Apr 25, 2013 | Intercom
When you have your first claim of the year for either medical or dental, do you ever wonder why you receive a letter asking if you and/or your dependents have other insurance coverage? If so, then it’s probably because at open enrollment you did not complete the Coordination of Benefits Form. This form is required if you have elected medical and/or dental coverage with NMC. After you complete this form, it is sent to Meritain Health, who in turn sends it on to Priority Health if you elected medical and to ASR if you elected dental.
Coordination of benefits (COB) is the practice of ensuring that insurance claims are not paid multiple times, when an enrollee is covered by two health plans at the same time. The idea behind coordination of benefits is to ensure that the payments of both plans do not exceed 100% of the covered charges. The provision coordinates the health care benefits in the order in which the multiple health plans must pay benefits. Under a COB provision, insurance companies share the burden without overpaying. COB determines which plan is primary and which is secondary. The primary plan will pay the claims first and the unpaid balance will be paid by the secondary plan to the limit of its responsibility. Benefits are coordinated between the two health plans to ensure that policyholder receives full coverage. However over insurance or excess coverage is not permitted under COB.
If you didn’t complete the Coordination of Benefits form at the time you did your open enrollment, click on the link above to access the form so you can complete and submit it to Meritain Health. If you have any questions, feel free to contact HR at 995-1362.
Apr 24, 2013 | Intercom
For information on positions currently open at NMC, please visit NMC’s web page at https://jobs.nmc.edu/
Information on internal postings has been emailed.
Apr 24, 2013 | Intercom, Student News
Popcorn, coffee, and dogs at the library for finals week
Finals are coming up, but don’t worry…the Osterlin Library has you covered! In addition to being a great place to study and get help with research, we’ll have special treats in the library for all of our stressed-out students.
Love on a Leash™ Therapy Dogs will be back this semester to nuzzle the stress right out of you. Get your unconditional doggy love fix in the Reference Room on:
- Monday, April 29, 1 – 3 pm
- Tuesday, April 30, 11 am – 3 pm
- Wednesday, May 1, 11 am – 3 pm
We’ll also have free popcorn and coffee in the library to keep you going in the evenings (while supplies last):
- 5:30 – 9 pm on Monday, April 29 – Thursday, May 2.
Apr 24, 2013 | Intercom, Student News
Apr 19, 2013 | Intercom
Congratulations to Eileen Vaughn – her name was chosen for the Kindle HD in the raffle for attendees at the Cigna meetings this week!!
Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP)
Did you know that you can save money for higher education assistance for someone you care about by using payroll deduction? The State of Michigan has made available the TIAA-CREF-managed Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP) to employers such as NMC. Recent information on this program has been received to clarify how this program offers a benefit to you. Unfortunately we have been calling this a pre-tax program, and apologize for this miscommunication. The following information was sent to us to more clearly describe how MESP tax savings are realized:
“Although MI state tax payers are eligible for a MI state tax deduction for contributions made up to $5000 for single filers and $10,000 for joint filers, contributions made to the MESP even from a paycheck are still made on an after-tax basis. Any tax savings comes when the MESP account owner goes to file their MI state taxes.
Payroll deduction to the MESP account is offered as a method of contribution, and is handled on an after-tax basis similar to direct deposit into an employee’s checking or savings account. The Program also accepts funds via physical check or electronically from a checking or savings account. Tax treatment of contributions is the same no matter how an account owner elects to contribute.
The employee would be responsible for indicating the amount of their contributions when filing their MI state taxes as well as reporting any redemptions taken from their account also when they file their taxes.
For further assistance please contact our service center representatives at 1-877-861-6377 and select option 3. Our service department’s hours are from 8am to 8pm ET, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.”
More details on the program can be found by visiting their website at www.misaves.com If you decide to use the MESP as an educational savings program, contact HR at 231-995-1362 on starting your payroll deductions.
Apr 19, 2013 | Intercom
Jeff Cobb led the NMC Chorale and Chamber Singers in a beautiful performance of Frostiana recently at Interlochen Center for the Arts. Under Jeff’s direction the NMC Choirs have elevated the stature of NMC’s music programs with performances like this one where the Choirs were accompanied by the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. Hundreds of community members attended the concert, and Jeff and his choirs made NMC very proud. Well done!
Kudos to the Resource Development team for hosting yet another amazing Scholarship Luncheon. We would also like to thank all NMC faculty, staff, and students who attended the luncheon and especially those who shared their stories with the group. The stories that were shared were truly inspirational and are a great example of what makes NMC such a special place.
Kudos to the Campus Services and Security Staff crew that covered the Odyssey of the Mind state competition this past Saturday in Scholars Hall, Beckett, and PE Buildings. Several teams from all over the state were on campus to compete in this HUGE event. Here is feedback gathered by OM organizers at their follow-up meeting Sunday morning: “Compliments flew all morning about the great staff and all of the help and how as soon as something was needed it appeared. It was absolutely wonderful and we can’t thank you enough for everything that you all did for us!” Job well done, people!
John Biolchini gave a tremendous “best practices” presentation to the NMC Adjunct-to-Adjunct meeting Friday April 12, 2013. His presentation featured the competency based curriculum for our GLMA students. Everyone in attendance saw ways that they could translate GLMA ideas to their courses. He also helped us better understand the changes our GLMA students are experiencing. This helps all of us help maritime students in our varied courses. He made this presentation to his peers, on his own time. Bravo John!
The Support Staff and Tech Para employee groups want to thank Rhonda Greiner for donating door prizes to our Professional Development Day. In a pinch and without the blink of an eye, she also donated 50 plastic NMC bookstore bags to contain goodies for our attendees. Without hesitation, she and her staff have helped us numerous times and we are grateful and very appreciative!
Many thanks to Nate Glidden, Chad Schenkelberger, and the entire Hagerty Center staff for hosting our 21st annual Scholarship Luncheon last week. They did a flawless job and adapted to minor changes with ease and grace. We appreciate all the hard work that goes into an event like this and realize that there are dozens of people helping behind the scenes. THANK YOU for a job well done!
Many thanks to Dennis Schultz for capturing GREAT video at the Scholarship Luncheon. We look forward to using his clips in a new Thank You video to share with friends and supporters of the College.
Apr 19, 2013 | Intercom
For information on positions currently open at NMC, please visit NMC’s web page at https://jobs.nmc.edu/ Information on internal postings has been emailed.
Apr 19, 2013 | Intercom
The following employee is celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating Lisa!
Lisa Boike Programmer/Analyst 8 years
Apr 19, 2013 | Intercom
Recent retirees, employees celebrating milestone service anniversaries and a newly joined department were honored, Wednesday, April 17 at Northwestern Michigan College’s annual retirement and recognition event.
The staff of Student Financial Services were this year’s Foundation Excellence Award winners.
Student Financial Services was created by combining the former Financial Aid office with the Cashier’s office. Their first task was to research how to transition the two departments to work as one in the eyes of students while remaining compliant with federal regulations. The outcome was a new service model —Student Financial Services—that utilized the strengths of each department to benefit the students.
Some of the improvements they made in their first year include:
- They offered financial aid awards three months earlier than ever before, enabling students to make better informed decisions to attend NMC.
- They reduced financial aid processing time from three months to approximately four weeks (during peak time) thanks to new automation procedures
- They refocused the financial aid web pages to focus on the scholarship search engine. Applications are now available online for students and scholarship awards are activated and deactivated as necessary and based on requests from the academic areas.
Nominated by their director, Pam Palmero, the honorees were: Linda Berlin, Kelly Carlton, Georgenia Hromada, Judy Arnold, Julie McAllister, Jessica Johnson, Kim Gourlay, Kristi Hallet, Nancy Bruns, Cheryl Sullivan, Cindy Deemer, Fatoumata Hanne, Vicki Cook, Chris Weber and Amy Klei.
Eight recent (or upcoming) retirees were honored:
Bob Chauvin, Technology Coordinator, Educational Media Technologies
Bill Donberg, Aviation Adjunct Instructor
Martha Griggs, Secretary, Public Relations and Marketing
Bill Hardy, Custodian
Suzanne Hutchcraft, Bookkeeper, Payroll Services
Kathy Sedlacek, Administrative Assistant, Records/Registration/Testing
Nancy Summers, Bookkeeper, Accounts Payable
Steve Westphal, Purchasing Manager
Employees celebrating milestone employment anniversaries were:
40 Years
Frank Snyder, Social Sciences Instructor
35 Years
Rita Kucera, Student Services Specialist
Sheila Stafford, Humanities Adjunct Instructor
Steve Westphal, Purchasing Manager
25 Years
Mike Cochran, Social Sciences Adjunct Instructor
Dori Creighton, Assistant, Accounting
Sue DeCamillis, Director of Business Academic Area and NMC Academic Affairs
Doug Domine, Humanities Instructor
Keith Kelly, Business Instructor
Susan Odgers, Social Sciences Adjunct Instructor
John Pflughoeft, Science/Math Instructor
Deb Pharo, Science/Math Instructor
Jan Root, Office Manager – Communications Academic Area
20 Years
Marjory Smith, Communications Instructor
Mark Smith, Communications Adjunct Instructor
Philip Tarczon, Humanities Adjunct Instructor
15 Years
Anna Bachman, Senior Programmer/Analyst
Jenny Barnes, Curriculum and Scheduling Coordinator
Teri Brady, Health Occupations Adjunct Instructor
Cindy Duby, Office Manager – Social Sciences Academic Area
Margaret Fox, Office Manager – Health Occupations Academic Area
Bob Keller, Science/Math Adjunct Instructor
Dee Morrison, Health Occupations Adjunct Instructor
Jan Neumann, Office Manager – Resource Development
Patty Olson, Social Sciences Adjunct Instructor
Keith Tampa, Physical Education Adjunct Instructor
10 Years
Mary Beeker, Librarian
Fred Cook, Custodian
Patty Cron-Huhta, Front of the House Coordinator – NMC Great Lakes Culinary Institute
Sandy Harrand, Custodian
Lori Hodek, Talent Management Coordinator
Gary Howe, Social Sciences Adjunct Instructor
Georgenia Hromada, Financial Aid Specialist
Rebecca Jones, Health Occupations Adjunct Instructor
Amy Klei, Programmer/Analyst
Mark Lyon, Social Sciences Adjunct Instructor
Brian McCall, Humanities Adjunct Instructor
Joan Richmond, Humanities Adjunct Instructor
Julie Sheerin, Science/Math Adjunct Instructor
Frank Simkins, Business Adjunct Instructor
Ethel Vandenberg, Health Occupations Adjunct Instructor
Rob Weiler, Social Sciences Adjunct Instructor
5 Years
Kim Anderson, Health Occupations Adjunct Instructor
Joan Buchanan, Health Occupations Adjunct Instructor
Todd Casperson, Construction Technology Adjunct Instructor
Kathy Connor, Health Occupations Adjunct Instructor
Mike Davis, Humanities Adjunct Instructor
Mary Lou Deutsch, Business Adjunct Instructor
Jane Ditri, Health Occupations Adjunct Instructor
Lisa Dohm, Communications Instructor
Tim Dunn, Maritime Academy Adjunct Instructor
Tom Dunn, Aviation Maintenance Technician
Lee Elston, Health Occupations Adjunct Instructor
Robin Fisher, Physical Education Adjunct Instructor
Robin Fitzgerald, Desktop Computer Support Specialist
Robert George, Culinary Arts Adjunct Instructor
Robert Hall, Social Sciences Adjunct Instructor
Bill Hardy, Custodian
Constanza Hazelwood, Water Studies Institute Education and Outreach Coordinator
Conrad Heins, Construction Technology Adjunct Instructor
Jo Hendrix, Health Occupations Instructor
Richard Hoadley, Health Occupations Adjunct Instructor
David Hosler, Business Adjunct Instructor
Anita Hunt, Communications Adjunct Instructor
Jill Markoski, Social Sciences Adjunct Instructor
Sharon Mayer, Social Sciences Adjunct Instructor
Mella McCormick, Humanities Instructor
Karen Miller, Science/Math Adjunct Instructor
Troy Robertson, Culinary Arts Adjunct Instructor
Craig Shattuck, Custodian
Larissa VanderZee, Communications Adjunct Instructor
Duane Wright, Social Sciences Adjunct Instructor
Apr 19, 2013 | Intercom, Student News
WE WANT YOU!…to design a logo for the NMC Student Veterans Organization.
Submit entries to NMC Outreach Services Office by April 26th 2013; the winning logo design will be chosen by NMC’s Student Veterans Organization.
The winner will receive a $50 gas card.
Apr 18, 2013 | Intercom, Student News
The Writing and Reading Center and the Osterlin Library will be participating in World Book Night (http://www.us.worldbooknight.org/) on April 23rd. World Book Night is a multi-national initiative to share engaging, readable books with a wide audience. We have some great books that we’re looking forward to giving away for free to students!
The Osterlin Library will have 20 copies of City of Thieves by David Benioff. City of Thieves is a novel set in WWII Russia – part adventure, part coming of age story. The author, David Benioff, is a co-creator and writer for HBO’s “Game of Thrones” series. The library will also have a surprise assortment of other books from the World Book Night list. Stop in after 6:00 pm to get your book – while supplies last!
The Writing and Reading Center will have 20 copies of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. This dystopian classic is a must-read! To request your copy, contact the WRC at (231) 995-1189 or writingcenter@nmc.edu.
Apr 18, 2013 | Intercom, Student News
Miss Kalkaska for 2013-14, Lindsay Boger of Kalkaska plans to spend her year promoting a healthy lifestyle in the Kalkaska community. Lindsay is completing her basic courses at NMC, while also looking into degree programs at universities to pursue a career in physical therapy with a specialization in athletics.
To read her story and her plans for her reign as Miss Kalkaska, click here!
Apr 18, 2013 | Intercom
Several student employee positions are open in the Writing and Reading Center for the 2013-2014 school year. Students typically work 8-12 hours per week and the pay starts at $7.75 per hour. Training includes two days before the semester, online modules, and one-to-one observation and mentoring. Candidates must complete ENG 112 by the end of the summer semester. Applications are due by May 10th.
This job is not only for English majors. We welcome and encourage a broad variety of students to apply. This will help us assist students from all fields even more successfully. In addition, this is a fantastic opportunity for all students, no matter their intended job field. Working in the WRC builds experience in areas such as communication, interpersonal skills, tutoring, speaking, writing and academic discourse. The Writing and Reading Center is an academic community that presents daily challenges and interest. In addition to fulfilling work, there are many opportunities for working in a classroom setting and attending and presenting at state, regional, and international academic conferences with their peers.
Students who are most successful in this position not only have skills in writing, but are able to work well with other students and translate their ideas clearly. This job requires working with a wide variety of people and requires flexibility to shift through different writing situations. Please let your students know about the job openings and encourage them to apply. The job listing and application site is located here: NMC Student Employment. If you have a specific student that you think would enjoy this job, please email me a brief recommendation.
If you or your students have any questions about the duties of these positions, please contact: Megan Ward, Writing and Reading Center Coordinator at 995-1186 or mward@nmc.edu.
Apr 16, 2013 | Intercom, Student News
Traverse City: – The Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College will present the Cuban music group Tiempo Libre on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 8:00 PM in the Milliken Auditorium. Tickets are $25 in advance, $28 at the door, $22 for Museum Members, plus fees. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Museum Box office at 231-995-1553 or on line at www.dennosmuseum.org. NMC Student can attend for free with their student I.D. Tickets for NMC students are available at Student Life or the box office.
The three-time Grammy-nominated Cuban music group Tiempo Libre is one the hottest young Latin bands today. Equally at home in concert halls, jazz clubs and dance venues, Tiempo Libre’s Miami-based members are true modern heirs to the rich tradition of the music of their native Cuba. Classically trained at Cuba’s premiere conservatories, today, the group is a hit in the U.S. and abroad, celebrated for its incendiary, joyful performances of timba, an irresistible, dance-inducing mix of high-voltage Latin jazz and the seductive rhythms of son.” The Miami New Times calls Tiempo Libre’s timba a “tribal, joyful, genial vibe that demonically possesses the body from the waist down.”
Tiempo Libre’s appearance in Traverse City and in eight other venues around the state is made possible with a major grant from the National Endowment for the Arts applied for and received by the Dennos Museum Center to make the tour possible.
“I was completely blown away by this group when they performed at the Dennos in 2009 for schools in a project made possible by the Wharton Center at MSU,” says Gene Jenneman, Director of the Dennos Museum Center, “I wanted to find a way to bring them back to Traverse City and make them accessible to smaller venues like ours around the State. This grant allowed us to get the group to venues from Canton to Marquette, nine in all, and in doing so the Traverse City community will benefit and the Dennos will impact the state as a whole.” The grant will support part of the performing fees for both public and school programs in each community.
Tiempo Libre will offer a performance for schools on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at 9:30 and 11:30 AM in the Milliken Auditorium of the Dennos Museum Center. Teachers may call Jason Dake at 231-995-1029 or e-mail jdake@nmc.edu for information or to reserve tickets for the school performances.
With the purchase of a ticket to this performance, concert goers are invited to visit the museum’s galleries one hour before the concert and attend a post-concert reception with the performers.
The Dennos concert season is made possible with support from the Robert T and Ruth Haidt Trust, the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Begonia Foundation with media support from WNMC 90.7, CMU Public Broadcasting and TV 29&8. Housing for our performers is provided by the Cambria Suites and Days Inn.
The Dennos Museum Center is open daily 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursdays until 8 PM, and Sundays 1-5 PM. Admission is $6.00 adults, $4.00 for children and free to museum members. For more information on the Museum and its programs, go to www.dennosmuseum.org or call 231-995-1055. The Dennos Museum Center is located at 1401 College Dr., Traverse City, MI 49686, at the entrance to the campus of Northwestern Michigan College.
Apr 15, 2013 | Intercom
Lean Business Practices have been in the local news! Click HERE to read all about it!
And don’t forget: You can learn to cut waste and cost out of your process while earning certification as a Lean Champion by registering today! Contact Vicki Rumbach at 231.995.2218 or vrumbach@nmc.edu.
For more information read this informative flyer: TS Lean Office Certification.
Apr 14, 2013 | Intercom
Dirt Fest is an all inclusive Earth Day celebration for our dynamic Northern Michigan community. It is a means of communicating how to get involved with a multitude of environmental issues, both locally and globally, through a dialogue with music, art and small interactive workshops. Dirt Fest is a celebration filled with creative expression that plants the seed of environmental consciousness and provides the resources to help it grow.
This free festival begins at 2 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. The event features four bands; Billy Strings & Don Julin (Traverse City), The Crane Wives (Grand Rapids), Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys (Ann Arbor) and Mr. B’s Joybox Express (Ann Arbor).
Workshops will include a Community Gardening & Permaculture Experience, How to Ferment Kim-chi followed by a Fermentation Panel Discussion, and a Composting Panel Discussion. In case not everyone is busy dancing or participating in one of our workshops we will also have various arts and crafts tables set up at the event for folks of all ages to take part in while the music plays.
To commence the festivities, Dirt Fest will be hosting a community bike ride, known as Tour de Traverse, in partnership with two Michigan non-profit organizations.
Use this pledge form to direct funds to these organizations by individuals who participate in our 8-mile community bike ride in Traverse City on April 20th, 2013. The form may also be used by those who want to make a donation without joining in the group ride.
Little Artshram, based in Traverse City, inspires and educates people of all ages to live creatively in harmony with nature through permaculture principles, visual, musical and puppet artistry, service to the natural world and inclusive social activism.
Riding a custom made trike, Mr. B’s Joybox Express hauls their 350-lb piano on community bicycle tours to raise awareness and funds for youth-based art and athletic programs. At the end of these group rides, Mr. B and his band spread the joy by engaging the community with a musical performance.
The bike brigade will depart from the NMC Welcome Center at 10 am on April 20th. At 11:30 a.m. the bike brigade will take a short break in the parking lot of Oryana Natural foods where they will join forces with the 24th annual Traverse City Earth Day Parade. The parade will begin at 12:30 p.m.; the bike brigade will end their ride at 2 p.m. at the NMC Welcome Center where Dirt Fest will begin.
Apr 13, 2013 | Intercom, Student News
A big man with a big vision! Come listen to David Milarch discuss the Archangel Tree Project: The Ancient Tree Archive on April 22 at 7 p.m. in Scholars Hall 109. This event is FREE.
For more information about David and the project, click here!
Apr 13, 2013 | Intercom, Student News
