News from Los Medanos College

Los Medanos College

December 2012

Greetings!

What a busy month December is, with finals, spring class registration and the holidays all happening at once! If you are unsure of the days and times of your finals, be sure to check the online Final Exam Schedule and then confirm the times with your instructors. Spring class registration has begun and classes are filling up, so be sure to enroll on your priority registration date, which you can find on InSite/WebAdvisor. As the semester winds down, please take a few minutes to check out the news and updates below.

Important Dates

December 11-17 ---- Final exams
December 12 ---- Begin Spring 2013 registration for returning, matriculating and exempt students
December 17 ---- Last day of instruction
December 20-January 1 ---- Winter Break, college closed
January 3 ---- Begin Spring 2013 registration for new students who have not completed orientation
January 7 ---- Spring 2013 open/walk-in registration for regular college students
January 8 ---- Spring 2013 open/walk-in registration for special admit/concurrent high school students
January 12 ---- Spring 2013 semester classes begin
January 15 ---- First day to submit early Summer 2013 graduation application to receive early registration appointment for Summer 2013; Policy and application

More important dates

Shortened Office Hours

All Student Services offices, with the exception of the Bookstore, will close at 4:30 p.m. during the three days prior to Winter Recess, from Monday, December 17th through Wednesday, December 19th. The Bookstore will remain open on Monday, December 17th until 7:00 p.m. and close early on December 18th and 19th at 4:00 p.m. See Fall 2012 Office Hours.

January Student Services office hours will be:

January 2 & 3, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
January 4, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
January 7 - February 25

Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Admissions News

Important Waitlist Policy Change

Beginning in Spring 2013, students will have only 3 calendar days to enroll in a waitlisted class once their names reach the top of the waitlist and permission to enroll is granted. If you are on a waitlist, you will receive an email to your InSite email account when you are permitted to enroll in the class. Be sure to check your email and waitlist status on InSite/WebAdvisor every day or two so you don't miss out on the class you're waiting for.

Transcript Evaluations

If you have taken classes at other colleges, there are two steps to follow to have them evaluated for credit at LMC. The first step is to have your official transcript sent to the Admissions Office. Once it has been received by Admissions, you may fill out a Request for Evaluation.

Construction Reminder

You may feel a bit lost when you return to LMC in January and see heavy construction equipment where you used to enter the College Complex. You may also find that it takes longer than usual to navigate between classes. Although inconvenient, this is an exciting development because it means that the long-awaited construction of the new Student Services Center on the third and fourth floors of the College Complex has begun!

Because of the construction, there will be limited access to the College Complex from the outside quad area. Therefore, when planning your spring classes, please keep in mind that passing from a class in the Library, Math Building, Science Building or Physical Education to one in the College Complex may take more than ten minutes. Similarly, you'll want to give special attention to where you park for your first class of the day.

Visit the Construction Updates page for a printable map. You will soon receive a message to your InSite e-mail with more details. Maps and posters will be posted around campus before classes begin in the spring.

Drop in to the Career Center this Week

Trying to decide on a career path and choose an appropriate major? Need someone to look over your completed resume? You're in luck! This week, for the first time, the Career Center is offering drop-in appointments. Stop by during drop-in hours to meet with the Career Services Specialist.

Apply for Scholarships Now!

Kennedy-King Memorial Scholarship

Each spring, the Kennedy-King Memorial Scholarship Fund awards a number of two-year scholarships of $4,000 per year to students who transfer from Contra Costa County community colleges to junior standing in four-year accredited institutions in the fall or spring following the award.

To qualify for a scholarship you must:

Be of African-American, Latino, Native American, or Pacific Islander descent, i.e. a minority group underrepresented at four-year colleges and universities in California.

Be enrolled for the fall semester prior to the award (or have completed your course work within the past year) at Diablo Valley, Contra Costa, or Los Medanos College. Applicants may not be currently enrolled nor intend to enroll before next June in a four-year college or university.

Be eligible (have sufficient and proper units) to transfer to a four-year institution with junior standing for the next fall term (or at the latest the next spring term) following the award.

Provide evidence of financial need.

Complete and submit the application with required attachments by February 14, 2013. If you are selected for an interview, you must attend the Saturday morning selection committee interviews in the spring.

Soroptimist Women's Opportunity Award

The Women's Opportunity Awards program assists women who provide the primary source of financial support for their families by giving them the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects.

To qualify, you must:

Be a woman who provides the primary financial support for your family (including children, spouse, siblings and/or parents).

Have financial need.

Be enrolled in or be accepted to a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program.

Reside in one of Soroptimist International of the Americas' member countries or territories: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guam, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, United States, Venezuela or Colombia.

Have never before been the recipient of a Soroptimist Women's Opportunity Award

Not be a Soroptimist member or employee, or an immediate family member of either.

Apply by December 15, 2012

Umbrella of Hope Animal Rescue-Student Internship Program

Are you a pre-veterinary student? Or interested in working with non-profit organizations? Umbrella of Hope's student internship program is a supervised pre-professional experience for students to gain work experience in the veterinary and/or non-profit field. The student intern position is for anyone, but is an especially exciting opportunity for a student who wants to work in the veterinary field in any capacity or someone who is interested in working with non-profits. There is a possibility of a book scholarship awarded each semester/quarter. More information

PG&E Resource Groups Scholarships

PG&E Employee Resource Groups (ergs) offer scholarship opportunities for those pursuing higher education. These scholarships are funded primarily by donations from PG&E employees and retirees, and a matching gift by PG&E. Deadline to apply: February 1, 2013. See the scholarship listings for more information.

Scholarships from $1,000 - $5,000 are available now. For more information, check out the Scholarships webpage.

Financial Aid Updates

California Dream Act Workshop

Have questions about the California Dream Act? Find out about the California Dream Act and financial aid programs available for AB-540 students at a workshop presented by the Office of Financial Aid on Thursday, December 13th from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in SC-136. Assistance completing Dream Act and Board of Governors Fee Waiver applications will be provided. See the Financial Aid California Dream Act web page for more information.

Get Ready! Get Set! Go!

Are you ready to do your FAFSA for the next academic year? The 2013-2014 FAFSA form will be available after January 1, 2013. You can easily apply online. To make sure you have everything you need to complete your FAFSA, visit the Federal Student Aid webpage.

The online FAFSA is available in English and Spanish, and has step-by-step instructions for you to follow. If you need assistance, come to one of our financial aid labs or one of the financial aid general workshops beginning in January.

New Financial Aid Regulations

New regulations regarding the Pell Lifetime Eligibility Limit and Ability to Benefit are in effect and may affect you. Details can be found on the Financial Aid home page.

Financial Aid Lab

The financial aid lab, located in the Financial Aid Office, PS2-27, is open:

Tuesdays, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Fridays, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

At the lab, you can receive assistance with:

Obtaining a PIN
New FAFSA or renewals
New e-mail access
Adding the school code
Web Advisor for financial aid purposes

File for Cal Grant by March 4th!

Due to March 2, 2013 falling on a Saturday, the March Cal Grant award deadline is extended to the following Monday, March 4, 2013. The paper GPA Verification form must be postmarked no later than March 4, 2013. Information and forms

Do you know what the Chaffee Grant is?

If you are or were in foster care, you may be eligible for a Chafee Grant of up to $5000 a year in addition to any other federal or state aid. To qualify for the Chafee Grant, you must be enrolled at least half time and maintain good grades. A Social Security number is not required. More information about the Chaffee Grant

Student Life News & Events

Spring Fever, Monday, January 14 - Friday, January 18
Mustangs got spring fever! Join us for a week of festive activities to welcome our new and continuing students back to LMC! Check out the Student Life Activities & Events page for more information. Spring Fever is sponsored by the Office of Student Life and LMCAS.

Join the LMC Student Government!

The Los Medanos College Associated Students (LMCAS) has positions open for student government senators and representatives. Join the student government and help plan fun events, provide valuable services to students, and most importantly, be the "voice" of your student body. Weekly meetings are held on Mondays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in Library Conference Room 1 (L-105). Applications for the spring semester are now available online. Application deadline: Monday, February 25, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.

Inter Club Council Meetings

The first ICC meeting of the spring semester is Monday, January 14th from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. in Library Conference Room 2 (L-106).

Club Leader Orientations
Club leader orientations will be held in the Office of Student Life conference room (GA-5) at the following dates and times:

Monday, January 14; 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Tuesday, January 15; 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 16; 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Thursday January 17; 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Friday January 18; 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.

Blood Drive

Student Life & Blood Centers of the Pacific will be hosting a blood drive on campus on Tuesday, February 5th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in L-109. For more information or to schedule your donation appointment contact the Student Life Office at (925) 439-2181, ext. 3266 or sign up online at www.bloodheroes.com (click on "Donate Blood" and enter sponsor code = losMC).

Student Life BBQ Days: R.E.A.D Club

Join us on Wednesday, February 6th from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. at the Office of Student Life for a BBQ sponsored by the R.E.A.D Club. They will be fundraising for the Library's textbook loan program. BBQ Days occur during the semester on the first Wednesday of each month.

Bay Adventures: Museum of African Diaspora
Join other LMC students on Saturday, February 9th for a fun trip to the Museum of African Diaspora in San Francisco. Cost is $5.00 and includes transportation, museum admission, and a special private group tour. However, space is limited and you must sign up in advance to attend. Applications are available in the Office of Student Life.

Be a leader IMPACT Student Leadership Retreat
The IMPACT Retreat is an annual leadership development event open to all students on the LMC campus. Through workshops, speakers and fun activities, students gain insight into their personal leadership styles, meet and connect with other LMC student leaders and gain essential tools to be leaders in their clubs, programs and communities.

The retreat will take place on March 2nd in the Community Room (L-109). Admission is free and includes all of your retreat materials and lunch. However, space is limited, and you must register in advance by turning in the registration form to the Office of Student Life. The deadline to register is Thursday, February 21st at 5:00 p.m.

Bookstore News

Fall 2012 Textbook Rentals

Fall 2012 Textbook Rentals are due back to the store by Friday, December 14 at 2:00 p.m.

Student with books Textbook Buyback