FSU Open House at NMC October 4

ferris-logoFerris State University will be on NMC’s main campus in West Hall for an Open House Tuesday, October 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Advisors for every program offered at the University Center in Traverse City will be there, and a recruiter from FSU’s main campus in Big Rapids will be present.

This is a great opportunity to talk about your future with Ferris and get all your questions answered! Refreshments will be available along with Ferris swag! Hope to see you there!

Judge defers decision in unfair labor practice claim

TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) made the case before an administrative law judge (ALJ) today to dismiss the unfair labor practice (ULP) complaint filed by the MEA. NMC contended that the Michigan Public Employment Relations Act six-month statute of limitations had expired before the MEA filed its complaint in April.

The ALJ denied the motion without prejudice, making the next step a hearing on both the statute of limitations issue and the merits of the ULP complaint itself. Because the ALJ did not conclude that the charge was filed in a timely manner, NMC will have the opportunity to present evidence on both topics at a hearing in October. The hearing is yet to be scheduled.

The MEA’s ULP charge contends NMC wrongfully withheld raises from faculty in January 2016. However, because wages and benefits are mandatory subjects for bargaining in all union contract negotiations, NMC is restricted from unilaterally changing compensation levels without an agreement in place.

NMC will continue to bargain in good faith in an attempt to reach an agreement that is in the best interest of NMC faculty, our students, the college and the community.

Status of NMC-MEA Negotiations

Since the faculty voted to unionize in March 2015, NMC has:

  • Presented numerous written proposals and counter proposals for the union’s consideration, the first on June 12, 2015 and most recently, a comprehensive proposal and set of tentative agreements on August 19, 2016.
  • Followed established negotiating practices, engaging in 17 collective bargaining sessions with union negotiators between May 15, 2015 and March 7, 2016.
  • Requested mediation through MERC on March 7, 2016.
  • Participated in seven sessions with MERC mediators between March 22 and August 5, 2016.
  • Petitioned MERC on August 8, 2016 for fact finding analysis to advance negotiations.
  • Reached 18 tentative agreements with the union.

RELEASE DATE: August 22, 2016

For more information:

Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
(231) 995-1019
dfairbanks@nmc.edu

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

Operation Homefront Back-to-School Brigade program

Operation Homefront’s Back to School Brigade Program is donating over 2,000 school supply items to NMC veterans and their families.

School supplies are important and expensive for families. Without donations from the community, veterans are forced to spend hundreds of dollars to equip themselves and/or their children with basic items needed for a quality education. These school supplies make a huge difference and we couldn’t be more thankful for our communities support of our veterans and their families.

These school supplies will be made available for NMC veterans and their families on Monday, August 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the West Hall Conference Room.

Shorter Times! Super Tech Talks! Register Now.

super-tech-talk-logoTuesday, Sept. 6 to Friday, Sept. 9

  • Do you want to learn how to create a more secure password and avoid being “phished”?
  • Do you want to be more organized and stay on task?
  • Do you want to conference online to other campuses or organizations?
  • Do you want to record your in-class lectures? Or create mini-lectures from your computer?
  • Do you want to improve how you share your work with others?

Click here for more information & to register…. https://docs.google.com/a/nmc.edu/document/d/10WjxzmqYVwymY-40WVfVsXE6uFuWi280CXng9cd5690/edit?usp=sharing

Kudos!

KUDOS- (praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved) defined by Merriam-Webster.com

Kudos to Patrick Tesner and the Hawk Owl Café- My daughter and I ate in the Hawk Owl cafe every day this summer in between her College for Kids classes. The entire staff is wonderful, and she told me it is her favorite place to eat in Traverse City. On our last day, Patrick set up a fancy table complete with napkins folded into roses and a reserved sign with her name on it! She now thinks Patrick is magical. Thank you, Patrick, and everyone at the Hawk Owl Cafe! We had a great summer!   

Kudos to Robert Scott- Robert goes out of his way to spread the word about NMC’s alumni relations program, and to send alumni over to our office so we can meet them when he encounters them at the cafeteria or coffee shop. Thanks, Robert!

Submit a Kudos here.

Position Vacancies

Are you looking for career opportunities? Find it here! jobs.nmc.edu. Current openings include:

  • Hagerty Center – Server, Bartender, Cook and Dishwasher
  • Adjunct Faculty – Surgical Technology
  • Supplemental – Technology Support Assistant

TC Patriot Game T-shirts on sale!

TC Patriot Game t-shirts from 2014

TC Patriot Game t-shirts from 2014

The annual football clash between the rivals Traverse City Central and West High Schools has been dubbed the TC Patriot Game and is used as a way to honor fallen heroes, veterans, active-duty military and first responders. Now in its fifth year, the event highlights the sacrifices that many men and women make to serve our communities and protect our freedom.

Commemorative shirts for the 5th annual TC Patriot Game, to be held Friday, Sept. 9, can be purchased from Scott Herzberg in the NMC Admissions Office as a fundraiser to support the mentoring group called Veteran to Veteran. The cost of the t-shirts is $10 for adults and $5 for students (checks can be made payable to the TC Patriot Game). Blue is in support of West High School and red is in support of Central High School.

Express Advising for continuing students

There are more than 1,500 students who were registered at NMC in spring semester who are not yet registered for fall! The Advising Center is here to help!

Express Advising sessions will be available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. August 15-26. These 15-minute sessions are offered on a first-come-first-served basis in the Advising Center (Osterlin). Call (231) 995-1040 or email advising@nmc.edu with questions.

Kudos!

KUDOS- (praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved) defined by Merriam-Webster.com

Kudos to Esther Haven- Consistent hard work and unwavering positivity. Esther is always going out of her way to find the right answer and help everyone around her, coworkers and students alike.

Kudos to Kay Harris- Kay has gone above and beyond her day-to-day duties by assisting the Technical Division with their goal for ABET accreditation for the Bachelor of Science – Marine Technology Major. While on the ABET team since the inception, she has spent the last few months focusing on assessment and the corresponding rubrics to document student achievement. Since May, she has help complete 16 rubrics focused on student outcomes. These rubrics correlate with NMC’s general education rubrics while meeting ABET’s needs regarding performance indicators. In addition to this development, she has also help navigate ABET’s various requirements.

Next steps include working directly with faculty who will be assessing student learning. The Technical Division is thankful for Kay’s dedication and willingness to be part of our team. We couldn’t have made it this far without her!

Kudos to Steve Dixon- While supervising the NMC Fitness Center, Steve observed an individual working out who started to have medical issues. Steve’s quick reaction to the situation, from physically assisting the person to directing another individual to call 911 for emergency medical attention, provided the necessary support to assist the individual in distress. His professional expertise and timely responses were admirable and resulted in the proper care and attention needed.

Submit a Kudos here.

Position Vacancies

Are you looking for career opportunities? Find it here! jobs.nmc.edu. Current openings include:

  • Hagerty Center – Server, Bartender, Cook and Dishwasher
  • Adjunct Faculty – Surgical Technology
  • Supplemental – Technology Support Assistant

President’s Update for August 12, 2016

Thank you all for everything you do in pursuit of “Keeping Learning at the Center.”

Notable Accomplishments provided by Faculty and Staff

This section recognizes the good work being done and linkages to the Strategic Directions (SD) and Institutional Effectiveness Criteria (IE) are provided where possible. (more…)

NMC requests MERC fact finding to advance union negotiations

TRAVERSE CITY — In an effort to advance negotiations with the Michigan Education Association (MEA), Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) petitioned the Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) for a fact finding analysis. NMC made the request following an August 5 mediated collective bargaining session where members of NMC and MEA union bargaining teams met to discuss outstanding contract issues.

Fact finding allows a neutral, state-appointed representative to create a non-binding report on the remaining disputes.

NMC requested that MERC initiate the fact finding process because faculty bargaining representatives have advised the college that the bargaining unit members will likely reject its last proposal.

In the Petition for Fact Finding, NMC states: “Publicizing the facts and recommendations of the fact finder will assist the parties in attempting to find common ground.”

The NMC administration looks forward to the report.

Status of NMC-MEA Negotiations

NMC’s request for fact finding follows the college’s March 21, 2016 request for state-appointed mediation. Since the faculty voted to unionize in March 2015, NMC has:

  • Presented numerous written proposals and counter proposals for the union’s consideration, the first on June 12, 2015 and most recently, a comprehensive proposal and set of tentative agreements on July 29, 2016.
  • Followed established negotiating practices, engaging in 17 collective bargaining sessions with union negotiators between May 15, 2015 and March 7, 2016.
  • Requested mediation through MERC on March 7, 2016.
  • Participated in seven sessions with the appointed MERC mediator between March 22 and August 5, 2016.
  • Reached 18 tentative agreements with the union.

Release Date: August 8, 2016

For More Information:

Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
(231) 995-1019
dfairbanks@nmc.edu

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

Position Vacancies

Are you looking for career opportunities? Find it here! jobs.nmc.edu. Current openings include:

  • Hagerty Center – Server, Bartender, Cook and Dishwasher
  • Enrollment Services Assistant
  • Adjunct Faculty – English Composition