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| Inside MCC | February 28, 2012 |
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Hip-Hop Education Series Continues Wednesday with Spoken Word
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Self Suffice the RapOet presenting a Hip Hop history lesson in celebration of African American History month. |
How is culture painted in words? That will be the theme this week for the Student Activities Committee's third installment of the Hip-Hop Education Series in celebration of African American History month.
Shiver Entertainment will bring Spoken Word Artists Zuly Net, Oktober Brown, Midnight and Julie Vette to the Lowe Atrium on Wednesday, February 29 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.
Last Wednesday, Khaiim Kelly, aka Self Suffice the RapOet, traced Hip-Hop's roots back to New York's five boroughs in the early 1970s. The RapOet's rap-lecture held the late-lunch crowd's attention before adding the sounds of his ensemble, consisting of Asaad Jackson, Margeaux Hayes and Rich McGee.
Jackson kept a solid beat for the RapOet on three traditional African drums while McGee played several wind instruments. Hayes added tones on a hand-held djembe and closed out the show with a stunning vocal solo followed by some scat phrases that left everyone smiling. Dancers joined the presentation, demonstrating various dances from the Hip-Hop culture.
The series concludes on March 7 with a group of inter-generation Creole players, followed by a round-table discussion that will tie together all four programs.
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Now is the Time for Students to Apply for Graduation
The application deadline for the May 2012 graduation is March 14 2012. Graduation Applications may be obtained at the Registrar's Office, Lowe 157, or from the Form Depot - Graduation Application and Instructions.
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Backing Up Computer Files at MCC
Thank you to those who have already backed up files on the SAN. For those who still have not started this, we ask that all faculty and staff move your files this week. MCC's IT department is now able to back up your files on our Storage Area Network (SAN.) There are a few important steps all users must take to ensure ALL important and confidential information can be properly protected. After completion, your data will be accessible from any campus computer you log into with your NetID at MCC. Please be aware that this initiative serves multiple important functions. Not only will it protect working files but is also phase one in a greater system wide project to identify and protect personal and confidential information (PCI) that could be a significant personal liability. Phase two will include Information Security and Data Management Awareness training prior to deployment of the Identity Finder application that will locate PCI on every computer system at MCC.
The instructions explain how to gather the files and get ready. To ensure that files are collectively being protected, faculty and staff should move their files this week. Please contact the help desk for further assistance or x3456.
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Identity Finder Rollout
MCC is going to install a new software application called Identity Finder on all faculty and staff computers. This software locates sensitive data (i.e. SSN, credit card numbers) in files (i.e. Word, Excel, PDF) or email messages. In addition to locating sensitive data, users can use the Identity Finder client to perform actions (shred, quarantine, redact) on those files that contain sensitive data.
To help you learn what action to take on the sensitive data, it is important that all faculty and staff come to one of the upcoming Information Security and Data Management Awareness training sessions. The training will cover the following:
- Overview of Information Security
- Current threats to confidential data the BOR is a steward for
- Technical and administrative safeguards to protect confidential data
- Data classification and data stewardship
- State of CT Record Retention Schedules and college Records Management Liaison Officer(s)
- What can I do today?
- High-level introduction to the Identity Finder application.
The training will be held on March 14 in the SBM Charitable Foundation Auditorium with three sessions to choose from:
Everyone is strongly encouraged to attend. However, the training sessions will be available via recorded WebEx for users unable to attend the training sessions. Upon the completion of the training, Identity Finder will be installed on all faculty and staff computers.
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20th Annual An Evening of Fine Wines Event
The 20th annual An Evening of Fine Wine's team is asking the MCC community to team up with their department and/or division to donate a gift basket and be a part of the teacup raffle at this year's event scheduled for April 27.
Baskets donations are greatly appreciated and the creativity behind them is wonderful. In the past baskets have had a variety of themes, including: 21st Century Sounds; Everything Connecticut; Organic Wines; Pasta Lovers; Romantic Picnic; Let's Get Moving; and Breakfast Anyone?
The minimum value of each basket should be $75.The basket that brings in the highest amount in the raffle wins a catered department meeting. Don't be afraid to get creative! Gift baskets can be brought to the Wine Auction Office when completed...or if you need help assembling the basket, bring your items to L-231 by March 26, and we'll be happy to put it together for you.
If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Meligonis DeJohn, or x2907 or Endia DeCordova, or x2902.
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Codebreaking Contest - NEW Code!
No time for yourself? Need a break for fun? Well then, you are in luck! It's time to break codes again. Please remember to share the codes with your students. If you have always been bogged down by the professional level code here is a hint: consider how often each letter appears in the code and how often certain letters usually appear in the English language.
Email solutions or questions to Kate Bella and you could be the next contest winner!
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Center For Teaching Pathways Workshops
The Center For Teaching has two Pathways workshops coming up this spring. The first is on "Classroom Assessment Techniques" and it will be held at Tunxis Community College on March 2 and the second is on "Infusing Active Learning into the Classroom" and it will be held at Three Rivers Community College on April 20. If you are interested, click here for more information.
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Women's History Month Resources
For resources on women and Women's History Month please visit the online subject guide "Women's History Month" found on the MCC Library homepage or by clicking on this link. Topics include: Dictionaries, Handbooks, & Encyclopedias, Books in the MCC Library, Magazine, Newspaper & Journal Articles and Websites.
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Book Donations Needed for Library Book Sale
To celebrate National Library Week (April 8-14) the MCC Library will be hosting a book sale on April 11 and April 12.
Donations of gently used books (hard covers and paperbacks, fiction and non-fiction), DVDs, CDs, videos and games are needed. If you are starting your spring cleaning early this year please consider giving those gently used books a second home! Our stock of books are particularly low this year so your donations would be greatly appreciated!
All book sale proceeds go to the MCC Library and are used to sponsor author talks and book signings as well as material for the library collection. For more information, please contact Paula Cook, at x2877.
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Call for Proposals: Innovation and Annual Fund!
The MCC Foundation and MCC Strategic Planning Committee are accepting proposals for the Annual Fund and Innovation Fund. The Foundation will be providing mini-grants of up to $2,500 for faculty and staff to support projects that enhance MCC's mission. The Innovation Funds are intended to support the creation, expansion and investment in innovative and evidence that support MCC's strategic goals. The joint application is due no later than 5:00 PM on Thursday, March 1.
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New Postal Indicia Permit for Number 10 Envelopes
The Post Office has moved its bulk mail operations to Hartford. Because of this change, the college's indicia permit number and location used for all first class, first class presort and nonprofit standard (bulk) mail has changed. The Number 10 Envelope Request Form has been updated to reflect this new postal change and must be used for all future envelope orders. The college has a grace period of 10 months to use existing envelopes with the old indicia.
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Call For Nominations
The Employee Recognition Committee is currently taking nominations for New England Resource Center for Higher Education's annual Ernest A. Lynton Award for the Scholarship of Engagement for Early Career Faculty. This award recognizes a faculty member who is pre-tenure at tenure-granting campuses and early career (i.e., within the first six years) at campuses with long-term contracts and who connects his or her teaching, research, and service to community engagement.
The Lynton Award emphasizes community-based scholarly work across faculty roles. The scholarship of engagement (also known as outreach scholarship, public scholarship, scholarship for the common good, community-based scholarship, and community-engaged scholarship) represents an integrated view of the faculty role in which teaching, research/creative activity, and service overlap and are mutually reinforcing, is characterized by scholarly work tied to a faculty member's expertise, is of benefit to the external community, is visible and shared with community stakeholders, and reflects the mission of the institution. In addition, NERCHE conceptualizes scholarly engagement in terms of social justice in a diverse democracy.
The award will be presented at the 18th Annual Conference of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities and the recipient of the award will have several opportunities to disseminate his or her community based work, including presenting at the CUMU conference, publishing in the Metropolitan Universities Journal, and participating in one or more of NERCHE's webinars focused on community-based scholarly work.
Nominations submitted will be reviewed by the Committee and submitted on behalf of Manchester Community College. To nominate an MCC faculty member, please submit one or two paragraphs that describe the nominees' work as related to the award. All nominations should be submitted to Debbie Colucci by noon on March 19, 2012.
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Please note that by clicking on the name of each event you will be able to automatically download the event to your calendar or obtain further information.
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International Film Series
The First Grader (United Kingdom/Kenya)
March 9, 2012, 7:00 PM, SBM Charitable Foundation Auditorium
In a small, remote mountain-top primary school in the Kenyan bush, hundreds of children are jostling for a chance for the free education newly promised by the Kenyan government. One new applicant is an old Mau Mau veteran in his eighties, who is desperate to learn to read at this late stage of his life. He fought for the liberation of his country and now feels he must have the chance of an education so long denied - even if it means sitting in a classroom alongside six-year-olds. Winner of 2010 Toronto International Film Festival People's Choice Award. English. 103 mins.
Contact either Evelyn Angry-Smith at x2874 or Bob Kagan at x2687 with questions. There will be a brief discussion after each film along with potluck dessert. Admission is free.
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The Women's Caucus Spring Luncheon
March 14, 2012, 12:00 PM, Culinary Arts Center
The Women's Caucus, in collaboration with Counseling/Women's Resources, will have guest speaker, Katherine Kane, Director of the Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Hartford. She will be sharing Harriet Beecher Stowe's story. Click here for more information and reservation details.
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Mishi-maya-gat Spoken Word & Music Series
March 15, 2012 7:00 PM, GPA Community Commons
Two poets, Lisa C. Taylor and Geraldine Mills, American and Irish poets respectively, will read from their cross-Atlantic collaboration of poems, "The Other Side of Longing" (Syracuse U. Press, 2011).
Lisa is also the author of "Talking to Trees" from Finishing Line Press and "Falling Open" from Alpha Beat Press. She teaches creative writing at Eastern CT State University. Geraldine, a native of Galway, Ireland, is also a fiction writer and has won several literary awards in Ireland and Europe, including the Scottish International Poetry Prize. She was recently awarded a Kavanaugh Fellowship to work on her third collection of poetry.
At 8:00 PM the musical presentation will be Jazz with the Norman Johnson Trio, featuring Johnson, guitar; Don Wallace, bass; and very special guest, Dianne Mower, vocals. Norman and Dianne have recorded two CDs together: Maybe September (with Harvie Swartz on bass) and The New Millennium Jazz Ensemble. Don often joins Norman for gigs through CT and is an in-demand session bassist.
For more information, contact Stephen Campiglio at x2824. Admission is free.
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Connecticut Women in Higher Education Networks 2nd Annual Spring Conference-State of the State: Women in Higher Education
March 30, 2012, 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
This annual event brings together people employed in a variety of roles in Connecticut's colleges and universities who are interested in the advancement of women in higher education. The day's schedule provides an opportunity for you to network, to explore options for advancement, and to discuss the challenges and supports available to women leaders.
The day begins with a continental breakfast followed by three concurrent sessions: Women in Science, Women in Health, and Women in Leadership. Each session will be led by women leaders who will engage the participants in a lively discussion about current issues in the field and the challenges faced by those who seek to advance in it. After a gourmet lunch, the distinguished Dr. Merle Harris, from the Connecticut Board of Regents and former President of Charter Oak College, will present the keynote address. The day will conclude with the presentation of the Distinguished Woman in Higher Education Leadership Award. Register here!
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 Leadership Institute |
 Emily Post (1872-1960) was an American writer and socialite who became the nation's most famous authority on how to behave graciously in society and business. Post published her first novel in 1904 and had a bestselling non-fiction book in 1909, but it was her 1922 book, Etiquette: The Blue Book of Social Usage (also Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics and at Home) that made her famous.
Although Emily was a member of the upper class, she wanted to bring formal protocol education to everyday people. She wanted everyone, at all socio-economic levels, to treat one another with respect. Emily's descendants are still in the etiquette business and they have a wonderful website focusing on today's technology. In the fall there will be a workshop in this area under our Leadership Institute, please consider attending!
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 Upcoming Staff Development Opportunities!
Building Blocks of Effective Supervision IV: Accountability (presented by Debbie Colucci)
March 6, 2012, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM, LRC B-149
Accountability is the tool that strengthens the team. Accountability is the tool that enables success. A lack of accountability can lead to a workplace that is unproductive. A lack of accountability negatively impacts employee engagement. Is this tool in your tool bag?
Equally Welcome, Equally Valued, Equally Heard (presented by Respectful Workplace Facilitators)
March 8, 2012, 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM, LRC B-149
Do you interact primarily with one person or an entire staff? Do you spend more time with students or colleagues? Is your campus role front-line or behind-the-scenes? Do you wish you knew how to speak up in the face of disrespect? Regardless of your answer, it is the quality of your interaction with others that frames this workshop. Research has shown that we are more motivated to do our best when we feel connected and valued; when we feel that managers, supervisors and colleagues care about us and our success; when we feel safe...both physically and emotionally. Join us as we explore activities and discussions that help create a campus where we are "equally welcome, equally valued, and equally heard"!
Community Colleges and MCC - Who We Are (presented by Duncan Harris and David Nielsen)
March 13, 2012, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM, LRC B-149
Participants will hear about the history and rise of community colleges in the USA, and their current role in our system of higher education. We will then provide information about MCC's students, programs, and outcome measures, with comparisons to other colleges and universities for context. We'll also look at some of the challenges MCC is facing.
The iPad User group met this month to share some productivity apps and discuss creative ways iPads are being used on campus. To access the presentation, please click here. The group will continue to meet the first Tuesday of the month through May at 2:30 in AST D229.
SPACE IS LIMITED! RSVP for your session(s) of choice to Debbie Colucci. |
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State of Connecticut Defined Contribution Plans
Jenny Laurita will be available to meet with employees regarding the Alternate Retirement Plan, 403b Plan, and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Jenny will be available from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the following dates:
- March 12, 2012, LRC A226
- April 24, 2012, LRC B149
- May 7, 2012, LRC A226
If you would like to schedule an appointment to meet with Jenny, please email in advance, or call 860-580-1673. |
| Health & Wellness |
| Making Marriage Work Part III
By Gwen Kesten, Ph.D.
Solutions EAP Coordinator at Middlesex Hospital
According to Gottman, if a couple has a fondness and admiration for one another, their marriage is salvageable. That statement is an indication of just how critical this is in the success of a marriage. Often, it is easy to get a sense of whether fondness remains in a relationship by listening to how the couple talks about their past. Even when current conflicts seem pervasive, couples can often think of warm feelings they had for each other when they met, when they dated, or during important times in their relationship. Reminding yourself and your partner of fond memories of one another can spark positive feelings and counter negative ones. One way to actively engage in nurturing fondness is to think of several positive qualities characteristic of your partner. Write down the qualities and then follow with a specific incident that illustrates each quality. Next, swap lists with your partner and talk about them.
Having been reminded of the fond feelings, it is important to attend to them in small ways every day. Partners who connect regularly through the mundane moments of life build on their mutual admiration. Examples of this type of connection include asking the others' opinion and listening to the response, checking in with each other during difficult times, planning an activity together and giving your partner a compliment. Often couples take each other for granted. They turn away from one another "not out of malice but out of mindlessness". Being aware of the importance of connecting regularly, in small ways, can have a big impact on the success of the relationship.
Call Solutions EAP at 1-800-526-3485 for assistance for all of life's challenges. It's free, confidential and open to your family members. Check us out online. |
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Fitness Center Programs
Monday - Friday, 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Fitness Center
New this semester! Staff and faculty invited to intramurals for the low fee of $15/month unlimited access. All activities but flag football have drop-in participation. Here is the schedule:
- Basketball - Mondays and Wednesdays, January 23- April 4 - 2:15 PM - 4:15PM
- Indoor Soccer - Tuesdays, January 24 - April 24 - 2:15 PM - 4:15PM
- Volleyball - Thursdays, January 26 - April 26 - 2:15 PM - 4:15 PM
- Flag Football - Mondays and Wednesdays, April 9 - May 5 - 2:30 PM - 4:30PM
New Group X Class
20/20/20 - (20 minutes each of strength, cardio and core) - Wednesdays - 3:30 PM - 4:40 PM $20/month for unlimited classes. Come kick it in the Fitness Center!
Memberships for employees to the weight room: $15/month, to group exercise classes: $20/month or $30/month for both. Click here to access the group exercise schedule. For more information, please contact Joanne Britton at x3359 or visit online. |
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Inside MCC is e-mailed to Manchester Community College faculty & staff every Tuesday. To submit items for inclusion, please send and email to news@mcc.commnet.edu at least one week prior to the desired publication date. For questions of comments regarding Inside MCC, please contact Marketing & Public Relations at x2928 or email us.
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