BENEFITS OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR 2013
Don’t forget that your deadline for benefits enrollment is Friday, 11/2/12.
If you still need assistance or have questions about your benefits, HR will be on Main Campus next week to help you out:
Tuesday, 10/30/12 3:00-5:00 pm LB35-37
Wednesday, 10/31/12 8:00-10:30 am LB35-37
Just stop by – we’ll be in a computer lab to help you with your enrollment.
Save the Date ~ December 14, 2012, 4:30 to 7:00 pm for the Annual NMC Employee Holiday Party
Once again we’ll be collecting non-perishable food items for the Father Fred Food Pantry. Come enjoy some time at the Hagerty Center with your co-workers, and help our neighbors in need.
Kudos to Josh Slabaugh and Sam Foster from SLM, who adapted their schedules and worked through problems to re-image PCs in a teaching lab. It was similar to watching a pit crew – working under pressure, to make sure the lab was back in operation for the class in less than three hours.
For information on positions currently open at NMC, please visit NMC’s web page at http://jobs.nmc.edu. Information on internal postings has been emailed.
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary. Please join us in congratulating them!
| Steve Fewins | Custodian | 6 years |
| Jim Gray | Custodian | 6 years |
| Jeff Sabins | Custodian | 6 years |
| Rick Spires | Custodian | 3 years |
Friends (and would be friends) of Jim Crockett take note!
Jim will be reading from his book “Exit Wounds” at Horizon Books this weekend: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27. 4:00 p.m.
NMC faculty and staff are invited to request funding support from the 2013 NMC Barbecue for an NMC special project.
Funding proposals are due by noon on Friday, Jan, 25, 2013, and the forms and more information are available here:
Help Sodexo out by filling out a short survey where you can rate the quality and variety of the food options at NMC.
Your input is greatly appreciated.
50 Years Ago, October 1962:
1962 Cross Country team of Bob Rothermel, Larry O’Heren, Paul Steusel, Larry Cummings, Jim Frasier, and Coach Walt Beardslee.
25 Years Ago, October 1987:
From the NMC Archives at the Osterlin Library
Check out archival shots of politicians on campus, read about the 2012 Faculty Excellence winners, the latest exhibits and concerts at the Dennos and more in NMC’s most-widely circulated publication for alumni and friends.
Walk-in flu vaccines are available for $15 at Health Services Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Health Services is located at Biederman (LB) room 106.
The Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College will continue its tradition of exhibiting the Cape Dorset Annual Graphics Collection now through December 17, with the sale of prints beginning Friday, October 19. A reception for the exhibition, hosted by the Canadian Consulate General begins at 6:00 p.m. with the sale of prints beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the Museum Center.
Sales will be conducted by a lottery, since many of the prints will be in high demand. For the first time the Dennos Museum Center has purchased two sets of pints for the sale, this will enable more collectors to buy prints. Interested buyers may receive a catalogue, price list and lottery number by calling the museum store 231-995-1586 and view the prints on line at www.dennosmuseum.org.
The United Nations has declared 2012 the International Year of the Co-operative, with the theme “Co-operative enterprises build a better world. “In Canada’s north, the craft shop” constructed in Cape Dorset in 1959 led to a pan-Artic co-operative development program that now supports thirty-one community co-operatives across Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. The 2012 Print Collection is dedicated to the Co-operatives.
In 1960, Bernard Rink, on behalf of the Osterlin Library, was fortunate to become the Michigan distributor of one of the sets of prints. From 1960-1983, Inuit prints were primarily acquired, for the college collection, by hosting an exhibition and sale of the Cape Dorset prints. Through this process, over 275 prints were acquired along with the simultaneous acquisition of an almost equal number of sculptures. Now noted as one of the most historically complete collections of Inuit art in United States, with over 1,400 works in the collection, the Dennos Museum Center has made the commitment to carry on the tradition of collecting Inuit prints by hosting the Cape Dorset Annual Graphics Collection.
In addition to the Dorset Print Sale the Dennos Museum Center is the host of the Inuit Art Society Annual Conference and Meeting Friday October 19 – Sunday, October 21. The conference will feature artist Andrew Qappik, printmaker from Pangnirtung, Nunavut and Annie Qappik an Inuit community activist; plus films, lectures and an Inuit art market. Contact the Dennos Museum Store for information.
Andrew Qappik is well-known throughout the Canadian Arctic for his design of the flag for Nunavut as well as the Territory’s coat of arms and official logo. His first prints were published in the 1978 Pangnirtung annual collection when he was only 14 and they have been included in every Pangnirtung collection since. From 1978 to the present he has mastered the printing techniques of stone-cut, stencil, etching, and lithography. Andrew’s favorite subject matter includes animal life, family, and childhood play.
Proceeds from the sale will be used to purchase new work for the Dennos Museum Inuit Collection.
The Dennos Museum Center is open daily 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursday’s 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 1410 College Dr., Traverse City, MI 49686, at the entrance to the campus of Northwestern Michigan College.
Photo captions below.
The annual Dennos Museum Holiday Art Fair will be held Friday through Sunday, October 26-28,
2012 throughout the museum. Fine arts and crafts from 50 area 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.
The Holiday Art Fair has become well known for featuring fine arts and crafts by Michigan artists. Artists are
encouraged to bring original art in all price ranges but especially prices below $30. This gives customers lots of
choices for choosing original art as a holiday gift. 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.
Many of the artists have been in the sale for a number of years but each year new artists are added to make the
show fresh and exciting.
In addition to the original works of art, the sale will feature a large selection of Christmas ornaments from
around the world, as well as Hanukkah and Christmas gifts. Items chosen for the show are hand made, unusual
gifts, the kind that make museum stores a special place to shop.
For those looking for special gifts for children there is a selection of craft kits, as well as a variety of books
relating to all the arts, sciences and the Inuit peoples. There are many wonderful small stocking stuffers for kids
and many small gift items children can chose as gifts for family and friends.
Again this year there will be an education benefit raffle to help raise funds to offset the cost of school visits.
Many schools in the region have had budget cuts, which prohibit them from visiting the museum. Schools will
be able to apply for funds to help offset the cost of buses or admission. Last year over 2,000 students benefited
from this fund. The holiday artists have generously donated a piece of art for the raffle. Tickets will be only sold
on site for $2 each and 6/$5.
The holiday sale is staffed by volunteers, and proceeds from this fund-raiser event go towards the museum and
education programs. There is no admission charge for the three days of the sale. For more information you may
call the Museum Store at 995-1586.
The Dennos Museum Center is open daily 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursday’s 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 1410
College Dr., Traverse City, MI 49686, at the entrance to the campus of Northwestern Michigan College.
Some lucky NMC calculus students arrived for their regular Wednesday lecture this week to find they had a world-famous tutor for the day.
Elvis, a 12-year-old Corgi, and his owner, Tim Pennings, associate professor of mathematics at Hope College in Holland, Mich. stopped in at the invitation of NMC Math department head Jack Berman for a demonstration.
Using the hallway on the second floor of the Biederman Building as a makeshift lab, Pennings threw tennis balls for Elvis to chase, demonstrating how Elvis innately demonstrates concepts of calculus in the way he pursues the ball.
Pennings said he first noticed Elvis’ approach when playing with Elvis on a beach, throwing balls into the water. Elvis didn’t, as most dogs do, chase straight after the ball into water, rather he would run along the beach until he was closer to the ball, then go into the water after it. Elvis was taking the quickest route to the ball, not necessarily the shortest.
Pennings and Elvis have been featured on CNN, where Pennings further explains Elvis’ abilities.
NMC’s Professional Communications class, instructed by Kristy McDonald, is organizing a food drive challenge. This is an excellent opportunity to show our strength as a community by joining together to fill the Northwest Food Coalition’s 47 food pantries by Thanksgiving. According to Val Stone, Northwest Food Coalition coordinator, visits to food pantries in our five county area rose 83 percent between 2007 and 2011.
Here is how the challenge works:
Participants have until 5 p.m. on November 8 to qualify for the grand prize. If your team has the largest number of individual items you will win a catered meal provided by Spaghetti Jim’s!
Please like our Facebook page. It will keep you updated with events, photos and the latest information: http://www.facebook.com/NMCFoodForThought.
If you are not able to compete in this challenge, you can still donate items by dropping them off in our donation barrels located in most buildings on all campuses. If a monetary donation is more convenient, please donate here.
Thank you for helping us make this food drive a great success! With your help, we can all make a difference this Thanksgiving.
If you have any questions, or to arrange your pick-up, please contact:
Ed Mulcahy
NMC Challenge Coordinator
(231) 409-3025
mulcahe@mail.nmc.edu
Or
Kristy McDonald, Instructor
(231)995-1059
kmcdonald@nmc.edu
Let the challenge begin!
The window to make an election for your MPSERS retirement plan is winding down – if you are a member of MPSERS, only one week is left for you to make a decision on your future. If the new MPSERS legislation affects you, a letter was recently mailed to your home. Please look it over carefully and be sure that you can access your miAccount online in order to make your election choices.
MPSERS is hosting two meetings on 10/22/12 at the Milliken Auditorium – one at 4:00 and one at 5:30 pm. If you would like to attend one of them, you must register online at http://michigan.gov/orsschools/0,4653,7-206-55754—,00.html
HR will be holding our own information sessions on the following dates leading up to the deadline date of 10/26 – **note that one session is in the evening on 10/24. If you want to follow along with these presentations being held in computer labs, bring your miAccount log in information.
Tuesday, 10/23/12 9:30 – 11:00 am O 113, Main Campus Tuesday, 10/23/12 3:00-4:30 pm UC 205, University Center Wednesday, 10/24/12 8:30-10:00 am LB 35-37, Main Campus **Wednesday, 10/24/12 6:00-7:30 pm LB 35-37, Main Campus** Thursday, 10/25/12 8:30-10:00 am LB 35-37, Main Campus Thursday, 10/25/12 3:00-4:30 pm UC 205, University Center
Don’t miss this opportunity to make an election – it may be your only chance to have a say in how your future retirement will be calculated and how much money you will contribute from your paycheck.
If you do not make your election by 5:00 on 10/26/12, and the Court rules that the 26th date is lawful, MPSERS will close down the election window. MAKE YOUR SELECTION TO PRESERVE YOUR ELECTION!!
Would you like to learn about some benefits available to you as an NMC employee? As usual we are holding meetings regarding the insurance benefits available to our regular employees. But if you are an Adjunct or a Supplemental Staff member, there are some things that NMC offers which you can utilize to help you keep healthier – both physically and financially. Come to the Oleson Center on Friday, 10/19/13, and attend a financial planning session, get an overview of the MPSERS changes, visit vendors offering supplemental retirement savings opportunities, and definitely stop in our Wellness Fair which will feature many local vendors that will provide interactive health and wellness activities, demonstrations, food samples, free health screenings, flu shots, employee discounts and prizes! See the schedule below and take some time to stop in for information relevant to you!
NMC EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND WELLNESS DAY
Friday, 10/19/12
Oleson Center
**Open Enrollment Meetings for Regular Employees**
Lots of Other Opportunities for All Employees!!
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8:30-9:00 |
9:15-9:45 |
10:00-10:30 |
10:45-11:15 |
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Oleson 112 |
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**Dental/Vision/Life/LTD Medical: Core vs. HDHP** |
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Oleson A&B |
Wellness Fair |
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Oleson C |
MPSERS Reform Overview |
Pre-Retirement Planning |
MPSERS Reform Overview |
Basics of Investing |
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Lobby |
Benefits Vendor Fair |
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1:00-1:30 |
1:45-2:15 |
2:30-3:00 |
3:15-3:45 |
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Oleson 112 |
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**Dental/Vision/Life/LTD Medical: Core vs. HDHP** |
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Oleson A&B |
Wellness Fair |
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Oleson C |
MPSERS Reform Overview |
Pre-Retirement Planning |
MPSERS Reform Overview |
Basics of Investing |
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Lobby |
Benefits Vendor Fair |
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Open Enrollment Benefit Meetings 9:15 – 10:30 1:45 – 3:00 |
These sessions are for the regular benefited employees in preparation for the Open Enrollment period from 10/19/12 through 11/2/12. Presentations will cover medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and LTD insurance options. Appointments have been sent directly to eligible employees for these sessions.
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MPSERS Reform Overviews 8:30 – 9:00 10:00 – 10:30 1:00 – 1:30 2:30 – 3:00 |
Carol Kasper, Coordinator of Benefits and HR, will present sessions describing the changes to MPSERS, the Michigan Public School Employee Retirement System. Join Carol at one of the following sessions for a high-level overview of what election options you will have — a healthcare election (for all members) and a pension election for members hired before July 1, 2010. Learn how your decisions affect what your healthcare and pension benefits provide you in retirement, as well as how much you contribute toward those benefits. Election deadline is 5:00 pm on 10/26/12.
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Pre-Retirement Planning 9:15 – 9:45 1:45 – 2:15 |
Basics of Investing 10:45 – 11:15 3:15 – 3:45 |
| Financial Planning Action Points
1. Invest NOW! 2. Create a simple plan 3. Determine your risk tolerance 4. Perform a cash flow analysis 5. Know your healthcare coverage 6. Consider long-term care 7. Evaluate retirement incentives 8. Create a tax plan 9. Review estate planning NOW! 10. Ask for objective help |
Topics on Investing
• Why start early? • Finding the money to invest • Tax-advantaged investing • Dollar-cost averaging • Risk and return • Inflation • A “simple” plan |
Dave Sawchuk, Investment Advisor Representative for Consolidated Financial Corporation, will be presenting the following two modules from Lincoln Investment Planning, Inc.’s 20 Minute Planner Series®. Join him for one of these educational seminars to learn more about planning for your financial future.
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Wellness Fair 8:30 – 3:45 |
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| Grand Traverse Resort & Spa | Nourish |
| Priority Health | Local Gyms |
| Mental Wellness Counseling | Fitness & Health Extended Ed. Courses |
| BP Screenings | Cholesterol Screenings |
| Flu Shots | Healthy Snacks |
| Chair Massages | Door Prizes |
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And MORE! |
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Join Sarah Shimek, Employee Wellness Coordinator, and the NMC Wellness Committee at the Wellness Fair – stop in anytime during the day. The fair will feature many local vendors that will provide interactive health and wellness activities, demonstrations, food samples, free health screenings, flu shots, employee discounts and prizes!
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Benefits Fair 8:30 – 3:45 |
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| Consolidated Financial | Thrivent |
| VSP | Valic |
| Cigna Insurance | Priority Health |
| TBA Credit Union | Fifth Third Bank |
| Harvitt/Meemic Insurance | Northwestern Bank |
Stop in anytime during the day and talk to these benefits vendors at their booths in the Oleson Center lobby. Find out if their offerings are right for you. Several of the vendors are offering prize drawings, so stop by their booths and sign up for a chance to win!
For information on positions currently open at NMC, please visit NMC’s web page at http://jobs.nmc.edu. Information on internal postings has been emailed.