For the new student, the first weeks on campus are intimidating. Regardless of whether one is a first-time college student, or one returning to college life, it is a time of change and addressing the unknown. Watch the Lariat newstands for the Fall Orientation issue on Wednesday, July 29. This special edition provides news and information, welcoming new students at Saddleback College.
TOD BURNETT: Reflecting on his first year while projecting the next.
The task of entering any organization, as an outsider, is an intense proposition for anyone. Saddleback College President Tod Burnett believes he brought a fresh outlook and the tenacity of a seasoned veteran to his job while addressing some major budgetary situations.
EASY AS 1-2-3: No need to trek down to Registration office. Students register from home.
Long gone are the hour-long lines snaking their way around the Registration Office, instead online queues have replaced them, streamlining the registration process for both new and continuing students at Saddleback College. Students can experience a virtually hassle-free registration process, thanks to the continued improvements.
LAW ENFORCEMENT: Saddleback officers provide escort service in addition to myriad of other duties.
From writing parking citations to preparing for disaster such as an earthquake or fire, the Saddleback College Campus Police are as busy as the students they strive to protect. “We have the ability to be community policing at its best,” said veteran officer Dan Lincoln. “We can design our enforcement to meet the needs of the community.”
IRREPLACEABLE: Online counseling no substitute for the real thing, dean says.
An increasing number of online counseling services are available to Saddleback College students through the college Web site and other sites like ASSIST.org. But Jerilyn Chuman, Dean of Counseling Services and Special Programs, said that students should use online services like Online Advisor and My Academic Plan as a supplement to face-to-face meetings with a counselor, not as a substitute for them.
LIBERAL ARTS: Houses beacon promoting academic excellence for students in Early Bird program.
If a library is “the beacon” of a college, perhaps the Liberal Arts and Learning Resources Division at Saddleback College is the lighthouse from which it shines. Nestled in Room 218 on the second floor of the library is the division office, where Dean Kevin O’Connor has spent the last 10 years of his career striving to enhance a program that encompasses a wide array of offerings, including the Learning Assistance Program, study abroad courses, and the college student newspaper, the Lariat, and the college student magazine, Orange Appeal.
GROWING: The number of enrolled students continues to grow.
Students pursuing an associate’s degree or preparing to transfer to a four-year institution will be pleased with the multitude and diversity of courses, clubs, and extracurricular programs offered within the Math, Science and Engineering Division at Saddleback College. These resources are suited to complete the general education or major requirements, or for someone with only a casual curiosity of the world around us.
SUCCESS: Business Sciences expands vocational studies.
Constant change and adaptation to the needs of students is crucial for entering the business world. For the 2009-10 school year, Ken Patton, dean of Business Sciences, said that his division intends to add new courses to meet a growing demand in the workplace.
The goal of the rapid digital manufacturing department is to prepare students for a career in rapid prototype development. According to experts like Ed Tackett, director of the Saddleback College Advanced Technology Center, speed is the key to success and technology is the tool in modern business.
SOCIAL SCIENCE: Instructors utilize innovative teaching methods. methodologies.
An atmosphere of serious academic study permeates the third floor of the Business and General Studies building where the Social and Behavior Sciences division is headquartered.
Free, high-quality, tutoring services are within reach of every Saddleback student. Tucked under the main floor of the library the Learning Assistance Program offers everything from syllabi decryption to in-depth study sessions on the theory of electricity. Simply enroll in Tutoring 300, a no-credit, no-cost course, to receive an hour of one-on-one tutoring per subject, per week. Enrollment also comes with unlimited, drop-in access to math and science tutoring. Foreign language students enjoy the added benefit of conversational practice with group tutoring sessions.Adding the course during initial registration makes good sense.
TECHNOLOGY: Online options offer new possibilities for Saddleback students.
Students shopping for fall semester textbooks have clear advice from campus bookstore staff: Remember to bring your ticket number and class schedule with you. Students can order books in-store, or online at the bookstore’s Web site.
RENOVATION: Library finds new home on lower campus.
Half-empty shelves, bins of books marked “$1 a bag,” and new online databases, mark the beginning of the library’s preparation to move house to the Villages located on lower campus. The anticipated move is scheduled to be completed sometime between the end of Fall 2009, and the beginning of Spring 2010, Kevin O’Connor, dean, Liberal Arts and Learning Resources said.
Leadership: New dean looks forward to meeting students, instructors, and staff.
Noted for its outstanding nursing program, the Health Sciences and Human Services division is in flux. Not with regard to courses and services to students, but with regard to administrative leadership.
SPECIAL EVENTS: Homecoming, blood drivers, projects top the list.
Although many students may not have heard about it, the Associated Student Government has much to offer. From funding campus clubs and organizations, to sponsoring barbecues or grooming future politicians, ASG has a big hand on campus.
ACHIEVEMENT: Saddleback fine arts prorgram opens doors for creative students
Sculpture, metal arts, painting, drawing, photography, print making, design, music and even speech are just some of the diverse offerings in the fine arts division. Most of these programs are offered year round.
“The division never sleeps,” said Rocky Cifone, former division dean. Cifone was recently promoted to Dean of Instruction and Student Services at the Advance Technology & Education Park.
LARIAT: Online newspaper gives students more publication chances.
Meeting deadlines and creating first-rate publications are top priorities for serving on the college news staff. So says Paul McLeod, associate faculty adviser to the student newspaper, the Lariat, and its companion Web site, lariatnews.com.
EXPERIENCE: Students have the opportunity to on the air by the end of their first semester.
One of the most unique programs at Saddleback College is the radio-broadcasting program which contains the radio station KSBR and the new online station, OC Rock Radio. “It is very rare for a college, in particular a community college, to have a station that students have access to,” said Terry Wedel, director of general programming at KSBR.
Student Services: Searching for ways to help sutdents reach their goals in every academic aspect.
Counseling, athletics, Associated Student Government and even veterans’ education, are only a few of the various programs encompassed by Student Services. The student services center takes special care in catering to the needs of its main priority: students.
SERVICE: Personality and skill evaluation programs lead to better job and career links.
Whether help is needed to find a career or job, or to troubleshoot one’s life, students at Saddleback College and community members can easily find it at the Center for Career, Life, and Development. “We’re a comprehensive Center,” said Donald Mineo, career guidance officer.
ASSISTING STUDENTS: Program provides vouchers and counseling.
Most people could use a little financial help to curb the expenses that a higher education presents, particularly in these tough economic times. The EOPS office, Extended Opportunity Program & Services, in the Students Services Center building, is waiting to serve the needs of the students.
NEW FACILITY: Veterans program new center located in Student Services Center, Room 207.
Student veterans now have access to their own facility on campus. The VETS center, not to be confused with the veterans’ office, is a development of the Veterans Education and Transition Services (VETS) program. The center will offer programs and services for veterans, as well as a place to meet with other student veterans.
NO FEAR: Resources available to alleviate feelings of intimidation.
After helping special-needs children in a local elementary school, Dorothy Friedlander realized she wanted to be the teacher, not just an aide. She enrolled in a night class at Saddleback College and quickly discovered that balancing a job, school, and raising a family were more than she could manage. Then she found the Adult Re-Entry Resource Center. The center offers advisement, resources, referrals, workshops, support groups, conferences, and scholarships. The scope of the center includes life-skills, education, employment, volunteerism, self-development, independence and social well-being.
STRENGTHEN: Vocabulary, spelling, comprehension, reading speed, writing and study skills
Increase vocabulary power, improve spelling skills, acquire first-rate study techniques, and read better and faster. The Reading Lab provides all this and more. Every Saddleback student profits from services offered by the lab. With an instructor and two lab technicians always available, plus 100 computers, students have plenty of tools at their fingertips.
Sprechen sie duetsch? Parli italiano? Habla espanol? Acquire language skills in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Spanish, American Sign Language, and English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) before transfer, and save money and time at the universities.
TECHNOLOGY: Enrollments increase with expansion of formats.
No longer the snail-mail, correspondence system of old, today’s distance education courses are multimedia shows of intellectual depth. “With 85-100 courses offered each year, students at Saddleback College are able to complete most of their general education requirements from home,” said Sheri Nelson, senior administrative assistant.
IN-AND-OUT: Center is known for giving students quick and exceptional health care and counseling ser
From free condoms funded by the Associated Student Government, to the many pamphlets about serious medical topics such as nutrition and flu syndromes, the Health Center has it all.
“We’re a pretty dynamic Health Center,” said Monica Nelson, a registered nurse at the center.
TRAVELING: Students offered opportunity to visit various countries
Tired of sitting in the same mundane classroom with the same humdrum routine? Study Abroad Programs may hold the solution to your monotony. “When you live for weeks or months abroad it is a different experience than staying for a week or two in a hotel,” said Kevin O’Connor, dean of Liberal Arts and LearningResources.
TRADITION: Saddleback’s program commands respect regionally and nationwide for excellence.
Weighing in with a national preseason ranking and a powerful offense, the Saddleback College football team expects to be nothing short of excellent. So says coach Mark McElroy.
“We expect to finish first,” McElroy said. “Every year we expect to go in and compete for a national championship, state championship, and Southern California championship.”
STRONG SHOWING: Gauchos ranked 11th in state among 104 campuses with athletic programs.
The Saddleback College spring sports programs had an excellent showing both regionally and state wide. Overall, the Gaucho’s entire athletic program ranked 11th in the state out of 104 schools according to coasports.org.
TONY LIPOLD: Competition, health combined with academic emphasis lead to all-around excellence.
Athletics and physical education are valuable resources Saddleback College offers its students and the Orange County community. “We teach a wide variety of courses and we’re really lucky to have a lot of quality instructors who take pride in what they do,” said Tony Lipold, dean of athletics and kinesiology. “So people want to take their classes over and over again. If you look at this summer, our productivity rate is as high as it’s ever been as there are over 35 students in each class.”
TRADITION: Saddleback’s program commands respect regionally and nationwide for excellence.
Weighing in with a national preseason ranking and a powerful offense, the Saddleback College football team expects to be nothing short of excellent. So says coach Mark McElroy.
“We expect to finish first,” McElroy said. “Every year we expect to go in and compete for a national championship, state championship, and Southern California championship.”
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