GRCC In the News, 11-20-13

Muslim American science fiction-fantasy author to speak at GRCC

Nov. 19, 2013; News International

Nov. 19, 2013 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids Community Colleges library will host an evening with Saladin Ahmed, an award-winning science fiction-fantasy author.

Fall Jazz Night concert will benefit scholarship

Nov. 19, 2013; News International

Nov. 19, 2013 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids Community College musicians will explore the world of jazz in concert Nov. 19 during Fall Jazz Night, proceeds of which will benefit the Duane Shields Davis Vocal Jazz Scholarship.

Beer Loft and a ‘Bachelor’: What’s new at 2013 Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer and Food Festival

Nov. 20, 2013; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The sixth annual Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival celebrates the growth of Michigan’s craft beer and cider industries and welcomes a TV “Bachelor” to promote his vineyard.

… The event also includes champagne and sparkling wine flights, a cordial and dessert area and the Riverfront Marketplace, where patrons can shop specialty items and accessories. 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 work alongside industry leaders for a premier educational experience.

Woman, 60, recalls past as a prostitute and finding recovery in Grand Rapids

Nov. 19, 2013; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Lucretia Harvey’s first forays into prostitution started as an attempt to win back a boyfriend’s attention.

… In that time she formed healthy relationships and made the dean’s list at Grand Rapids Community College. Harvey for six years helped other women overcome their addiction as a supervisor at Degage Ministries Open Door Women’s Center.

Area pipeline good for Cobras

Nov. 19, 2013; The News-Gazette (Champaign, Ill.)

Area pipeline good for Cobras

… Nine of the 16 teams that have qualified for the Division II nationals, which start Thursday at Owens Community College in Toledo, Ohio, are ones that Parkland College has played during the season. The Cobras’ only losses in a 49-2 season were to top-seeded Cowley (on Sept. 7) and 10th-seeded Grand Rapids (on Aug. 31). Parkland has a 36-match winning streak, which includes 30 three-set sweeps. The team has beaten No. 3 Johnson County, No. 5 Illinois Central, No. 8 Monroe, No. 11 Des Moines Area Community College, No. 12 Southwestern, No. 13 South Suburban and No. 16 East Central. The Cobras could meet Grand Rapids in the quarterfinals.

Volleyball team to compete in NJCAA national tournament

GRCC’s volleyball team starts competition at the NJCAA National Tournament on Thursday! To learn more, click here.

Exam Cram for Fall 2013 Semester

Yes, it’s time for Exam Cram! What is Exam Cram? Think extended quiet study hours in the library, smiling tutors and librarians, along with beverages and snacks to keep study strength up and stress levels down!

* Faculty and staff, please share this news with students.

Fall 2013 Exam Cram will be held:

• Sat. 12/7/2013 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Sun. 12/8/2013 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Exam Cram is co-sponsored by Academic Support, Campus Activities and Library & Learning Commons. There will be librarians and tutors in multiple subject areas available during Exam Cram hours. Please park in the Bostwick (Main) parking lot. No registration required. Tutoring subjects may be limited. See our SubjectGuide for more information on this event!

 

Bostwick parking ramp to be closed November 26

On Tuesday, November 26th, the final step in the Bostwick parking ramp lighting project will by completed by our contractors. They will need to shut off all electrical power to the ramp all of Tuesday possibly into Wednesday. So to keep things as simple as possible, we will be locking all access to the ramp, as it will be very dark in there in the early morning and evening. If they are not done in one day, and the power is off, we would not be able to close the ramp and for safety reasons we do not want anyone in the ramp after dark.

Any students coming to campus on Tuesday should park in one of our other three parking structures: the Lyon Ramp (Bostwick and Crescent entrance), the Barclay lot (entrance off Barclay south of Lyon, or the Sneden Ramp (off Fountain Street).

Staff and faculty that normally park in the Bostwick ramp should plan to park in the Lyon Ramp – staff parking. The gates will be raised early in the morning by our parking manager. PLEASE HAVE YOUR PARKING PERMIT DISPLAYED IN YOUR CAR ON THIS DATE. If you have questions or concerns on the 26th please call dispatch at 234-4910. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience as we finish this project.

Campus police will test emergency communications

In an effort to maintain proper emergency protocols and compliance with the Clery Act, Campus Police will be running tests on all GRCC emergency communication tools Tuesday, November 26th throughout the day. Tests will be run via the Code Blue Pedestals in our external spaces, the Emergency Phone Alert system in offices and classrooms, the Rave notification system to employee home and cell phones (we will not be including students in this test).

This would be a good time for all employees to make sure all personal phone information is up to date in PeopleSoft. Please remember, if you wish to receive text messages to your cell phone in the case of an emergency, you MUST indicate that number as a “mobile” number in your information. If it is listed as “main” it will not receive a text message.

After the test, if you do not receive a call or message to your home or cell phone and believe you should have, please send an email to myself or Vicki Janowiak so we can look to correct the situation. Thank you for your support.

Scholarships available for facilities/apartment maintenance program

Scholarships are now available for GRCC’s Facilities/Apartment Maintenance Technician program!

This training program gives you the potential to earn certifications in:

• lead renovation, repair and painting.
• HVAC Environmental Protection Agency.
• Certified Pool Operator.
• Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician.
• Home Building Institute Facilities Maintenance Technician.
• OSHA 10-hour Construction Safety.

Classes run 3:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays January 21, 2014, to July 24 at Tassell M-TEC. Call Workforce Training at  234-3400 to learn more.

To register, click here.

Provost’s page includes information on upcoming events, Deans’ Council

Please visit the GRCC Provost Post for the following:

• Provost Message
• Academic Governing Council Updates
• Deans’ Council Updates
• ASA Faculty & Staff Showcase
• Reports
• Strategic Leadership Team Updates
• Upcoming Events

Students decorate tree for museum fundraiser

Elaine Gordon, Cassie Dille and Nikki Avery, students in GRCC’s Fashion Merchandising and Interior Design program, decorated a tree for the Muskegon Art Museum’s Festival of Trees fundraiser.

The GRCC students’ tree is called The Midas Touch and here’s how it’s described: “Straight out of King Midas’ court, this tree is golden perfection. With a monochromatic color scheme of gilded ornaments, ribbon, and even the tree itself, it is a breathtaking addition to any room. The Midas Touch is a classic yet exciting design that can be enjoyed for years to come.”

The museum, 296 W. Webster Ave. in Muskegon, is hosting an opening event with live music at 5:30 p.m. November 22; tickets cost $30, with proceeds going to the museum.

The exhibit runs through December 1. For more information, click here.

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.

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!!!