» New bachelor’s degree in biology to be offered starting in January » Learning Support Commons: New name for most, but still a gathering place for learning » Today is the deadline to apply to serve on the Presidential Search Committee » Celebrate International Education Week, Nov. 15-19 » SPC to celebrate opening of new recording facility Weekly Columns » Good 4 You » Cultural Corner » Wellness at SPC » Sustainability » SPC This Week » The Locker Room » SPC TV Calendar notes » SPC Events Calendar » Meeting notices » October birthdays/anniversaries (pdf) » October Visual Calendar (pdf) Board of Trustees » Notice of meeting and rules (pdf)

Getting a helping hand SPC student Shannon Sorensen, left, receives help with her Intermediate Algebra coursework from tutor Luis Valle in the Learning Support Commons at the Seminole Campus. Read more about how the Learning Support Commons is a gathering place for learning »

New bachelor’s degree in biology to be offered starting in January

Classes begin in January for SPC’s new Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, which will be offered at the Clearwater Campus. The degree can lead to a number of science and health-related career paths.

 “We are excited to be able to offer our students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology at the Clearwater Campus that can lead to a career in the biological sciences or to further study in graduate or professional school,” said John Vaughan, Dean of Natural Sciences.

Careers may include research associate, lab technician, biology education, environmental management, forensic science, health science research, marine biology, conservation, forestry, government agency work and others.

An information session on the new degree program will be Nov. 12 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the EpiCenter in room 2-304. Attendees will be able to speak to Dean Vaughan as well as various advisors, and will be able to submit applications for admission. Call Ext. 3178 or e-mail scites.jessica@spcollege.edu to confirm attendance. Space is limited.

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Learning Support Commons: New name for most, but still a gathering place for learning

In an effort to be consistent collegewide, centers on all sites where students can receive academic assistance now will be called Learning Support Commons.

The center at the Caruth Health Education Center will be referred to as the NIP Learning Support Commons to tie in with the objectives of the campus’ federally funded New Initiative Program (through a Carl Perkins Vocational Education Grant).

But what exactly is a Learning Support Commons?

For Seminole Campus student Shannon Sorensen, it is where she can get help with Intermediate Algebra, one of the final classes she needs before earning a degree in Crime Scene Technology. She comes to the commons weekly for tutoring.

“It’s improved my skills,” Sorensen said.

On a recent afternoon, Sorensen sat in the middle of the brightly lit commons, next to fellow student Luis Valle, an immigrant from Ecuador, who was helping her with her coursework. Valle, a first-term engineering student, said his calculus teacher noticed that he had a knack for helping others and suggested he consider tutoring.  Valle now tutors 15 hours a week in the commons.

“I like it very much; I like helping people,” said Valle.

Regardless of the name, centers where people like Valle and Sorensen can connect for learning have been offered by the college for many years. For the Seminole Campus, an area like this was planned from the site’s inception. It was called the Learn Support Commons from the beginning. Provost Jim Olliver said the idea was for it to be a large, open area that could be used for multiple purposes, where students could use technology for their studies.

“We wanted to keep that feel that it was a gathering place for learning to occur,” Olliver said.

Today, the Learning Support Commons at Seminole is an expansive area featuring 100 workstations and a glass wall that looks over the northeastern section of the campus. With its high ceilings, the area reminds one of an airplane hanger, and it’s a popular place with students.

Lynn Carpenter, Senior Staff Assistant, Learning Commons, Seminole, said students come to the area for tutoring, to work on the computers, or for testing. Some classes, such as The College Experience and Reading Techniques, meet there as well.

“Early College students come here because during their first year they’re required to collaborate,” Carpenter said. “They come here to learn how to learn.”

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Today is the deadline to apply to serve on Presidential Search Committee

The St. Petersburg College Board of Trustees is seeking budgeted college employees to serve on the Presidential Search Committee. 

There will be 13 committee members:

• Two members of the Board of Trustees.
• Three SPC full-time/budgeted faculty members.
• One SPC full-time/budgeted Career Service employee.
• One SPC full-time/budgeted Administrative & Professional employee.
• One SPC student. 
• One member of the SPC Foundation Board.
• Four members of the community who are not college employees.

The Search Committee may start meeting as soon as December and is expected to conclude its work by early February.

There will be at least three two-hour meetings, which may occur during the day or evening. Additional meetings may be required.

Any Career Service and A&P employees who wish to be considered must be full-time and in a budgeted position for at least five years. (The Faculty Governance Organization will separately select the faculty representatives to the Search Committee.)

Search Committee responsibilities will include: 

• Reviewing presidential applications.
• Interviewing applicants.
• Making recommendations to the SPC Board of Trustees.

If you are a Career Service or A&P employee who meets the criteria and you want to be considered for the Presidential Search Committee, apply online by 5 p.m. today, Oct. 23.

Updates on the process are posted on the Presidential Search Web site.

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Celebrate International Education Week, Nov. 15-19

Mark your calendar now for the great events on your campus during International Education Week. Join in the fun now. Test your knowledge by taking a Cultural Geography I.Q. Quiz.

International Education Week, a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, is designed to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the U.S.

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SPC to celebrate opening of new recording facility

SPC’s Music Industry/Recording Arts (MIRA) A.S. degree program will celebrate the grand opening of its new multi-room recording facility at 10 a.m. Nov. 6, in room WP 102 of the MIRA Studio Building on the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus.

Studio A provides MIRA students with “real world” experience in the recording arts. Its control room is equipped with a Digidesign Pro Tools HD2 recording system; an array of software plug-ins; Crane Song and DBX outboard gear; Adam A7 monitors with subwoofer; and a Digidesign C|24 control surface.

The recording space has a full rhythm section backline; a Steinway Model B grand piano; Roland Fantom G8; a Furman cue system; and a large complement of high-quality microphones.

Studio B is a Pro Tools LE pre-production suite with an Apple iMac24 computer system; Digidesign Command 8 control surface; M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 keyboard controller; Digidesign M-Box 2 Pro interface; Moog MiniMoog Voyager Rackmount; Adam A7 Monitors with subwoofer; and vintage synthesizers and samplers.

The entire recording studio complex serves as a state-of-the-art classroom and recording studio. Ceiling-mounted Epson projectors and high-quality playback systems are integrated into the design.

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Meeting notices

On Nov. 4, the St. Petersburg College Foundation Inc. will hold a Finance & Investment Committee Meeting at 10:30 a.m. and a Board of Directors Meeting at noon. Both meetings will be at The Palladium at St. Petersburg College, 253 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. These meetings will consider routine Foundation business.

The St. Petersburg College Foundation Inc. will have a Planned Giving Committee Meeting at noon on Nov. 17 at the District Office, 6021 142nd Ave. N, Largo.  This meeting also will consider routine business.

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Take a course on the college’s dime

As a full time SPC employee, you can take college courses for free.

Full-time employees who have been employed at least six months in a budgeted position at the college – along with their spouses and dependent children – can enroll in a maximum of 18 credit or equivalent hours per academic year, per person, without paying tuition or out-of-state fees.

Part-time employees who have been employed at least six months in a budgeted position at the college can enroll in a maximum of nine credit or equivalent hours per academic year, without paying tuition or out-of-state fees, until the designated funding level in the college budget has been reached for the college’s payment of the fees.

To make use of this benefit, complete the Employee Course Fee Waiver/Reimbursement Request, a three-page form that must be received in the Human Resources Office no later than five working days before the end of the regular registration period for fees to be waived. If the form is submitted later than that, it is the employee's responsibility to pay for the course and use the fee waiver form to be reimbursed.

For complete information regarding fee waivers, please see Board Rule 6Hx23-2.02, Section XV, A.

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More health information is available on our Wellness blog.

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College to co-sponsor Green Living Expo

SPC, in conjunction with the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, Progress Energy, and the Science Center of Pinellas County, is sponsoring the Green Living Expo from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the Science Center of Pinellas County, 7701 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg. Admission is free.

The expo will feature green vendors and a middle school science fair, as well as information sessions including:

• Available tax credits and incentives for greening your home and life.
• Ways to green the interior and exterior of your home.
• Energy-saving techniques.

For more information, contact Deborah Eldridge at Ext. 3092, or e-mail eldrdige.deborah@spcollege.edu.

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This week 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 and Verizon 47 in Pinellas County.

NEW – Art of Fashion: 50 Golden Years of Style - WATCH THE VIDEO: (2 mins)

» The Music Center Presents :  Faculty Recital 
Sunday at  3:30 p.m.; Thursday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 11:30 a.m.
For details on other Department of Music events, visit the Department of Music Web site. 

» The Music Center Presents: SPC Summer Chorus
Sunday at 4 p.m.; Tuesday at 8 p.m. and Friday at 8 p.m.
For details on other Department of Music events, visit the Department of Music Web site. 

» A Night at the Palladium: La Traviata Opera
Sunday at 11 a.m.; Wednesday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 8 p.m.
For details on other Palladium events, visit the Palladium Web site.

» Frontline: Behind the Lines
Sunday at 6 p.m. and Friday at 9 p.m.
For details on other Palladium events, visit the Palladium Web site.

» The Music Center Presents: Rebecca Penneys
Monday at 9 p.m.
For details on other Department of Music events, visit the Department of Music Web site.