• Friday, August 13 — Fall classes begin
• Thursday, August 26 — Last day to add full-semester classes and drop full-semester classes with eligibility for fee refund or credit
• September 4-6 — College closed for Labor Day holiday
• Friday, September 10 — Last day to drop full-term classes without a "W" appearing on transcript and last day to request Pass/No Pass on courses designated SC (Student Choice)

Parking Lot Update
If you attended LMC last year, you may have found parking challenging at times. That is about to change! 449 new parking spaces are being added to Parking Lot B. Due to construction, portions of the lot will be closed through August 15th, but beginning Monday, August 16th, the entire lot will be open for parking. More parking information

First Day Reminder
As you probably know, classes begin Friday, August 13th; however, you may not need to attend that day. Check your schedule to see what days and times your classes meet. If you don't have a Friday class, you can continue to enjoy your summer until Monday or Tuesday!

Please Bear With Us!
As you are aware, the state fiscal crisis has resulted in severe budget reductions for all sectors of higher education, including the community colleges. As a result, the budget cuts have significantly impacted our ability to provide the quality services and adequate course offerings as our students have come to expect over the years. We sincerely regret that we are no longer able to meet the demand for many of the students who are seeking late enrollment into classes.

We will continue to assist students to the best of our ability.

We appreciate your interest in Los Medanos College as well as your patience and understanding during this difficult time.

New Rooms, New Numbers
The Art Department remodel and expansion is close to completion and the remodeled classrooms and labs have new numbers. In fact, the entire "600" wing of the third floor of the College Complex has been renumbered, including the Journalism Lab, Little Theatre, DSPS High-Tech Center, and Process Technology Lab and classrooms. To reflect their location on the 3rd floor, the rooms have been given numbers in the 300's; the Journalism Lab is now room 301, the PTEC Lab is room 320, the Little Theatre is room 322, and so on. View a map of the remodeled Art area.

Admissions News
Graduation Update
Welcome to the beginning of Fall Semester! It's time to start thinking about graduation again. If you will be completing your requirements for an Associate Degree or Certificate of Achievement in the Fall 2010 term, your deadline to apply for graduation is October 1st. More graduation information

Adding Classes to Your Schedule
Remember it is your responsibility to add your classes via WebAdvisor, Telephone Registration (with an add code) or in person (with an add code or signature from the instructor). After the last day to add (August 26 for full-term classes), you will not be able to add the class. Please make sure you have followed the proper procedure to register for your classes.

Transfer Center Offers Study Skills Workshop
The ability to concentrate, to focus one's attention exclusively on the material being studied, is essential to learning. Internal and external distractions can make concentration difficult. Learn from an LMC Counselor how to identify what these distractions are and how to eliminate them at the Study Skills Workshop hosted by the Transfer Center on August 23rd and 25th. Find out about techniques, methods, and strategies to enhance your academic performance and improve your critical reading, writing, thinking, listening and notetaking skills. Read more about this workshop. (This article contributed by Ligia Lucha, Student Assistant.)

Financial Aid News
Competitive Cal Grant Deadline for Community College Students, September 2, 2010
As a student attending a California Community College (CCC) during the 2010-11 academic year, you may be eligible for a Cal Grant. To be considered for this award, you must complete the following three requirements by the September 2nd deadline: submit a 2010-11 FAFSA, provide your certified GPA, and enroll in a California Community College for the fall 2010 term. You may obtain the GPA Verification form from the Office of Financial Aid. Once you have completed the form, mail it by the deadline date to the address provided on the form. Students can monitor their award status at www.WebGrants4students.org.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Federal Regulations require that the Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD) measure your academic progress toward completion of a certificate of achievement, associate degree or transfer program. This process is performed at the end of each semester and the summer term, and applies to all periods of enrollment, whether or not you have received financial aid. More SAP information

Financial Aid Lab Hours
The Financial Aid Lab will be back to its original location in Room CC2-235 for fall semester. Students can receive assistance obtaining a FAFSA Pin Number, completing a new FAFSA or renewal FAFSA, setting up new e-mail access, adding the school code, and using Web Advisor for financial aid purposes. Lab hours are Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

General Financial Aid Workshops
Fall semester Financial Aid Workshops will be held in the Library Room L213. Workshop dates and times

Financial Aid Suspension Workshops
Students who are on Financial Aid Suspension due to their course completion rate or GPA may enroll online for a Suspension Workshop. After completing the quiz, select a date from the workshops available.

Transition from FFELP to Direct Loan Program
On March 30, 2010, President Obama signed the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (HCERA) which makes significant changes to the Federal Student Loan programs. One of the provisions of the HCERA is the elimination of the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) and implementation of the Federal Direct Loan Program. All new Stafford, PLUS, and consolidation loans are now funded and disbursed under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. Read more about the Federal Direct Loan Program. Student Loan Request forms are now available. For further information, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.

Questions?
Do you have general questions on the financial aid process? See our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Scholarship News
Online MBA Academic Award
$500 will be awarded to a student currently enrolled in an MBA program or undergraduate business-related program for the 2010-2011 academic year. Business students, whether working on a certificate, bachelor's, or master's are also eligible to apply. Deadline, September 1st. Eligibility and application information

Online Nursing Programs.net Scholarship
Online Nursing Programs.net makes it easier to find the degree to help you be successful and competitive in the nursing field. For the 2010-2011 academic school year one (1) $500 scholarship will be awarded to a student currently enrolled in a nursing or related health care administration degree program, or working on a certificate, bachelor's degree, or master's degree. Deadline, September 1st. More information and application

Inter Club Council (ICC) Meetings
Weekly ICC meetings begin Monday, September 13, 2010 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Library Conference room 2.

Club Leader Orientations
Interested in chartering a club? Attend a club leader orientation to find out how! All orientations will be held in Library Conference Room 2. See the Student Life Activities and Events calendar for dates and times.

Bus Pass Update
The semester-long free bus pass program previously offered to LMC students has been discontinued due to a lack of funding. However, students still have multiple options for receiving discounts on bus transportation to LMC.

Monthly discounted passes are available for $50 and can be purchased at Ticket Connection locations throughout East County. Passes can also be purchased online at the Tri Delta website. Additionally, eligible students who currently drive alone to school and pledge to take the bus or BART can receive a free $64 BART pass and bus tickets from 511 Contra Costa. For more information and eligibility requirements visit 511 Contra Costa online or call (925) 969-0841, ext. 205.

LMC is served by frequent Tri Delta Transit buses to Pittsburg/Bay Point BART and local communities. Buses numbered 380, 387, 388 and 391 all serve LMC. The fare is currently $1.75. Local Route Fares with a BART train cash transfer is $1.00. Schedules are available at the Student Life Office or online at www.trideltatransit.com.

Mustang Madness
To welcome students to LMC for the 2010-2011 academic year, Student Life presents "Mustang Madness"! Join your fellow students for activities, games, contests, prizes, food and fun each day during the first week of fall semester, concluding on Thursday, August 26th with a late night screening of Michael Jackson's "This Is It!" shown on a large, inflatable projector screen. See the Student Life Activities and Events calendar for a description of each day's events.

Fall textbooks are now available. At the Pittsburg campus, payment may be made by cash, debit, Visa, MasterCard & Discover. We are unable to accept checks or American Express. All exchanges & refunds must be done at the main Pittsburg campus. The last day for exchanges and refunds is Friday, August 20th. You must present your receipt and books must be in their original condition.

Books for Brentwood classes can also be purchased for a limited time at the Brentwood Center. Cash, Visa, MasterCard or Discover are accepted for payment. We are unable to accept any other method of payment for books at the Brentwood Center at this time.

Regular Bookstore Hours
Monday–Thursday, 7:45 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, 7:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Extended Bookstore Hours, August 13th – 26th
Monday–Thursday, 7:45 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, 7:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday (Aug 14th & 21st only), 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Brentwood Center – August 11th - – 27th
Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. – Noon

Wholesale Textbook Buyback (Pittsburg campus only)
September 1st & 2nd, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Check out our website, www.lmcbookstore.net, for further information and to purchase textbooks online. Thank you for supporting the LMC Bookstore, an institutionally-owned store where profits are allocated for student events and activities.