United States Department of the Interior

BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute P. O. Box 10146 - 9169 Coors Rd. N.W.

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87184

To: Relevant Instructors

From: Jim Snyder; SIPI Ambassadors Group Sponsor

Re: Request for excused absences from class on Thursday 10129

Everybody;

I have had a request that our student volunteers make an appearance representing SIPI at the upcoming Albuquerque Community Feast tomorrow from lOam through 3 pm. This will apparently be an opportunity for SIPI's student ambassadors to interact with many local tribal leaders and represent positively on developments here at SIPI

This will be a positive cultural activity for our students and a plus for the visibility of the SIPI community. I would like to submit this list of students for your consideration of excused absences. Obviously if you feel that missing class would be more detrimental for an individual student or a task is planned that a student can't be excused from this decision would be up to the instructor.

Students who would like to attend include: InaRae Badoni, Marcus Badoni, Danielle Begay, Kim Begolin, Kevin Tom, Winston Yazzie, RayDarrly Guy, Damien Moore, Gabriel Johnson, Nicole Pablo, Evelyn Thinn, Micah John, and Darlene Nelee

Thank you;

Jim Snyder

To: Kirby Gchachu: ABE Department Chair

From: Jim Snyder; Tutor Center and Computer Center Coordinator Re: Services Provided and Received Fall 2009

Tutoring Services

During the Fall 2009 semester the Tutor Center in the ASC building was open to provide student assistance for 830 hours. This usually consisted of open hours from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Monday thru Thursday and 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Fridays, closing only for holidays. The center opened 5 Saturdays and 1 Sunday from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. for a further 24 hours of service. There were also another 15 hours of student tutoring delivered in the form of supervised study groups managed by a student peer tutor at locations in the student dorms when the ASC Building was closed.

Delivering the services was a single BIE employed tutor, Elizabeth Bizardi, who worked a total of 454.25 hours during this semester. Six peer tutors worked a total of 1279.5 hours providing student assistance, though 204.75 hours provided by Lyle Etsitty were provided in the General Studies Computer Center location. This use of a student peer tutor in this second location, while not a formal tutor center location, enabled this student computer center to be opened for 720 hours. Finally, two students who had work study awards and were sufficiently academically skilled were also employed in the tutoring center. These two worked a total of 139 hours. Regular full-time SIPl faculty including Jim Snyder and Mary McCormick provided supervision in the tutoring center at least 8 hours every week to allow the ASC building to be open until 8 :00 P.M. on weekday evenings.

The outcome of these services was that 2,137 hours of tutoring were delivered to 346 SIPl students in 1546 individual tutor sessions. We implemented several new tutoring strategies including formal group sessions and supervised study groups that helped us increase our total delivered services to our best ever semester. Sampling over several sessions during the semester I would estimate that there was actually another 25% student tutoring hours delivered during which the students forgot to log in.

Computer Center Usage

The computer center in the ASC Building was open during the fall semester during all of the hours that the tutor center was open resulting in 854 hours of student access time to the 21 computers in the Platolab and 6 computers in the tutoring center. The computer lab in the General Studies building usually had 35 working computers and this lab was open 720 hours during this semester. Usage of these computers ranged during the semester but a conservative estimate would be that at least 20 hours most weeks saw these labs at 100% usage. This occurred when instructors taught classes in these labs. Most of the time when classes had not reserved these labs so they were open for general student access they had 25% to 70% usage, with daytime use leaning towards the higher rates.

During the fall semester 23 individual classes made at least some usage of the PLATO Computer Aided Instruction system. Many of these classes required at least some PLATO work in their syllabus. This resulted in another student usage record 221

individual student spent a cumulative 4,603 hours working in this CAl system, with a student average of20 hours and 50 minutes.

Dr. Coleman employed a system of Computer Video Instruction CD's provided along with the math text books. These students were encouraged to view these video lectures once to get a general idea of their content, once to make synopsis notes, (which they turned in), and once to review the information before chapter tests. While all students did not obviously do this, many reviewed these videos more than the requied amount oftimes. This method of content delivery obviously resonates with students, many of them bring blank disks to make personal copies of these video lectures before returning them at the end of the semester. A very rough estimate of student time spent in our computer labs viewing these lecture would be at least 1500 hours.

A further note on student computer use is that student ownership of laptop computers has recently increased dramatically. I would guess that 20% of the ABE students have some personal computer resources, and many of them use these systems to view Dr. Coleman's homework disks. While this number may seem minor I think that this is a very significant change in the average computer literacy of our ABE students on entry to SIPI, and may eventually significantly alleviate our need for computer resources. However, the more student bring their own computers and log in through our Local Area Wi-Fi connection, the more our internet bandwidth will need to be expanded. Presently, our need to increase our bandwidth exceeds our need for more computer workstations. Presently students can work on their own computers in the ASe Building cafe, but we may soon need to have similar work areas in the GS building. Places with individual tables, power outlets and a Wi-Fi hotspot may become our next computer labs.

SIP} Student Ambassadors

Finally, I have had the most amazing experience and luck to serve as the faculty sponsor for a new student organization this fall. This group was originally formed to improve our student orientation week experience. As part of the plan for this week a call for returning students who would be willing to volunteer their time to help new students find their path through the complexities of registration, testing and class enrollment. Meeting over lunch during finals week I observed great enthusiasm amongst the volunteers to improve the orientation week experience.

When orientation week arrived 19 students showed up and delivered exceptional service to these new students. However, as sponsor of this group I had not anticipated that they came together as a team and we immediately interested in providing further volunteer services. This idea caught fire when the dorm manager asked if these students could help with orientation and training day the following week. Many of the core students from this organization asked me if I could find them other service tasks at SIPI they could assist with. Immediately, I also began fielding requests from other students who were not returning students, to become members of this group.

I personally had worked at a high school several years earlier which had a formal part of their curricula called service learning. As part of a grant that a class I taught there had won to deliver community service in Albuquerque, I was trained and certified as a service learning instructor. I learned that it was very important for volunteer organizations to provide a high level of personal engagement and individual ownership

with service tasks. Applying this training to this group I encouraged them from the start to organize themselves and find tasks they were interested in performing that would be a service to their fellow students.

Initially about 10 of the orientation week volunteers were very interested in continuing this organizations service to SIPr students. As their faculty sponsor I promised them that I would do everything I could to enable them to complete any task they would suggest. I also explained that I wasn't directing this group and they need to determine their own direction, plus plan and execute all projects. I did suggest that they hold to the principle ofvolunteerism in all their activities. I suggested that each member would personally volunteer to work on each project. If they had special interest in a project they might take the lead, if they had no interest they might opt out.

During the second week of school, at a school-wide meeting on I-IlNl preparedness SIPI president recognized and thanked the effort of these volunteers, later that day there were another 15 students interested in becoming involved with this group. They began having formal meetings to discuss ideas and plan activities that this group might become involved in. Often these meeting had 20 to 30 students attending, many who were involved in various other student organizations. While I had encouraged these students to have meeting facilitators they didn't have a leader per se. Students would each come with ideas about student services that they could improve at SIPI or concepts that they felt would improve their schooL

I attended most of these meetings, but I spoke only as a cheerleader, congratulating them on success, and occasionally as a moderator, encouraging them to take on tasks in measured reasonable stages, so they would be successful. This group met with and provided tours for official visitors. When I was discussing with them how they should conduct themselves during these tours I suggested that they think of themselves as student ambassadors from SIPI and this name seems to have stuck. They began meeting one to two hours weekly and they always encouraged newly interested volunteers that their goal was to always represent the best of SIP!. Members took this mandate very seriously and I can testify that I had many students come to me during the semester to apologize to me personally if they felt their behavior had not been exemplary. If they had skipped a class or received a behavioral reprimand they would explain how it had happened and promise to do better, noting their responsibility as SIPI Ambassadors to represent better for SIP!. I can tell you I was moved nearly to tears.

This group has worked with several other clubs putting together more student activities in the fall semester than have occurred in the past 5 years. I could not be prouder of their activities. Most of the members are active in several other clubs which has helped make them a natural coordinator for campus wide activities. Presently there are 15 volunteers planning on assisting with our spring 2010 student orientation week which brings them for the first time full-circle to the task around which this organization was formed.

Thank you; Jim Snyder

Report of hours worked by tutors in center per Semester

Fall 2010 - Incomplete semester less than 1;2 over

Tutor Payroll for the 9/1/2009 through 10/20/2010 pay period

Akers-Sunio, Naomi Beym, Kelly Dayaye, Shawn a Hutchens, Edwin James, Clinton Etsitty. Lyle Gardipe, Sam Moore, Damien

* Yellowhorse, Charles

* these were volunteer hours

131.25 37.00 71.00 57.50

151.75 2.25 33.75 155.00 20.25

659.75

Meeting Monday 12/14 4:30pm

SIPI AMBASSADORS GROUP

Very Important Meeting: all members

And interested volunteers

Gala Dance was very successful, thank you everybody! We are planning Orientation Week Jan 5th - 9th• Everybody who would like to help new students get started. This is a great opportunity to give your spirit and help SIPI get off to a great start for 2010!!!

Meeting in ASC 107 (Sunken room by the fireplace)

For more information ask Darlene Nelee or Jim Snyder

€fSTARRY NIGHT" END OF THE SEMESTER 6ALADANC£

6AMES$ MUSIC &REFRfISHMENJTS THUIR~DA Y NIGHT!!!

DEC BER 10TH

GYM FOYER: ~PM~MIDNI6HT £\f£R)(ONE~S INVltT£D: STUDENJTS$ STAFF &, FAMIU£S; HELP US CELEBRATE It GREAT 1fRAR AND COMPLETING THE HLC VISIT

For additional information contact Jim Snyder, ASC; Noah Billie, sipi_ptk@yahoo.com

Meeting Wednesday 1/13 4:30pm ASC 107(Sunken room by the fireplace)

SIPI AMBASSADORS GROUP

Everybody Welcome Il11portant Meeting: all members

And interested volunteers

We are planning activities for upcoming semester! This is a great opportunity to give your spirit and help SIPI get off to a great start for 2010!!!

For more information ask Jim Snyder, Joseph Hernandez or Jaslynn Begay

Meeting Wednesday 1/20 4:30pm ASC 107(Sunken room by the fireplace)

SIPI AMBASSADORS GROUP

Everybody Welcome Important Meeting: all members

And interested volunteers

We are planning activities for upcoming semester. Dance and our February visits to the NM State Legislature! This is a great opportunity to give your spirit and help SIPI get off to a great start for 2010!!!

For more information ask Jim Snyder, Joseph Hernandez or Jaslynn Begay

Meeting Wednesday 1/27 4:30pm ASC 107(Sunken room by the fireplace)

SIPI AMBASSADORS GROUP

Everybody Welcome Itnportant Meeting: all interested students

We are planning activities for upcoming semester. Thursday 1/28 Dance!! and our February visits to the NM State Legislature! This is a mandatory meeting for all going to Santa Fe!!!

For more information ask Jim Snyder, Joseph Hernandez or Jaslynn Begay

Meeting Tuesday 2/2 4:30pm Note new meeting dayll!

ASC 107(Sunken room by the fireplace)

SIPI AMBASSADORS GROUP

Everybody Welcol11e Important Meeting: all interested students

Dr. Allison will be speaking please arrive early for her talk. We are planning activities for Friday visit to Santa Fe. This is a mandatory meeting for all going to Native American day at the roundhouse.

For more information ask Jim Snyder, Joseph Hernandez or Jaslynn Begay

United States Department of the Interior

BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute P. O. Box 10146 - 9169 Coors Rd. N.W.

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87184

To: Relevant Instructors

From: Jim Snyder; SIPI Academic Advisor & Student Club Sponsor

Re: Request for excused absences from class on Friday February s"

Everybody;

I have had a request that our student volunteers make an appearance representing SIPI at the upcoming Albuquerque Native American Day at the New Mexico State Capitol (roundhouse) in Santa Fe.

We have had several plenary meetings and students have discussed strategies to speak with the relevant legislators with regard to legislation that could affect SIPI and Native educational opportunities in general. House Bill 102 (allowing students to use New Mexico Lottery Scholarships at SIPI) was just passed today from committee and is awaiting appropriations. Several other house and senate bills are also on our target list.

Justification for releasing students for this activity includes that it should be quite educational for those students who attend and since it is Native American day at the roundhouse there will be many interesting activities planed as well. I hope that all attending students will get an opportunity to take a guided tour and learn something more of the operations of our state government.

Obviously it is up to the individual instructor to grant permission to students on an one on one basis. Each of these students is required on their own to establish appropriate permission from each instructor.

Student, wish to attend trip: ~ __

Thank you;

Jim Snyder: SIPI Ambassador Group Sponsor

Meeting Thursday 2/11 4:30pm Today!!!!

ASC 107(Sunken room by the fireplace)

SIPI AMBASSADORS AND STUDENTS TRAVELLING TO SANTA FE FOR ABE DAY TOMORROW

We are planning activities for Friday visit to Santa Fe. This is a mandatory meeting for all going to ABE Literacy Day at the roundhouse, tomorrow 2/12.

We will pass out media release forms and discuss plans for the day.

For more information ask Jim Snyder, Joseph Hernandez or Jaslynn Begay

Travel to Santa Fe on February iz"

Students: 1. Tuwamana Chapella

2. Thomas Tenorio

3. Deanna Diaz

4. Travis Thorton

5. Jeremy Tauala

6. Harry Goldsberry

7. Lashinda Greymountain

8. Cimmaron Grover

9. Jessica Nelson

10. Krystale Smith

11. Mason Chavez

12. Michelle Panana

13. Kristina Lewis

14. Chaytahn Kelsey

15. Maria Chicharello

16. Bobbie Tsosie-Hohenstein

17. Catlin Smith

Supervisors: 18. Jim Snyder

19. Jaslynn Begaye

20. Glennoah Billie

21. Joseph Hernandez

22. Bannon Lomanquahu

23. Rosan Primeaux

24. Stacee Yabeny

25. Nelline Barton

Meeting Wednesday 2/16 4:30pm Note meeting day, just this week!!! ASC 107(Sunken room by the fireplace)

SIPI AMBASSADORS GROUP

Everybody Welcome Important Meeting: calling all interested new members!

We are planning activities for next month. We will review recent Santa Fe trips and plan presentation for Dr. Allison. Also bring your interests or needs for new volunteer activities.

For more information ask .Jim Snyder, .Joseph Hernandez or .Jaslynn Begay

Meeting Wednesday 2/24 Noon Lunchtime Location: Cafeteria VIP Room

SIPI AMBASSADORS GROUP

Everybody Welcome Important Meeting: calling all interested new members!

We are planning activities for next month and the mid-term Dance. We will review recent Santa Fe trips and plan presentation for Dr. Allison. Bring your ideas or needs for new volunteer activities.

For more information ask Jim Snyder, Joseph Hernandez or Jaslynn Begay

Meeting 3/9 Noon Today Location: CaFeteria K-145

SIPI AMBASSADORS GROUP

Everybody Welcome IlTIportant Meeting: calling all interested new members!

We are planning activities for next month and tomorrow's tour. We will review recent activities and plan presentation for Dr. Allison. Bring your ideas or needs for new volunteer activities.

For more information ask Jim Snyder, Joseph Hernandez or Jaslynn Begay

Returning Students are Needed to assist

New Students

During Orientation Week January 4th - 7th

Volunteers Neededll

Please attend planning Meeting, 4:00 PM, Monday 12/13 in

ASC Cafe Area (refreshments will be served!)

Please contact Jim Snyder, Evelyn Thinn or Noah Billie For further information