The Important Dates document has been finalized for the 2024-2025 academic year and may be viewed here. A calendar formatted version will be available in the coming weeks. If you have any questions please contact Joseph Taschler (jtaschler@lccc.edu or 610-799-1019).

Thank you for your recommendations for budget savings. The Executive Team will continue to review and explore recommendations and provide updates. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to a member of the Executive Team. We will provide updates on a regular basis.

1. Computer, printer, monitor, light and accessory item shutdowns

1.  Computers, printers, monitors and projectors configured to go into sleep mode after 10-30 minutes of inactivity.
2. Public Safety and custodial staff will shut off equipment not in use.
3. All college employees should be empowered to turn off equipment when finished using or when not in use.

2. Schedule summer classes in only two buildings — reduce need for custodian

1. Don’t currently have a full complement of custodians; department has the classroom schedules to rotate through buildings as needed.
2. Staff works special projects during summer in addition to daily cleaning.

3. Solar panels

1. Industry business models continue to change.
2. College has engaged with two different companies to evaluate our power load and recommend solutions.

4. Automatic light switches in conference rooms

1. Change-outs occur as upgrades are made.

5. Purchase digital ID software

1. Considering as part of Phase 2 of access control project.

6. Retirement packages

1. Prior analysis revealed that affected positions would have to be replaced as opposed to eliminated.

7. Some employees offered to move from 40 to 35 hours

1. Need coverage within departments.

8. Move paper transcript printing to the Clearinghouse

9. Reduce printers in classrooms

1. Faculty have identified areas where printers are definitely needed.
2. Technology and English classrooms have the most need for printers, however, many composition classes are not printing drafts.

10. Reduce printing in offices

1. Offices will be reviewed to determine where desktop printers can be removed.
2. All staff will be encouraged to use office Xerox MFDs and Duplicating office.

11. Greater usage of dynamic forms

1. Continued evolvement and implementation across all departments.

12. Review of technology per department for greater efficiency:

1. Banner review for each module and tracking of Ellucian roadmaps for future functionality and vendors that can remove manual processes.

13. Extended hours in January and August

1. Continue for this year and collect more detailed data on the number of hours served per week. The Executive Team will review this in November 2024.

The walkway between parking lot B and the Student Services Center will undergo repair work beginning July 8 until July 11. During this time, the first row of parking adjacent to the walkway and the walkway may be inaccessible for parking and foot traffic. You may continue to access the SSC and mall from the walkway that runs parallel to the mall or the rear of the building.

The carpeting in the CSC lobby and ballroom is scheduled to be replaced with a luxury vinyl flooring material beginning Monday, June 24 through Friday, July 12. During this time, those areas will be inaccessible at times. We ask for your patience throughout this exciting renovation.

The college and the LCCC Foundation recently received a $75,000 grant from the Trexler Trust for “Community in the Classroom.” This was part of a total of $5.4 million in 83 grants the trust awarded to a variety of Lehigh Valley nonprofit organizations.

LCCC’s program will serve as a pathway for English language learners to pursue a career in education by blending traditional credit ESL coursework and the paraprofessional Quickstart. The college will partner with Lehigh County school districts to address employment gaps for instructional support staff and the challenge to recruit and hire teachers. Academic advisors will work with students as they complete the program to help them connect with employment opportunities and educate them on pathways to earning their associate and bachelor’s degrees in education.

The grant will provide scholarships, funds for books and supplies, as well as staffing for a study lab for ESL students.

The LCCC Foundation Board of Directors recently approved the following four priorities for future fundraising efforts:

Strategic College Initiatives Priority

This priority is directly aligned with the six pillars of the college strategic plan. Its intention is to strengthen teaching, technologies, educational tools, adaptive research approaches, and flexible hybrid learning strategies. New funds have been established to compliment the six pillars of the college strategic plan. The new funds are as follows; Communication Fund, Data Analysis & Literacy Fund, DEIB Fund, Employee Experience & Retention Fund, Pathway & New Program Development Fund, and the Student Enrollment & Retention Fund.

Student Health & Wellness Priority

Funds established for this priority will help provide students with equitable access to basic life needs so they can thrive while attending LCCC. Existing funds in this priority are the Cougar Cabinet (Food Pantry) and the Presidential Emergency Fund. Later this Fall/Winter the foundation will begin fundraising with the intent of creating the following five new funds; Academic Supplies Fund, Family Care Fund, Housing/Rental Fund, Transportation Fund, and the Utility Assistance Fund.

Student Scholarships & Awards Priority

We currently have many student scholarships and awards to help recruit a diverse student body, address income inequalities, and meet the full demonstrated need of every student. All the existing scholarships and awards exist within this giving priority. We plan to continue funding all existing awards & scholarships, while still looking for new opportunities.

Greatest Need Priority (Cougar Fund)

Unrestricted annual gifts to help the College respond nimbly to changing circumstances.

Join the Spirit Committee for an unforgettable experience that combines the love of plants, creativity, and community. Nurture your inner plant lover and get your hands in the dirt as you create your own DIY project. Pre-registration is required for this event at Main Campus on Wednesday, July 17. Click here for more information and to sign up.

We will welcome in the new fall semester with a State of the College Forum, in lieu of the traditional Convocation event. Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, Aug. 20, from 9 to 11 a.m., in the Community Services Center ballroom. There will also be a virtual option for those who are not able to come to campus. A link will be shared later in the summer. Dr. Bieber will be joined by members of the Executive Team to offer an update on college initiatives. There will be ample time at the end of the presentation for questions and answers. A continental breakfast will be served beginning at 8:15 a.m.

Faculty and staff are welcome to join our Alumni Night at the IronPigs scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 29. Get your dugout suite tickets early; last year’s event sold out quickly. Watch the Lehigh Valley IronPigs take on the Syracuse Mets! First pitch is at 6:45 p.m. with the gates opening at 5:15 p.m. Purchase your tickets here. Each ticket includes access to an all-you-can-eat buffet plus soft drinks. The buffet time is 5:45 – 8:15 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person, and only 30 are available.

Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that can learn from and mimic large amounts of data to create content such as text, images, music, videos, code and more based on inputs or prompts. LCCC supports responsible experimentation with Generative AI tools, but there are important considerations to keep in mind when using these tools, including information security and data privacy, compliance, copyright and academic integrity.

Protect Confidential Data
You should not enter data classified as confidential (including non-directory student data, finance, HR, student records, medical information, etc.) into publicly-available Generative AI tools, in accordance with the college’s Institutional Data Security Policy. Information shared with Generative AI tools using default settings is not private and could expose proprietary or sensitive information to unauthorized parties.

Review Content Before Publication
AI-generated content can be inaccurate, misleading, or entirely fabricated (sometimes called “hallucinations”) or may contain copyrighted material. You are responsible for any content that you publish that includes AI-generated material.

Adhere to Academic Policy
Academic Council will be developing and updating their policies as we better understand the implications of using Generative AI tools. In the meantime, faculty should be clear with students about their policies on permitted uses, if any, of Generative AI in classes and on academic work. Students are also encouraged to ask their instructors for clarification about these policies as needed.

Be Alert for Phishing
Generative AI has made it easier for malicious actors to create sophisticated phishing emails and “deepfakes” (i.e., video or audio intended to convincingly mimic a person’s voice or physical appearance without their consent) at a far greater scale. Continue to follow security best practices and report suspicious messages using the Phish Alert Button or emailing helpme@lccc.edu.

Connect with LCCC IT Before Procuring Generative AI Tools
LCCC IT is working to ensure that tools procured on behalf of the college have the appropriate privacy and security protections. If you have procured or are considering procuring generative AI tools or have questions, contact LCCC IT at helpme@lccc.edu. Vendor generative AI tools must be assessed for risk by LCCC IT prior to use.

Summer is a fantastic time to get a jumpstart on your courses for Fall 2024 or to work on something exciting for your summer courses. The Faculty Coaches are here for you if you would like to work on course content design, assessments, rubrics, classroom management, remote course management ideas, or just about anything you are interested in improving or trying for the first time. If you would like to make an appointment with Professors Jennifer Myskowski, Wendy Barron, Karen Wotring, Dr. Betsy Swope or Dr. Melanie Turrano, please sign up for an appointment here. Faculty Coach appointments are confidential, tailored just for you, and available in person or remotely. We look forward to working with you this summer!

Finance Office: Fiscal Year End 23/24 Deadlines

5/10/24 – Grant Purchase Requisitions

5/31/24 – College Purchase Requisitions

6/14/24 – Last day for FY23/24 credit card and W.B. Mason purchases

6/17/24 – Travel reimbursements – Allentown and Tamaqua sites

6/17/24 – Student stipends

6/21/24 – Last day to submit:

• Duplicating jobs

• Travel Reimbursements – Main Campus

• Employee Reimbursements – Main Campus

• Bookstore Vouchers

6/28/24 – All FY23/24 goods & services *received*

6/28/24 – All Accounts Payable invoices must be approved and submitted to the Finance Office

7/05/24 – Final FY23/24 Accounts Payable check run

6/20/24 – Final FY23/24 payroll pay date – contracted staff

7/18/24 – Final FY23/24 payroll pay date – timecard staff (paydays of 6/30-7/13/24)

A  word doc of the dates for download or print can be found here.