Home Students Faculty & Staff Visitors Home > FacultyStaff > PublicRelations > Insider Newsletter The Newsletter for Faculty and Staff at COD November 13, 2000 Volume 12 Number 12 BELOW/INSIDE NSF Grant Goes to COD For Energy Tech Training Center DCCD Board Advertises Vacant Seat Workplace Program Will Aid Victims of Domestic Violence 'Chorus Line' Still Has 3 Openings, Help Needed Salton Sea Forum Ends Thursday Film Series Features 'Life Is Beautiful' in Italian Literacy Project Unveiled at Child Dev Center Friends of Library to Hold Book Sale Friday, Saturday Smoke-Out Comes to Campus Thursday Academic Senate President Buford Crites (left) was on hand earlier this semester to greet touring members of the faculty and administration from Doo Won Technical College in Seoul, Korea. Crites is in Korea this week to return the visit and discuss ways our schools can work together. Shown with Crites is Young-Tae Seo of Doo Won. President's Corner By William R. Kroonen, Superintendent/President, College of the Desert Buford Crites Visits Korea: I am pleased to report that our colleague, Academic Senate President Buford Crites, is now in Korea on behalf of College of the Desert. During the trip, he will be visiting three high schools and two technical institutes (Doo Won and Ulsan) for the purpose of recruiting potential students for our programs. He will also engage in conversations with appropriate officials of the two colleges with regard to possible Sister College relationships. Our international student program, under the capable leadership of Christina Delgado, is developing very nicely and I am so pleased that Buford is helping us out in this important way. College of the Desert is very fortunate to have such a fine mix of students from abroad and I know that we all appreciate and value the rich diversity which they bring to our campus.
Flu Vaccine Shortage Impacts COD Program Lujan Named to Carreon Foundation Board And while I m at it, of course all of us want to congratulate Buford on his recent reelection to the Palm Desert City Council. I know we are all proud of the fine leadership which he brings both to the City and to the College. Campus News Calendar of Events Classified Staff Development Workshops Schedule Photo Shoot On Campus: A team from fashion retailer Eddie Bauer was on Campus Wednesday, photographing models for a store catalog. A spokeswoman said the photo shoots were taking place at various locations throughout the Coachella Valley and in San Diego. Publication date of the calendar is set for March or April 2001. Above, a model (right) relaxes between takes while he and the photographer (left) get off-camera instructions from a director. The shoot took place outside the Multi-Agency Library's north wing. The Energy Technology Training Center (ETTC) at COD keeps breaking new ground and adding to its reputation. Now it's earned a $515,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. "It's very prestigious for a community college to get a grant from the NSF," said Jacké Hall Green, Dean of Economic Development and Community Education. "It's quite a feather in our cap." Green said the grant is a three-year funding package that will enable the center to create curriculum and training programs related to advanced transportation technologies. COD's center is the nation's first for technicians who repair and maintain vehicles that use advances fuels, such as compressed natural gas and liquid petroleum gas. Said Jack Dempsey, director of the ETTC, "We're trying to train technicians who can work with the influx of new fuels and electronic systems." COD wants to develop a "prep-tech" AA degree program in advanced transportation technology, Dempsey said. "The students would start in high school and complete the course at COD. It would make them very marketable in terms of vocational skills." Students taking the course would also be able to transfer to a university and pursue an engineering degree. COD is working with the University of California, Riverside, to streamline students who may go on to UCR's Center for Environmental Research and Technology, part of the school's College of Engineering. INSIDER Items? Plan Ahead: The Insider will publish as usual next Monday, Nov. 20, but will not appear on Nov. 27 because of the intervening Thanksgiving holiday. If you want to publicize an event that comes up before Dec. 4, please plan accordingly. Our deadline is Wednesday prior to publication.
COD's Workplace Readiness Program Helps Domestic Violence Victims: As part of COD's continuing efforts to be responsive to the workforce needs of the region, Jackè Hall Green, Dean of Economic Development and Community Education at College of the Desert, is pleased to announce the awarding of a two-year $264,694 grant from The California Community College Economic Development Network (ED>Net) and the Chancellor's Office to address workforce training issues for transitional populations. Included in this population group are women seeking the economic independence required to break free from domestic violence. "This grant is an example of what can happen when the non-profit and Community College sectors identify a need and work together to address it," said Bob Spiegel, Palm Desert City Councilman. Lynn Moriarty, Executive Director of The Shelter From The Storm, agreed and added, "We believe that women and children will not be safe until they are self-sufficient." The pilot project, tagged Workplace Readiness, will be designed to assist victims of domestic violence who are residents of Shelter From The Storm's Transitional Housing Program as they bridge the gap between emergency shelter and vocational training and employment. Following a thorough assessment of each person's interests, skills and aptitudes as they relate to career development, Workplace Readiness will focus on the demonstrated needs for essential workplace skills with training delivered in goal setting, personal presentation issues, workplace communications, basic computer skills, financial management and budgeting and motivational strategies. Because Family Literacy is an essential goal of this project, assessments of language skills and fluency in English will be conducted and English As A Second Language (ESL) provided accordingly. Dr. Kroonen Introduces Author John Gray: Dr. William Kroonen, COD's Superintendent/President, wears a number of hats in the community. Recently, in his role as president of the fledgling Desert Literary Society, he introduced the club's first luncheon speaker, noted author John Gray. The writer is best known for his best-selling "Men Are From Mars, Women From Venus" books. The event drew 160 members and guests. Membership in the club is limited to 150 and there are a few openings left. Information: 776-6800.
Drawing the Winning Entries: Recently the Public Relations Office (PRO) conducted a student media survey to find out what COD students watch, listen to, and read when it comes to TV, radio and newspapers. To attract students to the survey, the PRO entered all the participants in a free drawing. Local radio stations donated prizes and then Bill Bailey of the Hilb Student Center and Bahareh Bakhshayesh, Student Body President, drew the winning names. The survey results will help the PRO in determining effective media buys for college advertising. About 350 students filled out the surveys. Special thanks to Desert Radio Group, the Modern Mix (99.5) and Power 100.5 for the CDs, shirts and gift certificates. Wanted: Member of Board of Trustees for Community College district. Must be a registered voter, reside in Trustee Area 4 and have an abiding interest in education in general and the College of the Desert (COD) in particular. A vacancy on the Desert Community College District is the result of the resignation of Terry Green from the Board of Trustees. Green left because of new job responsibilities with his employer, the University of California, Riverside. The new appointee will fill the remaining term of Green s seat, which comes up for election in November 2001. The Trustees held a special meeting Nov. 3 and began the process of advertising the position. Interested persons have until Friday, Dec. 1 to submit a resume and a short written statement outlining why they want to be considered. A committee will narrow the field and interviews will be held Dec. 8. We expect to make an appointment in time for our regularly scheduled meeting on Dec. 15, said Board chair Chuck Hayden. The successful appointee must reside in Trustee Area 4, whose major population centers include the La Quinta Cove south of Highway 111, the Palm Desert Country Club, Indian Wells, Palm
Desert south of the Whitewater Channel, and major portions of Rancho Mirage. Resumes and statements must arrive by Dec. 1 and can be mailed to: College of the Desert, Office of the President, 43-500 Monterey Ave., Palm Desert, CA 92260. For more information, contact the President s Office at (760) 773-2500. Actors-singers Still Needed For Chorus Line: Fine Arts now has openings for three roles in A Chorus Line, scheduled to open in January at the McCallum. If you know anyone who may be interested, get this information to them in a hurry! The openings are for two major male roles: one African-American to play the role of Ritchie, and one Caucasian to play the part of Al. For both parts, trained ballet and jazz dancers-singers are preferred. A trained female ballet and jazz dancer is also sought for the opening number. The Division of Fine Arts is sponsoring the production, to be directed and choreographed by Michele Gaines with musical direction by Scott Smith. Show dates are Jan. 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, and 28 at the McCallum Theatre. Call Fine Arts at Ext. 574 for more information. 'Smoke-Out' Is Thursday; RN Students Will Visit Classrooms: The Great American Smoke-Out takes place Thursday, Nov. 16, and COD's Health Sciences Division is getting involved in the annual event. "The largest increase in smokers is in the 18-24 year old age group," said Magee Rose of the Nursing Department. "We want to make a difference, and it starts in our own backyard." Rose said RN students will come and give a short presentation to your classes upon request. The secondsemester students will provide information on how to succeed when quitting smoking. Call Magee at Ext. 296. Flu Vaccine Shortage Hits Campus: Unfortunately, this fall COD will not be able to offer flu immunizations due to the shortage of supply affecting the entire nation, according to the College nurses. "COD ordered flu vaccine supplies last May, and our vendor cannot fill the order," said Claudia Eberly. "This is also true for the local hospitals, pharmacies and doctors offices who have to date not received ordered shipments." Any preceding emailed or posted information about local availability of flu immunizations is as of this time obsolete and inaccurate. Shortages have been felt throughout the Coachella Valley. Costco and Westfield Town Center have both stopped their immunization schedules due to lack of vaccine. People are asked to call their doctors, watch the newspaper and TV media for information about public offerings of flu immunizations. "The media reports the
shortage of supply is in fact real and deliveries of adequate volume of immunization vaccine is short to non-existent now," Julie said. "Late December and January are the projected dates for the majority of deliveries at this time, according to the media. Weekly, a few locations around the valley offer immunizations, and pop up with little or no advance notice, as shorting of deliveries occurs regularly. These sites stay open a few hours, or a few days per location. The pattern of availability is a hopscotch around the valley. It is not too late to do vaccinations in late December or January, if one is not already sick or getting over the flu. Do not take the immunization if sick or recovering from flu or any contagious virus. Everyone needs to be prepared to stand in line where ever they go, and to call and confirm any information before going." The best preventive practices, according to COD nurses Eberly, Julie Hoffman and Marti Rohrback,include: Increase washing of your hands with hot water and soap before touching personal items or family, and after touching any public surfaces or persons other than your family, and immediately upon toileting, and upon arriving home, and especially before eating or cooking. Avoid touching the face, eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands. Use tissues for eyes, nose and face, and carry them at all times. Avoid persons who are ill, sneezing, coughing, congested, and stay home if symptoms appear. Rest and increased hydration with fluids are the best medicine for any virus or flu. Call your doctor if symptom increase and become severe over 24-36 hours, or if medical conditions are known, or complications occur which may further compromise recovery. CODFoundation Auxiliary Luncheon Set: The annual luncheon is tomorrow, Nov. 14, at Marrakesh Country Club at noon with fashions by Troy. A social hour begins at 11 a.m. The Auxiliary is a great friend to the College. Presidential Politics: Dan Deti, foreign language professor here at COD, is the "local angle" in the race for the nation's highest office. Seems Deti crossed paths with GOP vicepresidential candidate Dick Cheney. Weighing in with a historical footnote, Deti said, "We studied French together one semester at Casper College (Wyoming). In those days, Cheney was quite thin and handsome, with a mop of black hair." Deti remembers Cheney
in class, where his face was "a mask of concentration." [Editor's Note: Cheney may or may not become the next Vice President, pending the disputed outcome of one of the most unusual presidential elections in U.S. history]. Street Fair Expands to Three Days for Holiday Weekend:The popular Street Fair held on the COD campus will expand to three days during the Thanksgiving holiday and be open Friday, Nov. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 26, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. COD s Alumni Association sponsors the outdoor shopping festival, held on the community college campus at the corner of Fred Waring Drive and Monterey Avenue in Palm Desert. The fair, with over 300 merchant vendors, provides open-air shopping for the entire family including a selection of unique gifts, a farmer s market, arts and crafts, and refreshment booths. Admission, entertainment, and easy access on-campus parking through the San Pablo entrance are all free. AmeriCorps Inducts Its First Members: The AmeriCorps Early Childhood Education Project inducted the first members at a ceremony recently. The event was attended by the student AmeriCorps members and their families, COD administration, faculty and staff, and community members. Jan Barnett, Professor Emeritus, explained the AmeriCorps program and the role of COD's participation. She authored the literacy project grant. COD's Director of Vocational Education, Josie Gallegos, was Mistress of Ceremonies and Dr. Dan Baxley, Dean of Instruction, led the students in the AmeriCorps pledge. The new members are: Gloria Ashley, Petrita Avila, Darla Blaney, Sarah Earhart, Jennifer Enriquez, Lupita Girard, and Kris Schmidt. Each member has agreed to volunteer for 10 to 20 hours a week for a total of 450 or 900 hours. Following a period of training, the members will work with young children, infants to third grade, to develop literacy skills. After the hours have been completed, AmeriCorps will grant an award that may be used for future education. For more information, call Coral Allbee, AmeriCorps Coordinator, at Ext. 249. Foreign Film Festival Shows Academy Winner: COD's Communication Division presents the fourth in its series, the Fall Festival of Foreign Film Classics, on Sunday at 5 p.m. in Carol Meier Hall 4. La Vita ébella (better known in this country as Life is Beautiful) won three Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film, Best Actor, and Best Original Score, in 1998. Academy Award TV viewers will remember director-writer-actor Roberto Benigni walking across the backs of the chairs to receive one of his awards. The film is about a father's sacrifice to save his young
son's life, as well as his innocence, in a Nazi concentration camp. In Italian with English subtitles. Salton Sea Seminar Comes to Close: The last in a fourpart forum on the future of the Salton Sea will be held at the Multi- Agency Library (MAL) Community Room on Thursday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. This week's topic: Environment of the Sea - The Salton Database, presented by Dr. Timothy Krantz, Director, Redlands Institute for Environmental Design, Management and Policy. Preregistration is required; phone ext. 420 for more information. College Pops Up in Work of Fiction: Your editor received an email telling us COD got a "mention" in a book of short stories, so we looked it up. The book is Schoom, by Jonathan Wilson, and the mention occurs in a short story entitled Charcoal on Paper. There on page 188, a fictional character is said to have moved. The sentence reads, "...told me that she taught EFL at College of the Desert in California." We've been trying to determine what EFL stands for. Perhaps it was a typo and the author meant ESL? Administrator Appointed to Foundation Board: Juan Lujan, Director of Off-Campus Programs, has been appointed to the board of the Reynaldo J. Carreon M.D. Foundation. Named for a prominent local physician who practiced in Indio for many years, the foundation has provided local Hispanic students with nearly $400,000 in college scholarships in recent years. Lujan is also on the board of the Palm Springs Desert Museum, and has served as Arts Commissioner for the City of Indio as well as on the boards of several local education-oriented organizations. College Opportunities Conference Set: The abovementioned Foundation will host a conference this weekend at COD, to encourage high school juniors and seniors in the pursuit of higher education. The Foundation supports scholarships for local Hispanic students. Earlier this year, the foundation awarded scholarships to 31 local high school graduates who are now attending colleges and universities. The conference is Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m. Program directors and outreach counselors from COD, CSU San Bernardino and UC Riverside will present workshops. Interested students can register at their high schools or call the foundation at 342-0767. Library Friends Plan Book Sale: Friends of the COD Library recently received the largest single book donation in its threedecade history, more 4,000 volumes including some 700 cookbooks and food histories, all in top condition. These and others will all be the featured attractions at the Friends' two-day book sales this Friday and Saturday, with prices ranging from 50 cents for paperbacks up to $3 for deluxe hardbacks. The sale takes place at the FOTL book room in the Maintenance
Building on the north side of the campus. Friday's sale is from Noon to 4 p.m. On Saturday, the hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. They'll take cash or checks. FOTL recently held its November luncheon meeting, featuring a slide presentation by author Graham Macintosh on the writing his book, A Journey With a Baja Burro. Terry Stack is the FOTL President. Maureen Daly serves as program chair, and Doris Mechanick was event chair for the recent luncheon. Openings Personnel announces the following vacancies: Classified: Senior Office Assistant/Developmental Education, closing date Monday, Nov. 20. Classified Supervisor: Institutional Research Coordinator/Hispanic Serving Institutions, closing date Friday, Dec. 1. Faculty: English as a Second Language (Non-Credit), closing date Monday, Nov. 27. Thought For the Week "My interest is in the future...because I'm going to spend the rest of my life there."--charles Kettering Classified Staff Development Workshops Joyce Moore, Chair Classified Staff Development Committee, would like to make everyone aware of a number of upcoming staff development workshops. For more information stop by Joyce's office, B10, or call her at Ext. 587. A workshop schedule, with dates and locations, follows: Monday, Nov. 13 Building Regulations and Standards for Downey Schools Tuesday, Nov. 14 Integrated Pest Management in the School Environment Downey Wednesday, Nov. 15 Locksmithing-Part 3 Long Beach Thursday, Nov. 16 An Overview of School Purchasing Procedures-Part 2 Pasadena Tuesday, Nov. 28 Maintenance: Introduction to Energy Management Systems Downey Wednesday, Nov. 29 Payroll Office Training Downey Thursday, Nov. 30 Front and Back Office Training for Health Aides Downey Friday, Dec. 1 Workplace Strategies for Dealing With Difficult People Baldwin Park Monday, Dec. 4 Maintaining Employee Safety and Dealing With Violence in the Schools Baldwin Park Tuesday, Dec. 5 Custodial Floor Care-Part 1 Santa Clarita Wednesday, Dec. 6 School Lawn and Grounds Care Downey Thursday, Dec. 7 Fundamentals of Personnel Law for Managers and Supervisors Downey Friday, Dec. 8 Indoor Air Quality Downey
Monday, Dec. 11 Managing School Site Allocations Santa Clarita Tuesday, Dec. 12 Custodial Floor Care-Part 2 Santa Clarita Wednesday, Dec. 13 Leadership and Influence Skills for Office Professionals Baldwin Park Thursday, Dec. 14 Basic Roof Repair Downey Calendar of Events The Insider only lists the home games for all athletic events on the weekly calendar. For more information, contact the Athletics Department at Ext. 591. Monday, Nov. 13 TBA Women's State Golf Championships Tuesday, Nov. 14 11 A.M. Foundation Auxiliary-Fall Luncheon 2 p.m. Transfer Workshop-How to Transfer to CSU 5 p.m. Volleyball VS Victor Valley Wednesday, Nov. 15 Thursday, Nov. 16 2 p.m. Transfer Workshop-How to Transfer to UC 5 p.m. Volleyball VS Rio Hondo 1 p.m. Rock Movie Series-King Crimson-Deja VROOM Friday, Nov. 17 9 a.m. Board of Trustee's Meeting 10 a.m. Transfer Workshop-CSU Coachella Valley Campus: Completing Your Bachelor's Degree in Palm Desert Noon Friends of the COD Library Mini Book Sale 5 p.m. Women's Basketball VS Goldenwest 7 p.m. Men's Basketball VS LA City 8 p.m. Rock Movie Series-PINK Floyd-The Wall Saturday, Nov. 18 7 a.m. Alumni Association Street Fair 9 a.m. Friends of the COD Library Mini Book Sale Admission Day at CSU Coachella Valley Campus Sunday, Nov. 19 7 a.m. Alumni Association Street Fair 5 p.m. Festival of Foreign Films-La Vita è Bella (Life Is Beautiful) Monday, Nov. 20 11 a.m. Transfer Workshop-UC Irvine
Outreach Transfer Workshop-Planning Your 2 p.m. Spring Registration for Transfer Readiness Tuesday, Nov. 21 5 p.m. Women's Basketball VS Imperial Valley Wednesday, Nov. 22 Thursday, Nov. 23 COD Holiday Friday, Nov. 24 COD Holiday 7 a.m. Alumni Association Street Fair TBA Women's Basketball Big Mac Classic Saturday, Nov. 25 7 a.m. Alumni Association Street Fair TBA Women's Basketball Big Mac Classic 7:15 p.m. Men's Basketball VS San Diego City Sunday, Nov. 26 7 a.m. Alumni Association Street Fair TBA Women's Basketball Big Mac Classic The Insider is the newsletter for Faculty and Staff at College of the Desert, 43-500 Monterey Ave., Palm Desert, CA 92260. Published weekly during the school year, except on holidays. Send submissions via email or interoffice campus mail. Information: Tom Wixon, Public Relations Officer, ext. 589. The Insider is the newsletter for Faculty and Staff at College of the Desert, 43-500 Monterey Ave., Palm Desert, CA 92260. Published weekly during the school year, except during holidays. Send submissions via email or interoffice campus mail. Information: Tom Wixon, Director, Public Relations, ext. 2589. From off-campus: (760) 773-2589 or twixon@collegeofthedesert.edu. College of the Desert 43-500 Monterey Ave Palm Desert, CA 92260 760.346.8041 2009 Acceptable Use Guidelines Disclaimer