Important Year End Payroll Information

Verify Personal Information

• Verify your personal information through GRCC self-service by following the instructions found at http://cms.grcc.edu/payrollandbenefits/forms/yearend. Any personal information changes should be emailed to Human Resources at hr@grcc.edu no later than January 3, 2014 to be reflected on your 2013 W-2.

Update your Tax Withholding Forms

•  New tax forms should be completed if your filing status or exemption allowances have changed.
• If you are currently claiming exemption on your Federal or State taxes, you are required to complete a new W-4 no later than February 1, 2014.
• Tax forms are available on the payroll web page at http://cms.grcc.edu/payrollandbenefits/forms.

Print a copy of your last 2013 pay stub with year to date information

•  If you would like a copy of your last 2013 pay stub with year to date information, please be sure to print your December 20, 2013 pay stub no later Monday, December 23^rd. Year to date information will only be available on your last pay stub of 2013, until we process the first check of 2014.

For Informational Purposes Only

•  The 2014 Social Security tax rate is schedule to remain 6.2%, and the Medicare tax rate remains 1.45%
• The 2014 social security wage base will be $117, 000.00
• The 2014 limitation for elective deferrals under a 403(b) or 457(b) will remain $17,500, and the additional catch up provision for individuals age 50 and over will remain $5,500.00

 

 

 

 

 

GRCC mourns passing of President Emeritus Richard W. Calkins

Grand Rapids Community College faculty and staff are mourning the November 29 death of President Emeritus Richard W. Calkins, who led unprecedented campus expansion and the college’s transformation as an independent institution.

Mr. Calkins became chief executive (a title later changed to president) of what was then Grand Rapids Junior College in 1975. At that time, GRJC was operated by the Grand Rapids school district. A Creston High School graduate, Mr. Calkins earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Albion College and a master’s degree at Michigan State University. After earning his degrees, he became Creston’s vocal music director. In 1969, he became assistant director of personnel for the Grand Rapids school district.

Students today can see some of the results of Mr. Calkins’ leadership from almost anywhere on campus: The Music Center, Ford Fieldhouse, Spectrum Theater, College Park Plaza, Student Community Center, and the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center opened during his 23-year tenure. The Calkins Science Center was later named for him.

But Mr. Calkins led less-visible expansion, as well. The college began or vastly expanded its theater department, photography program, media services, computer technology training, culinary arts program and occupational therapy program under his leadership.

Mr. Calkins also helped organize a campaign that led to a February 1991 vote that changed the junior college to Grand Rapids Community College, an independent institution with a board of trustees.

“Dick worked tirelessly to move the college forward and increase student-learning opportunities,” said GRCC President Dr. Steven C. Ender. “We will be forever grateful for his vision and tenacity. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

A video retrospective on Mr. Calkins work at GRCC can be found here.

GRCC In the News, 12-2-13

GRCC students to compete for service learning award

Nov. 26, 2013; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Eight service learning projects will compete for Grand Rapids Community College’s Armen Awards, which recognize educational efforts that help the community.

John Cusack, Bruce Willis to star in Grand Rapids director Brian Miller’s ‘The Prince’

Nov. 26, 2013; MLive

Grand Rapids-born filmmaker Brian Miller has landed his biggest Hollywood job yet, directing action-thriller “The Prince,” starring John Cusack, Bruce Willis and Jason Patric.

… Miller is a 1993 East Grand Rapids graduate who attended Grand Rapids Community College and studied film at Grand Valley State University. He moved to Los Angeles in 2003 to pursue a film career. He wrote the screenplay for “Crossfire,” and eventually secured funding for it to film in his hometown in 2009. Miller’s films are released under his Sky Harbor Films production company banner.

High School Students Have Backstage Pass to Learning Technical Side of Theater

Nov. 26, 2013; schoolnewsnetwork.org (KISD newsletter)

Kent ISD, MI — What Josh Hess loves about theater is the backstage magic: working the lights and bringing all the technical parts of the show together just right.

… Students cover everything taught in an introductory level college course. Many are ready for careers in theater and entertainment, said Amber Schrier, Van Singel technical director and class instructor. Students can earn two Grand Rapids Community College credits and up to 12 Davenport University credits by completing two years of the program. Schrier said skills developed also translate to careers as wide-ranging as electronics and makeup.

Grand Rapids schools look at energy audit on buildings for cost-savings, better efficiency

Nov. 29, 2013; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids schools is preparing to have a free energy audit done on 10 of the district’s buildings through the Rebuild Michigan program administered by the Michigan Department of Energy.

… (Renae) Hesselink said districts such as Forest Hills and Zeeland, as well as Grand Rapids Community College, have utilized the service. She said GRPS will have to supply 12 months of energy data as a baseline to start the process.

Maplegrove Property establishes itself in downtown market

Nov. 29, 2013; Grand Rapids Business Journal

Although it’s not the biggest investment the firm has made, it is the largest single portfolio it has acquired.

… (David) Emdin said students and young professionals are the firm’s primary targets for the apartments. All the structures are near Grand Rapids Community College, the hospitals and the rest of the medical industry that has established itself along Michigan Street.

Grand Valley State women’s basketball upsets No. 12 Lewis in a thriller

Nov. 30, 2013; MLive

Allendale, Mich. – Despite trailing by as many as six points with 14:39 to play in the second half, the Grand Valley State women’s basketball team seized control of a back-and-forth affair to upset No. 12 Lewis, 67-59.

… GVSU improved to 2-1 on the year and is now set to begin GLIAC play next week. The Lakers will face No. 23 Ashland next Thursday at 6:00 p.m. EST. The game will be held at Grand Rapids Community College’s Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse.

Veggie Van to make GRCC stop on December 3

The YMCA’s Veggie Van will be at the Student Center from 1-2:30 p.m. Tuesday. Stop by for fresh fruits and veggies!

 

Condolences to Dan Keyes

Dannette Shaw, the wife of Dan Keyes (Workforce Training), has passed away after a long illness. To read her obituary, click here. A memorial service is planned for December 3 in Santa Fe, N.M. If you would like to send Dan a note, his address is 2327 Camino Rancho Siringo, Santa Fe, NM 87505.

Transfer forums scheduled

As part of the Division of Academic and Student Affairs’ initiative to further the Completion Agenda at GRCC, and specifically to improve our students’ transfer rates, we are offering three Transfer Forums for faculty and staff at the College. These interactive three-hour sessions are designed to provide information to faculty and staff about how to create curricular connections that improve transfer and how to use advising resources and strategies to improve students’ transition to four-year schools. The sessions are also designed to gather ideas about how as a College we can improve transfer.

The first forum is today – Monday, December 2 – from 3:00 to 6:00 in 108 Sneden.

Refreshments will be served. You do not have to rsvp, but it would be appreciated. Just email Amy Kirkbride at akirkbride@grcc.edu.

If full-time faculty attendees wish, they may receive 3 hours of College Service for their participation in a forum.

December Learning Opportunities from Staff Development

Registration is open to all Staff and Faculty and is available online at the following link: http://www.grcc.edu/staffdevelopment/currentlearningopportunitiesregistration or by calling Staff Development at ext. 4285.

Misrepresentation of Women in Media and Society

Mon Dec 2, 2013

11:30 AM – 1:30 PM

122 LRC

Who defines what is valuable and beautiful in our society? How much do media play in role in how women view themselves? The Misrepresentation of Women workshop will take a closer look at issues that directly affect women on GRCC’s campus

SafeZone Training

Tue Dec 3, 2013

8:30 AM – 1:30 PM

122 LRC

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.

A2: Through Our Eyes (Accessibility Advocates workshop training)

Wed Dec 4, 2013

3:15 – 4:15 PM

118 ATC

“Through Our Eyes: Understanding and Engaging Differently Abled Students”  By examining the learning challenges associated with various diagnoses, participants will feel, hear, see, and touch through exercises designed to immerse them into an inaccessible world where frustration, distraction, stress, fear and mental fatigue are daily realities for many of our students. After completing this session, participants will be able to:

1.) Serve as an advocate for accessible course content and program design in their respective units

2.) Move beyond language and action centered on tolerance and into engagement

3.) Develop tools to incorporate into a greater accessibility advocate toolbox centered accommodation     through communication and an interactive process.

What Mommies Do Best

Wed Dec 4, 2013

12-1:00 PM

Room 2201 Kirkhof Center, GVSU Allendale campus

Being a Mom is the hardest and best job that you will ever do! Working mothers today confront not only conflicting demands on their time and energy, but also conflicting ideas about how they are to behave: they must be nurturing and unselfish while engaged in child rearing, but competitive and ambitious at work. Meet with other GVSU and GRCC Moms around interesting topics of discussion to both young moms and more experienced moms. Faculty, staff and students are all welcome.

Happiness Club

Thu Dec 5, 2013

12-1:00 PM

Room 1142 Kirkhof Center, GVSU Allendale campus

Join others who are interested in making changes to their thoughts and attitude to become a happier person. The Happiness Club will provide an opportunity to meet and network with others who are committed to improving the quality of their life by injecting happiness into everyday living.

Defusing Rude Behavior

Tue Dec 10, 2013

9-11:00 AM

124 ATC

It can be difficult to know how to react when you are confronted with rude behavior. This course examines a number of cases of rude behavior and provides participants with effective tactics to responding in these situations.

Cancer Warriors Network

Wed Dec 11, 2013

12-1:30 PM

Room 302E DeVos Center, GVSU GR campus

Nearly 14 million cancer survivors are celebrating birthdays this year! This statistic illustrates that growing numbers of people are surviving cancer. However, a cancer diagnosis is frightening and affects not only the person diagnosed with cancer, but caregivers and loved ones. If you’re facing a cancer diagnosis, have a loved one battling cancer, or you are through with treatment and on the road to recovery, connecting with others who have traveled this journey can be a source of comfort and hope. These network meetings are an opportunity to bring together GVSU and GRCC families and friends, who have been impacted by cancer to gain information and support through speakers and cancer resources available on the site.

Best Practices for Email

Thu Dec 12, 2013

9:30 AM-1:30 PM

351 Main

Etiquette for email is discussed as well as tactics for dealing with email overload.

Cross Cultural Communication

Mon Dec 16, 2013

11:30 AM – 1:30 PM

122 LRC

In GRCC’s Woodrick Diversity Learning Center’s Cross Cultural Communication workshop, participants explore the history of their own communication style, and how it affects their current ability to enjoy and employ successful communication. They will experiment with relevant workplace communication examples. The program provides a safe place for participants to: Examine the intent of communication; Acknowledge that all of us have unspoken prejudices and assumptions; Apply cross cultural communication skills to customer service situations; Develop skills to manage difficult conversations utilizing appropriate communication.

Strengths 101

Wed Dec 18, 2013

1:30 – 3:30 PM

118 ATC

People of all ages continually face the challenges of gaining direction, making decisions and building self-confidence. Fortunately, the keys to successfully meeting these challenges; your own natural talents – already exist within you. The Gallup StrengthsQuest program is designed to build your awareness of your talents and then show you how to develop and apply your strengths in academics, careers, relationships, leadership and the various adventures that produce your greatest achievements.

Alzheimer Support Group

Thu Dec 19, 2013

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Room 302C, DeVos Center, GVSU GR Campus

Whether you are caring for an aging loved one who can no longer live without your help or for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, GVSU recognizes the challenges that you are facing. Being a caregiver is known for placing a great burden on the caregiver. The pressures can be wide-ranging, and touch the social, psychological, physical, and economic facets of the caregiver’s life. Get the support that you need by attending the GVSU Caregiver and Alzheimer’s Support Group.

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!

Important Holiday Shut Down Information

GRCC will be shutting down for the semester break starting December 23, 2013, through January 1, 2014. The college will reopen on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014. All GRCC campuses will be closed during this shutdown period. Students will be able to access college information online, but no services will be available over the phone or in person between December 23, 2013 and January 1, 2014.

TRiO/SSS program seeks donations to help 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!!!

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.

Check Web pages for office listings

The Student Feedback Management Team received a complaint from a student who noted two departments that listed their room number, but not their building on their Web page. After looking into it further, it appears this is true for many offices.

Did you know that if you are in Drupal the category says “Office”, but when you publish it that line will start with the word “Room” on the page. The SFMT encourages everyone to take a look at their page and verify your room number AND building location is posted on your page. In that “Office” line, you will want to list your room number first, followed by the building name or code.

Thanks for taking time to help us with this simple navigation improvement on campus!