utlook A Publication of Florida Community College at Jacksonville Betty Cook is Challenged by role as Board Chairman When asked to name the first lady, most Americans would probably respond “Bare b‘ara Bush.” FCC] employees, on the other hand, may give a different answer. Over the last two decades, Betty Cook has been considered by many as the first lady of Florida Community College at Jacksonville. Since she was first appointed to the District Board of Trustees in 1979, Cook has devoted countless hours and resources to the College. But this past August, she became the “first lady” in a completely different sense. Shortly after being confirmed to con— tinue her third term on the Board, Cook was elected Board chairman, making her the first woman and first Nassau County resident to do so. “I am very humbled to have the responsi— bility that I have [as Board chairman],” she said. “When you accept the position as Board member from the governor, you are charged with the establishing the rules and seeing that they are carried out. I intend to put forth all of my energy to perform to the best of my abilities.” Cook wasted no time putting her energy to work. Operating out of an office on the fourth floor of the Martin Center, she catches up on the reams of Board‘related materials and prepares for the full load of College meetings. While she realizes the value of meeting with the administration, she also understands the importance of being accessible to the employees and students. A considerable amount of Cook’s busy work week (for which she receives no compensation) consists of campus visits, a practice that she is very serious about. Perhaps the best example of this desire to get involved was her recent trip to Geis Board Chairman Betty Cook ” Marine Center where she put on a mask, picked up a blowtorch and learned how to weld. “It was so hot, but it was kind of fun,” she said. “It gave me the opportunity to really see what the Center is all about.” Cook said getting out to the campuses gives her a better grasp in dealing with Board issues. “By talking to people, I can understand their specific problems better,” she said. “That’s important since our responsibility [as Board members] is to ensure educational quality.” Striving to maintain FCC]’s high standards will be a sizable task, according to Cook, but certainly manageable for this year’s Board. “I think this Board is probably going to be one of the most hard working we’ve had. They are already expressing their own opinions, which is a very good sign,” she said. “And while we want the College to continue to be successful, we are at the same time dedicated to be responsible and to act as trustees of the public.” As for the future, Cook is confident that enrollment will continue to spiral upward. “With the increasing cost of university tuition and the accessibilty of FCC], I know we will continue to grow,” she said. Cook is particularly interested in FCC]'s growth within Nassau County. “In a way, Nassau has been treated somewhat like a Stepchild. There is a real need for higher education, but students are having to drive to Jacksonville, Orange Park or even Lake City to take college classes,” she said. In response to this growing demand, she and husband William donated 40 acres of land in Yulee for the construction of FCCJ’s Nassau Center. “We need the Center to make education more accessible to the people of Nassau and also to be able to provide the skilled workers needed within the business community.” IBM spells opportunity for FCCJ This fall FCC] has taken the wraps off one of the College’s most recent—and signifi’ cant—~corporate gifts. Now, thanks to IBM, FCC] students have access to a new, highly sought after computer system. Earlier this year, IBM donated approxi— mately $350,000 worth of hardware and software to the College in the form of the IBM Application System/400 computer. IBM is also providing FCC] with training and system support for the AS/400, an industry standard mid'range computer, located at South Campus. And for the first time this fall, FCC] students have a chance to gain hands/on experience with a computer system that prospective employees find very attractive on a resume. “Almost immediately, we organized an implementation team to plan for the installation of the system and to focus on the initial strategy for curriculum development,” said ]ean Martin, assistant dean of computer and office systems and engineering technol’ ogy. The program implementation team, including Martin, Ken Whitten, Doug Kerley, Bob ]anson and Mike Christiansen, wasted no time in getting the program up and running. “Though we didn’t know much about the system when it was installed at the end of March, we knew we wanted to get started as soon as possible, so we worked very hard to become knowledgeable,” Martin said. “Our enthusiasm for the project has continued to grow as progress is made in fully incorporating the technology into our [existing] programs.” With its power, versatility and affordability, the AS/400 is being used increasingly by mediumrto'large businesses. Unfortunately, the number of trained programmers and operators has not grown proportionately, according to Amanda Bounds, professor of computer information Systems at Kent. “We’re seeing more and more businesses buying the AS/400, but we’re also hearing them say that they wish there were more applicants and employees who were compe— tent at using the system,” she said. As part of FCC]’s Urban Resource Center needs assessment process, the recently— formed Small Business Advisory Council, co! chaired by Martin, recently surveyed local businesses using the AS/4OO system. The results, which brought more than a 50% response rate, validated what Martin had eXpected—that there was an overwhelming need for this type of training. That means real opportunity for FCC] students. “By being able to offer training on the AS/400 system, FCC] is being seen in a very, very positive light within the commu— nity as a training facility,” said Ken Whitten, professor of computer and information systems at South. “And by giving our students exposure to the most modern equipment, we are positioning them for better jobs.” The first AS/400 course, Report Program Generator (RPG) Programming, is currently being offered at South Campus. In addition to the fundamentals of AS/400 program— ming, students are learning source program editing, debugging tools and RFC language, according to ]im Bilsky, course instructor and product manager with First Coast Systems. Like RPG Programming, other AS/400' specific courses are currently being devel— oped by FCC] faculty. Even though the program curriculum is not expected to be completed until later this term, several faculty members are already working to incorporate AS/400 training into their existing courses. Lall Comar, professor of computer and information systems, is excited about the prospects for his COBOL programming courses. “[Using the AS/400] will allow us to do interactive programming, which the mainframe doesn’t address,” he said. “The new system will definitely give us more versatility.” ]udy Burnett, professor of business education is also optimistic about the effect the AS/4OO will have on the office systems technology program. “Since the new OST curriculum is designed to train students to function effectively in the office workplace, we are particularly happy to be able to use it in some of our courses. Our students will be able to go into the office highly trained in a variety of job skills, and they will be able to contribute to improving office automation,” she said. “The bottom line is the AS/400 is giving us the opportunity to expand what we are already doing. We now have the ability to improve and enhance current offerings and October 1991 Vol. 7, No. 8 “I intend to put forth all of my energy to perform to the best of my abilities.” ——Betty Cook INSIDE “...the AS/400 is giving us the opportunity to expand what we are already doing. We have the ability to improve and enhance...” ———]ean Martin to do things we have not and could not do before,” Martin said. “Most businesses in the area are very enthusiastic about helping us get started, and we are hoping to provide them with a comprehensive approach to the development of curriculum that is as responsive as possible to the needs of our community.” Faculty members receive training on the AS/400 computer system from system administrator and faculty training coordinator Ken Whitten (standing). , OCR Text: utlook A Publication of Florida Community College at Jacksonville Betty Cook is Challenged by role as Board Chairman When asked to name the first lady, most Americans would probably respond “Bare b‘ara Bush.” FCC] employees, on the other hand, may give a different answer. Over the last two decades, Betty Cook has been considered by many as the first lady of Florida Community College at Jacksonville. Since she was first appointed to the District Board of Trustees in 1979, Cook has devoted countless hours and resources to the College. But this past August, she became the “first lady” in a completely different sense. Shortly after being confirmed to con— tinue her third term on the Board, Cook was elected Board chairman, making her the first woman and first Nassau County resident to do so. “I am very humbled to have the responsi— bility that I have [as Board chairman],” she said. “When you accept the position as Board member from the governor, you are charged with the establishing the rules and seeing that they are carried out. I intend to put forth all of my energy to perform to the best of my abilities.” Cook wasted no time putting her energy to work. Operating out of an office on the fourth floor of the Martin Center, she catches up on the reams of Board‘related materials and prepares for the full load of College meetings. While she realizes the value of meeting with the administration, she also understands the importance of being accessible to the employees and students. A considerable amount of Cook’s busy work week (for which she receives no compensation) consists of campus visits, a practice that she is very serious about. Perhaps the best example of this desire to get involved was her recent trip to Geis Board Chairman Betty Cook ” Marine Center where she put on a mask, picked up a blowtorch and learned how to weld. “It was so hot, but it was kind of fun,” she said. “It gave me the opportunity to really see what the Center is all about.” Cook said getting out to the campuses gives her a better grasp in dealing with Board issues. “By talking to people, I can understand their specific problems better,” she said. “That’s important since our responsibility [as Board members] is to ensure educational quality.” Striving to maintain FCC]’s high standards will be a sizable task, according to Cook, but certainly manageable for this year’s Board. “I think this Board is probably going to be one of the most hard working we’ve had. They are already expressing their own opinions, which is a very good sign,” she said. “And while we want the College to continue to be successful, we are at the same time dedicated to be responsible and to act as trustees of the public.” As for the future, Cook is confident that enrollment will continue to spiral upward. “With the increasing cost of university tuition and the accessibilty of FCC], I know we will continue to grow,” she said. Cook is particularly interested in FCC]'s growth within Nassau County. “In a way, Nassau has been treated somewhat like a Stepchild. There is a real need for higher education, but students are having to drive to Jacksonville, Orange Park or even Lake City to take college classes,” she said. In response to this growing demand, she and husband William donated 40 acres of land in Yulee for the construction of FCCJ’s Nassau Center. “We need the Center to make education more accessible to the people of Nassau and also to be able to provide the skilled workers needed within the business community.” IBM spells opportunity for FCCJ This fall FCC] has taken the wraps off one of the College’s most recent—and signifi’ cant—~corporate gifts. Now, thanks to IBM, FCC] students have access to a new, highly sought after computer system. Earlier this year, IBM donated approxi— mately $350,000 worth of hardware and software to the College in the form of the IBM Application System/400 computer. IBM is also providing FCC] with training and system support for the AS/400, an industry standard mid'range computer, located at South Campus. And for the first time this fall, FCC] students have a chance to gain hands/on experience with a computer system that prospective employees find very attractive on a resume. “Almost immediately, we organized an implementation team to plan for the installation of the system and to focus on the initial strategy for curriculum development,” said ]ean Martin, assistant dean of computer and office systems and engineering technol’ ogy. The program implementation team, including Martin, Ken Whitten, Doug Kerley, Bob ]anson and Mike Christiansen, wasted no time in getting the program up and running. “Though we didn’t know much about the system when it was installed at the end of March, we knew we wanted to get started as soon as possible, so we worked very hard to become knowledgeable,” Martin said. “Our enthusiasm for the project has continued to grow as progress is made in fully incorporating the technology into our [existing] programs.” With its power, versatility and affordability, the AS/400 is being used increasingly by mediumrto'large businesses. Unfortunately, the number of trained programmers and operators has not grown proportionately, according to Amanda Bounds, professor of computer information Systems at Kent. “We’re seeing more and more businesses buying the AS/400, but we’re also hearing them say that they wish there were more applicants and employees who were compe— tent at using the system,” she said. As part of FCC]’s Urban Resource Center needs assessment process, the recently— formed Small Business Advisory Council, co! chaired by Martin, recently surveyed local businesses using the AS/4OO system. The results, which brought more than a 50% response rate, validated what Martin had eXpected—that there was an overwhelming need for this type of training. That means real opportunity for FCC] students. “By being able to offer training on the AS/400 system, FCC] is being seen in a very, very positive light within the commu— nity as a training facility,” said Ken Whitten, professor of computer and information systems at South. “And by giving our students exposure to the most modern equipment, we are positioning them for better jobs.” The first AS/400 course, Report Program Generator (RPG) Programming, is currently being offered at South Campus. In addition to the fundamentals of AS/400 program— ming, students are learning source program editing, debugging tools and RFC language, according to ]im Bilsky, course instructor and product manager with First Coast Systems. Like RPG Programming, other AS/400' specific courses are currently being devel— oped by FCC] faculty. Even though the program curriculum is not expected to be completed until later this term, several faculty members are already working to incorporate AS/400 training into their existing courses. Lall Comar, professor of computer and information systems, is excited about the prospects for his COBOL programming courses. “[Using the AS/400] will allow us to do interactive programming, which the mainframe doesn’t address,” he said. “The new system will definitely give us more versatility.” ]udy Burnett, professor of business education is also optimistic about the effect the AS/4OO will have on the office systems technology program. “Since the new OST curriculum is designed to train students to function effectively in the office workplace, we are particularly happy to be able to use it in some of our courses. Our students will be able to go into the office highly trained in a variety of job skills, and they will be able to contribute to improving office automation,” she said. “The bottom line is the AS/400 is giving us the opportunity to expand what we are already doing. We now have the ability to improve and enhance current offerings and October 1991 Vol. 7, No. 8 “I intend to put forth all of my energy to perform to the best of my abilities.” ——Betty Cook INSIDE “...the AS/400 is giving us the opportunity to expand what we are already doing. We have the ability to improve and enhance...” ———]ean Martin to do things we have not and could not do before,” Martin said. “Most businesses in the area are very enthusiastic about helping us get started, and we are hoping to provide them with a comprehensive approach to the development of curriculum that is as responsive as possible to the needs of our community.” Faculty members receive training on the AS/400 computer system from system administrator and faculty training coordinator Ken Whitten (standing). , Z ArchiveInABox,JAX,Outlook Newsletter Resorted,1991,October 1991,October 1991 1, October 1991 1