As this semester comes to a close, please take the time to read the following. I have many important and interesting items to share with you for this December Chronicle.
Upcoming Events
- Nov. 19 CSN open enrollment began and enrollment for the spring 2017 semester is now available to all admitted students
- Dec. 1-2 December Board of Regents Meeting at UNLV
- Dec. 26 CSN closed in observance of Christmas
- Jan. 2 CSN closed in observance of New Years
- Jan. 16 CSN closed in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday
- Jan. 17 CSN Spring Semester Begins
CSN Multi-Campus District Study
The committee exploring a multi-campus district transition from our current multi-campus single college structure wrapped up its work in early November. The final report can be read here. I truly appreciate the work this group, including faculty, staff, student
A historic (2011) winter photo of the CSN Charleston Campus
and community leaders, has done. All of their research and meeting notes are posted on my web page. The major conclusions are that CSN would benefit from such a transition as our peers have made. A multi-campus district would provide students a ‘home campus’ experience, ensure parity of services on each campus and help the campus grow in response to local community needs and as a reflection of the community it serves. However, the costs of a transition from our highly vertical structure to a more horizontal organization may prevent any movement on this in the near future. I will present the findings to the Board of Regents on Dec. 1 and 2 and receive feedback.
CSN celebrated International Education Week with its signature event – Ambassador Day, where students, faculty and staff share information about other cultures.
Post-Election Environment
Many students at colleges and universities across the nation are anxious about the ramifications of the presidential election. CSN affirms its values for inclusion and support, and has sponsored opportunities for students since the election to visit with diversity staff and counselors. Faculty and staff may not have heard about these events since they are targeted at students. I look forward to unveiling more about this in the near future. We will also be launching a new initiative called DREAM Zone training (similar to our continued efforts for Safe Zone training) to create safe spaces on campus with trained advocates who can connect undocumented students to appropriate community resources, including legal and immigration services. We will share this information once finalized. Please contact our diversity office if you would like to get involved.
As I stated in my last message on this topic, CSN serves to provide an education to all and if one group feels threatened, then we must all stand together. We held several conversations on campus Nov. 15 and 17 with students and I will hold student roundtables (in addition to faculty and staff ones) at the start to the Spring Semester. I encourage you to express the values espoused at CSN through our mission and strategic planning efforts. Contact your elected officials to ensure they know your priorities and values and give what free time you can to causes and efforts that reflect them.
CSN North Las Vegas Campus Sign Unveiling
On Nov. 16, North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee and I held a press event with Board of
City of North Las Vegas and Nevada System of Higher Education officials unveil the new monument sign for the North Las Vegas Campus.
Regents Chair Rick Trachok and Regent Trevor Hayes to officially unveil the new North Las Vegas Campus sign, signaling the strong partnership between CSN and the City of North Las Vegas. I want to thank everybody involved in helping to make this change come about, most especially Mayor Lee, who first proposed the name change to help better connect the campus to the community. From there, the process in changing our campus’ name was carefully considered and approved by both the Institutional Advisory Council and the Board of Regents. Notably, the City of North Las Vegas worked with the signage company, Yesco, to change the college’s monument sign to reflect the new name.
New Interactive Business Lab
Our new Interactive Business Laboratory held its grand opening ceremony Nov. 18, giving students and members of the business community the opportunity tour the state-of-the-art facility. If you have not seen the IBL on the North Las Vegas Campus, please make time to stop by. The lab features video technology that allow our faculty to bring the world into the classroom, literally. The mobile furniture allows for students to work in pods or in a simulated board room setting. Modeled off similar spaces at Stanford University, this lab received start-up funding provided by a federal Perkins grant through the Nevada Department of Education.
CSN Soccer Success
CSN’s inaugural soccer team had a banner first year.
Once again, CSN Athletics is showing everyone how it should be done. Our brand new men’s soccer team had a thrilling inaugural year, making it all the way to the National Junior College Athletic Association’s National Championship tournament. Though the team fell short of its ultimate goal of winning the championship, we could not be prouder of everyone involved in this amazing journey. Congratulations to the entire team and coaching staff on a truly historic season, which included a record of 16-6-2, a Region 18 championship and 2016 Western District Runner-up finish. Well done all.
Congratulations to Classified Employees!
The classified team won the softball tournament at the annual Hungry Games tournament this year.
My thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s Hungry Games Faculty and Staff Softball Tournament. Congratulations to the Classified team for taking the trophy this year. We have posted a photo album online, where you may view and download photos from the games: https://flic.kr/s/aHskL1F2QE
OTS Excellence and Service
CSN employees honor OTS staff at the Spotlight on Excellence Awards.
Our Office of Technology Services held its annual Spotlight on Excellence awards to honor those who help the people at CSN stay connected to one another. In conjunction with the event, the staff holds a raffle and collects food donations for Three Square. Last year, more than 6,000 pounds of non-perishable food was donated. While we are still waiting on a count from this year’s event, everyone involved said it was a success. Congratulations to the award winners! Thank you to Ellucian and OTS for putting on such a great event. Finally, thank you to all of our OTS staff. You have a challenging task at this institution and you provide terrific customer service and support to our faculty and staff. Thank you for all you do.
Faculty & Staff Questions
“Will CSN be closed during the holidays? When?”
CSN does not have a winter closure. Supervisors/Departments are asked to be as flexible as possible in terms of letting people off while still balancing the need to provide services to customers/clients and ensuring there is adequate supervision to guarantee the safety and security of employees.
The college will be closed Dec. 26 for observance of Christmas and Jan. 2 for observance of the New Year’s Holiday
“Can we use CSN email to write advocacy letters to legislators or other lawmakers? When the legislative session begins in February, can we go to Grant Sawyer to testify?”
I encourage you to get involved in advocacy and to communicate with your elected officials. That said, employees should use their personal email accounts to contact legislators for advocacy about legislation or policy.
If an employee wants to testify on a bill during the work day, the employee should request annual leave or Leave Without Pay (LWOP) and coordinate with her/his direct supervisor to ensure no disruption of college services.
Happy holidays to all and I look forward to seeing you at the holiday party.
Best,
Mike