A Guide for Speech Communication
Adjunct Professors
Mountain View College
Updated 8/22/07
2
Table of Contents
Greetings from Dr. Kizuwanda Gayden, Dean ................................................................... 3
Division of Communications and Teacher Education ........................................................ 3
Mountain View College ...................................................................................................... 3
Division/Department Contact Information ......................................................................... 4
Week 1 ................................................................................................................................ 5
Getting Started .................................................................................................................... 5
Week 2/3 ............................................................................................................................. 6
Certifying Class Rolls ......................................................................................................... 6
Logging on to Econnect ...................................................................................................... 6
Week 3/4 ............................................................................................................................. 8
Official (Twelfth-Day) Class Rolls..................................................................................... 8
Final Week .......................................................................................................................... 9
MVC/Department Policies .................................................................................................. 9
Speech Program Common Assignments ........................................................................... 11
Core Curriculum Evaluation Assignments ....................................................................... 12
Speech Field of Study ....................................................................................................... 14
Service Learning ............................................................................................................... 14
Tips and Recommendations .............................................................................................. 15
The MVC Learning Resources Center .............................................................................. 17
The MVC Learning Skills Center ..................................................................................... 19
DCCCD Core Courses ...................................................................................................... 20
DCCCD Online Support for Face-to-Face (Lecture) Classes – Blackboard eCampus .... 20
1) Setting up Distance Learning Sections in Colleague.................................................... 20
2) Requesting an eCampus Course Account ..................................................................... 21
About Mountain View College: Its History and Culture .................................................. 22
3
Greetings from Dr. Kizuwanda Gayden, Dean
Division of Communications and Teacher
Education
Mountain View College
Thank you for joining our instructional team at Mountain View College and becoming
colleagues in the Speech Program. We value so much the years of experience and insight
you bring to our Department and to the College.
This handbook is meant to serve only as a brief guide to assist you in the procedures and
policies of the Department and Mountain View College. It will not answer all of the
questions that are likely to arise as you begin your tenure with us, but hopefully, it will
save you time initially in preparing your syllabi and course materials, introduce you to
support resources, and identify key personnel and how to reach them.
Please take the time to scan this information before classes begin. If you have questions,
don’t hesitate to contact me, Jennifer Dickson, our Department Secretary, or any one of
the three full-time instructors in the Speech Program.
For additional support, check out the Speech Program website at
< http://www.mountainviewcollege.edu/sites/speech/default.aspx>
4
Division/Department Contact Information
MVC Police
W135 (located inside the West Entrance, first door to the right)
Telephone: 214/860-8758
MVC Health Center
W145 (located downstairs from the English and Speech Department Office)
Telephone: 214/860-8699
Communication and Teacher Education Division
Dr. Kizuwanda Gayden, Dean
Email: kbg6110@dcccd.edu
Jennifer Dickson, Department Secretary
W279b (located on the south end of the second floor in the West Campus)
Telephone: 214/860-8783
Email: jkd6420@dcccd.edu
Full-Time Speech Program Faculty Contacts
Dr. Anne Grissom
W259
214/860-8748
agrissom@dcccd.edu
Dr. Kent Polk
W278
214/860-8870
kpolk@dcccd.edu
Media Center
W138 (entered through the LRC/library)
Telephone: 214/860-8655
Email: MVC MEDIA (Groupwise Account)
Professor Quentin Wright
W261
214/860-8768
qwright@dcccd.edu
5
Week 1
Getting Started
Sign Your Contract
Jennifer Dickson, our Department Secretary, is responsible for preparing your contract.
She will have it available for your signature before or during the first week of classes.
Review your contract for the correct course assignment(s) and the salary figure. If you
have questions, please ask Jennifer for clarification or assistance.
Sign and date your contract and return it to Jennifer in W279b.
Pick Up Your Textbooks
Jennifer has instructor copies of the textbooks for your course. The textbook for Speech
1311 is Communicating Effectively , 8th edition, by Hybels and Weaver and for Speech
1315 is Public Speaking for College and Career, 7th edition, by Hamilton Gregory. There
is also a CD that accompanies each textbook that contains an instructor’s manual and test
bank.
Prepare Your Syllabus/Syllabi
Each instructor is responsible for preparing a syllabus for each course preparation and
distributing them to the students during the first week of the semester. The syllabus
represents a contractual agreement between you and the college with your students
defining what you require of each in order to succeed in your class. It also includes
essential institutional guidelines and key dates that govern the student’s enrollment in the
course.
For these reasons, we ask that you follow exactly the template for Speech courses that has
been provided for you. Email a copy of your final syllabus to Dr. Anne Grissom at
agrissom@dcccd.edu at least three days prior to the first class meeting. Look for Dr.
Grissom’s response before making copies.
Copy Your Syllabus
Jennifer will be happy to make copies for you. Please give Jennifer 24 hour advance
notice for copy requests.
Submit Your Syllabus/Syllabi
Submit copies for each course preparation you have this semester to Jennifer Dickson.
Syllabi are due in her office before the end of the first week.
Retrieve Your Initial Course Roll(s) and Grade Sheet
During the first week, you will receive two versions of the yellow legal-length
Temporary Roll for each of your sections. Names, ID numbers, and telephone numbers
of each student who has enrolled in your section(s) will appear on the roll. Keep these
temporary roll sheets on file so that they can be submitted with your final paperwork at
the end of the semester.
6
First Class Meeting
Take Attendance
Call the roll from the Temporary Roll (the yellow legal sheet) during the first class
meeting and note any students in attendance who are not listed on the roll. Add
additional students to the roll only if they can present to you a college receipt verifying
their enrollment in your section. Do not allow students to stay in the class if their name
is not on the roll sheet. Immediately send them to the registrar’s office. The “Balance
Due” on the receipt should be zero. If you have not received the Preliminary Roll before
your first class meeting, have the students sign an impromptu attendance sheet.
Begin Instruction
The first day of class is an instructional period. Give the students an initial learning
activity that will give them positive feedback, even if it’s only an introduction to and a
review of the syllabus and your grading system. This also might be a good time to ask
students to give a brief introduction, if time permits.
Register Attendance
In each class meeting, record the students’ attendance. All instructors are required to have
an attendance policy within their syllabus. The policy of the DCCC requires uniform
symbols in our grade books. Enter “X” in the appropriate square for each class missed,
“W” for date of withdrawal on your computer email notice, and “R” for the date a student
is reinstated. The policy also indicates “f” for an excused absence. For any other marks
or symbols on your attendance records, provide a key for interpretation when you turn in
your grade book at the end of the semester.
Register Grades
Record initial grades for the course in the grade section on the right side of the yellow
sheet.
Week 2/3
Certifying Class Rolls
All faculty are required to certify student attendance to satisfy federal government
requirements. Faculty must certify that students have either been present one time or
contacted the instructor prior to certification date. The fulltime Speech instructors will
send a reminder email of this date to you.
Logging on to Econnect
Go to http://econnect.dcccd.edu to certify class roll. Instructions are as follows:
7
1. Go to http://econnect.dcccd.edu
2. Once you are there, click “log in” in the top right hand corner.
3. Once you get the log in screen, click on Logging in the first time?, which will be
located on the right hand side.
4. Fill in your information (Faculty ID and birth date) and your account will be
activated.
What can you do with Econnnect?
1. You can certify your class roll by going to:
8
a. “Faculty Menu”
b. “Class Roster”
c. then choosing the course(s) that you are teaching.
2. You can view your pay stub by going to:
a. “Employee Menu”
b. “My Payroll Information.”
3. You are to submit
Week 3/4
Official (Twelfth-Day) Class Rolls
After the twelfth-class day, you will receive the Permanent Class Roll(s) printed on blue
legal sheets. Make sure that each student attending your class is listed on the roll. Send
any student to the Registrar’s Office immediately whose name does not appear on the
official rolls.
You should transfer records (attendance and grades) from the yellow Preliminary Rolls to
the blue Permanent rolls. Retain the yellow rolls and turn them in at the end of the
semester with your grade book.
The final course grades for 3 speeches, 3 exams, and any other graded activities plus the
final grade must appear on the second page of the Permanent Roll. Save all Add/Drop
9
forms you receive during the semester and include them in your grade book when you
turn it in at the end of the semester.
Final Week
Final Exam Schedule
Day classes meet once for 1:50 minutes during the final exam week. Generally, exams
begin at the same day and hour in which the class is scheduled during the regular
semester.
Evening final exams are offered on one evening at the regular posted class schedule.
Check the “Final Exam Schedule” posted in the Credit Classes Schedule.
Note: All instructors are required to meet at the final exam date and to be present in
the assigned location. Instructors may not offer the final exam before the official
posted schedule.
“Processing Out” at the End of the Semester
To complete your work at the end of the semester, you must submit four items:
1) The “Preliminary” Class Rolls (the yellow roll sheets distributed at the beginning of
the semester)
2) The “Official” Class Rolls (the blue roll sheets distributed after the 12th class day)
3) All student class action forms are sent to the instructor’s email box and should be
printed and included with roll sheets.
4) Should you have an electronic gradesheet (Excel, Micrograde, Ecampus, etc.), print
out a copy and include with roll sheets.
5) Include a copy of your grading scale that is in your syllabus.
Online Submission of Grades
Final Grades are uploaded electronically via econnect. The process is similar to that of
certifying student attendance. At http://econnect.dcccd.edu, log in, go to “Faculty menu”,
and click “My Grades.” Note: There is a fifteen minute time limit for entering each
section so it will be in your best interest to have all grades finalized before starting this
process. In addition, once grades have been entered and submitted, you will not be able to
make changes online.
Due Dates for Final Grades
All grades and course records must be submitted by 10:00 a.m. on Monday following
final exam week. If that is not possible contact Dr. Gayden, Dr. Grissom, Dr. Polk and
Quentin Wright.
MVC/Department Policies
1. All instructors are required to meet classes as scheduled and are expected to begin
class at the posted time and meet class through the duration of the posted period.
Although MVC does not have a dress code for faculty and because we ask our students to
10
“dress up” for their classroom speeches, we ask SPCH faculty to do the same.
Appropriate attire would include a collared shirt and khaki pants or skirt.
2. All instructors are required to keep an accurate record of student attendance. The
DCCC policy requires the following symbols: “X” for an absence, “W” for the date
provided the instructor by email as to when a student drops a course, and “R” for the date
a student is reinstated in a course. For symbols other than these, provide a key in your
grade book when you turn it in at the end of the semester.
3. Instructors must submit a course syllabus that reflects the Speech Program template
appropriate for the course. Each syllabus must clearly identify the educational outcomes,
the nature of learning work, and the grading system for determining the course grade.
Each new adjunct faculty member must submit his/her syllabus to the Speech Adjunct
Coordinator at least 24 hours before asking the Department Secretary to duplicate it for
the first day of classes.
4. Each instructor is expected to facilitate learning activities that meet the educational
objectives and outcomes outlined in the course syllabus.
5. Each instructor is expected to conduct himself or herself in language and manner that
is both respectful to the students and appropriate to the learning activities of the class.
6. Instructors should be aware of and sensitive to the needs of students with special
learning or other disabilities that may impair successful completion of the course.
Students with special needs should contact the Special Services Office located in room
W145.
7. Instructors who experience disruptive activities or behavior should ask the student(s) to
leave the class and attempt to address any problems with students in private. In
emergency situations, instructors should contact the campus police immediately,
identifying the location of the classroom, the nature of the disruption, and the kind of
help that may be needed.
8. Instructors who cannot meet a class should contact the Communication and Teacher
Education Division Office for classes that meet before 4:00 p.m. and the Evening Office
(214.860.8610 ) for those classes that meet in the evening schedule. Instructors should
also contact two of the fulltime Speech instructors. Email addresses are on page four of
this document.
9. Instructors should be aware of provisions in the Student Code of Conduct governing
the grievance procedure available to students with complaints. Instructors should make
every attempt to resolve any conflicts that may arise with students, but when that is not
possible, they should refer disgruntled students to a fulltime Speech instructor.
Instructors may be asked to meet with students and college supervisors in order to resolve
conflicts.
10. Instructors should give appropriate notice when requesting support services. For
copy work, instructors should give Department support staff at least 24 hours notice for
small jobs and longer advance notice for more complex or larger requests. Requests for
teaching aids from Media should also be requested 24 hours in advance.
11
11. Instructors are responsible for observing all copyright “fair use” laws governing the
duplication of both printed and electronic media for educational purposes. Department
support staff has the right to refuse or to defer to the judgment of the Division Chair any
questions they may have regarding questionable requests for reproduction.
12. Instructors are expected to use college electronic media for educational use only. Use
of college electronic and other equipment for personal reasons is strictly prohibited by
DCCCD policy. Those who violate this provision are subject to restrictions and even
dismissal from the college.
13. DCCCD policy limits adjunct instructors to no more than four classes per semester.
Contracts may be split between two campuses in the DCCCD, but under no
circumstances will adjunct faculty be allowed to teach more than four classes in a
semester throughout the District.
14. Adjunct instructors are eligible to teach in the May Term and Winter Term “mini”
semesters. Contact one of the three fulltime instructors to express your interest.
15. Plagiarism is discussed in the Student Code of Conduct in the DCCCD Policies and
Procedures Manual (the official manual is the online manual found on the District
website). Both “casual” and “flagrant” plagiarism are specific violations of the Student
Code of Conduct and, as such, will result in grade penalties. Penalties may include a
grade of “0/F” on the plagiarized assignment (with or without revisions accepted), a
grade of “F” in the course, and, at the discretion of the Executive Dean of Student
Support Services, suspension or removal from the college.
You should keep the originals of any plagiarized student writing for your own files and
reference later in any grievance action a student may pursue. Make copies for the
students involved.
Make sure that you clarify your position on plagiarism and any assigned penalties in your
syllabus.
16. Each adjunct instructor is required to identify the name and telephone number of a
full-time Speech instructor who students with questions may contact in the absence of his
or her teacher. This contact must be placed on the first page of the syllabus.
17. Instructor evaluations are conducted once each year and in the first semester of
employment for adjunct instructors. A class visitation will be scheduled according to
supervisor availability. An MVC form will be provided for the instructor to write a
description of the planned learning activities and methodologies for the class period. At a
follow-up meeting, the evaluator and the instructor will discuss the evaluator’s written
evaluation.
Speech Program Common Assignments
Exams
12
SPCH 1311 is a hybrid course that covers Basic Communication Concepts/Interpersonal
Communication, Small Group Communication, and Public Communication. Therefore, it
is a Speech program policy for each instructor to give three exams (one on each of the
three sections of the course) during the semester. Due to a need to stress student writing
skills, approximately 45-50% of the total of exam points for the semester must be other
than objective questions.
Speech Assignments
Each SPCH 1311 course should have a minimum of three speeches—an informative
speech, a persuasive speech, and a demonstration or visual/sensory aid speech. One
speech given during the course of the semester must require the students to use
PowerPoint (see next section for details).
Intellectual Competencies
The Texas State Coordinating Board is now requiring that all core courses be assessed on
six intellectual competencies (computer literacy, critical thinking, speaking, listening,
reading, and writing).
Core Curriculum Evaluation Assignments
As mandated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), all core
courses must create methods of assessing certain intellectual core competencies. The
THECB has chosen six and the individual DCCCD academic program curriculum
committees decide upon which of the six will be assessed. The district Speech
Communication curriculum committee has chosen all six.
The following assignments are designed to assess students’ abilities in the intellectual
competencies of computer literacy, critical thinking, speaking, listening, reading, and
writing.
Assignment #1—Listening; Critical Thinking
Between October 29 and November 16, students in every SPCH 1311 and SPCH 1315
section will view a short video of a student speech. After viewing the video, the students
will take a short listening comprehension quiz consisting of multiple choice questions.
The students are to place their answers to the quiz on a scantron which will be provided
by MVC. Evaluation of this exercise will assess students’ ability to:
 effectively identify and recall common speech elements as well as specific
details;
 evaluate the effectiveness of specific speech elements.
Instructor Responsibilities:
1. Show students the video of the student speech.
2. Distribute the listening comprehension quiz and scantrons (they will be provided).
3. Give the scantrons to Quentin Wright, Dr. Anne Grissom, or Dr. Kent Polk by
Monday, November 19, 2007.
Note: For validity purposes, all scantrons must be graded by either Quentin Wright, Dr.
Anne Grissom, or Dr. Kent Polk. Therefore, if you need the scantrons graded this
13
semester, please give them to one of the fulltime instructors and provide a date for when
you need them back.
Assignment #2---Speaking; Reading
Students in every SPCH 1311 and SPCH 1315 section are required to give a 3-5 minute
persuasive speech in a problem-solution format over a social or political issue. The
students will be evaluated based upon their ability to develop and deliver a well
researched, structured, and logically sound speech. More specific aspects of the speech
that will be evaluated include:
 the effectiveness and presence of elements of the introduction;
 the organization of the speech;
 the effectiveness and presence of clearly defined main points;
 the effectiveness and presence of an effective conclusion;
 the demonstration of effective delivery skills;
 the ability research a topic using appropriate sources;
 the effectiveness and presence of persuasive strategies.
Instructor Responsibilities:
1) Tape the 3-5 minute persuasive speech.
2) Give the recorded speeches to Quentin Wright, Dr. Anne Grissom, or Dr. Kent
Polk by Monday, December 3rd, 2007.
Note: The Speech Communication Department has its own recording equipment. Details
for use will be provided during the first week of the semester.
Sample Topics:





Persuade my audience that social security should (not) be privatized.
Persuade my audience on why the U.S. government should provide more funds
for the arts.
Persuade my audience that there should (not) be an affirmative action program in
education.
Persuade my audience to support (oppose) stem cell research.
Persuade my audience to support (oppose) a constitutional amendment banning
same-sex marriages.
Assignment #3----Computer Literacy; Writing
Students in every SPCH 1311 and SPCH 1315 section will be required to give one
PowerPoint presentation. It is the instructor’s prerogative as to which speaking
assignment it will be required. The students will be evaluated based upon their design of
the PowerPoint. More specific assessment criteria include the students’ ability to:
 use correct spelling and grammar in accordance to specified PowerPoint
design guidelines;
 effectively utilize color in accordance to specified PowerPoint design
guidelines;
 utilize fonts according to specified PowerPoint design guidelines;
 create a PowerPoint that will benefit the audience’s comprehension of the
speech.
Instructor Responsibilities:
14
1) Collect each student’s disk containing the PowerPoint presentation.
a. Each student should put his/her name, course, and the section number on
the disks.
2) Give the disks to Quentin Wright, Dr. Anne Grissom, or Dr. Kent Polk by
Monday, December 3rd, 2007.
Speech Field of Study
At the end of your course, many students may be interested in becoming a Speech
Communication major or minor. A Speech Communication Field of Study has been set
up to accommodate these students. Encourage all interested students to contact one of the
three fulltime Speech Instructors.
The Speech Communication Field of Study consists of five courses that students can take
at Mountain View College that can count towards a minor or major in Speech
Communication. These courses will generally substitute for a Texas University’s lower
division courses. The courses in the MVC Speech Communication Field of Study are:
 Speech 1311 Introduction to Communication
Theory and practice of speech communication behavior in one-to-one, small
group, and public communication situations are introduced. Students learn more
about themselves, improve skills in communicating with others, and prepare and
deliver formal public speeches.
 Speech 1315 Public Speaking
An introductory course to develop the student’s skills, knowledge, and
understanding of the public speaking process. Topics include the principles of
reasoning, audience analysis, collection of materials, outlining, and delivery.
Emphasis is on the oral presentation of well-prepared speeches, using computer
technology when appropriate.
 Speech 1318 Interpersonal Communication
This course presents theories and exercises in verbal and nonverbal
communication with focus on interpersonal relationships.
 Speech 1321 Business and Professional Communication
Theories and skills of speech communication as applied to business and
professional situations will be studied.
 Speech 2333 Small Group and Discussion
Discussion and small group theory as they relate to group processes and
interaction.
Service Learning
Service Learning offers students an opportunity to volunteer a minimum of 15 hours
during a semester to a non-profit agency in their community. It combines academic
instruction with active community service, utilizing critical, reflective thinking to
examine the students’ world around them and their civic responsibilities. It is more than
volunteering. It is a mutually beneficial partnership, allowing students to apply what
15
they've learned in the classroom into the real world while developing new skills,
improving their critical thinking skills, exploring career possibilities, and making a
difference by meeting community needs and increasing citizen support.
The DCCCD has partnered with agencies all over Dallas County where students can
complete their Service Learning projects. These agencies include the Dallas County
Juvenile Department, Dallas Independent School District, Girls Inc. of Metropolitan
Dallas, Grand Prairie ISD, My Guardian Angel, Promise House, DeSoto Community
Outreach, Salvation Hospital, Methodist Hospital, and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital.
Many instructors include specific assignments in their courses relating to Service
Learning and/or extra credit for students that complete a Service Learning project.
Contact Dr. Anne Grissom (214.860.8748) for more information. She is also available to
come to your class and give a brief overview about Service Learning and its benefits.
Tips and Recommendations
1. Get to know your students’ names ASAP!
2. Clearly identify your expectations for your students and set them high. Student
achievement often suffers when there are poorly communicated or low expectations.
2. Assume personal responsibility for student questions or requests. If you do not know
the answer, try to find the answer directly for the student. Many of our students are “first
generation” enrollees who have little or no familiarity with expectations of instructors
and educational systems in higher education. Students who leave your classes unsatisfied
with your response may never return to your class—or to the college.
3. Make every effort to complete and return student submissions within a week. Students
need the encouragement and direction that comes timely returns of their work.
4. Give students plenty of advance notice on upcoming out-of-class and future in-class
assignments.
5. Use tests and other exercises to enhance learning rather than to penalize ignorance.
6. Explain to students “how to learn” in your course.
7. Encourage active rather than passive reading.
8. Have the Department Secretary set up an email address for you. It is your connection
to much of the important information the college disseminates to you and your students.
9. Encourage students to develop a support group within your class, or develop learning
cohorts yourself.
10. Avoid giving “Incompletes” to students who have not completed most of the
assignments successfully. “Incompletes” should be issued only for those students who
experience a verifiable emergency at the very end of the course.
16
11. You have the option of setting up a general tour of the Learning Resources Center
(library) and the Learning Skills Center. Staff in both facilities are happy to conduct onsite orientations.
12. You are welcome to use an electronic grade book, but all grades (including the Final
Grade) and attendance must be transferred to your blue Permanent Roll sheets at the end
of the semester and submitted via econnect.
13. You have the option of using the DCCCD’s Ecampus Blackboard system for posting
your syllabus or other course materials online.
14. Take advantage of the Faculty/Staff Development Suite in the library. Request an
introduction by contacting the MVC Media Department at 214/860-8655. You will find
computers, CD-ROM development equipment, video-editing units, and a wide variety of
software available for use and courseware development.
15. Watch for announcements for Instructional Development Grants. Adjunct instructors
are eligible to apply for grants up to $1,000 for development of innovative instructional
materials and methodologies.
16. Establish a Faculty Mentor relationship with a “full-timer.” Full-time faculty are
happy to help you with questions or assist you in any way possible.
17. Because we wish to develop continuity within our instructional schedule, we
encourage our adjunct faculty to stay with us. If you want to return the next semester, let
one of the three fulltime Speech instructors know as soon as possible.
18. Encourage your students to take advantage of educational programs and activities
offered by Student Programs and Resources. These include guest lectures by local,
national, and international leaders as well as study-travel opportunities like the “Boston
American Studies Excursion,” the “Austin Experience,” the “Washington D.C.
Experience,” and many other international study programs offered throughout the
DCCCD.
19. Explain briefly the importance of completing the “Core Courses” at one statesupported college or university (colleges in the DCCCD represent a single college or
university entity relative to the Core of courses). See the discussion of the Core Courses
in this manual.
20. If an instructor is teaching in a SMART classroom and there is not another class
following his/her section, LOCK the door upon leaving the room. Classroom keys
for W260 & W268 are available from the Department Secretary, Jennifer Dickson.
17
The MVC Learning Resources Center
Hours
MTWR
8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Friday
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Telephone
214/860-8669
Student Services
Text Circulation
Any student of the DCCCD is eligible to use the services of the Mountain View College
Learning Resources Center and to check out materials from its circulating collections.
These include books and selected media (videotapes and other materials).
Reference (Non-circulating) Materials
The library houses hundreds of reference materials in language and literature that are
available for use only in the library. LRC staff will be happy to introduce these materials
to students.
Inter-Library Circulation
DCCCD students may request circulating items from other campuses in the DCCCD by
completing an electronic request. Students should ask for assistance from a library staff
person.
Library Tours
Librarians will be happy to conduct both general orientations as well as content specific
presentations when given advance notice. Contact the library staff at 214/860-8669 to
schedule an appointment for your class.
Faculty/Staff Training
The LRC provides training to MVC faculty and staff in the use of educational software
and hardware. Staff may schedule both individual and small group training by calling the
MVC Media Center at 214/860-8655.
Electronic Resources
Both MVC and the DCCCD subscribe to a wide variety electronic resources including
online databases with access to literally thousands of electronic publications—
newspapers, journals, and magazines. These databases can be accessed from any
18
computer with an Internet connection. The URL is to the library is
http://www.mvc.dcccd.edu/sites/library/default.aspx. Individuals desiring remote access
(home, work, etc.) will be prompted for their name, ID number, and pin. The pin number
for new users is generally their six digit birth date (mm/dd/yy). See library homepage for
more information.
Student Printing
Students may print their own work or copies of materials accessed electronically for 10
cents per page from the library. They should contact the library ASAP for more details
about this process.
Electronic Media Equipment
The Learning Resources Center is “wired” not only with computers but with sound and
video monitors for listening and viewing instructional materials available in the library.
Tele-Conferencing
Mountain View College has access to both regional and national programming uploaded
to the campus by satellite transmission. Announcements appear in periodic emails.
The Library Technology Room
Just inside the LRC and on the right is the Library Technology Room. This room is used
for providing student orientations, student computer technology tutoring, and small
faculty/staff training sessions and workshops. Use of this room is scheduled through the
Library by calling 214/860-8655.
The Media Center
The Media Center is located inside the LRC to the left of the Circulation Desk just inside
the library doors. Staff will be happy to deliver equipment and media materials to your
classroom and return them for you when you are finished.
For assistance, call 214/860-8655.
19
The MVC Learning Skills Center
Hours
MTWR
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday
8:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday
9:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday
12:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Telephone
214/860-8538
Tutoring
The LSC offers individual student tutoring in reading, writing, math, and accounting.
Walk-ins are welcome.
Tours
Instructors may schedule tours during their classes. Call in advance to 214/860-8538.
Computer-Assisted Instruction
The LSC provides a variety of computer-assisted training programs, including the full
Plato program of instructional materials in developmental reading, writing, and math.
TRIO/FOCUS
Low-income students, those with certain disabilities, and first-generation students qualify
for educational assistance through the “Trio/Focus” program, a federally-funded initiative
that is facilitated through staff in E230. The program provides counseling and academic
advisement, financial aid, and some extracurricular activities for students who qualify.
A key component of the program is weekly two-hour free one-on-one tutoring in the
Learning Skills Center. These sessions are scheduled through the Trio/Focus advisors.
Mention these services to your students and direct those interested to W230, upstairs on
the West side of the campus. They can reach a advisor/counselor by calling 214/8608883.
20
DCCCD Core Courses
“Core courses” are a set of college courses comprising 45 credit hours defined by the
Texas Coordinating Board for Higher Education that will automatically transfer to other
state-supported colleges and universities and satisfy the block of core courses defined by
the transferring college or university.
These “Core Courses” are strictly identified and include, in the DCCCD, SPCH 1311 or
SPCH 1315. Other courses required in the Core include College Algebra, three English
courses, American history and American government, and selected electives identified in
blocks of optional courses defined by the DCCCD.
According to state law, students who complete the entire Core of courses at any state
supported college or university will be able to transfer those credits without question to
any other state-supported college or university. However, should a student fail to
complete all courses in the Core, transfer colleges and universities may refuse to accept
one or more courses as credits toward various degree programs.
Students are encouraged to complete the entire Core of courses in one or more of the
seven campuses of the Dallas County Community College District if they have begun
their studies in the District.
DCCCD Online Support for Face-to-Face (Lecture)
Classes – Blackboard eCampus
The DCCCD facilitates a sophisticated but “user friendly” course management software
program, called “Blackboard eCampus” to assist any faculty member in posting materials
online in support of face-to-face (lecture) classes. From posting a syllabus and course
materials to the use of the electronic grade book, eCampus offers both students and their
instructors a variety of electronic resources.
Faculty members interested in the use of eCampus must complete a “hands on”
orientation session offered periodically at Mountain View College and on other campuses
throughout the DCCCD.
There are two steps in setting up a course section for the use of eCampus. After
completing the orientation, instructors must 1) have the Department Secretary “tag” the
course in Colleague (the DCCCD administrative software) and 2) request an eCampus
course account by completing an online application form.
1) Setting up Distance Learning Sections in Colleague
(Note: These are procedures that only the Department Secretaries can enter since they
have been authorized to access the required screens in COLLEAGUE.)
1) Open COLLEAGUE.
2) Open the SECT Screen to set up the course.
21
3) In the SOFF screen, change the instructor load to INET.
4) Go to item 20; enter CET for “building.”
5) In the room slot, enter INET.
6) Leave all beginning and ending times blank.
7) Enter Monday – Saturday for the days.
8) Go to slot 11 (eCampus) and enter a Y.
9) In item 19 enter the faculty ID/SSN number.
10) Finish 19 and go to slot 22 (“Restrictions”); enter a max of 20 in “Restrictions” and a
minimum of 10.
11) Finish 22.
2) Requesting an eCampus Course Account
To begin using Blackboard/E-Campus in support of your lecture course, you must first
request an eCampus course account. You do this by providing the DCCCD TeleCollege
staff with specific course information that you enter in an online “Course Request” form.
Follow the instructions for posting information on this page. A box at the bottom allows
you to enter questions or to type in additional course information. Be sure to click on the
“Submit” button at the bottom of the page or you will delete your information as you exit.
Note: Information submitted on the “Course Request” form must be hand-entered by
DCCCD staff, so it may take as long as a week before your course account is set up.
Link to the “Course Request” website:
http://ollie.dcccd.edu/ecampus
Link to the Blackboard Training website for Mountain View College:
http://bb6balance.dcccd.edu
How to Log-in to Blackboard:
Once your course account has been set up, you can then access your course account and
begin posting content. To enter the course, you must log-in.
To enter your course,
1) access the DCCCD homepage and click on the Dallas TeleCollege link.
2) Open the dialog box at the bottom of the screen.
3) Click on the small black “down” arrow.
4) Select “Attend class.”
5) Press the small red “Go” button.
6) At the log-in prompt, enter “e” followed by your seven-digit ID number (HR or your
Department Assistant can provide that information). Use the same number for both the
User ID and the Password.
Faculty Training
Both Mountain View College and the Dallas TeleCollege staff provide training in the use
of Blackboard eCampus. MVC offers additional training in HTML editing, digital
imagining and video production, and CD-ROM/DVD production. Contact the MVC
Media Center to set up a training session.
22
About Mountain View College: Its History and Culture
Mountain View College opened in 1970, along with its sister campus, Eastfield College,
as the third and fourth campuses of the seven-campus Dallas County Community College
District. Because construction fell behind schedule, the Board of Trustees elected to
open the college in tents and trailers, anchored and parked on the west side of the
campus. Upon its completion and dedication months later, MVC received major
architectural achievement awards for its environmental design. More than twenty
“pioneer” faculty members from “tents and trailer days” remain on the full-time faculty
as of 2004 and are accorded “Pioneer” parking places in the college parking lots.
Mountain View College has been well served by four presidents to date: Dale Douglass
(1970-1971), David Sims (1971-1976), Bill Jordan (1976-1992), and Monique Amerman
(1993 to 2004), Felix Zamora (2004-Present).
Mountain View College staff represent some of the most innovative in the DCCCD,
indeed, in higher education throughout the United States. In the 1970’s, the Fine Arts
Department initiated the PAMTC (the Performing Artists Musical Theater Conservatory),
the only academy of its kind in the United States Southwest. For the past six years, Fine
Arts faculty have composed and staged original children’s musicals that bring some
5,000 public school students to the college’s Performance Hall each year. At the same
time, the college’s watch repair program featured George Schlerer, at that time, one of
only 33 master watchmakers in the United States. MVC staff inaugurated international
study and travel programs beginning in 1973 with exchanges with Guatemala as a part of
the nation’s Bicentennial Celebration activities, educational programs later extended to
the Soviet Union, England, Canada, Mexico, and Senegal. MVC LRC staff opened the
first three-camera video production studio in the District, producing cable-programming
broadcast throughout its service area. Its video production filmmaker, Randy Clower has
received more than two dozen national awards for his outstanding educational and
promotional video productions. The Faculty/Staff Development Suite remains unique in
the DCCCD. In 1990, MVC Business and Marketing faculty Kathy Hegar and Gemmy
Allen developed the first computer-assisted distance learning courses in the DCCCD.
MVC Faculty have been recognized at both the state, national, and international arenas
for innovative teaching and educational programming. Music Professor Mark Heddle is
the recipient of the “Minnie Stevens Piper Professorship” in Texas, an award made to
only ten from more than 600 nominees from all Texas colleges and universities each
year. English and Humanities Professor Paul Benson has been recognized by the
National Community College Humanities Association as one of the best humanities
instructors in North America. The ACCT (Association of Community College Trustees)
recognized English Professor Geoffrey Grimes in1991 as one of the five top community
college professors in North America. The Guatemala Ministry of Education and the
French Government have awarded knighthood to both Grimes and French and Speech
Professor Sherry Dean, respectively, for their work in promoting these two countries and
service to their people. Welding Professor Dwayne Roy is honored as one of the top
welding instructors in the world. History Professor Kenneth Alfers is the content
specialist/researcher who has written the script for “Shaping America,” the most widely
used telecourse on American history in the United States.
23
Student Programs and Resources programming initiated by MVC staff are now main
features in DCCCD student programming. The “New Mexico Experience,” the “Austin
Experience,” the Washington, D.C. Study Program, and Boston American Studies
Excursion were all created through the organization and funding of MVC Student
Programs and Resources.
MVC instructors have also addressed some of the most grievous issues confronting
people of all nations: torture and human rights violations. Psychology Professor Mary
Stupp participated in many civil rights and human rights initiatives in Dallas, supporting
desegregation and the Black Civil Rights Movement and sanctuary programs for those
fleeing the 1980’s wars of Central America in El Salvador and Guatemala. With her
assistance and support before her death from breast cancer in 1993, MVC faculty and
staff founded the “Mary Stupp Endowment for Social Justice,” a program that now
provides human rights programming each year for the MVC community and service area.
MVC students remain the focus of all of this creative activity, and several MVC
graduates have returned to join the faculty and support staff over the years. Its diverse
student population has gone on to find success in every discipline, profession, and trade.
Its challenge is to honor its heritage in diversity as it continues to seek excellence
generation from generation.
“An Eight-Turtle Day at Mountain View College”: A True Story
In April, 1992, Eric Trapp, a Mountain View College Honors student, walked across the
north bridge where he stopped midway to note a line of turtles nuzzled nose to tail on a
branch stretching out of the pond. A spring storm the night before had uprooted the tree
and launched it to the bottom of the pond, leaving only a single dead branch angling out
of the water on a bright sunny morning the day after. Eight turtles craned their necks in
the warming breeze. “It’s an eight-turtle day,” remarked Trapp.
To this day, students and staff enjoy no finer day in spring than an “eight-turtle day” at
Mountain View College.