Gallery Exhibit Features Paintings and Photo Drawings by Christine Canepa

You Will Miss Me When I’m Gone:  Paintings & Photo Drawings by Christine Canepa

The Cañada College Art Gallery begins its Spring, 2013 season with the presentation of You Will Miss Me When I’m Gone: Paintings & Photo Drawings by Christine Canepa, on view from Tuesday, Feb. 5 through Thursday Feb. 28, 2013. Canepa uses imagery of dens, nests, and burrows, and various endangered species to explore ideas around endings, loss, and the speculative potential of parallel worlds.  

A “meet the artist” reception will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 13  from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Cañada College Art Gallery is located Building 9, Room 152 on the Cañada College campus, 4200 Farm Hill Blvd. Redwood City, CA.

The gallery is open Mondays and Wednesdays 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 to 4 p.m.

Christine Canepa's work employs imagery from the animal world as a means of exploring ideas proposed in contemporary physics regarding the existence of multiple dimensions, or a “multiverse”. The work plays with traditional distinctions between abstract and representational imagery, and historic conventions of landscape painting.

Canepa, who grew up in Santa Cruz and lives in Oakland, teaches at San Jose State University, where she received her MFA in pictorial arts. Her artistic practice emphasizes painting, but also includes a variety of modalities and mediums, including installation. She has been the recipient of numerous awards, fellowships and prizes and has exhibited widely in California and nationally.  

The Cañada College Art Gallery presents exhibitions to the public, focuses on an interdisciplinary interpretation of art and culture, and serves the public of San Mateo County, the college community and beyond.

Exhibitions and gallery events are free and open to the public.

For more information, please contact the Cañada College Humanities and Social Sciences Department at (650) 306-3336 or visit our website www.canadacollege.edu.

Campus Survey Explores the Issue of Academic Dishonesty

More than 500 students and 40 faculty were surveyed by members of Phi Theta Kappa

A group of honors students at Phi Theta Kappa surveyed more than 500 fellow students and 40 faculty members on the campus regarding the issue of academic dishonesty. The answers they received were surprising.

“The student surveys were administered in classrooms by several different PTK (Phi Theta Kappa, the community college honor society) members,” said Elaina Mattingly, one of the survey’s organizers. “We asked students 29 different questions that had multiple choice answers and were filled out on Scantrons. The faculty survey was administered via SurveyMonkey after an email was sent out containing directions and link to participate.”

The survey results will be presented at the PTK National Conference April 4-6 in San Jose.

“While we used the topic of academic honesty to fulfill a requirement for the PTK Honors in Action project, it was also an opportunity for us, as a group of students, to dig deep into an issue that many students turn a blind eye to,” said Doris Vargas, co-president of Beta Zeta Nu, Cañada’s chapter of PTK.

Members of PTK conducted the study on academic dishonesty

“Academic dishonesty isn’t just an act of ‘doing wrong’, underlying problems such as integrity and incentives must also be taken into account,” Vargas said. “When we became aware that faculty on the campus were discussing this topic, we thought it would be a great opportunity to move it beyond conversation and do some research on our own.”

Mattingly, who attended Sitka High School in Sitka, Alaska, said she was surprised that 27 percent of the students surveyed admitted to using a prohibited electronic device during a test. She was also surprised that 41 percent believe they should do nothing when they notice another student cheating. “This statistic is especially alarming when you consider that 32 percent of the students surveyed said they would be more likely to cheat if they knew it would get them the best grades in the class.”

Vargas, who attended Mercy High School in San Francisco, said 75 percent of the students agreed that acts of academic dishonesty are more prevalent in high schools, yet only 65 percent said they have never cheated or plagiarized on a college test or assignment. “In addition, 62 percent of the students admitted to using up to three methods of cheating. It’s really thought provoking.”

In addition, Mattingly said it would be useful to promote programs on campus that offer students an opportunity to improve their college applications without pointing to GPA. “Assuming that most students cheat to get a competitive edge, there may be other ways to gain an advantage such as being involved in the Honors Transfer Program, Phi Theta Kappa, student government, or the tutoring program. If we show them how to improve their college application by being involved on campus they will feel less pressure to cheat.”

Vargas said that 60 percent of the students surveyed agreed that having an instructor read aloud the exact consequences for cheating before an exam was also an effective strategy. It suggests a combination of positive reinforcement and communicated consequences may be the most effective deterrent to academic dishonesty.

Vargas, Mattingly and other PTK students have been asked to give a campus-wide presentation on the results of the survey and they have developed a short video that can be viewed at this link http://youtu.be/mgd0ilwlIFg.

Tutors Are Available in the Learning Center to Help With Writing Projects

Drop-in help is available four days a week

If you are struggling with a writing project, help is available in the Learning Center. The college offers drop-in hours on Mondays, 9 a.m. to noon; Tuesdays, 6 to 9 p.m.; Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; and Fridays from 1 to 3 p.m.

“When students come to the Learning Center, tutors will want to see the specifics of the assignment from the instructor,” said Julie Wilson, assistant professor and director of the Writing Center. Students can get assistance with any writing assignment. Whether you are enrolled in Biology or English, History or Speech, Chemistry or Business, ESL or Psychology, someone is available to assist you in planning, researching, organizing and writing your paper. From the initial brainstorming through the final draft, the tutors in the Writing Center can support students in the entire writing process.

“In my experience with Cañada students, the most important area writers need help with is the organization and development of ideas,” Wilson said. “I often find the need to remind writers that they are responsible for guiding their audience. They need to consider their reader when they are writing.”

Wilson said students also need help with grammar and mechanics but she always encourages them to prioritize their ideas first.

For students needing help at the Writing Center, Wilson said it’s important that they bring a draft of the paper, some scratch paper, and a pencil or pen. Tutoring appointments run for about an hour. “There’s not enough time to assist students through every minute step of the essay,” Wilson said. “Tutors are taught to prioritize their support for students, not necessarily resolve every issue in every essay. We don’t want to overwhelm students with corrections, but we want them to focus on their top areas for growth.”

She said students should expect tutors to help them make significant improvements in their essays, but not perfect it for them. “Our goal is for students to continually grow in independence as writers.”

Wilson said the earlier students start their essays, the more time they will have to get feedback from tutors and from friends... so come by the Learning Center today!

For more information, visit the Writing Center website or contact Wilson at wilsonj@smccd.edu.

Redwood Symphony Concert Feb. 9

The Redwood Symphony presents, "Liberating the Soul," featuring Lou Harrison's piano concerto from 1985.

A pre-concert lecture will be held at 7 p.m. followed by the concert in the Main Theater at 8 p.m. The cost is $20 for adults ($25 at the door) and $10 for students. The concert is free for all Cañada College students, staff, and faculty and any children under 18 accompanied by an adult.

The concert is centered around John Corigliano's Symphony No. 1, written at the peak of the AIDS crisis in 1989. This piece is moving to become an enduring memorial, mixing expressive rage with melodies offering solace. Jennifer Higdon's Blue Cathedral is the radiant balance to the program. Written in 2000, it is as much of a hit as an orchestra piece can be, having been playing by 400 orchestras around the world.

For more information, visit the Redwood Symphony website.

JobTrain is Offering Free Tax Return Preparation for Low-Income Filers

If your family income was less than $51,000 in 2012 you are eligible to receive free assistance in preparing your tax return.

Tax-Aid, a charity founded in 1988 by a coalition of Bay Area accountants and lawyers, will be at JobTrain, 1200 O'Brien Drive, in Menlo Park every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 1 to 8 p.m. to help low income taxpayers prepare their tax returns. U.S. citizenship is not required.


In order to receive this free assistance, you'll need to bring:

• A Social Security card for each family member or ITIN number for each working adult.
• W2 and other income forms.
• Child care provider name, address and tax ID number.
• Bank routing and account numbers for checking and savings accounts.
• Name, address and phone number of landlord for renter's credit.
• 2011 tax return.

For more information, contact JobTrain at (650) 330-6428.

Sarah Aranyakul: A Passion for Working with Cañada Students Because She Once Was One

Sarah Aranyakul’s passion for working with students led her from a career in business management to counseling community college students.

“I love working with students,” said the native of Thailand. “I worked in business for about seven years before I realized that I wanted to devote my professional life to helping students.”

Aranyakul graduated from Cañada College in Business Administration 19 years ago before earning a Bachelor’s degree in management from Golden Gate University. She went to work in business before returning to Santa Clara University to work on her Master’s degree in counseling.

She continued to work in business while she performed an internship in counseling but later she received a counseling position at City College of San Francisco and she’s never looked back. She has worked as a counselor at both Gavilan College and CCSF before being hired as an adjunct counselor in the EOPS Program at Cañada last March. Aranyakul has now been hired as Cañada’s new tenure-track counselor.

“I’m very happy to be at Cañada,” she said. “I have a lot of experience working with students from diverse backgrounds. I can also relate to our students as I’m a graduate of the college.”

In addition to the EOPS Program, Aranyakul has worked in the Mathematics Science Achievement Program, Guardian Scholars Program serving former foster youths, and with Basic Skills students.

Simple Advice For Your First Day at Cañada

So, you are preparing for your first day of the new semester and you want it to go as smooth as possible. We're here to help. If you take a few simple steps, and do a little planning, you'll have no problems. Let's get started.

· Arrive Early - If you pull onto campus 10 minutes before class starts you're off to a bad start. Parking on a college campus is never easy. Give yourself at least 20 minutes. Remember, you're not going to have Rock Star parking next to your class. Be sure to review the parking map and have a contingency plan if the lot you want to park in is full. Student Lots are Lot 1, 7, 8, 10 and 6. Do not park in staff lots without the appropriate permit or you are sure to get a ticket. You'll need to buy a parking permit but campus security will not issue tickets in student lots until Monday, Jan. 28.

· Know Where You Are Going - Because you have a plan, you'll have a great parking spot. But how do you get to your classes? Luckily, the Cañada campus is not that big. Review the campus map and your schedule of classes. Buildings at Cañada are numbered and each room in the building has its own number. On your schedule the class location will look like this - 3-113. The first number (3) is the building number and the second number (113) is the classroom within the building. If you can't find a class, ask one of the Campus Ambassadors. You can find them in the Information Booths on the quad or at the entrance to the Library off Parking Lot 1. You can also find help at the Welcome Center on the first floor of Building 9.

· Get to Know Building 9 - All essential student services are located in this three-story building. On the first floor you'll find Admissions/Records, Counseling, Financial Aid, Student Activities, Public Safety/Parking, EOPS/CARE/CalWorks, and more. The Learning Center is on the second floor. Here you can use the computers, work with academic tutors, and study in groups. The Library is located on the top floor. Make a point to visit this building on your first day of class.

· The Bookstore - It's college, so you're going to need books. Because you are a college student, you'll also need a soda, bag of chips and candy bar. You can get them all at the bookstore. It's located across from the Main Theater and Gymnasium. The first couple of weeks, the lines are long because everyone is buying books. If you can go in the mid-afternoon, the lines are shorter.

· The Pony Espresso - Ok, it's not essential to know where the coffee shop is located, but you never know when you'll need a cup. The coffee kiosk is located in the Upper Quad near the entrance of Building 13. It's a favorite hangout for students and if you stand around long enough you'll probably find somebody you know.

· The Grove – This is the new Student Center at Cañada. It’s a great place to meet friends, study, and grab a bite to eat. The new Career Center is located in the Grove and the friendly staff can help you write a resume, prepare for a job interview, and search for jobs. There is also a spot in the Grove to just chill and play video games.

· Smoke-Free Campus - If you want to smoke you'll have to do it in designated parking lots because Cañada is a smoke-free campus. Feel free to light up in Lots 1, 7, 6, 8, 10 & 5. But, as a courtesy to staff, faculty, and students who don't smoke, please refrain from smoking on the rest of campus.

· Go to Class - This seems like a no-brainer, right? Well, every semester, there are students that don't show up for class. Because classes are crowded, if you don't show up, you could be dropped from the class. If you are on a wait list to get into a full class, it's even more important to show up on the first day to talk to the professor and see if you can add the class.

Hopefully this guide can help you survive your first day of the new semester. Remember, if you have any questions ask somebody. You'll be surprised at how helpful the staff, faculty and your fellow students can be.

Mini Math Jam Starts Jan. 7

There is still time to register for next week's Mini Math Jam, but you better hurry.

Next week's Mini Math Jam is a one-week, intensive preparation for the math placement test for students intending to major in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) fields. It is designed especially for students who placed into a college math course below pre-calculus and who want to advance to the next math level by scoring higher on the math placement test at the end of Mini Math Jam.

The program's goal is to help students complete their Associates Degree and/or transfer requirements for a four-year college in less time than previously possible.

The Mini Math Jam will be held Monday through Friday, Jan. 7-11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Both sessions will be held on the second floor of Building 9 in the Learning Center.

"We currently have 96 students registered for daytime and 66 for evening," said Chris Burwell-Woo, a retention specialist at the college. "We still have a little room for student in the Math 811, 110 and 120 groups so we will accept students who want to sign up on Monday if they arrive promptly at the start of the session."

Burwell-Woo emphasized that spots are limited and that additional students will not be accepted after the first day. Burwell-Woo also encouraged students signed up for the Fast Track to Calculus or Path to Statistics courses this spring to participate as it will provide a solid foundation for the courses.

"We will be able to answer any questions they might have about the classes while they are at Mini Math Jam," Burwell-Woo said.

Spring Semester Fees Are Due By Jan. 7

On Monday, January 7, 2013, students who have any outstanding fee balances will be dropped from all spring classes at midnight for non-payment of outstanding fees. 

Beginning January 8, students will be dropped at midnight the day following their registration for non-payment of fees.

 If you need assistance in paying your fees, you are encouraged to:

• Enroll in an inexpensive payment plan via WebSMART by 11:00 p.m. on January 7.
• complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. A minimum of five (5) business days processing time is required to ensure receipt of the FAFSA to prevent your drop for non-payment (school code required: 006973 Cañada, 001181 CSM and 007713 Skyline). If you are an AB 540 student and unable to complete a FAFSA due to citizenship status, complete the 2012-13 California Dream Application at www.caldreamapp.org as soon as possible. A minimum of five (5) business days processing time is required to ensure receipt of the Dream Application to prevent your drop for non-payment (school code required: 006973 Cañada, 001181 CSM and 007713 Skyline).
• Complete the Board of Governors Fee Waiver via WebSMART.
• If you still need financial assistance after exhausting all options listed above, please contact the Vice President of Student Services.