GRCC In The News, 11-29-18

Grand Rapids Chamber producing talent summit
11/29/18 Grand Rapids Business Journal
The Grand Rapids Chamber is hosting a summit downtown this week focused on the talent shortage.
… Bill Pink, president of Grand Rapids Community College, will lead the event with a keynote address.

News 8 at 5:30 p.m.
11/28/18 WOOD TV
A recount that was supposed to begin today to sort out an issue with the Grand Rapids Community College board of trustees has been put on hold. The recount will still happen eventually; it’s just not clear when the election recount petition was filed in Kent County yesterday, after officials certified the wrong winner of the race. A data entry error named Carlos Sanchez the winner of the seat, but it’s believed that Sheryl Siegel actually won. We’ll keep you updated on when the recount will begin.

Michigan football would get new life in 12-team College Football Playoff
11/29/18 The Detroit Free Press
“Go Hop! I screamed.
… (Tony) Annese is an expert voice when it comes to playoff football at every level. In 22 years as a high school coach (Montrose, Ann Arbor Pioneer, Jenison and Muskegon), he went to the playoffs 15 times and won three state titles. He led Grand Rapids Community College to a pair of national titles. And now, he has guided Ferris into the NCAA Division II football playoffs for five straight years. The Bulldogs are one win from the Final Four.
(Opinion article by columnist Jeff Seidel.)

GRCC United Way Campaign – you still have time!

Have you given to GRCC’s United Way Campaign?

Donations to the GRCC United Way Campaign support struggling families, veterans, and seniors right here in our community. You can even designate a specific charity that is near and dear to your heart.

For those of you that have given, Thank YOU! We have currently raised 34% of our $40,000 goal.

Visit the Heart of West Michigan United Way website and enter your username (GRCC email address) and your password (employee ID) to get started.

If you would rather have a hard copy donation form, please contact Misty McClure-Anderson (mmcclure@grcc.edu or x3901).

Support GRCC Athletics scholarships at tomorrow’s Grand Rapids Drive basketball game

Scholarships are vitally import for so many GRCC students to have opportunities for an academic pathway leading to credits for transfer or degrees, or in-demand career skills. That includes our student athletes.

The Grand Rapids Drive basketball team is supporting GRCC and our student athletes with a special takeover night tomorrow (Friday), November 30. The game starts at 7 p.m.

Drive players that night will join the Raider Nation, wearing special jerseys highlighting GRCC Athletics.

Fans will also get a chance to participate in the Drive’s 50/50 ball toss taking place in between the third and fourth quarter. All jersey auction proceeds and half of the 50/50 pot will go toward GRCC athletic scholarships.
Tickets start at just $5 and can be purchased on the NBA Grand Rapids website or by calling the Drive’s front office at 844-GR-DRIVE.
All GRCC students, faculty, staff, and alumni can get a 20% discount on tickets for this game and others when purchased through the Drive website. To order your seats and get the discount:

• Click on “Tickets.”
• Select your game, section, and seat.
• Change the “Price” option to “Group” and click “Add tickets.”
• Type the promo code “GRCC” in the password box.

Come on out and support GRCC athletics and cheer on the Drive! The game starts at 7 p.m. and is at the DeltaPlex, 2500 Turner Ave. NW.

Next week: Exam Cram at the GRCC Library

What is it?

Think extended quiet study hours in the library, smiling tutors and librarians, stress-relieving workshops, along with beverages and snacks to keep study strength up and stress levels down!

When is it?

• Monday, December 3 – Sunday, December 9

• EXTENDED WEEKEND hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. on both Saturday, December 8, and Sunday, December 9

ALSO! Be sure to take advantage of the fun and relaxing (and free!) workshops that will be held during the week:

Meditation Sessions:

Monday (12/3) 12–12:30 p.m.

• Weekly Mindfulness Meditation: This week’s practice will be a loving-kindness meditation, which cultivates feelings of kindness and compassion for ourselves and others. Regular practice is known to increase experiences of positive emotions such as joy, gratitude, hope, and love.

Wednesday (12/5) 10–10:30 a.m.

• The Mountain Meditation: This guided visualization promotes feelings of calm grounding, inner strength, and stability in the midst of challenging circumstances and stress.

Thursday (12/6) 10:30–11 a.m.

• Body Scan Meditation: In this guided meditation, we bring our awareness to each part of the body, sequentially and then as a whole, non – judgmentally, with opportunities to soften any tension found along the way. Many people find this produces deep physical relaxation and a sense of mental calm.

Weaving Workshop:

Wednesday (12/5) 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• Feeling stressed about final exams? Treat yourself to a free make & take weaving workshop with Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood, host of the CraftSanity Podcast and GRCC adjunct journalism professor. Bring an open mind and good vibes. No experience necessary. Looms and yarn will be provided.

More information is available on the GRCC Library and Learning Commons Exam Cram page.

GRCC Players present “Good Kids” by Naomi Iizuka

Good Kids by Naomi Iizuka

December 6-8 at 8 p.m. at Spectrum Theater, GRCC Players

Good Kids synopsis:

Something happened to Chloe after that party last Saturday night. Something she says she can’t remember. Something everybody is talking about. Set at a Midwestern high school, in a world of Facebook and Twitter, smartphones and YouTube, Good Kids explores a casual sexual encounter gone wrong and its very public aftermath. Who’s telling the truth? Whose version of the story do you believe? And what does that say about you?

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Caution/Trigger Warning:

This show may be triggering as it contains graphic content dealing with sexual assault, graphic language, and adult situations. Please know resources will be available in the theater lobby should anyone need to reach out to on-campus services for future discussion.

Discussion Panel:

There will be a post-show Discussion Panel on Friday, December 7.

Panel members:

• Lina Blair (Director of Student Life and Conduct)
• Kimberly DeVries (Director of Equal Opportunity Compliance)
• Officer Robin Kritzman (Campus Police Officer)

Important 2018 Year End Payroll Information

2018 W-2 Availability

• Electronic W-2’s will be made available to employees who have given consent by January 15, 2019.
• Paper W-2’s will be mailed to employees who have not given consent to receive them electronically on January 31, 2019. Paper W-2’s will not be available for pick up in Human Resources.

Verify Your Personal Information

• Verify your personal information through GRCC self-service by following the instructions found on the Human Resources Year End page. Any personal information changes should be emailed to Human Resources at hr@grcc.edu no later than January 4, 2019 to be reflected on your 2018 W-2.

Update your Tax Withholding Forms

• Complete new city tax form(s) if you moved in or out of the cities of Grand Rapids or Walker.
• New 2019 tax forms should be completed if your filing status or exemption allowances have changed.
• If you are currently claiming exempt, to not have any withholding for Federal or State taxes, you are required to complete a new 2019 W-4 no later than February 1, 2019.
• 2019 tax forms will be available in January on the Payroll web page.

1095-C Tax Form

• All benefited employees will receive a tax form 1095-C from Next Generation Enrollment (NGE) in the mail. The form contains information regarding Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage that you may need to report as part of your 2018 tax return.

For Informational Purposes Only

• The 2019 Social Security tax rate is schedule to remain 6.2%, and the Medicare tax rate remains 1.45%.
• The 2019 social security wage base will increase to $132,900.00.
• The 2019 limitation for elective deferrals under a 403(b) or 457(b) will increase to $19,000 and the additional catch up provision for individuals age 50 and over will remain $6,000.00.

This Friday: Join GRCC WIN student group at Domestic Violence Awareness Night

GRCC Women’s Issues Now student group is sponsoring Domestic Violence Awareness Night featuring Author and Poet Della Wilson. Come together as a community to help stop the growing violence in our community and make positive change.

• TOMORROW, November 30, 2018, 6-9 p.m.
• Raider Grill, Student Community Center, Main Campus

Agenda:

• Welcome by Tara Aday of Safe Haven Ministries and Becky Yoder of YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids
• Keynote by Author and Poet Della Wilson

Activities:

• Open Mic
• Live music by local musician Alix Walma
• Refreshments and light snacks
• Massage Chair by Holistic Body Therapist Jess Smiles- $1 donation
• $1 raffle tickets

Human service resources for the community will be on hand. All funds raised will go to the children of Tia Randall, who recently passed away leaving their children behind due to a Domestic Violence Tragedy.

Learn more on the GRCC Campus Labs page.