An interesting report from Inside Higher Education outlines data from the National Student Clearinghouse.  The decline in college enrollments appears to be accelerating, with 2.3 percent fewer students enrolled on campuses this spring than there were in spring 2012, according to data published Thursday by the National Student Clearinghouse.

The 2.3 percent dip is steeper than the 1.8 percent decline that the clearinghouse reported in December when it compared fall 2012 numbers to those from fall 2011.
Read more: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/05/17/data-show-increasing-pace-college-enrollment-declines#ixzz2TYCyZ8jk
Inside Higher Ed

Effective May 15, Staples was awarded the new state contract for office supplies. The award was made to only one company this time. The new state contract number is 66026.

Any other companies previously used may no longer be used.

If you have any questions, please contact Jo Anna Christian at 629-4517.

In preparation for the Summer 2013 semester, please review the Prepare Your Course for the Semester information that can be found at: https://www.hvcc.edu/deptweb-dlweb/preSemesterPrep.html.

Training
Please call 629-7070 or e-mail DLHelp@hvcc.edu for assistance or to set up an appointment.

Don’t Forget to Make Your Course Available
Once the semester begins, students will have access only to a course that has been made available by the course instructor. You must manually make your course(s) available in Blackboard in order for students to see them.

To set the course availability, follow these steps:

• From the Control Panel of your course
• Select Customization
• Select Properties
• Locate Step 3: Set Availability and select Yes, “Make Course Available“
• Select Submit
• A green confirmation bar will appear indicating that the properties have been updated

In this last Update of the 2012-13 academic year, the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs is delighted to share good news and information from a wide variety of departments, including a new training grant for Biotechnology, the 17^th Annual Viking Challenge, the new veterans’ peer mentor program, distribution of Lincoln exhibit resources to area high schools, the 20^th Annual Manufacturing Technical Systems Capstone Ceremony, a presentation at the International Online Learning Conference, a Girls in STEM event at TEC-SMART and much more!

Congratulations and thank you to everyone for your outstanding efforts and achievements in all these endeavors.

Please click here to access the full Update.

Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week 2013

Day after day, police officers in every corner of America suit up, put on the badge, and carry out their sworn duty to protect and serve. They step out the door every morning without considering bravery or heroics. They stay focused on meeting their responsibilities. They concentrate on keeping their neighborhoods safe and doing right by their fellow officers. And with quiet courage, they help fulfill the demanding yet vital task of shielding our people from harm. It is work that deserves our deepest respect — because when darkness and danger would threaten the peace, our police officers are there to step in, ready to lay down their lives to protect our own.

This week, we pay solemn tribute to men and women who did. Setting aside fear and doubt, these officers made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the rule of law and the communities they loved. They heard the call to serve and answered it; braved the line of fire; charged toward the danger. Our hearts are heavy with their loss, and on Peace Officers Memorial Day, our Nation comes together to reflect on the legacy they left us.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 15, 2013, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 12 through May 18, 2013, as Police Week. I call upon all Americans to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also call on Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of the other territories subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day. I further encourage all Americans to display the flag at half-staff from their homes and businesses on that day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

Barack Obama

Police Week
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.