Kalamazoo Valley Community College

InFocus: News for Kalamazoo Valley Community College Students

Greetings,

Yesterday I announced a new series of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) safety precautions. This comes in response to the announcement by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer over the weekend about an updated epidemic order from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. 

Changes include the end of in-person classes except for those specifically related to the training of law enforcement and corrections officers as well as medical personnel and first responders. Your faculty members will be in touch with you should your instruction be affected. These changes begin tomorrow, Nov. 18 and continue until Dec. 8.

Enhanced safety precautions will also include additional restrictions on access to all campus buildings and shifting additional employees to a more remote work schedule. As the work of the college continues, some on-campus services will be offered on a limited basis. Most, if not all service, will be provided online while some will be offered curbside. The flexibility provided by our Pandemic Response Plan allows for this pivot based on new information and these changes allow the college to remain in compliance with all guidelines for health and safety.

The college will continue to prioritize and support remote and online learning and student services, assisting you, our students, with the ability to finish the fall semester on schedule. As previously announced, winter semester is scheduled to begin on January 11.

I know that these are unsettling times for you and for me, our families and our faculty and staff members. Thank you for your continued efforts in less than ideal circumstances. 

I will continue to stay in contact with you in the coming days and weeks.  Details will continue to be posted on the college website at www.kvcc.edu/coronavirus.  By working together, we can help minimize the long-term effects of this unprecedented situation on our lives and community.

Stay safe and take good care of yourself and one another.


Sincerely,

Signature: L. Marshall Washington
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President


Student Services

Need Assistance? Student Services can Help!
Student services are still available via email, voicemail and virtual meetings during regular business hours.

If you need assistance, please contact the following:

Admissions, Registration and Records: arr@kvcc.edu or 269.488.4423
Financial Aid: finaid@kvcc.edu or 269.488.4340
Student Success Services: success@kvcc.edu or 269.488.4040

  • Career Services
  • Life Resources
  • Multicultural Services
  • Student Employment Services
  • Student Strengths Development
  • Transfer Resource Services
  • Veteran Services

Advising and Counseling: counseling@kvcc.edu or 269.488.4040
Tutoring: learningcenter@kvcc.edu or 269.488.4397
Library Services: libref@kvcc.edu or 269.488.4380
IT Help Desk: IT@kvcc.edu or 269.488.4250
Pay Station: paystation@kvcc.edu or 269.488.4292
Bookstore: bookstore@kvcc.edu or 269.488.4030
Office for Student Access: studentaccess@kvcc.edu or 269.488.4397
KVAAP: kvapp@kvcc.edu or 269.373.7946
Apprenticeships: apprenticeship@kvcc.edu or 269.488.4873
Prior Learning: lbrooks@kvcc.edu or 269.488.4873
Internships: intern@kvcc.edu 269.488.4635
Kalamazoo Promise Services: mmorales@kvcc.edu or 269.488.4515


Valley Food Share Thanksgiving
Special Thanksgiving Valley Food Share
Kalamazoo Valley students have the opportunity to pick up a special Thanksgiving Food Share Monday, Nov. 23 from the Food Innovation Center or Tuesday Nov. 24 from the Texas Township Campus. Pick up will take place between 1 - 4 p.m. at both locations. The share will include all of the ingredients for a Thanksgiving-style meal. Students will receive a chicken, potatoes, apples, stuffing, parsnips, squash, celery, carrots, onions, rolls, butter and more. Holiday recipes and a cookbook, created through a partnership between the college and Integrated Services of Kalamazoo, also will be included.

A total of 100 shares are available. Sign up now!


For more information, email foodshare@kvcc.edu.


Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Office of Diversity and Inclusion Hosts Two Special Events this Week
November is Native American Heritage Month, or as it is commonly referred to, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.

You’re invited to join a virtual panel discussion today from 2 to 3 p.m. featuring local and regional tribal members and historians.

A second event, “White People Talking to White People About Racism,” is being offered twice on Nov. 18. Based on a webinar presented by The University of Southern Californian's Race and Equity Center, White People Talking to "White People about Racism" offers a space where white people can help each other in everyday anti-racist work beyond protest and public statements. This 90-minute program includes candid conversations about race, bias and other polarizing concepts of diversity and inclusion.

The sessions will be hosted via Zoom from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and from 2:30-4 p.m. on Nov. 18.


Contact Trice Batson for the registration links.


 
Student Life and Engagement
The Office for Student Life and Engagement is here to connect you with a number of events in our new virtual space. From meeting with transfer colleges, to making a budget, to learning about your strengths - our office offers learning opportunities outside the classroom. Meet new people and connect with campus contacts to make your college experience count. Upcoming events include:

Nov. 17 | Transfer Tuesday | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 
Are you unsure of what four-year college or university you want to attend after you complete your academic goals at Kalamazoo Valley? Connect virtually with college and university admission representatives at Transfer Tuesday.

at Kalamazoo Valley? Connect virtually with college & universities admission representatives at Transfer Tuesday. 
  • Ferris State University | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | RSVP to get the Zoom Link
  • Siena Heights University | 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | RSVP to get the Zoom link.
  • Grand Valley State University | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | RSVP to get the Zoom link
  • University of Michigan | 11 a.m. -  12 p.m. | RSVP to get the Zoom link
  • University of Michigan - Dearborn | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | RSVP to get the Zoom link

Nov. 17 | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Mediation
Learn how to mediate . Great for beginners.
RSVP to get the Zoom link.
      
Nov. 18 | 10 - 11 a.m. | Western Wednesday
Future Broncos! Connect with admission representatives and advisors from across the WMU university systems. 
RSVP to get the Zoom link


Nov. 19 | 3 - 5 p.m. | Strengths Community Conversations

Know your top 5 Strengths, but still wondering what it looks like to apply them to your daily life and goals intentionally? Join us for story-telling and conversations of real-world application with local community members who incorporate what they do best every day.
RSVP to get the Zoom link.

Advising and Counseling
Drop-In Advising & Counseling
Have a quick question? Need to confirm your winter classes? Advising and counseling have virtual drop-in appointments every Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. (last sign in at 5:30 p.m.). No appointment is necessary! Simply call 269.488.4040 to get in the virtual line and wait comfortably at home for a call from an advisor or counselor. Winter semester starts Jan. 11, 2021 - are you ready?

Multicultural Services
Get Focused: The Virtual Summit
Building Bridges Through Education (BBTE) is an education and workforce development initiative through the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce with the goal of connecting, educating and preparing Latino college students to successfully enter the workforce. Through this program, students are given the opportunity to engage and participate in a series of programs/workshops that will assist in reaching their career goals. On November 19, 2020 BBTE will hold its second “Get Focused: The Virtual Summit.”  Kalamazoo Valley Latinx students are invited to attend, free of charge, using the discount code: wmhcc202.  Students will have an opportunity to hear from the keynote speaker, Dr. Angélica Gutiérrez, participate in sessions, and network with other college students.

Libraries
Kalamazoo Valley Libraries:
Current Events Leaving You in Need of a Good Laugh? We’ve Got You!

Kalamazoo Valley Libraries offers research support, but don’t forget we also can provide recreation and that much-needed laugh. 

Check out these laugh-out-loud titles:
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood  by Trevor Noah - Funny and moving memoirs of the Daily Show host.
This is Just My Face: Try Not to Stare by Gabourey Sidibe - Hilarious and hearty autobiography of the Precious actor. 
Mr. Know-It-All: The Tarnished Wisdom of a Filth Elder by John Waters - Latest book of memoirs from the famously naughty wit that brought us films such as Hairspray and Pink Flamingos. 
Modern Romance: An Investigation by Aziz Ansari and Eric Klinenberg - Comedic actor of Parks and Recreation fame teams up with his sociologist friend to conduct a full-on study of love and dating.

There’s lots more where these come from, including books on stress relief and mental health. If you find a book in the online library catalog that interests you, just contact the Libraries and we’ll keep it behind the service desk for you to check out!

Or, if late semester stress is getting to you, we can help with that, too! Call or email Kalamazoo Valley Libraries for help with research, navigating library databases and resources, or citation. Our 24/7 Chat service means there’s someone to help you at any hour. We might even know a good joke or two!


Contact us:
Visit us online at https://www.kvcc.edu/library/
Call: 269.488.4380 (TTC) or 269.373.7848 (ACC)
Email: libraries@kvcc.edu
Chat with a college librarian 24/7: https://www.kvcc.edu/library/asklib.html
Follow us on Instagram:@kalamazoovalleylibraries

Pay station
2020 1098-T Information
2020 1098-T forms will be released by January 31, 2021.  To help ensure your 1098-T form is able to be completed properly, please review your MyValley account to verify that your address information on file with us is current.

Steps to review your address on file with Kalamazoo Valley:
  • Log on to your MyValley account
  • Click Banner Self Service from the left hand menu
  • Click the Personal Information button
  • Click the option to View Address(s) and Phone(s)
If any of this information listed on the screen is not correct, please complete and submit a Personal Information Update Form with the Admissions, Registration and Records office.  

We will also be sending emails by November 20 to your college email address if your record is missing tax payer identification (social security number) information, as this information is required to complete the 1098-T form.  If you receive an email from us requesting this information, it is important that you follow the steps in the email so your 1098-T form is not delayed. If you do not receive an email, no action is required from you.


Questions regarding the Personal Information Update Form should be directed to Admissions, Records and Registration at arr@kvcc.edu or 269.488.4281. Questions regarding the 1098-T form should be directed to the Pay Station at paystation@kvcc.edu or 269.488.4292.

The 1098-T form reports what you were billed in tuition expenses at a college or university. All colleges and universities are required by the Internal Revenue Service to provide you with this information.


College to Host December 20 Drive-Thru Commencement Celebration

To honor its Fall 2020 graduates as well as those students who attained their degrees last spring, Kalamazoo Valley is hosting a December 20, 2 p.m. Drive-Thru Commencement Celebration in the Texas Township Campus parking lot. The event is being held as an alternative to the traditional gathering at Western Michigan University’s Miller Auditorium. Due to safety precautions put in place to guard against the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), the college is not hosting large, indoor events.

Deadline for December New Media Showcase Submissions is Nov. 24
You’re invited to submit artwork for inclusion in the Center for New Media’s Virtual New Media Showcase 2020 which opens on December 4 during Art Hop.

Art in the virtual exhibit will be created by current ART and ANM students and will be displayed and archived on the CNM's Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Entries will be accepted until 2 p.m. on Nov. 24, 2020. All entries must represent digital art/design works and not be created with traditional media. Entries must be formatted for electronic submission following the virtual exhibit Guidelines and Gallery Requirements flyers. The electronic Call for Entries form must be submitted with the artwork. Up to three entries may be submitted. To access the forms, go here.
 
Entries previously entered in any Kalamazoo Valley exhibit are not eligible. Kalamazoo Valley has the right to withhold placement of any piece into the art show.

For more information contact Cindy Parks at cparks@kvcc.edu.

Follow us on Social Media. Instagram: @KzooValley Facebook: @KalamazooValleyCommunityCollege Twitter: @KVCC

Texas Township Campus
6767 West O Avenue
PO Box 4070
Kalamazoo, MI 49003-4070
269.488.4400