For Immediate Release August 11, 2009
CLASSES TO BEGIN AT MOORPARK, OXNARD, AND VENTURA COLLEGES
Fall semester begins at Moorpark College, Oxnard College, and Ventura College on August 17, and there is still time to register for courses. Students can apply, register, and complete their orientations online, as well as in person. In addition to full semester day and evening courses, the colleges offer weekend courses, short-term courses, one-day seminars, and online courses. Some courses begin in September, with others starting in October and November. The three colleges provide general education, transfer preparation, career programs, skills enhancement, and lifelong learning classes.
A new course at Ventura College is Personal and Social Skills for the Cognitively Diverse Learner, a fun course from the Educational Assistance Center that provides training in personal and social skills for students who have developmental disabilities and/or significant cognitive deficits. Another new course is Introduction to STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) Disciplines that uses cutting-edge technology to engage students in research-based lab experiences. This course is designed to capture students’ imaginations and generate interest in pursuing studies in STEM fields. Topics to be covered include electron microscopy, Real-Time PCR, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, and cutting-edge research. The Math Department will be offering modular computer-assisted instruction for Elementary Algebra (Math V01 A-E) and Intermediate Algebra (Math V03 A-E). Each module receives one unit of credit, and a course may be completed in more or less than one semester.
The Ventura College Promise, a program sponsored by the Ventura College Foundation, pays enrollment fees of all recent Ventura County high school graduates who meet the program requirements during their first year of attendance at Ventura College. This same promise is extended to students who have successfully completed their GED requirements or who have completed high school coursework but have not yet passed their exit exam. Only students who enroll at Ventura College during the fall semester will be covered under the Promise Program. Expenses covered by the Ventura College Promise include the per-unit cost of courses, the Health fee, the Student Center fee, and the cost of an Associated Student Body card. There is no minimum/maximum number of units that must be taken, and no minimum grade point average or assessment score that must be met.
To qualify, an applicant must identify an educational goal, take an assessment examination, work with a counselor to develop an education plan, complete a Financial Aid Application (FAFSA), and apply for the Ventura College Promise. Interested individuals can contact a Ventura College counselor at (805) 654-6448 or the Ventura College Foundation Office at (805) 654-6461.
Oxnard College Basic Skills English and Math Success Academy has merged with the Learning Resource Center located in the Library, which integrates tutoring and learning resources available to students focused on self-paced course work designed to improve English, basic writing, grammar, and Math skills ranging from basic equations to pre-algebra. Advanced painting courses will once again be offered this academic year. Last year, advanced painting courses focused on mural painting, resulting in six student murals being completed and placed around the Oxnard College campus. For more information, please contact Christine Morla, Art Department Chair, at cmorla@vcccd.edu.
An introductory course in Environmental Science and Resource Management (ESRM R100) is being offered. Students taking this three-unit course will learn about environmental issues from the local to global level at the Oxnard College Marine Center and Aquarium located at Channel Islands Harbor. Topics to be covered include renewable energy, biotechnology, biodiversity, and human population issues. For more information, contact Kevin Flint, Instructor, at kflint@vcccd.edu.
Oxnard College has launched its first student honor society, a chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. Students with a 3.5 GPA and above are invited to join this new student honor society that provides local, regional, and national networking opportunities. The faculty advisor, Dr. Lori Buckley, can be contacted at lbuckley@vcccd.edu and is also available at 805.986.5800, extension 1999.
In an effort to get students swiftly up to speed at the start of fall semester, Moorpark College will offer a myriad of student success workshops during the first two weeks of courses. The workshops cover everything from taking lecture notes to how to succeed in an online course. Workshops begin on Tuesday, August 18, and conclude on Wednesday, August 26. The workshops are held in the afternoons and evenings to allow for maximum participation. College staff members taking part in the event include representatives from the writing and math centers, career/transfer services, counseling, honors, veterans’ services, and distance education. The schedule of workshops is posted on the college home page at www.moorparkcollege.edu.
A complete listing of fall courses for each college is available online at ww.moorparkcollege.edu, www.oxnardcollege.edu, www.venturacollege.edu, and www.vcccd.edu. With California resident fees at just $26 per unit, the California community college is still the best value in higher education, costing thousands of dollars less than a California state or private university. Students who have not yet graduated from high school can enroll at any Ventura County community college concurrently and will not be required to pay enrollment fees.
The Ventura County Community College District is a partner in the 110-campus California Community College system. The District’s three colleges, Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura, offer programs in general education for transfer to four-year universities, occupational and vocational fields, developmental programs, community service and continuing education, and provide opportunities to engage in co-curricular campus activities. For more information, please visit us at www.vcccd.edu.
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