Networks Matter 2.0 begins in February 2013

Networks Matter 2.0 provides the tools to build stronger professional relationships through communication, social networking and technology, and it also helps develop a strategy for developing a professional network.

The workshops are designed to help those wanting to advance professionally, the unemployed or under-employed, and people with low to moderate technology skills. The sessions feature group meetings, presentations, online activities and attendance at community events. If you sign
up for the entire four-session series, you will receive two hours of personal and professional coaching.

Classes run 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays, starting February 12, 2013, at Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC. They cost $155 for the entire series or
$49 for each module. Click here to register.

GRCC In the News, 12-18-12

How Michigan’s right-to-work law will impact faculty at Grand Rapids-area colleges
Dec. 17, 2012; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Union leaders at two Grand Rapids-area colleges expect Michigan’s new right-to-work law to thin their ranks, but by how much remains to be seen.
“It’s definitely going to affect us like everybody else,” said Fred van Hartesveldt, president of Grand Rapids Community Colleges faculty association, which consists of about 250 full-time instructors and 600 adjuncts. “We’re only beginning to think about what it means for us.”

Basic Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerencing course starts January 17, 2013

Industry uses Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerencing to specify contractual requirements. Unfortunately, many people within industry have a flawed or incomplete understanding of the subject.

The Basic Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerencing course builds competence to correctly apply and interpret the rules, definitions, principles and symbols per the American National Standard, ASME Y14.5 – 2009, in only two days! This course provides a common language to improve communication, so set-up requirements and tolerance zones are clearly understood by all.

Topic include:

• the rules, definitions, and symbols of ASME Y14.5-2009.
• specified feature control frames.
• specified datum reference frames.
• the shape, size, and location of tolerance zones.
• features size requirements given specified tolerances.

The course runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. January 17 and 18, 2013, at Leslie. E Tassell M-TEC. The registration fee is $585. For more information, click here.

Raider Salute to the preschool

A big thank you to the Preschool for donating 55.8 pounds of food to the GRCC Food Pantry. We appreciate you!

GRCC gets first state chapter of Epsilon Phi Delta, German honor society

Through the leadership of Aleta Anderson, associate professor in German and Spanish, GRCC has been granted a chapter of Epsilon Phi Delta, the national German community college honor society.

It’s the first chapter in Michigan, with the name of Michigan Alpha.

Retail Baking students bring sweetness to families at Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan

Students in Marcia Rango’s Retail Baking class made special cakes for some special families — those staying at the Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan because they have children receiving medical treatment.

“The cakes were a huge hit with our families, as many mothers had had troubled weeks, and these cakes brought up their spirits,” said Megan Priester, guest and volunteer service manager of the Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan.

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Energy conservation reminder for the holiday shutdown

Our faculty and staff members did a great job pitching in to save energy for our Thanksgiving break. Thank you! Here’s your reminder that the Winter Break is almost upon us and this shutdown period is one of the most important of the year for saving energy.

As you prepare for longer break, take a few minutes to ready your area for this vital shutdown.

In classrooms and offices:

• Refrigerators should be unplugged and cleaned out with their doors propped open. We recommend that this be completed at least one day before staff leave for the shutdown so the unit can be monitored for excessive melting of built-up ice in the freezer area.Unplug the unit, empty it of all food and block the door open so air can circulate and discourage mildew.
• Power down all copiers, printers and scanners.
• Unplug equipment such as computers, monitors, speakers, radios, televisions, mobile phone chargers, and power supplies for laptops, cell phones, etc. (These devices continue to consume power when plugged in even when they are not connected to the device.)
• Turn off classroom equipment, including Smartboards, projectors, etc.
• Check to make sure all equipment is switched off in meeting rooms.
• Please be aware that personally owned space heaters are prohibited. If you have a personally owned space heater on campus, it is recommended that you take it with you when you leave for the holiday break.

In laboratories:

• Power off and unplug all unnecessary lab equipment.
• Ensure that all fume-hood sashes are closed, and all fume-hood lights are turned off.

Unplugging equipment is preferable to turning it off as most electronic equipment continues to use power even when turned off. But if your equipment is plugged into a power strip, please shut off the switch on the power strip.

 

Holiday Breakfast donations keep GRCC Food Pantry stocked

A huge “thank you” to everyone who donated food during the Holiday Breakfast! We were able to restock the shelves just in time for students to make their last visit to the pantry before the holiday shut down. We know they will appreciate your generosity!

For anyone who wasn’t able to donate at the breakfast but still wants to, feel free to bring in donations to the Student Life Office at any time. Items that seem to go the fastest include peanut butter, jelly, cereal, canned chicken, canned fruit and laundry detergent. But any nonperishable item is appreciated.

Holiday shutdown voicemail and email message reminder

The college will be closed from 5 p.m. on December 21, 2012, and will reopen for regular business hours on January 2, 2013. As you prepare for the break, remember to set your voicemail message and email auto reply.

GRCC In the News, 12-17-12

K-12 educators explain why they support differential tuition rate at Grand Rapids Community College
Dec. 17, 2012; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — A proposal by Grand Rapids Community College to develop a differential tuition rate for some dual enrolled students was embraced by at least three K-12 administrators last week who say the plan promotes college readiness.

Senior Dental Day at Grand Rapids Community College
Dec. 14, 2012; MLive
Photo gallery from Dental Programs’ day of free dental care for senior citizens.

One-day clinic provides free dental care to seniors
Dec. 14, 2012; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI Low-income seniors are receiving free dental care today, Dec. 14, from a team of volunteer dentists, hygienists and students.
Care was arranged for more than 40 older adults at Senior Dental Day, an event coordinated by the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan and held at the Grand Rapids Community College Dental Clinic.

GRCC Raider Sprints – Boys Swimming
Dec. 15, 2012; MLive
Winning wasn’t necessarily the goal of the Otsego boys team in Saturday’s GRCC Raider Sprints.
It was, however, a nice benefit.

GRCC weighs in after Legislature approves bill allowing two-year colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees
Dec. 14, 2012 MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Community colleges could begin offering bachelors degrees in several areas under legislation approved Thursday by the Michigan Legislature.

Students in Dental Programs help provide free day of care to area senior citizens

Students, faculty and staff in the Dental Programs teamed up with area agencies on December 14, 2012, to provide a free day of preventative dental care for senior citizen.

Seniors received preventative dental care – X-rays, cleanings and an exam – in GRCC’s dental clinic.  About 70 students in the Dental Program greeted and admitted patients, and worked with dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants on the x-rays, cleanings and exams.

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Bonus photos from the 2012 Employee Holiday Breakfast

Events coordinator Chris Bronson was kind enough to share some excellent photos of the 2012 Employee Holiday Breakfast:

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2012 Employee Holiday Breakfast includes songs, contests

This year’s Employee Holiday Breakfast featured a contest to rebuild College Park Plaza, a performance of a customized “12 Days of Christmas,” and honors to two Ford Fieldhouse lifeguards:

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Tassell M-TEC food drive helps three families

Tassell M-TEC held a food drive in November and was able to donate multiple boxes of food to three Job Training students and their families.

M-TEC employees helped deliver the food to the students’ homes just before Thanksgiving. The students were extremely grateful for the generosity of the M-TEC staff and faculty!

Adjusted hours for service areas

The service areas have adjusted hours during the upcoming weeks.

During the week of December 17 to 21, 2012, and January 2 to 4, 2013, Cashiers, Counseling & Career Center, Enrollment Center, Financial Aid, Student Life and Conduct, and the Testing (Assessment) Center will close at 5 p.m.

The service areas will offer extended hours from January 7 to 10 and 14 to 17, 2013, to serve students. For a complete list of offices and hours, click here.