GRCC In The News, 11-05-18

Mid-term Election Races November 2018
11/2/18 FOX 17
Tuesday, November 6 is Election Day across Michigan and the country. Michigan has several statewide races and issues on the ballot, but many counties, cities and legislative districts also have races. You should consult with your county or city or township clerk for questions regarding your ballot.
… Grand Rapids Community College Board 4 for 2 seats

Here are the Ottawa, Allegan races and proposals on the ballot
11/5/18 The Holland Sentinel
The Nov. 6 midterm election has several high profile ticket items for voters to consider, such as the gubernatorial race and three ballot proposals on recreational marijuana, gerrymandering and voter registration.
… Allegan County Commissioners
… District One
… Don Doggendorf
… Priorities: Providing high speed internet for all of Allegan County, ending natural gas lines for cheaper and cleaner heating, implement a summer youth employment program and connect with the three neighboring community colleges (Grand Rapids Community College, Lake Michigan College and Kalamazoo Valley Community college) to lower tuition for full-time students.

Lumberjacks on receiving end of blowout loss
11/5/18 The Alpena News
The Alpena Community College men’s basketball team couldn’t have had a more frustrating start to its season.
… The Lumberjacks will look to quickly forget about its home opening defeat and will have time to make some corrections as they are off for nearly two weeks before traveling to take on Grand Rapids Community College.

ACC disappears late, falls to Lakers in season opener
11/5/18 The Alpena News
Things looked promising early on for the Alpena Community College women’s basketball team in its 2018 season opener on their home floor at Park Arena.
… Alpena will have some time off before traveling to take on Grand Rapids Community College in its second game of the year.

Juan R. Olivarez joins Lake Michigan Credit Unions Board of Directors
11/2/18 cuinsight.com (credit union publication)
GRAND RAPIDS, MI (November 2, 2018) — Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU) is proud to announce the addition of Juan R. Olivarez, Ph.D, to the Board of Directors.
Olivarez brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience. His most recent position was President at Aquinas College, and before that, he was President and CEO for the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, and the President of Grand Rapids Community College. His leadership experience spans 35 years, and his teaching, counseling, and research experience spans over 40 — including current roles as a Distinguished Scholar in Research at Grand Valley State University’s Johnson Center for Philanthropy, and Adjunct Professor at Western Michigan University, Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University, and Ferris State University.

Reminder: Open Enrollment deadline is Friday at 5 p.m.

Open Enrollment Deadline is Friday, November 9, at 5:00 p.m.

The annual open enrollment period is the time during the year (without a qualifying event), when you have the opportunity to enroll or change your medical plans.

• Flex Spending Account: During this time, you may elect to participate in the Flexible Spending Account health care and/or dependent care. If you are currently enrolled in the Flexible Spending Account, you must re-enroll each plan year to continue participating in the program.
• Health Savings Account participants: HSA contribution limits are determined on a calendar/tax-year basis. During open enrollment, HSA participants must complete a new HSA payroll deduction form for the 2019 calendar year. HSA payroll deduction forms are available on the HR website.
• Employee Waiving Health Insurance Coverage: To continue to receive additional compensation in lieu of health coverage, you must complete the election form, waiver of health coverage form, and provide a copy of your current health insurance card.

Open Enrollment forms and resources are available on GRCC’s Human Resources page.

You do not need to complete open enrollment forms if you want to maintain your current health plan and you are not electing Flexible Spending Account/Health Savings Account.

Deadline for Open Enrollment is Friday, November 9, 2018, at 5:00 p.m. Changes made during Open Enrollment will be effective as of January 1, 2019.

Reminder: We have moved to an annual health plan renewal. Therefore; we will no longer hold a mid-year open enrollment. The next open enrollment opportunity will be in the fall of 2019.

If you have any questions or need assistance with open enrollment, please feel free to contact Debra Davis at 234-4175, Maria Belmares Herrera at 234-4052, or Cathy Kubiak at 234-3971.

DLIT webinar this Wednesday: Respondus Monitor

Respondus Monitor webinar: Wednesday, November 7, 3-4 p.m.

Respondus Monitor is a companion application for LockDown Browser® that uses webcam and video technology to prevent cheating during online exams. Respondus Monitor integrates seamlessly with learning management systems and is ideal for non-proctored testing environments.

Register for this and other DLIT webinars on the Faculty Professional Development Registration page of the GRCC website.

 

Future Webinar Topics:

• 11/14 – Blackboard Ally
• 11/15 – Badges and Gamification
• 12/05 – Accessible Powerpoints
• 12/12 – 7 Observations Leading to Student Success

APSS, Campus Police collecting donations for Grand Rapids Home for Veterans

The APSS employee group and the Campus Police are collecting donations of new items through December 13 for a holiday gift to the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.

Items needed:

• Personal toiletries for men or women:
  • Toothbrushes
  • Soap
  • Body wash
  • Mouthwash
  • Deodorant
  • Cologne
• Small lap blankets
• 100-piece puzzles
• Stationery sets

Donations will be accepted at the following locations:

• Janice Holton (x4129) – Rm 118 – Main Bldg.
• Lt. Robert Decker (x3579) – Campus Police
• Colleen Copus (x3119) – Math Tutorial Lab – Rm 105 – Cook Bldg.
• Janis Qualls (x4248) – Rm 320 – Science Bldg.
• Kim Zinger (x4253) – Math Dept. – College Park Plaza – 2^nd Floor

Donations will be collected each Friday.  The total collection will be delivered to the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans on Thursday, December 13.  Please help us support our Veterans.  Thank you.

 

Video: Candidate Forum for GRCC’s 2018 Board of Trustees

GRCC Science Talks Continue Today with “Species Conservation”

Species Conservation: How we got here and what can still be done

• TODAY, November 5, 2018, at 3:45 p.m.
• Calkins Science Center auditorium, Room 348

Professor Forbes will examine some of the reasons that animal and plant species are endangered today, the current status of species worldwide, nationally and in Michigan, as well as some possible strategies to save some of these species as well as humanity.

Dr. Greg Forbes, evolutionary biologist and certified wildlife biologist.

Future GRCC Science Talks will include:

• 02/21/2019: “Epigenetics and Colon Cancer: A tale of mice, microbes, and methyl groups” – 4 p.m., Calkins Science Center auditorium, Room 348
• 03/25/2019: “Gene Modifications: CRISPR” – 3:45 p.m., Calkins Science Center auditorium, Room 348

Grand Rapids Community College Science Talks are open to the public, and light refreshments will be served.

Please email timothyperiard@grcc.edu with any questions.

How does our email policy relate to FERPA?

Student Records, General Counsel, and several faculty members teamed up to answer some commonly asked questions about FERPA.

Today’s question is: How does our email policy relate to FERPA?

Search “FERPA” on GRCC Today to find more videos answering common FERPA-related questions.

For more information or additional questions about GRCC’s FERPA policy (8.6), please feel free to email registrar@grcc.edu.

Thank you to all the stars of these videos and to Klaas Kwant for your work!