Raider Salute to IT Staff for Blackboard SP6 & Oracle 11G Upgrades

This Raider Salute came from Eric Kunnen and the folks in Distance Learning & Instructional Design:

Distance Learning and Instructional Technologies would like to recognize the IT staff that supported the work of the upgrade to Service Pack 6 of Blackboard and Oracle 11g.

Specifically, Szymon Machajewski, Mark Nordblom, and Jesse Fuzi. Through their energy, technological expertise, and efforts, this patch for Blackboard was a success! It is noteworthy that despite unplanned obstacles that were presented such as the campus power outage, the team persevered with a dedicated disposition.

I would also like to recognize faculty with release time and DLIT staff, Garry Brand and Meegan Lillis for dedicating and investing considerable time to evaluate, perform due diligence, and in their work for preparing tipsheets and tutorials to best leverage the new capabilities that Service Pack 6 provides.

Finally, the support of the help desk is important as well and Fred Bauman and Darcy Swope provided assistance and the willingness to move ahead with our systems while supporting end users.

This is a team event and took many hours of testing, planning, and coordination. This work is demonstrative of the commitment GRCC has to ensure success and move us forward and for that I am grateful to be a part of such an awesome team of colleagues!

I thank you all on behalf of the faculty, students, and staff that rely on the Blackboard system to advance our institution.

With sincere appreciation,
Eric

Raider Salute to Dale Betts, Glenn Fox and Luis Rodriguez-Cruz

This Raider Salute came from the Admissions and Career Development Offices:

“The staff of the Admissions and Career Development Offices would like to send a Raider Salute out to the student workers from the DeVos Campus Facilities Department. Dale Betts, Glenn Fox and Luis Rodriguez-Cruz are instrumental in making sure that things are taken care of and looking fresh and clean. On top of their daily duties, they are always willing to lend a helping hand. This summer they have been helping folks move in and out, painting, washing windows, cleaning up construction dust, moving furniture and supplies into Warren Hall and a variety of other jobs. They always do their jobs with a smile on their face and are a great team of hard workers! We truly appreciate their dedication.”

GRCC in the News – 8/4/11

Health care industry outlook could avert talent shortages
Published: Thursday, August 04, 2011, 8:00 AM | Mark Sanchez | Business Review West Michigan

Educators needed help offering students real-life lessons in a clinical setting. Care providers were willing to help out and provide the staff and space. […] While colleges already gather data on their own from individual care providers to plan their academic programs, a cooperative approach orchestrated by the Health Care Employers Council could be invaluable, said Julie Parks of Grand Rapids Community College.  (More)

More than 150 march on Holland City Hall to push for anti-discrimination ordinance change
Published: Wednesday, August 03, 2011, 10:26 PM | Greg Chandler | The Grand Rapids Press

HOLLAND — In the wake of Holland City Council’s recent decision not to expand the city’s anti-discrimination ordinance to include sexual orientation and gender identity, Max Singer posted signs in his yard declaring it a “no discrimination zone.” […] “We’ve had signs defaced, we’ve had signs stolen,” the Black River Public School graduate and Grand Rapids Community College culinary arts student said.  (More)

Grand Rapids Community College police ask for help after unarmed robbery report
Published: Wednesday, August 03, 2011, 12:33 PM | Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press

Grand Rapids Community College Police Department are looking for information about an unarmed robbery reported on campus late Monday. Campus police report said a man was sitting on a bench on the south end of Bostwick Commons at 11:50 p.m. When he was approached by two males.  (More)

From DLIT – New Grading Features in Blackboard

GRCC’s Distance Learning and Instructional Technologies has posted an overview of the new grading features in Blackboard to help faculty better understand the update to the course management system.  Go hear to read about them and watch a helpful video.

If you’d like to subscribe to their blog to keep up with the latest happenings in instructional technology, it’s available at http://dlitgroup.wordpress.com/