Fall '09 enrollment approaches 10,000
Budget cuts challenge PVCC; new funds may improve outlook
By Kyle A. Porter, October 2009
Editor-in-chief

Record-high enrollment at PVCC this semester coincided with operating budget cuts for Maricopa County Community Colleges, both a result of the economic recession.

Fall 2009 semester enrollment reached 9,860 students at PVCC, a 9 percent increase in headcount since Fall 2008, but campus administrators have ensured funding of the learning core, says Paul Dale, Ph.D., and interim president. continued...

Photo by Miguel Saucedo

Nader Terani, president of the Veterans' Association, is determined to make the club a lasting support for veterans at PVCC.

Students relay on Veterans' club for support, understanding

By Miguel Saucedo, October 2009
World News Editor

Servicemen and servicewomen returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan are now trading their old weapons for a new kind of armament.

Books and pens are slowly becoming the newest hardware for the modern warrior returning home from battle in the 21st century.

With 250 registered veterans at Paradise Valley Community College this fall semester, the services provided by the college’s new, reorganized veterans’ club or Veterans’ Association is an invaluable resource to assist the new and returning military veterans to the PVCC Campus, says Student Adviser for the club, Michele Marion, who is also an Air Force veteran. continued...

Black Mountain campus extends PVCC impact
By Ty Brown, October 2009
Staff Writer

Paradise Valley Community College at Black Mountain opened its doors to students on August 10 and on August 24 classes commenced.

The 48,000-square-foot center located at 60th street and the Carefree Highway, houses six college classrooms, a YMCA and a Community Center, making it a multi-generational facility for the growing, surrounding communities. continued...

MCCCD prepares for H1N1 flu strain
By Josselyn Berry, October 2009
Lynx Editor

With the flu season fast approaching, fears of swine flu arrive with it; however, Maricopa County Community Colleges have been developing extensive procedures to cope with the new flu strain on campuses.

The district is preparing faculty and students to recognize and deal with the H1N1 flu. A memo sent to faculty on Sept.15 from Scottsdale Healthcare explains symptoms of H1N1 include pains, chills, moderate to severe fatigue, rapid onset of symptoms within 3-6 hours, headache and chest discomfort. continued...

You are invited to the Puma Press Halloween Gathering and Costume Contest
By Lisa Racz, October 2009
Halloween Committee Chair--Puma Press

Come join the fanged, the hunched back and the creepy staff of the underworld, errrr I mean, Puma Press for a horrifying time with music, costume contest, prizes, food and beverages and of course, all you scary ghouls from school. continued...

New campus building pulses with scientific opportunity
By Kyle A. Porter, October 2009
Editor-in-chief

“It surpasses our wildest dreams,” says Hank Mancini, Ph.D. and science division chair, of the new Life Sciences Building at PVCC that opened this semester.

Eight labs are located on the first floor. The LS building has an L-shaped footprint suggested by architects to follow sustainable design practices to limit consumption of non-renewable energy and materials. continued...

Cadaver lab creates learning opportunity
By Kyle A. Porter, October 2009
Editor-in-chief

Human cadavers, donated to help train scientists and healthcare professionals, will be part of the curriculum for anatomy and physiology students at PVCC.

This learning tool for students of BIO201, 202 and 160 was planned in the design of the new Life Sciences building opened fall 2009. Only two other Maricopa Colleges offer cadaver labs to biology students. Paradise Valley Community College now has the proper space and supplies for the care, maintenance and preservation of cadavers, says Jeffrey Lace, PVCC anatomy and physiology faculty. continued...

Students wear scrubs to lab classes now on campus
By Carmela Kelly, October 2009
News Editor

Expect to see PVCC nursing students wearing scrubs this spring due to a new opportunity to study on campus in clinical labs.

The associate of science nursing degree program is not new to PVCC, which graduated its first students in 2005. continued...

Wanna push that blue box button?
Here's what happens if you do...
By Carmela Kelly, October 2009
News Editor

Do you know what happens when you press the button on the emergency blue boxes that are scattered throughout campus?

A blue light will flash and a dispatcher will answer, ask your location and respond to your call, says a College Safety worker—but how do you know the system will work? continued...

Photo by Andreanna Sullivan
HLC committee member for MCC Governing Board review, Pearl Washington, embraces MCC Governing Board member Debra Pearson.