On August 11, Sonoma State University and Mendocino celebrate a partnership between the two campuses. Students living in Mendocino and Lake Counties will be able to earn their multiple subject teaching credential in the new Sonoma State University Ukiah Center which will be housed on the Mendocino College campus far, far from the home of SSU in Sonoma County. The ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place in the picnic area next to Hensley Creek Rd. at 10 a.m. on Aug. 11. The public is invited to attend.
The program will be housed in a new 3,000 square ft. building just completed on the Mendocino College campus, made up of two large classrooms, two office areas and restrooms. The building will be used in the daytime hours by Mendocino College and the afternoons, evenings and weekends by SSU's programs in education and liberal studies.
Students, most from Mendocino and Lake Counties, have already been enrolled in SSU's Liberal Studies bachelor's program, taking classes at Mendocino County locations. That program will continue, but with most classes now held in the new building.
Students in Mendocino and Lake Counties, who until this time have had little opportunity to attend regular four-year college classes without exhaustive travel, can take their first two years at Mendocino College then complete their bachelor's degree in liberal studies through the SSU Ukiah Center. And now they can earn their multiple subject teaching credential at the same location.
"It's a seamless transition all the way from high school through earning a teaching credential. Students in Mendocino and Lake Counties have asked us to offer a program like this. If this model works, we expect to offer similar programs in other counties," said Phyllis Fernlund, dean of SSU's School of Education.
From 5-7 classes leading toward each the bachelor's degree in liberal studies and the multiple-subject teaching credential will be offered each semester, beginning this fall. Students may apply through Sonoma State University.
Speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 11 will be SSU President Ruben Arminana; Mendocino College President Carl Ehmann; Phyllis Fernlund, SSU dean of the School of Education; Bob Karlsrud, SSU dean of the School of Social Sciences; and Mendocino College Vice President Don Vasconcellos.
"We eventually plan to offer classes in other disciplines at the SSU Ukiah Center. This is only the beginning of new opportunities for Mendocino and Lake County residents," said Bob Karlsrud, dean of the School of Social Sciences.
The application period for Spring 2000 teaching credential classes is July 1-Aug. 31 (for Liberal Studies Program courses, Aug. 1-Oct. 31); for Fall 2000, Nov. 1-Dec. 31 (for Liberal Studies Program courses, Nov. 1-Jan. 31);. Fees for classes at the SSU Ukiah Center are the same as for other Sonoma State University students: 1-6 units, $699 per semester; 7+ units, $999 per semester. Non-resident fees are $246 per unit.
Counselors will be on hand to answer questions and distribute information. For more information about the Liberal Studies Program, contact Sandra Feldman, Coordinator (sandra.feldman@sonoma.edu or 707 664-2437), Rich Svendsen, Coordinator for the Multiple-Subject Credentials Program (richard.svendsen@sonoma.edu or 707 664-4211) or Teresa Tope, Coordinator of SSU's Teacher Recruitment and Information Center (theresa.tope@sonoma.edu or 707 664-2131).
