International Day of Peace celebration September 21 at Juan Olivarez Plaza

The GRCC English Department invites you to join a wide assortment of students and faculty at the Juan Olivarez Plaza this Thursday, September 21, from 11:45-2 PM to celebrate the International Day of Peace (also known as “World Peace Day”).

Activities include music, dancing, readings, and chalk art drawing.

There will also be free buttons and cookies.

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GRCC In the News, 9-19-17

Juan Palacios: ‘We are not stealing these jobs’

Sept. 18, 2017; Bridge magazine (newsletter for The Center of Michigan)

DACA status: Expires August 2019. “It means I have two years to figure it out, to talk to lawmakers and as many people as I can,” Palacios said.

… Ambitions: Palacios said he’s putting $6,000 aside to become a certified electrician in a six-month program offered by Grand Rapids Community College. “They hook you up with a job,” he said. “My goal is to eventually buy a house.”

Monserrat Velazquez: She canceled her flight to Mexico when DACA was announced

Sept. 18, 2017; Bridge magazine

DACA status: Expires in December. She will seek a two-year extension.

… Achievements: She is a manager in a suburban Grand Rapids restaurant. She earned an associate degree in business administration from Grand Rapids Community College.

Denis Martinez: ‘Sometimes, I feel like America doesn’t want me.’

Sept. 18, 2017; Bridge magazine

DACA status: Expires in January 2020.

… Achievements: He graduated from Godwin Heights High School, joining in wrestling, football, track and cross-country. He now attends Grand Rapids Community College. He also works a part-time job at a mall and lifts weights six days a week to stay fit.

The Rapid seeks patron feedback for possible transit improvements

Sept. 18, 2017; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The Rapid has announced the launch of an online feedback tool aiming to gather information from the community on the area’s transit system.

… Although she had not heard of the study, Grand Rapids Community College nursing sophomore Anna Peterman said improvements are needed at bus stops.

Policies updated

The following policies have been updated or added and recently approved:

September 2017 Policy Meeting

6.4 Sexual Misconduct Policy

• A.: Policy Statement: Added clarity around Sexual Misconduct definition, including policy goals.
• F: Provided contact info for Counseling and Career Development office; updated office name.
• G: Edited “Classroom Speech” section to provide more clarity around considerations (relevance, purpose, context of content).
• VIII: Contacts: Removed Athletic Director and Associate Director of Student Success, so contact list is more specific; added Labor and EO Generalist information.
• G: Consent Definition: Clarified purposes for which we use this definition (any investigation of a policy violation)
• H. and O: Added definition of Independent Contractor and Volunteer to mirror Criminal Background Check policy.
• A.2: Expanded explanation of what is included in our programming.
• A. 3 & 4: Expanded Bystander Intervention and Risk Reduction language to include suggestions for students in these areas; including tips for bystander (intervention and risk reduction).
• B: Made gender-specific language more inclusive; added specific contact info for Title IX Coordinator and specific info re: law enforcement jurisdiction.
• B.2: Procedures the college will follow. Previously this was one list; divided into chart form and separated out into different violations (sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, stalking, sexual harassment/exploitation, etc.) Added detail as to what written information college will provide for any violation. Also provided more information about protective measures and how to request them.
• 5: Provision of resources; added more info for “Procedures victims should follow” and added new resources for victims. Added chart of resources available, one chart with on-campus info and one for off-campus.
• 6: Added general statement about transparency of investigations; added clarity around who may be an advisor in process.
• 8: Added more info about sanction determination, and how we get to that decision; included steps in process, anticipated timeline, and list of considerations.
• 9: Clarified appeal language to point to appropriate process (employee contract/handbook or student code of conduct).
• Updated policy history to reflect these changes.

 

6.24 Drug and Alcohol Abuse and Prevention Policy

• Section III – Updated language to include “sale”. Updated language to include “or non-work time on campus at our Fountain Hill Brewery and Heritage Restaurant.
• Section VII – Added “Abuse” to Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program
• Section IX.A.3. Added “This includes synthetic drugs”
• Section IX.D.3. Updated language to include “or non-work time on campus at our Fountain Hill Brewery and Heritage Restaurant.
• Section X.B.
• moved volunteers to new section X.E.
• Updated language from “substance abuse test” to Laboratory drug screen”
• Moved paragraphs beginning with “Individuals whose work performance…” to new section X.C.
• Added additional language to X.C. on the multiple corrective action sanctions
• Section X.D. Action to be taken for suspected use or abuse by students…Added “For progressive discipline see Student Code of Conduct”
• Section X.E. added “and/or referred to law enforcement authorities”

For more information, visit the policy website.