Community College of Rhode IslandFaculty and staff gather to usher in new school year
 |
Welcoming in the new school year in style
More than 400 faculty and staff attended the Opening Day program for CCRI at the Flanagan Campus in Lincoln on Thursday, September 1, 2005. The annual event served several purposes, including renewing relationships among college employees at the various campuses, introducing new employees, and presenting important information to a college-wide audience.
Judge Frank Caprio, chairman of the RI Board of Governors for Higher Education, expressed his pleasure at being invited to CCRI, which he called “the people’s college.” As a former teacher, Caprio told the story of adjusting a grade for a struggling student who had trouble balancing full schedules of work and school.
“Recently,” Caprio recalled, “I had an opportunity to meet that student who is now a successful businessman. It was then that I realized how my action may have impacted that student’s life, and it brought tears to my eyes.”
“Your charge is to find the student who needs your help,” Caprio told the audience. “Your mission is to make education affordable and accessible and to prepare students as they make their mark on the world. On behalf of the Board of Governors, please know that we appreciate the important work that you do.”
In his remarks, CCRI President Tom Sepe compared the work at CCRI to sailing a ship, and the importance of having a clear destination, flexibility and a talented crew.
Sepe also thanked the academic department chairs who met with him over the summer to identify college-wide issues and to move toward improving communications. He noted several other important milestones, including the opening of the Newport County Campus and the progress being made on the Banner conversion project. “Hundreds of people have put in an extraordinary effort to bring these projects to life,” Sepe said.
Nearly 50 new faculty and staff in Academic Affairs, Student Services and Business Affairs were introduced to the audience. A publication noting their educational and professional backgrounds was distributed at Opening Day.
Lou Pullano, director of athletics, and a member of the Vision, Mission and Values Committee, facilitated a presentation on the work of the committee and engaged the audience in evaluating draft statements. “Today, we are presented with an amazing opportunity to be a part of the future, and to establish a footprint for future generations,” Pullano said.
The committee then presented an original video, created by Professor Lee Chartier and IT Specialist Norm Grant that delved into the college's history and changing needs. A highlight of the video was archival footage of several long-time professors commenting on the opening of the Knight Campus.
According to committee co-chair JoAnn Warren, the next step is for the committee to articulate and finalize the recommendations for new vision, mission and values statements before they are submitted to the college community and President’s Council in late September.
 |
Louis Rainone, property control and supply officer, and one of the tri-chairs of the Governance Committee, presented a report on the group's progress since its formation this spring. “To date, the committee has held a substantial dialogue on defining governance, selected peer institutions to study, and established the process for information gathering,” Rainone said. The progress of the committee’s work can be viewed at www.ccri.edu/governance.
Dean of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Philip Sisson shared details on the progress of the General Education/Learning Outcomes committee. This committee is charged with gathering input to refine the general education skills needed by a CCRI graduate, identifying related disciplines and current offerings to obtain these skills, and articulating and implementing a General Education common core curriculum across all programs. Sisson noted that a series of listening sessions will be held at all campuses, beginning September 23, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Knight Campus.
Kay Johnson, a faculty member in Computer Studies, reported on the progress being made by the Learning Spaces Committee. “Founded in 2004, the committee is charged with looking at the environment for learning, and recommending improvements where needed,” Johnson said. Much of the first year was devoted to resolving maintenance issues in classrooms, and a dedicated email address was created to report classroom maintenance problems at roomproblems@ccri.edu.
In 2005, Johnson said the focus will be broader. “The committee has submitted minimal classroom configurations to academic administration, is also making progress in removing partitions from some classrooms, and is looking at improving internal directional signage,” she added. One of the loudest bursts of applause came from the audience when she noted that a new room numbering system for the Lincoln campus will soon go into effect. In closing, Johnson reminded the audience, “It’s everyone’s job to bring issues to someone’s attention. To date, we’ve had a very good response from facilities personnel.”
Following the morning meeting, the audience gathered outside the main campus building to enjoy a cookout.
