Friday, Jan. 16, 2009
The Blue & White is published weekly for St. Petersburg College employees and interested visitors. It is designed for you to be able to scan the headlines quickly. If you are interested in an article listed below, click on the link and you will be directed to that article. You can also view the paper version locations or the printable pdf. Calendar items with a specific deadline are marked with an *.|
Calendar notes Board of Trustees
| 
Enrollment up for new term "We appreciate the extra effort made by many employees to accommodate the record-setting enrollment this term," President Carl M. Kuttler Jr. said. New student communication launched |
College closed Jan. 19 for MLK holidayBoard approves charging $30 graduation fee
Faced with decreasing state revenue, the Board of Trustees voted at the December meeting to join most of the rest of the state in charging a graduation fee.
Beginning with the May 2009 Commencement, students will have to pay $30 to process their graduation application. The fee is only applicable during the term in which they are applying for graduation.
Students graduating with more than one credential (such as earning an A.A. and A.S degree or A.S. degree and certificate) will only be assessed this fee once per term.
The dates for the next three graduations also have been established. The next graduation is May 9, 10 a.m. at Tropicana Field. The summer and fall graduations will be at the First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks. Summer graduation is July 25, 10 a.m. with one ceremony. On Dec. 19 there will be two ceremonies with the times not yet established. Get more details on graduating from SPC.
Pictured above, Kristen Baker receives her Bachelor of Science in Education diploma from Board of Trustees member W. Richard Johnston. View the Fall 2008 Graduation slideshow »
35 years ago, SPJC was a role model for Austin Community College
Austin Community College in Texas is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, and some people in the Texas city still remember the role St. Petersburg Junior College played in getting that college up and running.
Austin Community College, or ACC, was founded in 1973. But more than a decade before that, Austin community leaders were talking about how a new community college would enhance the local region and help lure new businesses to the area.
The local newspaper, the Austin American-Statesman, published a lengthy article on July 30, 1961, 12 years before ACC’s founding, which discussed the many advantages the area would enjoy if a new community college were founded.
Some local people didn’t really see the need for a new college because of the close proximity of the University of Texas. But supporters believed that a community college could fill an important void by training people for the jobs that local employers needed to fill.
“The lack of a junior college has been mentioned often as one of Austin’s shortcomings in its search for industry,” the article said.
What example did those supporters use in making their argument? St. Petersburg Junior College in Pinellas County, Fla.
The American-Statesman didn’t mention SPJC by name. But the article did describe how SPJC had played a crucial role in attracting an important company to the Pinellas County region, a company that plays a significant economic role locally to this day.
Here is what the newspaper had to say:
“Many corporations locating new plants want a technical institution nearby that will help them train people for specific jobs. A Minneapolis-Honeywell plant was located in St. Petersburg, Fla., where the junior college immediately took the responsibility of training 300 technicians for Minneapolis-Honeywell.”
The article makes note of something that St. Petersburg College has understood for many years – that its role is fundamentally intertwined with the economic needs of the area it serves.
“It’s nice to be reminded that St. Petersburg College was something of a role model for other communities and institutions even as far back as the 1950s and 1960s, but I’m really not surprised,” said SPC President Carl M. Kuttler Jr.. “I do recall in my early days here that we had a very good grasp on what our role should be. A big part of that was recognizing the needs of local businesses and acting quickly to provide them with well-trained people.
“We’re still doing that.”
Austin Community College serves people in eight Central Texas counties. It enrolls more than 35,700 credit students and offers university transfer courses, two-year associate degrees, certificates, Early College Start, access programs that get students “college-ready,” and continuing education.
Alumni Association to offer new scholarship
The Alumni Association is starting a new scholarship that not only helps students but gives members a chance to honor their families.
This inaugural scholarship, called Striving for Top Academic Rewards (STAR), will recognize students for their achievements in the classroom and their potential for making a difference in the community.
Each $10 donation to the STAR scholarship gives alumni members the opportunity to enter a drawing to have a scholarship named for their family for one year. The drawing will take place at the Annual Alumni Association Luncheon each year.
The first scholarship family is expected to be chosen at the Alumni Association luncheon Wednesday at the Seminole Campus.
For more information about the STAR scholarship, or the SPC Alumni Association, call Ext. 3363.
Study Abroad information meetings
Do you know a student looking for something to do this summer? Encourage them to check out SPC's Study Abroad program where they can learn about another country and earn SPC credit at the same time. Information meetings for this year's trips include:
Belieze and Ecuador trip meeting
Thursday, Jan. 22, 7-9 p.m.
Tarpon Springs Campus, Room LY 258
England trip meeting
Thursday, Jan. 29, 7-9 p.m.
Tarpon Springs Campus, Room LY 258
Visit the Study Abroad Web site for details on:
» Trip dates
» Cost estimates
» Application details
» Course offerings
» Image galleries
Meeting Notice
The St. Petersburg College Foundation, Inc. will have a Board of Director's workshop on Jan. 29 at noon at the District Office of St. Petersburg College, Room 102.
SPC in the News
Our SPC in the News page is a compilation of recent stories you may find interesting including:
» Exhibit by popular dog artist opens at Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art
TampaBay.com, Jan. 15
» Opera at Palladium reflects modern economy
TampaBay.com, Jan. 15
» SPC helps student achieve her goals at last
TBNWeekly.com, Jan. 14
Cultural Corner
This weekly column features arts and entertainment events presented by St. Petersburg College and its partners. NEW items are noted for your convenience.
| Discounts Florida Orchestra: Faculty and staff now can purchase tickets at the student rate of $10. Call the Florida Orchestra Ticket Center at 727-892-3337 and identify yourself as faculty or staff to place your order. Students can purchase two $10 advance tickets through the mail, in person or by phone at the Florida Orchestra ticket center. Students must present ID when collecting tickets at the Will Call window on the night of concert. Subject to availability. Some restrictions may apply. Palladium: Faculty, staff and students receive a 10 percent discount to all shows produced by the Palladium or its partners at the Palladium. |
Continuing through March 29
St. Petersburg College: Legacy of Leadership, St. Petersburg Museum of History, 335 Second Ave. NE, on the approach to the Pier. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. $12 general, $9 senior and student, $7 ages 7 to 17, ages 6 and younger free.
CANCELED - Friday, Jan. 16
Heissler Organ Series: Paul Jacobs, 7:30 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center, St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus. General admission $15. No reserved seating. SPC staff and students free with ID. Because of illness, this concert has been canceled and will be rescheduled later.
Jan. 16-18
St. Petersburg Opera: The Merry Widow, Franz Lehar's lighthearted operetta presented in English and fully staged with a professional cast and orchestra. Artistic Director Mark Sforzini, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16-17, 2 p.m. Jan. 18. Palladium. $20-$46.50.
Saturday, Jan. 17
Opening Reception: It's a Dog's Life: Photographs by William Wegman and Sanctuary: Anna Tomczak Photography, 7-9 p.m. Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art. Free for members, $10 guests.
Jan. 18-April 12
New exhibits: It's a Dog's Life: Photographs by William Wegman and Sanctuary: Anna Tomczak Photography, Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, Tarpon Springs. Admission: $5 adults, $4 seniors, free for children, members and students. Sunday admission free for all.
Sunday, Jan. 18
Lecture: History and Future of Polaroid Photography, with Barbara Hitchcock, Cultural Affairs Director for the Polaroid Corporation. 3 p.m. Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art Auditorium. $8 members, $10 non-members.
Jan. 20-Feb. 6
SPC Faculty Art Exhibition, Crossroads Art Gallery – Clearwater Campus.
Reception: Feb. 4, 6-8 p.m. Free.
Friday, Jan. 23
St. Petersburg College Piano Concert Series: Cory Hall, solo recital, 7:30 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center, St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus. Free.
Friday, Jan. 23
Social Event: Little Black Dress Night - Pants Welcome: Women and men are invited to bring business cards and/or marketing materials to network with other professionals. 7-9 p.m., Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art. $15. For information or reservations, contact Michelle Weyant at 727-712-5210 or weyant.michelle@spcollege.edu.
Friday, Jan. 23
Side Door Jazz: Mindy Simmons Trio, a tribute to Peggy Lee, 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $20
Jan. 23-25
Florida Orchestra Masterworks Concert: “Pictures at an Exhibition,” Peter Rosel, piano, Stefan Sanderling, conductor, 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Ferguson Hall, 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, Mahaffey Theater; and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, Ruth Eckerd Hall. $19- $65.
Jan. 23-Feb. 15
King Hedley II, by Pulitzer Prize-winner August Wilson, 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 3 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. American Stage Theatre, St. Petersburg. $31-$39.
Saturday, Jan. 24
Too Smooth Productions: ‘When Loving You is Hurting Me!’ stage play, 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $31- $42
Monday, Jan. 26
Band of the USAF Reserve, 7:30 p.m. Palladium. Free.
Tuesday, Jan. 27
Side Door Brown Bag Series: Lunchtime concert with Judith Alstadter on piano, noon. Palladium. Bring lunch – beverages provided. $10.
Jan. 29-31
St. Petersburg College Jazz Festival with the Helios Jazz Orchestra, Jan. 29; Manigua & O Som Do Jazz, Jan. 30; and The Sue Terry Quartet, Jan. 31. 7:30 p.m. nightly, Music Center. $10 donation/admission nightly.
Thursday, Jan. 29
Florida Orchestra Coffee Concert: “Great Brits,” Alastair Willis, Conductor, 11 a.m., Mahaffey Theater. $24- $40.
Friday, Jan. 30
The Florida Orchestra Performs the Music of Pink Floyd, Brent Havens, guest Conductor. 8 p.m., Mahaffey Theater. $35-$85.
Tuesday, Feb. 3
Encore 2009 Chamber Series: C’est Magnifique!, featuring Quartet-de-minaret. Dessert and discussions with the artists follow concert. 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $10-$20.
Wednesday, Feb. 4
Dar Williams, with opening act Joshua Radin, 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $27.50
Thursday, Feb. 5
Side Door Jazz: Kenny Drew Jr. Trio, presented by the Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association. 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $20
Friday, Feb. 6
St. Petersburg College Piano Concert Series: Rev. Sean Duggan, solo recital, 7:30 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center. Free.
Friday, Feb. 6
Palladium Pipes Series: Nathan Laube, 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $12-$22.
Saturday, Feb. 7
Keyboard Conversations: Chopin for Lovers!, Jeffrey Siegel, pianist, 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $15-$25.
Saturday, Feb. 7
Dance video: The Sleeping Beauty by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, 1:30 p.m. Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art. Free.
Sunday, Feb. 8
Opera video: A Night in Venice by Johann Strauss, 1:30 p.m. Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art. Free.
Tuesday, Feb. 10
St. Petersburg College Jazz Band Concert, 7:30 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center. Free.
Saturday, Feb. 14
Valentines and Stardust: An evening of romantic American standards featuring Randy Carmichael, son of legendary composer Hoagy Carmichael and an acclaimed pianist and singer. A romantic buffet dinner is offered before the concert. 6 p.m. dinner, 8 p.m. show. Palladium. Dinner $25. Concert only, $15, $20, $25.
Tuesday, Feb. 17
Side Door Brown Bag Series: Lunchtime concert with Judith Alstadter on piano, noon. Palladium. Bring lunch – beverages provided. $10.
Feb. 18-March 6
Photography Show, Crossroads Art Gallery, Clearwater Campus. Reception: March. 4, 6-8 p.m. Free.
Thursday, Feb. 19
Side Door Jazz: Nate Najar with Cynthia Sayer, 7:30 p.m. Palladium.
$20
Friday, Feb. 20
Heissler Organ Series: Isabelle Demers, 7:30 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center. $5 suggested donation. SPC staff and students free with ID.
Friday, Feb. 20
An Evening with Leo Kottke, 8 p.m. Palladium. $32.50, $52.50
Tuesday, Feb. 24
Encore 2009 Chamber Series: C’est Magnifique!, featuring Jeff Multer and Friends. Dessert and discussion with the artists follow concert. Palladium $10-$20
Wednesday, Feb. 25
WMNF and the Palladium present:
Loudon Wainwright III, opening act: Kathleen Edwards, 7:30 p.m. Palladium.
$25
Friday, Feb. 27
St. Petersburg College Band Concert, 7:30 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center. Free.
Saturday, Feb. 28
“Passages of Martin Luther King Jr.,” produced by Bob Devin Jones and The Studio@620, a dramatic reading and song. A Q & A session with playwright Clayborne Carson and historian Ray Arsenault follows. 7 p.m.
Palladium. Adults $12, Students $6
Friday, March 6
Heissler Organ Series: David Enlow, 7:30 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center. $5 suggested donation. SPC staff and students free with ID.
Check out the upcoming events at the Florida Orchestra in their online calendars:
January | February
The environmental impacts of bottle water
In 1967, that smug businessman from the film “The Graduate” took Dustin Hoffman’s character aside and declared “I just want to say one word to you, just one word: ‘plastics.’” Ever since that iconic moment, plastic has signified society’s wasteful tendencies and has come to represent our “throwaway culture”.
The prepackaged bottle of water is the epitome of waste.
Plastic bottles are manufactured from non-renewable petroleum and natural gas. Annually, Americans dispose of 29-billion water bottles, requiring 1.5-million barrels of crude oil (enough oil to keep 100,000 cars running for one year), resulting in the release of 2.5-million tons of carbon dioxide. In addition, scientists have found that, over time, plastic bottles can leach chemicals linked to birth defects, miscarriage and prostate cancer into the water.
Transporting the heavy bottled water from the bottling plant, to the warehouse, to the retail outlet, to its place of consumption requires additional fossil fuels.
Ultimately, each bottle of water requires enough oil to fill it a third of the way up! Cumulatively, that’s enough to power 190,000 homes. Adding to the problem, 80% of these water bottles end up in the landfill and take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade.
Some people drink bottled water because they think it’s healthier than tap water. Although tragically this may be true in some parts of the world, it is not so in America. In fact, according to Pinellas County Utilities, their No. 1 priority is to assure the public health and safety of our water supply. The county’s water quality standards are measured against standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Florida Department of Environment and the Pinellas County Health Department. The standards require that our drinking water meet or exceed acceptable levels for lead, fertilizer, fuels, pesticides and solvents.
Everyone loves the convenience of bottled water, but when we consider its many negative issues, it becomes a far less appealing alternative. So, as much as possible, let’s stop buying so much expensive bottled water and start drinking low cost, high quality tap water out of safe, stainless steel reusable water bottles.
It may not save the world, but it’s a start.
Want to become involved with SPC’s exciting sustainability initiatives? To participate in the sustainable | SPC initiative, e-mail green.jason@spcollege.edu or call 341-3283.
This article and other health information are available on our Wellness blog.
If you are a smoker or know someone who smokes, you know that quitting can be very difficult. Reducing health risks, saving money and setting a positive example for teens are all great reasons to quit.
Here is another reason to add to that list - the negative effects of third-hand smoke.
What is third-hand smoke?
Third-hand smoke is the term for the toxins that linger after a cigarette is put out and the visible smoke disappears.
What toxins are found in cigarettes?
There are 250 toxic substances that include poisonous gases, chemicals and metals that are found in tobacco smoke.
Where does third-hand smoke accumulate?
The toxins accumulate in the hair and clothing of the smoker and on furniture and carpets. These toxins also can accumulate in the breast milk of mothers who smoke and breastfeed.
Who is at risk from third-hand smoke?
Babies and small children who come into contact with a smoker or play in a place where smoking takes place may be at risk for cognitive defects. According to the researchers at MassGeneral Hospital for Children, third-hand smoke can remain on indoor surfaces long after the smoking has stopped.
The researchers suggest not smoking in homes where babies and children live.
Looking for support to quit smoking?
Contact toll-free the Florida Quit-For-Life Line at 1-877-822-6669
On the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus, Sarah Haynes will conduct a stop smoking support group in February. Contact haynes.sarah@spcollege.edu for additional information.
If you have a wellness question, please contact Cathleen Shears at Ext. 3083 or shears.cathleen@spcollege.edu.
This article and other health information are available on our Wellness blog.
HR notes
Visit the Human Resources Website for more information on your Aetna Health Benefits.
Locker Room: Men open conference with two wins
The men’s basketball team began its Suncoast Conference season last week with a victory against Hillsborough Community College.
Wednesday night the Titans made it two in a row with an 81-74 victory against Manatee Community College.
The men’s team is 10-8 overall and 2-0 in the conference. The next men’s home game is Saturday afternoon at 4 against Polk CC.
The women’s team opened Southern Conference play Saturday, losing to Hillsborough Community College. The women’s record is 1-5 and 0-1 in the conference. The women will get a good early-season test this weekend. Broward CC visits tonight at 6 and Miami-Dade College is here Saturday at 2 p.m.
The conference games determine the representatives to the respective state tournaments. The top two finishers in each conference advance to the tournament in Marianna.
All home games are free and played at the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus gym at 6605 Fifth Ave N. To keep up with the college’s athletic teams, please visit www.spcollege.edu/athletics.
On SPC TV
Here is the broadcast schedule for the original cultural programs recorded by SPC for broadcast on the college station. SPC-TV can be seen on Bright House 620, Knology 19, Verizon 27 in Pinellas County.
Or watch them on SPC TV:
Wednesday and Saturday at 12 and 9 p.m.
» The Music Center Presents: St. Petersburg College Band
Sunday 12 and 9 p.m.; Friday 8 p.m.
» Co-Motion Fall Dance Concert
Monday 9 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
You can also view a slideshow from CoMotion's Fall Dance Concert or visit the CoMotion Website.
» A Night at the Palladium: An Evening with Rosa Rio
Sunday 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.; Wednesday 9 p.m.
For details on other Palladium events, visit the Palladium Website.
» The Helios Jazz Orchestra: Live by the Stacks
Tuesday 8 p.m.; Thursday 9 p.m.
» A Night at the Palladium: Statesman of Jazz
Monday 8 p.m.; Friday 9 p.m.
For details on other Palladium events, visit the Palladium Website.