Jan 24, 2019 | Student News
Welcome back! I hope that you had a great break. As we get back into the swing of things, I wanted to make you aware of a few surveys and evaluations that will be made available for you over the next several months. They are very different from another, so this is just a heads up of what you can expect:
Student Opinion Survey
NMC’s accrediting body, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), wants student feedback about your experiences at NMC. We will be emailing a link to a select group of students enrolled in credit courses on Monday, January 21. Your anonymous responses will go directly to the HLC and neither the HLC nor NMC will have access to your identity. They will use the information that you share as part of their on-visit to our campus in March 2019. Questions? Please email jevans@nmc.edu
Learner Engagement Survey
On Monday, February 18, students will receive an email containing a link to the Learner Engagement Survey. This student satisfaction survey goes out to students enrolled in credit courses each year. It is a longer survey but your responses are confidential and very valuable in helping NMC in current and future planning. Questions? Please email jevans@nmc.edu
Course Evaluations
Course evaluations are ongoing throughout the semester. Some of you enrolled in credit courses will receive course evaluation(s) beginning the end of January or the first week in February (depending on the length of your course). Most of you enrolled in credit courses will receive end-of-the-term course evaluations in late April. These end-of-the-term evaluations help your instructor plan for future courses as part of a continuous improvement effort. Thank you for taking the time to complete these evaluations- your responses are very helpful. Questions? Please email jevans@nmc.edu.
Jan 23, 2019 | Intercom
TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) has filed a Petition for Fact Finding with the Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) in an effort to advance negotiations with the NMC Faculty Association affiliates of the Michigan Education Association. The NMC Faculty Association contracts both expired December 31, 2018.
NMC filed the petition on January 17, 2019, following several bargaining sessions including a State of Michigan mediator. Progress has been made on most non-economic areas with 34 tentative agreements reached on issues including faculty evaluation, academic responsibilities and sabbaticals.
Fact Finding allows a neutral, state-appointed representative to create a non-binding report on the remaining disputes. In the Petition for Fact Finding, NMC states:
Although parties were able to reach tentative agreements on almost all outstanding issues with and without a mediator’s assistance, the parties are now at an impasse over economic issues, including wages.
Wages remain in dispute. Specifically, after offering at least three alternatives from which the Faculty could choose (each of which the faculty rejected,) the College’s last proposal at the bargaining table included the following terms:
Salary increases (with Steps) ranging from 3.2% to 17% over three years, provided faculty member advances to the next Step under the Faculty Evaluation Plan. The proposal’s overall cost to the College is $543,812.
The Faculty’s last proposal includes a 4% increase (plus Steps) each of the three years, resulting in an increase of between 12.49% and 25.50% for Faculty over three years. The overall cost of this proposal to the College is $1.2 million.
“It is important for the long term success of this college, and its learners, that we have a system in place that is equitable and allows us to attract and retain talented employees,” said Vice President of Finance and Administration Vicki Cook. “The College’s proposal is based on state and national benchmarks and provides higher starting salaries in order to be more competitive for new hires. Throughout this process NMC administration has been dedicated to negotiating in good faith at the bargaining table. We will continue to do that while we look forward to the Fact Finding report.”
NMC Faculty Facts
- Total faculty: 85
- Faculty at step 20 (highest step): 32 salary $87,379
- Median salary for faculty: $75,519
- Most new faculty average starting salary: $53,000
- Average benefit costs: 39%
- Median costs for faculty with benefits: $104,971
- Cost for faculty at step 20 with health and retirement: $129,352
- Faculty receive additional pay for summer work or work over standard hours
Key Negotiation Dates
- August 5, 2018, NMC administration requests dates to begin negotiations
- August 7 NMC administration sends second request for dates to begin negotiations
- September 11 Faculty Association offers meeting dates
- September 19 negotiations begin
- 2018 Meetings held
- October 5, 12, 19, 26
- November 9, 16, 30
- December 6, 7, 10, 14
- Meetings with mediator December 17, 20
- November 15 Faculty Association requests mediation
- December 31, 2018 contracts expired
- 2019 Meetings
- January 2 (with mediator), 11
- January 17 NMC administration requests fact finding
- Negotiations scheduled
RELEASE DATE: January 23, 2019
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing & Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019
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
Jan 22, 2019 | Student News
Higher Learning Commission Review
Northwestern Michigan College is seeking comments from the public about the College in preparation for its periodic evaluation by its regional accrediting agency. The College will host a visit on March 11-12, 2019, from a team of peer reviewers representing the Higher Learning Commission(HLC). The team will review the institution’s ongoing ability to meet HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation. Northwestern Michigan College has been accredited by HLC since 1961. Comments must be in writing and must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution or its academic programs.
Submit comments to the HLC at https://www.hlcommission.org/Student-Resources/third-party-comment.html
-or –
Mail them to the address below. All comments must be received by January 31, 2019.
Third-Party Comment on on Northwestern Michigan College
Higher Learning Commission 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411
Jan 22, 2019 | Student News
*ALL PLAYERS MUST BE CURRENT NMC STUDENTS!
ALL TEAMS MUST BE CO-ED!
*At least one female player must be on the court at all times or you will play short. Female points count double.
Season Starts Sunday, January 27 for six weeks.
Two games per week played Monday–Thursday at 2:10, 3:10 or 4:10 pm or
New time offering Sundays 9:10, 10:10 pm
Mandatory Captains’ meeting and Sign-up Deadline
Thursday, January 24 at 5 pm in the PE Lobby.
For more information or questions, please call Steve Dixon at 995-1379.
**Registration forms are also located throughout campus or pick up one at the fitness center in North Hall**
Jan 22, 2019 | Intercom, Student News
TRAVERSE CITY — Enrollment Services at Northwestern Michigan College will offer a Financial Aid Fair for prospective college students, parents, alumni, and current NMC students from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13 in the Osterlin Library.
There will be half-hour workshop sessions and time for students to meet individually with a financial aid representative. Snacks will be included!
Sign up for half-hour workshop sessions at nmc.edu/financial-aid. Walk-ins are also welcome.
- Counting the Cost of College – comparing schools (4–4:30 p.m., 5:30–6 p.m.)
- Waivers and scholarships for Native American Students (4–4:30 p.m., 5:30–6 p.m.)
- Types of Financial Aid (4:30-5 p.m., 6-6:30 p.m.)
- How to Find and Apply for Scholarships (5–5:30 p.m., 6:30–7 p.m.)
Before or after the workshops, get one-on-one help with:
- Completing the FAFSA by the March 1 State deadline
- Applying for Scholarships
- Completing financial aid requirements (for current NMC students)
- Comparing award letters
- Student loan counseling
ReLEASE DATE: January 23, 2019
For more information:
NMC Enrollment Services
(231) 995-1035
sfs@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
