GRCC In the News, 11-18-13

GRCC to host GED college fair on Nov. 21

Nov. 16, 2013; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Community College is hosting an informational session next week for residents interested in enrolling in its GED program.

New Brewers Loft tops Wine, Beer & Food Festival

Nov. 15, 2013; Grand Rapids Business Journal

A pre-holiday tradition in downtown Grand Rapids, the sixth annual International Wine, Beer & Food Festival, is on tap this week.

… Culinary and hospitality students from Ferris State University, the Culinary Institute of Michigan at Baker College in Muskegon, the Secchia Institute of Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College and Grand Valley State University will participate in the festival, working alongside industry leaders.

The Best Places in Michigan for Job Seekers

Nov. 17, 2013; nerdwallet.com

Many job seekers are looking for employment opportunities in Michigan’s economy. The state government is focused on providing employment assistance for job seekers as well as hiring help for employers. Job seekers can find job training opportunities through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. To help, NerdWallet crunched the numbers to find the best places for job seekers in Michigan, and we did so by asking the following questions:

… 8. Wyoming

Wyoming is located in western Michigan, near Grand Rapids. Wyoming is Michigan’s 16th-largest city by population and western Michigan’s third-largest industrial tax base. The city’s working-age population grew 2.5 percent between 2009 and 2011 while its households earned a median income of $45,246 in 2011. Wyoming’s top employers include Metro Health Hospital, Gordon Food Service and UPS. Wyoming is home to a regional center of Grand Rapids Community College. The college provides specific job resources for students such as career planning, job-outlook information and workshops and classes for career development.

Behind the kitchen door…Q&A with Grove Pastry Chef Keener

Nov. 14, 2013; MLive

This Grand Rapids native is refining her keen culinary skills crafting elegant desserts at East Hills’ favorite Grove, as well as at her own table at home. Pastry Chef Erin Keener lives her passion through her work, supporting sustainability and farm-to-table dining. With her life partner as a fellow chef, they are sure to have passed on an affinity for culinary talent to their son… and a taste for the future.

… Culinary education: I spent some time training at Grand Rapids Community College, but I’ve had almost six years of on-the-job education with Essence (Restaurant Group).

TRiO/SSS collects toothbrushes, donations for Haitian students

Each year, the TRiO/SSS program at Grand Rapids Community College organizes an International Fundraiser. For the third year in a row, TRiO/SSS has partnered with The Power of Education Foundation. This non-profit organization is incorporated in Michigan and they focus on the educational opportunities and well-being of impoverished children in Port au Prince, Haiti. The organization has developed a primary school that houses first through sixth graders. It is at this school that students, parents, teachers and community members can get an education, medical and nutritional support while working as a center for the community to connect and grow.

The Power of Education Foundation is expected to go on a mission this winter in an effort to further the progress of oral health. Practicing good oral hygiene has a host of health benefits. It wards off harmful bacteria that may cause tooth decay, bleeding gums, and oral infections which could affect a student’s ability to focus. TRiO/SSS is supporting this mission campus wide, by collecting new toothbrushes, toothpaste and money donations. All around campus there are donation containers, flyers and even students advertising for the fundraiser! All of the proceeds and donations go directly to students in Haiti.

If you would like to participate in the efforts of the TRiO/SSS program, their office is located on the 3rd floor of the Student Center just behind the Counseling Center.  Our campaign will run through Friday, December 6, 2013 and all donations will be turned in to the Foundation to be sent directly to Haiti with their team.   Come, join us, and donate!!!!!!  Thank-you!!!

Accessibility Indicators Report Completed and Results Available Online

Greetings Fellow Raiders,

Thank you to each of you who took the time to respond to the Accessibility Survey sent out in October of this year. Your responses and feedback will be utilized in pushing accessibility related agendas and addressing concerns in each of the six areas highlighted by the Accessibility Indicators: college conversations, administrative empowerment, student services, physical spaces, instruction and campus inclusion.

The collective feedback from over 300 students and 250 faculty and staff members has been compiled in the first Accessibility Indicators Report for 2013-2014. Once again, the goal of this survey data collection effort was to transparently display the perceptions and opinions of accessibility on our campus and use the data to collectively move the needle on creating a more inclusive and accessible campus for individuals of all ability levels. Please take a moment to visit the Office of Accessibility’s Accessibility Indicators page to see the results as well as a much more comprehensive report analyzing results, emerging themes and data results by population.

Again, we thank you for your participation and look forward to addressing your concerns and making GRCC a banner institution for not just ADA compliance but inclusive access!

Education Department seeks donations for Kids Food Basket

Our Education Department is sponsoring a food drive for Kids Food Basket today through November 22.

Dropoff points:

Staci Dever, 266 Main

Penni Weninger, HR, second floor Admin

If you don’t know what KFB does, you can visit http://www.kidsfoodbasket.org Basically, we prepare 6,000 sack suppers for kids in Grand Rapids who receive school breakfasts and lunches, to assure that they have supper once at home. Additionally, our ESP group supports KFB’s efforts by packing sack suppers.

Needs:

• 100% fruit juice boxes
• Granola bars
• Fruit cups
• Peanut butter
• Fold top sandwich baggies
• Plastic spoons
• Napkins
• Cracker packs
• Individual fruit cups, pudding and gelatin cups
• 100% fruit snack packs or dried fruit packs (.9 oz or similar)
• Snack size ziplock bags
• Bulk pretzels
• Veggie straws
• Cheerios – plain

THANK YOU!

STAFF LEARNING OPPORTUNITY

The SafeZone program is a diversity education program that involves participants in a personal journey towards greater understanding of 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 reflected in 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 primary goals of SafeZone is to emphasize that all individuals should be treated and respected as human beings.

GRCC places a strong emphasis on ensuring that our work and learning environment is free from any form of discrimination, and harassment. SafeZone is a key tool that helps us accomplish this goal. The next session will be held on: Tuesday, December 3, and located at Diversity Learning Center conference room from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Please register at dlcregistration@grcc.edu.

Training sessions must be completed by November 22

Please be advised that OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) has revised the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) specifically with regard to Safety Data Sheets and labeling of hazardous chemicals. A hazardous chemical can be something as simple as Wite-Out, Lysol spray or White Board Cleaner to something more complex like acetone. Consequently, all employees could have potential exposure and are required to be trained on the new standard. We apologize in advance for the 11/22 deadline, but ask that you do your very best to comply with this date. See below for specific additional information.

Thank you!!

The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is now aligned with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). This update to the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) will provide a common and coherent approach to classifying chemicals and communicating hazard information on labels and safety data sheets.

Bottom line is formatting of Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), (formerly (MSDSs) – Material Safety Data Sheets) and labeling of hazardous chemicals is changing. Consequently, so that our workforce is prepared, OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) is requiring all GRCC employees to complete training as follows:

• Three (3) training segment modules (10 to 15 minutes) each:  Module 1 – Overview and Classification, Module 2 – Labels, Module 3 – Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) (formerly MSDS)
• Post test (approximately 20 questions, 80% accuracy required )
• Must be completed by all employees by Friday, November 22, 2013.

You can access the training through “My Organizations” in Blackboard. Refer to the All Staff email for details.

‘Age of Champions’ to be shown on November 21

JOIN US FOR A FREE SHOWING OF AGE OF CHAMPIONS

INSPIRE YOUR INNER CHAMPION AND LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE

Age of Champions is the inspirational story of a group of athletes–a 100-year-old tennis champion, 86-year-old pole-vaulter, team of basketball grandmothers, and a pair of swimming brothers–all chasing gold at the National Senior Olympics. The film captures the triumphant spirit of these competitors as they tackle the challenges of old age with grace, humor, and optimism.

The Gerontology Student Organization (G-Club) will present the film on NOVEMBER 21, 2013 from 4:30 p.m.-5:45 p.m. at Calkins Science Center, Auditorium Room 348. It is co-sponsored by the Student Occupational Therapy Assistant Organization (S.O.T.A).

Faculty and staff who would like to register for this event may do so here.

For more information contact Delicia Wilondja at 616-234-2122 or dwilondja@grcc.edu

ESP Collecting Items for Grand Rapids Home for Veterans

The ESP employee group is collecting much needed items for the Grand Rapids Home for Veteran’s, from 10/28 – 12/19/13, for the holiday season.

Items needed include:

• Gift cards or certificates to fast food restaurants (such as McDonald’s)
• Lap blankets
• New or gently used clothing – size 2x or larger
• 100 piece puzzles
• Personal toiletries:  body wash, mouthwash, deodorant, or cologne (for men or women)
• Pencils and letter writing pads/kits
• Postage Stamps

Donations will gladly be accepted at any of the following locations around campus:

• Colleen Copus (x2103) – Math Tutorial Lab – Rm 105 Cook Bldg.
• Tracy Payne (x3673) – Rm 101- Sneden Hall
• Janis Qualls (x4248) –  Rm 318 – Science Bldg.
• Francisco Ramirez (x3181) – Enrollment Center – 1^st Floor Main Bldg.
• Kathy Kolehouse (x3940) – Rm 100 – Music Bldg.
• Kim Musser (x4253) – College Park Plaza – 2^nd Floor Lobby

Items will be collected every Thursday, then dropped off at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans on Friday, December 20th.   We would appreciate your support.  Please help us, to help them. Thank you.

Make reservations for lobster boil

Join the Heritage Restaurant

for an

 Old Fashion Lobster Boil

December 3^rd at 6:00 p.m.

 

Featuring:

Whole Maine Lobster (1 ¾ lb.)

New England Clam Chowder

Grilled Sweet Corn on the Cob

Cornbread

Boiled Potatoes

Mussels and Little Neck Clams

$38.99 per person

 (plus tax and gratuity)

Not Available With Any Other Discount

 Beer, Wine, and Dessert

 (available for purchase)

 For reservations, please call 616-234-3700 by November 25^th or

Make reservations online at http://www.grcc.edu/Heritage