The Cuesta Newsletter | October 2018
Stay up-to-date each month with the Cuesta College Newsletter!
In this issue
What's New • College Governance Communications
Shout-outs! • In the News • Calendar
What's New
Application now Open for Fall 2019 & FAFSA, Promise Scholarship
It's time for students to start planning for 2019! And in an effort to streamline
the Cuesta College admission application and financial aid processes for students,
those interested in attending the college in the Fall of 2019 can currently apply
for admission, financial aid, and scholarships. All three online applications - including
the Cuesta Promise Scholarship application – opened October 1st, the same day that
the Fall 2019 admission application, the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student
Aid) application, and the California Dream Act application became available.
Please remind students of all these important applications - filling them out could help pave the way to a successful year at Cuesta College. For more details, check out this press release.
Getting Students Excited for Their Future at Cuesta College
The college is gearing up for a variety of events geared toward exposing future Cougars and their families to all the great things Cuesta has to offer. All three events need faculty and staff volunteers, so please consider helping out! They include:
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Promise Day
On Friday, October 19th, Cuesta College's SLO Campus will welcome over 800 high school seniors onto campus to experience a day at Cuesta College and hear about the Cuesta Promise scholarship. Starting at 9:30 a.m., students will arrive at the gymnasium and hear a brief message from Superintendent/President Dr. Jill Stearns. From there, they will be led on a campus tour, taking them through various classrooms and buildings. Tours will end in the Auto Yard where faculty and staff can participate in an open house and students can learn about their various departments and programs. After the open house, students will gather in Cougar Park for lunch and giveaway prizes.
Organizers are still looking for departments to participate in the Open House. If you’re interested, please contact Gina Barbosa at gina_barbosa@cuesta.edu by Tuesday, October 16th.
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Transfer Day & College Night
On Monday, October 29th, Cuesta will host Transfer Day in the afternoon, and College Night in the evening. Both will take place on the SLO Campus.
University Transfer Day is the college’s annual one-stop-shop for Cuesta College students looking to transfer. Students will have the opportunity to meet with university representatives from more than 40 institutions, such as Cal Poly, UC Berkley, UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara, CSU Channel Islands, CSU Northridge and many others, including independent and out-of-state colleges. Music and lunch will be provided.
2018 College Night is sponsored by the Harold J. Miossi Charitable Trust and planned by Cuesta College, SLO Community Foundation, and SLO County Office of Education.
Representatives from over 60 colleges and universities will be available to speak with over 1,000 high school students and their families about how to make informed higher education decisions. Additionally, workshops will be held every hour on various college preparation topics: from how to create a powerful application, to athletic recruiting, financial aid procedures, and essay writing.
Cuesta College will also feature a “Cuesta Tent” where students can learn exclusively about the departments and programs Cuesta offers. Organizers are still seeking faculty and staff representatives to represent their department/program in the tent. Space is limited and will be offered on a first come, first served basis. If your division would like to participate, please contact Jeffery Alexander Jr., Director of Outreach, Orientation & Success Activities, at jeffery_alexander1@cuesta.edu or ext. 2299.
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Discovery Day
Cuesta College is hosting a Discovery Day Family Event on November 3rd, from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on the North County Campus. The day will feature STEAM style, hands-on activities that will engage kids in the community. The event will also feature a live band.
Organizers are still seeking faculty to host STEAM demonstration booths. Examples of fun, STEAM-related booths include anything from density experiments to bending water with static electricity. If you would like to participate, please contact Jeffery Alexander Jr., Director of Outreach, Orientation & Success Activities, at jeffery_alexander1@cuesta.edu or ext. 2299.
Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the North County Campus
On November 1st, from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., the college will celebrate the 20-year
anniversary of the North County Campus.
In March of 1998, ground was broken on the North County Campus after more than $2 million in private donations were raised by the college’s Foundation. Faculty, staff, and the public (over the age of 21) are invited to reflect on the past and celebrate the future of our thriving North County Campus with an evening involving wine stations, live music, and more.
The RSVP deadline is Thursday, October 18th, and space is limited. Register via bit.ly/ccnorthcountycampus20; for questions, contact the Cuesta College Foundation at (805) 546-3279.
Get Ready for the Great CA Shake-Out
On Tuesday, October 16th at 10:16 a.m., Cuesta College will be participating in the Great California Shake Out by conducting a campus-wide emergency message test and voluntary evacuation drill. Please be aware that the following will occur:
- At 10:11 a.m., a myAlert message will be sent advising that the drill is about to start;
- At 10:16 a.m., the Campus Emergency Lighting System (CELS) will change from white to flashing red, indicating an evacuation in progress;
- A second myAlert message will indicate the start of the drill; and
- Wailing sirens and audible fire alarm sounds will be activated for about five seconds.
Participants will evacuate their respective area(s) and proceed to the designated “Evacuation Area” located on the evacuation maps on building walls or in the red-books inside classrooms and offices. For questions, call Campus Police at ext. 3205.
Campus Police Hold Pink Patch Breast Cancer Fundraiser
October is breast cancer awareness month. Show your support for the fight against cancer by purchasing a Cuesta College Police Department “pink patch” for only $10, or a hat for $15. Proceeds from the patch and hat sales benefit the Hearst Cancer Resource Center at French Hospital in San Luis Obispo.
Here is how you can purchase your CCPD pink patch or hat:
- Visit the SLO or NCC Campus Police offices during daytime business hours;
- Email CCPD@cuesta.edu to arrange a delivery of your patch or hat to your campus office; or
- Find Campus Police in front of the NCC library on Tuesday, October 16th, from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Hispanic Heritage Month & Undocumented Students Action Week
Cuesta’s three Latinx student clubs, Student Life and Leadership, Cultural Center, and the Latina Leadership Network are recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and Undocumented Students Action Week with a film screening on October 17th. The week of action is a student-led campaign to advocate for a permanent solution to codify the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program that includes a pathway to citizenship, support and resources to all undocumented students.
On Wednesday, October 17th, a film screening of Underwater Dreams will take place on the SLO Campus in room 5104A from 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. The documentary film follows the story of four sons of undocumented immigrants who learn how to build an underwater robot from cheap PVC parts and compete against MIT engineering students. An immigration discussion will follow the screening.
Celebrate Dia del los Muertos at Cuesta
The Cultural Center, in collaboration with the Latino Leadership Network Student Club,
is sponsoring a Día de Los Muertos Celebration on both the North County & SLO campuses.
Día de Los Muertos Celebration - NCC
Día de Los Muertos Celebration – SLO Campus
Nov. 1st, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Dallons Hall (N3102)
Nov. 1st, 11:00 a.m.-1:00p.m. & 5:00-7:00 p.m. in Room 5401
- Watch Disney’s Coco - Watch Disney’s Coco
- Decorate sugar skulls - Decorate sugar skulls
- Participate in a Día art contest - Decorate piñatas
- Free food - Free nachos
Cuesta Library Celebrates Fall with Spooky Art Display
The SLO Campus Library is celebrating autumn with some 'spooky' original pen and ink drawings by Cuesta bookstore staffer, Gregory Alberts. His artwork, entitled “October Dreams,” is now on display in the entrance of the SLO Campus Library. According to Greg, “I have always loved the idea of Halloween, especially All Souls’ and Saints’ Days, which is why my subject matter tends to be on the dark side. My animal drawings are beings on their own. They just haven't realized that there are humans around.”
The “October Dreams” display will continue through Fall Semester and can be viewed during regular library hours: Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 8:00pm; Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Reminder: Check out the Latest Harold J. Miossi Art Exhibit
Don't forget to check out the latest art exhibit in the Harold J. Mioss Art Gallery omn the SLO Campus.
Through sculpture, text, photography, video and performance, Industry of the Ordinary (IOTO) are dedicated to an exploration and celebration of the customary, the everyday, and the usual. Artists Adam Brooks and Mathew Wilson will exhibit their works of art throughout the month of October.
If you missed the opening reception, you can view it in full length via the video above. You can also obtain full details on the exhibit via this press release.
College Governance Communications
Each month, the Cuesta Newsletter serves as a communication conduit for College Council, Planning & Budget Committee, Academic Senate Council, and the Board of Trustees.
Board of Trustees Meeting of October 3rd
The Board of Trustees discussed items regarding the Grizzly Academy Program and partnership, heard curriculum recommendations, and received a progress report on the 2017-20 Strategic Plan. For a full look at the Board's discussions and actions, visit the Board Docs website.
Academic Senate Council
There is no report from the Academic Senate Council.
College Council
At the September 11 College Council meeting, the committee had a full agenda, including:
- Reviewing and approving changes to committee initiatives discussed in August;
- Discussing the final version of the updated Faculty Prioritization Handbook;
- Approving the official separation of Automotive Technology and Autobody Technology courses, since they already function as two separate departments; and
- Approving the modifications to AB3570, the AP for a smoke-free campus.
Planning & Budget Committee
Recent actions by the Planning and Budget Committee include:
- Splitting the state Instructional Equipment/Deferred Maintenance funds 50/50 between the two activities;
- Adopting a committee initiative to outline the process for the annual recommendation of the number of new full-time faculty hires; and
- Adopting a committee initiative to identify information on district staffing to present to the committee annually.
Shout-outs!
Cuesta Police Officer Awarded for Service
Each year, the SLO Elks lodge holds an annual public safety awards dinner for San Luis Obispo area public safety agencies. The Cuesta College Police Department's honoree this year was Officer Scott Severn, chosen for his actions to provide care and support to a student in crisis a few weeks ago. Out of the nine honorees at the dinner from police, fire, correctional, and military service, Officer Severn was additionally honored as one of three recipients of the Elks Lodge Medal of Valor for his actions.
Congratulations Officer Severn, and thank you for your dedication to student safety!
College's Foundation Receives Prestigious Industry Award
Cuesta's Foundation Department received a prestigious educational fundraising award!
Each year since 1959, CASE (Council for Advancement and Support for Education) and its predecessor organizations have recognized exceptional development programs. This year, the Cuesta Foundation received a 2018 Overall Performance Award in the public two-year institutions category! The award recognizes the Cuesta College Foundation's solid program growth, breadth in the base of support and other indications of a mature, well-maintained program.
Congratulations to the Cuesta College Foundation Department!
Groundbreaking Ceremony for the SLO Campus Data Center
The rain may have moved the ceremony indoors, but that didn't stop faculty, staff, and those involved with the Measure L bond from celebrating the San Luis Obispo Campus Data Center on October 3rd. The 4,400 square-foot building will soon be under construction and upon completion house the main data/server room. Check out this video of the groundbreaking ceremony, and for more information on the bond-funded Data Center, visit the Measure L website.
Art Students Participate in Cambria Scarecrow Festival
Headed to the Cambria Scarecrow Festival this month? Keep an eye out for a Cuesta caterpillar among the mix! Cuesta College art students created a caterpillar-shaped entry for the event this year. This photo shows the project in process; go see the final product in downtown Cambria through the month of October.
Cuesta RN and LVN Students & Faculty Fundraise for a Good Cause
Cuesta TEAM NURISNG had 66 RN and LVN students and faculty, plus their families and
friends, walk to save lives in the 2018 American Heart Association Heart & Stroke
Walk in Avila Beach last month. TEAM NURSING ended up raising $1,300. Congratulations
to the participants!
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In the News
Over the past few weeks, the following information was included in media segments:
- Cuesta College students mix 6,000 pounds of clay with their feet | KSBY | Tribune | KCBX
- Book of the Year 2019 announcement | New Times
- Cuesta College Community Programs Writers Conference will get you “geeked” to sit down and write something | KSBY | Santa Maria Sun
- Scholarship application open | KSBY | Paso Robles Daily News
- Cuesta breaks ground on new data center | KSBY
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Calendar
Here’s a look at some of the events going on around campus. For the full calendar, visit the Cuesta College Events Calendar:
- October 4-31: Industry of the Ordinary – Transience Exhibit
- October 12: Women’s Soccer v. Allan Hancock College | Women’s Volleyball v. Ventura
- October 13: “Autumn Blessings” Choir Concert
- October 13-14: Cuesta II Men’s Water Polo Tournament
- October 16: Food Bank Distribution Site open
- October 17: Women’s Water Polo v. Cal Poly
- October 19: Promise Day | Women’s Soccer v. Oxnard | Wrestling hosts Southeast Tri-Meet | The Epic Big Band Blow Out Concert
- October 20: Meathead Movers Wrestling Invitational | Cuesta Acoustic Guitar Concert
- October 21: Cuesta Wind Ensemble Concert
- October 24: Women’s Volleyball v/ Bakersfield | Wrestling v. West Hills
- October 26: Cuesta Wind Ensemble & SLO Wind Orchestra Children’s Concert | Women’s Soccer v. Moorpark
- October 28: Cuesta Alumni Water Polo Game
- October 29: Transfer Day | College Night
- October 31: Women’s Volleyball v. Moorpark
- November 2: Women’s Soccer v. Santa Barbara
- November 2-3: 20th Annual Vocal Jazz Festival Concert
- November 7: Board of Trustees Meeting
- November 8: Harold J. Miossi Art Gallery Exhibit Opening: Brent Dickinson
- November 8-December 5: Brent Dickinson Art Exhibition
- November 8-18: Drama Department’s Production of Ghost Ship
- November 9: Women’s Soccer v. Ventura