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Susan Tarnowski, Ph.D.
Vice President of Educational Services |
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- TODAY! Celebrations in honor of the ARCC Nominees for the Board of Trustees Teaching Excellence Awards!
Join your colleagues for the celebrations in honor of the ARCC Nominees for the Board of Trustees Teaching Excellence Awards!
- Celebration in honor of BARB BROWN
Coon Rapids Campus, 10:00 AM - Riverview Room
- Celebration in honor of MARY JANUSCHKA
Cambridge Campus, 2:30 PM - E244
- TODAY! Student Awards Ceremony - Coon Rapids Campus
You are invited to attend the Student Awards Ceremony honoring our outstanding students in academics and activities Wednesday, May 9, 2007 at 7 PM in the Performing Arts Center. A reception will follow in the Lobby. For further information, contact Joyce Traczyk.
- TODAY! Art Auction - Coon Rapids Campus
The Arts Auction, featuring the works of Bob Toensing and Mark Lambert, will be held Wednesday, May 9, 2007 at 6:30 PM in the Painting Studio, F212. The Auction is a benefit for the ARCC Foundation (Coon Rapids campus). For more information contact either Bob Toensing or Mark Lambert.
- Today! Reception to welcome MSU Moorhead - Cambridge Campus
Join us as Anoka-Ramsey Community College officially welcomes MSU Moorhead to the Cambridge Campus. A reception to celebrate our new partnership will be May 9, 1:30 p.m. at the Cambridge Campus. The reception will include a brief program and light refreshments will be served.
- Faculty Support Available
Please be aware of the following schedule changes and support opportunities.
- Wed., 5/16 - Thur., 5/17
Summer staff hours begin on 5/16. All faculty secretaries are scheduled 7:30 am - 5:00 PM.
- Fri., 5/18
Faculty secretaries are scheduled 7:30 am - 11:30 am, with the exception of Robin Johnson (Lower Humanities). Robin will be available for CR Campus faculty support until 4:00 PM.
- Mon., 5/21
All staff, including faculty secretaries, are scheduled to attend the Staff Development Day activities at an off-campus location. Except for Bonnie Witte (Science/Wellness), this is the last day of the faculty secretaries annual appointment.
- Tue., 5/22 - Fri., 6/15
Bonnie Witte will be available to provide support to all Coon Rapids Campus faculty. Her regular schedule is 7:30 am - 5:00 PM, Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 am - 11:30 am on Friday.
- Final Grade Due Date
Final grades are due by 7:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 23rd for courses that run the entire semester. Courses that run less than the full semester have an adjusted deadline - please check online under the "faculty and staff" link on the ARCC homepage for adjusted courses. If you have any problems with posting grades online, please contact Janine Forrer.
- Last Date of Attendance Reminder - Spring 2007
Please enter the last date of attendance (LDA) for students who will receive a grade of F or NC for Spring semester. Complete this step before grades are recorded.
When you enter LDA, the grade should default to F. For developmental courses, the Records Offices will change the F to an NC.
- If the student NEVER attended, the earliest date you can enter is the first day of the term, which is 1/16/2007 for spring semester. This date will alert Financial Aid that the student did not attend your class.
- If the student attended through the entire term, please enter the last meeting date of the course.
- If the student stopped attending during the term/class, please record the last date you have on record of attendance or class participation.
See instructions
Problems usually arise when the grades are entered before entering the last dates of attendance. Please e-mail Janine Forrer if you have any problems or questions when entering your LDAs.
- Fall Textbook Requisitions
Did you know that early textbook orders for the Fall Semester can help students save money? If you are able to submit your textbook requisition before Book Buy Back (May 14-18), a student is able to sell that book for a higher price and more used books can be available for the Fall Semester. For more information, contact Noel Lindner or Matt Venneman.
- Farewell to Deying!
Yu Deying has been with us since August 2006, teaching Chinese Language and Culture classes. She will be departing back for Zhaoqing China in the end of May. Please stop by her office to thank her for her many contributions to our college community and to wish her well.
- April Recruiting Highlights
The Recruiting and Admissions staff made:
- 18 school visits
- 3 presentations
- 7 school fairs
- 1 school tour
Highlights:
- Patty Scofield and Matt Crawford presented to a Kenyan Community Church and met with over 40 people.
- Deb Greene judged students interviewing skills at Mora Work Skills Day; students came from Mora, Ogilvie, Isle, Princeton, Braham and Cambridge.
- Matt Crawford went to Metro North ABE and presented to their graduating GED class and spoke with over 40 students.
- Sally Schwartz brought over 60 students from St Francis HS to tour the Coon Rapids Campus.
- Tommie Powell went to a Christian alternative learning center fair and met 100 students
- Wellness Works
Wellness Works, the wellness program for ARCC employees, was created to impact the health and well-being of our employees.
Employees who have earned 50 wellness points are eligible to receive $100 to use toward a person wellness initiative!! All wellness requests should be submitted prior to Friday, June 1, 2007.
Procedure for Approval :
- Complete a Wellness Funds Request form.
- Attach a copy of your Wellness Tracking Sheet with 50 earned points. (attached)
- Attach all required receipts.
- The Wellness Funds Request form is to be signed by the employees supervisor and routed to the Wellness Coordinator.
- The Wellness Coordinator will route the form to the Chief Human Resources Officer and the College President for approval.
- The form is forwarded to the College President Secretary for publication in the College Bulletin.
- Upon approval, the Wellness Coordinator will return the form to the employee with instructions on how to obtain funding or
reimbursement.
- If the request if denied, the Wellness Coordinator will notify the employee.
For further clarification, please see the attached Wellness Works Guidelines or contact Joyce Traczyk.
THIS IS THE LAST QUICKNEWS OF THE YEAR! HAVE A GREAT SUMMER! |
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- TODAY! Mental Health Awareness Speaker and Photo Exhibit - Coon Rapids Campus
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. ARCC will host a public event featuring nationally known speaker Pete Feigal, Wednesday, May 2, 4:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. Feigal will speak about his 30 years living with clinical depression and 17 years living with multiple sclerosis. His powerful stories help mend misunderstandings about the experience of mental illness.
This public event launches a month-long showing of a nationally acclaimed photo-text exhibit "Nothing to Hide: Mental Illness in the Family". The exhibit will be displayed at ARCC May 1 through May 4 and then tour Anoka County.
All ARCC faculty are invited and encouraged to attend, and to bring classes / encourage attendance by students. We hope to see you there!
For more information, contact John Hennen or MaryAnn Larios.
NOTE: This is a change in location. If you have encouraged your students to attend and you have class tomorrow before the event please let them know to come to the PAC.
- TODAY! Spring Picnic - Coon Rapids Campus
- Time: 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
- Location: River Plaza
- Time: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
- Location: Business/Nursing Bulge
Free Food: Hamburger and Veggie burgers, chips, cookies, lemonade
Activities: Clubs and Organizations Fair, US Army Rock Climbing Wall, Sandy Candy (sponsored by UPS), Cardboard Jena (sponsored by UPS), Talent Show. Sponsored by the Student Activities Office, Student Government, and UPS. For more information, contact Joyce Traczyk.
- TODAY! Student Art Sale - Coon Rapids Campus
The Student Art Sale will take place today May 2 and tomorrow May 3, 2007 in the lower Educational services building. Doors open at 8:00 AM. Don't miss the selection of artwork this year. For more information, contact Mark Lambert.
- Celebration in honor of the ARCC Nominees for the Board of Trustees Teaching Excellence Awards - Both campuses
Join us in celebrating the nominations of two wonderful Anoka Ramsey faculty members for the McSCU Board of Trustees Teaching Excellence Awards! Both events will be held on Wednesday, May 9, 2007.
- Celebration in honor of BARB BROWN: Coon Rapids campus, 10:00 AM, in the Riverview Room
- Celebration in honor of MARY JANUSCHKA: Cambridge campus, 2:30 p.m. Room E244 .
- "Be the Bridge" and Spring picnic - Cambridge campus
The new building on the Cambridge Campus is nearly complete! A special event has been planned to coincide with the Spring Picnic at noon, on May 8th, called, "Be the Bridge". The goal for this event is to move symbolic items from the west side of campus to the east side of campus. Different student organizations and academic areas will artistically create a large item that symbolizes something about our campus. The item will then pass from student to student, from the Instructional Services Building to the new building. It's not too late to create an item, art consultants will be on campus the next two Fridays in the art room to help!
Please plan on joining in this celebration! For more information, contact DeeDee Peaslee.
- Celebration of Partnership with MSU Moorhead - Cambridge Campus
A reason to celebrate! MSU Moorhead brings bachelor's degree in special education to Anoka-Ramsey Community College Cambridge Campus.
You are invited to join President Johns in officially welcoming MSU Moorhead to the Cambridge Campus of Anoka-Ramsey Community College. A reception to celebrate our new partnership will be May 9, 1:30 p.m. at the Cambridge Campus - in the alcove near the bookstore.
- Celebrate our AFA Art Student Accomplishments - "All for Art" Exhibit
The "All for Art" Juried AFA Exhibit will be held from May 4 - 30, 2007 at Blaine City Hall. The opening reception and awards ceremony is May 4, 4:30-8:00 PM. For more information, contact Jeannine Kitzhaber.
- ARCC Music Ensemble Performances
Join us for upcoming performances:
- May 4, 2007 - Choir Concert at the Cambridge Campus
- 6:30 PM
- May 8, 2007 - Choir Concert at the Coon Rapids Campus
- 7:30 PM
- May 10, 2007 - Band Concert at the Coon Rapids Campus
- 7:30 PM
- Eighth Annual ARCC Math Department Picnic - Coon Rapids Campus and Environs
You are invited to the 8th annual Math Department Alumni Panel and Picnic to be held on Wednesday, May 9, 2007. Start at the Alumni Panel from 3:00 - 4:00 PM in Room B208 at the Coon Rapids Campus of ARCC, and stay for the picnic from 4:00-6:00 at the Lion’s Coon Creek Park, Coon Rapids. For more information or to RSVP, contact Mark Omodt.
- Last Date of Attendance (LDA) reminder to Faculty - Spring 2007
Please enter the last date of attendance (LDA) for students who will receive a grade of F or NC for spring semester. Complete this step before grades are recorded. When you enter LDA, the grade should default to F. For developmental courses, the Records Offices will change the F to an NC.
- If the student NEVER attended, the earliest date you can enter is the first day of the term, which is 1/16/2007 for spring semester. This date will alert Financial Aid that the student did not attend your class.
- If the student attended through the entire term, please enter the last meeting date of the course.
- If the student stopped attending during the term/class, please record the last date you have on record of attendance or class participation.
See instructions
Problems usually arise when the grades are entered before entering the last dates of attendance. Please e-mail Janine Forrer if you have any problems or questions when entering your LDAs.
Thank you for your assistance in posting these very important dates. We greatly appreciate your cooperation in completing this task.
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- TODAY! Saul Escobar Toledo at College Hour - Coon Rapids Campus
Saul Escobar Toledo will lead a conversation about Mexico-U.S. relations and recent shifts in the Americas, immigration, border relations and the 'fence', NAFTA, globalization, and a North American Union, the political landscape in the aftermath of the 2006 Mexican Presidential elections, the recent turbulence in Oaxaca, and reactions to Hugo Chavez in Venezuela and Evo Morales in Bolivia.
Mr. Escobar Toledo was trained as an economist at UNAM in Mexico City and became one of the founding members of the PRD in 1989. Since then he has served the party in various functions, including coordinator of political economy and fiscal reform, member of the national planning committee, and PRD representative to the Federal Electoral Institute. He currently serves as the chair of the party's International Department. He has published essays on labor reform and effects of globalization in Mexico and taught economics and political science at UNAM, Universidad Autonoma de Chapingo, Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana - Azcapotzalco, and Escuela National de Antropologia e Historia. Mr. Escobar Toledo speaks fluent English.
Join your colleagues for this conversation. Feel free to invite students. The presentation will be followed by Q&A. TODAY -TODAY, Coon Rapids College Hour, 2pm, B203.
- Deadline for Round 4 Awards for Excellence Proposals: May 1, 2007
Proposal submission for Round 4 of the Awards for Excellence and reports of completed projects from Round 1, 2, or 3 (if completed) are due to the Educational Services Office by NOON on MAY 1, 2007
Per approved legislation, the proposal must include three characteristics:
- The proposal must involve work that is above and beyond the normal requirements of the individual’s position. It is recognized that a faculty member’s normal responsibilities include classroom teaching, student advising, course evaluation, classroom preparation, the evaluation of student performance, committee assignments, classroom research, professional development, service to the college, and community service (MSCF 2005-2007 Contract, Article 11). resources.
- The proposal must demonstrate that the project objectives or outcomes will promote excellence in student learning. Goals and objectives should prioritize student learning and successful achievement of students’ personal and career goals. There should be a clear relationship between the performance objectives or project goals, the plan of work and methods, and the intended student learning outcomes.
- The proposal must clearly identify the methods to be used for assessing outcomes.
View the current Guidelines
NOTE: THIS IS THE LAST PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DATE.
- Awards for Excellence - Final Report format
All Awards for Excellence final reports need to be submitted on the online reporting form.
NOTE: ALL FINAL REPORTS FOR APPROVED PROJECTS MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE OR ON December 1, 2007.
- Faculty Fellowships application Deadline: May 1, 2007
The deadline for Faculty Fellowship applications is May 1, 2007. Please forward applications to the Educational Services Office. As was done last year, applications will be considered by the Awards for Excellence Committee. For more information, you may contact Darren Hoff, Human Resources.
The application form is on the N:drive under ARCC Public/Forms/Human Resources/Faculty Fellowship Packet (2007).doc
- Mental Health Awareness Speaker
Speaker Pete Feigal will present on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 at 4:30 in the Coon Rapids cafeteria. The topic will be "Gain a Better Understanding of Mental Health". Also on display will be a photo-text exhibit titled: Nothing to Hide: Mental Illness in the Family", on display April 30 - May 4, 2007.
- Macbeth Continues on the Coon Rapids campus
Shakespeare's MACBETH continues at the Coon Rapids campus Performing Arts Center April 26, 27, and 28, 2007.
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- Congratulations to the ARCC nominees for the Board of Trustees Teaching Excellence Award!
Anoka Ramsey faculty members Barb Brown and Mary Januschka were honored along with twenty-nine faculty nominees from across the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system last evening at an award ceremony. We are proud that these wonderful faculty members represented ARCC! Congratulations and thank you!
Additional thanks go to the members of the ARCC Board of Trustees Award for Excellence in Teaching Nominating Committee members:
co-chairs Patty Wheeler Andrews and Barb Prince, Sasha Verkhovtseva; Deans Luanne Kane, DeeDee Peaslee, and Cynthia Weishapple; and students Miah Clayton and Kristin Burnham.
- Reception for St. Cloud State University President Dr. Roy Saigo
ARCC is hosting a reception for retiring SCSU president, Dr. Roy Saigo, on Tuesday, April 24, from 11:30 to 1:00 p.m. in the Riverview Room. The reception is to recognize President Saigo for his service to St. Cloud State University and partnership with ARCC. If you are a graduate of SCSU and would like to join us at the celebration and wish President Saigo well in his retirement, please RSVP to Najat Kessler at 433-1547. Lunch will be provided.
- Career Speaker Series
Steve Restad of our Coon Rapids Business Faculty will inspire our students and staff on the topic of The Competitive Business of Marketing and International Business in the third presentation of the Educational Services Career Speakers Series.
Schedule change: This event will be held from 1:00-2:00 pm on Wednesday, April 25th 2007 in B 245 on the Coon Rapids Campus, and broadcast via ITV in E202 at Cambridge. Please encourage your students to attend. Everyone is welcome.
- Earth Day Events at ARCC- Cambridge Campus
Everyone is invited to join in the Earth Day activities planned by the College on April 21, 2007 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. There will be activities indoors and out, music, booths, bird walks, free seedlings and much more! The event is free and open to the public and is coordinated by the Isanti County Environmental Coalition.
- Free Art Trip
A trip from the Cambridge Campus to the Kara Walker exhibit at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis will be held this Saturday, April 21, 2007. The bus will leave at 12:45 p.m. and return by 5:30. If you want to meet at the Walker by 1:45, please contact Michael Wall to reserve tickets and space in the discussion.
The visit will include tours of the Kara Walker exhibit led by Art Center docents, and a discussion following the tours which will be led by a facilitator. Refreshments will be served, and there is no cost for this event.
RSVP to Alumni Relations at 433.1597, alumni@anokaramsey.edu, or sign up in the events section of the Alumni pages of the College web site.
- Macbeth - Coon Rapids campus
Shakespeare's MACBETH will be presented at the Coon Rapids campus Performing Arts Center April 20, 21, 26, 27, and 28, 2007.
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- FACULTY PLEASE READ: Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) Test - April 17th - Coon Rapids H.S.
Once again, all high schools in the state of Minnesota will be giving the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) Test to all 10th and 11th grade students. This year the test will be given on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 from 7:45 AM -1:45 PM for Coon Rapids High School students.
As in the past, I am requesting that you allow junior PSEO students in your classes to be absent on that day. Since this is a required test
and the schools must account for the attendance of high school juniors, any junior year PSEO student will be absent from ARCC classes.
Since we do not identify PSEO students that are in your classes, I have asked that these students self-identify and let you know that they will be absent that day for the test. When this occurs, I'll ask you to please make accommodations for these students as necessary. Thanks so much for your help.
- Deadline for Round 4 Awards for Excellence Proposals: May 1, 2007
Proposal submission for Round 4 of the Awards for Excellence and reports of completed projects from Round 1, 2, or 3 (if completed) are due to the Educational Services Office by NOON on MAY 1, 2007.
Per approved legislation, the proposal must include three characteristics:
- The proposal must involve work that is above and beyond the normal requirements of the individual’s position. It is recognized that a faculty member’s normal responsibilities include classroom teaching, student advising, course evaluation, classroom preparation, the evaluation of student performance, committee assignments, classroom research, professional development, service to the college, and community service (MSCF 2005-2007 Contract, Article 11). resources.
- The proposal must demonstrate that the project objectives or outcomes will promote excellence in student learning. Goals and objectives should prioritize student learning and successful achievement of students’ personal and career goals. There should be a clear relationship between the performance objectives or project goals, the plan of work and methods, and the intended student learning outcomes.
- The proposal must clearly identify the methods to be used for assessing outcomes.
View the current Guidelines
NOTE: THIS IS THE LAST PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DATE.
- Awards for Excellence - Final Report format
All Awards for Excellence final reports need to be submitted on the online reporting form.
NOTE: ALL FINAL REPORTS FOR APPROVED PROJECTS MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE OR ON DECEMBER 1, 2007.
- Faculty Fellowships application Deadline: May 1, 2007
The deadline for Faculty Fellowship applications is May 1, 2007. Please forward applications to the Educational Services Office. As was done last year, applications will be considered by the Awards for Excellence Committee. For more information, you may contact Darren Hoff, Human Resources.
The application form is on the N:drive under ARCC Public/Forms/Human Resources/Faculty Fellowship Packet (2007).doc
- March Student Recruitment Report
Campus Visits Increased in March
College open houses, school tours and campus visits days brought many college students to our campuses in March. College campus visits are one of the most effective means to recruit potential students. Not only are the college visits informative, college campus visits help student get a "feel" for the college.
Cambridge Campus had about 440 students visit their campus in March through programs like Chisago Lakes Days and the Ogilvie Transition Fair. The Cambridge Campus also had an increase in attendance in the spring open house. Coon Rapids Campus had just over 100 potential students attend the spring open house.
Kudos to Cindi Gilbert (Cambridge) and Sally Schwartz (Coon Rapids) for their planning and coordination.
- Student Appreciation Day Celebration - Coon Rapids - TODAY!
Student Appreciation Day is TODAY, Wednesday, April 11, 2007 from 10:30-12:30 and 5:30-6:30 in the Business/Nursing Bulge on the Coon Rapids campus. Please encourage your students to stop by! For more information, contact Joyce Traczyk.
- Plan Ahead: Macbeth - Coon Rapids campus
Shakespeare's MACBETH will be presented at the Coon Rapids campus Performing Arts Center April 20, 21, 26, 27, and 28, 2007.
- Minnesota Educational Fair Coming Soon!
The annual Minnesota Education Fair will be held Monday, April 16th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the ARCC gym, Coon Rpaids. This event is attended by over 110 colleges from around the Midwest! It’s an excellent opportunity for current students to view transfer colleges. In addition, representatives from the armed forces will be in attendance. The event is free and no reservations are needed.
Here is a list of colleges attending:
Academy College
Air National Guard
Alexandria Technical College
Anoka Technical College
ARGOSY University
Augsburg College
Augustana College
Aveda Institute Minneapolis
Bemidji State University
Bethany Lutheran College
Bethel University
Brown College
Buena Vista University
Central Lakes College - Brainerd
Century College
Clarke College
College of Saint Benedict-Saint John's University
College of St. Catherine - St. Paul Campus
College of St. Scholastica
College of Visual Arts
Concordia College - Moorhead
Concordia University - St. Paul
Crossroads College
Crown College
Dakota County Technical College
Drake University
Dunwoody College of Technology
Finlandia University
Grand View College
Gustavus Adolphus College
Hamline University
Hennepin Technical College - Eden Prairie
Herzing College, Minneapolis Drafting School
Inver Hills Community College
Iowa State University
Itasca Community College
ITT Technical Institute
Jamestown College
Johnson and Wales University
Josef's School of Hair Design
Lake Superior College
Le Cordon Bleu - Brown College
Loras College
Luther College
MAFAA
Mayo School of Health Sciences
McNally Smith College of Music
Metropolitan State University - St. Paul
Michigan Tech University
Minneapolis Business College
Minneapolis Comm and Tech College
Minnesota School of Business-Plymouth Campus
Minnesota State College - Southeast Technical
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Minnesota State University - Mankato
Model College of Hair Design
National American University - Rapid City Campus
Navy Recruiting
North Dakota State College of Science
North Dakota State University
North Hennepin Community College
North Park University
Northern Michigan University
Northern State University
Northland College
Northwestern College - Orange City
Northwestern College - St. Paul
Northwestern Health Sciences University
NTI - School of Technology
Oak Hills Christian College
Pine Technical College
Rainy River Community College
Rasmussen College
Regency Beauty Institute - Brooklyn Park
Ripon College
Saint Mary's University
Scot Lewis Schools
South Dak School of Mines and Tech
South Dakota State University
Southwest Minnesota State University
Sr. Rosalind Gefre Schs & Clinics of Massage - S
St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud Technical College
St. Norbert College
St. Olaf College
The Art's Institute
The University of South Dakota
United States Air Force
University of Iowa
University of Mary
University of Minnesota - Crookston
University of Minnesota - Duluth
University of Minnesota - Morris
University of Minnesota - TC
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
University of North Dakota
University of Northern Iowa
University of Sioux Falls
University of St. Thomas
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin - River Falls
University of Wisconsin - Stout
University of Wisconsin - Superior
Upper Iowa University
Vermillion Community College
Waldorf College
Wartburg College
West Point Military Academy
Winona State University
WyoTech
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This week, I want to share an interesting presentation titled "Did you know ..." that was shown at a recent meeting of the
MnSCU CAOs (Chief Academic Officers).
View the presentation
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- FACULTY PLEASE READ: Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) Test - April 17th - Coon Rapids H.S.
Once again, all high schools in the state of Minnesota will be giving the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) Test to all 10th and 11th grade students. This year the test will be given on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 from 7:45 am -1:45 pm for Coon Rapids High School students.
As in the past, I am requesting that you allow junior PSEO students in your classes to be absent on that day. Since this is a required test
and the schools must account for the attendance of high school juniors, any junior year PSEO student will be absent from ARCC classes.
Since we do not identify PSEO students that are in your classes, I have asked that these students self-identify and let you know that they will be absent that day for the test. When this occurs, I'll ask you to please make accommodations for these students as necessary. Thanks so much for your help.
- Reminder - Faculty: Strategic Planning Roundtables on April 5, 2007
You are invited to a strategic plan roundtable meeting for all Anoka-Ramsey Community College faculty and deans. The meeting is scheduled for Thurs, April 5, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. in Room 100 in the ARCC Training & Development Center (TDC). The purpose of the roundtable is to discuss the dynamics of the college’s 2004-09 strategic plan, Designs for Distinction. Al Watts, who led our planning process in 2003-2004, will facilitate the April 5 discussion.
As you may recall, in the fall of 2003, the College embarked on a strategic planning process that resulted in Designs for Distinction. Many strategic activities have been accomplished to date, but we need to assess these results and identify new challenges to ensure our plan remains dynamic, flexible, and inclusive. To that end, a community breakfast was held recently to garner community input. Now we are seeking faculty and staff input. To prepare for the discussion refer to the letter from Pat Johns dated March 15, 2007.
- Next Deadline for Awards for Excellence Proposals and Final Reports: May 1, 2007
The next deadline for Awards for Excellence proposals and any completed final reports is May 1, 2007. All proposals and reports should be submitted to the Educational Services office. Since funds must be encumbered before the end of Fiscal Year 2007, this will be the last deadline for proposals unless the funding is reauthorized as part of the budget process. The deadline for all final reports for this fiscal period is December 1, 2007.
- Email Questionnaires Concerning Interest in Upper division Offerings
As you know, ARCC is partnering with St. Cloud State University to offer upper-division courses on our campuses. As a part of this partnership, SCSU will be sending email messages to all of our students (both campuses) asking them to complete a brief electronic questionnaire about their interest in upper-division course offering. Please encourage your students to respond to this email generated by SCSU. Two Apple iPod nanos will be given away (random drawing from names of students who submit the completed questionnaire) by SCSU. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Luanne Kane.
- FREE student self-service enrollment verifications are now available through the National Student Clearinghouse
The National Student Clearinghouse is the official certifying authority for Anoka-Ramsey Community College. Student Self-Service saves a trip to the Records Office by providing students with the ability to perform the following services securely via the Web, 24/7:
- Print enrollment verification certificates to send to health insurers, housing providers or other organizations requiring proof of
enrollment
- Check deferment forms and electronic notifications sent to lenders
- Obtain a list of student loan lenders and link to real-time loan information
- View enrollment history
- View enrollment verifications provided to student service providers at the student's request
From the ARCC hompage, students choose Online Services and select Enrollment Verification under the Records and Registration section. Students can then enter their Tech ID and PIN, which the system verifies before taking them to the Clearinghouse site, and follow the simple instructions to get a printed enrollment certification form. If you have questions, contact Janine Forrer, Registrar.
- Health Fair - Coon Rapids Campus
A Health Fair will take place on Wednesday, April 4 from 10 AM to 1 PM in the Coon Rapids Cafeteria.
- Student Bulletin
Remember to check myARCC Portal for the electronic Student Bulletin on a regular basis! When you're in myARCC, click on myARCC Student Home located under myARCC Pages. Also remember to send your student-related events or special announcements to Sarah Treichel .
The electronic Student Bulletin is updated on a weekly basis.
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- St. Patrick's Day Event - TODAY - Coon Rapids Campus
Experience traditional Irish music and culture through a fascinating variety of wind powered instruments including wooden flutes, tin whistles, gem shorn and voice. The music of Ireland comes alive with the addition of Irish step dancers from the Scoil nadTri Irish Dance Academy. In a program intriguing to both youth and adults, hear how air is transformed into music and what makes these aris, dance tunes and songs "Celtic". The event is today, Wednesday, March 14, Cafeteria, 10:00 AM -12:00 PM - Coon Rapids. For more information, contact Joyce Traczyk.
- CTL Event - TODAY - Cambridge Campus
Donna Falconer, Mary Januschka and Kim Lynch will update faculty on the Course Design Review project. Steve Reed will present information regarding technology and security. This event will take place today, Wednesday, March 14 at 12:15 PM in IS 121 on the Cambridge campus.
- Sixth Annual "Writing About Art: Firing the Imagination" Contest
The deadline for the 6th annual "Writing About Art: Firing the Imagination" contest is the day faculty return from Spring Break (March 26 at 4 p.m.) There are prizes/awards: 1st place-$100, 2nd place-$50, 3rd place-$25. All winners will be published in The Rapids Review and will be invited to read their winning entries at the Spring Poetry/Fiction Reading. Students may turn in their poetry/essays in the drop box located in H145, Robin Johnson's office. There are posters all around campus about this event, and we have a few contest bookmarks left for students. For more information or bookmarks, contact Paige Reihl.
- Calling All Artists and Writers! - Cambridge campus
THE SPIRIT RIVER REVIEW, an annual publication of the Cambridge Campus of ARCC, is now accepting submissions of art, poetry, short stories, and creative non-fiction for its 2007 issue. This publication is open to submissions from all students, faculty, and staff. There are also three "Creative Play" contests for students to enter. DEADLINE for all submissions: March 30, 2007. View the submission guidelines and contest rules, stop by IS 111D or contact Bill Breen.
- Outstanding Student of the Year and Student Awards Ceremony - Coon Rapids campus
Each year, the campus honors students demonstrating high achievement in academic disciplines, activities, and campus leadership. Nominations are now open for the 2006-2007 academic year. Nominations are also open for the Outstanding Student of the Year Award. All faculty and staff are encouraged to nominate an outstanding student of the year. The Student Awards Ceremony will be on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 at 7:00 PM in the Performing Arts Center, Coon Rapids campus. Please see attached for details on the Student Awards and attached for details on the Outstanding Student Award, or contact Joyce Traczyk.
- Creative Writing Club - Coon Rapids campus
Please remind your students of two opportunities coming up courtesy of ARCC's Creative Writing Club. This Wednesday, between noon and 1:30 p.m. the club is sponsoring an open mike reading in the Student Center Lounge - Coon Rapids Campus. Stories, poems, memoir, any kind of spoken word that students want to share with others, this is their chance.
Please also remind students that April 2, 1007 is the deadline for submissions of poetry, prose, art and photography for the Rapid Review, ARCC's student literary magazine. Students can submit work to Richard Broderick via email as a Word attachment for text or a PDF or jpg file for photos and art, or submit the work on disk to Richard's mailbox in the Upper Humanities office. If students have any questions, they can contact Richard.
- Academic Support Centers
Beginning earlier this Spring, the Academic Support Center on both campuses implemented a new procedure for signing in and using services. In an effort to maintain a welcoming atmosphere, there are now kiosks where visitors, quickly sign in either with their name or tech ID. They then check off the purpose of their visit: ABE/GED, study groups, tutoring by specific subjects, computer lab use or in the case of the CR campus Job Placement services. This process will help with future staffing/scheduling and provide a computer generated tracking device.
This procedure was developed after reading the HLC Summary regarding Student Learning and Effective Teaching, and reviewing college’s Guiding Principles for Curriculum and Assessment. This processes is designed to inform program review the assessment of student learning. Thanks to Josh Anderson, Darla McCann and Jan Pomeroy for their work on this process.
- Upcoming Concert
Folk/pop/cultural singer and song-writer Annie Humphrey; story teller Anne Dunn; and flute and guitar act Ogemabenez will be performing Thursday March 29, 2007 at 8:00 in the Performing Arts Center on the Coon Rapids campus. This is a great opportunity to relax and enjoy a great night of entertainment, support cultural diversity on campus, and provide your students with an opportunity to heighten their sense of cultural awareness. Tickets are free, please contact Sarah Treichel. For more information see attachment.
- Minnesota Online Summer Conference
The Minnesota Online 4th Annual Summer Conference is scheduled for June 13-15, 2007 at Bemidji State University. View the conference web site for more information, including information on accommodations.
The proposal deadline is April 30, 2007, registration deadline is May 15, 2007.
- Spring Commencement - CR campus
It may seem odd to think about Spring Commencement as we move towards Spring Break, but it is time to start Commencement planning on the Coon Rapids Campus (information on the Cambridge Campus ceremony will be in a later issue).
The date and time for the Coon Rapids ceremony is Friday, May 18, 2007 at 7:00 PM. The students would be thrilled to have our faculty and administration participate in this ceremony and I urge you to celebrate with our newest alumni! As in past years, all faculty in the formal procession are expected to wear academic regalia - caps and gowns. Academic gowns will be rented for you if you plan to participate in the ceremony.
Forms will be placed in all the faculty secretaries' offices for you to complete if you will be participating. You may email Valerie with your information, or, you may print out the attached form, complete it and send to her via interoffice mail. Please view the attachment if you choose to e-mail her your information so that all the questions are answered. Valerie must have this information by March 26, 2007 as orders are due to Collegiate Cap and Gown seven weeks prior to our graduation date.
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- Congratulations to the ARCC Nominees for the Board of Trustees Teaching Excellence Awards!
Congratulations to the Anoka-Ramsey Nominees for the Board of Trustees Teaching Excellence Awards:
- Barbara Brown - Mathematics
- Mary Januschka - Biology
They are both wonderful representatives of ARCC in this system-wide process.
Beginning with the current academic year, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System Board of Trustees will give Awards for Excellence in Teaching to three faculty members within the MnSCU System. These awards are intended to recognize superior teaching and the primacy of the teaching mission of the state college and university system institutions.
Their nominations are a result of a call from the ARCC Nominating Committee. Their portfolios and supporting materials were submitted to the Office of the Chancellor by the March 3, 2007 deadline. Now, at the system level, an initial review of all nominations will be done by a designee of the Board of Trustees. This review is to examine each portfolio for compliance with the system-wide criteria for selection and eligibility. Then, a system-level committee will review the nominees and recommend three state-wide award recipients. The committee will recommend three awardees to the Senior Vice Chancellor. The Awards for Excellence in Teaching will be awarded in April of 2007.
All nominees will receive a framed certificate and a pin. The three recipients of the Board of Trustees Award for Excellence in Teaching will receive a $5,000.00 honorarium, a certificate, a specially designed medallion to be worn with regalia, and a pin. All nominees will be invited to an event at which the nominees and awardees are honored.
Additional thanks go to the members of the ARCC Board of Trustees Award for Excellence in Teaching Nominating Committee members:
co-chairs Patty Wheeler Andrews and Barb Prince, Sasha Verkhovtseva; Deans Luanne Kane, DeeDee Peaslee, and Cynthia Weishapple; and students Miah Clayton and Kristin Burnham.
Congratulations to Barbara Brown - Mathematics
Barbara Brown became an unlimited, full-time mathematics faculty member at Anoka-Ramsey Community College in 1994, after serving the college as a part-time faculty member since 1987. Highlights of her career include:
- 1989: Created Pre-algebra course.
- 1992: Received Foundation Grant to assess the effect of study groups in mathematics.
- 1994: Received Certificate of Commendation from then Governor Arne Carlson and the Minnesota Council for Quality for quality in teaching.
- 1995: Appointed Classroom Research/Assessment Project Coordinator.
- 1997: Named Minnesota Mathematics Instructor of the Year Award by the Minnesota Mathematical Association of Two Year Colleges.
- 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005: Identified in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.
- 2000-2002: Co-chaired MinnMATYC committee to define reform developmental mathematics.
- 2001-2202: Served as Secretary to MinnMATYC.
- 2004: Published textbook Essentials of Geometry (2004, Addison-Wesley).
Barbara is a member of many professional organizations and has spoken and published widely on teaching methods, classroom research, and assessment of student learning in mathematics. She is the author of the geometry study guide published on campus and sold to students taking Math I and Math II.
Congratulations to Mary Januschka - Biology
Mary Januschka’s teaching philosophy reflects what she practices in the classroom. She states: “One of the main purposes of education is to help prepare students for the challenges of life; to guide both intellectual and psychological development.”
One special way of living this philosophy is that each fall semester, Mary teaches an Honors Biology course; she also takes this group to the Nobel Conference in St. Peter, Minnesota. She bases student projects, discussions, and student presentations on the topic discussed at the conference.
Mary has been involved in the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) project on the Cambridge Campus for two years; she received the MnSCU Special Recognition for CTL award. Mary now serves as chairman of the faculty development committee while mentoring the new chair of CTL. Last year (05-06) on her sabbatical, Mary worked with Dr. Dan Halverson at Children’s Hospital on a program to study the effects of exercise on childhood diseases, athletic performance and overall health and well being. She worked at the University of Minnesota with Dr. Mark Pereira on a research project that compared fast food diets with healthy diets and the associated risk for chronic disease. Mary presented the results of her studies to the faculty on the Cambridge campus. Mary then arranged for Dr. Halverson to speak to the community area high school science teachers, and Cambridge Campus staff at “Science Night.”
Mary has received many awards as recognition of her contributions to the college and system initiatives. She has received the Silver Chalk Award at Coon Rapids and has been named to the Faculty Honor Roll (2001-02 and 2003-04) and given the Teacher of Excellence Award (2002-03) at the Cambridge campus.
Thanks also go to the members of the ARCC Board of Trustees Award for Excellence in Teaching Nominating Committee members:
co-chairs Patty Wheeler Andrews and Barb Prince, Sasha Verkhovtseva; Deans Luanne Kane, DeeDee Peaslee, and Cynthia Weishapple; and students Miah Clayton and Kristin Burnham.
- Spring Open House - March 8th
It's that time again! The Spring Open House for Anoka-Ramsey Community College will be held in the evening of March 8, 2007. This is a great event for prospective students of all ages. Presentations on the Admissions and Financial Aid processes will be offered. Prospective students can meet with academic program representatives and student groups. Tours of both campuses will be offered including the new building at the Cambridge Campus. If you would like to be a part of this event, please contact Cindi Gilbert, Cambridge Campus or Sally Schwartz, Coon Rapids Campus. If you know someone that would like to learn more about Anoka-Ramsey Community College, encourage them to "Explore More" by attending the Spring Open House.
- Cambridge Campus - 6:00 to 7:30 PM
- Coon Rapids Campus - 6:00 to 8:00 PM
- Academic Civility Project Update - Cambridge Campus
As part of our Academic Civility Campaign this year, we are holding a student essay contest. As a faculty member, your participation is being sought in two ways:
- Please announce the contest in your classes and make the attached flyer available to interested students.
- Please consider offering extra credit (valued at your discretion) for students who enter the contest.
Simply announcing the contest can be a brief but effect way to raise and reinforce these principles of academic civility. For more information contact Bill Breen.
- Academic Alert Program- 2nd Round
All faculty are encouraged to participate in the Academic Alert Program, an early intervention support system designed to enhance student success and retention. The program facilitates communication with students who are performing less than "C" level work and/or who have excessive absences. An alert letter (please see the Faculty Handbook for content of letter) is sent out notifying them that they are at risk of failing and strongly encourages them to seek support from faculty, tutoring, counseling, and other support services.
Academic Alert letters are sent out twice per semester, at the end of the fourth week and at the end of the ninth week.
First Round: Done
Second Round: Submit by Wednesday, March 14
To participate:
- Go to: https://www.anokaramsey.edu/it/sendmail2/
- Select term.
- Select class.
- Click on each student you wish to receive an Academic Alert letter (click the box on the right, in column labeled, “Academic Alert”.
- Click on the submit button below the student list (above the email form).
If you have questions, contact DeeDee Peaslee.
- Two "Lunch and Learn" Workshops
On Thursday, March 8th, Fredi Ketchum, Job Placement Office Coordinator, will focus on the job application as an important first step in an employment search. It is one of a series of workshops entitled "Job Search Tools". Join her in SC 123 from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. for valuable tips.
TRIO Student Support Services (SSS), in collaboration with the Financial Aid Office is presenting a workshop on financial aid. Join Debra Beal, Financial Aid Officer, in C256 on Thursday, March 15th from 2:00 p.m until 3:00 p.m. Topics covered include: (1) how and when to apply for financial aid, (2) changes in student aid programs that could affect awards next year and (3) evaluating options when it comes to borrowing money for school. "Making a good decision can save you thousands of dollars!"
For more information, contact Wanda Purdie.
- Career Speaker - Cambridge Campus and Coon Rapids via ITV
On March 29, 2007 from 11:30 am - 12:30 PM, the March Career Speaker will be Jim Laine, Health Care Administrator presenting information about Health Care Careers. He will be speaking on the Cambridge Campus in room E221 and this will be connected ITV to CR - room H219. For more information, contact Dana Irgens.
- ARCC Women's Basketball
Anoka-Ramsey Community College's women's basketball team will be returning to the National Tournament once again after their 62-36 win over Western Technical College in the Region 13A Championship game which was held Sunday afternoon on the Coon Rapids Campus. The National Tournament will be played at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, New York March 15,16, and 17. There will be a link to the tournament web site provided on Mohawk Valley's home web page: www.mvcc.edu
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- Humanities office remodeling - CR campus
Several faculty offices in the Humanities building are scheduled to be remodeled in July and early August. This remodeling will include new paint, new carpet , desk, chair and files. The intent is to finish the Humanities office remodeling project this summer. If your office is listed below, your dean will contact you as soon as a timeline has been established.
H109, H127, H129, H141, H143, H206, H207, H208, H209, H210, H211, H212, H213, H214, H227, H228, H230, H231, H237, H239 and H241
- TODAY - Eating Disorders Screening Day - CR campus
The Counseling and Advising staff will be sponsoring an event for National Eating Disorders Screening Day TODAY, Wednesday, February 28 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM in the Student Center Lounge. Free screenings will be done on a walk-in basis with no appointment necessary. Students will receive feedback about their concerns and referrals will be made if necessary. Please inform your students about this event.
- Spring Open House - March 8th
It's that time again! The Spring Open House for Anoka-Ramsey Community College will be held in the evening of March 8, 2007. This is a great event for prospective students of all ages. Presentations on the Admissions and Financial Aid processes will be offered. Prospective students can meet with academic program representatives and student groups. Tours of both campuses will be offered including the new building at the Cambridge Campus. If you would like to be a part of this event, please contact Cindi Gilbert, Cambridge Campus or Sally Schwartz, Coon Rapids Campus. If you know someone that would like to learn more about Anoka-Ramsey Community College, encourage them to "Explore More" by attending the Spring Open House.
- Cambridge Campus - 6:00 to 7:30 PM
- Coon Rapids Campus - 6:00 to 8:00 PM
- "AskUs" online advising site nears 100,000th hit
AskUs has become Anoka-Ramsey’s ‘go to’ site for quick, accurate online information and advising. Since its launch in November 2005, end users have accessed the site more than 26,000 times and viewed the 126 FAQ pages more than 70,500 times. In addition, more than 1,300 e-mailed questions have been answered by AskUs staff across the college. AskUs Chat became available Spring Semester 2007, providing real-time chat line advising services Monday through Friday at 12:00 Noon and Monday/Thursday evenings at 7:00 PM.
Please continue to refer students to the "AskUs" site. If you have department or program information that you would like to see included on "AskUs", contact John Hennen.
- Internships Update
Internships offer a vital learning opportunity and a connection to careers in our community. Examples of current placement sites include: Center for Victims of Torture in Brooklyn Park, English Language Learner programs in the Anoka-Hennepin District, Spring Lake Park Alternative High School Programs, Zimmerman Elementary and Otsego Elementary Schools, property management companies, UPS, and Connexus Energy.
Recent current listings for spring and summer positions include Wells Fargo Bank at locations scattered throughout the metro area ( which pay very well), a Real Estate publisher in Ramsey, Minn Dept of Natural Resources, Student Conservation Association with locations across the United States, Univ of Minn Sherburne County Extention Program and others. For further information on Internships, contact Shirley Andreason.
- Lunch and Learn - CR campus
On Thursday, March 1, Jan Pomeroy, Director of Academic Support, will repeat a "Lunch and Learn" workshop called, "Study Skills." If you know of any students who can benefit by exploring a variety of study methods and tips, please direct them to this interactive college success workshop held in SC 123 at 12:30 p.m.
- Recruitment Cycle Begins
After the busy period of advising new students from November to January, the Admissions staff begin the start of the next recruitment cycle in February. High school visits, school fairs and class room presentations continue. Noteworthy events in which ARCC participated include:
- Pacer Center Interns Tour on February 3, 2007: Scott Bay (Access Services) and Matt Crawford (Director of Admissions) met interns from the Pacer center to talk about the transition into post-secondary level for students with disabilities
- Augsburg College "I'm going to College fair" on February 10, 2007: a fair geared to at risk students from 8-10th grade
- College Goal Sunday on February 11, 2007: President Johns spoke at Mt. Vernon Baptist and Missionary Church, and Tommie Powell and Erin Harley (Admissions) joined him to meet prospective students
- Minnesota Association of Alternative Program Stars ALC regional competition on February 15, 2007: Sally Schwartz (Admissions) judged students on presentation skills
- Indian Education Event "Winter Bowl" and fair on February 17, 2007: a cold day for Tommie Powell (Admissions) and Gary Johnson-Cheeseman (Director of Diversity and Multiculturalism) but a great event and good fun
- Princeton Career Expo on February 22, 2007: Deb Greene (Admissions) saw a lot of traffic and met about 80 people
The months of March and April are gearing up to be even busier for the Admissions office. Stay tuned for updates. For more information, contact Matt Crawford.
- Spring Commencement - CR campus
It may seem odd to think about Spring Commencement in the wake of the weekend snowstorm, but it is time to start Commencement planning on the Coon Rapids Campus (information on the Cambridge Campus ceremony will be in a later issue).
The date and time for the Coon Rapids ceremony is Friday, May 18, 2007 at 7:00 PM. The students would be thrilled to have our faculty and administration participate in this ceremony and I urge you to celebrate with our newest alumni! As in past years, all faculty in the formal procession are expected to wear academic regalia - caps and gowns. Academic gowns will be rented for you if you plan to participate in the ceremony.
Forms will be placed in all the faculty secretaries' offices for you to complete if you will be participating. You may email Valerie with your information, or, you may print out the attached form, complete it and send to her via interoffice mail. Please view the attachment if you choose to e-mail her your information so that all the questions are answered. Valerie must have this information by March 26, 2007 as orders are due to Collegiate Cap and Gown seven weeks prior to our graduation date.
If you have questions about this e-mail or about the ceremony, contact Valerie Knight. We look forward to your active participation in this year-end event.
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- Higher Learning Commission Accreditation Update
ARCC has received word from the Decision
Process Coordinator at the Higher
Learning Commission Office that
the next step in the accreditation
approval process - reports from
a Reader's Panel assigned to review
the team report and institutional
documents pertaining to our recent
site visit - has been completed.
The panel of readers concluded
that the recommendation of the
visiting team should be transmitted
directly to the Institutional Actions Council (IAC) without
further review.
The team recommendation
will be placed before IAC at its
February 2007 meeting. The IAC may
either adopt the team recommendation
as the action of the Commission,
or vote to defer action until further
specified information is made available.
Once IAC has made its decision, the
HLC Board of Trustees will then validate
this decision.
- Realizing Student Potential / ITeach 2007
The annual Realizing Student Potential/ITeach
Conference will take place on March
1-3, 2007. RSP/ITeach is an event
where more than 1,000 system faculty,
staff, and administrators come
together as one community. At this
conference, effective practices,
experimental projects, and innovative
solutions are discussed in common
for the benefit of all of our students,
our colleges and universities.
This year, the conference focuses
on "The
First-Year Student in the 21st
Century". Faculty
have submitted more than 100 exciting
and substantive sessions and workshops,
ensuring another excellent conference.
The program is online and attests
to the richness of ideas, experience,
and knowledge to be shared across
our system.
Registration can be done online
at:
http://www.ctl.mnscu.edu/facdev/user_event-list.php?eventtype=conference&eid=69
Registration will close at 11:59
PM on February 22, 2007, and a fee
of $75 will be collected from all
who register after that date. This
late fee was new last year and was
instituted to improve the stewardship
of co-sponsors' funds.
SP/ITeach
is sponsored by the Office of the
Chancellor CTL, Metro Alliance, Minnesota
Online, Instructional Technology,
and state leadership funds from the
Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical
Education Act of 1998.
- Career Series Speaker - CR campus
The Career Services Retention Work
Group of Anoka-Ramsey Community
College (composed of volunteers from
Educational Services on both campuses)
is committed to offering a Career
Focus Speaker Series to provide
an opportunity for students to
hear about career options from professionals in the community.
These presentations will be offered on a monthly basis
during the fall and spring semesters
The first in the series will be offered
on the Coon Rapids campus on Wednesday,
February 28, from 2:00 p.m. until
3:00 p.m. in room C256.
The current
President of the Coon Rapids Campus
Foundation, John Gasal, will be presenting
on “What
to do with a major in engineering.” John
is an engineer for Connexus Energy.
Everyone is welcome - please encourage
your students to attend. For more
information, contact Wanda
Purdie or Shirley
Andreasen.
- Grade Deadlines
The grade deadlines for most spring
semester courses is 7:00 a.m. on
Wednesday, May 23, 2007. Courses
with a grade deadline other than
May 23rd are listed along with instructions
for posting your grades online.
Coon
Rapids
Cambridge
Please
be sure to enter the last date of
attendance for any "no-show students" (January
16, 2007) and the last date of attendance for any "F" grades,
or NC grades if you are teaching
developmental courses.
- Transfer Fair
A Transfer Fair will be held on February
22, 2007 from 11:00 AM - Noon in
the Business / Nursing Bulge. Students
will be able to meet with Transfer
Representatives from Bemidji State
University, Metropolitan State University, Minnesota State
University - Mankato, Minnesota State University - Moorhead,
St. Cloud State University, Southwest Minnesota State
University, and Winona State University.
- Health Career
Job Fair
The Annual Health Career Job Fair
will be held on Wednesday, February
28, 2007 from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
in the Coon Rapids Cafeteria. Please encourage all students
and new graduates from our health programs to visit the
employers and college representatives. Contact Fredi
Ketchum for further information.
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- Transfer Fair
February 22, 2007
11:00 AM - 12:00 NOON
Business / Nursing Bulge
Students will be able to meet with Transfer Representatives from Bemidji State University, Metropolitan State University, Minnesota State University Mankato, Minnesota State University Moorhead, St. Cloud State University, Southwest Minnesota State University, and Winona State University.
- Chinese New Year - The Year of the Pig
One of the things that makes Anoka-Ramsey Community College unique and sets us apart from other colleges is our sister college relationship with Zhaoqing University. In the interest of celebrating that relationship - and highlighting one of our strong selling points to potential students - Anoka-Ramsey Community College will have a Chinese New Year activities during the week preceding Chinese New Year on February 18, 2007. Contact Gordy Wax for further information.
- Candlelight Ski at the Cambridge Campus
This Saturday, Feb. 17 5:30-8:30 is the Candlelight Ski at the Cambridge Campus. Participants can walk or ski the candle-lit trail and/or listen to good music and enjoy goodies inside. Contact Mary Januschka for details.
- Realizing Student Potential / ITeach 2007
The annual Realizing Student Potential/ITeach Conference will take place on March 1-3, 2007. RSP/ITeach is an event where more than 1,000 system faculty, staff, and administrators come together as one community. At this conference, effective practices, experimental projects, and innovative solutions are discussed in common for the benefit of all of our students, our colleges and universities.
This year, the conference focuses on "The First-Year Student in the 21st Century". Faculty have submitted more than 100 exciting and substantive sessions and workshops, ensuring another excellent conference. The program is online and attests to the richness of ideas, experience, and knowledge to be shared across our system.
Register online
Registration will close at 11:59 PM on February 22, 2007, and a fee of $75 will be collected from all who register after that date. This late
fee was new last year and was instituted to improve the stewardship of co-sponsors' funds.
RSP/ITeach is sponsored by the Office of the Chancellor CTL, Metro Alliance, Minnesota Online, Instructional Technology, and state
leadership funds from the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998.
- Assessment Status
Through assessment, we in academe have a way to document what we do in practice. Through that documentation we are able to answer questions such as: “What do we do well?” or “Where should we think about making changes in our practice?” Assessment is, in one sense, a way of codifying the common sense we often use in our daily work with our programs and our students. However, in another sense, it is the cutting edge of evidence-based practice!
With increasing calls for accountability [“Are your students learning what they are expected to learn? What is the evidence to support your claims?”], we really have two choices: allow outside requirements to dictate post-secondary student learning outcomes and assessment measures to us, or use our professional expertise to determine appropriate learning outcomes and ways to demonstrate how we know what our students know and can do.
The Higher Learning Commission has for many years encouraged institutions to develop their own, appropriate student learning outcomes and assessment measures. They have asked us to collect appropriate data and make sense of that data as a way to affirm or alter our current practices. I understand how it can feel as though institutions would only do this as a compliance piece for accreditation but in fact, the HLC is looking to preserve our autonomy and the autonomy of regional accreditation (as opposed to more direct government regulation.)
Higher Learning Commission Site Visit Results on Assessment
The HLC site team reported that our assessment plan was fine, but a) we needed all programs to be involved in the process, and b) we needed to move conclusively towards “closing the loop” i.e., demonstrating that we are using data to make decisions about our programs.
The HLC site team said the following in its final site visit report:
Criterion Three requires evidence that the assessment results inform improvements in the teaching and learning process, that last step in closing the loop. While ARCC has made significant and admirable progress since 2003 in its assessment process, there has not yet been sufficient time to demonstrate improved teaching and learning across all disciplines and programs, as not all assessment efforts are at the same point in the implementation process. Although assessment is conducted regularly, there is no systematic cycle of assessment, analysis, and reporting back of the assessment data to faculty in each discipline or program. Additionally, there is no clear understanding of how assessment outcomes and resulting needs fits into the College-wide planning and budgeting process.
A review of the ARCC assessment plan and program assessment documentation reveals that the application of assessment data to program/ curriculum improvement has not yet shown any results and, in some cases, is in the early stages. A review of documentation on assessment of general education reveals some progress in response to MnSCU directives [the review of the MnTC] but there are no significant results or analyses of data-drive decision-making or budgeting.
Recommendation of the Team:
Pursuant to the Commission’s expectation that assessment results should inform improvements in curriculum, pedagogy, and instructional resources, the team recommends that a progress report be submitted to the HLC by March 1, 2009. This progress report should demonstrate evidence that assessment data from general education, developmental education, and career programs are being used to:
- Modify/improve courses
- Modify/improve curricula
- Modify/improve academic programs
Further, the progress report must document that these data are being used to inform the budget-planning and strategic planning processes at ARCC.
Current Status at This Point:
- all programs have established goals
- competencies need to be identified in some program areas
- ways of measuring student learning are needed in several program areas
- closing the loop needs to happen in most program areas
Last Fall Semester:
- some data was collected. If your program area has data to be input, please do this by turning it in to Caroline by the end of January
- the assessment work group members were involved with some of the divisions
- the HLC site team evaluated our status with regard to a workable assessment program
By the end of this academic year, we plan that:
- each Program will be in contact with the working group of assessment coordinators to evaluate where they are, and create a plan for their own work
- the working group of assessment coordinators will work the research office to prepare us to use new features that have been added to eLumen
Conclusion
On one hand, HLC is the “stick” rather than the carrot: if we do not make good progress by March of 2009, ARCC will likely have a focused visit by an HLC team and be required to report back on our progress until our next visit in 2016. One the other hand, HLC is the carrot, helping us to set up our own systems of understanding the levels of student attainment of our own student learning outcomes to enhance our practice. In either case, this is something that we must continue to work on, and should continue to work on for the sake of our programs and - ultimately - our students. If you have questions about this piece, contact Susan Tarnowski.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
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- Academic Alert Program - you make the difference!
All faculty are encouraged to participate in the Academic Alert Program, an early intervention support system designed to enhance student success and retention. The program facilitates communication with students who are performing less than "C" level work and/or who have excessive absences. An alert letter (please see the Faculty Handbook for content of letter) is sent out notifying them that they are at risk of failing and strongly encourages them to seek support from faculty, tutoring, counseling, and other support services.
Academic Alert letters are sent out twice per semester, at the end of the fourth week and at the end of the ninth week. Please choose the time frame that works best for your classes. Choose on | | | | | |
