October 17, 2011
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Mandatory Health Care Plan Information Sessions Offered
 Hocking College is offering two new health care plans effective November 1 with expanded preventative and wellness care coverage that has never before been provided to College employees. Not only that, but Hocking College has obtained an overall three percent decrease in health care premium from Medical Mutual of Ohio, which will result in a decrease in premiums for many of our employees. The Hocking College Benefits Advisory Committee is comprised of representatives from the three unions at the College, as well as nonbargaining employees and representatives from the Human Resources Office. After considerable work this past year, this committee along with the insurance surveys provided valuable feedback on design. Thanks to union support and the hard work of the Committee, we have now realigned our plans and have reduced these plans from six options to two. The new plans offer great benefits to Hocking faculty and staff! All employees will need to attend one of the information sessions listed below, as new enrollment forms must be completed and submitted to Human Resources no later than Monday, October 24. This deadline is necessary in order to allow Medical Mutual time to process the enrollment elections and mail the new insurance cards to members. Detailed plan information will be distributed and reviewed during these sessions. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) will also be reviewed. Employees at Perry Campus and the Energy Institute should have received an e-mail with online information session options. Note: The sessions scheduled during from 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. will not be as in-depth as the other sessions. Please attend a longer session if you would like more detailed information. Wednesday, October 19, 2011 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Oakley 307 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Oakley 208 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. JL 352 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. Student Center Multiplex 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. JL 195 Thursday, October 20, 2011 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Oakley 305 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. JL 246 *Note: this room has limited seating and, if possible, please attend an earlier session. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your Human Resources Department at:
- Loretta Whaley, 740.753.7041
- Sheree Cunningham, 740.753.7040
- Suzanne Durst, 740.753.6521
- Kimberly Taylor, 740.753.7221
- John Sanders, 740.753.6449
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 New Board Chairman and President Attend ACCT
Chairman Brooks reports being very glad to participate in Wednesday's all-day training session, specifically targeting new board chairs. Several ideas brought back from the conference are being considered for immediate implementation, including practical ways in which Trustees can learn more about the College, its operations, and the students we serve.
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 Landscape Management Students Partner with Universal Design Living Laboratory
"The project at UDLL in Columbus is one of a series of projects we are working on to give the students a taste of different landscape construction techniques and, most importantly, the opportunity to network with other industry professionals. Getting involved and showing the willingness to lead is the key," Freeman said.
Rosemarie Rossetti Ph.D., internationally known speaker and advocate for people with disabilities, along with her husband, Mark Leder, are leading the way in home construction. Their current project, the Universal Design Living Laboratory, will showcase to builders and the public how universal design and green building are elements that can be included in all new homes and remodeling projects. Universal design is a framework for the design of living, working spaces and products benefiting the widest possible range of people in the widest range of situations without special or separate design.
Currently, more than 170 corporations and organizations are contributing products and services to assist in building this home. The home will be open to tours upon completion, and ticket proceeds will benefit spinal cord injury research at The Ohio State University.
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Online Maintenance Request Form
In an effort to streamline the maintenance request process, an online Maintenance Request Form is available through the Hocking College website on the intranet.
1. Log-in to the employee intranet, using the "Login" button on the "Faculty & Staff" area of the Hocking website.
2. Click on "IT Support Ticket." Select "Open a New Ticket," then select the option for "Facility Maintenance & Grounds."
3. Please complete the entire form.
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 Strategic Plan Update and Self Study Feedback Requested
After college-wide review and feedback, the final version of the College's strategic plan was approved by Hocking College Board of Trustees in March of last year. Our recent self study, in anticipation of our November 7-9 HLC visit, provided additional insight into our direction forward as a college community. The summary for each of the five criterion includes "strengths", "challenges", and "plans for improvement" related to the core components of each criterion.
While the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) self study is already in the hands of our visiting team, Dr. Erickson and the Steering Committee would like to offer the campus community an additional opportunity for feedback. As we strive to operationalize and refine the plan, your feedback is valuable to us. We are in the process of re-opening the virtual "suggestion box" if you'd like to go to the Intranet and add additional ideas for improvement. For information about accessing the Intranet, send an e-mail to verbatim@hocking.edu.
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Board to Fill Vacant Positions
The Hocking College Board of Trustees is making preparations to fill two vacant positions. The process for appointment to a board of trustees in the State of Ohio is delineated within Ohio Revised Code, 3357.05 and is specifically addressed to Hocking College in the Bylaws of the Board of Trustees.
A caucus of presidents representing boards of education in Athens, Hocking and Perry counties will meet to appoint two members to the Hocking College Board of Trustees. Interested candidates must reside in Athens, Hocking or Perry counties.
Although college employees are not eligible to serve on the Board, please encourage anyone interested in serving to submit their resume to the College care of Nancy Vandeman, by October 20, 2011.
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 Heavy Equipment Students & Staff Attend Construction Career Days
The two-day event was held on the grounds of the Butler County Fairgrounds, with more than 2,000 students from Butler County, the Cincinnati area and Kentucky in attendance.
Exhibitors from colleges and universities, trade schools, training program sponsors, construction contractors, construction supply and heavy equipment dealers, construction related companies and professional organizations, and youth advocacy/growth groups were represented at the event.
Our students, led by Ted Hayes, hosted an interactive information table complete with the Heavy Equipment simulator, Hocking admissions information and an interactive station featuring proper bobcat operations and techniques.
Thanks to students Robert Ruff, Damon Sargent, Tom Blackford, Earley Hill and L.B. McKinstry, along with Ted Hayes and admissions representative Crystal Howard for representing Hocking College at this important opportunity.
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Peace Officer Basic Academy
The Hocking College School of Public Safety Services will conduct a 14-week Peace Officer Basic Academy December 15, 2011 through March 2012.
An informal meeting will be held October 25, 2011 at 6 p.m. in the Public Safety Services Building, room 203. Applications will be accepted through November 18, 2011.
Students will be provided classroom materials including a laptop computer and uniform clothing, and upon successful completion, students will qualify for Ohio peace officer status and receive 24 college credits.
Please make your students aware of this event, and if interested, they should contact Lt. Tim Voris, Commander at 740.753.6483 or Betty Dalton, Office Coordinator at 740.753.6451 for applications and to place name on waiting list.
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 Volunteer Fair
Hocking College will hold a Volunteer Fair on October 20, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Student Center lobby. To date, more than 14 non-profit agencies have committed to attending to talk to students and staff about their missions and volunteer needs. "Part of the Hocking College mission is to develop citizens who are engaged in their local and global communities. We hope that many students will attend the Volunteer Fair and become acquainted with community needs that can only be met when people get involved and volunteer their time, energy and skills," Suzanne Brooks-Korner, the Hocking College Community Outreach Coordinator, said. Hocking College students in classes with service learning requirements will be able to explore options and make arrangements to volunteer. Faculty, staff and members of the community can also learn ways to get involved with helping others. The following organizations will attend the fair: Hocking Hills Tourism Assoc., Kids on Campus, Appalachian Community Hospice, Athens Co. Help Me Grow, The Gathering Place, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Last Chance Corral, United Appeal for Athens County, The Athens Village, Nelsonville Food Cupboard, Athens County Habitat for Humanity, HAPCA Regional Food Center, The Salvation Army, Athens County Victim Assistance and Hocking Valley Community Residential Center. For more information, contact Brooks-Korner at 740.753.7111. |
 Hocking College to Host Trailblazer Adventure Day
The program, sponsored by the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation, will celebrate America's outdoor heritage while providing instruction on archery, shooting, fishing, botany and hunting skills. There will also be information about Ohio wildlife and The Wayne National Forest.
To become a Trailblazer volunteer, contact the USSA Foundation at 614.888.4868 ext.207/ trailblazer@ussportsmen.org or Wayne National Forest at 740.753.0101/ gchancey@fs.fed.us.
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Mission
Hocking College provides a unique, innovative, and quality education in a supportive experience- based learning environment, preparing students for employment and transfer education opportunities, while teaching the value of lifelong learning, promoting diversity and developing citizens who are engaged in their local and global communities.
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Bowald Awarded as Outstanding Educator
Project Learning Tree (PLT) Ohio awarded Ken Bowald, School of Natural Resources Associate Dean, an Outstanding Educator Award.
According to the nomination, Bowald has personal qualities that embody an outstanding PLT educator such as leadership, energy, and enthusiasm. Bowald is also very involved with special environmental products. As a lead instructor for ten years, Bowald coordinated the Hocking College Natural and Historical Interpretation Program. He has also coordinated student experience sessions with local nature centers, community groups, and schools and service learning opportunities.
Wayne National Forest Employee Sarah Forrest received the Bill Schultz Natural Resources Award, along with Bowald.
Since 1981, 20,000 educators have participated in PLT-Ohio workshops benefiting Ohio's PreK-12 grade youth. PLT activities support many national and state education standards. In Ohio, PLT activity lessons are correlated to the Ohio Academic Content Standards for Science as well as Social Studies, and align readily to standards for English/Language Arts, Technology and Math.
And More Kudos to Ken...
Linda Howard sends thanks to Ken Bowald for taking time to meet with regional high school agriculture career tech teachers and administrators. This meeting was part of the Office of Educational Outreach's new Tech Prep regional grant. The main directive of the grant is to complete Programs of Study (POS) with all career technical high school programs.
Approximately 32 career tech programs in our three-county area will complete the POS. As part of the process, we match the teachers up with college faculty to determine what courses can be articulated with the college.
Feedback from the teachers, administrators and the director from the Ohio Department of Education about Ken's presentation was very positive. The meeting set the stage for continued cooperation as we move forward in the Program of Study process.
Congratulations Ken for your well deserved recognitions!
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