• February 4 — Last day to add a full -semester class or drop a full-semester class and receive a full refund.
• February 17 — Last day to drop a full-semester class without a "W" appearing on your transcript or to request Pass/No Pass on courses designated as SC (Student Choice)
• February 18 – 21 — College closed for Lincoln's and Washington's Birthday holidays

At the beginning of this new semester, we want to remind everyone to take care to secure your personal property. Please take the time to consider the following safety tips while going about your daily routine:

• Never leave any items of value in your car or otherwise unattended on campus.
• If you need to leave a room, office, or classroom, take your belongings with you or ask a friend or colleague to hold or watch them for you, even if you are only going to be gone for a minute.
• Do not leave items of value out in plain view. This includes items such as bags, purses, laptops, wallets, etc. Whether in your vehicle, the library, a classroom, the cafeteria or a lab area, secure items of value so they are not left out in the open.
• Always be aware of your surroundings. If you notice anything or anyone suspicious, contact Police Services for assistance 925-439-2181, ext. 3333 (emergency, or ext. 3228 (non-emergency).

MUSTANG MAIL is almost here!!!!
As a student at Los Medanos College, you will soon have access to Microsoft's Live@edu, a fantastic e-mail and collaboration solution. You'll be able to access tons of online storage, shared calendars, blogging tools, and more. Much more. Your student "Mustang Mail" email account will be integrated into the inSite Portal, your one-stop center for email, class sites, calendar and storage. You will have an account with a 10GB mailbox you can keep for life. Shared calendars will help you easily coordinate your schedule with classmates, team members and teachers. You'll even have 25GB of password-protected online file storage with Windows Live SkyDrive. You will be contacted as soon as your email account is ready for you. We look forward to connecting with you via Mustang Mail soon! Please note that your WebAdvisor password will be reset to your birth date when student e-mail becomes available.

Order Official Transcripts Online
No more waiting in line to request an official transcript! Now you can order and pay for your transcripts online through WebAdvisor, then track the status of your request. By checking WebAdvisor after submitting your request, you can see the date your transcript was mailed. Both rush transcripts and regular processing transcripts can be ordered online. Instant service transcripts (express) must be ordered in person. More information

New Textbook Rental Program
The LMC Bookstore has introduced a new Textbook Rental Program, which is expected to save students even more money than the LMCAS discount sticker that was available to students in the past. Over 100 titles are eligible for rental this semester. The bookstore has many copies of each title, with a total of over 1000 books available for rent. Books can only be rented at the main Pittsburg campus bookstore. Visit the store for details of this exciting new program!

Adding Classes to Your Schedule
Don't let that precious add code or add slip go to waste! The last day to add a full-term class is February 4th and you must be enrolled in all of your semester-length classes by that date. If you have an add code, avoid last-minute stress and register now! Have an add slip with an instructor signature? Beat the rush and register today!

Planning to Graduate in May?
If you will be completing your requirements for an associate degree or certificate of achievement in the spring 2011 term, your deadline to apply for graduation is March 1st. Complete graduation information

Class Cancellations Online
Looking for ways to reduce stress and frustration? The online Daily Class Cancellations web page provides a solution to the frustration of rushing to the college only to find that your class has been cancelled. Why not bookmark this page on your computer for daily check-ins? A link to the Class Cancellations page can also be found on the LMC homepage.

Assessment Center Update
The Assessment Center will be closed from February 4th until mid-March. Check the online Assessment Schedule in March for spring testing hours.

Career Center News
Professional Boot Camp
If you have Fridays open from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., consider joining the Career and Employment Centers for a free program designed to develop critical employment skills and help you navigate the world of work. Professional Boot Camp topics will include work ethics, communication skills, conflict resolution, networking, business etiquette and much more. The deadline to apply is February 4, 2011, so don't delay. Workshop topics and application

Employment Center News
The Employment Center is pleased to announce the launch of Intern Central, the national internship board. Intern Central is comprised of internship opportunities from tens of thousands of unique sources, including the nation's major job boards — Monster, CareerBuilder, HotJobs, etc. — as well as national and local newspapers, associations, and company web sites. On Intern Central, you can search for internships locally, regionally, state-wide, nationally and even internationally. It's a new year, and here's another new tool for your job search toolbox. Simply login into your College Central Network (CCN) account and start searching! Also, check out the jobs posted exclusively for Los Medanos College.

The Employment Center wants to provide you with superior job placement assistance, so please report any problems with CCN or Intern Central, and let us know of any additional services you would like the Employment Center to provide through CCN.

Transfer Center News
UC Berkeley Starting Point Mentorship Program
If you are considering a transfer to UC Berkeley, the Starting Point Mentorship Program is for you. This program offers LMC students the opportunity to connect with student mentors who transferred from LMC to UC Berkeley. As a participant in the mentorship program, you will meet regularly with your mentor throughout the semester to discuss goals and learn about services, programs and resources that can benefit you. Your mentor can provide the support and encouragement you need to stay focused as you prepare for transfer to UC Berkeley. Participants are invited to visit UCB classes and some of UCB's most esteemed libraries not generally open to the public, and to attend financial aid workshops.

If you are interested in learning more about the Starting Point Mentorship Program, visit the Transfer Center or e-mail Marcia Cantillana at [email protected].

Cal Grant Application Deadline
March 2nd is the state deadline to apply for a Cal Grant. If you have not already been awarded a Cal Grant, complete your 2011-2012 FAFSA and complete and mail your GPA verification form, available at the Financial Aid Office, by March 2nd. More information

2011-2012 FAFSA
Now is the time to submit your 2011-2012 FAFSA, available at www.fafsa.ed.gov . Completing the FAFSA early assures that it can be processed in plenty of time for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Financial Aid Lab Hours
This semester the Financial Aid Lab is located in Room CO-200. During lab hours, students can receive assistance obtaining a FAFSA PIN, completing a new FAFSA or renewal FAFSA, setting up new e-mail access, adding the school code, and using WebAdvisor for financial aid purposes. Lab hours are Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and Thursdays from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

General Financial Aid Workshops
General financial aid workshops present all of the financial assistance options available to college students and include hands-on assistance in applying for the student/parent PINs and completing the FAFSA online. Workshop dates

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.

Tips for Managing Your Money

1. Create a budget
2. Regularly review your spending and goals
3. Prioritize expenses
4. Start a monthly savings plan
5. Plan for the unexpected
6. Maintain an emergency fund
7. Pay bills on time
8. Understand loan and credit terms. Find out more about the Federal Direct Loan Program
9. Pay off your debts quickly
10. Comparison shop online
11. Seek scholarships – check in with our Scholarship Office, Room CC3-440
12. Use coupons
13. Find free entertainment
14. Pack your lunch

Important Scholarship Deadline Information
Now is the time to get your scholarship applications in. Note these deadlines in particular:

• February 04, 2011 — Kennedy-King Memorial Scholarship application due
• February 11, 2011 — LMC Foundation Scholarship Program packet due

Diablo Vista Retired Teachers Scholarship Foundation
The Diablo Vista Retired Teachers Scholarship is for full-time students preparing to transfer to a four-year accredited institution. Applications must be returned to the Scholarship Office, Room CC3-440, as soon as possible. Eligibility criteria and forms