I am a member of the Academic Senate’s Equity & Diversity Committee and Artificial Intelligence Committee. I have also participated in the Vet Net Ally Awareness Program and Safe Zone Project workshops.
Land Acknowledgment Statement
Santa Monica College is situated on the unceded Ancestral homeland and territory of a number of First Nation tribes, including the Chumash, Tongva, and Kizh people, among others. We honor the Indigenous caretakers of these lands past, present, and future.
I encourage you to visit https://native-land.ca as a starting point for learning about the Indigenous peoples on whose land you reside. As you learn more, ask questions, and research your local history, consider your role and the role of local Indigenous communities in the history and ongoing stewardship of that land.
Equitable Learning Environment Statement
Santa Monica College is an intellectual community enriched and enhanced by diversity along a number of dimensions, including race, ethnicity and national origins, gender and gender identity, disability, sexuality, class and religion. We are especially committed to increasing the representation of those populations that have been historically minoritized in U.S. higher education.
Students with Disabilities Statement
The College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities to make all learning experiences accessible. The Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD, formerly known as DSPS) is the official campus office that works to arrange reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. If you feel you may need accommodations based on the impact of a disability, please contact CSD to initiate a conversation about your options at 310-434-4265 or dsps@smc.edu. Contact should be initiated as soon as possible to allow adequate time for accommodations to be arranged. I will work closely with you and CSD to arrange your approved accommodations. Please know that accommodations are not retroactive. The Center for Students with Disabilities is located on the first floor of the Student Services Center.
Student Well-Being Statement
As a student, you may experience a range of issues that can negatively impact your learning, such as anxiety, depression, interpersonal or sexual violence, difficulty eating or sleeping, loss/grief, and/or alcohol/drug problems. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance and affect your ability to participate in day-to-day activities. In order to support you during such challenging times, SMC provides a number of confidential resources to all enrolled students, including the Center for Wellness and Wellbeing (310-434-4503 or cww@smc.edu / Math Complex, room 75) and the Student Ombuds (310-434-3986 / ombuds@smc.edu). The Center for Wellness & Wellbeing also offers a 24/7 phone line that provides in-the-moment emotional support: (800) 691-6003
Gender-Inclusivity Statement
In our ongoing commitment to respect and inclusivity at SMC, we recognize the importance of addressing one another with care, particularly when it comes to preferred name and personal pronouns (e.g., she/her; he/him; they/them, or any combination). All members of our classroom community, including faculty and fellow students, will refer to you by your name and personal pronouns. Please let me know about any corrections needed on the class roster regarding your name or pronouns. Likewise, I expect you to use the correct names and pronouns for your peers and myself, your professor. Together, we create a supportive and inclusive environment for all.
How to set your preferred/affirmed first name
Login to Corsair Connect
Click the "Enrollment" tab
Click the "Profile/Preferences" option on the left-side menu
Enter your “preferred/affirmed” first name and indicate if the preferred/affirmed first name should be displayed on Canvas and on instructor rosters (yes/no).
[If yes, your current instructors will be notified by email that the name change took place]
Scroll to the bottom of the screen and click "Submit Changes"
Allow 24-72 hours for our systems to update.
How to set your personal pronouns
Pronouns are available for use only in the Canvas platform. To add yours:
Login to Canvas
Click on "Account"
Click on "User Settings" and then on "Edit Settings"
Select from the list of pronouns
Click "Update Settings"
Veterans Statement
The Veterans Success Center at Santa Monica College serves veterans entering college for the first time or returning to college to further their education. The office acts as a liaison with the Veterans Administration verifying enrollment for students claiming benefits under the G.I. Bill or the Veterans’ Vocational Rehabilitation Program. It also can also assist the veteran with referrals to various veteran-serving programs in the West Los Angeles area. The center is located in the Cayton Building, Invictus Lower Level. If you would like additional information, please call (310) 434-8205.
Undocumented/DACA/AB540 Statement
Santa Monica College stands with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office—and hundreds of other educational and business organizations—in affirming that our undocumented students are as integral a part of our community as anyone else. Here at Santa Monica College, we remain committed to serving our undocumented students, to helping them fulfill their life’s dreams and aspirations; this college will continue to be a safe environment for all students and personnel. We will work to provide the greatest support to students affected by this decision, and campus and student leaders alike have already rallied in solidarity as well as to provide resources. SMC joins the Chancellor’s Office and all the other voices that will advocate determinedly in Congress for an effective solution to this issue, to end a cruel and unnecessary action that goes against the interests of local communities and our country at large.
The Santa Monica College DREAM Program provides support services to DREAMers (undocumented, AB540 and DACA recipients). Its purpose is to increase the personal growth, development and retention of DREAM students through academic, career, and personal counseling; assistance in applying for the California Dream Act/Financial Aid and scholarships; and providing workshops relative to DREAMers and their families. Location: Student Services Center (SSC) 2nd Floor, Room 238. Phone: (310) 434-4892. Email: DREAM@smc.edu
Title IX Statement
Title IX is a comprehensive federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
Students who have experienced some form of sexual misconduct or discrimination are encouraged to talk to someone about their experience, so they can get the support they need. Click here to learn more about support available for students.
Religious Observance Statement
Santa Monica College supports an environment that respects religious observances and is committed to making every reasonable effort to accommodate the religious observances of students. It is the college practice that students may be required to make up missed work from absences due to the observance of a religious holiday, but they cannot be penalized for such absences. This practice applies to any work affecting a student’s grade.
Student Judicial Affairs Mission Statement
The mission of Student Judicial Affairs is to work collaboratively with the campus community to uphold the Rules for Student Conduct Code, the Code of Academic Conduct and the Honor Code in order to promote a safe learning environment for students, staff, and faculty. Please read through these three documents located under the Mission Statement on the Student Judicial Affairs website.
I will immediately report any violations of the Code of Academic Conduct to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and the campus Disciplinarian. Student Judicial Affairs Location: Student Services Center (SSC) 3rd Floor. Phone: (310) 434-4220. Email: student_judicial_affairs@smc.edu
Emergency Preparedness
The safety of students at SMC is a priority. Please note that emergency procedures are posted in this classroom and every classroom. Also, procedures for various emergencies are delineated on the SMC website.
Please take the time to familiarize yourself with these procedures today, when knowledge of what to do can be the most effective.