Third annual anti-bullying conference

TRAVERSE CITY — Registration is now open for the third annual Anti-Bullying Conference on Friday, Oct. 17, set to focus on student engagement and empowering students to create safe, inclusive school environments.

Offering sessions for both youth and adults, the one-day conference is appropriate for parents, helping professionals, high school student leaders and community members. The conference is presented by the northwest Michigan regional Anti-Bullying Task Force, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and NMC.

The focus of this year’s event is student engagement, including tracks on being an upstander and starting a Not In Our School (NIOS) campaign. An upstander is a person who speaks up or stands up to bullying and intolerance, either to prevent or intervene when someone is being harmed. A NIOS campaign is an ongoing commitment to empower students to create safe and inclusive environments that are free of bullying, harassment and all forms of intolerance

“We are thrilled to bring Not In Our School to Michigan. Their focus is on tolerance, acceptance and inclusion – which is part of our mission at the Michigan Department of Civil Rights,” said department Director Matt Wesaw. “This conference will bring together students, educators and experts to share best practices and respond with models to best serve our Michigan communities.”

Conference facilitators are from the national “Not In Our Town” organization, the parent of Not In Our Schools. Not In Our Town films, new media, and organizing tools help local leaders build vibrant, diverse cities and towns, where everyone can participate.

The conference will be held from 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Hagerty Center on NMC’s Great Lakes Campus, 715 E. Front Street, Traverse City. Admission is free and lunch will be provided. To register for the conference, go to nmc.edu/antibullying.

The Anti-Bullying Task Force was formed in 2012 and has focused its efforts in the five-county northwest Michigan region, with an emphasis on improving school climate and helping vulnerable populations of all ages. Members are NMC, the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, TBAISD, Michigan State Police, Child & Family Services/Third Level Crisis Center, Disability Network, Women’s Resource Center, Conflict Resolution Services, MSU Extension Office, Blackbird Arts, and TCAPS.

To learn more about MDCR, please visit www.michigan.gov/mdcr. NIOS materials can be viewed at http://www.niot.org/nios/.

Release date: September 24, 2014

For more information:

Lisa Thomas
Associate Dean of Student Life
lthomas@nmc.edu
(
231) 995-1043

Passport Student Lecture Series continues Oct. 16 with focus on Zambia

Zambia pic 4NMC International Services and Service Learning presents their Passport Student Lecture Series for October with international students Chito Sumbwe (on left side of photo) and Kalizya Nseluka (on right) who will speak to attendees about Zambia.

The lecture will take place on Thursday, Oct. 16 from 12:15 – 1:00 pm in Founders Hall, room 110. Guests are invited to bring lunch and/or coffee to enjoy while they listen.

The Passport Student Lecture Series is a chance to explore other cultures through the experiences of NMC international students who will give presentations about their home countries. Information during their lectures can include culture, food, fashion, recreation, religion, gender issues, politics, current events, etc. (more…)

New interim Executive Director of Public Relations will begin on Sept. 24

NMC is pleased to welcome Diana Fairbanks to her new position as interim Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications. She will begin a one-year appointment Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014.

Previously, Diana worked on-air as an anchor at WPBN/WTOM (TV 7 and 4) for 12 years. She moved to WIBV in Buffalo, N.Y., in 2012. She and her family recently relocated back to northern Michigan.

Diana succeeds Andy Dolan, who resigned July 7, 2014. By filling the position on an interim basis, NMC sought to efficiently meet the needs of the department. Planning & Budget Council approved the interim appointment, with support from President’s Council.

Diana can be reached at (231) 995-1019. (more…)

My Academic Plan (MAP) released to NMC students

MAP FB graphicMy Academic Plan, or MAP, is a degree audit and tracking tool that NMC students can use to check on their progress and determine the remaining requirements in their program.  Students and advisors can also perform ‘what if’ analysis to see how existing coursework would apply to another program. Just a few clicks are needed to research prerequisite courses.

All NMC students and advisors are encouraged to use MAP when planning schedules for the spring semester.  Get started with MAP at http://nmc.edu/mymap (more…)

Parking stickers must be displayed properly to avoid tickets

As of Monday, Sept. 15 parking enforcement began at NMC in all parking lots. The Traverse City Police Department has passed along some information for everyone on how to avoid parking tickets on campus by having your parking sticker displayed correctly:

  • Place your sticker in the bottom left hand corner of your windshield.
  • Place your sticker right side up. An upside-down sticker will be considered invalid.
  • Be sure that the expiration date on your sticker can be seen from the outside of your vehicle. (Some vehicles have a tint on the edges of their windshield, be sure your sticker is not behind a tint, as it will make it difficult to see from the outside.) When it doubt, get out of your vehicle and be sure you can see the entire sticker from the outside.

If you have any questions about parking enforcement on campus please call (231) 995-1111. (more…)

Front Street/US 31 construction causing delays, some BATA routes closed during construction

Construction is currently taking place in the proximity of our main campus location. It is occurring on Munson Ave./Front St. The construction is causing backups throughout the area, especially in spots where traffic is reduced to one lane.

In addition, BATA has released this statement concerning changes in their routes:

From Tuesday, September 16 at the time of this release until construction is complete on Munson Ave./Front St. BATA bus stops on the main campus of Northwestern Michigan College at the following locations will be CLOSED:

  1. Dennos Museum on College Drive – Stop #364/328
  2. Cedar Parking Lot on College Drive – Stop #366/326

Please use the following BATA bus stop:

  1. Rajkovich Physical Education Building – Stop #330: Picking up and dropping off at :07/:37
  2. NMC Campus Apartments – Stop #362/332: Picking up and dropping off at :06 and :36

These are inbound loops only.  If you intend to travel towards Tom’s East Bay you will have to ride out to the Hall Street Transfer Station and back around to your destination.  Please plan accordingly. Please contact the BATA Customer Service Center with any questions: (231) 941-2324. (more…)

Free GED practice tests Sept. 22-Oct.3

TRAVERSE CITY — Students considering taking the GED can take the GED Ready, a free practice test, at NMC’s Aero Park Professional Testing Center between Sept. 22 and Oct. 3.

Students who take the GED Ready will determine:

  • If they’re ready to pass the GED test
  • If not, what skills they need to work on to pass the test
  • A personalized study plan detailing pages and chapters to study in their favorite study books

Interest in taking the GED is on the rise since either a GED credential or high school diploma is now required for financial aid. GED exam fees are $150, making the free practice tests a valuable opportunity. The Aero Park Professional Testing Center is open seven days a week so students can schedule the test when it is convenient for them.

At the Aero Park Testing Center students can also learn about classes and other resources to help them prepare for the GED. To learn more or to schedule a free GED Ready practice test, contact David Crawford at (231) 995-2247 or (231) 995-2257.

Release date: September 17, 2014

For more information:

David Crawford
Testing Center coordinator
(231) 995-2247
dcrawford@nmc.edu

UM Flint defeats NMC Soccer Club

soccer-ballThe NMC Soccer Club dropped their first match of the fall season 5-1 to University of Michigan Flint.  The Hawk Owls got off to a slow start, falling behind 2-0 early before settling in.  Down 2-0 at the half, NMC gave up two more early goals in the second half, before Eddie Villagomez scored a goal, assisted by Charley Needham.  NMC could have cut the lead in half, but UM Flint goalkeeper made a save on a penalty kick.

For more on the NMC Soccer Club, click here.
(more…)

Study abroad opportunities meeting to be held Sept. 26

Cape of Good HopeInterested in making the world your classroom?

Join us to hear more about NMC Study Abroad opportunities for 2015!

Plan on attending one of the information sessions Thursday, September 25 at 5:30 p.m. in Health Science, Room 114 OR Friday, September 26 at 12:30 p.m. in Health Science, Room 101.

Countries with experiences in the planning stages currently include:

  • Brazil
  • Costa Rica
  • Cuba
  • England
  • France
  • Italy
  • Russia
  • South Africa
  • Wales (more…)