Course Packs Due 11/20/09

It’s almost course pack time: all new course packs need to be submitted to Print Solutions by November 20, 2009. Any course packs submitted after this date will be processed as they arrive; however, due to the holiday period, we cannot guarantee that late course packs will be available to students prior to the start of Winter Term classes.

ATC (including Computer Lab) closing on Sundays

In an effort to conserve energy and resources, the Applied Technology Center (including the ATC Computer Lab) will be closed on Sundays starting November 8, 2009.   Students who normally use the ATC at this time can access computers, software, and support services in the GRCC Library from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays.

Open Enrollment / Flexible Spending Forms Due Friday (11/6/09)

Payroll and Benefits wishes to remind you that all Open Enrollment Election and Flexible Spending forms are due in the Payroll/Benefits Office on Friday, November 6th by 5:00 PM.  If you have questions please contact Maria at ext. 4052 or Laura at ext. 4175.

Benefit Fair Drawing Winners

The winners of the drawing held at the benefit fair are as follows:

Results of Community College Survey of Student Engagement: Importance of Developmental Education

This story about the importance of Developmental Education comes from the Institutional Research and Planning department:

Ensuring that students are academically prepared for college upon leaving high school is a difficult task. At GRCC, we know the consequences of being under-prepared for college. National research indicates that less than half of high school students graduate with the skills they need to be successful in college. Community colleges like ours, moreover, serve large numbers of older students who may need refresher courses (or additional training) and immigrant students who may need English language instruction or other types of special support. Therefore, it isn’t surprising that significant numbers of our students may need some level of developmental education. However, with strong developmental education programs, incoming college students can quickly be put on the path to academic success.

Condolences to Jill Nutt

Condolences to Jill Nutt, Executive Director of Student Financial Services, whose grandmother passed away on Friday, October 30th.   Services will be conducted on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church.  The obituary may be viewed here.

IIPD Grant Guidelines Revised

Revised IIPD Guidelines in Effect

Revised IIPD Guidelines, as recommended by the IIPD Committee and based on input from the AGC and the College Advancement office, are now available here: www.grcc.edu/internalgrants.  The revisions will enable grants to be awarded to a wider range of faculty, align grant projects to department goals, and create more equitable distribution of limited IIPD funds. Key changes are to the Applicant Eligibility Requirements which now require that applicants:

1. Have not received an IIPD Grant within two years from the date of submission of their last IIPD application.
2. Have received approvals to submit an application from their Associate Dean and Department Head/Program Director.

Ferris Open House for GRCC Students (11/5/09)

Ferris State University will be holding an Open House for GRCC students on Thursday, November 5, 2009 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the ATC (Room 124), emphasizing the close connection between the two institutions (as a result of our 2+2 and 3 + 1 partnerships, GRCC students can easily complete degrees at Ferris – including some here in Grand Rapids on our shared campus).

Ferris will have academic advisors, career counselors, financial aid advisors, admissions officers, and a Veterans Affairs advisor on hand, and will be distributing free t-shirts while supplies last.

GRCC in the News: 11/3/09

Flu 101: In wake of Grand Valley student’s death – Colleges teach precaution in absence of vaccination
By PEG MCNICHOL | The Holland Sentinel | Posted Nov 03, 2009 @ 07:30 AM

Even as state medical officials described the state’s health situation already as “like the peak of a bad flu season,” area colleges scramble to protect students with but a fraction of anticipated vaccines. […] Awareness campaigns at Holland-area campuses of Grand Valley, Hope College, Grand Rapids Community College and Davenport University include asking students to stay out school if they develop a fever, cough, runny nose, body aches or upper respiratory problems.  (More)

Local chef mentors students: Helped win gold medal for Team Scotland
Ludington Daily News | Monday, November 2, 2009

Kelli Bly, owner-chef of Le Serving Spoon, headed up a team of culinary students from Scotland at the 2009 Nation’s Cup in Grand Rapids Saturday, Oct. 24. Bly and five other alumni of the Peter Secchia School, which is affiliated with Grand Rapids Community College, were invited to help the students with the international dinner served on the final day of competition.  (More)

GRCC, GVSU students take care of their communities with clothing, food drives
By Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press | November 02, 2009, 4:21PM

College students don’t always get enough credit for doing nice things for their communities. But I’ve stumbled upon a couple things that show the young adults are reaching out to help both fellow students and people around them.  (More)