January 7, 2022
Greetings Students!
We are looking forward to the beginning of winter semester! Classes begin the week of Jan. 10.
Regarding staying safe on campus, we continue to monitor and implement best practices related to minimizing the spread of disease, including COVID-19 and its variants. Our health and safety guidelines require the use of face coverings and proper social distancing in all college buildings. Vaccines and a booster have been proven as safe and effective tools, combined with other health and safety protocols, to prevent the spread of the virus and significantly decrease your risk of becoming seriously ill, even if you contract COVID-19. We strongly encourage everyone to become vaccinated. If you have not already done so, please seek out and receive the vaccine and/or booster.
College health and safety guidelines are based on recommendations from local, state and federal health and safety leaders. The college coronavirus webpage continues to house information related to Kalamazoo Valley's response.
In spite of the significant disruption of the pandemic, everyone at Kalamazoo Valley Community College remains dedicated to helping you achieve your educational goals.
As you begin this winter semester, my advice to you includes the following:
- Attend and participate in your classes
- Complete and submit required homework 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 Success 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
Safe at College Training
Everyone taking classes, either in-person or online, is required to complete COVID-19 Safe at College Training. This brief training outlines the steps Kalamazoo Valley has taken and will continue to take to assure that we are able to operate in a manner that is safe for everyone. It also clearly states what is expected of you, as a student, when you are on Kalamazoo Valley's campuses. The training should take no more than 10 minutes.
New to Kalamazoo Valley? Get Your Valley ID Card Now
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:
- Take a clear, front-facing, head and shoulders photo of yourself
- Upload your photo and required information here
(you'll need to log into your MyValley account)
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.
Book-Buying Options: In Person Or Online
Purchase winter textbooks in person at the bookstore at the Texas Township Campus from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday, or buy them online anytime. Online orders may be picked up at the Texas Township Campus, Anna Whitten Hall at the Arcadia Commons Campus or the Culinary and Allied Health Building on the Bronson Healthy Living Campus, or mailed to your home or other address of your choosing. Shipping is $5.
Final Day for Textbook Buy Back is TODAY
There's still time to get cash for your used textbooks and Texas Instrument calculators! The last day for Textbook Buy Back is today, Friday, Jan. 7 from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. in Room 4370 on the Texas Township Campus. Questions? Call the bookstore at ext. 4030 or email bookstore@kvcc.edu.
Cafeteria, Starbucks Hours
The Cougar Cafe, located on the Texas Township Campus, is open 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday - Thursday. Offerings include: Subway, coffee/tea, breakfast pastries, grab-n-go items, Coke fountain drinks, variety of canned & bottled drinks. Gift cards are now available!
Starbucks, located in the Student Commons on the Texas Township Campus, is open 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Monday - Thursday.
Winter Semester Starts Jan. 10
Winter semester begins Jan. 10. Do you have your schedule? You can find your schedule, class times and location by accessing your MyValley account and clicking on "My Schedule" under "My Links." Choose the term and your detailed schedule will appear.
Not sure how to get to campus or where to park? Maps to all of the college's campuses, as well as parking information, can be found here.
As a reminder, college Public Safety is always available, including after hours and on weekends to assist you. Call 269.488.4575 on the Texas Township Campus, 269.373.7939 for the downtown campuses or use any of the red/blue emergency phones located inside and outside of college buildings.
Inclement Weather Protocol
With winter weather upon us, please be advised that the six different closing announcements will be used to notify students, employees and media outlets when the college closes for a portion or full day. As a currently enrolled student, you will receive text messages from the college if there is a closure.
College Closed Jan. 17
In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, the college will be closed on Monday, Jan. 17.
Extended Advising and Counseling Hours
Need to make a change to your schedule or are you thinking about adding a class? Advisors and counselors are available without an appointment through Jan. 14 - virtually or in person. No appointment needed! The office will be open until 7 p.m. Jan. 10 and 11. All other dates until 5 p.m.
To meet with someone virtually, simply call 269.488.4040 to get in a virtual line and wait for a call from an advisor or counselor. If you'd prefer to see someone in person, advisors and counselors will be available without an appointment at both the Texas Township Campus (Room 9300) and the Arcadia Commons Campus (Room 121 in Anna Whitten Hall) in downtown Kalamazoo. Last sign-in is one hour before advertised closing times.
To find out who you should see, click here.
Get Involved on Campus
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 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.
Jan. 11 | Ready, Set, Syllabus! | 6 - 7 p.m.
Promise Advisor Narda and First Year Promise Coach Beth will help students read through their syllabi, connect important dates to devices and teach students time management skills. This event will be held via Zoom. For more information, contact Beth Brandon.
Jan. 12 | Ready, Set, Syllabus! | 2 - 3 p.m.
Promise Advisor Narda and First Year Promise Coach Beth will help students read through their syllabi, connect important dates to devices and teach students time management skills. This event will be held via Zoom. For more information, contact Beth Brandon.
Jan. 12 | Women's Basketball Away Game | 5:30 p.m.
Women's Basketball Away Game at Glen Oaks Community College.
Jan. 12 | Men's Basketball Away Game | 7:30 p.m.
Men's Basketball Away Game at Glen Oaks Community College.
Jan. 15 | Women's Basketball Away Game | 1 p.m.
Women's Basketball Away Game at Kellogg Community College.
Jan. 15 | Men's Basketball Away Game | 3 p.m.
Men's Basketball Away Game with Kellogg Community College.
Check the college calendar for other upcoming opportunities.
Student Organizations
Did 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. Want to start your own club? Contact Coty Dunten.
College Social Media
Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on both Instagram and Twitter for all of the latest campus news.
Phi Theta Kappa Resumes Mental Health Awareness Speaker Series on Jan 19
Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year colleges, will be resuming their Mental Health Awareness Speaker Series on Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. via Zoom with guest speaker and Kalamazoo Valley psychology instructor, Meredith Holland, who's presentation will be discussing behavioral health and tips for its management. All are welcome to attend.
The Mental Health Awareness Speaker Series, which was launched last month, will feature presentations given by mental health professional guest speakers throughout the academic year. The goal is to bring awareness to the importance of understanding and nurturing mental health and to enrich the lives of our college community.
For more information, email ptk@kvcc.edu.
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 come on foot or on a bicycle, please wear a face covering.
If you have any questions, please email foodshare@kvcc.edu or visit www.kvcc.edu/foodshare.
Did You Know Admission is Free at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum?
Click here anytime for the Kalamazoo Valley Museum's latest exhibits, musical performances, lectures, films, hands-on activities and outdoor programs. The museum is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College at 230 N. Rose St. in downtown Kalamazoo. It is now open for limited hours, Tuesday through Saturday 10 - 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 - 3 p.m. Preregistration at kalamazoomuseum.org is recommended. Walk-in slots are available, but entry is not guaranteed if capacity is reached. Planetarium shows are offered on Fridays and Saturdays, for $3.
Explore Your Inner Child at 'Toys II' Exhibit Opening Jan. 22
Get ready to learn the history of toys throughout the ages while reminiscing and playing with toys of days gone by! The "Toys II: Inside Story" exhibit features 20 play/learn stations and displays that illustrate the simple mechanisms commonly found in toys, letting visitors create their own toy-like combinations of gears, pulleys, linkages, cams and circuits. This exhibition was developed by the Montshire Museum of Science and TEAMS Collaborative, with funding from the National Science Foundation. It runs from Jan. 22 through May 1. Free.
Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., the Kalamazoo Valley Museum is showing two videos of first-hand reflections of him, including a woman sharing how she marched with King when she was a teenager. A third video is a story about peace, a value King promoted. Watch the three videos online from Jan. 10 through March 10 any time, as part of the museum's ongoing virtual Storytelling Festival. The videos are located toward the bottom of the web page after clicking on the live link above.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Beyond the Dream III
A number of Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities are available through Kalamazoo Valley's annual collaboration with Western Michigan University and other local organizations. Visit the WMU website to see the list of community events. Note that the web page is being updated.
In honor of Black History Month, Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Office of Diversity and Inclusion in collaboration with the Office of Student Engagement invites you to attend a virtual program "Beyond the Dream III" - a deeper look at the perspectives of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his impact on our nation, particularly throughout the South in 1967. This college and community-wide conversation, planned for Feb. 2 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., provides participants the opportunity to listen and share thoughts regarding Dr. King's philosophies and its relevancy in today's society. For accommodations and registration details, contact Trice Batson or Ezra Bell.
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