Chancellor's Corner: Welcome Back Week Schedule

Aloha Colleagues,

I hope you have all had a pleasant summer, whether on or off campus! It's hard to believe, but it is already time to begin a new academic year. It is with great enthusiasm that I ask you to join me for the Welcome Back Week activities outlined in the attached schedule. I realize that this is a busy time for all of you, but these activities are important to getting us off to a good start, and I would like all of you present. Since we are doing things a little differently, I want to explain the new features in this year's agenda.

1. After an all-campus morning session on Monday the 16th, you will then have the choice of two times to attend a session to review our mission.
2. On Wednesday morning, all faculty will meet with our new Vice Chancellor for Academic Services, Jim Dire.
   
3. On Thursday afternoon, there is an optional service learning opportunity. This is a time for us to get to know each other while we engage in service to our community. I've listed the opportunities below. If you would like to participate, check with your supervisor to make sure that you can be away from campus and then sign up on Monday at Convocation. Cammie will try to arrange for carpooling. For each site, wear long pants, long sleeves, covered shoes, gloves, sunscreen, water, sunglasses, rain gear, and optional snacks.

Thursday Service Learning Options:

• KCC Community Garden Project – weed, plant, clean, prepare for Kaua'i Community Market, and other tasks as needed. Meet at The Farm on KCC campus.
  
  A federally funded KCC project, which includes classes and numerous partnerships with the community. The heart of its purpose is to promote a creative, healthy and sustainable lifestyle on Kaua'i, where we grow our own food as a business and for ourselves and our family.
  
• Lawai International Center in Lawai – plant orchids, weed, and clear/clean area - Mark Hubbard, KCC Fund Board member and Susan Uchida, KCC faculty will join us for this project. Meet at Lawai – map will be provided August 16.
  
  An archaeological and cultural treasure in a valley that has long been recognized as a healing sanctuary. In 1904 the first generation of Japanese immigrants built 88 shrines replicating an ancient pilgrimage of 88 temples in Shikoku, Japan. Volunteers are bringing these shrines and this valley back to prominence as an international center for compassion and peace, education and cultural understanding.
  
  
• Kokee Resource Conservation Program (KRCP) in Kokee – pull/treat non-native invasive weeds. Tools and training provided. Meet at Kokee CCC Camp (call KRCP at 335-0045)
  
  A collaborative project in vegetarian management for the Kokee region, sponsored by the non-profit Garden Island Resource, Conservation & Development, Inc., in cooperation with the State of Hawai'i DLNR Division of State Parks and Division of Forestry and Wildlife.

I look forward to seeing you all next week!

Mahalo for your service to the College,
Helen