Last season, Grossmont’s men’s swim team was incredibly successful, it stood undefeated in the All American League, and  was ranked fourth in the Southern California division. Coach Harvey expressed hope that his swimmers will do even better this year.

Among those returning athletes he mentioned were Anhton Tren, who was awarded Utility man of the year and excels in the 200-meter individual medley and 200-meter backstroke; Tom Bruce Aussie, who swims the 100 and 200-meter breast stroke; Forrest Fleschmann, 100-meter freestyle, and Brent Kerrigan, 100-meter backstroke. Last season, Kerrigan and Fleshmann  qualified for the championships of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF).

Harvey said he  is pleased that he has a swimmer for every event this year, because now each swimmer can give his utmost concentration to that stroke or race.

The team will compete in the first meet of the season Feb. 4-5 at Palomar Community College.

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Laurvick is a student studying media communications.  She may be contacted at andi.laurvick@gcsummit.com

Griffin Center lounge in foreground, eateries in background (Staff photos)

By Dylan Burke

GROSSMONT COLLEGE– Griffin Center, the students’ new “sanctuary,”  is a place where students are able to eat, relax, and study.

Approaching the newly constructed, two-story building from the Main Quad, near the signature belltower, visitors see are the palm trees and the boulders outside of the automatic doors.

The second floor with lounges and offices may be accessed by outdoor or indoor stairway or by elevator.

Upstairs corridor offers a place for study

On the first floor, at the right of the main entrance, is a food court, with four different eating place..  These include the Griffin Grill offering such familiar food as hamburgers and  hot dogs; a Mexican restaurant; Get Fresh, focusing on salads, and La Vincita, featuring Italian style foods.. According to Josh Duffield,  a second-year student,  the food is “better than last year”

Places to eat and to study

Duffield described Griffin Center as “a place to just chill and do homework.”  It’s also a place to escape from the cold weather, he noted.

The complex is complemented with a variety of flat screen television sets. According to Melissa Moore, a front window assistant, for the Associated Students,  the TV’s will be on and running as soon as the construction workers complete some final touches on the center.  In a lounge to the left of the main entrance is a large screen suitable for showing movies.

Movie screen dominates lower lounge

Moore said that ASGC will decide what the will be shown on the TV’s, however popular speculation is that news and some sports events will be featured.

Near the opposite entrance of the building is the Student Health Center.  Other offices are tucked away throughout the building, including those of the Associated Students of Grossmont College and Dean of Students Agustin Albarran.

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Burke is a reporter for the GC Summit.  He was joined in scoping out Griffin Center by reporters Jacquelyn Papin, James Spillane, and John Weber.  Any of these writers may be contacted by writing that person’s first name and last name divided by a dot @gcsummit.com

GROSSMONT COLLEGE –Barely had the first week of school begun when I collapsed around 8:30 a.m. in the morning at the Health and Science Department.

I hadn’t been up that early for a class since my final day of high school last June. Whatever I’d been feeling on that Tuesday morning I tried to ignore. I was in my English morning class thinking I was  “feeling fine” and just like that,  all of a sudden I found yourself light-headed and desperately wanting to go back to bed or just get in a much more comfortable setting than that of a classroom.

After being allowed to leave the room, I was visited by a Grossmont nurse and a staff police officer/  I told them I didn’t eat my breakfast but I was certain I was well enough to make it through the rest of the class and,  in theory, the rest of my day.

Apparently I had insufficient fluids in me. After leaving the classroom on my own,  I again nearly fainted, I fell off the staircase.  Luckily, I did not hit my head to the relief of many well-wishing bystanders. The next thing I saw were paramedics coming to escort me to the Kaiser Permanente Hospital.

According to a doctor there, it is not always possible to get to the “bottom” of what causes these fainting episodes;  however, I personally attribute it to not having eaten breakfast that morning.

Luckily for me, my health and for that matter my parent’s money and insurance plan withstood the little drama, and within three hours I was back at my house, spending the balance of the day resting like I should have from the beginning.

This event has reminded me of the importance of eating healthy and having a well balanced breakfast everyday.

I shall remember it as one my wildest starts to school following a vacation or break.

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Burke is a reporter for the GC Summit. He may be contacted at Dylan.Burke@gcsummit.com

To View: You may preview pictures of the items and auction details at McCormack Auction Company (http://www.mccormackauction.com/), beginning Wednesday, February 8. Once on the website, go to the “Auctions” tab where you will see the items for the District.

In addition, there will be on-site previews of all items available on Tuesday, February 21, 2012, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Grossmont College warehouse.

To Bid: You will be able to place your maximum bid when it is convenient for you (available 24 hours a day) beginning February 8 prior to the actual auction on February 22. To participate in the auction, there will be a $200 authorization hold placed on your credit card before you may bid on items. You will be notified once all bidding is finalized.

The auction will include various items. Examples of the types of items included are: 36×40 mobile trailer, bookcases, cabinets, chairs, desks, file cabinets, computer equipment, printers/scanners/copiers, medical equipment, plus 15 individual computer systems, and much more.  Some items are sold individually and some are sold by the pallet.

All sales are final.

McCormack Auction Company (http://www.mccormackauction.com/) will conduct the auction. Details about the auction are posted on its website. There is also an opportunity to sign up for their mailing list, as they conduct auctions for numerous schools and businesses in the San Diego area.

All items purchased at auction need to be picked up Thursday, February 23, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. following the event.

Businesses, as well as individuals, may participate in this public auction.

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Preceding provided by the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

GROSSMONT COLLEGE (Press Release)–After a perfect record for nine years, clean financial audits for the $207 million bond that financed construction and renovations at the two colleges in the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District are becoming almost routine.

The record continued Jan. 17, when Vice Chancellor Sue Rearic reported at a Governing Board meeting that the district had gotten a clean bill of financial health for the Proposition R building fund. Both the financial audit and a performance audit found that the money was being handled properly and followed required accounting procedures.

“These audits are confirmation of the district’s strong internal controls, which is especially gratifying in light of what has been reported in the media regarding other districts,” Rearic said.

Proposition R was approved by East County voters in 2002 to construct and renovate aging and outdated buildings at Grossmont College in El Cajon and Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego. Since then, 13 major projects have been completed, along with numerous infrastructure improvements for the two East County campuses.

The final two buildings to be renovated under Proposition R, the Griffin Center and the Student Services/Administration building at Grossmont College, both recently opened to serve students. Other buildings constructed under Prop. R include a Student Center and Business and Technology building at Cuyamaca College, and a Health and Sciences Complex and a 1,400-space parking structure at Grossmont College.

“East County voters put their faith in us when they voted for the bond measure in 2002, and the audits demonstrate that their confidence in us was justified,” said Bill Garrett, president of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District board.

Before the audit was presented to the Governing Board, it was reviewed by the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee, an independent 11-member volunteer group charged with ensuring that Prop. R revenues are spent as promised. The oversight committee’s role is to review and report on district spending of Prop. R monies and to provide a public accounting of the district’s compliance with legal requirements.

The audit report for the Prop R funds comes on top of the eighth consecutive year of clean audits for the college district’s finances. In December, independent auditors gave clean audits for the district’s general funds; its alternative pension plan; Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges’ foundations; and the district’s auxiliary.

“We take our role as financial stewards of taxpayer dollars very seriously,” district Chancellor Cindy L. Miles said. “Our resources are limited, and we want to make the best use of them that we can to provide a quality education for our students.”*  Preceding provided by the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District’s public information office

GROSSMONT COLLEGE–Cold weather, rain, and that awful damp soggy feeling. Searching for parking for hours, driving through campus hoping to catch a break but still not making it to class on time. Still feeling the effects of that New Year’s Eve hangover. Yup, it definitely feels like the first day of the 2012 spring semester here at Grossmont College and the madness that comes with the first two weeks of class.

Fortunately for us this campus is trying to assist students as they navigate through the chaos.

Take the student activities window, for example. It is open Monday – Thursday, January 23-26 from 8 a.m to 2 p.m to answer any questions you have regarding anything from the location of certain buildings to campus security. The staff is there to lend a helping hand .

What about parking? It may be a hassle yes, frustrating always, but in all honesty there is not too much you can do to change the fact that this school houses more students than it does parking spaces. So Grossmont College has teamed up with the SD Transit system to offer special student prices on bus passes to ease the stress of getting to class on time.  Transit might even save you a couple bucks on gas. The price for the semester is $187, or you can choose a monthly pass for $57.60.

The bookstore has also extended its hours for the first week of classes: Monday –Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m;  Friday 7:30 a.m. – 5:00pm , and Saturday 10:00 a.m – 2:00 p.m. so you don’t have to worry about fighting a crowd for textbooks. Take your time to browse, maybe grab a leisure read.

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Gibbons is a student in Media Communications 132.  He may be contacted at justin.gibbons@gcsummit.com

The estimated 19,000 students who returned to Grossmont College on Monday were welcomed by two major campus facilities reopening after a year and a half of construction and remodeling. At sister Cuyamaca College, an improved thoroughfare, as well as a refinished gym floor paid for by the college district’s foundation, were some of the new developments for the 10,000-student campus.

“We’re going to have a tremendous semester in spite of the difficult budget times,” Chancellor Cindy L. Miles said.  “Our colleges remain firmly rooted to their mission of opening the doors of opportunity to our students to participate in the American dream.”

Despite the huge hit the state budget crisis has dealt the district – a $6.3 million cut and 600 course sections slashed this year on top of the $15 million and 1,000 course-section losses in the past two years — good financial planning has the colleges well prepared for contingencies. The funding reductions by the state had been anticipated and planned for by the district, which thwarted mid-year cuts.

“In most instances mid-year budget changes would be alarming news, but in our case, the current-year budget was developed with those cuts in place, so we are able to proceed into the spring semester as planned,” said Governing Board President Bill Garrett. “I am happy to say we had the foresight to minimize the potential negative impact upon our students and employees.”

Emphasizing a “positive, festive note” to the start of the new semester, Grossmont College President Sunita “Sunny” Cooke joined convocation attendees last week in wearing a plastic boa and paper hat to the New Year’s-themed event.

“When the state of California gives you lemons year after year, we at Grossmont College keep making lemonade,” Cooke said. “At Grossmont College, we can stretch a dollar and keep doing the things we need to do. Despite hardships, fiscal constraints and other obstacles, Grossmont College continues to do exceptional work for its students.”

Prior to opening day on Monday, the two colleges reported that about 95 percent of the available courses were full, and that the waitlist for class seats had grown to more than 22,000.  Enrolling in classes poses a particular challenge for new students who are among the last to register because of the priority given to returning students and others such as military veterans.   Although students are experiencing frustration in getting the classes they need, both colleges are taking steps to help them make the most of their education.

Grossmont College’s student affairs office is hosting “Week of Welcome!” – WOW – Jan. 23-25  with on-campus activities and events, such as information booths, music and giveaways, an open house for the Associated Students of Grossmont College, Inc., and more.

Cuyamaca College also back students with tables set up  by Associated Students to get students involved in campus organizations and to inform them of events and programs that are being planned for the semester.

Some Grossmont College highlights for the coming semester:

• An aging student center and chronically overcrowded Student and Administrative Services building underwent a $36.2 million overhaul. The expansions and renovations were funded by a mix of student fees and Proposition R, the $207 million facilities bond measure approved by local voters in 2002 in response to major overcrowding and outdated buildings.

• Grossmont is participating in a national FIPSE (Fund for Improvement of Post-Secondary Education) grant for comprehensive student success. A pilot program with 90 students will launch in the spring before eventually expanding to include many more students.

• A 50^th -anniversary celebration is planned April 13 and 14, including a sock hop on the 13^th and family-oriented programs and activities on April 14.

Cuyamaca College President Mark Zacovic emphasized the accomplishments of faculty and staff during convocation and offset grim budget uncertainties with the welcomed announcements of a few critical hires for the new semester made possible by several retirements and previous hiring delays.

Some Cuyamaca highlights:

• A $35,000 contribution from the Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges that helped cover the $38,000 cost of refinishing the gymnasium floor.

• The removal of plastic traffic columns and roadway improvements in front of  the Communications Arts building improving access for vehicles and pedestrians.

• A spotlight on some of the Exercise Science instructors who have achieved national recognition: men’s cross country and women’s track coach Tim Seaman is an Olympic race-walker; golf coach Louise Parks, a nationally-ranked Ladies Professional Golf Association member; women’s tennis coach Pam Farmer, a top-ranked women’s doubles player; men’s track coach Pat Thiss, an eight-time conference coach of the year and  California state coach of the year in 2001; and basketball coach Rob Wojtowski, who has sent more than 30 players to play ball at the university level; and women’s soccer coach Dan Codina, who twice coached the team to top-15 finishes in the nation.

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Preceding was provided by the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District public information office

By Mimi Pollack

GROSSMONT COLLEGE– Solo airplane pilot and adventurer Bob Gannon has made the eradiction of AIDS a special cause as he continues his global exploration.  In Uganda, he helped to build a special school and donated money for  children who were orphaned because both of their parents had died of AIDS. Gannon said that unfortunately, AIDS has ravaged many parts of Africa.

This brought to mind the annual Reed Dance he saw in Zululand–a portion of the Republic of South Africa. The Reed Dance celebrates a young girl’s virginity.  Gannon called it the “Dance of the Bare Breasted Maidens” because in traditional times neither young women nor young men had need of shirts in Zululand’s hot climate. Gannon  said the girls danced with long, bamboo or reed poles, hoping the king would choose one of them. He said the king has the right to choose a bride every year, but usually doesn’t.

At the time Gannon attended the ceremony, the king was more concerned about the growing threat of AIDS. He wanted to start virginity testing on both adolescent girls and boys because there have been so many people dying from the disease. Gannon said that the first and the last thing you see driving through Zululand are funeral homes. Despite all that, the dance continues every year, and Gannon said he was glad to be able to see it.

Gannon has spoken at Grossmont College and has agreed to return at some future date to share his adventures.  As part of his odyseey, Gannon has made it a point to visit as many
UNESCO World Heritage sites as possible, especially those featuring animals, as the adventurer is an animal lover.

Among these was the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, one of the 36 [out of 53] African countries he visited.  The park is one of three sites where mountain gorillas can be found under the watchful eyes of the Ugandan Wildlife Authority, which maintains strict controls.

Mountain Gorilla in Uganda {Photo: Bob Gannon}

Visitors are guided in groups of  6-8 people. The Authority allows only two treks a day and all participants must be healthy so  as to not endanger the gorillas. When Gannon’s scouts found the mountain gorillas, the group was required to stay back at least 8 to 10 feet. Gannon said a Silverback male eyed them cautiously, but did not charge them. He said the feeling of being among the gorillas was a mesmerizing and unforgettable experience.

In Namibia, he visited the Harnas Wildlife Foundation, which is dedicated to saving and if possible rehabilitating the lives of wild animals in Africa.  While volunteering there, Gannon saw lions, wild dogs, and baboons, and  made friends with a partially domesticated cheetah who took a liking to his plane, Luck Lady Too.  The cheetah was very curious and walked all around his plane.  He also saw her growling two-week-old cubs. The conservatory had to keep the mother, but they were hoping to release the cubs into the wild once they were old enough

Cheetah by Gannon's plane in Namibia (Photo: Bob Gannon)

On the border of Namibia and Botswana, Gannon landed his plane on an old road, and set up camp overnight in the Kalahari Desert. He was very brave to spend the night there alone, but it was in keeping with his adventurous spirit. A  game park ranger came by to tell him that there was a pride of lions two miles away, but as long as he kept the campfire going, they would leave him alone, which they did. A lone jackal was curious and as Gannon kept on throwing him pieces of meat, he came closer and closer until he was almost eating out of his hand. This was a wild jackal! This was just another of the incredible moments he experienced in Africa.

In Kenya, Gannon wanted to try something different. All his life, he has enjoyed outdoor, physical activities, so he decided to he enter the Maralal International Camel Derby in the amateur division. Having been raised on a farm, he had ridden horses before, but a camel was another story, especially in a camel race! It was a 10 km race. Gannon said that for just over one hour, he felt like his head was in a Martini shaker. It was hard for him to walk for a few days after the race because his muscles were very sore. It was also hard for him to sit down.  However, he placed 17^th out of 58 participants. He said he was pretty proud of that.

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Pollack is an instructor in English as a Second Language (ESL) at Grossmont College.  Part II ran in the Grossmont Summit earlier this month and Part I ran in December.

The Introduction to Green Building Careers is funded through the State Energy Sector Partnership, an offshoot of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and will help displaced workers, the long-term unemployed, new workers, military veterans, and older youths gain the skills to compete for jobs in the expanding green economy.

The programs at Cuyamaca College are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Jan. 23 – Feb. 16, with another offering from May 7 – June 4. A $300 stipend is provided to students who complete the introductory program, designed to provide a basic overview of “green” construction occupations. Topics to be covered include: Basic construction principles; Environmental training; Introduction to green building; Energy retrofits and efficiency; Water-efficient buildings and retrofits; Solar and hot water installation and design; Solar electricity installation and design; Work readiness and hands-on work experience.

Students who complete the green building careers program will be prepared to enroll in more specialized training needed to obtain jobs in construction, solar or other energy-efficiency fields.

The green industry is expected to grow in the next few years with an increased emphasis on energy conservation, such as solar energy. State and federal rebates are available for people who install energy-efficient technologies in their home or business, and workers will be needed who are trained to install the equipment.

Those interested in taking the classes must go through an eligibility process that includes basic skills assessments and various workshops that must be completed prior to the start of class. Students must be 18 years of age or older, be able to read and speak English, registered for selective services, and hold legal status or have authorization to work in the United States.

Attendance at an informational orientation to learn more about the program and eligibility requirements is required. To register for an orientation, visit www.cuyamaca.edu/preview/greenbuilding/index.htm or email: camille.currier@gcccd.edu.

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Preceding provided by the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

The exhibition runs through February 23rd, and an opening event will be on Tuesday, January 31st, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.  The Gallery hours are:  Monday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Gallery is closed Friday to Sunday and legal Holidays.  Admission is free.

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Preceding provided by the Hyde Art Gallery