Automotive Technology Department Accepting Car Repair Appointments for Summer Semester

Does your vehicle’s engine need a tune-up? Brakes pulsating and/or squeaking? A/C blowing warm? Check Engine Light on? Power window slow to close? Timing belt replacement past due? Got oil leaks? Experiencing bad vibrations? Hearing clunk noises over bumps? Need an honest (and free) safety inspection?

The Automotive Technology Department is again accepting appointments for the summer semester. The work will be performed under supervision of faculty members. Customers pay only for parts and supplies, with no fee for labor time. Total repair costs are often half of what is charged by a retail facility, and manufacturer part warranties apply.

The program accepts vehicles for maintenance and repairs that are up to ten years old. This year’s session starts on April 30 and ends on June 8. To schedule an appointment, please contact one of the faculty members in the department, preferably via e-mail.

• Chad Lodenstein clodenst@grcc.edu 234-3006
• Brett Atchison batchison@grcc.edu 234-3827
• Ben Smith bsmith@grcc.edu 234-3309

DLIT Attends miBUG Conference and Professor Garry Brand Wins Award at the Quality Online Course Showcase

On Friday, March 16, the Department of Distance Learning and Instructional Technologies attended the Michigan Blackboard Users Group (miBUG) Conference at Ferris State University. This event brought more than 75 attendees from colleges and universities across the state that use Blackboard in teaching and learning. The conference focused on the new features of Blackboard coming in Service Pack 8, mobile learning, a wide array of breakout sessions and topics, and there was a showcase of quality online courses where Garry Brand (Business Department Professor) took first place!

More information including a photo gallery of the event is located here.

Print Solutions New Toner Ordering Policy

Effective immediately GRCC is no longer allowed to order additional toner from Canon without a used cartridge; each Canon printer should have a maximum of one back-up toner cartridge per printer.  All future orders will require us to exchange one used toner cartridge for one new toner cartridge.  Please write Canon Asset ID on the used toner box when you remove it.

GRCC in the News – 3/29/12

Fight against concealed guns in ‘pistol-free zones’ ramps up after opponents caught off guard
Published: Thursday, March 29, 2012, 9:38 AM | Grand Rapids Press

Hospitals, colleges, schools and other groups are lining up to oppose legislation that would allow concealed handguns on their premises. Support from gun rights groups was strong, with little opposition, when an overhaul of Michigan’s concealed weapons law was unveiled at a Senate committee and easily passed last week. It now is before the full Senate. [… Caption:] A Grand Rapids Community College student demonstrates how he would carry his gun on campus if concealed weapons were legal there.  (More)

A Local First: Grand Rapids Poets’ Conference
MATT SIMPSON SIEGEL | THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012 | Rapid Growth

On Monday, April 2, another first for Grand Rapids occurs when Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) hosts The Grand Rapids Poets’ Conference: A Celebration of Grand Rapids Poetry. The four-day event is set with panel discussions, seminars and learning sessions at 108 Sneden Hall during the day, and evening readings on the second floor of the GRCC library. All events are free to the public.  (More)

Organizer of upcoming Grand Rapids walk for justice in Trayvon Martin shooting case explains why event is necessary
Published: Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 9:55 PM | Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS,MI — When Mary Kennedy heard of the fatal shooting that took Trayvon Martin’s life in Florida, she couldn’t help but think of her own son. […] Kennedy, a leader of Grand Rapids Community College’s black student union, is joining with student leaders from several area schools to organize a walk to call for justice in Martin’s case.  (M0re)

Meeting planned to detail new Wyoming program allowing high school students to earn associate’s degree
Published: Thursday, March 29, 2012, 7:30 AM | Grand Rapids Press

WYOMING, MI – Next month, officials with Wyoming schools will meet with parents about how their child can graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate of arts degree. On Monday, the school district entered into an agreement with Grand Rapids Community College to begin a middle college program this fall with 50 sophomores.  (More)

Grand Rapids Community College honors inspirational women
Published: Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 11:35 AM | Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Grand Rapids Community College has honored four area residents as part of its 2012 Salute to Women. As part of its annual Salute to Women, the college recognized the women for their contributions to the college, the community and women’s history.  (More)

Probation officer and former University of Michigan football player finds himself on probation
Published: Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 10:33 AM | Grand Rapids Press

WYOMING, MI – Huemartin Robinson will keep his Kent County job as a probation officer despite the fact he will spend the next year with a probation officer to call his own. […] According to police records, the former University of Michigan and Grand Rapids Community College football player was stopped by a Wyoming Police officer checking on a faulty tail-light on South Division Avenue just north of 44th Street. The officer searched the vehicle finding the items, according to police. (More)

Reminder – The California Guitar Trio Tonight 3/29/12

The Grand Rapids Community College International Guitar Series Proudly Presents The California Guitar Trio 7:30 PM Thursday, March 29, 2012 in Room 200 of the GRCC Music Center at the corner of Ransom and Lyon.

Advance tickets are available in GRCC Music Department office. Call (616) 234-3940 for further information.

With a whirlwind of instrumental styles fusing classical, rock, blues, jazz, world music, progressive, as wellas the quintessential California musical genre surf music, the California Guitar Trio’s stunning virtuosity and sly sense of humor have earned them an enthusiastic following and wide notoriety, with significant cross over in the progressive, acoustic and classical music scenes. Notably, CGT music was featured on the television coverage of the 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2004 Olympics , and also on CBS, NBC, CNN, and ESPN TV programs.

The CGT performed on the 2003 Grammy Awards nominated track Apollo on Tony Levin’s CD Pieces of the Sun; and CGT music was sent into outer space as wake up music for the crew aboard NASA’s Space Shuttle Endeavor . Over the past 14 years of nearly incessant touring, the California Guitar Trio has shared the stage with superb musicians and performers such as: King Crimson, Jon Anderson, John McLaughlin, John Scofield, Tito Puente, Taj Mahal , Peter Rowan and Tony Rice, Dark Star Orchestra, Leftover Salmon, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Steve Lukather, Simon Phillips, David Sylvian, Adrian Legg, Kaki King and many others.

The concert will be held in Room 200 of the Grand Rapids Community College Music Center at the corner of Ransom and Lyon. Admission is $10 General and $7 for students and seniors. Parking is available in the GRCC student parking ramp with $1.00 guest parking voucher sold at the door. Call 234-3940 for further information or e-mail: bmorris@grcc.edu | Flyer Available Here (.pdf)

Race Power and Culture in America’s Black Eden at GRCC’s Race Ethnicity and Identity Conference – Video

Professor Robert Hendershot presents Idlewild’s Rapture: Race, Power, and Culture in America’s “Black Eden,” at GRCC’s Race and Ethnicity Conference:

GRCC Student Food Pantry Update 3/29/12

The GRCC Student Food Pantry has now been up and running for the past 7 weeks. We currently have 38 participants in the food pantry and are serving a total of 90 people (this number includes dependents). There have been 56 trips taken to the food pantry with 81 bags filled with food. The students have been extremely grateful of this service and have made numerous comments about how the pantry has positively impacted their lives. Below is an updated food pantry list to reflect the current needs.

If you would like to drop off any donations please do so in Student Life.  See below for the full list

Salute to Women 2012 Awards Reception – Video

Courtesy of GRCC’s Media Technologies Department, the video of the 2012 Salute to Women Awards presentation is now available online:

Race Ethnicity and Identity Conference Events for 3/29/12

Thursday, March 29th

Politics of Immigration in the European Union
1:00-2:30 p.m. | Assistant Professor Gordan Vurusic, GRCC

The Japanese-American Experience in World War II
3:00-4:00 p.m. | Professor Yan Bai, Ph.D, GRCC

Exploring Gender, Race, Ethnicity, and Childhood in the Andes: A Geographical Perspective
7:00-8:30 p.m. | G.T.U. Keynote: Kate Swanson, Ph.D, San Diego State | University; Location: Calkins Science Center

SafeZone Training – 4/4/12

The SafeZone program is a diversity education program that includes all individuals in a personal journey toward greater understanding and inclusion (regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, weight, height, marital status, status as a Vietnam era veteran, and disability, as a reflection of the GRCC EEOC statement). The program philosophy provides not only a safe space for all people, but also increases communication and understanding among people. One of the goals of SafeZone is to emphasize that all individuals will be treated and respected as human beings. Further, the program emphasizes that ignorance, bigotry, and harassment will not be tolerated in an environment of learning.

The next session will be held on: Wednesday, April 4, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Diversity Learning Center conference room, please register at dlcregistration@grcc.edu