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Happy New Year, and welcome back to the start of another semester! I hope you had a restful winter break and are excited about resuming the work of teaching and learning. During Friday’s Convocation, I shared brief updates regarding the Quad design process and on-campus housing. Both projects include consultants who will facilitate interest sessions beginning with the Quad at the January 25th College Governance Council (CGC) meeting. There will be ample opportunities for employees and students to provide input on what they would like to see featured in the Quad beyond the CGC meeting. Stay tuned for emails about upcoming interest sessions.
On-campus housing surveys were completed last semester, and we received helpful feedback from students, employees, and community members. We will share the results in the coming weeks as we prepare our application for SB 169 funding, the funds provided by the state for student housing. While there are limits on how we can use SB 169 funds, my hope is that our on-campus housing might include a second phase where we can be more innovative and meet the needs of all students, the greater community, and employees. I am a proponent of co-generational or inter-generational housing communities and residential education and would like to see SCC create housing where students, students with families, seniors, and employees share living spaces, create community, and support one another while enjoying the benefits of living on a college campus.
This month I begin my eighth year at SCC, and while I’m older and a bit less energetic, I am just as excited to be working with all of you, creating opportunities for our students, and collaborating with agencies and businesses throughout Solano County. As evidence of this, we are a first point of contact for the City of Vacaville in their efforts to create a biotechnology hub, we continue to play a key role in the county’s workforce development efforts, and entities throughout our service area consistently request to use our facilities at all three campuses. The community recognizes our value and looks to us. We should be very proud of what we have created together.
Thank you for your support and commitment to our mission and for making SCC a wonderful place to study and work.
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Update on COVID Regulations | |
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Over winter recess Cal/OSHA issued new regulations that we must implement when employees test positive for COVID. The new regulations impose responsibilities on employees for reporting COVID infections, as follows:
- Employees who test positive for COVID:
- must remain home a minimum of 5 days
- must test negative after day 5 to return to work on campus
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or, if they still test positive after the 10th day, they can return on day 11
- Employees must use their own sick leave to cover any absence due to COVID.
- If an employee comes into close contact at work with someone who is COVID positive, the college will provide the employee with a free COVID testing kit.
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If an employee tests positive for COVID, please submit an email to the covidcaseworker@solano.edu. Make sure to copy your direct supervisor on that email.
For Students, we will continue to follow the current process that was in place in Fall of 2022, with a minor change.
- The COVID caseworker will follow up with the students and inform them of next steps.
Please work with students who may be sick to ensure that they will be able to complete their classes.
Standard Precautions will continue:
- Perform hand hygiene by washing hands regularly and avoiding hand contact
- Use face coverings for protection, especially indoors and when county transmission is high
- Follow respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette principles
- Monitor your symptoms and refrain from coming to campus when ill
- Contact your healthcare provider when exposed to COVID, for treatment and recommendations.
Below is a link to the Cal/OSHA updated regulations:
COVID-19 ETS What Employers Need to Know About the December 15 2022 Standards (ca.gov)
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City of Vacaville Honors Professor DeKloe | |
Presenting the proclamation to Professor DeKloe is SCC Biotechnology Professor and Vacaville City Council member Michael Silva. | |
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The Vacaville City Council honored Jim DeKloe Professor and Director of the Solano Community College Biotechnology Program. He has advanced the industry creating opportunity for local students and is a key partner in Vacaville’s biotech strategy.
When it first opened 25 years ago, Solano Community College was the first college, two-year or four-year, to offer a biotechnology program, thanks to the efforts of Professor DeKloe. In partnership with Genentech Vacaville, a program was established that emphasized the skills and knowledge required for the manufacturing sector of the biotech industry, rather than just research. Early graduates from the program have since moved up and into leadership roles in the industry.
“The 21st century is going to be the century of biotechnology,” said Professor DeKloe. “Most everything that you do will be affected by this field. We are focused on making new medicines to treat diseases for which there are no treatments. We have to continue to grow, continue to move and continue to learn new things.”
Professor DeKloe has since added high school articulations, two new certificates in Cell and Gene Therapy and a Bachelor of Science degree in biomanufacturing, one of only 15 community colleges in California to do so. In 2017, the college opened the $34 million California Biomanufacturing Education Center, equipped with state-of-the-art technology to further new education opportunities.
“The City is happy to honor Professor DeKloe for his dedication to our students and community,” said Mayor Ron Rowlett. “Solano Community College has been a great partner with the City and its efforts to grow our biomanufacturing hub.”
As a well-known and respected leader in the field of biotechnology, Professor DeKloe serves much more than his own program and students. He has presented innumerable presentations, and panel discussions and serves on numerous boards. He is affiliated with prestigious organizations including the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIMBL) and BioMade, a U.S. Department of Defense organization focused on securing America’s future through bioindustrial manufacturing innovation, education, and collaboration.
Despite all of his work with the college and professional organizations, he still found the time to partner with the City to assist in the development of the Biotechnology and Advanced Manufacturing Strategy to attract more biomanufacturers. The Industrial biomanufacturing program at the College is critical to the industry’s talent pipeline, and to expansion of the City’s existing biomanufacturing hub. Due to Professor DeKloe’s contributions the City is quickly becoming the core of California's Biomanufacturing industry. View the proclamation.
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Biotechnology Info Sessions | |
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As the demand to create jobs that can sustain future generations in our county continues, the biotechnology team at SCC strives to spread awareness and continues to collaborate not only with key industry players but with partner institutions attempting to reach the same goal. Their efforts have created a concentrated focus in biotechnology programs, such as, the creation of our
very own Bachelor of Science degree in Biomanufacturing guided pathway program.
Our team is ensuring that access to our programs are available to a diverse population, having created different points of entry and guided pathways to support student success in college. These pathways are affordable and flexible- a student can start from any point in their academic journey, from obtaining a certificate to potentially ending with a guaranteed entry to a partner graduate program.
The reassurance that a student can have a sustainable well-paying job at the end of each turn could mean the difference between opportunity and adversity. The creation of these opportunities attempts to address deficiencies within our society such as cost of education, income inequalities, economic opportunity, disparity gaps in education and social mobility. With that notion, the biotechnology team at SCC will be conducting informational sessions to inform, guide, encourage and create awareness of these great opportunities to anyone who is interested in learning more about them.
| Coach Borchert Records Career Win 400 | |
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In his 22nd season at Solano College as the Women's Basketball Head Coach, Matt Borchert achieved a milestone with career win 400. The Falcons beat a tough Conference opponent Merritt College in a tight 67-61 win. In the victory, Solano was paced by Julia Wright with 19 points and 9 rebounds. The Falcons are now 3-1 in BVC play and 8-8 overall. Next game will be on Tuesday at Yuba as the Falcons will then return home next Saturday for a double header versus Contra Costa College.
Borchert's record at Solano College is 400-247 (.618) . His overall career record (Solano, Gavilan, Hartnell) is now 434-353 (.551) Borchert has won 10 BVC Titles at Solano and has made 16 CCCAA playoff appearances since his start in the 2000-01 season.
Borchert was recognized by the College for his 400th career win in a ceremony at half time of the BVC home game against Contra Costa College on Saturday, January 14.
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Pathway to Law School Info Session | |
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Join us for the Community College Pathway to Law School Info Session on
Thurs., January 19, from 3:00 – 4:00 PM in the ASSC Conference Room, 1400 Building. You can participate either in person or via Zoom (ID 88129027392).
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Library Welcomes You Back | |
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The library is excited to welcome the community back in for Spring 2023! For those of you new to campus (or just getting back in person), we want to make sure you're aware of the variety of services and support that's available in the beautiful, new 100 building.
The library's ebook collection is booming with hundreds of recently added titles - if you need help sharing a digital resource with your students, please get in touch. Our ever-popular textbook collection and reservable study rooms are also ready to go for Spring, along with our usual services and support (librarians, research materials, books, hang out spaces, printing, Chromebooks, etc.) so please send students our way. Our FAQ/Policy page (https://libguides.solano.edu/faq-policies) has more information on how to access these services and spaces.
And last, but not least, don't forget that the librarians can create a specialty library resources/research guide, tailored to your area or even a specific class, which can embed in your Canvas shells or be shared digitally with students. Librarians are also available for library tours and workshops with your class. Please get in touch with Erin for more information (erin.duane@solano.edu).
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Welcome Nathan Rexford, Ph.D.
Dean of Research & Planning
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Nathan Rexford joins Solano Community College after most recently having served as the Director of Planning, Assessment, and Research at College of the Siskiyous (COS) for nearly five years. Specializing in research and planning projects, Nathan has experience providing relevant background information and leadership for a range of institutional efforts, including Student Equity Plans, Guided Pathways, and optimization of SCFF metrics. He also served as the Accreditation Liaison Officer for COS and looks forward to assisting with the College's ongoing efforts to prepare for the upcoming cycle. An SCC alum who grew up in Vacaville, Nathan holds an A.A. in Liberal Arts from Solano Community College, a B.A. in Political Science from University of California, San Diego, and an M.A. and PhD in Political Science from University of California, Davis.
Nathan will begin his new position January 17.
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Meet SCC Alumna Laurainne Martinez | |
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The Solano Community College Vallejo Center staff has been busy supporting students with enrollment services and connecting them to resources.
Sandra Hernandez, Student Services Generalist at the Vallejo Center, supported SCC graduate, Laurainne Martinez as she completed her EMT certificate in 2019. When Laurainne returned to the Vallejo Center in Fall 2022 to complete her major prep courses to become a Radiologic Technologist, she was welcomed back and used the facilities to study and receive enrollment assistance.
She shared her gratitude towards SCC and the wonderful staff, faculty and
administration that helped her achieve her academic goals. Read below to learn about her experience as a student at SCC!
1. Why did you attend Solano Community College?
It was conveniently located close to home and because I heard this college has a great EMT/Firefighter Program.
2. What is your favorite thing about this college?
The professors and administration are easy to communicate with and they are very understanding. They understand that life happens, and they’ll work with you with whatever you’re going through to keep you on a successful path.
3. Where is your favorite study place on campus?
The library [Fairfield Campus] because they have bean bags, vending machines and there’s always a tutor available in the ASTC center.
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4. How approachable are the staff/faculty/administration?
In a scale of 1-10, I would say a 10 [Extremely approachable]. They are very understanding, accessible with their office hours and I’ve actually had a few professors give their cell number so that you can call or text for any help.
5. What is your student experience here at Solano Community College like?
I love it. It’s been my favorite college I’ve attended, and I’ve attended four different colleges. I’ve never bothered buying any merchandise from a school.
I’ve attended because it was always just a school, but I love Solano so much, I actually bought my first college sweatshirt.
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TimelyCare: Remind students to create an account on the TimelyCare app where they have access to FREE 24/7 consultation with mental health professionals, as well as FREE scheduled therapy sessions online.
Staff Consultation hotline: 833-4-TIMELY dedicated phone line for faculty and staff to reach the TimelyCare team for guidance and support in cases of student distress.
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Student Life Office is Open | |
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STUDENT LIFE OFFICE - Room 1425
Services, Resources, Assistance
Hours M-F 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
(Remote Services: Telephone, Email, or Zoom Appointments available)
In Person Office Hours: MTW 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Food Pantry Program – Tuesdays & Wednesday 1-3pm
- Ride Sharing Parking Permit Information
- ASSC Student Government
- ICC Inter Club Council & Student Organizations
- Transit Information: Schedules, etc.
- Employments Listings
- Meeting Scheduling: ASSC Conference Room (Fishbowl)
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Referrals to other departments
- General Resources
- Lost and Found
- One free snack and water daily for students
Designated as a “Safe Place” for Students,Building 1400, directly across from the Bookstore. 707-864-7168
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Students Attend Wakanda Forever Screening | |
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More than 40 Solano students and a dozen faculty and staff members came together for a memorable end-of-semester treat: a free screening of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever at Vallejo’s Century 14 Theater on December 15. The event was a collaboration between SCC’s Social Justice and Ethnic Studies Department, the Minority Coalition, and the Office of Student Services, who all felt the need for community fun as we emerge from years of pandemic isolation. Wakanda Forever also highlights some important ethnic-studies and social-justice themes such as the ongoing effects of colonialism on Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities, and the need for interracial solidarity.
After the screening, attendees lingered in the lobby for an impromptu hangout and post-film chat. The desire for in-person connection was palpable. Students and employees alike agreed the outing “was just what we needed.” We ended the night with some group photos and chants of “Wakanda forever” and “Viva Talokan”!
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Horticulture Professor, Sandra Diehl hosted a holiday wreath making workshop on Saturday, December 10. Participants were provided instruction, supplies, and snacks for the $40 fee. Adjunct faculty member Justin Van Horne also assisted participants and as an ISA certified arborist, spoke about the materials being used from around the SCC campus. Justin and Sandra acknowledged the help from grounds staff and supervisor, Isaias Loza who assisted with gathering the greenery. Sandra hopes to offer another wreath making session during the spring semester. | |
Students See Dance Concert | |
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On Friday evening December 15th, some of our SCC College Dance students had the opportunity to take a field trip over to San Francisco City College to see their Fall 2022 Dance concert, "Creative Arts."
Indeed it was Creative and Artistic!!
Live Dance, Live Art.
BRAVO SF City College Dance!
What an awesome and diverse show. So much talent and what a great experience for our Solano College students to see so many Bay Area and New York City dance performance artists.
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SCC dance had a holiday open house party that was full of cheer, fun and dancing on Thursday December 14th, 2022. We danced universal lines dance for over an hour, whew...
President Celia, Dean Hudson, Professor Maria, Professor Evangeline and former colleague Ralphine participated in the line dancing. They all demonstrated excellent rhythm, personality and dance skills.
Take a look at these fun clips from the party!
https://youtu.be/WNU8odNZ67g
https://youtu.be/BHXLFuggmfY
https://youtu.be/pxNfnAZbRK4
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Early Learning Center Winter Wish Program | |
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The holidays can be a wonderful time of year for most of us, but it can also be a stressful time for some of our families. For the past 15 years Solano Community College Early Learning Center has offered the Winter Wish Program to its eligible families and the campus community has stepped up and made the holidays a bit better! This year, 37 children and their families received coats, pajamas, shoes, books, gas cards and assistance with groceries. This year with inflation, every bit of help is appreciated. Thank you again to the Solano College community!
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French Club Holiday Dinner | |
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The French Club was finally able to hold its annual holiday dinner after a two year hiatus. It was a wonderful evening with a five-course meal cooked by the students. There was singing, games and a white elephant exchange all en Français.
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SolanoCARES Content Request | |
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If you have something you'd like considered for inclusion in a future SolanoCARES newsletter, please send the information and any photos you'd like included to: SolanoCARESinfo@gmail.com.
Due dates and publication dates for spring 2023 are:
Content Deadline Delivered
Jan. 11 Jan. 17
Feb. 1 Feb. 6
Feb. 22 Feb. 27
Mar. 8 Mar. 13
Mar. 22 Mar. 27
Apr. 3 Apr. 17 (due to spring break)
May 10 May 15
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Jan. 17-18 Deans & Donuts
8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Tables in front of 400 and 1300 Bldgs. & Centers
Hosted by Solano College Deans
Thurs., Jan. 19 Community College Pathway to Law School (CCPLS)
Information/Orientation Session
4:00 – 5:00 PM, ASSC Conference Room, 1400 Student Building
Contact: shirley.lewis@solano.edu
Tues., Jan. 24 Welcome Back
10:00 AM – 12 Noon
1400 Student Union Lobby
Hosted by Associated Students (ASSC) and Student Life
Wed., Jan. 25 Club Promo Day
10 AM- 1 PM, Lobby of 1400 Student Building, Fairfield
Campus.
Hosted by Associated Students (ASSC) and Inter-Club Council (ICC)
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Interested in Student Government? | |
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Any interested student with a 2.3 (or above) cumulative GPA in classes taken at the College, and enrolled in at least 6 units each semester is eligible to run for the elected position of President, Vice President, Student Trustee or Legislative Advocate.
To apply to be a Senator or Senate Associate, you must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 units and have earned at least a 2.0 GPA in SCC coursework. You must also be able to attend weekly ASSC meetings without any class conflicts. Currently the ASSC meets every Tuesday from 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 in the ASSC Conference Room Student Union Bldg. 1400.
Applications for the Student Senate are available on the ASSC website under “Positions.” If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Slade at Rischa.Slade@solano.edu
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Important Dates & Deadlines | |
There are important dates and deadlines to know about each semester, including add/drop deadlines, waitlist notifications and holidays.
You can find that information on our website.
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