Texan Mosaic

by SARA MARSHALL//Editor-in-Chief

The 2015 Campus Safety Report, future plans for the Alumni Association and new furniture for the resident halls were among topics discussed during the October meeting of the South Plains College Board of Regents.

Cathy Mitchell, vice president of student affairs, explained SPC’s 2015 Clery Report.

The Clery Report requires collegiate institutions to report criminal offenses, hate crimes and offenses regarding the Violence Against Women Act, as well as weapons, liquor and drug offenses. Colleges must also include prevention programs, security systems and emergency notifications in place within their yearly reports.

Included in the 2015 Clery Report, SPC had 19 liquor law violations, one sexual misconduct case and 18 drug violations on the Levelland campus. At the Byron Martin Advanced Technology Center there were 11 liquor law violations, only one of which were on the physical grounds. All SPC campuses reported zero fire safety problems, with zero instances of fire.

In the case where a fire incident may occur, SPC administrators are cordinating with the local fire and police departments in Levelland to conduct fire drills for the women’s and men’s residence halls. These drills are still being planned by school oficials, but will happen as soon as possible.

Various local law enforcement officials, campus security members and other campus authorities and administrators are also included in the final 2015 Clery Report. The full report, consisting of 47 pages, can be found on the MySPC webpage.

Stephen John, vice president for institutional advancement, told the Regents of upcoming plans for the SPC Alumni Association.

The Alumni Association is a nonprofit organization which allows SPC to communicate with former students, as well as host mixers and other events geared toward Alumni at various campus locations.

This open communication allows alums to maintain a relationship with the college and its traditions, despite being a former student. All former SPC students are eligible and encouraged to join the Alumni Association online or in person at the Development and Alumni Office.

“Over the years, there have been various efforts to engage and reconnect our former students with the college,” John said. “The only way to engage your alumni is to create an organization and allow them to run it. Let them plan their activities, let them handle their financial affairs, and then turn them loose to support the college.  At the same time, though, you want to create strong ties with that organization and align that organization with the purpose, goals and mission of the college.”

An alumni faculty mixer will be held on Oct. 21 in the Sundown Room in the Student Center on the Levelland campus.

Dr. Robin Satterwhite, president of SPC, discussed the purchase of new furniture for 215 rooms in residence halls on the Levelland campus. This purchase is through the same vendor which provided the furniture in Tubb Hall and SouthWest Hall.

The placing and instalation of the new furniture in the women’s and men’s residence halls will take place during the winter break in December and January. This will require student residents to either move possessions into adjoining bathrooms or temporarily move their belongings home during the break.

Dr. Satterwhite also presented the Alton C. “Pete” and Charlene Pettiet Honorary Scholarship Endowment. Pete Pettiet of Ropesville has served on the Board of Regents for 27 years, focusing on spreading his love of community and higher education to the students of SPC.

This dedication has been passed on to his son Brad Pettiet, who established this scholarship in his parents’ names. Freshman McKenzie Moore was awarded the scholarship as the first recipient.

“This couldn’t have been a more special gift,” Dr. Satterwhite said. “This is particularly special for me because of how special Pete and Charlene have been in my life, personally. I started my higher education here at South Plains College, and, believe it or not, I have a lot to thank Pete and Charlene for myself.”

Dr. Satterwhite also discussed upcoming campus events. The Career Expo will be held at the Lubbock Civic Center on Oct. 18 at 8:30 a.m until 12 p.m. The Halloween Carnival will be held on Oct. 27 at 5 p.m. in the Sundown Room on the Levelland campus. Meet the Texans will be held at the Texan Dome on Nov. 2 at 5 p.m. The Scholarship Banquet will be held Nov. 3 at the Mallet Event Center, beginning at 6:30 p.m.