2023 - 2024 SLCCSA Vision Statement

Joyce Wambuyi, 2023 - 24 SLCCSA President

Our society has been grappling with numerous challenges: escalating inflation, job market uncertainty, and socio-political tension. The impact of these factors has made many aspects of life increasingly difficult, as housing crises and soaring prices of basic needs have become pervasive. Regrettably, education has not been immune to these difficulties. Although SLCC students strive for success, many struggle to survive. This struggle has led to a disheartening erosion of their sense of belonging and ability to learn. It is important that our college prevent this trend. SLCC recognizes knowledge gained in college is an asset to our community, especially in such challenging times. Therefore, we are more determined than ever to prioritize student accessibility. SLCC Student Association has identified three guiding questions to support our students in the face of these challenges:

• How can SLCC eliminate, reduce, or create greater transparency about the hidden costs of college?
• How can we reconnect students to campus and find greater value in their time at SLCC? 
  
• How can we enhance the online learning experience, making it both meaningful and accessible?

Affordability Is Accessibility
In anticipation of base costs like tuition and fees, students are working multiple jobs, taking out loans, and applying for scholarships. On top of that they must also support themselves and their families. Although our college is lower cost than most in the state, that is offset by the unexpected costs students encounter after classes begin. Students are unable to plan for the actual cost of college which includes books, parking, course fees, and a myriad of other hidden expenses. SLCCSA believes strongly that accessibility is affordability. By focusing on making SLCC more affordable, we can reduce the financial burden on already struggling students.
 
Connection Adds Value
Our student body represents the racial and socio-economic diversity of the Salt Lake valley, which deeply enhances the academic and co-curricular environment in which we learn. Essential to an effective and diverse learning environment is the connection a student feels to their school. Regrettably, we have seen a lack in this connection which has left our campus feeling empty. There are many issues that hinder student connection to the college, especially for diverse and first-generation students. We can improve connection by creating fun and inspiring student-centered spaces, stabilizing resources like food services, and increasing visibility and involvement in outstanding campus resources.
 
Reliable Digital Resources
We are living in a boom in innovative technology; students are more likely to enroll in online classes and use online tools. Some online platforms are hard to access and have minimal guidance in how to navigate them. SLCC currently has two challenges: representation of online students and the accessibility of online tools. Nothing interrupts your day faster than the internet being down, struggling with the basic functions of an online platform, or not being able to find accurate information online. With so many students taking at least one online course, the digital resources at SLCC are remarkably underdeveloped and unreliable. While in some cases this means adding online resources, it is often about making what is online easier. SLCCSA hopes to shed light on these issues by addressing problems with technology and the inclusion of online students.

Purchasing Updates as of May 17, 2023

We are excited to announce some significant updates.

1. The Small Dollar Guidelines have been updated. You are encouraged to review these new guidelines. Below is a summary of the changes:

1. Increasing the Small Dollar Purchase Limit from $1500 to $2500. All p-card per transaction limits will automatically be updated. We will also update your cycle limit to $7500. Any card that has special limits will not be altered unless requested. Departments are encouraged to use their p-card for orders under $2500 whenever possible. For orders under $2500 that cannot be completed using the p-card, departments may submit a Payment Request. If the purchase requires a contract, a Payment Request cannot be used. Please follow the contract request process.

2. Added sections regarding the purchase of computers, tablets, audio-visual equipment, catered food and event items.

3. Clarified that flowers can be purchased as a gift.

4. Added language about contracts.

5. Removed restrictions on purchasing food and gifts for profession-specific observance days.
   
   

2. A new contract process for simple services has been created. This new process will allow departments to utilize a one-page contract form for specific small-dollar services. These contracts do not need to be submitted through the Procurement Contract Request process in SLCCBuy. They can be completed by the department and signed by the contractor prior to the work being performed. After the work is completed, the department submits the form as a Payment Request in SLCCBuy. Please see the Simple Service Contract Guidelines for more information. We hope that this will simplify the process and decrease the time it takes to get a contract in place.
   
   

3. The Purchasing and Accounts Payable department websites are being combined into a single website. This will create a single place for all information, forms, and training. The new website should go live within the next few weeks. Along with this update, many of our forms are also being updated. Please do not use any forms that you have previously downloaded. Please download a copy of the form from our website each time you need it. This will ensure you are always using the most recent form. Once the new webpage is live, we will start the process of updating links to documents and other sites. Please be patient with us as we update these links.

   
   

4. With the launch of the new website, we are introducing a new Purchasing Training Center. This will be a one-stop shop for all training documents and videos. We will be continuously creating new content for this page.   

As a reminder, Year End is quickly approaching. The deadline for submitting requisitions for orders that need to be bid and encumbered by June 30 has passed. This means that we cannot guarantee that funds will be encumbered before the end of the year. Please see the Year End Cut Off Dates and Memo for more information.

The New Year PO checkbox has been turned on early. You can now enter requisitions to request a new year PO. Make sure to check the New Year PO checkbox in the General Section before submitting your requisition. Note that after the requisition has been approved, it will be placed in a holding queue until July 1 to prevent it from being sent to the vendor or encumbered before year end.

Employee Wellness Opportunities for May 2023

Lecture Series

The Employee Wellness Lecture Series aims to improve the health knowledge of all full and part-time college team members. The 2022-2023 Lecture Series includes presentations on Medical Screenings, Long-Haul Covid, & Environmental Health. 

Register for one of the below Lecture Series sections. After registering for one of the Lecture Series sections and before the program begins, an Employee Wellness team member will send you a meeting request with specific dates, times, and location information.

Registration Form:

Submit the registration form to sign-up for a Lecture Series.

Month	Weekday	Beginning Date	Time	Location
May	Mondays	5/15/23	11 a.m. to Noon	Zoom

One Small Change

Long-term healthy living needs simple beginnings. One Small Change is a health behavior change program that encourages participants to identify one health behavior that they would like to adopt, modify, or eliminate and live that change for at least 21 days. Support for identifying a change, as well as living the identified change, comes from attending and participating in small group discussions. 

Registration Form:

Submit the registration form to sign-up for the group One Small Change program. 

Prior to the start of the program, an Employee Wellness team member will email you with all of the attendance specifics that you will need.

Month	Weekday	Beginning Date	Time	Location
May	Wednesdays	5/17/23	11 a.m. to Noon	Zoom

*This OSC program aims to guide those interested in increasing their physical activity levels.

SLCC to Host Free Immersive STEM Program for Students in grades 6-8

Empowering students with STEM and entrepreneurship skills to help build future success 

Salt Lake Community College is partnering with Verizon and the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) to offer a free project-based immersive STEM program, Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers, for middle school students starting on June 12 - July 29. 

Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers aims to empower middle school students in under- resourced communities to explore STEM subjects, learn problem-solving skills and gain exposure to career opportunities in technology fields. Participating students will receive mentorship, access to next-gen technology and hands-on training connected to real-world challenges. The initiative provides engaging programming where 6th-8th grade students can learn design thinking, 3D printing, augmented reality, and social entrepreneurship. No prior knowledge or experience is required. 

This program begins with a 3-week in-person session this summer from June 12 - 29, 2023 and an in-person, full-day workshop at Salt Lake Community College in the fall and in the spring. Food and transportation for participating students will be provided! 

Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers is part of the company’s education initiative that helps to address barriers to digital inclusion under Citizen Verizon, the company’s responsible business plan to help move the world forward for all. 

To learn more, please visit: www.verizoninnovativelearning.com. 

To register, please visit https://verizon.nacce.com/registration. 

About Verizon Innovative Learning 

Verizon Innovative Learning, Verizon’s award-winning education initiative, is celebrating over a decade of commitment to addressing barriers to digital inclusion for students and teachers. Since 2012, the program has committed $1 billion in market value to support digital equity, reaching over 3 million students. Verizon Innovative Learning provides free technology, internet access and emerging technology-infused learning programs to students in under-resourced communities—enabling students to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to build an innovative workforce of the future. In 2021, Verizon launched Verizon Innovative Learning HQ, a next-gen online education portal that provides free access to immersive extended reality (XR) educational experiences to all educators, including K - 12 teachers, nationwide. A key program under Citizen Verizon, the company’s responsible business plan for economic, environmental and social advancement, Verizon Innovative Learning is helping to drive the company’s goal to provide 10 million youths with digital skills training by 2030. Learn more at citizenverizon.com.

Join Us for the CALM Retreat in May

 

A New Beginning: A Restorative Retreat 

SLCC’s Center for Authentic Leadership and Mindfulness (CALM)

May 12 & 13, 2023
In person at the Natural History Museum of Utah
8:30 am – 4:00 pm

Join the Center for Authentic Leadership and Mindfulness (CALM) for a two-day, in-person contemplative retreat. The retreat is for anyone interested in slowing down, de-stressing, and doing reflective work in community and in a beautiful setting. It is based on the philosophy and work of Parker Palmer and other contemplative authors. This event is at no cost to our SLCC faculty and staff and includes breakfast and lunch!
 
This is a personal and interactive retreat. You will be invited to participate in mindfulness practices, gentle movement, and personal and shared explorations of our ways and hopes for authentic living - all in a supportive and explorational environment.  
 
There is no cost to participants and all employees are welcome. Breakfast and lunch are included. Supervisor approval is required for staff and adjunct faculty.  A commitment to attend for both days and for the full duration is strongly encouraged in order to create community. 
 
Previous attendees have said:
“My time in retreat deepened my desire to connect with students and colleagues in a more meaningful way.”
“Great chance to de-stress and reminded me to bring my best self to the work I do at the College.”
 
Please register via the SLCC employee registration on MySLCC, under Faculty Development “FT78: CALM 1st Generation Retreat”.
 
For more about CALM, visit http://faculty.slcc.edu/faculty-development/touchstone.aspx 
or for questions or get on a waitlist, contact Katerina Salini at katerina.salini@slcc.edu x4773

2023 Retirees to Receive Emeritus Status

SLCC is pleased to announce that the following retirees have been granted emeritus status in 2023:

Beverly Anderson, Professor Emeritus
Deanne Arvizu, Coordinator Emeritus
Senerita Auvaa, Coordinator Emeritus
Rick Bouillon, Associate Vice President Emeritus
Marilyn Brumbaugh, Advisor Emeritus
Marianne Buie, Administrative Assistant Emeritus
Jon Clark, Associate Professor Emeritus
Gary Cox, Associate Dean Emeritus
Craig Ferrin, Professor Emeritus
Steve Ford, Associate Professor Emeritus
Jon Glenn, Director Emeritus
Richard Graham, Professor Emeritus
Don Gren, Professor Emeritus
Susan Hardcastle, Supervisor Emeritus
Maurine Hendrickson, Administrative Assistant Emeritus
Howard Ingle, Associate Professor Emeritus
Jerry Jones, Technician Emeritus
Carla Kulinksy, Professor Emeritus
Karen Kwan, Professor Emeritus
Shiow-Mei Lake, Coordinator Emeritus
Kelly Lund, Director Emeritus
Brenda Lyman, Professor Emeritus
Alison McFarlane, Vice President Emeritus
Nancy Michalko, Executive Director Emeritus
Arlene Ray, Budget Analyst Emeritus
Nick Safai, Professor Emeritus
Clifton Sanders, Provost Emeritus
Leslie Seiferle, Professor Emeritus
Celeste Skinner, Professor Emeritus
Mequette Sorensen, Professor Emeritus
Gordon Storrs, Master Planner & Advisor Emeritus
Deidre Tyler, Professor Emeritus
Randal Young, Technician Emeritus
Bill Zoumadakis, Associate Vice President Emeritus

Employee Wellness Opportunities for Spring 2023

 One Small Change

Long-term healthy living needs simple beginnings. One Small Change is a health behavior change program that encourages participants to identify one health behavior that they would like to adopt, modify, or eliminate and live that change for at least 21 days. Support for identifying a change, as well as living the identified change, comes from attending and participating in small group discussions. 

 

Submit the registration form to sign-up for the group One Small Change program. Prior to the start of the program that you have signed up for, an Employee Wellness team member will email you with all of the attendance specifics that you will need.

Month	Weekday	Beginning Date	Time	Location
January	Tuesdays	1/10/23	11:00 to 12:00 PM	TB2225B
February	Thursdays	2/23/23	10:00 to 11:00 AM	South Campus SCM 1-147

*This OSC program aims to guide those interested in increasing their physical activity levels.

Personal Training

Participants of the Personal Training Program will receive a maximum of 16 weekly Personal Training sessions. Due to staffing limitations, this program is available to a limited number of participants. If you would like to participate, please review the Personal Training procedures then watch for the announcement email from People & Workplace Culture’s Wellness Team. If selected, your Personal Trainer will contact you to finalize your training schedule. Due to the high demand for this program, participants are selected based on if they have not participated before and/or how long it has been since they last participated. Prioritization is given to those who have not yet participated. 

 

For your convenience, the introductory information has been embedded within the intake form. You are welcome to submit the intake form now to be included in our current block of Personal Training.  

 

Blocks	Start	End	Intake Link
Block 3	6-Mar-23	23-Jun-23	Block 3 Intake Form

 

Recipe Book and Mindful Meals: This program is designed to further the connection between meal planning, shopping, cooking, and eating. Participants will prepare, consume, and evaluate 10 recipes from either of the custom-built SLCC's recipe books. Within the recipe book, participants will have the opportunity to learn how to incorporate mindful eating practices into their daily lives. 

·         Vegetarian Recipe Book 

·         Non-Vegetarian Recipe Book 

This program is asynchronous and begins when you want it to begin and ends when you have completed the Recipe Rating Tool. Please download and complete the Recipe Rating Tool. To receive incentive request instructions, send your Recipe Rating Tool file to Christina McWhinnie. 

 

 

Positive Psychology 1

This 16-week, interactive program focuses on boosting optimism and positivity. It’s a series of informative sessions designed to build valuable lifestyle practices and increase your overall well-being. This course highlights Happiness, Positivity, Gratitude, and Mindfulness education. Class enrollment will be limited to 20 participants in each section, so please register early!  

 

Month Begins	Weekday	Beginning Date	Time	Location
March (16-Weeks)	Mondays	March 6, 2023	2:00 to 3:00 PM	Zoom
	Wednesdays	March 8, 2023	2:00 to 3:00 PM	Zoom

 

 

Positive Psychology 2 – A Second Serving

This 16-week, interactive program focuses on boosting mental health, developing meaning, and engagement into your life? This course highlights optimism, self-compassion, loving kindness, healthy self-esteem, (character strengths), and resilience education. Class enrollment will be limited to 20 participants in each section, so please register early!  

 

Month Begins	Weekday	Beginning Date	Time	Location
March (16-Weeks)	Tuesday	March 7, 2023	1:00 to 2:00 PM	Zoom
	Thursdays	March 9, 2023	1:00 to 2:00 PM	Zoom

 

 

Happy Thoughts Program

Need a mid-week positivity infusion and an opportunity to shift your daily happiness level? The Happy Thoughts program can help! 

All employees are invited to attend our weekly Happy Thoughts sessions. This program provides experiential activities that help participants better elevate and nurture their mental wellbeing. 

Days of the Week	Meeting Time	Zoom Link	Format
Wednesdays	12:15 – 12:45	Zoom Link	Drop-In