Dear Faculty Member:
Thank you for teaching at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center this semester. You represent one of ten institutions that provide over 60 undergraduate or graduate degree programs at the Center. This combined effort creates numerous learning options for students of all ages including face-to-face instruction, two-way video and web-based courses. Our extensive technology also facilitates the search and retrieval of library resources. Students can access information electronically from any college or university in Virginia.
Professional library assistance is available to you and your students through the Virginia Highlands Community College library. The VHCC library is open seven days a week. For hours of operation and other important information, go to http://www.vhcc.edu/library/.
Multiple support services are also available to you at the Higher Education Center. When you arrive at the Center, please stop by the Information Desk and let the receptionist on duty know that you are in the building. Dot Mullins, Diane Powers, Phyllis Ringley and Linda Lovins can help you with most requests including emergency assistance. From any classroom in the Center or the courtesy phones on the first and second floor lobbies, dial “0” to reach the Information Desk. Also, please stop by or call the desk before leaving the building. This helps the staff know when classes are finished so they can store equipment and clean and secure the rooms.
Technical assistance is provided by Jeff Webb and his expert staff of technicians. Barry Logan, Doug Viers, Jeremy Mitchell or Jacob King can help you with video connections, computers, projectors or other equipment. The fastest way to reach one of them is to contact the Information Desk. They will radio a technician and have him come to your classroom If you are teaching in one of the computer labs, please do not install software, cards or other peripherals to our computers without prior approval and assistance from Jeff, Barry, Doug, Jeremy or Jacob.
TV monitors at the Information Desk and west end of the hallway display all of the special events that occur in the Center. Occasionally, a large event in the Grand Hall will “spill over” into the lobby and may require an unusual amount of parking. When such events are scheduled, we will give you and your students advanced notice, including decals for reserved parking. Each year, more than 1500 professional meetings, trade shows, and special events take place in the Grand Hall, Executive Auditorium, and other meeting rooms. A number of these events are conferences sponsored by the faculty and institutions that provide programs at the Center. If you are interested in developing a similar activity, Sonia Vanhook or Brenda Wilson, will be happy to assist you.
If you need to use a faculty office or an additional classroom for breakout sessions, student projects, lab work, etc., contact Doug Viers at 619-4307 to make these arrangements. With numerous colleges and organizations sharing space in the Center, it is essential that we maintain a master schedule of room availability. If he is unavailable, the receptionist at the Information Desk can check the system for you.
In closing, the staff and I welcome your suggestions for ways we can serve you and your students more effectively. I urge you to share your ideas with us. Please feel free to stop by my office in the Administrative Suite on the first floor or you can reach me by phone at 276-619-4305 or e-mail at rfowlkes@swcenter.edu. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Until then, best wishes for a productive and enjoyable semester!
Sincerely,
Rachel Fowlkes
Executive Director