Greetings Students!

In 1947, during his final year at Morehouse College, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote in the college newspaper, "Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education." I urge you to think about ways that you can help us create a community of honesty, strong morals and a commitment to justice at Kalamazoo Valley. As you encounter new ideas in your classes, remember that part of your learning is considering how you can use that new knowledge to make this world better.

It takes commitment and character to persevere in your education - especially when the assignments continue to put demands on your schedule. I promise that it will be worth it! You are working toward a true education, where you are growing both your intellect and your character. At the end of this winter semester, a glorious spring is waiting!

Sincerely,

L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President

Campus Closing Protocols
Winter weather is upon us. Please note that one of the following six announcements will be used when notifying students and media outlets if the college closes for a portion or full day.

1. College Closed
   The college is closed for business. All classes (regardless of teaching and learning modality: face-to-face, virtual or hybrid/blended) and college activities are canceled for the morning, afternoon and evening. Employees need not report unless instructed by their supervisor.
2. Morning Classes Canceled: Classes starting before noon are canceled
   Regardless of teaching and learning modality: face-to-face, virtual or hybrid/blended, morning classes are canceled. However, the college is open for business; employees should work from their assigned location.
3. Afternoon Classes Canceled: Classes starting between noon and 3:59 p.m. are canceled
   Regardless of teaching and learning modality: face-to-face, virtual or hybrid/blended, afternoon classes are canceled. However, the college is open for business; employees should work from their assigned location.
4. Evening Classes are Canceled: Classes starting between 4 p.m. through the remainder of the evening are canceled
   Regardless of teaching and learning modality: face-to-face, virtual or hybrid/blended, evening classes are canceled. However, the college is open for regular business; employees should work from their assigned location.
5. "Specific" Campus/Locations are Closed, i.e. Arcadia Commons Campus, Bronson Healthy Living Campus, Groves Campus, Texas Township Campus, Kalamazoo Valley Museum
   The college or one or more campuses or facilities will be closed for business. Classes, regardless of teaching and learning modality: face-to-face, virtual or hybrid/blended, and activities are canceled for the day and/or evening. Employees assigned to the campus/facility in question are not to report to work. All other campuses/facilities will be open and employees should work from their assigned location.
6. Delayed Start: College Closed until 10 a.m.
   The college will open for business at 10 a.m. Morning classes (regardless of teaching and learning modality: face-to-face, virtual or hybrid/blended) are delayed. Classes will begin at 10 a.m. or their regularly scheduled time.

Need Assistance? Student Services can Help!
Students who need assistance should contact one of the many student services departments listed here to schedule:

1. Virtual appointments
2. In-person appointments

Updates from Public Safety Director Sean Gordon
Public Safety would like to introduce a newly hired officer. Public Safety Officer John Garwood was recently hired as a full-time officer. He has over 25 years of experience in the police, fire and medical service and is a certified fire inspector and CPR instructor. The department looks forward to using his abilities to keep everyone safe and provide yearly training. Additionally, Andy Sanford has been hired as a new security guard, working primarily at the Texas Township Campus.

The department has a new a full-time officer at the Bronson Healthy Living Campus, Public Safety Officer Nicole Cheadle. Feel free to stop in to the Public Safety office and say hello. If you need to contact the office during business hours, call x4575. A security officer is also now stationed at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum each Saturday and Sunday.

Winter driving tips:

• Make sure you check the weather the day prior to a trip or work.
   
• Drive at a safe speed; four-wheel drive still does not work well on ice.
   
• Remember, that slow driver in front of you may be a young driver not confident in his/her abilities. A van full of carpool kids coming home from practice or someone who was recently in an accident may be taking it slow due to the weather. Please drive at a safe and responsible speed in the snow and ice and leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicle ahead.
   
• Now is a good time to check the tread on your tires. This can be done easily using a penny. Insert the penny between the tread, if you can see "Abe's" entire head, there is not enough tread on your tires.
   
• If you warm up your car in the driveway before heading to work, make sure you at least lock the door.  Police see an uptick in stolen vehicles in the cold months due to vehicles left running while unlocked.
   
• Stop by the Public Safety Office and check out the Public Safety informational board outside the office for more helpful tips.

• Tuesday, Jan. 16 | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Wednesday, Jan. 24 | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• Monday, Jan. 29, from 1 - 3 p.m. | Flagpole Entrance

• Hours 
• Email: libraries@kvcc.edu
• Call: 269.488.4328
• Visit our website: www.kvcc.edu/library 
• Chat: Ask a Librarian 24/7

• Last day to add (second 12-week classes) is Jan. 29.
• Last day to drop for a refund (second 12-week classes) is Feb. 1.
• Last day to add (second half-semester classes) is March 4.
• Last day to drop for a refund (second half semester classes) is March 4.

• Jan. 16, 23, 30
• Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27
• March 5, 19, 26
• April 2, 9, 16

Scholarships Available for Students to be Mascot
Want to be Kal, the Kalamazoo Valley mascot? Apply now for the Kalamazoo Valley Mascot Scholarship. Up to two students will be awarded a scholarship in the amount of $1,200 per semester when agreeing to represent Kalamazoo Valley Community College at on-and-off campus events. Students will share the responsibility during the fall and winter semesters with the possibility for additional scholarship funds for the summer semester. Appearances include: community festivals, local K-12 school events, campus athletic games and student engagement activities on any of the college's campuses.

Requirements

• Be actively enrolled in at least six credit hours
• Submit an application at www.kvcc.edu/finaid and tryout in front of a small committee
• Attend mascot training
• Do not disclose their identity until indicated by college administration

Snacks Available at the Bookstore!
Get your snack on at the Texas Township Bookstore! In addition to books and supplies, did you know you can buy munchies, including small candies for as little as 10 cents, 25 cents and 89 cents? All your favs are here, from Laffy Taffy, Sour Patch Kids, Gummy Bears, Andes Cr�me de Menthe Thins to so much more! There's a wide array of snacks from which to choose, ranging from chips, Welch's fruit snacks, Pop-Tarts, crackers, chocolate-covered pretzels to peanuts and cashews. The Bookstore is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Thursday.
 

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Food Service on Campus
Looking for a quick snack or something for lunch while on the the Texas Township Campus? The Cougar Cafe offers a wide variety of grab-and-go items, including sandwiches, salads and soup. Subway is also located inside the Cougar Cafe. The Cougar Cafe on the Texas Township Campus is open Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Need some caffeine? The Coffee Den, located in the Student Commons on the Texas Township Campus, serves a variety of Starbucks beverages Monday - Thursday from 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

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Havirmill Cafe Opens Today

Students enrolled in Kalamazoo Valley's Culinary Arts and Sustainable Food Systems programs put their training to work in the Havirmill Cafe and 418 restaurant. The cafe offers grab-and-go options as well as a hot bar with freshly made entrees. The 418 provides table service and a weekly specialty menu. Both are located in the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building, 418 E. Walnut St., in downtown Kalamazoo.
 
Havirmill Cafe hours | Monday - Thursday | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. |  Jan. 16 opening date
 
418 restaurant | Jan. 26 - Feb. 15 and March 21 to April 11
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Reservation only
 
Please follow the Havirmill Cafe Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KVculinaryeats and the 418 restaurant at www.facebook.com/KVculinarydining for up-to-date information.

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Register Now for Valley's Feb. 1 'MLK - Beyond the Dream' Event 

Kalamazoo Valley Community College is registering now for its lunch discussion exploring the theme of "MLK - Beyond the Dream: Beloved Community." It will be held noon to 1:30 p.m. in Room 4240 on the Texas Township Campus. Lunch is included. RSVP to Trice Batson, director of Valley's Office of Diversity and Inclusion, at tbatson@kvcc.edu. In February 2023, the college asked attendees to define a "beloved community" and identify how their organizations work to serve our communities. Please join us in continuing this work on Feb. 1, 2024, to reflect upon and organize around the work that needs to be done to further create a beloved community in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Kalamazoo Valley student Gracie Give will perform spoken word.  

How to Address Microaggressions Explored Feb. 6  

Learn about what microaggressions are, and small steps you can take to increase justice, equity, diversity and inclusion at work, school and/or at work, school and society when Emily Williams, executive director of the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership at Kalamazoo College, returns for a free talk on Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 1 - 2:30 p.m. in TTC Room 4240, titled "Small Acts Toward JEDI: Naming Microaggressions - Part II." Lunch is provided. Please RSVP with Trice Batson at tbatson@kvcc.edu.  

Financial Literacy Presentations Planned for February
Get the new year off to a strong start by increasing your knowledge about financial literacy. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion hosts local businessman and Valley alum Tevyn Grayson for two free presentations, on Thursday, Feb. 8, from noon to 1:15 p.m., at the Texas Township Campus, Rm 4240, and on Thursday, Feb. 29, from 2 to 3:15 p.m., at Anna Whitten Hall in downtown Kalamazoo, Rm 129. Both sessions include lunch. To register, contact Trice Batson at tbatson@kvcc.edu. The Kalamazoo native received his associate degree in accounting in 2015 at Kalamazoo Valley, and now owns several businesses, with his most successful being Grayson Accounting Service, which he started in 2020. He is especially passionate about helping Black youth succeed.

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Ready for Some Basketball? Home Games in January
Cheer on the men's and women's basketball teams at their home games in the main gym at Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Texas Township Campus in January. Admission is free. Find the full season schedule at athletics.kvcc.edu.

• Men's dates: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17 | 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22
• Women's dates: 5:30 p.m. Jan. 17 | 5:30 p.m. Jan. 22

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CNM to Host February Black Artists Exhibit
In collaboration with community partners, Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Center for New Media will host an exhibition of works by local Black artists in February 2024. The exhibition is part of the college's celebration of Black History Month. Artwork will be exhibited in the Center for New Media and its Arcus Gallery throughout the month of February. The exhibit's opening will coincide with the city of Kalamazoo's Feb. 2 Art Hop. more
 

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