Focus the Nation at Champlain

This past year, I signed on to be an ACRL Legislative Advocate. It has been a fascinating appointment: I send information about important legislative issues out into my community to rally support from my college and immediate community while informing them of the issues that impact their ability to access information as well as remind them of their power as voters.

One particular issue that I am excited to support is the HIGHER EDUCATION SUSTAINABILITY ACT. Here is an update by Kara Malenfant, our contact as Legislative Advocates:

On November 9, House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller unveiled the College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007 (HR 4137) that reauthorizes the Higher Education Act. At the request of many of the 17 co-sponsors of HESA, Chairman Miller included HESA in HR 4137.

Subsequently the Higher Education Sustainability Act of 2007 (S. 2444) was introduced into the Senate on December 11 by Senator Patty Murray. HESA is co-sponsored by Senators Bingaman, Dodd, Kennedy, and Kerry. Such a powerful list of Democratic co-sponsors puts HESA in an excellent position.

The House is expected to vote in mid-January on the College Opportunity and Affordability Act (HR 4137) that reauthorizes the Higher Education Act and also includes HESA. If it passes, then the conference between the House and Senate (which has already passed their new Higher Education act) should occur shortly thereafter. This conference will decide which of the 30+ new programs including HESA make it into the final bill.

Environmental literacy is vital to our ability to fight global warming in a longterm, sustainable, and proactive way. Champlain is involved in
Focus the Nation, to turn our energy and attention to finding solutions for global warming. Champlain is joining more than 1000 other institutions nation-wide on January 31st to bring our attention to finding solutions for Global Warming. We are excited to welcome Bill McKibben as our keynote speaker and we have a bunch of events lined up including a Teach In, a sustainabiltiy expo, and a film series.

If you are interested in getting involved, contact Sarah Cohen or Rob Williams (we are both at the Miller Information Commons). One of the best things you can do is to come to events and bring your friends. Educating yourself is vital to finding solutions; learning more is doing something.

Time for yourself with a good book

Believe it or not, in less than a week everyone at Champlain will have some time to themselves. Yes, finals are this weekend and then...(drum roll)....we are on break!

While everyone takes that time for themselves, I hope we take a moment to pick up a book. You know, for pleasure reading. Remember that? Reading for fun?
Yes, I hope you find that book at the Library. But even if you don’t, take up a book regardless. Take a moment to think about what you WANT to read. Or what someone you love might want to read. Let’s not forget, books are great holiday gifts.

Some good lists of good books:
The Ten Best Books of 2007 by the New York Times, as well as their Gift Guide (the Boxed Sets bit is really good). The Happy Booker, Carole Burns, whose book is on display among the New Books this month, also offers a good list. Or if you are trying to remember one of the books from a previous New Books list, try looking at the
Archive.

It has been a busy semester. I hope everyone has the chance to enjoy this break with your friends, families, and of course, a new book.

Happy Holidays!

Hoping to see you at the Library.

Books for Fun at the MIC

Students, faculty, and staff often wonder if there is anything "fun" to read in the Library's stacks.

To answer that question, the Library has started to highlight our collection of "Popular Reading" in a virtual display. And to start us off, we are highlighting "Great Books into Great Movies". Some of the greatest movies of all time were books first.

More popular reading collections are soon to come so don't forget to Check It Out!

Tent City

As part of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, FIFTY Champlain College students signed up to participate in "Tent City," a week-long on-campus student-led service project designed to simulate homelessness and raise money for Burlington's COTS (Committee on Temporary Shelter) program. Here's some footage of their work.



Once again, thanks to Rob Williams for the footage and to the students who donate their time and energy to helping all of us realize how fortunate we are.

Global Modules Hit the Big Time!

The Chronicle of Higher Education has caught on to the coolness of Global Modules and highlighted them in this article. Congratulations Gary and everyone involved in making Global Modules a success.

If you are still wondering what the big deal about Global Modules is, here is Gary giving you the skinny in 9 minutes (bravo to Rob Williams for the video and the editing!)

So What is a Global Module?

You've heard about it.
You've maybe even participated in it.
But what is a global module?

Thre are a couple of ways to find out:
1. Track down that elusive Gary Scudder and latch on to his enthusiasm for the project. Oh wait...he's traveling the world right now making connections for further modules but keep your eyes on the blog roll to the right to find out when he'll be back!
2. Check out the Global Modules website or blog to learn more.
3. Check it out in YouTube. (Yes, educational uses for YouTube!)
Here is our own Bob Mayer:


And here is Cinse Bonino's explanation of it:


Thanks to Rob Williams for capturing these "Champlain Stories" and sharing them with the rest of us.

Meaningful Books Series highlights Angela Batista

The Miller Information Commons’ “Meaningful Books” Series highlights

Angela Batista, Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Wednesday, October 24th at Noon,
Miller Information Commons, Vista Room
(Refreshments will be served)

Welcome and get to know Angela Batista, the new director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

Angela's list of meaningful books reflects her journey and many transitions from a simple childhood in the Dominican Republic to a complex immigrant experience in New York City and later in Vermont.

Although Angela did not own any books as a child, her love of reading was inspired by the stories she listened to on the radio and the oral tradition passed down from generation to generation by her family members.

The first book Angela owned by Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes, a gift by a beloved high school teacher. The story opened a whole new world of possibilities and dreams for Angela as a young woman trying to find her way out of a challenging and at times dangerous neighborhood in Brooklyn.

Join us on October 24th to find out more about Angela's journey and the books that have made a difference in her life.