New year, new semester features upgraded student services

by on Feb 9, 2018

During an afternoon session on Professional Development Day, Kathleen Moberg, Vice President of Student Services, introduced a team announcing changes to student services.

MyGAV logo

First Census

Candice Whitney, Director of Admissions & Records, shared First Census changes. Beginning with the Spring 2018 semester, faculty can complete the information online. Over the weekend, all faculty were emailed the steps to take.

First Census Day for full term classes is Monday, February 12. Faculty have until midnight February 14 to submit their information online. If they miss the deadline they must submit a paper First Census roster. The drop rosters are required and these dates apply even if no students are dropped.

"When in doubt, drop," she said. Admissions has a reinstatement process through the end of the semester to reenroll students dropped in error.

According to Whitney, "Instructors are required to clear their rolls of inactive students as per California Community College’s Board of Governors Title V, Section 58004(c) prior to the census date so that the student count is accurate as of First Census Day."

Also updated for Spring 2018, faculty can now issue W's online.

Contact Candice Whitney or Kendra Ketchu for more information.

Food Pantry sign

Gavilan College Food Pantry

Launched Spring of 2016, the pantry offers non-perishable goods to Gavilan students. To qualify, students verbally confirm their household size and income, signing in with their student ID numbers.

New this semester, the staff at the pantry can assist students in applying for CalFresh Benefits, scheduling appointments on Thursdays. Students can either drop by the pantry or call (408) 852-2855 to make an appointment. More information is available here.

Accessible Education Center (AEC)

Jane Maringer shared the diverse support services available to students with disabilities. The AEC has an updated bulletin listing their procedures. They have also updated the AEC Faculty & Staff Guide.

Maringer listed some of the services available, including

ClockWork online scheduler for test proctoring
A range of assisted learning technologies
Unlimited license of text to speech software
Voice recognition
JAWS fully functional screen reader for students who are blind
Screen magnification

In addition to equipment on campus, AEC has adaptive equipment students can check out

Assistive listening devices
CCTV magnifiers for students with low vision who need to take photos of white board notes
Recording devices
Smart pens, acquired through the Equity Grant, that syncs students' written notes to the spoken information
In class note takers
Audio notetaking software

View more AEC information here

Counseling/Retention

The program is now using Premium Café, remote office meeting software that allows sharing information with students. There is new delivery of KickStart and Go2Orientation.

The process remains the same. Students complete an online Gavilan application, receive a Gav ID and PIN, go through the assessment process, then access KickStart from the student tab on their MyGAV portal.

The student dashboard has three modules: KickStart, Title IX training, exploring careers and choosing a major. This final module is recommended for students who are undecided or undeclared about a major.

Key features of the online tools
Displays informational videos and text
Offers 24/7, self-paced access
Accessible across all devices
Students can go back and review information
The universally designed program links to resources directly
Students receive tips and contact information

Using the tools, student complete an abbreviated education plan they can use as a guide for registration. A copy of the plan is emailed to them for their reference, as well as to the counseling department.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

In the newly renovated Student Center spaces, students use the reconfigured service area combining windows for admissions and financial aid. Students log in and wait in the Welcome Center, not in line. This new configuration offers students privacy.

"The college wants to increase PELL grants and financial aid," said Veronica Martinez, Director of Financial Aid, "and 40% of Gavilan students are eligible."

An online scholarship application page was offered the first week of classes. New e-forms and texting technology will be launched this spring, allowing students to complete forms using their mobile phones.

"It's not too late to apply for scholarships," she said. This is the third year of online scholarship management for applicants and screeners. More information is available here.

Student Life

Ryan Shook, Student Life coordinator, offered updated information about Grad Guru. "It now has push notifications, critical deadlines and daily notices," he said. "About 1,000 students are now using it." Want to add an event to Grad Guru? Contact Ryan Shook or Candice Whitney, who can upload it.

The Welcome Center is using HomeBase , a web based digital scheduler where students can request appointments and schedule changes using a phone app. The kiosk in the Welcome Center, set up by MIS, provides a waiting list for financial aid and admissions. Students checking in are prescreened by mentors, and the student's phone will flash when summoned. The program keeps track of the number of students seen at each window and length of time for each appointment.

Student Life is using Qualtrics Surveys to gather feedback on student events and activities. An online survey accessible with tablets or cell phones, it is easy to manage, maintains informational integrity and sends data directly to Institutional Research.

Find more information about all Student Life activities

Campus Incidents

When unexpected, unsafe or out-of-the-ordinary events happen on campus, Kathleen Moberg requested everyone use the Report an Incident link found at the bottom of the home page. Incidents could be student conduct, a concern, security issue, a threat to self or others on campus. It doesn't have to be student related. The incident report can be used anonymously, offering as much information as possible: behavioral, conduct, academic, other.

The report routes to the individual assigned to handle that area. Moberg will see them all. "If you see something, say something," she said.

Student Health 101

School Nurse Alice Dufresne-Reyes shared that the Student Health 101 site has six pages that can be customized every month. Contact her to post health related information.