Registration ends tomorrow to volunteer for United Way’s ‘Operation United’ with InteGReat CC

Grand Rapids Community College supports the United Way through many different activities. As a College, we “donate” hours of support through the Loaned Executive Program and through participation on various agency boards. As individuals, we financially support agencies through our payroll deduction giving. The 2018 Leadership Institute cohort has chosen to extend its support and provide an opportunity for College employees to participate in a volunteer event called Operation United.

When?

Volunteer teams will work on-site at the home of a veteran or current service member within Kent County. Opportunities available on Friday, May 17, 2019, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

What takes place?

GRCC employees volunteer to “work” a half day shift (4 hours) on this community service activity.

How do I get involved?

College-wide, we will provide opportunities for the first 50 full-time employees to register for this half-day event.

Do I need my supervisor’s approval?

Yes, employees who would like to volunteer must ask their supervisor for approval. To obtain approval, you are required to complete a Leave of Absence form which can be found on the Human Resources page.

Can I earn Professional Development for volunteering?

Yes, employees who would like to receive up to four hours of professional development credit for this community service simply need to request this in the “Tracking Professional Development Hours for Staff” section of the Leave of Absence Application, and indicate they type of leave being “Conference.”

Pay and Benefits?

Yes, you will work at your regular GRCC job for a half day and work at the United Way activity for a half day (and be paid your regular daily hours).The additional “benefits” you receive are knowing how much you can make a difference in our community and through the United Way organization!

How do I volunteer?

Review information about the service activity, and register online by the May 3, 2019, deadline.

Thanks for caring!

Earn professional development hours through community outreach with InteGReat CC

Grand Rapids Community College supports the United Way through many different activities. As a College, we “donate” hours of support through the Loaned Executive Program and through participation on various agency boards. As individuals, we financially support agencies through our payroll deduction giving. The 2018 Leadership Institute cohort has chosen to extend its support and provide an opportunity for College employees to participate in a volunteer event called Operation United.

When?

Volunteer teams will work on-site at the home of a veteran or current service member within Kent County. Opportunities available on Friday, May 17, 2019, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

What takes place?

GRCC employees volunteer to “work” a half day shift (4 hours) on this community service activity.

How do I get involved?

College-wide, we will provide opportunities for the first 50 full-time employees to register for this half-day event.

Do I need my supervisor’s approval?

Yes, employees who would like to volunteer must ask their supervisor for approval. To obtain approval, you are required to complete a Leave of Absence form which can be found on the Human Resources page.

Can I earn Professional Development for volunteering?

Yes, employees who would like to receive up to four hours of professional development credit for this community service simply need to request this in the “Tracking Professional Development Hours for Staff” section of the Leave of Absence Application, and indicate they type of leave being “Conference.”

Pay and Benefits?

Yes, you will work at your regular GRCC job for a half day and work at the United Way activity for a half day (and be paid your regular daily hours).The additional “benefits” you receive are knowing how much you can make a difference in our community and through the United Way organization!

How do I volunteer?

Review information about the service activity, and register online by the May 3, 2019, deadline.

Thanks for caring!

GRCC campus building schedules changing for summer

GRCC enhanced campus safety and security with a full electronic door security system this year. The door access system electronically controls the “unlock” and “lock” functions for all exterior doors.

With fewer classes and activities during the summer, the campus will be one a new schedule starting April 29. The change will largely affect weekend hours, and employee access with Raider Cards remains unchanged.

Faculty and staff wishing to schedule Saturday activities during June, July, and August need permission from the vice president of finance and administration.

Building schedules have been developed based on the following:

• Early morning and late evening safety and security for students and faculty is first priority.
• Classroom buildings open at 7 a.m., or 30 minutes prior to the first scheduled class.
• Weekend hours are scheduled as needed.
• Exceptions for special events and activities can be scheduled.
• Summer term schedules can be adjusted and are subject to change.

BUILDINGS	FALL/WINTER SEMESTER	SUMMER
Office Buildings Administration Building Bostwick Office Suite College Park Plaza White Hall	7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.* Monday – Friday * Exceptions – Admin Building open until 5:30 p.m. Monday – Thursday.  College Park Plaza open until 7 p.m. Monday – Thursday to allow for faculty office hours.	No Change
Applied Technology Center	6:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday 6:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Saturday	7 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday Closed Saturday
Calkins Science Center	7 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday 7 a.m.– 4 p.m. Saturday	No change Monday – Friday Closed Saturday
Cook Academic Hall	7 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday	No change
Ford Field House/Natatorium	6 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday	6 a.m. – 7 p.m.* Monday – Thursday 6 a.m.– 5 p.m. Friday * *Beginning May 28 Closed Saturday
LRC/Library	6:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Monday – Thursday 6:30 a.m. – 4:45 a.m. Friday 10 a.m.– 1:45 p.m. Saturday	7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday – Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday Closed Saturday
Main Building/RJF Hall	7 a.m.– 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday	No change
Music Building	7 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. Friday	8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday
BUILDINGS	FALL/WINTER SEMESTER	SUMMER
Sneden Hall	7 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday	No change
Spectrum Theater	6:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday – Friday Saturdays by schedule Theater lobby doors by schedule	8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday Theater lobby doors by   schedule
Student Community Center	7 a.m. –  7:30 p.m. Monday – Thursday 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturday	No change Monday – Friday Closed Saturday
Tassell M-TEC	6:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday 6:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Saturday	6:30 a.m.– 10 p.m. Monday – Friday Closed Saturday

The Phyllis Fratzke Early Childhood Learning Laboratory is secure at all times.

 

 

Community outreach: United Way’s ‘Operation United’

Grand Rapids Community College supports the United Way through many different activities. As a College, we “donate” hours of support through the Loaned Executive Program and through participation on various agency boards. As individuals, we financially support agencies through our payroll deduction giving. The 2018 Leadership Institute cohort has chosen to extend its support and provide an opportunity for College employees to participate in a volunteer event called Operation United.

When?

Volunteer teams will work on-site at the home of a veteran or current service member within Kent County. Opportunities available on Friday, May 17, 2019, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

What takes place?

GRCC employees volunteer to “work” a half day shift (4 hours) on this community service activity.

How do I get involved?

College-wide, we will provide opportunities for the first 50 full-time employees to register for this half-day event.

Do I need my supervisor’s approval?

Yes, employees who would like to volunteer must ask their supervisor for approval. To obtain approval, you are required to complete a Leave of Absence form which can be found on the Human Resources page.

Can I earn Professional Development for volunteering?

Yes, employees who would like to receive up to four hours of professional development credit for this community service simply need to request this in the “Tracking Professional Development Hours for Staff” section of the Leave of Absence Application, and indicate they type of leave being “Conference.”

Pay and Benefits?

Yes, you will work at your regular GRCC job for a half day and work at the United Way activity for a half day (and be paid your regular daily hours).The additional “benefits” you receive are knowing how much you can make a difference in our community and through the United Way organization!

How do I volunteer?

Review information about the service activity, and register online by the May 3, 2019, deadline.

Thanks for caring!

Upcoming professional development sessions

LOTS of Google going on right now – get ready!

The GMail/Google Calendar transition is only three weeks away. Visit the Professional Development page to sign up for GMail/Google Calendar training.

More information about these interesting sessions can be found online, including links to register. Questions? Contact Angela (angelasalinas@grcc.edu).

There are still seats available in the following sessions; you could be there learning, growing, and enjoying!

• Friday, April 19 – Game Play: Staying Active as a Family
  • Noon-1 p.m.
  • 309 Sneden
• Thursday, April 25 – Drupal Basics
  • 10:30-11:30 a.m.
  • 351 Main
• Tuesday, April 30 – Customer Experience and Your Career
  • 9 a.m.-noon
  • 307 Sneden
• Tuesday, May 7 – Performance Evaluation Feedback
  • 1-2:30 p.m.
  • 207 Sneden
• Tuesday, May 14 – Active Shooter Response Training
  • 10-11:30 a.m.
  • 234 Student Center
• Wednesday, May 15 – Non-Verbal Communication
  • 1-3 p.m.
  • 304 Sneden
• Friday, May 17 – Living a Healthy Lifestyle
  • Noon-1 p.m.
  • 309 Sneden
• Wednesday, May 29 – Business Writing Workshop
  • 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Final month of nominations for the 2019 Excellence in Education Awards

Here at GRCC, we are truly fortunate to work with staff and faculty who go above and beyond their role at the college, in the community, or in higher education. These individuals make learning at GRCC a meaningful and impactful experience for our students and working at GRCC an honor and inspiration for fellow employees.

To recognize them, please consider nominating them for the Excellence in Education Award! The Excellence in Education Award was established in 1989 to honor an individual Grand Rapids Community College employee. In 2000, the award was expanded to provide recognition in the form of a staff award, and a separate full-time faculty award. In 2010, an additional award was added for an exemplary adjunct faculty member.

There is a cash award of $1,000 for full-time faculty who have taught at GRCC for at least 5 years, a $750 cash award for adjunct faculty who have taught at least 2 years, and staff members may also be nominated to receive a cash award of $1,000.

Anyone can nominate! Deadline for nominations is May 10, 2019:

• Staff nomination form
• Faculty nomination form
• Adjunct nomination form

Questions?

• Faculty & Adjunct: Call or email the Provost Office at (234-3920); provost@grcc.edu
• Staff: Call or email Angela Salinas in HR/Staff Development at (234-2567); angelasalinas@grcc.edu

Thank you for taking the time to nominate a deserving member of the GRCC family for these awards.

CTE Annual Faculty Showcase and Faculty Appreciation event today in Main

Join us April 9 for the Center for Teaching Excellence’s Annual Faculty Showcase and Faculty Appreciation. This is a “poster/exhibit type” event and is designed as an informal opportunity to see how your peers are using innovative teaching practices in the classroom. There will also be refreshments, free chair massages, and chances to win GRCC swag!

• LOCATION: Main 308, 310 (SAS Conference Room), 347, and  351
• DATE: Tuesday, April 9, 2019
• TIME: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Please mark your calendars and join us for this awesome event!

A special thank you to all of our presenters…

• Steven Putt – GRCC Library OneSearch
• Vicki Meyers – Bringing Live Simulation to the Classroom with Streaming Video
• Tari Mattox – Fire and Ice: Bringing the Real World into the Classroom
• Kelly Webber – G Suite Transition information
• Tracy Payne – Student Records Quick Reference
• Garry Brand – A New and Improved Techsmith Relay
• Lora Blumenstein – Mind Mapping-Opening up the Possibilities
• Dustin Altschul – Virtual Reality in Interior Design Exploration
• Holly Christopher – Graduate Student…Again. But Online.
• Melissa Boman – Early Childhood Technology
• Melanie Schiele Gady – Honors Project – How Exercise Improves Body Function
• Anna Maria Clark – Retention through Research! A Successful Partnership Between a 4-Year Institution and a Community College that inspired First Generation/Low Income Students to Consider Research a Viable Academic Avenue

Important Notice: dental/vision reimbursement program transition to a calendar year

At our last healthcare consortium meeting, we all agreed that we should switch our dental/vision reimbursement program from a fiscal year to a calendar year basis.  (Thank you to our health care consortium members who have asked good questions and provided us input on our benefit programs!)

Switching to a calendar year makes the most sense… this will be consistent with our health plan and it will be much easier for those employees who have flexible spending accounts to coordinate in a calendar year!

To make the transition between fiscal year to calendar year for a January 1, 2020 implementation, we have approval to move in the following direction:

Benefit-eligible employees…	Reimbursement available:	Notes:
Start date prior to 7/1/2019 OR start date between 7/1/2019 and 11/30/2019 Note: Start date of 12/1/2019 allows benefits to begin on 1/1/2020.	$3,750	Six month and twelve month allocation. This amount would be available 7/1/2019 through 12/31/2020.
Start date on or after 12/1/2019	$2,500	“Regular” twelve month allocation. This amount will be available through 12/31/2020.
All eligible employees….as of 1/1/2021….	$2,500	… and each calendar year thereafter. (unless changed in collective bargaining agreements or handbook)

All union leaders have signed off on an MOU for this switch to a calendar year. The company we use, ASR, is prepared for our transition plan.

The Human Resources website has been updated to include information about the dental/vision reimbursement program as well as this transition.

Marty DeVries and Cathy (with the help of Media department) created a video to help explain the changes:

If you would like to attend a short information session to ask Q&A’s, please attend any of the following:

• Tuesday, April 16, 10-10:45 a.m. – SCC 234 Multipurpose Room
• Monday, April 22, 2-2:45 p.m. – ATC 168 Auditorium

If you have any questions about the transition to a calendar year or our dental/vision reimbursement program, please give us a call:

• Maria Belmares-Herrera, (616) 234-4052
• Debra Davis, (616) 234-4175
• Cathy Kubiak, (616) 234-3971

G Suite Tip – how to create a list for your tasks

Keep track of your to-do list digitally through Google Tasks, a simple application located within the right-hand panel of all G Suite Applications for easy viewing and editing. This means the same tasks will appear in both Gmail and Calendar.

Tasks can be used to remind you of emails to send, appointments that need to be made, or documents that need to be written. (I have created a Google Task to complete this GRCC Today article within Google Docs!) Tasks can be used as a simple way to track how you are meeting your daily goals, and are there for your individual use.

If your objective is to create reminders that are shared with others, you can learn more about the other application found in the right-hand panel through the Google Keep instructions online.

You can create lists to keep track of your different tasks.

Create a list:

1. On your computer, go to Gmail and login to your pilot account.
2. On the right, click Tasks.
3. At the top, click the Down arrow.
4. Click Create a new list.
5. Enter a name.
6. Click OK.

Switch between lists:

1. On the right, click Tasks.
2. At the top, click the Down arrow.
3. Click the list you want.

Move a task to a different list:

1. On the right, click Tasks.
2. Click the task you want to move. Then, click Edit.
3. Click the list name.
4. Choose a list.

When you complete a task, it will only appear at the bottom of the list it was on under Completed. This means that creating a list for your tasks is a great way to view and track progress for different projects within your work day.

Math Awareness Month contest open to all at GRCC

April is Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month and that means it is time for the Math Awareness Month Contest. You may pick up an entry form from the Math Tutoring Lab on 1st Floor of Cook or download the form online.

The contest is open to any GRCC student or staff member. Of all the correct entries, three students and three staff members will be randomly drawn to receive a prize.

Entry forms must be returned to the Math Tutoring Lab or to Nancy Forrest in the Math Department by Monday, April 15.

CTE Annual Faculty Showcase and Faculty Appreciation event one week from today

Join us April 9 for the Center for Teaching Excellence’s Annual Faculty Showcase and Faculty Appreciation. This is a “poster/exhibit type” event and is designed as an informal opportunity to see how your peers are using innovative teaching practices in the classroom. There will also be refreshments, free chair massages, and chances to win GRCC swag!

• LOCATION: Main 308, 310 (SAS Conference Room), 347, and  351
• DATE: Tuesday, April 9, 2019
• TIME: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Please mark your calendars and join us for this awesome event!

A special thank you to all of our presenters…

• Steven Putt – GRCC Library OneSearch
• Vicki Meyers – Bringing Live Simulation to the Classroom with Streaming Video
• Tari Mattox – Fire and Ice: Bringing the Real World into the Classroom
• Kelly Webber – G Suite Transition information
• Tracy Payne – Student Records Quick Reference
• Garry Brand – A New and Improved Techsmith Relay
• Lora Blumenstein – Mind Mapping-Opening up the Possibilities
• Dustin Altschul – Virtual Reality in Interior Design Exploration
• Holly Christopher – Graduate Student…Again. But Online.
• Melissa Boman – Early Childhood Technology
• Melanie Schiele Gady – Honors Project – How Exercise Improves Body Function
• Anna Maria Clark – Retention through Research! A Successful Partnership Between a 4-Year Institution and a Community College that inspired First Generation/Low Income Students to Consider Research a Viable Academic Avenue

Recap: Finance & Administration March Madness Chili Cook-Off

Last Friday the Finance & Administration division hosted a Chili Cook-off competition to celebrate March Madness. There were 12 different variations of chili (all delicious), trivia games, and good fun. Congratulations to our winners of the day!

• Best Chili: Lisa Freiburger
• Basketball Trivia Winner: Nat Lloyd
• Chili Trivia Winner: Matt Vryhof
• Door Prize Winner: Maria Herrera-Belmares

Thank you to everyone who participated in the fun!

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Apply now for the Van & Marinus Swets Travel Award Opportunity for GRCC Employees (non student employees)

DEADLINE: Thursday, April 18, 2019

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. They will be judged on creativity.

Steps for turning in your application for the Van Marinus Swets Travel Award:

1. Do not put your name on the essay.
2. Write your GRCC employee ID number in the upper right corner of the first page of your essay.
3. Attach an envelope to your essay containing the following:
4. On the outside of the envelope, write your GRCC employee ID number.
5. Inside the sealed envelope, place your business card or contact information.
6. Send you application to Mary Reed in the GRCC Foundation Office.
7. Submit your application by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 18.

All award winners will be notified by Wednesday, April 24.

For more information, contact Mary Reed at (616) 234-3930 or mreed@grcc.edu.

Recap: first InteGReatCC event offered art for all

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The 2018 Leadership Institute cohort held its first InteGReatCC social event last Friday, March 22, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Over 25 GRCC faculty, staff, and guests attended a Campus Canvas event lead by Visual Arts Instructor Nick Antonakis with assistance from Visual Arts students, Rachel and Linnea. It was a fun evening of painting and conversation. All the participants did a stellar job with their works of art!

The Leadership Institute 2018 cohort would like to thank Nick Antonakis, Rachel, and Linnea. This event would not have been possible without their support.

Stay tuned for more information on the InteGReatCC M-TEC Open House event on Monday, April 22, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

GRCC Science Talks continue today with ‘Gene Modifications’

Gene Modifications: CRISPR

• Monday, March 25, 2019, at 3:45 p.m.
• Calkins Science Center auditorium, Room 348

Have you heard of CRISPR? It stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats. Promises of cured disease, designer organisms, and dangerous consequences all surround this fascinating topic. The background and origin of the CRISPR technique will be presented along with a brief description of applications and potential difficulties.

Bill Faber is a GRCC chemistry professor who has researched physical and biochemical applications focused on identifying and characterizing larger bio-molecules using spectroscopy.

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.