Memo to:   Montana Board of Regents

From:   Jane Karas, President

Re  : March Campus Report

Date:   7 March 2002

  • Flathead Valley Community College has begun a master planning process. This process will develop a twenty-five to thirty year plan for the college. The plan should be completed by early April.
  • A gift of $100,615 was received in late January to be used as a permanent irrevocable endowment for student scholarships and other purposes. The donors will be meeting with college administration to identify additional needs.
  • The FVCC Libby Campus held an open house for their new building on March 15.
  • The FVCC Honors Symposium 2002 kicked off on March 4. This year's theme is "The World Has Changed," with nine lectures scheduled to examine the factors that led to the events of 9/11, discuss the short and long-range changes that we all may experience, and understand how we might reduce the likelihood of reoccurrence.
  • The college recently completed the 8th annual "Senior Fridays," an exciting series of classes for senior citizens. Eighty-one seniors participated in art, computer and history classes on Fridays in February and March. Lunch and an educational program were provided following each class. Transportation is provided from each of the valley's senior centers. This year's attendance was the largest ever.
  • FVCC's community conversations have taken place with community leaders in Kalispell, Whitefish, Lakeside/Somers, Libby, Hungry Horse, Eureka and Polson. The community conversation with community leaders in Columbia Falls is planned for the end of March. Open public forums have been scheduled to follow these meetings.
  • The FVCC Foundation awarded eight grants to faculty and staff members totaling $10,000. These grants were made by the FVCC Foundation from funds raised through the College's "Connecting for the Community's Future," major gifts campaign.
  • FVCC's Accreditation visit is scheduled for April 10 - 12. There will be an open house for the public on April 15.
  • The college hosted the annual "Expanding Your Horizons," conference for young women, on Saturday, March 9. The conference targets young women in grades 6-12, and introduces them to career opportunities primarily in math and science-related fields. One hundred and eighty students attended.
  • On February 22, more than 250 third graders from around the Flathead Valley took over FVCC, in celebration of Dr. Seuss's birthday. The "Seussville University" students took part in Reading, Rhyming, Online Learning, Careers and Art sessions. Local radio celebrities, along with college staff and faculty members read and talked with the students. The Office of Recruitment plans on making this an annual event.