Butte College Administration Building
3536 Campus Center Drive
Oroville, CA 95965
News Release
Butte College Holds Grand Opening of
New Veterans Resource Center
First Veterans Resource Center on a
Community College Campus in the North Valley
A growing number of veterans are seeking college admission in an effort to further their career opportunities after leaving military life. The period of transitioning to life as a civilian is often a rough road-- especially during wartime, where physical or mental injuries may leave lasting effects. Locally, there are 186 student veterans receiving the military GI Bill this semester at Butte College. Nationwide, over 575,000 veterans are receiving educational assistance from the Veterans Administration.
“Butte College is pleased to offer the first dedicated Veterans Resource Center in the North Valley on a community college campus,” said Butte College President, Dr. Diana Van Der Ploeg. “Our new Butte College Veterans Resource Center is dedicated to serving all veterans who are seeking to continue their educational goals. The Veterans Resource Center offers financial aid assistance, peer counseling, and an opportunity to connect with fellow veterans who share similar experiences.”
“There is a growing need for our student veterans to receive specialized counseling and assistance in a number of areas such as Disabled Services, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and traumatic injuries,” said Karen Micalizio, Butte College director of financial aid and veterans services.
The Butte College Veterans Resource Center offers:
- Hands-on assistance with the veterans educational benefits application
- Peer support and mentoring
- Information on priority registration
- Hands-on financial aid & application assistance
- Access to an academic counselor familiar with veterans educational issues
- Referrals to the on-campus mental health specialist
- Up to date information on Veterans educational benefits
- Disabled Veterans compensation information
- Community referrals
- Study and relaxation area with computers, Internet access, coffee, and study tables
The Butte College Veterans Resource Center is located at 3536 Butte Campus Drive, Quad 2 Room 103, and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Support staff includes three veterans. www.butte.edu/veterans/vrc
Butte College Hires New
Men’s Soccer Coach
Butte College has hired Larry Nees as its new coach of men’s soccer. The college announced it will offer a men’s soccer program beginning in Fall 2008.
“Recently, Nees was the boys head soccer coach at Paradise High School and he also served as the men’s assistant soccer coach at CSU, Chico from 1997-2006 where he led his team into CCAA Tournament play in 1997 and his team earned the championship in 2003,” said Craig Rigsbee, Butte College athletic director.
Nees also served as the men’s assistant soccer coach at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas from 1987 to 1995 and has coached teams into NCAA Division I and II Tournaments.
“I am thrilled to be a part of the new men’s soccer program at Butte College. Soccer is a growing sport in this community—and worldwide it is the leading sport. My goal is to coach players and help them succeed and excel in the sport so they can go anywhere in the nation,” said Nees.
The men’s soccer team will be a member of the Golden Valley Conference.
Diana Van Der Ploeg, Butte College president, said the men’s soccer program was requested by students and the community and would be an ideal place where students could further their soccer skills. “We are delighted to start a new soccer program. I look forward to Larry Nees bringing his expertise and leadership to help our soccer program hit the ground running.”
Butte College Seeks Make A Difference Day
“Community Makeover” Projects
In conjunction with National Make A Difference Day, Butte College is seeking proposals from individuals or organizations in Butte and Glenn for free community “makeover” projects. Now through July 24, Butte College will accept proposals for clean up projects in the community.
All applicants must submit a nomination form located on the Website: www.butte.edu/makeadifferenceday or a proposal can be mailed or faxed by calling 893-7546.
“It’s important to give back to our communities and we are very interested in receiving proposals for makeover projects which may include a painting job, small construction project, gardening effort, or anything else that benefits community organizations or individuals in need,” said Jo Anna Birdsall, Butte College Director of Career and Employment Services and Make A Difference Day Committee Chairperson.
Nominations for the one day project makeover must demonstrate a need and/or benefit. Community service projects must be located in Butte or Glenn County and must be able to be completed within six hours or less. Recipients of selected projects will be notified at the end of September and the projects will take place Make A Difference Day on Saturday, October 25.
Butte College is also seeking community sponsors and volunteers to assist in this effort. For more information, contact Jo Anna Birdsall at Butte College at 893-7546.
Butte College Wins National Award for
Innovations in Reversing Global Warming
Reston, VA– Butte College in Oroville, California has been named the Grand Prize Winner in the National Wildlife Federation’s Chill Out: Campus Solutions to Global Warming nationwide competition. This award program honors the U.S. schools that are ahead of their time in addressing global warming and being highly creative in doing so. Butte College was one of eight winning schools chosen from a nationwide pool of entries.
“Every one of our Chill Out winners deserves an Oscar for the example they have set," says Julian Keniry, Director of Campus and Community Leadership for the National Wildlife Federation. "Campuses nationwide are demonstrating that we can combat global warming, protect habitat, and save money at the same time. These campuses are actually doing what the science says should be done to reduce the threat of global warming.”
Earlier this year, Focus the Nation brought together one million young adults on 1,100 campuses throughout the country to discuss solutions to global warming. National Wildlife Federation’s Chill Out Competition takes that discussion to the next level by showcasing campuses that have stepped up and implemented real solutions for reducing carbon dioxide emissions, the root cause of global warming.
This prestigious award was given to Butte College for its efforts to craft a comprehensive campus climate action plan. Butte College boasts a broad array of comprehensive global warming pollution reduction initiatives, including a Sustainability Studies certificate program and degree program that will be in place by the fall of 2008.
“We’re extremely excited to be recognized as the grand prize winner of the National Wildlife Federation’s Chill Out contest,” said Dr. Diana Van Der Ploeg, Butte College president. “Sustainability is one of our five strategic initiatives and it is one of our goals to be carbon neutral by 2015. We believe as an institution of higher education, we have a responsibility to model sustainability in everything we do.”
Students at Butte College have been instrumental in its environmental successes as well, including the "green design" café, classroom recycling, and creek habitat restoration. The Associated Students funded a Sustainability Resource Center with books, journals, magazines, and staff.
Butte College is on the track to be carbon neutral by 2015 and is employing energy efficiency measures in all campus facilities, as well as a Green Building certificate program for five new buildings to achieve this goal. From 2002 to 2006, Butte College has already decreased its electricity and natural gas use by 33 percent. Butte College recycles 75 percent of its waste stream and also runs the largest community college transportation system in California, keeping 1,000 cars off the road daily. Butte College is also hosting its second annual sustainability conference, June 4-6. For additional details, log onto www.butte.edu/sustainability.
For these impressive efforts, the National Wildlife Federation will be featuring Butte College in the Chill Out: Campus Solutions to Global Warming webcast on April 16, broadcast live from George Washington University in Washington DC at 7 pm EST. The webcast will be part of global warming events scheduled on over 175 college campuses throughout the nation. Butte College will also receive a grant from the National Wildlife Federation to continue exploring innovating global warming solutions.
Other winning schools in the contest include: The University of Missouri (Columbia, MO) Cascadia Community College (Bothell, WA), The University of Washington (Bothell, WA), The Berkshire School (Sheffield, MA), The University of Montana (Missoula, MT), Berea College (Berea, KY), and Daemen College (Amherst, NY).
Visit www.campuschillout.org to register for, and view, the webcast. More than 175 campuses are registered to be a part of this exciting event, representing 44 states, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Iran, Syria, India and Canada.
The National Wildlife Federation’s Campus Ecology Program has been an integral part of the campus greening movement since 1989. The nation’s 4,100 colleges and universities educate more than 15 million students in any given year making these schools important laboratories for creativity and innovation – keys to tackling a monumental crisis like global warming.
The National Wildlife Federation is America’s conservation organization protecting wildlife for our children’s future. www.nwf.org.
##
Contact: Jennifer Fournelle 703 438-6002 (office), 571 332-2156 (mobile) with the National Wildlife Federation or Lisa DeLaby, Butte College Public Information, 530-895-2937.
Butte College Plans Second Annual Sustainability Conference: “The Greening of Our Schools”
June 4-6
Butte College will host its second annual Sustainability Conference, “The Greening of Our Schools,” on June 4-6 at its main campus, 3536 Butte Campus Drive. The event will bring together regional and state experts in “green” architecture, building design and construction to review strategies for creating environmentally-friendly campuses—on time and on budget. The conference will focus on construction challenges and solutions in order to build sustainable public school facilities for K-12 and higher education. Last year’s conference attracted over 250 participants.
The conference is designed for school facilities managers, design and construction professionals, public education administrators, contractors, and anyone interested in building sustainable construction projects, “on time, and on budget.” Speakers will address “Classrooms of the Future” and integrating sustainability in our culture. Some of the speakers include Spencer Bernal, Director of Cost Management, Cumming LLC; Larry Eisenberg, Executive Director, Los Angeles Community College District; Fred Harris, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Chancellor’s Office of the California Community Colleges, Margaret Lednicky, Project Coordinator, LPA Sacramento; Sherman Wong, Principal, Public Agency Law Group; and Atul Khanzode, Virtual Building Coordinator, DPR Construction.
Butte College has long been dedicated to educational excellence, environmental stewardship, and community partnerships. The main campus functions similar to a small city, providing our own water and transportation systems, waste treatment facility, police department, and much of its own energy generating capacity. Butte College operates the largest community college transportation system in California —keeping over 1,000 cars off the road each day. The college’s solar array is one of the largest for any community college meeting one-third of the campus’ energy needs. Thirty percent of its electric needs are supplied by its 900 kilowatt solar system. This project, which was completed in 2005 features a 3.5 acre solar array and saves the College over $300,000 per year. It also eliminates over 2.3 million lbs. of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere annually.
The College is presently under construction with a new Instructional Arts building, and when completed will be certified as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) New Construction (NC) Silver by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). Another building scheduled to break ground in May 2008, is the Student and General Services Building, which will also be certified to the LEED-NC Silver standard with the USGBC. The College is working to certify up to five existing buildings using the LEED Existing Building (EB) standard. Butte College has recently completed a series of energy conservation projects throughout all campus facilities including lighting occupancy retrofits and upgrading HVAC units. From 2002 to 2006, the college has decreased our electricity and natural gas usage, on a per square foot basis, by 33%.
To register for the conference, visit www.butte.edu/sustainability or call 530/895-2381.
Eight U.S. Colleges Win National Award for Their
Innovations in Reversing Global Warming
Embargoed Until April 10
Reston, VA (April 10) – Eight colleges and universities from across America have won national recognition in the National Wildlife Federation’s Chill Out: Campus Solutions to Global Warming nationwide competition. This award program honors the U.S. schools that are ahead of their time in addressing global warming and being highly creative in doing so. The eight winning schools were chosen from a nationwide pool of entries.
The winners include: a new model carbon trading system, extreme energy efficiency measures, an energy efficiency and renewable energy plan that leads to carbon neutrality, the use of forest land for carbon storage, and ways to reduce the global warming impact of commuting students.
“Every one of our Chill Out winners deserves an Oscar for the example they have set," says Julian Keniry, Director of Campus and Community Leadership for the National Wildlife Federation. "Campuses nationwide are demonstrating that we can combat global warming, protect habitat, and save money at the same time. These campuses are actually doing what the science says should be done to reduce the threat of global warming.”
Earlier this year, Focus the Nation brought together one million young adults on 1,100 campuses throughout the country to discuss solutions to global warming. National Wildlife Federation’s Chill Out Competition takes that discussion to the next level by showcasing campuses that have stepped up and implemented real solutions for reducing carbon dioxide emissions, the root cause of global warming.
Butte College in Oroville, California has been named the Grand Prize Winner in the Chill Out competition. Butte College, a two-year community college, is on the track to be carbon neutral by 2015, without carbon offsets, and is employing energy efficiency measures in all campus facilities. The College boasts a broad array of comprehensive global warming pollution reduction initiatives, including a Sustainability Studies certificate program and degree program that will be in place by the fall of 2008. The College also runs the largest community college transportation system in California, recycles more than 75 percent of its operations waste stream, and has a solar panel that accounts for 28% of the campus electricity use.
Both Cascadia Community College and the University of Washington, Bothell won the Habitat Restoration, Waste Reduction, Educational Awareness and More award. The College and the University are co-located on a single campus in Washington created to increase higher education access on the eastside of Seattle. The campus contains an expansive stretch of restored urban wetlands and incorporates an array of sustainable initiatives.
The University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri won the Energy Efficiency award for its intelligent and creative energy plan. The University of Missouri has achieved zero global warming pollution emissions growth while also expanding the University. Since the inception of its energy conservation program in 1990, total campus energy use has been reduced by 19 percent while campus space has grown by nearly 60 percent.
The Berkshire School in Sheffield, Massachusetts won the Innovative and Experimental Solutions award. Berkshire School has implemented a global warming pollution emissions trading system between dorms to both help reduce global warming pollution and educate the student body. This innovative and exciting approach provides students with economic incentives for achieving reductions in pollution. The program will also reduce the School's electricity use by more than 32,000 kilowatts during the 2007-2008 academic year.
The University of Montana, in Missoula, Montana won the Transportation award. The University's transit system is run by the student body. Since its inception, the student-run organization has increased student ridership and reduced its global warming pollution emissions. In 2006-2007, the program reduced carbon emissions by roughly 170 tons.
Berea College and Daemen College won Video awards for their green initiatives and programs.
Berea College in Berea, Kentucky created a video entitled "Doing the Green Thing." The video includes footage of Berea College’s 8,400 acre, sustainably managed forest that offsets the College’s carbon emissions. The video also showcases an educational farm that demonstrates sustainable farming techniques and provides local food.
Daemen College in Amherst, New York created a video entitled "The Little College that Could." The video showcases a new green building with a geothermal system, an eco-trail that provides natural habitat for students to study and wildlife to enjoy, energy audits performed by the student body, and a large recycling initiative on campus.
For these impressive efforts, the National Wildlife Federation will be featuring the winning colleges in the Chill Out: Campus Solutions to Global Warming webcast on April 16, broadcast live from George Washington University in Washington DC at 7pm EST. The webcast will be part of global warming events scheduled on over 175 college campuses throughout the nation. The colleges will also receive a grant from the National Wildlife Federation to continue exploring innovating global warming solutions.
Visit www.campuschillout.org to register for, and view, the webcast. More than 175 campuses are registered to be a part of this exciting event, representing 44 states, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Iran, Syria, India and Canada.
The National Wildlife Federation’s Campus Ecology Program has been an integral part of the campus greening movement since 1989. The nation’s 4,100 colleges and universities educate more than 15 million students in any given year making these schools important laboratories for creativity and innovation – keys to tackling a monumental crisis like global warming.
The National Wildlife Federation is America’s conservation organization protecting wildlife for our children’s future. www.nwf.org.
##
Contact: Jennifer Fournelle 703 438-6002 (office), 571 332-2156 (mobile)
Butte College Fashion Students Present
“ASSIGNMENT RUNWAY”
Butte College’s fashion students will present its annual fashion show “Assignment Runway” on May 9 at 1078 Gallery on 820 Broadway in downtown Chico at 8 p.m. Fashions from Oroville and Chico retailers along with the latest fashion trends for men and women will be on display. The fashion show will present four different stylistic themes: Wipe Out, Spectrum, Silhouettes, and Delusion. Tickets are $5 in advance or $7 at the door and can be purchased by calling Butte College at 895-2404.
Butte College Hosts Mothers Day Pottery Sale
The Butte College Ceramics Department will hold its annual Mothers Day Pottery Sale on Tuesday, May 6 and Wednesday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Butte College cafeteria, 3536 Butte Campus Drive in Oroville. The sale will be held at the Chico Center, 2320 Forest Avenue in Room 120 on Thursday, May 8 from 10 to 2 p.m. A wide variety of hand-made pottery and ceramic art will be for sale at very reasonable prices. Proceeds from the pottery sale will benefit the ceramics department. For more information, call Butte College at 895-2404.
Butte College’s Honor Society
Ranked #4 in the World!
Beta Theta Kappa, Butte College’s chapter of the international honor society, Phi Theta Kappa, has been recognized as a “Most Distinguished Chapter” and is now ranked #4 in the world from a field of over 1,200 chapters.
The honor society took home the distinction at the 90th Annual International Convention of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. A total of nine students, a faculty advisor, and Butte College president, Diana Van Der Ploeg attended the convention.
In addition, Melissa Nall was awarded the Distinguished Chapter President, Sheila Burson was recognized as the Distinguished Chapter Member, John Mantle received the Distinguished Chapter Officer and Dr. Roger Ekins earned the Distinguished Advisor award. The honor society also took home awards for Service Hallmark, Scholarship Hallmark, and the Beta Alpha Continued Excellence Hallmark.
“This is a tremendous accomplishment and we’re extremely proud of our chapter,” said Dr. Diana Van Der Ploeg, Butte College president.
“Our honor society has placed in the top six worldwide over the last five years and I continue to be amazed by their efforts in the community through service learning, their continued commitment to scholastic success and their leadership.”
Last year, the chapter was ranked #6 out of 1,200 chapters worldwide.
Butte College Wake Up Club Holds Dance
The Butte College Wake Up Club will host a clean and sober dance, “Recovery Gone Wild,” at the Paradise Senior Center, 877 Nunnely Road on April 12 from 7 to 10:30 p.m.
Guest speaker will be Willie Cosgrave, from 7 to 8 p.m. and dance music and lights from deep Sound with Anthony Villasana will take place from 8-10:30 p.m. Food, refreshments and a prize drawing will be offered.
Tickets are $2.50 and available at the Paradise Ridge Senior, Center Zucchini & Vine, Music Connection and $3 at the door. For more information or to make a donation, call 895-2265.
Butte College’s Honor Society Brings Home Awards
Butte College’s chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society has been named the Nevada/California’s top chapter for the fourth consecutive year.
At its annual convention in Santa Ana, the Beta Theta Kappa Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa received the following team and individual recognitions:
- Outstanding Chapter Award for the Nevada/California Region
- “Chapters United” Award Honorable Mention, Art Award: Rae Scevers
- Alpha Sigma Alpha Distinguished Scholar Award: Emily Akimoto
- Honorable Mention, Outstanding Chapter Member Award: Sheila Burson
- Outstanding Chapter Officer Award: John Mantle
- Outstanding Chapter President Award: Melissa Nall
- Honorable Mention, Yearbook Award: Julia Caserta, Chapter Historian
- Participation Award
- Travel Award: Second Place
- Scholarship Award: Chasity Maldonado, Vice President for Scholarship
- Service Award; John Mantle, Vice President for Service
“We’re very proud of our students and they deserve to be recognized for their efforts,” said Diana Van Der Ploeg, Butte College president. “This marks the fourth year in a row Butte College’s honor society has been named the top chapter in our region.”
In addition to the above honors, Helen Hagler was elected as the Northeast California District Vice President for the Nevada/California Region.
Butte College Drama Department and Paradise Performing Arts Center Present “Oliver”
Tickets Now Available
The Butte College Drama Department and the Paradise Performing Arts Center will perform the spring musical production of Lionel Bart’s, “Oliver.”
The production is based on the book Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. Oliver is a young orphan who finds himself sold to an undertaker. He runs away, and is taken in by a group of pickpockets who try to teach the innocent boy to be a thief. Eventually he escapes from the clutches of the crime ring and finds love, happiness, and a home.
The musical production will be offered at the Paradise Performing Arts Center beginning March 28-29 and April 4-5 with Friday and Saturday evening performances at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees will be held at 2 p.m. on March 30 and April 6.
The production is directed by Jerry Miller with musical direction by Tamara Allspaugh and choreography by Melinda Buzan.
All performances are held at the Paradise Performing Arts Center, 777 Nunneley Road. Tickets in advance are $22 reserved, $17 general, and $10 students. Tickets are available online at www.paradiseperformingarts.com or available at the Paradise Performing Arts Center, Butte College Chico Center, and Butte College main campus. For more information call 872-8454 or 895-2994.
Butte College Announces New Men’s Soccer Program
Butte College has announced it will offer a new men’s soccer program beginning this fall.
According to Butte College athletics director, Craig Rigsbee, the college will soon begin a job search for a men’s soccer coach.
“We are pleased to offer a new men’s soccer program starting in August,” said Rigsbee. “This is a strong soccer community and we wanted to respond to the community’s interest in offering this team sport.”
The men’s soccer program will be a member of the Golden Valley Conference.
“We expect our men’s soccer team to be highly competitive in its first year,” said Rigsbee.
Butte College Readies for New State-of-the-Art Facilities
College Keeps Promises to Voters
In March 2002, the voters of Butte and Glenn Counties approved Measure A, an $84.9 million construction bond to complete the Butte College main campus and to construct a satellite center in Chico.
The college has kept its promises to the voters to deliver projects on time and within budget, maximize state funding, keep a tax rate below $20.88 per $100,000 in assessed valuation, and use local contractors to infuse our local economy.
This is noteworthy given that construction costs in California have escalated by over 70 percent since the passage of the bond measure.
The Chico Center was completed below budget and ahead of schedule in January 2005. It provides 18 classrooms, and four computer labs, along with a distance learning center and Training Place for local businesses.
The Learning Resource Center was completed on schedule and within budget in January, 2006. This $20.3 million project provides state-of-the art tutoring space, classrooms, and computer labs on the main campus.
Butte College’s library renovation was completed on time and under budget in August, 2007. This $18.4 million project doubled library capacity on the main campus and provided students with 13 new classrooms – along with better access to on-line resources.
Two remaining capital projects remain to be completed, including the college’s Instructional Arts building and its Student and General Services facility. When completed, both buildings will be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. The Instructional Arts building broke ground January 7, 2008 and is set to be completed by May, 2009. The facility will house the college’s fine arts, drama and music departments along with state-of-the-art classrooms and labs. The Student and General Services building will provide a permanent building for all student services departments, from admissions to financial aid. The three-story project will break ground in May or early June and is scheduled for completion by October, 2009.
Many smaller projects in the Measure A construction plan were accelerated to reduce cost escalations -- with construction being completed five years ahead of the original schedule. Those projects included: improvements to the fire, police, and nursing programs; adding a chemistry lab; renovating life science labs; adding an athletic trainer’s facility; completing energy efficiency projects; and renovating the Life Science, Physical Science, Technology and Business Education buildings.
During this time, Butte College has been committed to being a national sustainability leader for community colleges. Part of this commitment includes work to LEED certify five buildings by the U.S. Green Building Council. The college continues to be recognized around the state for its sustainability efforts on its 928 acre wildlife refuge. In fact, the college, with 20,000 students and 1,800 employees, operates like a small city with its own water, sewer, bus transportation system and police department. With the largest bus transportation system for any college in California-the college keeps over 1,100 cars off the road each school day. Its solar array on over three acres, is one of the largest of any community college—saving the campus over $300,000 annually in energy costs. These efforts will be discussed in greater detail as the college hosts its annual Sustainability Conference at the main campus on June 4-6. Information about the conference can be found on the college’s Website: www.butte.edu/sustainability.
The college has reinforced its commitment to the voters and our community by leveraging its $84.9 million local bond measure to bring approximately $63 million in additional state funding to Butte County. This represents almost 75 cents from the state for every local dollar in Measure A.
Butte College promised it would keep the tax rate below $20.88/$100,000 in assessed valuation—and it has. But even more significantly, the college has shortened the payback time on the bonds by 15 years and reduced the overall debt service costs by 30 percent.
The benefits to the local economy due to the Butte College construction program are significant. Butte College modified its project delivery system to reduce costs and improve the capability of local contractors to bid on our projects. To date, over $50 million dollars from the construction program has been spent on local contractors—money that stays and infuses our community and economy.
Future plans for Butte College include a renovation of the campus center on the main campus and a new bus terminal.Butte College Foundation
Presents Spring Gala Dinner 2008
Four Distinguished Alumni to be Honored
Butte College hosts its annual Spring Gala, a benefit dinner for the Butte College Foundation and Athletic Department, on Saturday, March 8 at the CSU, Chico Bell Memorial Union. The theme this year is “Puttin’ on the Ritz…A Time to Remember,” celebrating the college’s 40 year anniversary.
This year’s event will recognize four distinguished alumni: John Cassidy, Sierra Central Credit Union CEO; Susan Webber-Brown, Butte County District Attorney’s Office Detective; Norm Nielsen, Chico Electric CEO; and Dr. Steve Olmos, Willows Unified School District Superintendent.
“We are pleased to honor four distinguished alumni for their extraordinary achievements,” said Diana Van Der Ploeg, Butte College president. “Our alumni are outstanding and deserve recognition for their entrepreneurial drive and commitment to community.”
The event begins at 6 p.m. and includes a live and silent auction, dinner and entertainment by the Swing Kings. Tickets are $75 and table sponsorships are available. To reserve a table sponsorship or request tickets, please call 895-2359.
Six Butte College Students
Sign National Football Letters of Intent
Six Butte College football players will sign national letters of intent with several colleges today at 11 a.m. at the Butte College football office, 3536 Butte Campus Drive, Oroville.
The following Butte College football players who will be signing include:
David Sims, a 5'10, 205 pound defensive back, is signing with the University of Oklahoma. Sims is a 17 game starter over his two year career and is a 2007 All American, 2007 All Region, and 2007 All NorCal Conference player. Sims’s highlights include 70 tackles, 4 ½ tackles for losses, 1 sack, 3 interceptions, 6 pass break ups, 1 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, 1 blocked punt, 3 returns for touchdowns, kick on return for 88 yards, fumble recovery for 99 yards, and one 2 point conversion return for 98 yards.
Nick Paden, a 6'3, 235 pound linebacker, is signing with New Mexico State University. Paden is a 20 game starter over his two year career along with being a 2006 All NorCal Conference player. Paden’s 2007 season included 71 tackles, 9 ½ tackles for losses, 6 sacks, two pass break ups, 5 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Yuen Tauffetee, a 6'2, 290 pound defensive lineman is signing with North Dakota State University. His 2007 season highlights include 27 tackles, 6 tackles for losses, 3 sacks and a forced fumble.
Javon Forsett, a 5'8, 185 pound defensive back will sign with Tusculum College in Tennessee. Forsett’s 2007 season included 48 tackles, 8.5 tackles for losses, 4 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 pass break ups, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 blocked punt, 2 returns for touchdowns, an interception for 100 yards and a fumble recovery for 33 yards.
Troy Douglas, a 6', 230 pound linebacker will sign with Stillman College in Alabama.
Season highlights included 9 tackles, 1 tackle for losses, 1 forced fumble, 2 pass break ups, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 blocked punt.
Bruce Anderson, a 6’, 230 pound linebacker, is signing with the University of Regina (Canada). His 2007 season included 18 tackles, 3 tackles for losses, 2 sacks, 1 pass break up, and 1 forced fumble.
Butte College Featured in a National TV Segment, “Today’s Family”
February 1, 2008-Butte College will be featured on an innovative, educational television series, Today’s Family, which will air in Portland, Oregon on KPXG during February.
Butte College will be featured in a segment on “Importance of Choosing the Right College,” as part of a “Family Education” series.
Situated on 928 acres of wildlife refuge nestled within the Sierra Nevada foothills of Northern California, Butte College is one of the largest California community colleges and is a national leader in sustainability efforts.
The college offers associate of arts and associate of science degrees, along with certificates in nursing, fire, law enforcement, building inspection, welding, automotive, business, and accounting, among others. The college even has a motor sports program in which students serve as the pit crew for a real racing team—and its chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two year colleges—is ranked sixth in the world.
With over 20,000 students, Butte College faculty and staff are committed to helping students achieve success in all aspects of campus life from academics to extracurricular activities. Butte College offers a quality education that is affordable--with one in three students receiving financial aid. Graduates leave Butte College ready to advance to four-year universities such as CSU, Chico, Stanford, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Purdue, Brigham Young University, and more. In fact, Butte College has the highest transfer rate to California State University, Chico.
Not only does Butte College excel in educational opportunities—but the college has a history of outstanding athletic excellence. The Butte College Roadrunners football team has played in 19 bowl games and 12 conference championships, with over 300 players receiving full-ride scholarships to four year colleges. More than10 alumni have played in the NFL, including Larry Allen, an all-pro who sports three super bowl rings, and Aaron Rogers, the heir apparent to Brett Favre with the Green Bay Packers.
Butte College is located in the heart of Northern California, just 1 ½ hours North of Sacramento and 3 hours Northeast of San Francisco. The area is recognized as one of the Top 10 Art Towns in America, and is home to Bidwell Park—one of the largest municipal parks in the nation. Recreational opportunities abound for students who have time to ski or boat on Lake Oroville—one of the largest lakes in California.
Along with impressive recreational opportunities, Butte College offers students a valuable 21st Century sustainability education. The main campus operates as a small city with its own water system, sewage system, bus transportation system, and police force. The college generates ¼ of its electricity from its solar array, uses its sewage treatment effluent ponds as wildlife habitat, and keeps over 1,000 cars off the road each day with its bus transportation system. The college is home to one of the third largest solar arrays for any community college in the nation and its bus service is the largest for any community college in the state. Reduced greenhouse gas emissions, annual recycling, biodiesel and natural gas buses, along with a planned solar panel expansion will help Butte College achieve its goal of becoming a 100% sustainable campus.
For more information about Butte College, log online at www.butte.edu.
January 22, 2008
CCCApply Online Student Application Portal
Achieves Million Student Milestone
SACRAMENTO – For the first time in its history, more than one million students applied to a California community college in 2007 using CCCApply, the California Community Colleges (CCC) web-based admissions portal.
“This represents a significant milestone for this very successful system technology initiative,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Diane Woodruff. “We began CCCApply in 2001 in response to the need to develop a web-based common application for the entire system, and in just seven short years, the number of students submitting applications through CCCApply has grown from 7,000 in the first year to over one million in 2007.”
Patrick Perry, Vice Chancellor of Technology, Research & Information Systems at the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, added “not only has CCCApply become the primary way new and returning students apply to a California Community College, it is also a location where potential students can find information about community college campus locations, program offerings, financial aid, and student services.” In its seven years, CCCApply has added numerous enhancements to its common standard application, including a Spanish version of CCCApply, an electronic fee waiver application, and an application for international students.
CCCApply was originally funded through the CCC Telecommunications and Technology Infrastructure Fund (TTIP) and managed by the Chancellor’s Office Technology Division who has partnered with Butte College and the XAP Corporation to develop, enhance, and maintain the site.
CCCApply can be found on the web at http://www.cccapply.org/. For more information about CCCApply, contact Catherine McKenzie at cmckenzi@cccco.edu.
The California Community Colleges is the largest higher educational system in the nation comprised of 72 districts and 109 colleges with more than 2.6 million students per year. Community colleges supply workforce training and basic skills education, prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions and offer opportunities for personal enrichment and lifelong learning The System Office provides leadership, advocacy and support under the direction of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges. For more information about the community colleges system, please visit http://www.cccco.edu/.
Contact: Ron Owens 916-327-5356 Office 916-804-4238 Mobile rowens@cccco.edu
Butte College and CSU, Chico
Set for Focus the Nation
Largest National Teach-In January 31
Butte College and California State University, Chico are planning to participate in the largest national teach-in known as Focus the Nation—a national day of actionfocused on global warming solutions for America through the connection of community and government.
“This promises to be the largest teach-in ever in U.S. history and our goal is to raise awareness in our communities and within our institutions on the very important issue of global climate change,” said Mimi Riley, Butte College sustainability instructor.
Butte College and CSU, Chico will be working collaboratively to host day-long teach-in sessions on each campus on various aspects of global climate change from science to solutions. In the evening, a Green Democracy Town Hall will be hosted by both colleges in CSU, Chico’s BMU Auditorium from 6-9 p.m.
The Town Hall event is designed to create a non-biased, non-partisan dialogue between students, community members, and political leaders on the topic of global climate change. All Butte County elected officials have been invited to this free event.
“This is a national effort and we are happy to be partnering with Butte College to bring awareness about global climate change,” said Jillian Buckholz, CSU, Chico sustainability coordinator. “Focus the Nation creates a space for our communities and students to speak their truth on the issue to political leaders who are in a position to make positive political changes for future generations.”
Focus the Nation coordinates teams of faculty and students at colleges, universities, and K-12 schools in the United States to engage in a nationwide, interdisciplinary discussion about global warming. The intent is to focus the growing concern in the country about global climate change, and to create a serious, sustained and truly national discussion linking students and citizens directly with our political leaders.
Focus the Nation was created by Eban Goodstein, an economics professor at Lewis & Clark College. The day provides an exciting model opportunity to create a true national community of scholarship bridging traditional disciplinary boundaries.
Focus The Nation Teach-In Activities – January 31, 2008
Butte College Main Campus
FILMS – Allied Health/Public Safety Center--Room 118A:
8:00-9:20 a.m. The Next Industrial Revolution
Film features architect William McDonough and chemist Dr. Michael Braungart--two leaders in a growing movement to transform the relationship between commerce and nature. www.thenextindustrialrevolution.org
9:30-10:50 The End of Suburbia
With brutal honesty and a touch of irony, The End of Suburbia explores the American way of life and its prospects as global demand for fossil fuels begins to outstrip supply. www.endofsuburbia.com/index
11-12:20 Kilowatt Ours
This documentary reveals the underreported side effects resulting from America’s voracious appetite for coal-generated electricity. Kilowatt Ours takes viewers from light switches at home to the sources of energy, examining social and environmental consequences such as global warming, mountain top removal, air pollution, childhood asthma and mercury contamination. www.kilowattours.org
12:30-1:50 Who Killed the Electric Car
This film investigates the events leading to the quiet destruction of thousands of new, radically efficient electric vehicles. Through interviews and narrative, the film paints a picture of an industrial culture whose aversion to change and reliance on oil may be deeper then its ability to embrace ready solutions. www.whokilledtheelectriccar.com
2:00-3:20 Future of Food
The Future of Food examines the complex web of market and political forces that are changing what we eat as huge multinational corporations seek to control the world's food system. The film explores alternatives to large-scale industrial agriculture, placing organic and sustainable agriculture as real solutions to the farm crisis today. www.thefutureoffood.com
Panel Discussion – Butte College Library Center for Excellence
9:30-10:45 Impacts of Climate Change
11:00-12:15 What’s Holding Us Back? OBSTACLES TO CHANGE
12:30-1:45 Personal, Community and global Solutions
2:00-3:15 Benefits of Living in a Sustainable Society
6-9 P.M. TOWN HALL MEETING at CSU Chico, BMU Auditorium
Sponsored by CSU, Chico and Butte College, local town officials and community members will discuss global warming solutions
Focus The Nation Teach-In Activities – January 31, 2008
Location: CSU, CHICO BMU Auditorium
9:30-10:45 Business and Global Climate Change
Dr. Angela Casler, Management; Dr. Anita Chaudhry, Economics;
Dr. Charles Liao, Economics; and Dr. Dan Toy, Finance & Marketing
11:00-12:15 Science and Global Climate Change
Dr. James Houpis, Dean, College of Natural Sciences; and
Dr. James Pushnik, Rawlins Professor of Environmental Literacy
12:30-1:45 Politics and Global Climate Change
Dr. Mahalley Allen, Political Science; Richard Crabtree, Crabtree Law Offices;Political Sciences; Hal Thomas, Special Deputy District Attorney of Environmental Crimes; Ann Schwab, Vice Mayor City of Chico; and
Mary Stegall, Major of Redding
2:00-3:15 Solutions and Global Climate Change: Greenhouse Gas Inventories
Halli Bovia, Graduate Student Interdisciplinary Studies; Daniel Salazar, Greenhouse Gas Specialist; and Dr. Mark Stemen, Geography and Planning
3:30-4:45 Ethical and Psychological Aspects of Global Climate Change
Dr. Bruce Grelle, Religious Studies; and Dr. Linda Kline, Psychology
6-9 P.M. TOWN HALL MEETING at CSU Chico, BMU Auditorium
Sponsored by CSU, Chico and Butte College, local town officials and community members will discuss global warming solutions
Butte College Graduates 48th Fire Academy
Friday, January 11—6 p.m.
Paradise Performing Arts Center, 777 Nunneley Road
This year’s keynote speaker will be Cal Fire/Butte County Fire Deputy Chief, George Morris.
Special awards will be presented to the most outstanding, top athlete, top academic, and most inspirational cadet. The Mann-Judd Scholarship Award for academics will be presented by the Paradise Elks Club. A total of 35 cadets will graduate.
“The Butte College fire fighter academy has earned a reputation among professional firefighters for being one of the finest academies in the Western United States,” said Diana Van Der Ploeg, Butte College president.
Butte College’s fire academy includes an 19-week program where cadets must pass 52 tests focusing on skills, training exercises and scenarios. In addition to receiving Basic Firefighter I certification, cadets also earn certifications in CDF Basic Firefighter, Hazardous Materials, Low Angle Rescue, Swift Water Rescue Awareness, Vehicle Extrication, Confined Space and Terrorism Response all of which allow the Butte College Fire Academy graduates to be among the most competitive job seekers in the State of California.
Butte College Football Players Sign Letters of Intent
Four Butte College Football Players Set To Sign Letters of Intent, Wednesday, December 19 at 9:30 a.m. at the Butte College Football Office
Background:
Robb Houser 6’3 285 Center
Signing with University of Pittsburgh
21 Game Starter over 2 year career
2 x All NorCal Conference
2007 All Region
Taylor Clements 5’9 180 Wide Receiver
Signing with Arkansas State University
21 Game Starter over 2 year career
2007 All NorCal Conference
2007 Stockman’s Bank Bowl Game MVP
Tied School Record for Career Touchdown Receptions (14)
2007 Season - 44 Catches, 825 Yards, 9 Touchdowns, 1 KOR TD
Joe Ma’aseia 6’5 275 Defensive Lineman
Signing with Portland State University
11 Game Starter in 2007
2007 All NorCal Conference
2007 Season - 34 Tackles, 4.5 TFL’s, 2 Sacks, 2 Forced Fumbles, 1 Fumble Rec
Joe Larson 6’1 265 Defensive Lineman
Signing with Weber State University
20 Game Starter over 2 year career
2007 All NorCal Conference
2007 Season - 38 Tackles, 7.5 TFL, 4 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble
Butte College Alumna Featured in National Jewelry Magazine
Butte College alumna and local Berry Creek artist, Ahna V. White, has had four articles published in national Jewelry Artist magazine (formerly the 60 year old Lapidary Journal).
“This is an exciting time and I would like to credit my instructor, Ron Pickard, who made my metal smith class a fun and informative learning experience,” said White.
After taking classes at Butte College, White said she continued creating at home after investing in a torch setup and some basic tools.
“I couldn’t stop creating, design after design just kept pouring out of me--it was an amazing time for my creativity. Since I needed to pay for my new found creative energy, I ventured onto the Internet to see what I could do,” White said.
According to White, she was able to search online and decided to start a promotional team called the Eclectic Jewelry Artisans.
“Cyber space can be a very overwhelming place when you are promoting alone but with a team of people, you actually have a chance to be seen,” said White. “At first, I was very doubtful and thought that no one would even see my press kits.”
After weeks of research and designing her portfolio, White sent out press kits to jewelry publications.
“I figured if my words didn’t speak to them --maybe my jewelry would,” said White. “I didn’t expect anything to happen. For all I knew, the envelope would make it to the secretary’s recycle bin. About four weeks later, I got an e-mail from an editor of Lapidary Journal which caught me off guard because I hadn’t sent them my portfolio.”
White learned an editor from another magazine had forwarded her press kit to national Jewelry Artist magazine and she was asked to write an article about making one of her pendants.
“After my first article was completed, I asked if I could write a second one,” which White admits was a little gutsy. “So far, I have written four articles and I’m working on a fifth one. This by no means has launched my career but it is an honor and a privilege to be writing for the magazine.”
Ron Pickard was White’s instructor in jewelry design and is thrilled about her recent accomplishments.
“It’s prestigious to be included in this national publication. It’s like having a show at a great New York gallery—it’s that great,” said Picard. “When she called, I told her there’s no one happier than me that she is included in this national magazine, other than her husband and parents. I’m excited when my students succeed—and I feel like a proud parent. Ahna has truly excelled and achieved well beyond my dreams.”
Pickard said students who take a jewelry class will learn basic jewelry construction and design, silver and gold-smithing techniques, stone setting, and lost wax casting. Students also learn jewelry fabrication techniques, soldering, cutting and sawing of metal, and assembly.
“We’re especially proud of Ahna --and our 300,000 alumni ---whose many accomplishments benefit our communities,” said Diana Van Der Ploeg, Butte College president. “Ahna is a gifted and talented artist who is pursuing her dreams and we are thrilled for her.”
The future is exciting for White and she has been working in a variety of mediums: silver/gold jewelry, stained glass, silk screening, photography, and painting. She also recently learned to make hand-carved candles which led to perfume blending and beauty products such as lotions and mineral makeup.
White offers her own line of perfume and cosmetics and specializes in designer cabochons. To see more of White’s works, you can visit her Web site at: http://ArtCreated.com or her jewelry store at: http://Ahna.Etsy.com or her beauty and fragrance items at: http://ITouchRoses.Etsy.com. Locally, you can find White’s products in downtown Oroville at Bonasera on 1442 Myers Street.
Butte College Breaks Ground on $33 Million Instructional Arts Building
- Largest Construction Project Ever on the College’s Main Campus
- First Building to be LEED Certified
Amid community leaders, students, faculty, staff, and board of trustees, Butte College President Diana Van Der Ploeg broke ground on the college’s $33 million Instructional Arts building.
The two-story multi-use educational facility will be the largest construction project undertaken by Butte College, and the college’s first LEED Certified building, with construction expected to exceed Title 24 energy standards by 30 percent.
A majority of the funding is designated from the Measure A local bond measure approved by voters in 2002, while $12.6 million is funded by the state’s Proposition 1D.
“We’re grateful to the voters who have helped Butte College leap from decades old facilities into state-of-the-art labs and classrooms,” said Diana Van Der Ploeg, Butte College president. “We’re also proud of our track record and have been recognized around the state for keeping our construction projects on time and under budget.”
The facility will house fine arts programs and include instructional arts labs for music, painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, fashion/interior design, photography, and drama—along with a 180-seat black box theatre. The 76,000 square foot facility will feature three computer graphics labs, staff work rooms, and faculty offices.
“This is an exciting day for Butte College. Our new instructional arts building will provide a state-of-the-art facility for our students who have made do using portable trailers—many of which are over 30 years old,” said Van Der Ploeg. “When completed in 2009, this will truly be a centerpiece of our campus and a wonderful place for students to learn and grow.”
The ground floor will house the music department and several labs for jewelry, sculpture, glaze casting, ceramics, and painting. A single story outdoor yard will serve the jewelry, sculpture, glaze-casting, and ceramics labs, with both electric and gas kilns. The music lecture space, located at the north side, is a large volume single-story area
abutting the two-story portion. The second floor will include large classrooms for art history, art lecture, the photography department, and graphics studios.
The western portion of the building will house the 180-seat studio theater, scene shop, and lobby. Additional support spaces will be included such as the costume shop, green room, dressing room, and acting lab.
Butte College with its main campus in Oroville and centers in Chico and Orland, has a student population of 22,000—and is quickly becoming recognized as a national leader in sustainability efforts on its 928 acre wildlife refuge.
The college diverts 75% of its recycling and its solar array—one of the largest for any community college—is generating approximately 1/3 of the college’s energy. The college also has the largest bus transportation systems for any community college in the state—keeping over 1,000 cars off the road each day.
The college has a number of designated “green buildings” on its main campus, including the Allied Health, Public Service Center, Learning Resource Center, Library Annex, and Chico Center. It is also planning its second annual national sustainability conference on June 4-6, 2008 at its main campus.
Butte College Set to Break Ground on
$33 Million Instructional Arts Facility
Largest Construction Project Ever on the College’s Main Campus
First Building to be officially LEED Certified
WHERE: Butte College Main Campus, 3536 Butte Campus Drive—Near Fine Arts Building
WHEN: Wednesday, December 12 at 12:15 p.m.
WHAT: Butte College President Diana Van Der Ploeg and the Board of Trustees will break ground on the college’s $33 million Instructional Arts Facility on Wednesday, December 12 at 12:15 p.m.
Background on the Instructional Arts Facility:
The two-story multi-use educational facility will be the largest construction project undertaken by Butte College. The facility will house fine arts programs and include instructional arts labs for music, painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, fashion/interior design, photography, and drama—along with a 180-seat black box theatre. The 76,000 square foot facility will feature three computer graphics labs, staff work rooms, and faculty offices. The project will cost $33 million—with a majority of funding designated from the Measure A local bond measure approved by voters in 2002. A total of $12.6 million will be funded by the state’s Proposition 1D.
The ground floor will house the music department and several labs for jewelry, sculpture, glaze casting, ceramics and painting. A single story outdoor yard will serve the jewelry, sculpture, glaze-casting and ceramics labs, with both electric and gas kilns. The music lecture space, located at the north side, is a large volume single story area abutting the two-story portion. The second floor will include large classrooms for art history, art lecture, the photography department and graphics studios.
The western portion of the building will house the 180-seat studio theater, scene shop, and lobby. Additional support spaces will be included such as the costume shop, green room, dressing room and acting lab.
This facility will be the college’s first LEED Certified building, with construction expected to exceed Title 24 energy standards by 30 percent.
Butte College is quickly becoming recognized as a national leader in sustainability efforts on its 928 acre wildlife refuge. The college diverts 75% of its recycling and its solar array—is one of the largest for any community college—generating approximately 1/3 of the college’s energy. The college also has the largest bus transportation systems for any community college in the state—keeping over 1,000 cars off the road each day.
The college also has a number of designated Green Buildings on its main campus, including the Allied Health, Public Service Center, Learning Resource Center, Library Annex, and Chico Center. The college’s facilities program has been recognized statewide for producing construction projects on time and within budget. With the passage of an $85 million local bond Measure A in 2002, the college has kept its promise to the voters with construction of a number of large new buildings, including the Chico Center, Learning Resource Center, and Library expansion.
Butte College Offers Study Abroad Program
Ever considered traveling abroad? Why not earn units and receive a valuable hands-on education? Butte College is offering a variety of locations for students to study abroad in 2008 and opens a window to the world they otherwise might not discover through this international program.
During the summer of 2008, Butte College will provide opportunities to visit Italy, Southern Mexico and the Yucatan and Turkey for two to three and a half week sessions. The college will again offer its 8-week semester abroad in Costa Rica during the fall of ’08.
“Studying abroad also allows students to gain global work experience and potentially learn about personal or family heritage,” said David Cooper, Butte College Study Abroad Coordinator. “Students earn college credits while learning about other cultures and languages, and the experience can help them see the United States from another perspective.”
One exciting Study Abroad program will be offered in June 2008 with Butte College instructor Ayse Taskiran on a tour of the ancient Mediterranean—touring Turkey for 23 days while earning college credits.
“Students will visit some great cities and ancient sites in the western, central and southern regions of the country,” said Taskiran.
Dr. Taskiran grew up in Turkey and will provide students a guided tour of this amazing country with her local knowledge and insight. The Turkish trip will run eight weeks from June 1 to June 24, 2008, and is limited to 25 students.
Students will earn a total of seven units with three units in Anthropology 16--Archaeology and Ancient Societies; three with Political Science/History 20--Political History of the Middle East; and one unit with IDST 90--Special Topics. Cost of the program is $4,350 and applications will be accepted until December 14, 2007.
Another study abroad group of 25 students will tour Italy for three weeks which includes a two-week conversational Italian class in Rome. Students can earn six units in an interdisciplinary approach with credits for conversational Italian and Humanities.
Students will visit the Eternal City, including stops at its historical center, Angels and Demons Tour, Coliseum, Mithras Temple, Villa Borghese and spend a three-day weekend in Sorrento, with a visit to Pompeii. A week trip to Venice, Milan and Assisi also is planned, and students will have the option of visiting the Vatican City—or taking gondola rides and Italian cooking and wine tasting classes. Applications for this trip will be taken until February 29, 2008. Instructors Judith Rojas and John Osborne will be leading this trip which will run May 30, to June 19, 2008. Cost of this program is $3,900-4,200, depending on accommodations selected.
Another Study Abroad program includes the Maya and Yucatan Tour in Mexico-- a 14-day trip led by anthropology professor Dr. Mike Findlay and art history professor David Cooper. Its purpose is to provide in-depth study of the concepts of culture, culture change and the development of state societies in a non-western context.
The Mesoamerican and Mayan cultures are to be studied as will the Spanish influence on the culture. Places to be visited include Villahermosa, the classic Maya site of Palenque, San Cristobal de Las Casa, Cancun and many other points of interest.
“The Yucatan trip will provide the group access to sites individuals or small groups normally would not be allowed to see because of an instructor’s archeological connections there,” said Cooper. Cost of this program is $2,200.
Butte College will offer a semester abroad program in Costa Rica during fall 2008.
Local instructors Ileana Gantt and Christine Wood will lead the program working closely with Costa Rican teachers and facilitators to teach language and cultural skills.
Students become totally immersed in Spanish while learning peace studies. During the program, students will go to the CPI language school in San Joaquin de Flores, Heredia, serve as volunteers at the Floor de Paradise ecological farm in Cartago, visit the hot springs at Vulcan Adrenal National Park and UPEACE, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, and the Peas Volcano.
The program costs $3,900 for the entire 8-weeks, and students may earn up to 16 units in Spanish, psychology and service learning.
According to Cooper, Ileana Gantt is a Costa Rican native who offers a unique local perspective on the country.
“Costa Rica is a very modern country with a high literacy rate, provides free education to everyone and offers a well-developed medical system with universal free health care. The area is known for its wildlife preserves, volcanoes, coffee and banana plantations, pineapple farms and other tropical fruit.
“The Costa Rican people are friendly and patient about sharing their language and culture. It also is a safe place to travel and the dollar is strong there unlike Europe, he said. “Costa Rica is a beautiful country with tropical beaches and mountains. The wildlife is amazing with reptiles, amphibians, monkeys, birds and a tremendous biodiversity.’’
To reserve your space in a Study Abroad program, contact David Cooper, Butte College Study Abroad Coordinator at 895-2415, or CooperDa@butte.edu.###