foreign exchange - Southwestern Illinois College

“Brazilian Portuguese has been really
hard to learn,” said Patricia Keller, Assistant
Professor/Counselor on the Belleville Campus.
She’d been studying the language on her own
to prepare for a Group Study Exchange to
Brazil in 2008.
Then she got a tutor.
“He really energized my studies,” said Keller
of Frederico Dutra, a realtor from Sao Paolo,
Brazil, who had come to the U.S several
months earlier, specifically to learn English.
Lea Maue, English as a Second Language
Director, and Barb Daley, Professor, both of
Adult Basic Education, told Keller about Dutra,
who volunteered to tutor Keller in his native
tongue – Brazilian Portuguese.
Dutra, a SWIC English as a Second
DECEMBER 2007 – JANUARY 2008
FOREIGN EXCHANGE (INTERCÂMBIO ESTRANGEIRO)
Patricia Keller and Frederico Dutra met through SWIC and helped each other improve their respective foreign language skills.
Language student, met with Keller over lunch
every week for about 10 weeks.
Before each meeting Keller would study
a chapter from “Portuguese for Dummies”
and then review the material with Dutra
during their sessions. In addition, to teaching
her greetings and common questions, he
also helped Keller translate her PowerPoint
presentation and autobiography she’ll use to
introduce herself – and SWIC – to Brazilian
audiences.
At times the two found themselves discussing
cultural differences between Brazil and the U.S.,
and it turned out that while Dutra was teaching
Keller his native language, he was also improving
his English.
Keller, along with four others from this
area, will travel to Bahia, Brazil with Rotary
International as ambassadors from the United
States – and southwestern Illinois,“staying
with host families who probably won’t speak
English,” she explained.“It is a once in a
lifetime experience,” she noted,“and I am very
excited!”
Keller had studied Spanish for six years, and
she noted that although some words are
spelled the same way in both Portuguese and
Spanish, they’re not pronounced the same way.
“I get nervous when I speak Portuguese,”
admits Keller,“but I feel much more confident
about my new language skills than I would
have without Frederico’s help. The opportunity
to practice with someone who is fluent and has
proper pronunciation has been great.”

2007 ASSESSMENT INSTITUTE
Several SWIC faculty and staff members attended the recent
“2007 Assessment Institute” held in Indianapolis and hosted by
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. The conference,
attended by educators from eight countries, offered a variety of
programs and presentations to help educators determine how
to assess students – especially in General Ed. Paul Wreford, Ph.D.,
Dean of Liberal Arts; Kathy Kufskie, Assistant Professor of
Psychology; Cory Lund and Tom Lovin Assistant Professors of
English Composition; Carolyn Myers, Assistant Professor of Political
Science and Joyce Ray, Outcomes Assessment Coordinator
attended the institute.
Ray, Lund and Lovin presented a workshop entitled “Building
Consensus through Outcomes Assessment” that they hope to
share with their SWIC colleagues. The workshop explains how the
outcomes assessment process at SWIC has impacted institutional
policies, created a conversation across disciplines that has helped
to more clearly define what good writing is, and identified the
role of writing in student learning outcomes.
According to Ray, one exciting new method for assessing
student learning is through the use of an e-portfolio. She
described an e-portfolio as “an academic resumé that consists
of a variety of assignments that have been captured electronically
– such as a video of a student’s oral presentation or a succession
of writing assignments that show how a student’s writing skills
have improved over time.”
Ray pointed out that an e-portfolio can provide transfer
institutions or future employers with a fuller picture of student
learning than many previous assessment methods could.
FOR THE LOVE OF READING – Southwestern Illinois College Site
Rep Carlton Petty reads to local families who attended the SWIC
Family Reading Night recently at the East St. Louis Community
College Center. Families received free books, and enjoyed storytelling,
games and refreshments.
FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
At the regular November meeting the Board of Trustees
approved recommendations to:
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Approve the FY2007 Semi-Annual Report, which reports to the Board
how the college has moved to realize its Strategic Plan.
Approve the first reading of proposed amendments to Board Policy
and Administrative Procedure No. 7006 intended to clarify the differences
between commissioned Public Safety officers and non-commissioned
officers.
Approve the first reading of proposed amendments to Board Policy
No. 7016 regarding Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources
and dealing with security measures to protect the confidentiality of
student records.
Ratify an agreement with S.B. Friedman, Inc., for the consulting group
to help review and negotiate a proposal under consideration for the
development of the southeast corner of the Belleville Campus.
Accept Adult Education grant awards totaling more than $250,000
from the Illinois Community College Board ($104,658) and a variety of
other Illinois state education agency resources.
Renew agreements with eight regional facilities to provide practicum
opportunities to SWIC students enrolled in its Early Childhood Education
program.
Renew an agreement with Western Illinois University to launch a
Web-based instructional program for persons seeking GED certification.
Approve the tentative list of graduates for the 2007 Fall Semester.
Approve the retirement of Red Bud Campus Student/Community
Services Coordinator Deborah Oakley, who has been employed at
SWIC since 1989, effective at year end.
NEW BUILDING, NEW BOOKSTORE – On Nov. 13, the new SWIC Barnes
& Noble Bookstore opened for business in the new Liberal Arts building
which is scheduled to be completed in January 2008. Students, faculty
and staff stopped by to check out the new digs, enjoy some snacks and
refreshments, pick up some free giveaways, and browse for books,
supplies and other merchandise. Remember: when staff members show
their SWIC IDs they receive a 15% discount at the SWIC bookstore on
everything except textbooks, magazines and candy (departments
receive a 20% discount with the same exceptions).
Bookstore Manager Damon Mitchell, left, and his staff hosted lots
of visitors at the bookstore’s grand opening, including Director, Auxiliary
Services Geoff Barratt, and Accountant Mark Becker, both of the
Business Office.

FROM THE DESK
OF THE PRESIDENT CALENDAR
Findings from a 2007 National Survey of
Student Engagement reaffirms college student
participation in “high impact” activities with
other students helps them achieve at higher
levels. But engagement with counselors, faculty
and parents is also a key to getting students
initially involved in those activities.
Specifically, the survey of 313,000 randomly
selected first-year and senior students, and
18,000 faculty members, at 610 four-year North American colleges revealed:
• Students who meet with an adviser/counselor at least twice a year are
more engaged and successful at college than those who don’t.
• Faculty promotion of “high impact” activities – including first-year seminars,
learning communities and internships, available to all SWIC students –
generates markedly increased student participation.
• A majority of respondents rated their faculty/other college advisers as
“good” or “excellent.”
Additionally, a subset survey of 4,500 first-year students and 4,600 seniors
at 24 institutions addressed family support systems. That research showed:
• 70 percent communicate “very often” with at least one parent during the
academic year.
• Students who discuss college with their parents “often” or “very often” –
and whose parents contact college officials on their behalf – reported
higher levels of engagement and academic fulfillment.
• Seemingly related, 46 percent of students surveyed attend college within
100 miles of home.
Even though students placed high value on faculty/adviser input about
academic and activities choices, and today’s students are much more closely
connected to their family support systems, regardless of whether or not their
parents intervened with the college on their behalf, fewer than half of the
college seniors surveyed had actually participated in extracurricular
activities. And the numbers were especially small at public institutions.
So therein is our opportunity as academic advisers, instructors and parents.
Let’s all get more involved with the college students in our lives … it can
make a big difference in theirs.
CAMPUS BRIEFS
BELLEVILLE CAMPUS
Get your tickets for the Spring 2008 Children’s Series. Programs will
include: Bob Lisaius’“Dinoman,” Imaginary Theatre Company’s “The Ant
and the Grasshopper,” Face To Face Production’s “The George Washington
Follies,” and Truly Remarkable Loon. Series tickets are $15 each and include
all four programs. Call College Activities, ext. 5561, to reserve your seats.
The fifth annual Blanket Drive for the Homeless is under way. Decorated
boxes, located in the Main Complex and Information Sciences Building,
stand ready to accept donations of new or gently used blankets through
Tuesday, Jan. 1. College Activities and the BACCHUS Health and Wellness
Group teamed up on this year’s drive. For details call ext. 5566 or 5461.
SAM WOLF GRANITE CITY CAMPUS
You can help replenish blood supplies in local hospitals by donating
blood to the Central Illinois Community Blood Bank blood drive from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 30 in Room 311.
RED BUD CAMPUS
At the Red Bud Campus, look for details on RBC news and events posted
on the new plasma screens installed in the entry hall.
Dec. 21-Jan. 1 Christmas Break
JANUARY 2008
14-17 Welcome Week, snacks and information tables,
8 a.m.-8 p.m., SWGCC front hall
14-18 Welcome Back Week: Popcorn, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.,
RBC Lobby
17 Opening Reception for John Watson and Sandra
Abrams “Construction and Destruction” Exhibition,
6-8 p.m.; Introduction of artists, 7 p.m., BC Schmidt
Art Center
19 Kids Rule! (Newspaper Constructions) One hour of
activities for kids (with a parent or grandparent, or on
their own). 11:30 a.m. session is for kids 5-10. 1:30 p.m.
session is for kids 10-14. Reservations required: $5 per
child, adults are free, BC Schmidt Art Center.
23 TV/Movie Trivia, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., SWGCC Business Office
24 MLK Observance Program, BC Theatre
28 January Birthday Celebration: Cake, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.,
RBC Lobby
30 Central Illinois Blood Drive, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.,
SWGCC Room 311
College Activities Club Fair, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., BC First
Floor Hall
31 Student Appreciation Lunch, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (while
food lasts), RBC
Artists Talk: John Watson and Sandra Abrams talk
about how they get the inspiration and images for their
work, 7 p.m., BC Schmidt Art Center.
MAKING
HERSTORY –
English
Composition
Assistant
Professor
Winnie
Kenney,at
right, worked
the recent
book sale in
the Main
Complex of
the Belleville
Campus.
Proceeds from
the sale were
to benefit the
Herstory
Scholarship for
Single Parents.

Have a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!
HONORING OUR TROOPS — SWGCC used Veterans
Day as an opportunity to salute veterans and support
our current troops. The campus held a brief ceremony
Nov. 9 to recognize veterans; and during the week
of Nov. 5-9 collected supplies for the troops serving
in Iraq. The campus collected more than 12 boxes of
donated items including snacks, books, magazines,
CDs, DVDs, toiletries and toys for the troops to share
with Iraqi children. Holding the donations are, from
left to right, SWGCC Community Education
Coordinator Lois LaFleur, Learning Resources
Student Worker Melissa Harris and Learning
Resources Office Supervisor Helen Thomas. Students,
faculty and staff also signed a paper scroll with
supportive messages for the troops. The supplies and
scroll were given to VFW Post No. 805 in O’Fallon to
be sent to troops in Iraq.
FROM THE OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
MRSA FACTS
by Sherry Favre Johnson
There are a lot of myths associated with MRSA* infections and other “super bugs.”
According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention:
• Staphylococcus aureus (staph) are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the
noses of healthy people. Sometimes, staph can cause an infection.
• MRSA infections are most commonly found in hospitals and healthcare facilities.
• The major symptom of MRSA is a skin infection, such as an abscess, boil or
pus-filled lesion.
The CDC recommends that anyone who is symptomatic of an infection should seek
medical attention. Individuals who are being treated for MRSA do not need to remain off
work, provided they have covered the lesion.
The best way to prevent MRSA, or any other type of infection, is to keep hands clean by
washing them thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
It also is recommended that people keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered, avoid
contact with other people’s bandages and avoid sharing personal items such as towels
or razors.
Wondering about the thorough hand washing? It is recommended that people wash
their hands for as long as it takes to sing the alphabet song! Now you know it all from
A to Z!
For more information about MRSA, please visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa.html. SWIC Board Policies 3022 and 3022 AP
provide additional guidance on infectious diseases.
* MRSA is a type of staph that is resistant to certain antibiotics.
Please make sure your emergency contact information on S-net
is up to date in the Self Service section. This information can be
of the utmost importance in the event of a medical emergency.
SWIC BLUE STORM VOLLEYBALL
NO. 3 IN NATION! – The SWIC Blue
Storm Volleyball Team took third place at
the NJCAA Division II National Tournament
in Scottsdale, Ariz., capping off a 36-9
season with a win on Nov. 17 against
Phoenix College, Phoenix, Ariz.
Led by Head Coach Jeff Juenger and
Assistant Coach Beth Keserauskis, the
success of this team is especially noteworthy
because it is made up exclusively of young
women from southwestern Illinois.
The team and coaches were honored at
the Belleville Campus on Nov. 20, and are
from left to right, row 1: Melissa Crawford
and Mandy Stamper; row 2: Kelly Lindsay,
First-Team All American Amanda Rickhoff,
Ashley Young, Larissa Huels and Katie
Patton; row 3: Assistant Coach Beth
Keserauskis, Melanie Gartside, Christina
McLean and Mallory Storm; row 4: Head
Coach Jeff Juenger.

Ensuring a Successful eSTORM
Lead Project Manager consultant Walter
Terrell of Cedar Crestone is convinced that
eSTORM will be a successful endeavor.
“Management support is the key to success
for any project of this magnitude,” he said.
“Gratefully, we enjoy such support here and
the beneficiaries are SWIC students, faculty
and administrators.”
Of course supportive management is only
one factor for success.
“The eSTORM team has been willing to do
‘whatever’ to get the job done,” said SWIC
Lead Project Manager Linda Andres. “They
are truly dedicated professionals.”
Some Things Will Stay the Same
Employees
When the college reopens after the winter
break, S-Net will have changed to iSTORM.
However, only the name and colors will be
different. Employees will still go to their
timesheets the same way they do today.
The log-in box, announcements, menu
and other links will remain unchanged.
Beginning with the 2008 summer
semester, faculty and staff who use
enrollment reports will still receive them.
However, they won’t receive heavy stacks
of paper anymore. Instead the reports will
be available to them on iSTORM, explained
SWIC Lead Project Manager Linda Andres.
Students
Although students will begin registering
for classes online, the option to register in
person won’t go away. Payments can still
be made in person, as well. When students
pay online, the transaction will be
processed through Illinois E-Pay as it is
now. However, they won’t need to re-key
their personal information.
The eSTORM project team is comprised of
administrators and staff from the Admissions
and Records Office, Financial Aid and
Instruction who understand the needs and
fine details of each department. These
individuals and college IT personnel are
programming eSTORM with assistance by
functional consultants from Cedar Crestone,
Andres said.
Once the project is implemented, the
eSTORM team will have the skills and
programming experience to enhance
the system.
While, most college-related information
will be available online or sent through
student e-mail, student bills and financialaid
award letters will still be mailed
through the postal service.
“There are a lot of changes, ”Andres
explained.“But the changes are more
about the way things are being done, not
about anything being eliminated.”
Southwestern Total Online Records Management
Q&A:
December/January
Q. Why is SWIC introducing online
registration and other eSTORM
services now?
A. SWIC recognized that its current system
did not meet the needs of students today
and the Board of Trustees approved the
project to “effectively and efficiently
support the activities of a top-ranked
community college.”
Q. Are there enough computers on campus
for all students if eSTORM increases the
demand for them?
A. The college is expecting an increase in
use of open-access computers. To address
the increased demand, the college will
make Wi-Fi wireless services available to
students on all campuses for personal
laptops, and more computers will be
added to the Belleville Campus Cyber
Lounge once it relocates to the old book
store space in the Main Complex. To
ensure these are adequate measures,
the situation will be monitored.
Plus, when on campus, there is always the
option of conducting business in person at
the appropriate office or offices.
Q. How will students get into eSTORM?
A. eSTORM will be accessed by going online
to estorm.swic.edu, and logging in
with a student ID and password.
Q. What about students who don’t have
computers?
A. Students can access their accounts on
computers in the Belleville Campus Cyber
Lounge and the libraries at each campus.
Q. Will students be able to update personal
information on eSTORM?
A. Initially, students will be able to view their
personal information online but will need
to go to the Registrar’s Office to update it.
This process may change in the future.
continued on back page

Q. How will students receive information about the enhanced
system, eSTORM?
A. The SWIC Web site will provide information and give students
the ability to ask questions. Also, articles and ads will appear in
the student newspaper Eye of the Storm. Additionally, students
who use the current STORM Services will receive an e-mail
message, and a letter will be mailed to all students containing:
• The student’s ID number and password
• Instructions for logging in
• The student’s email address
• Other pertinent information
Q. What circumstances could prevent a student from
registering online?
A. Current students who have had restrictions placed on their
accounts from the Business Office or Admissions and Records
will not be able to register online.
Prior students, who have not attended class since Spring 2007,
will be able to create a login, password and e-mail address, but
will need to talk with the registrar before gaining access to
online registration.
New students must register in person the first time.
Enrollment Appointments
eSTORM online registration requires that a student have an
enrollment appointment. The appointment is the day
and time a student may begin using online registration for a
specific term. For example, if the fall 2008 appointment is for
April 23, 2008 at 1:15 p.m., the student may register online at any
time or day after 1:15 p.m. on April 23.
Q. Will a student be able to drop or add a class online?
A. Yes. Drop/Add is one of the features of the online registration.
Q. Will the eSTORM server be able to handle first-day
registration?
A. Initially, online registration will follow the current appointment
system, which provides staggered beginning registration dates
for specifically defined groups of students.
A New Look
S-Net will
become iSTORM
after winter break.
But only the
name and colors
will change.
Q. How are enrollment appointments assigned?
A. Enrollment appointments are assigned by the registrar based on
number of previously completed hours and other criteria.
Students may register in person on campus as soon as
registration for the term begins without waiting for their
enrollment appointment.
Q. When will students be assigned their personal SWIC e-mail
account?
A. Current students will be assigned an e-mail account at the time
their student ID number and password are assigned. Their
personal SWIC e-mail account will be included in the letter that
will be mailed March 31 for students enrolled in at least one
class in summer 2007, fall 2007 or spring 2008.
New students will be assigned an e-mail account when they
register for the first time in person.
Q. What about security? Will a student need to use their social
security number?
A. Students will need to use their social security numbers only to
register for an account. Once the account is activated, student ID
numbers will be used for log in.
Active security features built into eSTORM encrypt sensitive
information for both wired and wireless connections, making it a
secure site. As long as students don’t share ID numbers and
passwords, their information is secure.
Q. Will faculty e-mail students when grades have been posted?
A. Although faculty/student e-mail communications is a major
eSTORM enhancement feature, e-mail notification won’t be
necessary, since grades will be posted to eSTORM as soon
as the faculty enters them.
Q. Will students be able to reset their password on eSTORM?
A. When students log into eSTORM for the first time, they will be
required to change their password immediately for security
purposes. They will also be required to change passwords every
90 days. Students may also change their password at any time
before the 90 days.
Stay tuned for STORM Watch updates on S-net (iSTORM) and in all future issues of Insider Chat.