The Dean's Corner

The 2002-2003 academic year is underway. Enrollments are the highest in the College's history, and time seems to be simply flying by. Like every other area of the College, the Division of Continuing Education (CED) is feeling the whirl of increased activity as it strives to strengthen programming while meeting the needs of so many new individuals.

As we enter this new year, CED is pleased to have one new full-time and several new part-time staff, who are presented to you in a separate article in this edition of Stone Soup. Current staff, along with these new individuals, have already begun working toward achievement of a cadre of divisional goals, which among others, include the following:

* Upgrade the CED computer lab in the Stockade Building to include migration to the Windows XP operating system and the installation of a new software security system.
The security system will guarantee to faculty that any changes made by students to the computer configuration during class will return to the original configuration at the end of each instructional period.

* Strengthen University in the High School (UHS) programming by adopting and implementing the standards for dual enrollment programs developed by the National Alliance for Concurrent Educational Programs (NACEP).
CED will join NACEP in October. Initiated by Syracuse University, NACEP is an organization of 4- and 2- year colleges and universities that offer UHS type courses. Membership and accreditation through NACEP will ease the transfer of courses process and ensure course quality and systematic program assessment.

* Continue efforts to enhance communications between full-time and part-time faculty by hosting small discipline-specific gatherings to discuss curriculum and course management techniques.
Last year a similar gathering brought English faculty together to discuss freshman composition. That successful conversation will be replicated in other disciplines during this academic year.

* Identify ways to outreach to non-English speaking people who have relocated to the community and attempt to create course offerings that will assist those individuals in transitioning into the area.
Community outreach is a primary role of the CED Division. New Americans have many needs for occupational training and language skills which can be met by the College through both credit and non-credit programs.

This sample of our goals demonstrates that the CED Division is working to improve and enhance its offerings under the umbrella of the College's mission. Watch for progress reports on these and other goals in upcoming issues of Stone Soup.

Have a good year!