Essays Written in Response to Combat Paper Project

Joe Ryan's Spring 2009 CCV Burlington English Composition class recently made a visit to the Combat Paper Project exhibition (Burlington City Arts Exhibition, February 20th through April 11th, 2009) with the express purpose of eliciting brief essays that combined several different styles of writing, from narration and description to process, cause and effect, compare and contrast, and persuasive. The following is a guest post from Professor Ryan regarding the project.

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All types of student expression were encouraged, from those who supported the exhibit to those who questioned and opposed it. The purpose of this writing exercise was to empower the full range of student inquiry, questioning and response, not to direct it.

Twelve students completed the assignment, demonstrating compelling responses to the art, the process, the content, and the rational for the exhibition. Their writing ranged from being completely enthralled to wondering about the American flag being torn and used as art, to several veterans in the class who responded with their own personal experiences while in the military.

These two class veterans’ writings ranged from coming to terms by an African-American lesbian who was “outted” and discharged from the service, to a white male who had been in the service in the 1990s, saw no active service overseas, yet felt that the Combat Paper Project veterans had nothing to complain about since they had voluntarily enlisted and were not drafted.

All student responses were valid, personally felt, and written with full engagement in the experience, powerfully relating what they saw in the galleries and read online at the exhibition’s web site: combatpaper.org.

The following excerpts are from the five papers that students gave permission to quote. These quoted sections of student papers speak eloquently for the class and for themselves.


I. “These men and women took a negative part of their lives and transformed it into a beautiful, therapeutic experience….

“Veterans from all walks of life are able to stand side by side and experience such a cathartic transformation with one another, and begin to gain some meaning out of their own and one another’s experiences….

“My feelings, and the way in which I was affected by this exhibit, changed throughout the project. Initially, I was angered by the sight of the shredded flags and immediately took offence to it….As I read more, looked more into their website, and heard the interviews with the various soldiers, my outlook definitely changed. I realized that I will never experience what they did, and never feel the things that they felt…..I respect these veterans’ work and their vision. I am so thankful that I was shown the effect of war from their perspective.”­

II. “Upon entering the Combat Paper Project exhibit with the class, I realized that this paper would mean more to me than I originally thought……in the spring of 2001 I joined the U.S. military……..all that I had to do and all that I accomplished in those seven months of training I will cherish forever; yet a sting of disappointment also lingers on. The U.S. military discharged me for being a homosexual.

“The discharge I received was honorable due to a very good record, and from that I take a bit of solace. For years I have had a uniform just sitting in the back of my closet; now, with the help of this project, I can put it to use.”

III. “I have recently had some closure to a long-time question of mine: How do returned American veterans resume their normal lives after enduring war conditions? After visiting an exhibition in Burlington, Vermont, called the Combat Paper Project, which was designed by veterans who served in Iraq, I slowly realized that there are veterans who have very little reservation about expressing to the public their experiences of the war…..Now these veterans at the Combat Paper Project have a mode of expression, claimed by those involved, to be a positive vehicle of mental release.

“In closing, this realization that not all soldiers stand blindly behind the government teaches me that there is indeed hope for a better way of life in this country through outspoken and direct action. The veterans at the Combat Paper Project prove that a ripple can be made in the American pond without hate, vengeance, and violence….I thank these veterans for coming out publicly with their experiences in war without censoring their art work and not feeling the need to package their art into an easy to swallow presentation. Without these veterans, people like myself, who have never been involved in the armed forces, would have very little comprehension of what war really entails.”

IV. “My eyes fell instantly on the image before me. Hanging from the ceiling, sunlight shone on this unique artwork: a white cross with a shredded American flag draped over the top and from each end hung an article of a military uniform: jacket, pants, boots. What made this uniform stand out were the patches of handmade paper pasted all over…..they actually transform their uniforms into art, through the process of paper making. These young veteran artists are coming to terms with what they have done and gone through, yet they come out strong, with the purpose of continuing to spread their ideas.

“By making their uniforms into pulp, veterans are able to transform them into paper, a therapeutic method of giving meaning to their experiences and uniforms. I think it is incredibly powerful to turn these symbols of combat that have felt blood, sweat, and tears into works of art that can profoundly affect others. So the process begins with life-altering experiences, moves to one of reflection, to creating, and then to impacting others.

“To see these young men and women using their freedom to speak out is quite admirable. I have great respect for them due to their willingness to confront their experiences, to give themselves a chance to truly heal and move on. Yet it is an honor that we, as part of their community, are invited to share in their healing process…..The idea of people coming together through art, expressing themselves and standing up for what they believe in is truly wonderful. It is a beautiful expression of our humanity.”

V. “I was amazed by every art piece that was displayed at the show, except for the torn up American flag. There was no true meaning for why that soldier decided to include that in his creation…..My favorite creation was titled Healing, which was the paper mache body mold of a female soldier. I loved how she wanted to stick out among the numerous male artists and show her own creativity.

The veterans spent time in this workshop to try and help cope and express their experiences while on active duty. The process encourages veterans to heal their memories through making paper art….It’s very important that soldiers get the opportunity and support of the public to incorporate their own personal and individual talents and abilities to build their creations of art for the project. The goal of the Combat Paper Project is to let war veterans of all ages and sexes create pieces of art as a way of coping with either positive or negative experiences while on active duty.”

I greatly appreciate the assistance of Amanda Sanfilippo, BCA gallery manager and assistant curator, in facilitating the class’s visit to this exhibition, leading the students through the galleries, and explaining the processes involved in both paper making and in the transformative power of these veterans’ art pieces.

Joe Ryan
Faculty member
CCV Burlington site
English Composition I
Spring semester 2009
joeryan@together.net

CCV Spring 2009 Student Performance nights!

CCV Burlington's performing arts classes will be serving up their semesterly schedule of performance nights in May. Read on for the full schedule. For more information, contact Jody Albright (joanna.albright@ccv.edu).


Friday, May 1

Burlington Community Choir and the Queen City Larks
7:00 pm
First Congregational Chapel, 38 S. Winooski Ave. (across from Rite Aid)

Jazz Dance- Karen Amirault, instructor
7:30 pm
CCV Burlington, 110 Cherry Street, Lower Level Room 7


Friday, May 8

Guitar I and II- Greg Matses, instructor
Acting I- Donald Rowe, instructor
7:00 pm
CCV Burlington, 110 Cherry Street, Lower Level Room 7


Saturday, May 9

Burlington Community Choir and the Queen City Larks
7:00 pm
First Congregational Chapel, 38 S. Winooski Ave. (across from Rite Aid)

CCV students lend helping hands at the Westford Food Shelf

The April 16 edition of the Mountain Gazette features a story titled CCV students lend helping hands at the Westford Food Shelf . The full text of this article is posted below. To read the original, and other articles from this edition, click here.

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CCV students lend helping hands at the Westford Food Shelf
By Phyl Newbeck
Special to the Mountain Gazette

The Westford Food Shelf is getting some assistance in its own right these days. Members of a college nutrition class came to help out in March. That’s a good thing because according to one of the food shelf founders, Julia Andrews, there is high demand for their services.

For years, the Westford Food Shelf was run by a resident named Marian Stark and was based in her home. When she passed away, there was a void which was filled when Andrews and Lauren Curry decided that hungry Westford residents should not have to travel to Essex or Fairfield for food. Under their direction the new food shelf opened in June 2008. “When we started it was very slow,” said Andrews, “but it ramped up a lot more quickly than we thought it would.” By the third month of operation, twenty families were visiting the shelf. Since then, numbers have ranged between twenty and thirty. Andrews said she never expected to be serving more than twelve families during the first year of operation.

Andrews and Curry decided the work was too much to handle on their own. “The pace was unsustainable,” said Andrews, “and we immediately recognized that not sustaining it wasn’t an option. We needed additional boots on the ground.” Four local women joined them to form a fledgling Board of Directors in November, including Marian Stark’s daughter Carma and the pastor of the United Church of Westford where the food shelf is located.

Andrews believes time was on their side in setting up the food shelf. She and Curry started fundraising before the economy got bad, and when things plummeted, they were in a position to help the people who needed them. Andrews noted that whenever she makes a specific request to community members, say for toothpaste or tuna fish, the bins are full of what she requested. Still, she couldn’t have been more pleased when she learned that there were students coming to the rescue, as well.

Ellen Ammirato is a Westford resident who teaches a course in nutrition at the CCV Burlington site. She noted that there is a trend toward greater community service in education and she wanted to capitalize on that by helping her community. Therefore, Ammirato offered class credit to any student who was interested in assisting at the Westford Food Shelf. Two students from Milton were interested in doing just that.

Ammirato reported that the students helped set up prior to the distribution day and then returned on that day to restock items and help some patrons carry the groceries to their car. Ammirato said she was really impressed with how many community members came by on distribution day to provide fresh meat, fruit and vegetables for the Food Shelf. “It’s really nice to see that community support,” she said. “It’s also really nice to see such valuable items contributed.”

This year participation in community service was optional for Ammirato’s course, but next year she intends to make it mandatory, allowing students to choose the location that works best for them. “I think food insecurity is a very real issue considering the economy,” she said. “There is a real awareness, that even in a small community like Westford many people rely on the support from their community to get through this tough time. It’s everyone and anyone that’s being affected.”

Andrews was very pleased to have the students’ help. “I was out of town and nobody called me,” she said, “so I know it all went well. All the staples were gone. That means another month where hopefully people will have good food on their table.”

To help keep the pantry stocked, the food shelf will be hosting their second annual fundraising concert at the Red Brick Meeting House on May 30. Last year’s concert which featured Bobby Sweet attracted over forty people. Sweet is returning this year and will be joined by local singer/songwriter Patti Casey. Comcast is underwriting the cost of the concert which allows the organizers to lower the price to $8 from last year’s $10. All the proceeds will go towards the food shelf, including the purchase of gift cards so that residents can buy items which might not be available at the shelf.

Live Chat Advising Begins Tonight!

Have questions about taking classes at CCV? Wonder how you're going to pay for them? Get answers by chatting online with a CCV academic advisor.

Access the chat room from CCV's homepage Monday through Thursday evenings from 6 - 8 pm, now through Thursday, June 4, to join an open chat room for general information or to request a private chat room to discuss questions confidentially.

When the chat room is open, a link will be active on the CCV homepage, under "Have Questions?" Once you click on the link, the chat room will open on your computer.

CCV PSAs from CCV Students!

Students in the Spring 2009 Introduction to Multimedia Applications & Tools (CIS-1045) class at CCV Burlington recently made CCV public service announcements as a class project. A few examples of their work below and and you can see more on the class blog at http://ccvmultimedia.wordpress.com/.

Bennett's PSA for CCV Burlington's Art Galleries:


Financial Aid and Class Sign-Ups by James

Also, here is an assignment description from the course professor, David Wells (David.Wells@ccv.edu):
I have students experiment with many multimedia applications and tools in my class. Much of the student's initial work with these tools are random samples. I feel that students learn more when they are engaged in authentic, real tasks. As CCV presents a lot of information to its students throughout the semester, I gave my students the task of using their newly learned skills to create public service announcements for the CCV community. My task was this: "I want you to practice using multimedia tools. Your assignment between tonight's class and the end of next weeks' class is to choose a "public service" topic that would apply to CCV students. I want you to create two "announcements" about this topic. You can choose from an enhanced photo, an audio clip that you created, or a movie for your two announcements. Consider that these announcements will be shared with CCV staff and might appear on the CCV blog." I found that my students used their unique voices when creating these announcements. From the traditional student and "digital native" to the non-traditional student and "computer novice," I feel that my student's work speaks to their own unique CCV experiences.

Congratulations Professor Ellenbogen!

Congratulations to CCV Burlington math professor David Ellenbogen... He's the Burlington Free Press volunteer of the week for his work as a Howard Center Community Friend!

Find CCV on Facebook!

If you use Facebook (or if you need an excuse to give it a try), be sure to check out CCV’s new and improved page (and don’t forget to become a fan)! The new page will be updated regularly with useful content for students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of CCV.

To find CCV on Facebook, follow this link:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Waterbury-VT/Community-College-of-Vermont-CCV/101948112024.

P.S. What’s next for CCV in the world of social networking?... Twitter! Stay tuned for more info.

Guest Student Post: The Radio Bean

The following is a guest post submitted by Elena Emerson, a CCV Burlington Liberal Studies student in her second semester. Shee wrote this piece for her Spring 2009 English Composition II class with Deborah Straw for a travel essay assignment. If you'd like to contribute some of your work to the CCV Burlington Blog, contact Adam Warrington (adam.warrington@ccv.edu).

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The Radio Bean
By Elena Emerson

Subtler places have existed, but none sits in stronger juxtaposition to its surroundings than the Radio Bean. Nestled between The Other Place, a local Burlington bar, and a run-down nail salon, the Radio Bean speaks for itself. With bold tones of individuality, the Bean is located near the corner of Pearl Street and North Winooski Avenue. The buildings facade is made of glass, with neat outlines of red and metallic paint. Its sign, which hangs above front double doors, proclaims “Radio Bean” in twisted, copper pipes. Its shape is of a psychedelic mushroom encased in red Christmas tree lights.

The interior looks like a junkyard masterpiece, everything antique and perfectly placed. The red theme continues with a strand of lights shaped like chilies, draped neatly around the corners of the bar. The bar itself sits in the back left hand corner of the cafe, taking up about a fourth of the room's total space. Menus hang overhead alongside the springs of an old mattress, which now serves as a wine holder. Utensils used for making drinks also hang on the mattress. The general feel of the Bean is a bit unkempt, but it is obvious that this was the look the owner was going for. While some things may look dirty, the overall feel is more of age than grime.

Housed inside the Bean are a few metallic tables with wooden chairs which seat anywhere from one to four people. Larger parties can choose one of the two booths or sofas inside. The largest sofa was inherited from a café that closed four years ago. It is a funky chaise lounge of black studded leather and animal print. It's placed against the front of the inside of the café and can seat as many as eight. It's known as the “Comfy Corner,” but truth be told, its a bit dilapidated and not all that comfy.

During the day the Bean seems to have ample seating, but wait until later on in the evening and you'll be hard-pressed to find a seat with any legroom. A very popular hang out for locals, it fills up quickly, usually packed as early as seven o' clock at night. So much so that it is common for someone to stand outside, monitoring the door, only allowing as many in as have come out.

Come with a sketchbook as interesting subjects abound. Patrons range from students to hippy parents, as the Bean is an attraction for many locals. It's also a great place to study as you can buy a creamy grilled cheese for $3.75 or a bagel with any number of toppings for $2.00. Have a need for something sweet, opt for a delicious cinnamon roll or vegan cupcake.

A hub for artists and bohemians alike, the Bean triples as a coffee shop, bar, and venue for local artists. Unlike other cafés in Burlington, the Radio Bean accepts credit cards. Be advised, however, there is a four dollar minimum. The menu offers tea and coffee, sizes and prices ranging from $1.25 for a small to $2.75 for a pot. As with most cafés, the coffee choices are abundant. If you're a fan of the Argentinean classic, Mate, grab a Mate Late. It's Mate infused with maple syrup and is delicious. Served in generous portions, a large Mate will cost you $3.25.

Don't worry about going hungry, either. If you happen to be relaxing at the Bean and are running low on cash, laid-back employees have been known to give away day old pastries. The Radio Bean is the perfect place to meet a friend for a coffee or to dine alone. A yummy platter of vegetarian chili will suffice as it comes with a huge hunk of bread and butter, filling even the hungriest of travelers.

The menu is packed with many interesting concoctions. Gone are the simple coffee and Kahluas. Try a Cafe Romano for $6.00. Its ingredients are Espresso, Sambuca, and whipped cream. While $6.00 may seem expensive, it is right on par, and perhaps a bit cheaper, than many other bars in town. Another delicious coffee twist is the Nutty Irishman, made of Amaretto and Bailey's. All coffee and espresso drinks are made with organic, fair trade coffee from Myan Isman Co-ops in Chiapas, Mexico, so order with pride. Caffeinated drinks aren't the only cocktails offered, however. If you're looking for something more conventional, order a classic mojito.

One of the things that makes The Bean so interesting is its atmosphere. It is a cornucopia of art and has a general sense of mystique. Every month or two there is a change in the art it exhibits. Last month, long strands of photographs hang, covering the exposed brick and tattered walls. The artist is Kimberley Taylor, a local sculptor. The photos, strung together by white twine, are of various subjects. Some of the people captured have chosen to dress themselves in paint, rather than clothing, while others don glittery ensembles and are surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

The Bean is a wonderful place if you're looking to meet new people or hang out with old friends to watch local bands. The stage is small, hovering only a foot off the ground. But, despite its size, it somehow manages to fit a drum-set, guitarist or two, bassist, and at times, several vocalists. Every Monday the café is filled with locals wishing to show off their talent at the open mic night. An old brown piano sits parallel to the stage and is used often, despite it’s being out of tune. This as well as the rest of the surrounding ornamentation is all a part of the Radio Bean's appeal. The atmosphere is open and relaxed, so much so that people of varying ages hang out here. On open mic nights, some read poetry and others play instruments. Many musicians come alone, but others choose to collaborate with one or two accompanying artists. It's not uncommon for the stage to be filled any given Monday night with passers-by.

As night approaches, the café transforms into a dark and lazy den, reminiscent of old French cafés. Both the inside and outside flow with talk of literature, sometimes mixed in with gossip. It's obvious that there is a following, a group that comes religiously every night.

A haze of smoke awaits you when you step outside as people crowd around little metal tables to share rolled cigarettes. Another strand of lights hangs between light posts, pushing the night away. In the summer, the door remains open, but in the winter the inside of the windows fog up, making it feel even colder. The scene always lasts well into the night, sometimes until dawn peeks through, with people spilling over from the surrounding bars to catch a glimpse or join in the fun.

If music's not necessarily your thing, the Bean offers a plethora of attractions during the month, all posted on a blackboard inside. Matthew, an employee of almost three years, remembers a spelling bee held a few months back. “The people were very intense about winning. It was a lot of fun,” he told me. The employees are friendly, think midday bartender meets hippy, and are quick to offer suggestions if you're unsure of what to order.

Falling in sync with this hipster hangout is easy. Watch the traffic from the cozy corner, or read a book on the stage when no one's jamming. The menu is just like the Bean's customers: eclectic and intriguing. There is always something new to to try. Also, with gift certificates available, you can pass the Bean along. If you're just visiting the area and want something to remember the café by, you can purchase a T-shirt for $15.00.

Ten minutes or ten hours. It's your choice how long you stay at the Radio Bean. The people are chill, the Internet connection is free (a Internet donation jar sits on the bar), and the drinks are delicious. The Radio Bean is an essential and unforgettable piece of Burlington, Vermont.

Meet the Rushfords

Today's Burlington Free Press features an article about Matthew Rushford (CCV faculty) and Julieta Rushford-Santiago titled HOMETOWN: Meet the Rushfords, chiropractors from South Burlington! Click here to read the full article.

Matthew Rushford is an Anatomy & Physiology faculty member at CCV Burlington. He and his wife Julieta Rushford-Santiago are also the owners of Rushford Family Chiropractic Center located at 100 Dorset Street (2nd floor) in South Burlington.

New Images from the Construction Site

The images below were taken at the construction site of CCV's new building in Winooski on 4.17.09. Want to see more of what's going on at the construction site? Check out our web cam! (Web cam image updates every half hour.)

Vermont Art Zine Review of Gallery Installation

The latest gallery installation at CCV Burlington's Cherry Pit Gallery (110 Cherry Street, Burlington, Lower Level) was recently reviewed by Marc Awody for the Vermont Art Zine.

The exhibit is titled "Rebirth" and will be on display until May 27. The exhibit features several CCV faculty members including Ann Barlow, Sharon Webster, Jolene Garanzha, and Robert Huntoon. To read the entire review, click here.

To learn more about CCV Burlington's gallery space, contact Karen Geiger at geigerk@ccv.edu or (802) 652-2081.

Hartstein to Speak at UVM TONIGHT!

Gabe Hartstein, one of CCV Burlington's Basic Algebra instructors will be speaking at The University of Vermont's Billings Center tonight (Monday, April 20, 2009)! The event, which begins at 7 PM, will feature Hartstein discussing his experiences during WWII. Whether you can attend or not, you might be interested in Gabe’s bio which is included below.

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Gabe Hartstein survived the Holocaust in Budapest. He was 7 years at the time. Gabe has spoken about his families experiences at schools throughout Vermont including the University of Vermont, Middlebury College, and various churches and synagogues for the past 15 years. He will talk about the personal history of his family during the nine months that the Holocaust lasted in Hungary. He will discuss the system was put in place by the Germans and the Arrow Cross (the rulers of Hungary) whereby in that short time 1.5 million Jews were taken to extermination camps. Gabe will also talk about Raoul Wallenberg, who saved his family's lives, and 100.000 other Jews in Budapest. Raoul Wallenberg was kidnapped 2 days after our own "liberation" by Russians sent to Siberia where he died between 1945 - 1975. Other brave people also helped his family to survive. Rescue is an important part of the history and the deeds of Wallenberg in particular. Gabe's story has been published by the Center of Holocaust Studies at the University of Vermont.

Gabe Hartstein left Hungary with his mother for Israel in 1948, and from there left Israel to go high school in France. Gabe emigrated to the United States in 1955. He married Carole Hartstein in 1958, and married Gale Golden in 1991 after Carole died in 1990. Gabe retired after many years working for IBM. He currently lives in Burlington Vermont.

Sustainability Fair, 4/24/09

You are invited to attend the upcoming Sustainability Fair at CCV Burlington for an afternoon of big ideas! This event is being planned by a group of CCV students and will be held in Room LL7 of CCV's 110 Cherry Street building from 4:00 - 7:00 PM.

At the event you'll have the opportunity to watch the film "Ecological Design: Inventing the Future", eat free organic snacks, hear great live music, participate in a roundtable discussion, and share your hopes and solutions for the future.

We hope to see you all there! For more info, call Drew Burns (CCV student) at 802-318-5240.

Your're Invited to CCV’s 9th Annual International Food Festival!

CCV Burlington will be hosting its annual International Food Festival in celebration of the diverse cultures represented in Burlington and at the College. The festival will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2009, from 5 to 7pm at the Overlook Café, 119 Pearl Street Building on the 2nd Floor.


“The International Food Festival gathers CCV students and families from more than 20 different countries of origin in order to share ethnic foods and music showcasing culturally influenced tastes and sounds,” says CCV Academic Advisor, Amy Stuart, “CCV students from Vietnam, Sudan and Poland, to mention only a few, are planning to bring dishes from their native countries.”


The festival draws over 100 guests each year. In addition to the wide variety of dishes offered, students will share the music and art of their ethnic backgrounds. The Festival and dinner is free and open to all members of the community. For more information, call CCV-Burlington at 865-4422.

Burlington Community Choir Performances

Two performances by CCV’s Burlington Community Choir will be held at the First Congregational Chapel in Burlington (located at 38 S. Winooski Ave. just across from Rite Aid). Both events are free and open to the public and will take place on...

Friday, May 1 at 7:00 pm

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Saturday, May 9 at 7:00 pm

The Burlington Community Choir (BCC) will serve up an invigorating set of pieces from all over the world. The program will feature music (and dancing!) from South Africa and other international choral traditions. Inspiration is also taken from closer to home with American shape-note tunes, bluegrass gospel and some tunes written right here in Vermont. The Queen City Larks, a smaller, auditioned group within the BCC will also be performing as part of this program. Come and join us for what is always a joyous helping of vibrant choral music.

Directed by Amity Baker, this 30-member choir has been making choral music accessible to singers of all backgrounds since 1999. It is a unique choir in the Burlington area because we welcome beginners as well as experienced singers. Singers register for it through the Community College of Vermont as a non-credit workshop. It is held in both the fall and spring semesters each year. Please call 802-865-4422 for information on how to register for fall 2009.

Amity Baker is the artistic director of Burlington-based choir Social Band and a member of Aurora Ancient Music, an early music trio. She also sings and plays banjo with the old-time duo Soaked Oats.

For more information call Jody Albright at CCV Burlington (802-865-4422 or joanna.albright@ccv.edu).

Economy inspires interest in CCV

CCV is featured in an article in today's Burlington Free Press. The article is titled Economy inspires interest in CCV and was written by Matt Sutkoski, Free Press Staff Writer. Click here to read the article.

CCV Announces New Emergency Management Degree Program

The Community College of Vermont will begin offering a new associate degree program in Emergency Management in the fall of 2009

The Emergency Management program is one of only a few associate degree programs currently available in this field in the nation. The program will prepare students for work in the emerging area of Homeland Security and emergency management leadership. This degree works well for students just beginning their college careers as well as professionals looking to develop expertise in security for their employers or institutions Students can complete the majority of the coursework online.

Emergency Management prepares students to respond to and to be effective leaders before, during, and after any local, statewide, or national emergency. Students will develop skills in leadership, emergency planning, critical decision-making and problem- solving, effective communication, and the management of community resources to effectively respond to emergency and disasters in a crisis situation.

This particular program encourages the use of CCV’s Assessment of Prior Learning (APL) process to bring in credit for knowledge gained through life experience. Students may also be able to transfer in a block of approved training based on fieldwork and hours from a variety of protective services fields. According to Bill O’Leary, a retired lieutenant of the Vermont State Police, “It’s time for a Vermont program that educates residents of the North Country to become involved in small town and regional public safety issues.”

For more information on this new program, check out the following links:

Program Overview

Course Requirements

Program Profile (Requires Acrobat Reader)

CCV April Gallery Installation: The Clothesline Project

In observance of Sexual Violence Awareness Month in April, CCV is exhibiting a local version of the Clothesline Project in collaboration with the Women's Rape Crisis Center (WRCC) in our hallway gallery at 119 Pearl Street. For more information, please stop by the gallery and read the following guest post from Karen M. Geiger, curator for the CCV Burlington galleries...

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“According to the Men's Rape Prevention Project in Washington DC, 58,000 soldiers died in the Vietnam War. During that same period of time, 51,000 women were killed mostly by men who supposedly loved them. In the summer of 1990, that statistic became the catalyst for a coalition of women's groups on Cape Cod, Massachusetts to consciously develop a program that would educate, break the silence and bear witness to one issue - violence against women.”

~From the Clothesline Project website

What is The Clothesline Project? - a statement, a tool for education, a way of telling stories, speaking out, taking back control, or art? In reality it is all of the above. A nation-wide art project, the shirts tell the stories of Vermonters who have been touched by sexual violence. The stories may be from victims or from their friends, lovers, or family members. Regardless of who is doing the telling, or what words and images are used, the stories are the tangible reminders of how sexual violence affects our lives.

When the Women’s Rape Crisis Center (WRCC) contacted the college to ask if they could show the project in our gallery my first reaction was, of course! These galleries are, after all, designed not only to expose people to art but to educate, as well. April being Sexual Violence Awareness Month was the perfect opportunity to bring this topic to light. CCV seemed like a logical place to bring these two ideas together.

I know personally how sexual violence can change a person’s life and what it can do to the victims, their friends, family, and loved ones. It is a long and bitter road that eventually leads back to a place of healing and peace. For some, this show will do what it is designed to - offer a way of exploring what it means to be a victim and survivor of sexual violence. For others, this may be a painful exhibition to view.

I ask that you read the shirts and think about the individuals who created them and what they are trying to say. Discuss the show in your classes; think about it at home, or with friends and family. If you have questions, concerns, or just need to talk - find someone. Our staff members and advisors are happy to help or listen. My door is always open, and I’m here to listen. The WRCC has left information in the lobby area if you need it.

The act of creating can be transformative and healing, and this project is just one example of the power art can hold.

~Karen M. Geiger
Curator, Burlington Galleries

CCV Announces New Hospitality & Tourism Degree Program

The Community College of Vermont will begin offering a new associate degree program in Hospitality and Tourism in the fall of 2009

The Hospitality & Tourism program prepares students for entry-level positions in the travel services and hospitality industry within the local and global marketplace. This interdisciplinary program emphasizes communication, computer systems, customer and guest services, marketing, human relations, geography, supervision and management, and global and sustainable perspectives.

Students will have the opportunity to specialize in the areas of travel and tourism or in hospitality services and will obtain professional qualifications for this dynamic industry, as well as gain a broad business and liberal arts foundation that will extend employment opportunities and contribute to career advancement.

The CCV program has several unique features including an opportunity to be paired with a mentor in the industry, development of a professional portfolio for future employment, internships, and a study abroad experience.

Graduates of the program will be qualified for positions in resorts and spas, travel agencies, airlines, country clubs, convention exposition, event and meeting planning, forests and recreational management, hotels, and many other opportunities. CCV’s associate degree also prepares students for transfer into Johnson State College’s four-year program in hospitality & tourism.

For more information on this new program, check out the following links:

Program Overview

Course Requirements

Program Profile (Requires Acrobat Reader)