Kudos!
KUDOS- (praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved) defined by Merriam-Webster.com
What’s Happening with NMC Wellness?
February Wellness Presentation on Monday- February 11
Random Acts of Kindness
Research shows that random acts of kindness not only boosts your physical health but also helps you to maintain a positive outlook on life. We genuinely feel good when we give, help or contribute without expectation or reciprocation of acknowledgment.
Join Marissa as she presents on how a simple, kind gesture can reduce stress, boost our immune system and help reduce negative emotions such as anger anxiety and depression.
Monday- February 11- presentations will be about 15-20 minutes
10 a.m.- Parsons Stulen 106 (Courtyard Conference Room)
12 p.m.-University Center 211
2 p.m.-Great Lakes 101
3 p.m.-Founders Hall 110
Click here to access the 2019 Random Acts of Kindness Calendar! Challenge yourself to choose an act every week this year!
National Wear Red Day to support women’s health- Friday, February 1, 2019.
Sponsored by the American Heart Association- click here for more information.
Would you like to be added to a Wellness email distribution list? Marissa often has wellness resources she would like to share with employees, but we realize not everyone wants extra email! If you would like to be added to the list, simply email Hollie at hdewalt@nmc.edu and ask to be added.
Employee Anniversaries
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them! (more…)
Media Mentions for January 28, 2019
The following college events and stories have appeared in the media in the past week. We want to share your media involvement too. Please send information about your NMC-related interview or appearance to publicrelations@nmc.edu. If possible, please include a link to the piece and information about where and when it was used.
(Please note access to some stories may be limited by paywalls set up by the media outlet. This includes the Traverse City Record-Eagle, which limits free clicks to five per month. You may also read Record-Eagle articles in the print edition at the Osterlin Library.
Shutdown continues to affect local workers, organizations
Ticker, Jan. 25
NMC files for fact-finding in faculty union negotiations
Ticker, Jan. 24
NMC contract at salary impasse
Record-Eagle, Jan. 24
Hybrid Robotics bringing you the newest technology
TV 9 & 10, Jan. 22
NMC Extended Education, Festival of Foods, Small Business and Nonprofits
TV 9 & 10, Jan. 21
Rose & Fern – profiles GLCI alumna Rebecca Tranchell’s new restaurant
Northern Express, Jan. 19
Libraries, bookstores give TC a literary edge
Record-Eagle, Jan. 19
Exhibitions end with a bang, new shows to come
Record-Eagle, Jan. 18
Professional Development Institute
Give yourself the gift of professional development for the coming year!
Mark your calendar now and save the date for these upcoming courses:
- Crucial Accountability – March 14-15, 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. or May 30-31, 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Register online
- Lean Champion Certification – February 13–July 24, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (2 days per month) Register online
- Managing Conflict – February 15, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Register online
- Getting More Done – April 29, 8:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Register online
Click the “Register online” links for more details or to enroll in these course.
Note: These courses are open to all adjunct faculty, regular faculty, and regular staff.
For questions please contact Lori at lhodek@nmc.edu or 995.1143.
Surveys, Surveys and more Surveys
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.
NMC requests MERC fact finding to advance faculty contract negotiation
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
- January 25
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-discriminationNMC Public Comment for the HLC
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/
-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
Intramural Basketball Sign-up
*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.
Download a registration form here »
**Registration forms are also located throughout campus or pick up one at the fitness center in North Hall**
2019 Financial Aid Fair
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-discriminationInteractive Cooking Demo with Oryana Jan. 23
Oryana will be here on Wednesday, January 23 at 5:30 p.m. in the Oleson Center/Hawk Owl Cafe to show students basic knife skills and how to create quick and healthy ‘power bowl’ meals. This demo is sponsored by NMC Student Life, Spoonful of Foodies and Oryana.
MCO Faculty Conversations on OER
Faculty are invited to attend the 2019 MCO Faculty Conversations Series. Each session allows featured faculty to provide an overview of how they are using OER in their classrooms, what they are using, adjustments they made, challenges and opportunities along with a question and answer time. They are held on the Zoom platform and last one hour (noon to 1:00 p.m.).
Register for your preferred session below:
- January 28, 2019: Economics Featuring Christian Nelson from Bay College
- January 29, 2019: Public Speaking Featuring Claire Sparklin from Washtenaw Community College
- January 30, 2019: Abnormal Psychology Featuring Susan Harvey from Delta College
- January 31, 2019: Calculus I & II Featuring Matt Boelkins form Grand Valley State University and Larry David from Washtenaw Community College
- February 1, 2019: Physics Featuring Rod Price from Kellogg Community College
- February 4, 2019: Sociology Featuring Jean Ramirez and Aliza Robison from Lansing Community College
- February 5, 2019: Social Work Featuring Lisa Blackford from Northwestern Michigan College
Local Hero nominations wanted
TRAVERSE CITY — Student organizers of the fifth annual Big Little Hero Race are seeking nominations for the Local Hero Award.
Local Heros are individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to children, mentorship and community. The winner leads the fun run, receives a gift, is celebrated in the media and is honored at the award ceremony of the Big Little Hero Race, a spring semester experiential learning project organized by NMC business students to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Northwestern Michigan. Since its inception, the race has raised more than $80,000.
Past Local Heroes include Tony Anderson, a marathon runner whose runs also benefit BBBS, Blair Elementary School staff and a memorial award to the late NMC instructor Sonja Olshove.
The public may nominate on the race Facebook page, NMC Business Students for BBBS, or email Kmcdonald@nmc.edu. Nominations are due by Feb. 15.
The 2019 Big Little Hero Race is April 13, 2019 on NMC’s main campus and offers a free one-mile fun run/walk and a 5K and 10K timed race. Registration is now open at early bird prices.
Release date: january 21, 2019
For more information:
Kristy McDonald
NMC instructor
kmcdonald@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1059
Hailey Ardelean
NMC student
hardelean@nmc.edu
(231) 632-1715
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-discriminationKudos!
KUDOS- (praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved) defined by Merriam-Webster.com
NMC Magazine Spring 2019
NMC Magazine is seeking submissions for art and writing for our upcoming spring issue!
NMC Magazine challenges students, staff, faculty, and alumni to submit writing or art that tells a condensed story. Specific guidelines for submissions are:
Fiction/Nonfiction: 600 word limit
Poetry/Lyrics: 20 line limit
Artistic Works: Grayscale only
Submitted works can include art, design, essay, fiction, illustration, nonfiction, photography, poetry, sculpture, music, and more.
The deadline for submissions is Friday, February 22.
Send in your submission* to nmcmag@mail.nmc.edu. Hard copies can be delivered to Fine Arts (attn: Caroline Schaefer-Hills) or Scholars Hall 214 (attn: Alissia Lingaur). Visit the Submission Info page at nmc.edu/nmcmagazine to complete a submission form with each entry.
*Submissions unaccompanied by completed submission forms will not be considered for publication.
Letter from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
If you receive medical benefits from Blue Cross under NMC’s plan you likely received a letter last week regarding the Physician Qualification Form. The letter has raised many questions and concerns. The HR department has contacted Blue Cross and they will prepare a communication to clarify the intention and specifics behind the letter sometime this week. HR will share the communication when available.
One note to share now is that you are not obligated to participate, nor will you have any changes to your coverage for not completing the Physician Qualification Form. This is intended to be a voluntary part of our Wellness program, and replace the packets you have received in the past.
Please stay tuned for more information and reach out to Hollie DeWalt in HR with any questions.
What’s Happening with NMC Wellness?
National Wear Red Day to support women’s health- FRIDAY- FEBRUARY 1, 2019
Sponsored by the American Heart Association- click here for more information.
January Wellness Newsletter– click here
New Year- New You message from Well Being Coordinator Marissa Jarrett- click here
January Wellness Break on Monday- Jan 28
Core Workout- Join Marissa for 15 minutes of core stimulation. Weak core muscles can lead to more fatigue, less endurance and injuries. Learn to interact with all the muscles that control your waistline and improve your posture.
- Be prepared for floor activity
- Wear comfortable clothing
- Bring a water bottle
10 a.m.- University Center 106
Noon- Les Biederman 208
2:15 p.m.- Great Lakes 103
3 p.m.- Parsons Stulen 112
Would you like to be added to a Wellness email distribution list? Marissa often has wellness resources she would like to share with employees, but we realize not everyone wants extra email! If you would like to be added to the list, simply email Hollie at hdewalt@nmc.edu and ask to be added.
Employee Anniversaries
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them! (more…)
On-Campus Jobs
Student jobs can be found on the Student MyNMC page under “Jobs On Campus.” (more…)
Position Vacancies & Supplemental Employment
Are you looking for career opportunities? Find them here! jobs.nmc.edu. (more…)
Success Story: Search firm selected as Nelson sets his priorities for final year
January 16, 2019
NMC’s board of trustees: Front row: Rachel A. Johnson, Jane T. McNabb; middle row: K. Ross Childs, Michael Estes, Kennard R. Weaver; back row: Douglas S. Bishop, Chris M. BottFine-tuning the qualities desired in NMC’s next president with input from stakeholders, developing a presidential profile and managing the search timeline are among the immediate tasks facing Pauly Group, Inc., the presidential search consultant college trustees selected this week.
Trustees’ selection of Pauly Group, an Illinois firm with extensive experience in Michigan, was unanimous. Current NMC President Timothy J. Nelson will retire at the end of this year after assuming the office in 2001.
“Hiring a president hasn’t occurred for 19 years,” said board chairman Chris Bott, noting that only one current trustee, Ross Childs, was involved with Nelson’s hiring. “They’re a great firm to guide us through this process.
Key to the entire search will be creation of a profile of the desired candidate. Pauly Group will help trustees develop a process to obtain comprehensive input to that profile
“It’s important we don’t do this in a vacuum and alone,” Bott said. “We truly want input from all the stakeholders — faculty, administration, staff, students, community members, alumni, Foundation.”
Trustees cited the depth of Pauly Group’s experience in Michigan as among the factors that set the Springfield, Ill.-based company apart from three other finalists interviewed last week. In its references, Pauly Group cited the placements of the current presidents of North Central Michigan College in Petoskey (2018), Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor (2017) and Mott Community College in Flint (2014).
The search, which is expected to take about six months, comes on top of an already-busy year for the college and Nelson. During his final year leading NMC he has identified the following areas as some of his priorities:
- Completion of the Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center.
- Securing key leadership positions including the Dennos Museum Center and Great Lakes Culinary Institute
- Implementation of tools for assessing and analyzing student success initiatives
- Successful completion of accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- Progressing with Experiential Learning initiatives
- Expanding alternate revenue streams including professional learning and fundraising
Media Mentions for January 18, 2019
The following college events and stories have appeared in the media in the past week. We want to share your media involvement too. Please send information about your NMC-related interview or appearance to publicrelations@nmc.edu. If possible, please include a link to the piece and information about where and when it was used.
(Please note access to some stories may be limited by paywalls set up by the media outlet. This includes the Traverse City Record-Eagle, which limits free clicks to five per month. You may also read Record-Eagle articles in the print edition at the Osterlin Library.
GT Band distributes more than $873K
Ticker, Jan. 18
The Great Lakes Water Studies Institute’s role in the ROV industry
Underwater Magazine, Jan-Feb. issue
Presidential search firm chosen
Record-Eagle, Jan. 16
Ticker, Jan. 16
Middle school students from Japan exploring Traverse City
UpNorthLive, Jan. 16
NMC offers new degree in surveying
Geospatial World, Jan. 14
EIN Technology Today, Jan. 14
Adapted in TC
Instructor Susan Odgers column on living with disability, Record-Eagle, Jan. 13
Welcome to NMC!
Please join us in welcoming these new additions to our NMC staff, and congratulating current NMC staff on their new positions!
New Books at the Library
The library has purchased many new books so far this year. You can view a handful here along with partial descriptions or go here to see the full listing. These books are on display in the library’s lobby.
IAF 2019 events
TRAVERSE CITY — The International Affairs Forum at NMC kicks off the second half of its 2018-19 season with the sixth annual Academic WorldQuest competition, followed by a robust lineup of guest lecturers speaking on timely topics.
- Thursday, February 7: Academic WorldQuest competition
Seventeen teams from eight area high schools compete in a quiz competition on international affairs. Championship team will represent northern Michigan at the national AWQ competition in Washington D.C. Noon-3:30 p.m., Hagerty Center. Free. - Thursday, February 21: Trashing the Planet: Mountains of Garbage with no Place to Go. Speaker J.D. Lindeberg, President, Recycling Resources Systems
America generates a third of the world’s waste but in the wake of new Chinese tariffs on recycled materials and refusal to take “contaminated” materials, it is estimated that by 2030 the U.S. will have 100 million tons of recycling waste with no place to go. 6 p.m., Milliken Auditorium. Tickets $15. - Thursday, March 21: Reinventing Our Cities: The Impact of Autonomous Vehicles. Speaker Samuel Kling, PhD, Global Cities Fellow
Cities and towns are about to radically change as new mobility technologies take to our streets and sidewalks. What can history tell us about the transportation challenges of the future? 6 p.m., Milliken Auditorium. Tickets $15. - Wednesday, April 3: NASA’s Journey of Discovery: The Future of Space Exploration. Speaker Charles Frank Bolden Jr.
Space has been transformed from a government-only, high-risk political effort to a business full of new challenges and opportunities, including some in Traverse City. During his 14 years as an astronaut, Bolden logged more than 680 hours in space during four Space Shuttle missions. 6 p.m., Milliken Auditorium. Tickets $15. - Thursday, April 18: Trumping China: Will China’s rise come at our demise? Speaker Tom Watkins, partner/director W-A-Y American School in China.
The former Michigan state superintendent of schools, Watkins is one of Michigan’s foremost and thoughtful experts on China. He is currently based in China and has traveled there for more than 30 years. 6 p.m., Milliken Auditorium. Tickets $15. - Tuesday, April 30: World Press Freedom Day with Rami Khouri, Beirut-based journalist and international commentator
Professor of Journalism at the American University in Beirut, senior fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, and Chief Umpire of Little League Baseball in Jordan. 6 p.m., State Theatre, Traverse City. Tickets $5, free to students and educators. - Thursday, May 16: (Latin) American First? Fixing Problem’s in America’s Backyard. Speaker Ambassador Charles Shapiro, President, World Affairs Council of Atlanta, former ambassador to Venezuela and coordinator of U.S.-Cuban Affairs
America’s southern neighbors are in political turmoil. Venezuela was once the richest country in South America. Today, its economy has collapsed and millions have fled the country. The continuing immigration crisis shows that people locked in poverty and violence will do whatever it takes to improve the lives of their children. 6 p.m., Milliken Auditorium. Tickets $15. - Thursday, June 20: Russia Against the West: Can the post-WWII Global Order Survive? Speaker Angela Stent, PhD, Director of the Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies and professor at Georgetown University
Stent’s latest book, PUTIN’S WORLD: Russia Against the West and with the Rest (to be released Feb. 2019) is the culmination of four decades devoted to understanding how Russia, and the Soviet Union before it, really works. 6 p.m., Milliken Auditorium. Tickets $15.
All the Thursday lectures are live-streamed. Students and educators receive free tickets to the livestream overflow room and in Milliken as space allows. Large groups should contact the IAF in advance. For more information on all events visit www.tciaf.com.
Release date: January 17, 2019
For more information:
Karen Segal
International Affairs Forum co-chair
(231) 715-6064
karenpsegal@gmail.com