MATC Matters

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Although it happened far away, our college community can’t help feeling unnerved by the campus killings at Virginia Tech this week. It is only natural for people to wonder, could it happen here? And what can be done to reduce the chances of such a tragedy while balancing an open environment with public safety?

Madison Area Technical College’s Security Office works proactively to prevent crime through community policing activities carried out by Madison police and MATC student officers enrolled in our Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Program. Our officers are trained to notice unusual behaviors and approach individuals who appear suspicious. They also are alerted to watch for any individuals who may have exhibited threatening or disturbing behavior on or off campus. Our Security Office maintains close, ongoing contact with local law enforcement, frequently conducts drills on emergency response procedures, and regularly provides security and crime prevention information to students and staff.

If someone needs help…
If faculty or staff members notice anyone (particularly students) who needs support dealing with this disturbing event in the days and weeks ahead, they can be referred to the MATC counseling office. For more information, go to “Counseling” in the A-Z index on the MATC website and follow the “Faculty and Staff Resources” links. Printed materials on coping with traumatic situations are also available from the counseling department.

More information on MATC’s Security Services and Emergency Procedures can be found here:
http://matcmadison.edu/facilities/facilities/service_links/securityservices.shtm
http://matcmadison.edu/facilities/facilities/emergencies/

Tom Ryan update
As I mentioned last week, accounting instructor Tom Ryan was seriously injured while vacationing in Mexico over spring break. On Monday, Tom talked with his department colleagues via conference call and sounded very upbeat. He has been moved to The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research in Houston, Texas, to begin his rehabilitation. Plans beyond the next several weeks will depend on his progress. Tom’s address at TIRR is:

TIRR
1333 Moursund
Houston, TX 77030

A fund has been established in the MATC Foundation by friends of Tom and Mary Ryan to assist with numerous unreimbursed expenses, including Mary’s living expenses in Houston and the eventual medical evacuation flight from Houston to Madison. Anyone wishing to make a tax deductible contribution to this effort should make their check payable to MATC Foundation-Accounting Program Fund.

Community college conference
I have just returned from the American Association for Community Colleges (AACC) Annual Conference where I attended the Commission on Emerging Trends, Research and Technology. Topics we discussed included dual credit for high school students in community colleges, transition of two year colleges into four year colleges, and the universal difficulties with funding and recruiting for the technical programs. MATC was pointed out as a good example of a college that has leveraged grants for assistance in our technical programs. We also heard a wonderful address by Bill Cosby who is a strong proponent for community colleges particularly for technical education. In fact, he said, “I am tired of hearing of the need for system change. You and the community colleges are doing it every day.�

Master planning
Debbie Derr, Keith Cornille and I gave a presentation on Master Planning with representatives from Kahler Slater, illustrating how one can construct a master plan using other college plans, such as our Academic, Strategic and Student Learning Center plans. MATC has not had a master plan since 1972 (stop by my office to see this relic!). After last summer’s board retreat I was instructed to embark on preparation of a far reaching facilities plan. You will be hearing more about this soon.

AQIP student conversations
On April 11, MATC District Board members met with students for their annual Student Stakeholder conversation. Each board member sat at a table of 6-7 students and listened while students described what their peak experiences have been at MATC and what is important to them about the college. Students also discussed the one thing they would improve at the college that would make a significant difference to them. These are some of the improvements suggested by students last Wednesday:

• a monthly student forum with students, faculty, board and administration
• more class options and alternatives
• optimization of campus security
• student friendly facilities
• improved awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues.

These proposals, along with the results from the recent Student Satisfaction Survey, will be compiled and shared with student and staff groups and publications.

MATC at the Capitol
As the State Legislature considers Governor Doyle’s budget, I joined several of our MATC District Board members last Thursday in meetings with our local lawmakers at the Capitol. We reminded them that general state aid to technical colleges has not increased since 2001, causing tuition and property taxes to rise. Most legislators seem sympathetic but point out that there are many priorities competing for scarce budget dollars. In our meetings, the benefits MATC provides to our local economy have proven to be a strong selling point.

MATC Marvels
Here are this week’s “favorite teachers and staff,” as mentioned to me by students:

Geraldo VilaCruz, counselor
Karl Bethke, science
Harlan “Harley� Vangen, machine tooling technics
William Lorenz, industrial maintenance
Susanna Valtierra, student activities specialist

Other MATC Marvels
Thanks to all staff who assisted in the early closing of the district’s facilities Wednesday, April 11, due to an April snowstorm. Although most people think it just means turning out the lights and locking the doors, we know it takes a lot of coordinated effort, cooperation and flexibility on your part to make sure all the special tasks that need to be completed get done. Again, thanks to you all.

The Interior Design Club Advisors, Lisa Nienhaus and Jessica Mahne, are pleased to announce that students of the MATC Interior Design Club received a total of 10 awards at the Annual Statewide Technical College Interior Design Competition held March 30 at Gateway Technical College. Students participated in a variety of practicum challenges and examinations in the area of residential and commercial design as well as textiles knowledge and history of furniture.

Highlights of my week

• Received a tour of Covance and gave a presentation on, “Pathways to Career Advancementâ€? to approximately 100 people made up of women from the organization and members of its Leadership Team.
• Met with BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute (BTCI) staff about our partnership.
• Visited the Sauk Prairie School Board with MATC District Board member John Ashley to talk about enhancing our services and partnerships with the district. This is one of a series of board-to-board outreach visits that we are making to every one of our 40 school districts.
• Participated in interviews for the Vice President of Infrastructure Services.
• Attended College Spotlight. Thanks again to everyone who helped to make it such a success!
• Welcomed participants to the MATC/Blackhawk Technical College Tech Expo which was held at the Concourse Hotel. Thank you, Sandy Philip, for doing such a good job and thanks to the MATC staff who represented us so well!
• Participated in Student Stakeholder Conversations and attended the MATC District Board meeting.
• Participated in the WTCS District Boards Association’s Legislative Seminar.

In closing, I would like to share a quote by Bill Cosby from the AACC Conference, April 16, 2007:
“Without community colleges, there would be no United States.�

-Bettsey