal Justice Profes- allowing our students to have access to the these lean budget times. sor Bob Gregory collaborated with the cars for the purpose of engaging in preci- “The police cars will certainly level the Merced County Sheriff ’s Office Opera- sion driving and scenario training,” Grego- playing field by providing sustainability tions Commander B. J. Jones to obtain a ry said. “We’re very grateful for the dona- in the Merced College Criminal Justice donation from the Sheriff ’s Department tion and excited about the opportunities it Program as it relates to equipment and re- of two police patrol cars for the College’s presents for the Merced College Criminal sources,” Gregory said. Page 4 january 2012 Campus Digest

Student Success Reprographics Installs New Printer Continues to Grow Study Central Recognized as a Model Program

By Tomasia Drummond Director of Student Success

Our Office has been busy getting ready for the spring 2012 semester. On January 12, our program held a comprehensive train- ing workshop that was developed through faculty and staff collaboration. The training was a huge success with nearly 80 students, tutors, and SI leaders in attendance. Faculty members from various disciplines presented topics such as tutoring strategies to assist students in English, Math, and Science. In addition, campus police presented campus safety tips and procedures. Increasing technology topics and im- proving accessibility to workshops has been another goal for the Student Success Pro- gram. In addition to creating a new web- site and placing all forms and promotional material online, we have taken steps toward making digital recordings of workshops available online. The online videos will give students the ability to access workshops and academic resources from anywhere, anytime. A Student Success Program web- page has also been developed on Facebook to connect students with all programs and Photo by Robin Shepard services available at Merced College. Reprographics Supervisor Richard Manifest (left) and Lead Technician Jose We encourage everyone to “like us” on Flores examine the latest addition to Print Services, the HP Z6200, a photo Facebook and communicate any questions quality, wide-format printer capable of producing posters and banners up to 60 or concerns. We are also taking steps to rec- inches wide and over 100 feet in length on a wide variety of media. ognize the key individuals who have been critical to student success. Students, fac- ulty, and staff now have the opportunity to Los Banos Campus Offers Non-Credit Classes nominate a tutor, peer guide, or SI leader, for outstanding tutoring services. By Hannah Glenn fees, execept for material fees, and they are All of last year’s hard work has definitely open enrollment. paid off! Study Central has been identi- LB Campus ASMC Senator Classes available at the Los Banos fied as a model program by Pima College Campus include English as a Second Lan- in Arizona and the Chancellor’s Office RP A new semester has begun at the Los guage (ESL), Computer Lab and Begin- Group. Thank you to everyone who has Banos Campus, and with it an influx of tra- ning Quilting. helped make our program such a success. ditional and non-traditional students. For more information, call Nancy In addition, printing services are now Although many of these students will Brown at 209.381.6540. A list of available- available in Study Central. Students must attend the campus to finish a degree pro- classes can also be found online at: http:// purchase Study Central (green) print cards gram, others may choose to attend non- www.mccd.edu/programs/cont_ed/sched- in Student Fees or the Bookstore for $1 per credit continuing education classes. ule.html. 50 copies. Non-credit classes charge no enrollment Page 5 Campus Digest january 2012 Grant to Increase Student Transfers in STEM Areas

By Cherie Davis Director of Grants and Research

Merced College faculty will join faculty from San Joaquin Delta College and CSU Stanislaus (CSUS) on a special project designed to improve community college student transfers to CSUS and other universities. Funded by a five-year, $5.5 million federal grant awarded to CSUS, the project will engage administrators, and science, tech- nology, engineering and math (STEM) faculty and deans to align curricula and provide student support to ensure smooth university transfers, ultimately leading to successful degree completion. Merced College, a federally eligible minority-serving institu- tion, will receive approximately $863,219 through this “Hispanic Serving Institutions STEM Articulation & Transfer Program.” Dr. Douglas Kain, dean of Science, Engineering & Math, is the institutional lead at Merced College for this “Central Val- ley HSI Cooperative STEM Articulation and Transfer” project. He will be joined on the project by Dr. Valerie Albano, Dr. Paul Fregene,Kathleen Kanemoto, and Mai Meidinger. Grants & Institutional Research staff will provide data for higher-level analytics for the project, develop and conduct assess- ment surveys, and provide other grants and research support for performance management, project evaluation and dissemination. Los Banos Campus Scores a Hit with Movie Night

By Willam Baker One day, though, tragedy Professor of English strikes, and Walter must make a Los Baños Campus Movie Night Presents: choice: to take an active role in the Tom McCarthy’s The Visitor lives of Zainab, Tarek, and Tarek’s (2008) tells the story of Wal- mother (Hiam Abbass), or to re- ter Vale (Richard Jenkins), an The Visitor treat back into a safe but solitary economics professor still griev- existence. ing after the death of his wife. Thursday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. Writer-director Tom McCar- thy spent several years studying Passive by nature, Walter finds Room A103 himself cut off emotionally the American immigration system from those around him, and of- Free Screening - Refreshments Provided before writing The Visitor, and his ten he seems content to let life film offers both a firm critique of pass him by. that system and a vibrant celebra- When he returns to his New York City apartment after an ex- tion of America’s ability to play host to genuine cross-cultural un- tended absence, he finds a young immigrant couple, Zainab (Danai derstanding. Filmed on location, The Visitor develops an inviting Jekesai Gurira) and Tarek (Haaz Sleiman), living there; they are portrait of New York’s lesser-known neighborhoods and their im- unaware that they are illegally subletting the rooms from a crooked migrant populations, but it also demands a stark examination of broker. After his initial confusion wears off, Walter finds himself the bureaucratic systems that intersect with those communities. At moved by the couple’s plight, and he invites them to stay for a few the center of it all stands Richard Jenkins’s involving portrait of a days until they find another apartment. decent man who is gradually developing a social conscience. His Tarek and Walter soon become friends, and Tarek, a musician, performance won Jenkins a 2009 Academy Award nomination for teaches Walter to play the djembe drum in the outdoor drum cir- Best Actor. cles of Central Park. Learning to play the djembe brings Walter After the movie, Professor Meg Withers will lecture about out of his shell, and he begins to see the beauty and vibrancy of the some of the issues raised by the film within the context of her Eng- city and people around him. lish A class, which deals with borderland and immigration topics. Page 6 january 2012 Campus Digest

Dr. Cary Coburn Krusty the Snowman Visits Campus is Top Instructor Voted Professor of the Year for LB Campus

The Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor So- ciety selected Biology professor Dr. Cary Coburn as the 2011 Los Baños Campus Professor of the Year. The award recognizes excellence in teaching and a commitment to students. Professor Coburn is an alumnus of Merced College where he earned his asso- ciate of science degree in Life Science. He then complete his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Biology at CSU Chico before earning his doctorate in Environmental Toxicology at UC Riverside. Dr. Coburn primarily teaches courses in general biology, human biology and envi- ronmental science. He also stays busy serv- ing as a faculty adviser to both the Pre-Med Club and the Military Veterans of Merced College club. When not in the classroom, he spends time with family and a variety of outdoor activities such as backpacking, camp- ing, fishing, disc golf and target shooting. He also likes relaxing by shooting pool in downtown Merced. A veteran Marine, Dr. Coburn says he also serves as scientific advisor to the American Legion Post #83 where he “monitors quality control of the beverages served in the lounge.” When asked why he thought he was se- lected, he remarked, “I don’t know why, but Photo by Robin Shepard the recognition is deeply appreciated. I like my students and respect them and knowing You just know someone’s going to get a lump of coal in their stocking whenever they appreciate my efforts in the classroom Krusty the Snowman’s around. Krusty (Vince Piro) substituted for his brother is very satisfying.” Frosty during the campus holiday party on December 15. We miss you, Frosty! New Business, Industry & Community Services Director Enjoys Work and Play

Say Buenos Dias to Becky Barabe! The community programming, and leadership dents. On a personal note, she loves spend- new director of Business, Industry, and development. ing time with her son, family, and friends, Community Services says she is thrilled to Barabe specializes in adult education, and enjoys walks, reading, traveling. be part of the Merced College team. business resource assistance, and vocational After spending a semester abroad in Her undergraduate degree in compara- training, as well as community partnerships. Mexico, she developed a love for and all tive literature and master’s degree in ad- She is an accomplished trainer, facilitator, things Mexican (dancing the salsa, cumbia, ministrative leadership has served as foun- grant writer, and community developer and merengue, as well as enjoying the food Pagedations 7 for a great career in grant writing, working to improve the lives of valley resi- and getting to know the people). Campus Digest january 2012 New Regulations Affect Student Aid Eligibility Students Should be Aware of Rules on Course Repeats, Other Changes

New regulations state that students can receive funds only one additional time for Q: What is Title IV Aid? classes taken previously and where a pass- A: Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, amended in 2010, establishes ing grade was received. (For financial aid general rules that apply to the student financial assistance programs. For purposes of purposes “D” is a passing grade.) Title IV Funds and Merced College these programs include Pell Grants and Federal In cases where courses are repeatable, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG). Merced College does not financial aid will be disbursed only for two participate in any loan programs at this time. passing grades no matter how many times Q: How will the new Financial Aid repeat regulation affect one’s enrollment status? the course may be repeated. The regulations A: A student’s institutional enrollment status will continue to be determined by also apply to equated courses and courses including all enrolled units. This new regulation will only affect the calculation of taken while a student was not yet receiving units for eligibility for Title IV aid. financial aid. All courses on transcripts will For example if a student needs to be enrolled full-time (12 units or more) in order apply to the repeat limitations. to: 1) remain on their parents insurance – all enrolled units counted; 2) participate in Recent legislation was passed which re- varsity athletics – all enrolled units counted; 3) receive military educational benefits duces student eligibility for federal aid from – all enrolled units counted; 4) qualify for a work study job – the type of work study the equivalent of 18 full-time semesters to will determine how full-time status is determined (federal work study requires that 12 the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters. units must be Title IV eligible based on the repeat criteria stated); 5) receive full Title This is a lifetime limitation, not a limita- IV aid - 12 units must be Title IV eligible based on the repeat criteria stated. tion per school, and will affect all financial Q: How will the new repeat regulation affect financial aid awards? aid applicants beginning in 2012-2013, not A: All registered units will be used to award and disburse State grants and waivers, just those who received a Pell Grant for the and scholarships. The most common are listed below. If awarded: 1) BOGW (Fee first time on or after July 1, 2008. waiver) – All enrolled units are waived; 2) CAL-Grant – All enrolled units are count- Ability-to-benefit (ATB) options for ed in awarding and disbursing; 3) EOPS/CARE – All enrolled units are counted in establishing general student eligibility for awarding and disbursing; 4) other state grants & scholarships – All enrolled units are federal student aid will be eliminated for counted in awarding and disbursing; 5) Pell Grant - Only qualifying Title IV enroll- students who first enroll in a program of ments are counted in awarding and disbursing; 6) SEOG - Only qualifying Title IV study on or after July 1, 2012. enrollments are counted in awarding and disbursing; 7) federal work study - Only All students seeking federal financial qualifying Title IV enroll¬ments are counted in awarding and disbursing. aid must have a high school diploma, GED, Q: How does one know which courses are counted toward financial aid eligibility? or have been home schooled to meet aca- A: Programming changes are in progress that will allow students to view on their demic qualifications for general eligibility. registration statement within WebAdvisor. Until that programming is completed, There are new verification rules for students will need to review their academic history at Merced College to determine if 2012-2013 applications (application pe- current enrollments will be considered repeats that are ineligible for financial aid. riod beginning Jan. 1, 2012). All applicants Q: I wasn’t a serious student when I first attended. I received financial aid at another selected for verification must provide re- school for 2 years and Merced College for 2 years. When I finish at Merced College will I be quested documentation. This may include, still able to receive financial aid at a 4 year college? but is not limited to, verification of income A: The limitation of 12 full-time semesters applies to all college coursework. or benefits received. For example: 1) attended another college 2 years = 4 full-time semesters; 2) at- Students/parents are encouraged to use tended Merced College 2 years = 4 full-time semesters (total eligibility used for AA = IRS data retrieval to automatically move 8 full-time semesters;) 3) remaining eligibility for BA/BS = 4 full-time semesters. income figures directly to their financial aid This limitation is a federal requirement. The government will be monitoring stu- application. With no changes, no further dent status; therefore this limitation cannot be appealed. verification of most income situations will Q: If a student doesn’t receive financial aid for certain courses, does that mean that those be required. courses won’t count toward his/her Satisfactory Academic Progress? Paper tax returns can no longer be used A: No. All courses must be used in the computation of a student’s GPA and com- to verify income. pletion rate for SAP regardless of his/her eligibility for a disbursement based on those Therefore, students are encouraged to classes. In addition, if students have attended other institutions official transcripts review, follow and update as necessary edu- must be submitted to the college evaluator (in Admissions and Records) to determine cational plans to ensure that eligibility is units that will be accepted toward a degree or certificate at Merced College. These maintained through to the completion of units will be used in the calculation of maximum units attempted. educational goals. Page 8