What happens--what are some of the events and activities?    Many of the activities simply involve meeting with your teachers one-on-one or in small groups, in their offices or other designated rooms.  Presenters also offer over 60 classroom sessions, ½-1 hr. each, on a wide variety of interesting, useful topics.  Past SSDs, for example, have included these sessions:

Where do I find the schedule?  Just click above or here on "Schedules."

Is there a main speaker?  One of the highlights of each SSD is the nationally famous motivational speaker.  The speaker typically will give a high-powered keynote presentation in a filled Fine Arts Theater at 10 am, a filled HH203 lecture hall workshop at 2 pm, and a repeated keynote presentation at 6 pm, also in a filled HH203.

How about food?  Another highlight is the free food.  In the first part of the morning, coffee, juice, rolls, and donuts are free in Heritage Hall.  At noon, the cafeteria offers free pizza.  And 5-6 pm there is free pizza in Heritage Hall.  There also are cookies and lemonade throughout the day in the Counseling Area (2nd floor of the College Center Building), whether you want career or course counseling or not.  Get free popcorn 11-1:30 pm in the foyer of HH 203.  And many of the Student Tables in the HH 2nd floor hallway, 11-1:30, have free candy and other treats.

What  else is special?  Yet another highlight is each year's special fairs and display events that last from two to five hours during SSD.  In past years, these have included such events as Student Clubs Display Tables, a Service Learning Fair, a Cultural Diversity Fair, Nursing and Paralegal special events, and—in the spring—a "Careers, Colleges, & Transfer Fair" with representatives from a number of nearby colleges and universities.

How about careers--what if I'm career oriented?  In the spring, SSD emphasizes careers and disciplines more, with special sessions and events to aid the aspiring graduate, both in his or her discipline or major and in her future after Inver Hills.  In addition to the "Careers, Colleges, & Transfer Fair" above, typical springtime SSD sessions have included “Exploring Majors and Careers," "How To Do Science Poster Projects," "Preparing a Great Resume," "PowerPoint for Student Presentations," and more.

Where do I start?  See the SSD Home Page for the date of the next SSD.  Check the schedule to see what hours you want to attend.  When you get to campus, register free in Heritage Hall.  You'll get a nametag you should wear in order to get into sessions and receive free food.  As you walk south on the central mall of the campus, Heritage Hall is the furthest south building on the right.  See the Campus Map.

Should I plan ahead?  It's not necessary, but it helps.  See the Long Schedule 1-14 days before the next SSD or the 1-page Short Schedule for more general planning.  Use the Planner to mark in your choices and alternates for each hour.  Sometimes it's helpful to mark in two or three choices.  If you don't like the first session you attend, you can leave after a few minutes simply by walking out or politely excusing yourself and saying, "I have the wrong session."  You are always welcome to walk into other sessions late (even very late!).  

What if I come late?  Most sessions begin between 8 or 9 am and 1 or 2 pm, and again at 5 pm.  Keynotes are at 10 am and 6 pm.  Arrive whenever you wish.  If you are late for a session--even half an hour late--please feel free to walk in anyway: you're always welcome at any time.  If your food or drink is making you late, bring it in with you. 

Can I bring in food and drink to a session?  Please do.  Presenters would rather have you in the session with food and drink than not have you there.  But please bring napkins or plates with you--whatever is available--to help keep carpets and tables clean.

Where's the Schedule?  A short, 1-page summary of the schedule is always available (Short Schedule).  However, the Long Schedule is only placed on the Web site about two weeks before SSD, and then removed afterward to avoid confusion.  If you're looking for a sample Long Schedule from a previous term, click here.

If I have a Schedule, why register?  First, it helps us, the SSD planners, a lot if you register.  Then we know how many people to plan for next time.  Second, the Web schedules don't have room numbers on them.  We don't plan the room numbers until the last minute.  So, you need to register to get the final printed copy of the Long Schedule.  

Schedule--Why does it have no room numbers?   The Long Schedule on the Web has no room numbers.  This is because the rooms are added just a few days before SSD to accommodate last-minute changes and allow time for printing.   So, please register in Heritage Hall, to get a schedule with room numbers on it.  

What if my teacher holds class on SSD?  That's normal if you're in an accelerated, fully-online, or off campus course.  Also, some classes with hourly certification requirements in technical fields--such Emergency Medical Services or Nursing--may have to be held anyway.  as in nursing or technical fields--may need to meet as normal.  And if you are in an evening class that meets past 7 pm, you can be required to go to the class starting at 7 pm.  

          However, all other classes are cancelled and the rooms may be used by SSD events.  Some instructors--especially community instructors who are professionals who share their knowledge by teaching in the evening--may not know much about SSD nor regularly check their Inver Hills email.  If so, you can help inform them by asking them to visit this Web site and/or email SSD.  We would appreciate your patience and assistance in informing new and community teachers about SSD.  If you would like help  determining whether your class should meet, please email us. 

Is SSD at other colleges?  Yes.  In the Twin Cities Metro Area, the first college to have an SSD was Century College.  We are the second.  Minneapolis Community and Technical College's first SSD is February 2007, and Normandale Community College is said to be starting one, too.    Century College got the idea from the Community College of Denver in Colorado.