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Jan. 5, 2023
Greetings Students!
We are looking forward to the beginning of winter semester! Classes begin the week of Jan. 9.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a great place for you. We are so glad you found us. Whether you are continuing with us toward degree completion or transfer, joining us for the first time or returning after many semesters away from college, we welcome you! As you begin this winter semester, my advice to you includes the following:
- Attend and participate in your classes
- Complete and submit required assignments on time
- Stay in close communication with faculty members
- Seek assistance if you need it; staff members are available in the tutoring center, libraries and in Student Development Services
This new year will provide the opportunity to follow through on what you have started. Thank you for choosing Kalamazoo Valley. Stay safe and take good care of yourselves and one another.
Sincerely,
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President
Welcome to Winter Semester
With the new semester less than a week away, we would like our Kalamazoo Valley community to be cautious in your travels to and from the campuses. We still have plenty of winter left.
While on the campuses, please monitor your personal property. Too often, people leave unattended laptops, cell phones and other property. These provide for crimes of opportunity. Your property may be stolen in a matter of seconds. If you observe suspicious activities on or near our campuses please notify Public Safety. Your timely notifications may alleviate criminal activity. (If you see, something say something)
Don Benthin
Director of Public Safety
Need Assistance? Student Services can Help!
Students who need assistance should contact one of the many student services departments listed here to schedule:
- Virtual appointments
- In-person appointments
Call or email for an appointment so that we can best serve you.
Please note: The Financial Aid office, Admissions, Registration and Records office and Student Development Services will all be open until 7 p.m. on the first and second days of the semester, Jan. 9 and 10, to assist you!
New to Kalamazoo Valley? Get Your Valley ID Card
As a new student, you need to get a Valley ID card. A Valley ID card is needed to use many student services, including parking validation, testing and door access at our downtown campuses. We are happy to produce your student ID card virtually using the Student Information Center. Here's what you need to do:
1. Take a clear, front-facing, head and shoulders photo of yourself.
2. Upload your photo and required information here. (You'll need to log into your MyValley account)
3. Once we verify your ID, we'll link your photo to class rosters and send your ID in the mail. It may take up to two weeks for you to receive your Valley ID in the mail, so upload your photo today. You must be signed up for classes for the winter semester and tuition must be paid before you will receive your ID.
You may also schedule an appointment to obtain your Valley ID card in person at Anna Whitten Hall by calling 269.373.7800 or at the Texas Township Campus by calling 269.488.4100.
Free Parking on all Kalamazoo Valley Campuses
Texas Township Campus: Ample parking is available free of charge at the Texas Township Campus. No parking pass needed. Do not park in reserved parking areas or you will be ticketed.
Arcadia Commons Campus: Kalamazoo Valley provides parking for students who are currently enrolled in at least one course at the Arcadia Commons Campus. Parking is validated in either the front office of Anna Whitten Hall or at the receptionist desk at the Center for New Media. Parking is in Ramp 4 only, located one block north of the campus at the corner of Eleanor and Rose streets.
Bronson Healthy Living Campus: Kalamazoo Valley provides parking for students who are currently enrolled in at least one course at the Bronson Healthy Living Campus. Parking is free in the student parking lots located east of the Portage Creek on East Walnut Street and off John Street at the Food Innovation Center. Overflow parking is available at the Epic Center Parking Ramp.
Important Upcoming Dates
- Winter semester begins Jan. 9
- Last day to drop/add first 14-, 12- and seven-week classes is Jan. 15
- The college is closed Jan. 16 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Second 12-week classes begin Jan. 24
You may drop or withdraw from classes using the self-service registration feature inside MyValley. Watch our how-to-video to learn how this is accomplished. You may also drop classes in person in the Admissions, Registration and Records office (Room 9140, TTC) or at the Student Service Center in Anna Whitten Hall on the Arcadia Commons Campus. Discontinuing class attendance and/or notifying the instructor is not an official drop. You must complete the paperwork or use the self-service feature. If you fail to officially drop a course, registration is continued until the end of class and the grade earned is recorded on your transcript. Discontinuing course attendance is a very important decision. Consult with appropriate people to accurately assess your current situation and re-evaluate as necessary. Please reference our Dropping or Withdrawing web page for guidance on making this decision.
Need Help with Your Schedule?
No appointment is necessary to see an advisor or counselor through Jan. 13. Simply stop by Room 9300 on the Texas Township Campus or Room 120 at Anna Whitten Hall to see someone. You can also call 269.488.4040 to get in a virtual line and wait for a call back from an advisor or counselor.
Financial Aid Can Be Used for Book Purchases
If you are new to Kalamazoo Valley Community College, you may not know that your financial aid can be used to buy books and school supplies at the Bookstore on the Texas Township Campus. Either purchase your items in person from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday, or online - your choice! Online orders may be picked up at TTC or the Anna Whitten Hall Library at the Arcadia Commons Campus in downtown Kalamazoo, or mailed to any address you want. Shipping is $5.
Additional Financial Assistance Available for Winter Semester
The Financial Aid Office at Kalamazoo Valley Community College has a variety of additional financial assistance programs for new and returning students. Click here for a list of additional funding options available. Applications listed do not have a deadline and are available until funds are exhausted. Apply today!
Returning Michigan Reconnect students are encouraged to apply for Reconnect Wrap-Around for the winter semester by completing the Reconnect Wrap-Around Application. Funds can be used to assist with books, transportation, housing or other non-tuition expenses related to attending Kalamazoo Valley.
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, located inside the Cougar Cafe, offers a full menu, including the new Subway Series, a new menu of 12 sandwiches that deliver flavor combinations that you will love. The Cougar Cafe on the Texas Township Campus is open Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 3 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.
Student-Run Restaurants Opening Soon
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 (Monday - Thursday from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
Open: Jan. 17 - Feb. 16
Open: March 6 - April 13
Closed for spring break: March 13 - 17
418 restaurant (open Tuesday - Thursday from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. by reservation only. Call 269.548.3200)
Open: Jan. 24 - Feb. 16
Open: March 7 - April 13
Closed for spring break: March 13 - 17
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.
Workout for Free on Campus
The Wellness and Fitness Center on the Texas Township Campus is open to all currently enrolled students and offers:
- 40+ pieces of cardio equipment
- Complete lineup of strength equipment
- Easy to follow full-body circuit
- Spacious yoga room
- Complimentary towels available
- Lockers upon request
- Locker room access with showers
- Pool access
- Free weight room
Wellness and Fitness Center hours are Monday - Thursday from 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Friday from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.
The pool is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Kalamazoo Valley, Kalamazoo College collaborate for MLK, Jr. Day Celebrations
Join Kalamazoo Valley and Kalamazoo College as we pay tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy. The theme of this year's celebrations is unified around understanding the past, educating the present and moving toward the betterment of African American communities. Upcoming events include:
Jan. 13 | Echoes of the Past | 11 a.m. - Noon
Join us for a performance event that explores turning points, strengths and courage within the lives of African and African American women spanning over 150 years. This event is open to the public and will be located at Kalamazoo College's Stetson Chapel. Click here to learn more.
Jan. 13 | Understanding Race and Racism in U.S. History: Racialization Workshop for International Students | 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
International students are encouraged to join this workshop designed for understanding the history of race, racism and racialization in the U.S. This event's location is currently TBD. To learn more, contact Trice Batson.
Jan. 13 | 'Wakanda Forever' Movie Showing | 9 p.m.
Join us for a "Wakanda Forever" movie showing at Kalamazoo College's Dalton Theatre at 9 p.m.
Jan. 16 | Critical Black Masculinity: From Birth of a Nation to Wakanda | 11 a.m. - Noon
Led by Jonathan Gayles, Ph.D., this enlightening presentation critically examines the representations and construction of Black masculinity. Click here to learn more.
Jan. 16 | MLK, Jr. Day March and Wreath Laying Ceremony | 3:30 p.m.
All community members are welcome to join this event to pay tribute to the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Participants will meet at 3:30 p.m. at Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Park in downtown Kalamazoo and will join a wreath laying ceremony after marching. During the ceremony, community leaders will take part in speaking about MLK's life and legacy.
Join the Winter Fun!
Kalamazoo Valley's Big Chill is almost here. Music, food, fun and all the information you need to make the Winter Semester 2023 great. Come learn about the resources, student activities and support available to all Kalamazoo Valley students.
Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building Lobby | Jan. 17 | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Anna Whitten Hall Lobby | Jan. 18 | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Texas Township Campus Student Commons | Jan. 19 | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Get Involved on Campus
The Office for Student Life and Engagement is here to connect you with a number of events on campus. From meeting with transfer colleges and 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 more meaningful. For more information, contact Ezra Bell.
Upcoming events include:
Jan. 9 | KVAAP Information Session | 2 p.m.
Join this virtual information session to learn more about how the Kalamazoo Valley Accelerated Associate Program (KVAAP) can help you achieve your educational goals. Upon signing up, a Zoom meeting link will be emailed to you. Click here to register. For more information, contact Kendall Walker.
Jan. 10 | FAFSA Night | 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Financial Aid Office is hosting several FAFSA© Nights to assist families in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA©). Staff will be available to answer questions. Students do not need to be attending Kalamazoo Valley to receive assistance in completing the FAFSA©. If you have questions or need help, stop by the Financial Aid Office every Tuesday between 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., Room 9210 at the Texas Township Campus. For more information, email finaid@kvcc.edu.
Jan. 17 | Kalamazoo Promise Services Zoom Pop-Up | 5 p.m.
Zoom Pop-Ups are virtual presentations dedicated to the development of skills needed to be successful in college and life. Presentations are led by Kalamazoo Promise Services staff, Kalamazoo Valley faculty and community educators. Click here to join. For more information, contact Beth Brandon.
Jan. 18 | Born 2 Succeed | 3 p.m.
Are you a male student looking to connect with others pursuing a degree? Are you interested in networking with successful individuals from within the community? If so, you are encouraged to join the Born 2 Succeed (B2S) program. B2S provides mentoring, leadership development, career exploration, strength/talent identification, peer support, tutoring, workshops and chill nights for male students. Join us on Wednesday, Jan. 18 from 3 - 5 p.m. at Anna Whitten Hall in Room 128. For more information, contact Ezra Bell at ebell@kvcc.edu.
Jan. 18 | EmployU Workshop | 3 p.m.
EmployU Workshops are events designed to equip participants with knowledge and skills that prepare them for entering today's competitive workforce. Event topics range from useful tips to elevate your resume to advice on navigating job search sites. Join us on Jan. 18 in Room 128 at Anna Whitten Hall located downtown. This month's workshop will be a collaboration between Student Employment Services and the Born 2 Succeed (B2S) program. During this event, topics will include soft skills, hard skills and keys to living a successful life. For more information, contact Mary McConnell at mmcconnell@kvcc.edu.
Check the college calendar for other upcoming opportunities.
Student Organizations
Do you know Kalamazoo Valley has a number of student clubs and organizations? From dance club to anime, there is something for everyone. Clubs are a great way to meet people! Check out the complete list here.
College Social Media
Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn for all of the latest campus news. And every Tuesday, you can check us out on TikTok!
Free, Free, Free! - Check out a Basketball Game in January
Basketball season is underway at Kalamazoo Valley Community College! You're invited to drop in at any time at the men's and women's basketball games, which are always free in the main gym at the college's Texas Township Campus. The second half of the season restarts this month, and we're so excited that there are five home games in January! The first one is Saturday, Jan. 7 against Jackson College, with tipoff at 1 p.m. for the women and at 3 p.m. for the men.
Here's the other January home basketball games:
- WEDNESDAY, JAN. 11 | Women at 5:30 p.m., Men at 7:30 p.m.
- SATURDAY, JAN. 21 | Women at 1 p.m., Men at 3 p.m.
- WEDNESDAY, JAN. 25 | Women at 5:30 p.m., Men at 7:30 p.m.
- SATURDAY, JAN. 28 | Women at 1 p.m., Men at 3 p.m.
For the full season schedule, click here.
Need Food? Valley Food Share Can Help
Valley Food Share is an initiative designed to meet the immediate food needs of Kalamazoo Valley students. Through the program, currently enrolled students can pick up a box, or a "share," which includes food grown locally and sourced through our own Food Innovation Center as well as nonperishable items from Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes, to take home.
Valley Food Share distribution is currently a drive-thru service on Thursdays between 2 - 4 p.m., alternating between the Food Innovation Center and the Texas Township Campus. You will receive an email each Thursday afternoon with a link to sign up for a box of food for the next week. If you come by car, we ask that you remain in your vehicle and the share will be placed in your trunk by college employees. If you have any questions, please email foodshare@kvcc.edu.
College, PTK to Collaborate with American Red Cross for Blood Drive
Kalamazoo Valley Community College and its chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for two-year colleges, will be collaborating with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive at the Texas Township Campus on Jan. 19. The event will be held in the Student Commons with appointments available throughout the day. If you'd like to donate, please register by going to redcrossblood.org and entering the sponsor code "KVCC" in the appointment search box. Appointments are required for blood donations during this event. more
CNM to Host February Black Artists Exhibit
In collaboration with the Black Arts and Cultural Center, the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts and the Metropolitan Kalamazoo branch of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Center for New Media will host an exhibition of works by local Black artists in February 2023. Entries are due by Jan. 27. Kalamazoo Valley students are encouraged to apply. more
Kalamazoo Valley Libraries: Library Services Winter 2023
The Kalamazoo Valley Libraries at Texas Township Campus and Anna Whitten Hall are open and available to support you this winter. Check out laptops and hotspots, borrow reserve textbooks, hunker down in our comfortable study spaces or get assistance with research, citations and more.
Laptops, Hotspots and Calculators
We've streamlined - No more online or paper forms to fill out to borrow computers or hotspots! Laptops and hotspots are available for students who do not have access to a computer or Wi-Fi at home. We also have graphing calculators for loan. You can borrow technology for the entire semester. Visit our website for more information.
Services and Hours
Library materials are available for checkout and staff are available to assist you. We also offer services remotely through email, phone, 24/7 chat and Zoom. Call us at 269.488.4328 or email us at libraries@kvcc.edu with any questions. See our website for up-to-date hours.
Reserves & Textbooks
The Libraries offer access to many textbooks used at Kalamazoo Valley. Check our website to see if we have books for your class available. Most reserve items may be checked out for up to three hours.
Study Spaces
Both the TTC and AWH libraries have quiet study space with computer and printer access available on a walk-in basis; no appointment is necessary. The TTC Library has two computer workstations in the study rooms with webcams, so you can attend a Zoom class or take a test in the library.
Research & Citations
If you are looking for help finding/citing sources and researching for class projects, the Libraries have multiple ways to assist you. Visit us in person to talk to one of our reference librarians. From off campus, you can call or email us. Zoom appointments are available upon request. For assistance during non-business hours, the Ask a Librarian 24/7 Chat is always available.
We look forward to connecting with you!
Visit us online
Call 269.488.4328
Email: libraries@kvcc.edu
Chat with a college librarian 24/7
Zoom: by appointment, please email libraries@kvcc.edu
Follow us on Instagram
Campus Band is Looking for Members!
Kalamazoo Valley's campus band is back! Musicians who've missed playing that instrument that's gathering dust in the closet are welcome to join the campus band. The group meets from noon to 1:10 p.m. in Dale B. Lake Auditorium on Mondays and Wednesdays. Jim Roach, retired Loy Norrix High School band and orchestra director, is serving as the director.
Kalamazoo Valley students can enroll in MUS 110 and community members are welcome to participate on a drop-in basis without registering for the class. Roach welcomes participants with a wide range of abilities and ages. "Even if it's been a long time, get out your instrument and come join us," Roach said. "For beginning college students who've been playing for six or seven years, this is no time to quit."
Roach said playing music is a pastime in which one can participate at any age. "You probably can't play football when you're in your 60s, but you can continue playing an instrument for as long as you can carry it around," he said. "It's a lifelong skill."
For more information, contact Jim Roach at jroach@kvcc.edu.
Local Historian Murphy Darden's Pop-Up Exhibit Opens Jan. 12
In celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, our Kalamazoo Valley Museum will open a new pop-up mini-exhibit on Jan. 12 that showcases Kalamazoo-related items collected by longtime local civil rights historian Murphy Darden, Sr.
The "Kalamazoo Through the Eyes of Murphy Darden" exhibit will be on display through March 19. It also highlights pieces Murphy created representing people, places and events in Kalamazoo history.
Admission is free to exhibits and to the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit kalamazoomuseum.org.
Jan. 15: Last Screening for 'HeLa' Play About Henrietta Lacks
Have you seen the play about Henrietta Lacks at our Kalamazoo Valley Museum? If not, here's one last chance!
At 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 15 and for free, watch a filmed version of the "HeLa" play, an amazing story about medicine, ethics, history and race. Limited seating is first come, first served. Advance tickets are available on the museum website. Choose "Mary Jane Stryker Theater" in the drop-down menu.
The play chronicles the accomplishments and local family connections of Lacks, whose cells, taken without her consent in 1951, are still leading to major breakthroughs today. The theatrical production and associated mini-exhibit about Lacks are part of "A HeLa Story: Mother of Modern Medicine" public awareness project, co-sponsored by the college and the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. The exhibit ends Feb. 27.
Applications Being Accepted for April 13 Culinary Competition
Kalamazoo Valley's culinary arts students are invited to submit snack or appetizer recipes and an explanation of how they relate to food science. Applicants who qualify to participate in the April 13 Food for Thought contest will be paired with a research chef or food scientist from Kalsec to create an appetizer to be sampled by guests at the event. Submit your recipe and application by Feb. 28 to foodforthought@kvcc.edu. Apply Now.
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