Oct 28, 2015 | Intercom, Student News
October 28, 2015
NMC students pocketed an extra $137,000 this semester thanks to instructors using free and low-cost textbooks.
Led by Osterlin Library director Tina Ulrich, NMC is piloting an experiment in Open Educational Resources this semester. Ten instructors were selected to receive a stipend of either $500 or an iPad — provided by an NMC Foundation innovation grant — as an incentive to redesign their courses using free textbooks and other resources, often found online.
In the process, Ulrich discovered other instructors already using OERs or low-cost textbooks. In total, NMC has 17 instructors she calls “textbook heroes” teaching 880 students in subjects ranging from math to English to history to social work.
The hero label is no exaggeration for students in Brian Sweeney’s physics class, who each saved $198 thanks to his choice of an OER.
“I wouldn’t have bought it,” physics student Eli Seal, 31, said of the $198 textbook.
Pre-med student Alyson Bunker of Gaylord calls textbook prices “ridiculous.” One online book cost her $110, she said.
“It’s extortion,” said student Tripp Coleman, 25, of Traverse City. He’s attending school on the GI Bill® and has a book allowance of only $509 per semester. That’s barely two-thirds of the $750 NMC recommends students budget, which amounts to 15 percent of tuition costs, Ulrich said.
Students said prices for online books and book rentals are still inflated and rigged with late fees, and end-of-semester book buy backs don’t offer enough return. Many said they like the online nature of OERs like the one Sweeney chose, which can easily be searched for specific content and linked to supplementary material.
“My course is organized better than ever and the students like the extra videos and interactive supplements for the class,” said math instructor Deb Menchaca.
Students who prefer printed materials can download and print OER materials, Ulrich noted.
Besides the cost savings, instructors said going off-book allowed them to reinvigorate their courses with newer material.
“Our computers are outdated as soon as we buy them. Our textbooks are, too,” said social work instructor Lisa Blackford. Now she’s consciously choosing materials as varied as TED talks and podcasts and believes students are more engaged.
Sociology instructor Brandon Everest agreed. He uses a $30 textbook published through OpenStax College, a nonprofit initiative of Rice University. The book’s content is not as thorough as the one he previously used, but that creates an opportunity to customize the course.
“It is more skeletal, so we were allowed to hang the flesh wherever we saw fit,” he said.
In terms of student performance, most instructors said students did as well or better on tests as they did with traditional textbooks. Sweeney said every test and lab score is better this fall.
The pilot project also aligns NMC with national trends. Earlier this month two U.S. senators introduced the Affordable College Textbook Act, which would expand the use of OERs.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Oct 27, 2015 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Four Northwestern Michigan College leaders depart Sunday for a nine-day trip to China to formalize educational exchanges with a Chinese technical college.
NMC’s newest baccalaureate program major, Marine Technology, is the foundation for this partnership with Yellow River Conservancy Technical Institute. Located in Kaifeng, China, YRCTI is a three-year technical school that provides academic training in support of large, river-based, hydroelectric facilities in China.
“The work done at YRCTI is a companion pathway to the training we provide at NMC. We are going there to formalize the mechanisms for exchange of students and faculty between NMC and YRCTI as well as to cooperatively build curriculum in support of bachelor’s degree completion for Chinese students who come to NMC to study,” said Hans VanSumeren, director of NMC’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute, which offers the Marine Technology major.
Also representing NMC on the trip are Marguerite Cotto, vice president for Lifelong and Professional Learning, Chris Weber, vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Services, and Ed Bailey, director of the Technical Division. Weber, who speaks Mandarin, and Cotto previously visited YRCTI in 2014.
NMC officials will also investigate other programming collaborations, such as the new Engineering Technology degree. The group returns Nov. 10.
“NMC has made substantial investments in building our equipment, facilities and hiring the talent necessary to be a global provider of specialized training. We also see opportunity to engage NMC students in expertise developed at YRCTI,” Bailey said.
As part of its strategic goal to ensure that NMC learners are prepared for success in a global society and economy, NMC has been working to forge partnerships with multiple Chinese institutions since October 2012, when it hosted officials from six Chinese colleges as part of the American Association of Community Colleges Vocational Leadership Training.
Release date: October 26, 2015
For more information:
Hans VanSumeren, Director, Great Lakes Water Studies Institute
Northwestern Michigan College
hvansumeren@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1793
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE
Northwestern Michigan College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, height, weight, marital status or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. nmc.edu/non-discrimination
Oct 26, 2015 | Intercom
Read NMC instructor Susan Odgers’ latest column in the Traverse City Record-Eagle here. (more…)
Oct 26, 2015 | Intercom
Are you thinking about retiring with MPSERS?
A pre-retirement meeting is being held by MPSERS at NMC on Wednesday, Oct 28 at 5:30 p.m. at Scholars Hall, rm. 109.
If you are interested, please register directly with the Office of Retirement Services.
Reminder: NMC Open Enrollment Dates Approaching
Open enrollment meetings are set for Friday, November 13, at the Oleson Center. Choose from two meeting times:
A Vendor Fair will be held in the lobby from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
The open enrollment window is Nov 13-25.
Oct 26, 2015 | Intercom
Kudos to the following people and departments!
(more…)
Oct 26, 2015 | Intercom
Are you looking for career opportunities? Find it here! jobs.nmc.edu. Current openings include:
Annual Giving Specialist
Chemistry Instructor
Nurse – Student Health Services
Oct 26, 2015 | Intercom
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
| Bob Rodriquez |
Culinary Arts Instructor |
18 years |
| Dean Haselton |
Beverage Manager/ Great Lakes Campus Purchasing Coordinator |
12 years |
| Nick Pupel |
Adjunct Welding Process |
6 years |
| Uriah Peterson |
Adjunct Marketing |
1 year |
Oct 23, 2015 | Intercom, Student News
The library has purchased many new books so far this new year. You can view a handful here or click here to see the full listing. These books are on display in the lobby of the library’s lobby.
(more…)
Oct 22, 2015 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — NMC’s Office of Student Life will host three free events Nov. 9-13 as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Week.
The week aims to connect students to resources and help they or their peers may need in the face of sexual assault, as well as provide a safe place for students to learn about sexual assault and become empowered to take action against it.
Nov. 10: Day of Art, Awareness and Action – The Health and Sciences Building lobby will be set up with stations and spaces for students to bring awareness and education around campus sexual assault. In addition to an information booth on campus and community resources, there will be interactive activities including learning-based games and collaborative artworks for creative expression. 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Health & Science Building Lobby
Nov. 11: “The Hunting Ground” film screening – A documentary about sexual assault on U.S. campuses, institutional cover-ups and the brutal social toll on victims and their families. The film focuses on Andrea Pino and Annie E. Clark, two former University of North Carolina students who were raped while enrolled in school and led a campaign to file a Title IX complaint against UNC. Lady Gaga recorded “Til It Happens to You” for the film. Discussion and candlelight vigil to follow the film. 6 p.m., Scholars Hall Auditorium, Room 109. Watch trailer »
Nov. 12: “Climbing PoeTree” – Alixa Garcia and Naima Penniman comprise the Climbing PoeTree duo. Their award-winning performance is composed of dual voice spoken word poetry, hip hop, and multimedia theater that dissolves apathy with hope, exposes injustice and helps heal inner trauma. 7 p.m., Hagerty Center
Release date: October 22, 2015
For more information:
Mara Penfil
Office of Student Life
mpenfil@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1118
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE
Northwestern Michigan College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, height, weight, marital status or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. nmc.edu/non-discrimination
Oct 21, 2015 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — More than 250 high school choir students will be at Northwestern Michigan College Thursday, October 29, participating in the fourth annual NMC Choral Invitational.
Nine choirs from area high schools including Benzie Central, Elk Rapids, Kingsley, Leland, Lake Leelanau St. Mary’s, Glen Lake, St. Francis, Gaylord, and Grayling will spend the day on campus. They will rehearse together, tour campus and attend performances of NMC faculty, music majors, and audio tech students.
The day culminates in a free informal performance, known as an “informance,” open to the public at 6 p.m. in Milliken Auditorium.
Release date: October 21, 2015
For more information:
Jeffrey Cobb, Director of Music Programs
Northwestern Michigan College
jecobb@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1338
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY NOTICE
Northwestern Michigan College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, height, weight, marital status or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. nmc.edu/non-discrimination
Oct 20, 2015 | Intercom, Student News
Student Health Services will hold another Flu clinic Tuesday, October 27, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
No appointment necessary! Flu clinics are offered in the Student Health Services office, Biederman Building, room 106. CALL 995-1255 with questions.
Oct 19, 2015 | Intercom, Student News
Katie Chichester Mester oil painting
The annual Dennos Museum Center Holiday Art Fair will open Thursday, October 22, 5-8 p.m. and continue through Sunday, October 26, throughout the museum. Fine arts and crafts from 50 Michigan artists, Christmas and Chanukah gifts, arts and crafts kits and more are just a few of the enticements for holiday shoppers. Hours will be Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m.
NMC staff, faculty and students receive 10% discount by showing staff or student ID. Please present to museum staff before paying for purchases.
The Holiday Art Fair has become well known for featuring fine arts and crafts by Michigan artists. The Art Fair is an invitation-only event and each year guests can find their favorite artists from past years and many new artists to keep the sale fresh and exciting. Artists are encouraged to bring original art in all price ranges but especially priced art below $30. This gives customers lots of choices for choosing original art as holiday gifts. The fair is well balanced with artists representing the mediums of blown glass, soft and metal sculptures, pottery, prints, printings, photographs, jewelry, fibers and much more. Read more »
Oct 16, 2015 | Intercom
Are you looking for career opportunities? Find it here! jobs.nmc.edu. Current openings include:
Supplemental Banquet Server
Supplemental Banquet Bartender
Nurse – Student Health Services (more…)
Oct 16, 2015 | Intercom
Did you know that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has a Walk-In Center right in Traverse City?
The Traverse City Walk-in Center is located at 202 E. State Street in downtown Traverse City. There’s free, off-street parking for customers, making it convenient to pop in to get questions answered. Here’s what you’ll find when you visit: (more…)
Oct 16, 2015 | Intercom
Kudos to the following people and departments! (more…)
Oct 16, 2015 | Intercom
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them! (more…)
Oct 16, 2015 | Intercom, Student News
There will be a Pottery Sale to replace the annual NMC BBQ Pottery Sale which was cancelled this past spring.
The sale will be held in the NMC Fine Arts Building, Ceramics Studio on Saturday November 14, 2015 from noon until 4:00 PM. Proceeds from the sale will be used to support the NMC Art Department Ceramics Area. (more…)
Oct 16, 2015 | Intercom, Student News
A new large scale art banner featuring the work of Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, 1760–1849) will be installed by Britten Studios on October 20, 2015 at 10 AM (subject to change) on the Park Street side of the Chase Bank Building in downtown Traverse City.
Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura), also known as The Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei) is one of the most iconic images in the art world and certainly in Japanese art. (more…)
