GRCC In the News, 3-20-14

Godwin Heights students to earn college credit early through GRCC partnership

March 19, 2014; MLive

WYOMING, MI — Godwin Heights students will be college bound next school year without leaving their high school as the school district becomes the latest to enter into a partnership with Grand Rapids Community College for an early college high school.

How GRCC may eliminate projected $1.9 million budget deficit

March 20, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Community College may trim discretionary spending and use money originally intended for deferred maintenance to plug a projected $1.9 million deficit in the school’s 2014-15 budget.

GRCC’s Bert Bleke has advisory role with group creating education hub in Steelcase pyramid

March 19, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Community College board chairman and former Grand Rapids schools superintendent Bert Bleke has taken an advisory role with the group developing the Steelcase pyramid building into a hub to prepare students for high-tech jobs.

‘Kick Butts’ carnival aims to stop smoking among young people

March 19, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Anti-smoking activism took the form of a carnival at Grand Rapids Community College on Wednesday March 19.

Thompson moves on to Div. 1 UD Mercy

March 19, 2014; The Davison Index

GRAND RAPIDS — A two-year stint at Grand Rapids Community College has set Davison grad David Thompson up to take the next step to Div. 1 collegiate golf. Thompson has made the verbal commitment and will sign his national letter-of-intent sometime in early April.

MSU, WMU among six volleyball teams to play in showcase at Cornerstone

March 19, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The fifth annual Volleyball Showcase, featuring Western Michigan vs. Michigan State in the featured match, will take place Saturday at Cornerstone University.

The showcase put on by the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame at the Mol Arena begins at 4 p.m. with Cornerstone facing Aquinas and Grand Rapids Community College against Davenport. The WMU-MSU contest follows at 6 p.m.

Ready, Set, Enroll!

The Admissions and Enrollment Center will hold an event — Ready, Set, Enroll! — on Monday, March 24th, for prospective students for the Summer and Fall Semester. The event is from 4:00 to 6:00 PM in the Enrollment Center. Students can apply, talk with a financial aid representative, a counselor, take the Accuplacer test, and receive assistance registering for classes.

The latest from GRCC TV on YouTube: board meeting; Race, Ethnicity and Identity Conference

“GRCC Board of Trustees Meeting – March 2014”

“Styling a Nation: Fear and Desire in the South Sudanese Beauty Trade”

“Race, Ethnicity & Identity 2014”

“Intersections of Caste, Class, Skin Color and Religion in the Republic of India”

Yoga eases stress, improves your mind

Are you in need of some stress relief? Would you like improved brain function?

Did you know that from the first time you take a yoga class your brain function is improved, your stress levels are lowered and your flexibility increases. Yoga can help lower blood pressure, improve lung capacity and help with neck and back pain.

Staff development has three yoga classes each week. Come join us tomorrow (Friday) morning from 6:15 – 7:15 in the Fieldhouse balcony for a yoga class taught by Jodi Richhart. You don’t have to be flexible or a fitness expert to practice yoga – you just need to show up.

Global Experience Festival tickets on sale now

The Hispanic (HSO) and International Student Organizations (ISO) are again working together to host GRCC’s 14^th annual Global Experience Festival.

This is a family friendly event, produced by GRCC students.

The festival offers food that you would not otherwise have the chance to enjoy.

Food stations will include dining experiences from:

• Colombia
• Saudi Arabia
• Vietnam

After a great meal, you will enjoy our great entertainment lineup, featuring students from GRCC and other colleges. The evening will conclude with a dance and the option of participating in a Zumba lesson!

Information about the event:

When: Friday, March 28. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and food will be available until 7:15 p.m.

Where: Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse at GRCC (Inside the Gordon Hunsberger Arena).

Tickets cost $5 per person. Children under 3 are free. You can purchase your tickets online to avoid the line and go straight to the food! Otherwise, tickets will be on sale starting Tuesday, March 19^th in the Student Life office. Limited tickets will be available at the door the night of the event.

Tickets can be bought online at: www.grcc-festival.eventbrite.com

If you have questions, please contact Jose Mora, co-advisor to the Hispanic Student Organization at: jmora@grcc.edu.

English Department Advising Days next week

English Department Advising Days

Wednesday, March 26 & Thursday March 27 from 7:45am-7:30pm

507 Cook Hall

Our goal is to:

• support the achievement of student’s goals
• offer academic guidance
• provide students with resources about the English program at GRCC
• give students information about courses to take at GRCC
• discuss transfer options and provide students with information about four-year institutions

There is no need for an appointment. Please have your students stop by so we can meet them and discuss their classes and their academic plans.

There will be snacks!

Social Sciences Symposium speakers attracting large numbers

Over 150 students, faculty, and community member gathered for Dr. Faria’s lecture on March 18.

More than 150 students, faculty, and members of the local community gathered on Tuesday evening, March 18, for Dr. Caroline Faria’s talk related to her fieldwork in East Africa: Styling a Nation: Fear and Desire in the South Sudanese Beauty Trade. Dr. Faria is an assistant professor of geography at Florida International University. She delivered this distinguished lecture as part of the International Geographical Honor Society’s Visiting Geographical Scientist Program for the GRCC Social Sciences Department Race, Ethnicity, and Identity Conference.

Then, on March 19 more than 120 people gathered for Dr. Alicia Decker’s talk related to her research in Africa: Recalling the Legacy of Amin: Ethnicity, Gender, and Religion in the Shaping of Memory in Uganda. Dr. Decker is an assistant professor of African studies and women’s studies at Purdue University. She also delivered this lecture for the GRCC Social Sciences Department Race, Ethnicity, and Identity Conference.

Condolences to Nancy White

Condolences to Nancy White in the Cashier’s Office, whose father, Curtis White, passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2014. To read the obituary, click here.

Elevator replacement in Cook Hall beginning next week

Elevator replacement work will begin in Cook Hall next week. One car will be down for the remainder of the semester. Contact Vicki Janowiak with any questions at vjanowia@grcc.edu.

 

 

Writing workshop scheduled for today

View this document on Scribd

Every Voice Counts! Campus Climate Survey, Take it TODAY!

The GRCC Campus Climate Survey is available for faculty, staff and students to share how they experience the current campus climate at the college. The survey takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete and is completely confidential.

Once you complete the survey, enter your name in a separate drawing for:

• One of three $50 gift certificates to the Heritage Restaurant (FACULTY, STAFF ONLY)
• One $1,200 tuition scholarship to be used during the 2014-15 academic year (STUDENTS ONLY)
• One 16 GB iPad Air (STUDENTS ONLY)

Submitting your contact information for a prize is optional. No survey information is connected to entering your information for a prize.

Visit the Campus Climate Study website to learn more about the survey. Questions may be directed to Eric Williams at 234-3720 or ewilliam@grcc.edu.

VAN and MARINUS SWETS TRAVEL AWARD OPPORTUNITY FOR GRCC EMPLOYEES (non student employees)

DEADLINE: Friday, April 18, 2014

This travel award is for fun, enjoyment, and relaxation. It is not intended to supplement any faculty, staff or administrator’s professional development travel funds. A cash award of up to $400 will be given to any full or part-time GRCC employee who completes the following requirements and has his or her essay judged the best to fulfill the employee’s intention to relax, enjoy and have fun.

Requirements:

•  Submit an essay (500 words or less) telling how you intend to use the cash award for fun, enjoyment, relaxation. The more unusual, the better!
•  Essays will not be judged on spelling, writing style, organization, usage or grammar.
• Essays may be hand-written or typed. Do not put your name on the essay. Attach to the essay a sealed envelope containing your name and phone number. Write the last four numbers of your Social Security number in the upper right hand corner of the first page of the essay and on the outside of the envelope. Send the essay and envelope to Mary Reed, Grand Rapids Community College Foundation Office. All essays must be received by Friday, April 18, 2014
•  All award winners will be notified by May 2, 2014.

  For more information you may contact Mary Reed: (616)234-3930 or mreed@grcc.edu

Are you aware that the MACRAO Agreement is ending in the summer of 2014?

The current MACRAO agreement that helps students transfer from Michigan community colleges to Michigan four year institutions is starting a sunset process in fall 2014. This session will answer the WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY and HOW and will provide implementation details of the new Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) that will take MACRAO’s place at GRCC.

All faculty and staff are welcome to attend this session to learn about the new MTA, understand how the MTA will be implemented at GRCC, and learn where to find MTA resources at GRCC. Erin Busscher, Transfer & Articulation Coordinator, will facilitate all sessions and will be available to answer any questions participants may have regarding these changes.

• Tues May 6^th from 9-10:00 AM in Room 336 Student Community Center
• Wed June 11^th from 2-3:00 PM in Room 106 Cook Hall
• Thu July 17^th from 11 AM – 12 PM in Room 336 Student Community Center

Registration is available online at http://www.grcc.edu/staffdevelopment/currentlearningopportunitiesregistration or by calling Staff Development at ext. 4285.