Policies updated

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

February and April 2018 Policy Meetings

9.10 Contributions to the College

• Updated web address for Donations of Material and Equipment form
• Clarified procedure for donors wishing to designate a gift to a specific department or division and acknowledgement of that gift.

11.19 Lobbying – no changes

11.20 Supplanting of Federal Funds – no changes

14.10 Service Animals

• IX.A: Definition of Service Animal: streamlined definition for readability and to comply more accurately with state of the law.
• IX.A: Miniature Horse requests: Clarified requests for Miniature Horses should be filtered through DSS for assessment per policy
• X.A: Registration for Service Animals: Added optional registration for service animals, including option of ID tag if desired.
• X.C: Student Code of Conduct: Added section providing disruptions could result in violation of Student Code.
• X.D: Permissible Questions: Clarified this section to make it more readable.
• X.E: Allergies: Added section indicating anyone in need of accommodation (including for allergy) would reach out to DSS or Director of EO Compliance for accommodations.
• X.F: Criteria for Removal: Added section (3), providing that animal may be removed for behavior indicating that animal is not sufficiently trained.

14.2 Firearms, Explosives or Weapons

1. Procedures – made “How to handle a situation where they see someone with a gun or other weapon” more concise.

11.7 Disposal of Surplus, Used or Obsolete Furniture & Equipment

• IX. – updated definition of “surplus, used and/or obsolete items”
• X.E. – added that IT is responsible for securely deleting data from computers

11.8 Investment – no changes

11.15 Purchasing

• III D. Board Authorization – updated quote amounts to reflect changes in federal law
• III G. – Added procedure for Competitive Proposals
• III N. Accessibility – added Director of EO Compliance contact information
• Updated websites throughout

For more information, visit the policy website.

GRCC In the News, 5-02-18

Where college students can find emergency money and housing
5/1/18 ABC News
College students without a financial safety net are in a tough spot when unexpected costs arise.
… For example, at Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, assistance is available for students who face emergencies such as losing their job, eviction or utility shut-off. The fund has provided students with over $78,000 in grants and loans since 2014, according to Dave Murray, a school spokesperson.
(This article appeared in 99 other media outlets, including the Houston Chronicle and The New York Times.)

Kent ISD works to grow, bolster Adult Ed after taking over school programs
5/1/18 MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A social worker and community outreach specialist are now working with Kent ISD’s Adult Education Program in its mission to help adults obtain the knowledge and skills for employment and self-sufficiency, officials say.
… Eight students in the program have completed Grand Rapids Community College’s Certified Nurse Assistant program.

SpartanNash Scan Campaign To Support Special Olympics In Eight States
5/1/18 The Shelby Report (retail food industry newsletter)
The SpartanNash Foundation is launching its second companywide retail fundraising campaign of 2018. This campaign will support Special Olympics athletes and State Summer Games in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. SpartanNash and its charitable giving arm are inviting store guests to join them in supporting Special Olympics through the retail scan campaign, which runs May 2-13.
… In Michigan, the Healthy Athlete is Kayla Cornell. Cornell has competed in Special Olympics since seventh grade, participating in gymnastics, alpine skiing, volleyball, swimming, track and field, poly hockey and softball. She is a graduate of Rockford High School and plans to attend Grand Rapids Community College. She is a manager at a local retail store, and as the SpartanNash Healthy Athlete of the Year, Cornell lives a healthy lifestyle by avoiding pop.

The Four
5/1/18 WWTV
Today is decision day in the country, which means most colleges and universities require potential incoming freshmen to either accept or decline admittance. Baldwin High School celebrated with their own decision day today.
(Video shows an unidentified student announcing that he will attend GRCC in the fall.)

GRCC student wins national scholarship

Congratulations to Juan Cisneros Sr, GRCC student and Adult Education ESL Program student worker, the recipient of the national MS Scholarship Foundation scholarship.

Juan Sr will receive $1,000 for college tuition and a beautiful engraved plaque.

Rick Szczepanski, Adult Education ESL Program Professional Tutor, finished his 18th year of offering scholarships through the Mary J. Szczepanski “Never Give Up” MS Scholarship Foundation.

 

Human Resources professional development opportunities

Human Resources Professional Development

You can register online at: https://www.grcc.edu/humanresources/professionaldevelopment/learningopportunitiesregistration

 

Effective Feedback Principles

Wednesday May 2, 2018 (9:00 am – 12:00 pm)

With many organizations, the use of effective feedback and recognition are communication tools that many leaders do not take advantage of to increase performance, build productive relationships, and maximize retention. Often feedback is given only if a problem exists and unknowingly the techniques used for this corrective feedback actually have the opposite effect intended. As human beings, we often hunger for feedback. However, many people will tell you that when they do get feedback, it’s often because of something they have done wrong. This course is designed to help workplace leaders learn how to provide feedback any time that the message is due. Whether feedback is formal or informal, and whether it is provided to employees, peers, or someone else, there are ways that it can be structured to be effective and lasting. This course will help participants learn why the way we deliver is feedback is important, how to deliver a message so that people accept it and make changes that may be needed, and how to accept feedback that we are offered.

 

GRCC Accounts and You: A Comprehensive Primer

Thursday, May 3, 2018 (1:30 pm – 3:00 pm)

Campus accounts can be confusing. As part of our commitment to provide world class customer support, Information Technology would like to offer a refresher course to staff and faculty. This course will provide a walk-through on the types of accounts available to our students and staff and some tips and tricks for getting the most out of them. We will also cover how to use the recently updated password reset tool and, of course, be available to answer other account related questions. We will go over: Online Student Center, Campus Network Login, GRCC Wireless Network, Blackboard, Student Email, Student & Employee Discounts, and printing from a personal device/cloud printing.

 

Foods that Fight Heart Disease

Friday, May 4, 2018 (1:00 pm – 3:00 pm)

This course is designed to give participants a holistic view of the development components of aging. This will include information on physiological, neurological, and mental-emotional aspects of the aging process. Geriatric diseases such as arthritis, Alzheimer’s, other forms of dementia, and Parkinson’s will be discussed. Participants will become familiar with resources available in the Grand Rapids community to assist in age related services, as well as provide for forum of discussion about managing their aging, as well as the aging of loved ones. We will discuss various techniques and activities utilized by attendees to reduce the impact of aging.

 

Selfcare in the Midst of Change

Wednesday, May 9, 2018 (10:00 am – 11:30 am)

This workshop will explore some of the brain science related to change and why people react and experience change the way they do?

We will also explore strategies for self-care during times of change, keeping stress, resistance and struggle at bay.

– Explore brain science related to change

– Learn about types of resistance to change

– Learn strategies to lower stress and increase resilience

 

Time Management Workshop

Wednesday, May 9, 2018 (2:00 pm – 4:00 pm)

In this workshop, participants will learn the keys to effectively managing your time, tips to being efficient, and how to ensure that the most important things are accomplished. Participants will learn how to eliminate non-productive behaviors and minimize the distractions that fill their day.

 

Excel Basics

Thursday, May 10, 2018 (10:00 am – 11:00 am)

This course is designed to give users a good introduction to the basic concepts of Excel. It explores the structure of the Excel workbook and demonstrates basic techniques required for working with spreadsheets.

 

GRCC Accounts and You: A Comprehensive Primer

Thursday, May 10, 2018 (1:30 pm – 3:00 pm)

Campus accounts can be confusing. As part of our commitment to provide world class customer support, Information Technology would like to offer a refresher course to staff and faculty. This course will provide a walk-through on the types of accounts available to our students and staff and some tips and tricks for getting the most out of them. We will also cover how to use the recently updated password reset tool and, of course, be available to answer other account related questions. We will go over: Online Student Center, Campus Network Login, GRCC Wireless Network, Blackboard, Student Email, Student & Employee Discounts, and printing from a personal device/cloud printing.

 

Foods for a Healthy Weight

Friday, May 11, 2018

In this course you will learn about foods that will free you from counting calories and measuring portions… Power up your plate and maintain a healthy weight and feel great! Class includes cooking demonstration and sampling.