Armen Award for Innovation Final Presentations – Photos and Video

On December 8,, the Armen Awards, given at GRCC’s annual innovation contest, were presented to three of the eight finalist teams for their proposals on how to reduce on-campus parking by 50% by the year 2015.

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The winners were Pam Scott, Leah vanHartesveldt and Doug vanHartesveldt for their idea, “Raiders Ride the Rapid!,” a ride-pass partnership that would allow students to take the bus and also allow GRCC and The Rapid to compile useful information on route usage. For getting first place, the team received a $3,000 cash prize.

Second place, and a $1500 prize, went to Nathaniel Shapiro, Addie Duy Dong and David Friday for “Using Hybrid Classes.” A hybrid class is a combination of online tools and regular class sessions, which require fewer class sessions – so less parking is needed – but doesn’t entirely eliminate the face-to-face meetings most students prefer.

Third place went to Cadence Mercer-Curtis, Laura K. Byers and Mary Beth Beighley for their idea, “Community Involvement,” which seeks alternative parking places and better partnership with The Rapid. The team received $750.

The contest, now in its second year, has been presented by GRCC’s Innovation Team, a subgroup of its Keller Future Center.  The contest has been funded by a long-time donor and college supporter Armen Oumedian.

Free Griffins Tickets for 12/14/11 Game

The Griffins have given GRCC’s Staff Professional Development and Enrichment 180 free tickets to the game on Wednesday night (December 14, 2011).  First come first served – pick up tickets here in Staff Development (100 Cook Admin Building).  The tickets are packaged in 2’s – so grab a friend and go to the game!  Questions? – Email Julie Lenger.

Distance Learning and Instructional Technologies Department hosts Donuts with DLIT Event

On Friday, December 9 (from 8:30 to 10 a.m. in 347 Main), Distance Learning and Instructional Technologies hosted a “Donuts and Distance Learning & Blackboard and Bagels” event. Essentially this is an informal gathering of the DLIT staff and faculty. “We provide the rounds, and you arrive to enjoy, discuss, ask questions, share stories, and learn more about distance learning and Blackboard at GRCC!” We had over 25 guests – including the Provost’s Office, a student and representatives from Oracle and a lot of faculty stopped by to share ideas and ask questions.

Make plans to join us next semester! We plan to hosts these events once per month. Follow DLIT on Facebook or visit http://www.grcc.edu/donuts for more information.

Blog post link to more information.

GRCC in the News – 12/12/11

State change allows educational alcohol consumption
Posted on December 9, 2011 by Sam Inglot | By SAM INGLOT | Capital News Service

LANSING– Michigan community college and university students can now have alcohol in class. That doesn’t mean students can crack open a beer in the middle of math. Gov. Rick Snyder recently signed into law a bill that allows accredited culinary or hospitality business programs to serve alcohol on campus. […] “It’s necessary for culinary or hospitality students to learn the service of alcohol, the management of alcohol and the huge part that beer and wine pairings have become in the culinary experience,” said Dan Gendler, program director for the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College. “It is a knowledge that students need to learn and what better way for them to learn than in a controlled atmosphere with certified instructors.”  (More)

Windows 7 Upgrade Clinics Starting 1/5/12

The GRCC IT Department will be upgrading all campus computers to Windows 7 starting January, 2012. The IT Department would like to invite you to be one of the very first individuals to make the move!

We are offering several upgrade clinics starting just after the holiday break. To have your system upgraded during one of these clinics please contact the IT Customer Support Desk at 234-4357 or ITHelp@grcc.edu. Each clinic will be limited to 12 seats so be sure to sign up early as these will fill quickly!

The clinics are being held:

• Thursday, January 5th, 2012 at 10:00 AM
• Thursday, January 5th, 2012 at 2:00 PM
• Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 at 10:00 AM
• Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 at 2:00 PM
• Friday, January 13th, 2012 at 10:00 AM
• Friday, January 13th, 2012 at 2:00 PM
• Monday, January 16th, 2012 at 9:00 AM
• Monday, January 16th, 2012 at 3:00 PM

Each system will take approximately 3 hours to upgrade, so please plan accordingly.

Please note, if you have received an email from IT indicating that you would soon be receiving a new computer you will not need to participate in the upgrade clinic.

Campus Vending Preparations for Holiday Shutdown 2011

As we prepare for the extended holiday closing, stock in campus vending equipment, particularly the dated and perishable items will begin to run low, and go out of stock as we begin to reduce inventory in advance of the holiday closing. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause. Please plan accordingly.

Reminder – New IT Password Policy

A new password policy has been developed to help keep information safe here at GRCC. This policy will make it more difficult for passwords to be guessed or cracked and will provide greater information protection. The policy will require a stronger password consisting of at least 10 characters including one upper case letter, one lower case letter and a number. Beginning January 1, 2012 the IT department will provide a self-serve password change website that will adhere to these new requirements.

More details on this policy can be viewed at http://grcc.edu/itpolicy