Welcome to NMC!
Please join us in welcoming these new additions to our NMC staff! (more…)
FLSA Resources Available
Did you miss the FLSA overview meetings, or need a reminder of the rules? If so, please find the information on the HR employee page under PAY.
NMC Wellness Newsletter for November
NMC has a renewed wellness program lifting off in the next couple of months. Please access the November Newsletter here to find out more. Chris Barr (Blue Cross On-Site Wellness Coordinator) will be at the Open Enrollment meetings on December 1 to share more about the program!
Bookstore Financial Aid
Important dates to know at the Bookstore:
- December 12 to January 27: Financial aid will be available in the bookstore
- January 9 to 27: gas cards will be available to charge to financial aid; limit two $25 cards per day per student.
Book Buyback
Need a little bit more cash for Christmas this year? Bring your textbooks back to the bookstore December 12-16 for book buyback. Guaranteed $1 minimum for every book, no matter how old the book, during the week of book buyback.
Getting $20 or more for your buyback books? Put your money on a gift card and we’ll give you 15% more for your books!
Take advantage of a great time to clear out and make some extra cash!
Fall Rentals Due December 16
Did you rent a book this fall from the NMC bookstore? Fall rentals are due back on December 16, 2016. Do not remember if your book is a rental? Contact us at bookstore@mail.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
Submit a Kudos here.
Kudos to Scott Herzberg and everyone involved in NMC’s Veteran’s Day events. What a great way to honor our veterans! Beautiful weather only added to this special event. Thanks to all vets for their service!
Kudos to Cathryn Claerhout and Heather Robinson for organizing the very successful Girl Tech 2016 held on Friday, November 11th. The event introduces 10th grade high school women to technical careers and was well attended by over 150 girls.
Kudos to Sherry Trier who took a leadership role helping to organize many of the events for NMC’s Veterans Day ceremony and appreciation efforts. Her dedication to our student veterans was on full display as she coordinated the collection and display of artwork from local K-12 schools, the participation of the TC Central drum core and band, the display of service flags, ordering and picking up a special cake for the veterans service dogs, and many more efforts.
And BIG kudos to my entire EMT team who supported the events of the day by collecting and mounting the artwork from area schools, setting up video and poster displays at West Hall, recording the ceremony, handing out flags, taking pictures, directing people where to line up, and serving cake and coffee at West Hall. Thank you!!
Employee Anniversaries
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
Thank You from Karen Sabin
To my friends at NMC,
The flowers you sent for Tom’s service were among my favorites, so colorful and full of life — like Tom. It meant a lot to me that so many of you came to the service, and many more sent kind words of support.
Hagerty Center was the perfect place to gather. Special thanks to Holly, who said “I’ll call for you,” and Crystal and Chad, who were so patient with my “kids,” who knew what they wanted and managed the details to reflect the man who was their father — warts and all.
Thank you, NMC. I am blessed.
Gratefully,
Karen Sabin
Information Session: Freshwater Sciences and Sustainability
Please join us Wednesday, November 30 to learn about our Freshwater Sciences Program offered at WMU-Traverse City. You can transfer to WMU to complete this bachelor’s degree in Traverse City.
Register and learn more at wmich.edu/traversecity/infosession or call (231) 995-1846.
Date, time and location: Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at 5 p.m. at the Great Lakes Campus, Room 101
NMC trustees appoint Rachel Johnson to board
TRAVERSE CITY — At a special board meeting Monday, Nov. 14, Northwestern Michigan College trustees unanimously appointed former college instructor Rachel Johnson to fill a trustee position vacated last week when Steven Rawlings resigned.
Johnson received the next highest number of votes in the recent election behind Michael Estes and Chris Bott, who were elected.
Rawlings announced his resignation Nov. 10, citing increased responsibilities and travel for his job.
Board Chair Kennard Weaver said, “The six people who ran for trustee in the election last week nominated themselves for the positions, showing a strong interest in serving. In the election campaign, we gathered a great deal of information about them and the voters of Grand Traverse County also know them. This is a good panel from which to appoint the trustee to fill the current vacancy, and we also have the votes ranking them.”
In a recent letter to trustees, Johnson reiterated her desire to serve, saying, “I believe deeply in the college and the role it plays in enriching our community, supporting our local economy, and preparing students for future success. I would very much like the opportunity to support that endeavor as a trustee.”
Johnson was an adjunct instructor in the NMC’s communications department in 2012 after serving as an instructor and administrator at Penn State University and Pepperdine University. She is currently the Member Relations Manager at Cherryland Electric Cooperative.
Johnson will serve as trustee through December 31, 2018.
She will be eligible to run for election for the remainder of Rawlings’ term in the November 2018 election.
Release date: November 15, 2016
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-discriminationChanges in Recruiting
As many of you may have heard, Heather Hess, Talent Acquisition Specialist, will be taking a six month leave starting sometime in December. In order to ensure continuity and support of hiring initiatives we have a few changes for you to be aware of:
- Will Pearce will provide Talent Acquisition Support while Heather is out. He will manage full-time recruitment of faculty and staff.
- Tricia Stevens and Brandie Heeres, our Supplemental HR Assistants, will share a schedule and support hiring of adjunct faculty, student and supplemental employees.
- We have developed the following internal website to help answer many of your recruiting questions and provide resources. See the website here.
Heather is available until about the end of December, please reach out to her at 995-1148 or hhess@nmc.edu if you have any questions or concerns in the mean time.
We may not always have someone available at our front desk during this time. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding!
-The Human Resources Team
There’s still time to get your yard into tip-top shape before the snow flies!
Announcement from the NMC Green Team:
Brush drop-off site closing for the season November 19.
Grand Traverse County Brush Drop-Off Site:
2471 N. Keystone Road, Traverse City
Tuesdays: noon-dusk
Thursdays and Saturdays: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
The sites accepts brush, grass clippings, leaves, stumps and untreated construction wood. For more information on the brush drop-off site, visit: recyclesmart.info/905/Brush-
Veterans Day tribute song
Students Mackenzie Campbell and Dustin Leppert from NMC’s Audio Technology program composed a song in honor of Veterans Day, illustrated by posters done by students from local schools including TCAPS, TCAPS Montessori and Long Lake Elementary. The song was played in West Hall during NMC’s Veterans Day ceremonies. Check it out below or at ensemble.nmc.edu/Watch/b7QDi5k3!
NMC NHHAW awareness project
A variety of student-led activities will highlight National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (NHHAW) from November 12 until November 19. Events will be hosted by NMC students in Composition and Sociology courses. Join us to support student research, service and engagement.
NMC NHHAW STUDENT RESEARCH CONFERENCE – NOVEMBER 16:
On November 16, from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm in Scholars Hall on NMC Main Campus, NMC students will share their learning with the community, giving presentations and sharing research posters. Students’ research will debunk myths of poverty as well as highlight areas critical to these like housing policy, economic inequality, low-income dynamics, homelessness and food insecurity. Students’ research posters will be left on display through the month of November. Come see what all of this is about!
NMC FOOD FOR THOUGHT & HYGIENE DRIVE – OCTOBER 29 UNTIL NOVEMBER 18:
Students in Composition and Sociology courses are supporting Kristy McDonald’s BUS-231 NMC Food for Thought Drive, putting an emphasis on the importance of hygiene and personal care products. These items are often overlooked by donors to food pantries, and, as such, this need goes unfilled. Access to personal care products can affect employability, self-esteem and children’s school relationships and performance. Students will be setting up stations at Tom’s Grocery Stores, Walmart, and at NMC’s Tech Expo and elsewhere to encourage donations. In addition to the many connections already established by business students, our students are also coordinating with area schools, including TC West, Grand Traverse Academy and TC St. Francis to scale up the project. Contact Brandon Everest at beverest@nmc.edu to learn more or to donate.
WALK FOR HEALTH & HOUSING – NOVEMBER 14:
Join us in a Walk for Health & Housing on November 14 at 5:30 pm to bring awareness to the challenges of unhoused people in our region. Ryan Hannon, Goodwill Street Outreach Coordinator, will take participants on a guided walk and tour of downtown Traverse City bringing attention to the sorts of situations and challenges faced by homeless people. There will be speeches by other participants as well. We will begin and end at the Great Lakes Campus for this one-hour tour to make the invisible problem of homelessness visible to area residents. Students are making signs, banners, info sheets and pamphlets to distribute to passers-by and onlookers in this effort. We will stop by the Government Center to highlight ways area citizens can provide input to City and County Commission Meetings and elsewhere. We need “All Hands on Deck” for this event to be as successful as possible. We hope to see you there!
NMC SNAP CHALLENGE:
Click here for information about the SNAP Challenge. In short, the SNAP Challenge is an awareness raising activity where participants live off of a SNAP/Food Stamp budget for a week ($29) and document their experiences, sharing those with the community in some way. For us, we hope that participants will share video recordings on their social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others with the hashtags: #nmcsnap and #snapchallenge). We have a growing number of participants, and we hope you will consider joining us in that effort and spreading the word. We are asking participants to pick a week in the month of November to take the challenge. Further “rules” information will be distributed to participants upon their agreement to take the challenge.
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED:
- Donate non-perishable food, hygiene and personal care items to the drive.
- Attend NHHAW activities here on campus to show your support of student engagement.
- Accept the SNAP Challenge and share your experiences and insights.
- Walk with us for our Walk for Health and Housing during NHHAW on November 14.
- Attend the NHHAW Student Research Conference on November 16 to support student engagement and service.
Trustee Steven Rawlings resigns
TRAVERSE CITY — The Board of Trustees from Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) is beginning the process of replacing Vice-Chair Steven Rawlings after he resigned from his position this week.
Rawlings announced Thursday he is stepping down from the board, citing increased responsibilities and travel for his job, but added he remains dedicated to the college.
In a letter to Board Chair Kennard Weaver, Rawlings said, “I am hopeful that one day I will serve the college community again in some capacity. But in the meantime, I will forever remain in awe of NMC, its inspiring students, devoted faculty, committed staff and administration, fellow board members and donors alike- each of whom, dedicate so much time, treasure and talent to the betterment of our community.”
Trustee Weaver said, “We at NMC are appreciative of the service of Mr. Rawlings. His perspective, insight and willingness to engage in thoughtful discourse have been of great benefit to our communities of learners. We wish him well.”
Trustees will hold a special meeting on Monday, November 14, 2016, at 5 p.m. to decide the next steps to fill the vacancy until the next NMC Board of Trustees election in November 2018, where voters will choose a candidate to serve the remainder of the term held by Rawlings which expires December 31, 2020.
Michigan law gives the college 30 days to fill this position.
Release date: November 11, 2016
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-discriminationPosition Vacancies
Are you looking for career opportunities? Find it here! jobs.nmc.edu. Current openings include:
- TCAPS Early College/Commitment Scholarship Coordinator
- Part-Time Student Health Services Nurse
- Hagerty Center – Server, Bartender and Dishwasher
- Visual Communications – Web Design Adjunct Instructor
- Construction/Carpentry Adjunct Instructor
Kudos!
KUDOS- (praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved) defined by Merriam-Webster.com
Submit a Kudos here.
Kudos to Amanda Gower- For coordinating the Commitment Scholarship Induction Ceremony. Amanda took on this new task and ensured the students, families, and colleagues all felt welcomed, well informed. It was truly made to be a special event to celebrate the lives that will be changed and the people who make it possible. Thanks to Amanda for all her effort to make it happen beautifully and for the enthusiasm and support of Pam Palermo and others who were involved with the event and support the program.
Open Enrollment Date Changes to Dec. 1
Dear NMC Faculty and Staff,
I would like to update you on the current state of our health insurance benefits decision process, and also inform you of an important change in our Open Enrollment schedule.
We will be postponing Open Enrollment from Monday, November 14, 2016 to Thursday, December 1, 2016.
As many of you are aware, changes in the health insurance environment nationally have contributed to cost increases of health insurance plans for employers, and NMC is no exception. We have attempted to let everyone know about these changes and about the College’s options through Benefits Advisory Committee members, and also in 3 meetings where Hollie DeWalt and I spoke directly to the College community. A key point in these discussions has been that a renewal of our health insurance plans ‘as is’ would cost an additional $413,000.
We presented 2 options for changes in our benefits plans that would reduce the amount of cost increase to both the College and to employees, with what we believe are relatively minor reductions in benefits levels. We asked for everyone’s feedback. The feedback we received overwhelmingly favored Option 1 over Option 2. On Monday, October 31, the BAC met and agreed that their respective groups preferred Option 1 over Option 2.
We also agreed that the HSA seeding in Option 1 would be front loaded at 70/30, rather than 50/50, in order to better help employees manage health care cash flows.
This week, we began discussions with the Faculty and Academic Chair unions regarding the proposed changes. We have additional meetings set up later this week and next week if necessary to continue our conversations. Because of the on-going conversations with the Faculty and Academic Chair unions, we are postponing the Open Enrollment scheduled for November 14, 2016 to Thursday, December 1, 2016.
The HR team and the BAC is appreciative of your involvement in these discussions and in your understanding of our current situation. Check your calendar for updated details in the Open Enrollment schedule. Please feel free to contact me or Hollie DeWalt if you have questions.
We look forward to seeing you all at Open Enrollment on December 1.
Thank you,
Mark Liebling, Executive Director of Human Resources
Employee Anniversaries
The following employees are celebrating an anniversary soon. Please join us in congratulating them!
Dining services info
Happy Thanksgiving!
Join us Wednesday, November 16, for an All Day, All You Can Eat Thanksgiving Feast
- 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Original Cost $8.99
– $1 subsidy sponsored by Student Life - Your cost: $7.99
Good News!
You can now add money to your ID card directly at the registers!
- Save money- there is no sales tax on Meal Plans
- Minimum of $20 required to add money to card
- Remember meal card balances carry over from Fall to Spring semester, but balances expire at the end of Spring Semester
Announcing Bite, a new menu and nutrition app that can link to myfitnesspal.com.
Search for “Bite by Sodexo” on the App Store or Google Play, and use Bite Code G2HP8
President’s Update for November 7, 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…)
Success Story: Service learning thrives
November 9, 2016
In addition to reading, writing and arithmetic, this semester, NMC students are collecting food donations, swinging hammers and X-raying teeth.
Service learning projects, which engage the whole class in a project that also benefits the community, have a long history in many academic areas at NMC. Here’s a look at some underway this semester, and how to help or participate yourself:
Food for Thought food drive – The fourth annual event organized by NMC business students runs through November 19. Regional pantries have come to rely on the event, which seeks to collect enough non-perishable food and hygiene products to stock more than 45 pantries throughout northwest Michigan through the holiday season.
“It’s not just a blessing for some pantries, it is survival,” said Val Stone with the Northwest Food Coalition.
Donations are accepted on campus and at several community collection sites, including at Technology Exploration Day this Saturday, Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Parsons-Stulen Building.
Dental X-rays – Dental assistant students began their annual free X-ray project this week. Patients referred by their dentist may receive a free set of complete X-rays, valued at up to $200 per set. Instructor Beckie Wooters expects between 80 and 90 patients to take advantage before it wraps up Dec. 8.
“We get a lot of patients that are returned to us when they’re due for these X-rays, because they enjoy the opportunity to meet our students,” Wooters said. The program has been offered since at least 1995.
Students will also be using new digital equipment in all three screening rooms, enabling them to e-mail X-rays directly to patients’ dentists. The digital images mean less radiation exposure for patients, too, Wooters said.
Garden shed – In October, Construction Technology students finished building an 8-by-12-foot storage shed on the property of the non-profit TC Community Garden, located at the Grand Traverse Commons. Previously, the garden had a small, old shed which didn’t offer sufficient space or security, garden president Kimberly Conaghan said.
“We’ll be able to upgrade our tools and have a lot more autonomy to store our own equipment,” she said.
The shed’s green roof and permeable surrounding pavement integrates with an adjacent rain garden, making the whole project a demonstration of the garden’s mission of education and sustainability.
“There’s kind of a cycle that’s happening there with green infrastructure,” said Conaghan, who estimated the value of materials and labor at $25,000.
It’s the second shed students have built; the first went up at the Grand Traverse Conservation District in 2015. NMC alumnus Nate Griswold of green building company Inhabitect assisted with the project, too.
Payment for spring classes is due December 8
It’s time to secure your spring classes!
Online: nmc.edu/self-service, under Student Billing
- No-fee e-payment from checking or savings account
- No-fee debit card payment
- Credit card payment: American Express, MasterCard, VISA, or Discover (including JCB, Diners Pay and China Union Network). A 2.75% convenience fee applies to all credit card payments for charges related to academic credit courses.
- Authorize someone else to make a payment
- Enroll in direct deposit for refunds
- Enroll in a deferred payment plan
- Make a housing or aviation deposit under eDeposit
- Go to Financial Aid menu to check your financial aid
In person:
Payments by cash, check, or money order can be made at Student Financial Services (Tanis Building, main level)
By mail:
Please note your NMC ID on your check.
NMC Student Financial Services
1701 E. Front Street
Traverse City, MI 49686
Explore payment options: nmc.edu/cashier
Questions? (231) 995-1035 or sfs@nmc.edu
Helpful tips:
- Check your NMC email and Self-Service often
- Respond to any requests for information
- Drop before 100% Refund Date (on your schedule) if you don’t plan to attend
- Financial Aid information: nmc.edu/financial-aid
Spring session begins January 13. Register today!
Success Story: Service learning thrives
November 9, 2016
In addition to reading, writing and arithmetic, this semester, NMC students are collecting food donations, swinging hammers and X-raying teeth.
Service learning projects, which engage the whole class in a project that also benefits the community, have a long history in many academic areas at NMC. Here’s a look at some underway this semester, and how to help or participate yourself:
Food for Thought food drive – The fourth annual event organized by NMC business students runs through November 19. Regional pantries have come to rely on the event, which seeks to collect enough non-perishable food and hygiene products to stock more than 45 pantries throughout northwest Michigan through the holiday season.
“It’s not just a blessing for some pantries, it is survival,” said Val Stone with the Northwest Food Coalition.
Donations are accepted on campus and at several community collection sites, including at Technology Exploration Day this Saturday, Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Parsons-Stulen Building.
Dental X-rays – Dental assistant students began their annual free X-ray project this week. Patients referred by their dentist may receive a free set of complete X-rays, valued at up to $200 per set. Instructor Beckie Wooters expects between 80 and 90 patients to take advantage before it wraps up Dec. 8.
“We get a lot of patients that are returned to us when they’re due for these X-rays, because they enjoy the opportunity to meet our students,” Wooters said. The program has been offered since at least 1995.
Students will also be using new digital equipment in all three screening rooms, enabling them to e-mail X-rays directly to patients’ dentists. The digital images mean less radiation exposure for patients, too, Wooters said.
Garden shed – In October, Construction Technology students finished building an 8-by-12-foot storage shed on the property of the non-profit TC Community Garden, located at the Grand Traverse Commons. Previously, the garden had a small, old shed which didn’t offer sufficient space or security, garden president Kimberly Conaghan said.
“We’ll be able to upgrade our tools and have a lot more autonomy to store our own equipment,” she said.
The shed’s green roof and permeable surrounding pavement integrates with an adjacent rain garden, making the whole project a demonstration of the garden’s mission of education and sustainability.
“There’s kind of a cycle that’s happening there with green infrastructure,” said Conaghan, who estimated the value of materials and labor at $25,000.
It’s the second shed students have built; the first went up at the Grand Traverse Conservation District in 2015. NMC alumnus Nate Griswold of green building company Inhabitect assisted with the project, too.