Link to the writing program at Passaic CC that Dr. German mentioned:
http://www.pccc.edu/headlines_feed2/pccc-headlines4

I completely agree with the need for a “mandatory,” “more robust” new student orientation program as well as the need for a program aimed improving technological literacy, particularly for adult learners. I would also suggest consideration of the following:

• Provide substantially more technological training not just for adult students but for all faculty members, both full and part time. We should work to increase the variety of means of providing information to our students, and use technology to keep our students apprised of assignments, deadlines, test dates as well as general college and class-related info. Currently, only a fraction of SCCC instructors even post their syllabi. Part of future All College Day programs can focus on diverse sessions dealing with technology.

•Establish a COMPREHENSIVE ADJUNCT FACULTY PROGRAM, especially since we will not being adding any FT lines despite the increses in enrollment. In this way we can provide orientation, mentoring, technological assistance, guidelines, etc. to PT faculty in a systematic way and increase their engagement in the student success initiative (Contact me fora list of suggested components).

• Begin early intervention as soon as the remedial students have registered; arrange for one-on-one tutoring/small group tutoring sessions a.s.a.p.

• Employ more continuous monitoring of remedial students and others who are at risk of failing and, in a way that does not violate any laws, set up an electronic system whereby other professors, counselors, mentors, skills center personnel, coaches and advisors of those students can be IMMEDIATELY notified and can communicate with others so that everyone can work together to provide the support needed as soon as possible

• a brief follow-up session after freshman seminar

• mentoring for all freshmen; continued mentoring, at least for those still requiring remediation after their first semester

One theme that nobody mentioned in the June 17 discussion is Service Learning. I know that many faculty members at SCCC are interested in the idea and quite a few are currently experimenting. Service learning engages students in community service which is directly connected to their content area classes. There are many national studies showing how service learning enhances community/college relationship, improves student learning, and motivates students in pursuing their professional goals. Here are some links to national best practices in service learning. Title III might be able to help SCCC launch its own service learning program:
http://www.aacc.edu/servicelearning/
http://www.pcc.edu/resources/service-learning/
http://www.miracosta.cc.ca.us/StudentServices/ServiceLearning/index.htm
http://www.bridgewater.edu/service

Experiential learning was mentioned at the workshop, but our peers may not recognize that it encompasses Service Learning. What a vital componen
t this is to engage students. Also, instead of our focusing just on faculty or staff input, students are very actively inputting themselves into a course/community as they move through their community experience.

Being a former Director of Student Activities, I see the position as one of support for the Academic Community. I've often thought that we could, by pooling resources among the three campuses, utilize telecommunication conferencing to present nationally known speakers to all three campus' students. This would also be a draw to our local communities as well and would serve many purposes: education, experiential learning, inspiration, information, assignments in writing, note taking, content specific (depending on the speaker), and fulfill many aspects of a large number of other initiatives like service learning and Freshman Experience.