February 24 , 2005
Executive Report to the Board of Trustees: Here is the link to the report I gave to the Board of Trustees last night, under the new button called President’s Board Reports: http://skylinecollege.edu/skynotes/ I thought it would be shorter this time than last, but there are so many great things going on that this edition too is packed with items of appreciation, program news, recognition of achievements and notice of special events. Thanks to all those who helped put it together, and to those responsible for the activities and events themselves.
Skyline College Finishes Palette Task Force: Please plan to visit the cafeteria next week to take a look at a display of our proposed paint, carpet, upholstery, tile and other finishes for Skyline’s remodeled and new buildings. Your colleagues on this Task Force have developed a beautiful array of finishes that will allow each building’s user group to select from the palette. The display of their proposal will be available in the cafeteria all next week with feedback forms seeking your input. Take a look!
Congratulations to the basketball team: They won their last game and completed a good season. Thanks to new Coach Justin Piergrossi for pulling together a “new” team of freshmen. It was a great game, and I enjoyed the opportunity to meet each of the team members. It was also fun to see colleagues and some of their kids at the game Saturday night. The kids themselves displayed an inspiring level of athletic heart in a challenging half-time relay race to don a team uniform and shoot a basket.
Plans for Pacific Heights: Last night the Board of Trustees approved an item concerning preliminary investigation of a second bond initiative for our district. One of the components of that bond would be funding for a permanent facility at the Pacific Heights location, to house not only Cosmetology but other programs as well. It is clear now that the cost of renovating the current Pacific Heights building in order to make it viable for the long term is very high. It will make more sense to invest in a permanent, tailor-made building. Discussions of what that building might include are beginning.
Smoking on campus: Several students and members of our staff have expressed concern to me about smoking on campus. I have sought to educate myself on the history of this issue. I wanted to ascertain whether we had achieved an equilibrium on this subject, albeit an uneasy one, or whether this is a topic is due for a revisit. I learned that staff have already been at work on the issue recently: you may have noticed new red signs (happily called “Klingons”) around campus reminding us all of the prohibition on smoking inside buildings and the need to do any outside smoking at a distance of twenty feet from the buildings and vents. More signs have been ordered, and some larger ones will be placed near the vents that have been producing a smoke problem inside buildings. If you see spots that need signs, let me know. I raised the issue with the College Council yesterday, and we decided to pursue the topic further. It is clear that some circumstances have changed in the wake of the beginning of construction on Building 6 with its accompanying fencing and changes in the flow of foot traffic. I am referring this issue to our Health and Safety Committee for further consideration at their next meeting. I will keep you posted.
Thanks to the Health Center: We had the opportunity to get flu shots on campus this Tuesday. Thanks to the Health Center nurse Jan Gersonde for the initiative that made that possible.
WOW! Conference raffle: You heard from Jerry Peel thatthe registration deadline for this year’s WOW! Women on Writing Conferenceat Skyline College on Saturday, March 5th has been extended to Friday, February 25th, to allow all District employees a last opportunity to attend this year’s conference at the early bird rate of only $60. Students, of course, still only pay $25. The fee includes a continental breakfast and luncheon. Further information, and a downloadable registration form, can be found by following the link for the WOW! Conference: http://www.smccd.net/accounts/skywow. He also mentioned the raffle and the list of terrific prizes. Funds raised through the raffle will be used to provide seed money for next year’s conference. Purchase your raffle tickets from Roxanne Brewer, extension 4325, in our Public Information Office (3rd floor of Bldg. 1) or from Kathy Fitzpatrick, extension 4202, in the Language Arts Division at Skyline or from Karen Pinkham, extension 6714, in the SMCCC Foundation office in the District Office. Credit cards work. Raffle tickets will also be sold at the Conference on March 5th. And if you are into T-shirts, there will be WOW! shirts for sale in the Bookstore any minute.
Victoria P. Morrow, Ph.D.
President, Skyline College
650-738-4111
morrowv@smccd.net
3300 College Drive
San Bruno, CA 94066