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Friday, Feb. 27, 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 also can view the paper version locations or the printable pdf. Calendar items with a specific deadline are marked with an *.|
Calendar notes Regular columns Board of Trustees |  SPC in the NewsAccording to a recent CBS Evening News report, Veterinary Technologists rank No. 2 among the nation's "150 Recession-Proof Jobs." The report highlighted SPC's Vet Tech program. SPC was also in the news in a St. Petersburg Times editorial praising the college's recent acquisition of the collection of the now-closed Gulf Coast Museum of Art in Largo. |
SPC ready to handle more students with disabilities
As budgets shrink and enrollments increase throughout the college, services grow steadily for SPC’s population of students with disabilities. The college continues to find ways to effectively serve this expanding population, even though funding seldom keeps pace with demand.
Peg Connell, Special Populations Coordinator in the Department of Academic and Student Affairs, said SPC provides a wide variety of services to students with disabilities as it conforms to more than one set of legal guidelines.
“There are three separate areas of legislation that guide us,” Connell said. “There is Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities act of 1990, and the rules put in place by our own Board of Trustees and by the state of Florida.”
The bottom line, she said, is that students with disabilities do not want special favors, but a level playing field – the ability to study and achieve while not being held back by their disabilities.
The college delivers its services to students only if they document their disabilities. Connell said if every SPC student with a disability did that, the population of students with disabilities would probably go up significantly.
“So far this year, SPC has 765 students with documented disabilities,” Connell said. “That is 97 percent of the total number of students with disabilities that were served in all three terms last year.”
That number is expected to go up sharply as enrollments increase and as more students with disabilities become aware of the services that SPC provides.
Another major factor in the growth of students with disabilities at SPC is expected to come from the ranks of military personnel returning from service in the Middle East. A significant number of those returning service men and women are expected to have disabilities, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
“Many of them will come to us for accommodation of those special needs,” Connell said.
SPC officials also are aware that SPC seems to have a lower percentage of students with disabilities than other institutions, a variance that is likely to even itself out in the coming months and years.
“In the community college world nationally, the percentage of students with disabilities being served is between 7 and 9 percent,” Connell said. “At SPC, we are at 2 to 3 percent. What that tells me is we have a lot of students who have disabilities and might be able to benefit from what we offer, but they have not documented their disabilities with our offices. That means we may have 200 to 250 students with disabilities that we simply don’t know about.”
Aimee Stubbs, a Counselor/Learning Specialist at the Clearwater Campus, said delivering services to students with disabilities can be a challenge in times when funding may go down instead of up. But she said the college continually finds new ways to be sure that students receive the accommodations they need.
“We have to adjust as things change,” Stubbs said. “We have systems in place, and the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (OSSD) is collaborating with other departments to ensure the broadest and most efficient range of services for our students.
“In the future, more people will come forward, not just because of more diagnoses, but because they are becoming more aware of our services. The Internet has completely opened up opportunities, and people can look online to investigate. The department also is expanding its partnership with Pinellas County Schools to help students transition from high school to college.”
For students with disabilities, the help they get can mean the difference between success and failure. One such student, Johana Apolo, who is pursuing an AA degree at the SP/Gibbs Campus, has limited vision. She said the help she gets from SPC makes an enormous difference in her ability to succeed.
“It has really helped me a lot,” she said. “I can tell them what I need for my classes, that I may need more time for tests, or I may need to be able to magnify the paper so I can see better. If I get tired from reading they can help me put my work on a computer, which reads to me. They also can get note-takers to take notes for me.”
While Connell realizes the realities of shrinking budgets, she does have ideas for improving the delivery of services to students with disabilities.
“I’d like to see a continuation of staff training,” she said. “To me, staff training is really key. And I think we can benefit from more integration of services.”
Connell also said she hopes to learn more about what students think from a student satisfaction survey, which is being circulated.
Online enrollments near 25,000 students
St. Petersburg College leads all Florida community colleges in the enrollment of online students, with nearly 25,000 students taking courses via the Internet annually. Visit the eCampus Web site.
Online enrollments have grown steadily at SPC in the last few years. More than 21,000 students took their classes online during the 2006-07 academic year. This year’s numbers represent a 10 percent increase over the previous year.
“We have recognized for some time that online classes are the wave of the future, and we have worked hard to make the online educational process one that works well for students as well as faculty,” said James Olliver, Provost of the Seminole Campus and eCampus. “We expect that online enrollments will continue to rise at a steady pace.”
Another piece of green added
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More than 100 people attended the Natural Science/Math/College of Education “green” building open house at the Clearwater Campus Feb. 20.
Pictured during the ribbon-cutting ceremony from left, are: Doug Linder, President/CEO of Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce; Carol Hague, Chair of Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce; Stan Vittetoe, Provost of the Clearwater Campus; George Cretekos, Vice Mayor of the City of Clearwater; John Doran, City of Clearwater Council member; Susan Reiter, Vice President of Facilities Planning and Institutional Services; Thomas Sidgmore, Senior Vice President of W.G. Mills Construction; and Sherri Callahan, Public Relations Vice President of Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce. |
New Student Services building setting an example
The opening of the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus Student Services building marks a milestone for SPC as it demonstrates our dedication to the environment in planning for the future of our college and community. This building is model of sustainable and healthy design as demonstrated through its high quality construction, high indoor air quality, energy and water efficiency and its use of locally manufactured, recycled and rapidly renewable materials. Among some of the features, the building has:
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SPC Scholarship Luncheon connects donors, students
Each February the St. Petersburg College Foundation, Inc. hosts its Annual Scholarship Luncheon for donors and scholars.
This event provides the opportunity for donors and their scholarship recipients to meet and enjoy a unique time together. It is one of the most heart-warming events of each school year!
About 100 people attended this year's luncheon on Friday, Feb. 13 at the EpiCenter.
Pictured left, Landrea Battle, recipient of the Amy R. Blanton Scholarship; Joe Blanton, Chairman of the Board of the SPC Foundation; and Lisa Battle. For more images from this event view the Scholarship Luncheon slideshow.
SPC volunteers valued for the difference they make
Did you know that St. Petersburg College has a volunteer program? Many community members and students age 16 years and older are volunteering a few hours each week in computer labs, student services, student activities, tutoring services, administrative offices, the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, the Palladium Theater and other areas.
SPC is dedicated to excellence in education and it is because of this commitment that the services of volunteers are so vital. Volunteers make a difference by lightening the load for staff and faculty and by sharing their special talents with our students. They extend very special services to students while assisting in our efforts to meet the various needs of each of our college sites.
Volunteers receive benefits as well as an opportunity to gain new friendships and contribute to the educational growth of their friends and neighbors. If you need a volunteer in your department contact Ann Ebersberger at Ext. 4303.
Note of thanks
Thank you to the SPC family for a great eight years. As I retire from the college today (Feb. 28), I have completed 37 years in community college work. It has been such a privilege to work with all the colleges in our great and No. 1 Florida Community College System. Working with all of you to increase bachelor’s degree access for our students has been a great capstone for my career. We began with no majors and no students and now have more than 4,000 baccalaureate students, 2,000 baccalaureate graduates and 27 majors. It is amazing and could not have happened without the support and good work of every member of our SPC family. As many of you know, I also had the good fortune to meet my wife Paula here five years ago, and we intend to stay in Feather Sound as we move into this new phase of our lives. My new e-address is Thomasefurlong@gmail.com. Please keep in touch and all the best as you continue your important work on behalf of our students. Thanks again. Tom Furlong
Graduation reminder to faculty and staff
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| Nicole Basket and Terry Stalans create a graduation memory. |
Spring graduation is at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 9, at Tropicana Field, and the deadline to order rental or keeper graduation regalia is March 31.
Attendance is mandatory for all full-time faculty and Administrative and Professional staff. Adjuncts and percent-of-load faculty are not required, but are welcome to participate. Required faculty and staff may seek to be excused by submitting a written request to President Kuttler by April 24 with the purpose clearly stated.
Regalia can be ordered from Follett’s Bookstore on any campus. Follett’s will need your name, height (with shoes), weight, cap size (or head measurement, in inches), full title of your degree, and the school which conferred your degree along with the university’s location (city and state), and a phone number where you can be contacted.
Orders received after March 31 will incur a late fee. Questions should be directed to your campus bookstore.
Meeting notices
The Development Committee of the Board of Directors for the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art will meet on Wednesday, March 11, at 3 p.m. in the Archives Room at the museum. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss general business.
The SPC Foundation Finance and Investment Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, March 19, at 9 a.m. at the SPC District Office, Consular Corporate Conference Room 102, 6021 142nd Ave. N., Largo.
Spend 2008 FSA money by March 15
There’s still time. You have until March 15 to incur expenses for your FSA money and until April 30 to submit your claim form and receipts.
You can visit the doctor, pay for prescriptions or other approved medical expenses, or buy qualified over-the-counter items and still get reimbursed from 2008 monies. Our third-party administrator, Custom Benefit Services, automatically looks for unused 2008 funds before refunding 2009 funds to you.
Things to know when you submit your claim:
» Be sure to include documentation with the provider’s name, date of service, services rendered and the amount requested.
» Some expenses -- vitamins, supplements, weight loss programs, etc. -- require a doctor’s letter of medical necessity. The letter must reflect a medical condition and state the item submitted for reimbursement is recommended as treatment of the condition.
» Please do not highlight or put tape on receipts or cash register tapes. That makes the documents impossible to read after faxing or copying.
» Canceled checks, bank statements, credit card statements, discharge papers and estimation of fees are not considered receipts.
» Claims received by Wednesday each week are processed that week; claims received after Wednesday are processed the following week.
For a detailed list of items and expenses that can or cannot be paid with FSA money, visit the Custom Benefit Service’s Web site, or call Custom Benefit Services at 1-800-809-8161.
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.
Continuing through 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.
Continuing through March 6
Photography Show, Crossroads Art Gallery, Clearwater Campus. Reception: March. 4, 6-8 p.m. Free.
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.
Saturday, Feb. 28
2009 Fundraising Social Event: Carnaval, with Latin music, tango demonstrations, salsa lessons and South American cuisine. 6:30 p.m. Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art. $125. 727-712-5217 to reserve.
Sunday, March 1
Barbra & Frank, direct from Las Vegas, starring Sharon Owens and Sebastian Anzaldo as Streisand and Sinatra. 2 p.m. Palladium. $22, $27.
Monday, March 2
WMNF and the Palladium present: Loudon Wainwright III, opening act: Rebekkah Pulley, 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $25.
Tuesday, March 3
Helios Jazz Orchestra, featuring guest artist, saxophonist Butch Thomas. 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $10.
Thursday, March 5
Side Door Jazz: The ORGANic Trio, featuring Art Siegal, drums; Robbie Rose, B3 organ; and T.K. Mizunuma, guitarist, arranger and composer, with guest vocalist Carlton Flenoy. 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $20.
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.
March 7-8
Florida Orchestra Masterworks Concert: Verdi Requiem , Stefan Sanderling, conductor; Indra Thomas, soprano; Gigi Mitchell-Velasco, mezzo-soprano; Jeffrey Springer, tenor; Dean Elzinga, bass; and the The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, Richard Zielinski, Artistic & Music Director. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 7, Mahaffey Theater; and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8, Ruth Eckerd Hall. $19-$65.
Tuesday, March 10
Encore 2009 C’est Magnifique! Viva La France, with former Florida Orchestra Concertmaster Ellen dePasquale on violin along with a 12-piece chamber ensemble. 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $10, $15, $20.
Thursday, March 12
Florida Orchestra Coffee Concert: Romantic Rhapsodies, Alastair Willis, conductor; Aza Torshkoeva, 2008 TFO Young Artist Competition winner, piano. 11 a.m., Mahaffey Theater. $24-$40.
March 13-April 5
Lysistrata, by Aristophanes, adapted by Todd Olson and T. Scott Wooten, 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 3 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. American Stage Theatre, St. Petersburg. $31-$39.
Friday, March 13
Madrigalians Concert, “Oh Eternal Spring,” 7:30 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center. Free.
Friday, March 13-14
Florida Orchestra Pops Concert: Doc Severinsen: El Ritmo de la Vida, 8 p.m., Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center; and 8 p.m. Saturday, March 14, Mahaffey Theater. $19-$65.
Saturday, March 14
An Evening With Richard Thompson: The British folk rock legend often is listed with Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page as among the world’s great rock guitarists. The critically acclaimed and prolific songwriter began his career in the 1960s. A solo artist for more than 20 years, Thompson scored Werner Hertzog's 2005 documentary Grizzly Man. His astounding body of work includes more than 40 albums. 9 p.m. Palladium. $32.50, $42.50.
Tuesday, March 17
Side Door Brown Bag Series: Judith Alstadter, pianist, “Ladies Choice – Female Composers.” Bring lunch – beverage provided. Noon, Palladium. $12.
Friday, March 20
Swing Into Spring: A Tribute to Benny Goodman, featuring Ken Peplowski, clarinet; Kenny Drew Jr., piano; Joe Porter, bass, and John Jenkins, drums. 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $20, $25.
Friday, March 20
Heissler Organ Series: Marek Kudlicki, 7:30 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center. $5 suggested donation. SPC staff and students free with ID.
March 20-22
Florida Orchestra Masterworks Concert: Ravel: Mother Goose, Thierry Fischer, Conductor, Tedi Papavrami, violin. 8 p.m., Friday, March 20, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center; and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 22, Ruth Eckerd Hall. $19-$65.
Friday, March 27
Suncoast Singers: Broadway for Kids from 2 to 92, featuring music from Chicago, The Little Mermaid, Wicked, Beauty and the Beast, A Chorus Line, The Lion King and others. 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $10, $20 adults, $6 children.
Friday, March 27
St. Petersburg College Piano Concert Series: Rebecca Penneys, solo recital, 7:30 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center, St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus. Free.
Saturday, March 28
Piano master class with Rebecca Penneys, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. St. Petersburg College Music Center, St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus. Free. For reservations, please e-mail rpinfo@rebeccapenneys.com.
March 27-29
Florida Orchestra Pops Concert: A Tribute to the Always Amazing John Williams, Richard Kaufman, conductor. 8 p.m. Friday, March 27, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 8 p.m. Saturday, March 28, Mahaffey Theater; and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 29, Ruth Eckerd Hall. $19-$65.
Sunday, March 29
RockShop Revue Winter-Spring Concert 2009, 7 p.m. Palladium. $11.50
Tuesday, March 31
Encore 2009 C’est Magnifique! Hsu and Hunsberger Trio, presenting works by Alec Wilder and Francis Poulenc and more. 7:30 p.m. Palladium. $10, $15, $20.
Check out the upcoming events at the Florida Orchestra in their online calendars:
February | March
This article and other health information are available on our Wellness blog.
Oral Health and General Health
By guest columnist Nicholas J. Grimaudo, Professor, Health Services Administration
February is Dental Health Month.
The mouth should no longer be considered separately from the rest of the body when it comes to wellness because oral health influences general health. Poor oral health may have ill effects on eating, speech, quality of life and well-being, plus cause discomfort and suffering.
Oral diseases are the most common of the chronic diseases and are important public health problems because of their prevalence, their impact on individuals and society, and the expense of their treatment.
Health researchers suggest that good general health and oral health go hand in hand.
Chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and dental decay are increasing, with the implication that quality of life related to oral health, as well as general quality of life, may deteriorate. Because oral and other chronic diseases have determinants in common, we need to look more at the common risk factors. For example, high consumption of unrefined sugar will lead to obesity which will contribute to diabetes. The sugar is a main contributing factor to dental decay as it is a source of nutrient for the oral bacteria that causes decay.
This is only one example. There have been other links between oral and general health identified such as periodontal (gum) disease and heart disease. So take care of your teeth and gums as your overall health depends on it.
To explore additional wellness updates, visit the SPC Wellness blog.
Onward and Upward
Two professional development courses designed and offered by St. Petersburg College won a prize at the Florida Association of Community Colleges (FACC) Conference.
The courses, Excellence in Adjunct Instruction, and Trends, Perspectives and Leadership in Postsecondary Education, were entered in the Institutional Effectiveness Exemplary Practices category for professional development courses. The entry won a second place prize of $300. The SPC project team, Deborah Boyle, Lynn Grinnell, Sarah Haynes, Karen Hesting, Bonnie Kesler, Greg McLeod, Chad Mairn, Lisa Pritchard, Marse Walsh and Sharon Williams, donated the money to the SPC Foundation’s needy student scholarship fund.
Jean Wortock, Dean of the SPC College of Nursing, was reappointed by Florida Gov. Charlie Crist for another term on the Florida Center for Nursing Board of Directors.
Locker Room: Basketball season ends short of state tournament for men and women
The men’s basketball team lost to Hillsborough Community College 70-57 Tuesday night to end its season.
SPC beat Pasco-Hernando CC Monday night 62-60 to earn the right to play Hillsborough. With the victory, HCC qualifies for the state tournament in Marianna March 4-7.
Polk CC was the top seed from the Suncoast Conference and earned an automatic berth in the state tournament.
SPC ended its regular season 16-15, and 6-6 in the conference.
The women’s team lost its two final games last week, bowing to Broward College 66-59 in overtime before losing to Indian River State College 71-47 on Saturday.
The women’s team didn’t qualify for the post-season tournament after ending 4-14 overall and 2-10 in the conference.
The baseball team won four of its five games last week and the first game this week. It defeated the University of Tampa B team Feb. 17 (9-2), Santa Fe CC 16-14 on Feb. 18 and Lake-Sumter CC 8-1. On Saturday, it split a double header with Palm Beach CC, losing 2-0 before winning 6-4. Monday it defeated Broward 6-3 in 10 innings.
The team’s overall season record is 13-9. They play again today against Lake-Sumter at 3 p.m. at Jack Russell Stadium in Clearwater.
The women's softball team split six games over the weekend in the SPC Softball Classic at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater. The women took two from Gulf Coast CC, 10-5 and 7-1, on Friday before dropping three games on Saturday to Central Florida CC (9-1), Florida CC at Jacksonville (8-0) and Chattanooga State (4-0). On Sunday, the women beat Broward CC 10-3.
The team’s overall record is 5-7. It plays again March 5 against Oakland CC at 2 p.m. at the Eddie C. Moore Complex.
The SPC women’s tennis team defeated Central Florida CC Thursday 8-1. The team’s overall season record is 3-3. It plays again Wednesday, taking on Alma College at 3 p.m. at Treasure Bay Golf and Tennis.
For results 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 and Verizon 27 in Pinellas County.
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.
» CoMotion 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 Web site.
» A Night at the Palladium: An Evening with Rosa Rio
Sunday 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.; Tuesday 9 p.m.
For details on other Palladium events, visit the Palladium Web site.
» A Night at the Palladium: The Kym Purling Trio
Tuesday 8 p.m.; Thursday 9 p.m.
For details on other Palladium events, visit the Palladium Web site.
» A Night at the Palladium: Nathan Laube
Monday 8 p.m.; Friday 9 p.m.
For details on other Palladium events, visit the Palladium Web site.