Middle College, Professional Day, Accreditation, New Members, Convocation

College Community Members,


Perhaps this is the perfect time to share summer experiences: “What did you do on your summer vacation” query. There are many of us who found our time was spent preparing in one way or another for the fall semester beginning. Thanks to all who served on search committees over the summer. Thanks to those who adjusted schedules to meet student registration times/needs. Thanks to those who spent longer Saturday hours in order to polish floors, thoroughly clean classrooms. Thanks for being part of this ever-evolving learning community.

For the Middle College to suddenly be possible was very exciting and somewhat daunting. The funding for the Three Rivers Middle College was released by the State Department of Education with the new fiscal year – July 1, 2012. We have been scrambling ever since to recruit 30 high school juniors who are interested in completing their high school credits, receiving their diploma and acquiring college credits. Middle College students will arrive on August 29th for first day of classes. Their home area will be in the E wing, second floor in the general area of the former library. – Much more to come on Professional Day.

Regarding Professional Day, it will come after the first day of classes this year. The “Save the Dates” notice was sent earlier because the need to re-schedule this day so as to keep it within the academic contractual period. In doing so it made sense to combine Convocation and Professional Day. The schedule for that day will be listed again at the end of this letter.

We are making the program for Professional Day an in-house review of events, activities and information. The fall semester will see the beginning of the Middle College; the 10-year NEASC accreditation visit; Early Childhood Education accreditation visit; a new strategic planning process; the budget as we know it; the end of Title III; and, introductions of new faculty and staff. There will be other announcements at that time also.

In order to begin the process of introducing new college community members, their names are included here with a full introduction on the 31st.

• BETTY BAILLARGEON, DIR. INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

• MICHAEL BERGWELL, FACULTY, MATHEMATICS

• KENNETH BRIGGS, ASSOC. DIR. FINANCIAL AID

• SCOTT CAROLAN, REGISTRATION ASSISTANT

• ELLEN CLINESMITH, ALLIED HEALTH COORDINATOR

• KELSEY DANIELS, VISTA VOLUNTEER

• JACQUELINE PHILLIPS, DIR. OF STUDENT SERVICES

• DAVID RUTHERFORD, FACULTY, ESLO

Other persons who will be with us on full-time basis or who will have new or different appointments will be acknowledged that day.

I look forward to our new semester. I look forward to seeing everyone back together again.

SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY OF FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012

11:15 AM Robing for Convocation in B127 and processional

11:30 AM Convocation in the Multipurpose Room

12:15 PM Lunch in Café

1:00 PM Professional day program in the Multipurpose Room



Grace

Design of the College’s New Auditorium

Dear College Community,

Exciting news…..this morning, I met with the Project Manager regarding the design of the College’s new auditorium! In the next two weeks, we will reconfirm the scope of the project which we hope will include a 500 seat auditorium, play box theater, and at least three classrooms.

We may also consider a design feature which will enable the auditorium to be sub-divided into smaller rooms for additional classroom space or smaller meeting areas during times the larger auditorium is not in use. Once the scope is firmly set, a request for quotation will be issued and a short list of design firms will be established…..all before the end of the calendar year, we hope.

Stay tuned for more information as this terrific project unfolds.


Grace

Post-Thanksgiving Greeting

From casual conversations, there were many good meals and gatherings over the past week. I think the time away was probably important before finishing the semester.

As I send this my first blog, I thought perhaps there may be items of interest to many in our college community. Let me try this item:

On Friday, December 4, 2009, Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, will be here on campus with Senator Dodd. They will discuss community college's patnership in bringing higher education to more students and students meeting the workforce needs. LOOK FOR MORE INFORMATION VIA EMAIL LATER TODAY OR WEDNESDAY MORNING.

Let's be in touch. Grace