FLCC Campus News

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Dec. 20, 2007) – Two honors seminars will be offered at Finger Lakes Community College during the Spring 2008 semester (Jan. 28 – May 16). Both classes are three-credit honors courses and are open to all FLCC students.

“Honors Seminar Topic I: The Literature of Food” (HON 100) will be offered on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9:20 p.m. in the Honors House. Led by Associate Professor of English Sandy Camillo and Associate Professor of Business Rich Larkin, this course will examine the literature of food and its centrality to our lives, memories, myths, and rites of passage. Students will study a variety of works, including the Mad Hatter’s tea party in “Alice in Wonderland” and the recipes in Laura Esquivel’s novel “Like Water for Chocolate,” to examine how food and its related imagery are inextricably linked. The seminar-style classes will foster open dialogue as students explore the intriguing connections between food and literature.

“The Hearth Project: A Writer’s Retreat” (HON 200) will give students the chance to explore philosophy, literature, and the arts by combining class time with required retreats at the FLCC Muller Field Station near Honeoye Lake. Led by Instructor of English Alton Jowers and Associate Professor of Philosophy John Talbot, students will have the opportunity to build a foundation in the humanities and then reinforce these experiences through an immersion in nature. The retreats will encourage interdisciplinary activities ranging from prose and poetry to painting and music while instilling a greater love and understanding of nature. The class will meet on the following weekends: February 8-10; March 7-9; April 11-13; as well as on Thursday, May 8, 2008.

FLCC honors courses are designed to present stimulating, enriching material through discussion and study in a manner that encourages critical thinking and creative self-expression. Students who successfully complete a series of honors courses may earn an honors certificate upon graduation, which may increase their transfer options to four-year institutions.

For more information about these courses, please contact Assistant Professor of English and Director of Honors Curtis Nehring Bliss at (585) 394-FLCC, ext. 7367.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Dec. 20, 2007) – Finger Lakes Community College’s concurrent enrollment program, Gemini, enrolled 1,271 high school students in fall 2007, a 1.6 percent increase over fall 2006 Gemini enrollment. This fall, students earned over 5,500 credits, a 3.9% increase over fall 2006. The Gemini program accounts for 51% of the College’s total part-time enrollment.

Gemini allows academically eligible high school students to enroll in college courses, providing the opportunity to earn college credits at a savings of up to 65 percent. Qualified high school teachers are approved by FLCC to deliver college courses in their high school. Credits earned can be transferred to two- or four-year institutions, subject to pre-approval by the institution.

FLCC partners with the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES and 24 area high schools to offer the Gemini program. The following school districts offer FLCC courses through the Gemini program: Bloomfield, Canandaigua, Clyde-Savannah, DeSales, Dundee, Gananda, Geneva, Honeoye, Lyons, Marcus Whitman, Marion, Midlakes, Newark, North Rose-Wolcott, Palmyra-Macedon, Penn Yan, Red Creek, Red Jacket, Romulus, Sodus, Victor, Waterloo, Wayne, and Williamson.

The Gemini program offered 151 sections of FLCC courses including English, history, mathematics, computer science, sciences, business, social sciences, and foreign languages. In a survey of Gemini students who graduated from high school in 2006, 94% said they were successful in transferring their FLCC credits.

FLCC’s Gemini program is accredited by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships, Inc. (NACEP). NACEP is a nationwide organization with an established set of programmatic standards indicative of quality concurrent enrollment programs.

For more information about the Gemini program, contact the Office of Secondary Programs at (315) 789-6701, ext. 6018 or visit www.flcc.edu/highschool.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Dec. 18, 2007) — Finger Lakes Community College offers full-semester credit courses in eight-week “minimesters.” The Spring Minimester I runs from Jan. 28-Mar. 16, 2008 and the Spring Minimester II runs from Mar. 24-May 16, 2008. Courses are offered at the Canandaigua campus, the Geneva Campus Center, and the Wayne County Campus Center. Classes are held during the day, in the evening, and on Saturdays.

These time-condensed courses offer the same academic quality and total instructional time of the College’s traditional classes but can be completed in the shortened eight-week minimester format. Students can take classes in a variety of subjects such as computer science, English, math, nursing, physical education, psychology, and sociology.

Students must be fully enrolled in courses no later than one week before the start of class. Students are advised to register early as classes fill up fast. For more information, contact the FLCC Registrar’s Office at (585) 394-FLCC, ext. 7622, or at registrar@flcc.edu, or visit www.flcc.edu.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Dec. 18, 2007) – Finger Lakes Community College announces walk-in registration for students enrolling on a part-time, non-matriculated basis for the spring 2008 semester. Spring courses begin Jan. 28, and registration is being held at the following times and locations:

In Canandaigua: Monday – Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Fridays 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., FLCC Registrar’s Office, 4355 Lakeshore Drive.

In Geneva: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 4 p.m., or call ahead for an appointment, FLCC Geneva Center, 63 Pulteney St., (315) 789-6701.

In Newark: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 4 p.m., or call ahead for an appointment, FLCC Wayne County Campus Center, 1100 Technology Pkwy., Newark,
(315) 331-9098

Freshman English (ENG 101) and foreign language courses require placement testing prior to registration. Testing for ENG 101 is held at the Canandaigua campus, the Geneva Campus Center, and the Wayne County Campus Center. For more information, including testing times, visit www.flcc.edu/testing or call (585) 394-FLCC, ext. 7267.

Students registering for one to 11 credit hours (as part-time students) may register during walk-in registration or by mail using the mail-in registration form found on the College’s website at www.flcc.edu/registrar. Full-time students (those who are enrolling in 12 credit hours or more) are not eligible to register by mail and must register in person. For registration information, contact the FLCC Admissions Office at (585) 394-FLCC, ext. 7278.

Students born on or after January 1, 1957, and registering for six or more credit hours must provide proof of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella in order to attend classes. Additionally, New York state requires that all students enrolled in six or more credits (except Gemini students) receive information on meningococcal meningitis disease and complete a meningitis response form. Contact Student Health Services at (585) 394-FLCC, ext. 7297.

When registering, Ontario County residents must present identification with signature, and non-Ontario County residents must obtain a Certificate of Residence from their county treasurer.

For more information about registering for spring credit courses at FLCC, contact the FLCC Registrar’s Office at (585) 394-FLCC, ext. 7622.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Dec. 13, 2007) – Finger Lakes Community College Professor of Biology, James Hewlett, recently participated in a working conference in Indianapolis to create “Harmonized Skill Standards” for the biomanufacturing industry.

The global biomanufacturing industry is experiencing significant growth and, by its nature, is highly regulated. The goal of the conference was to create a single set of skill standards to be used for development of educational curricula in order for technical/community colleges to consistently prepare students for key entry-level jobs within the global biomanufacturing industry. FLCC was one of 20 educational institutions and 16 industry leaders, internationally, to take part in this conference.

“By participating in this conference, the College is at less than one degree of separation from the industry’s skill requirements for new hires,” states Hewlett. “The standards defined will be critical to developing industry-driven biotechnology curricula at FLCC.”

The National Biomanufacturing Center and Collaborative (NBC2) will publish the Harmonized Skill Standards via the Internet in the near future. NBC2 is part of the Advanced Technology Education (ATE) Center which is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Through an NSF grant, FLCC is serving as the lead institution of the New York hub of the ATE Center. Hewlett serves as the director of this hub.

For more information about FLCC’s biotechnology degree program, contact the Office of Admissions at (585) 394-FLCC, ext. 7278, or at admissions@flcc.edu, or visit www.flcc.edu.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Dec. 11, 2007) – Last night the Finger Lakes Community College Board of Trustees approved new mission and vision statements for the College, replacing statements that had been in place since 1997.

“The previous statements served the College well over the past decade,” said Dr. Barbara G. Risser, president of FLCC. “However, in looking toward the future and formulating a new strategic plan, the campus and community worked collaboratively to develop statements that will bring about renewed focus and lead the College in new and exciting directions.”

Risser began this process in September 2007 by holding small group sessions with faculty and staff, as well as conducting focus groups with students and community members. The College Council was instrumental in crafting the statements. “It was important to receive substantial widespread input into this critical initiative,” noted Risser. “The resulting statements are a reflection of the best thinking of many people, both on campus and in the community.”

The approved mission states, “Finger Lakes Community College is a supportive, learning-centered environment that empowers our students, provides enriching life experiences, and enhances the quality of life throughout our community.”

The new vision asserts that, “Finger Lakes Community College will be the college of choice for students and a dynamic regional learning resource, central to the cultural and economic vitality of the area.”

“The Board of Trustees believes these statements will effectively guide and shape the direction of the College for years to come,” stated Robert Griswold, chairman of the Board of Trustees.

The College has established specific goals to support the new mission and vision:

FLCC fosters a learning-centered environment:
• a comprehensive, relevant curriculum focused on student learning outcomes
• a culture that recognizes learning as central to everything we do
• access initiatives that address barriers to participation faced by many potential community college students
• facilities and technology carefully designed to promote learning
• a climate that encourages and supports the professional development of employees
• dedicated faculty who encourage each student to reach his or her full potential

FLCC empowers our students and provides enriching life experiences:
• mentoring and community connections that encourage learning beyond the classroom
• opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary projects
• opportunities to cultivate an appreciation of the arts
• a focus on health and lifetime wellness
• exposure to broad perspectives to stimulate interest in the world and its people

FLCC enhances the quality of life throughout our community:
• commitment to modeling and teaching environmentally sustainable practices
• active outreach as stewards of the natural beauty of the area
• an appealing venue for the arts, enriching the cultural life of the region
• active involvement in community service activities
• programs that develop an educated workforce to support economic growth
• a vital partner in attracting and retaining talented workers and new businesses

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Dec. 11, 2007) – Finger Lakes Community College student, Stephen Fortunato of Avon, was awarded the 2007 PAS/SABIAN Larrie Londin Memorial Scholarship for the 18 to 24 age group. This $2,000 scholarship is awarded annually by the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) to support the education of promising young drummers.

To be eligible for this award, students were required to submit a 3-minute DVD demonstrating their ability to perform a variety of drumming styles. Also, applicants must apply the funds to an accredited, structured music education program.

Fortunato currently serves as president of the FLCC chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honors society and will graduate in May with an associate in science degree in music recording technology. After graduation, Fortunato will pursue a bachelor of fine arts in sound design at the Savannah College of Art and Design in preparation for a career in audio for film and digital media.

Currently, Fortunato works in the FLCC recording studio, as well as the Office of Admissions. He also performs regularly for services at his church. Fortunato graduated from Lima Christian School in 2003 as class Salutatorian. He said of his time at FLCC, “I enjoy the personal relationships I have developed with my teachers. Their availability and approachability have made it a very personal educational experience for me.” Fortunato specifically credits David R. McGuire, Ph.D., assistant professor of music at FLCC and Robert M. Potter, technical specialist studio manager for strongly encouraging him to apply for this scholarship.

PAS was established in 1961 as a non-profit, music service organization to promote percussion education, research, performance, and appreciation throughout the world. Today PAS is the world’s largest percussion organization and is considered the central source for information and networking for percussionists and drummers of all ages.