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From the President
 Completion Report Recommendations Delivered
On November 30, I was happy to represent Hocking College at a meeting attended by all Ohio college and university presidents and Governor Kasich, to announce the findings of a special commission charged with designing a new funding formula that emphasizes college completion. The attached report provides interesting details on the recommendations of the commission.
It is important to know that the work of the commission has really only just begun, as many of the recommendations will take further discussion and analysis. Two such examples are the ways in which at-risk students will be assigned additional "weight" in the formula for colleges like ours, and what specific types of certificates will be included in the institutional total of academic awards earned by students. It also appears that branch universities will now be allowed to include associate degree completion in their allocation formula, and the impact of this change on the two-year sector is difficult to assess. The impact of eliminating the "stop loss" provision is also difficult to predict.
Initial data analyses suggest that our overall allocation under this "50-25-25" model will not be significantly affected. Obviously, as the work of the commission continues, we should have a greater ability to assess the real impact of these changes over time.
Our leadership team stands ready to encourage greater degree completion among all of our students, with a number of initiatives aimed at retaining more of our students through to their graduation. This is a significant policy change for the entire system of higher education in Ohio, but we are definitely up to the challenge.
As additional information becomes available, we will continue to solicit input from the campus community as to the implementation of these recommendations. |
 Hocking College Archaeology Students Present Symposium
The sixth annual Hocking College Symposium on Historic Archaeology was held on Thursday, December 6 at the Athens County Historical Society and Museum. The event featured presentations from Hocking College Archaeology students regarding their capstone class experiences. Hocking College Archaeology students presented on eight different topics including Greenfield Ohio's Dunlap Pony Farm and its historical significance, reconstruction of the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway and retracing the Underground Railroad in Meigs County.
For a review of the event, visit the Athens News article.
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 From the Provost
FYI...About Grades
- Any grade that is posted on a student's record is permanent unless the grade is officially changed by the instructor.
- Grade changes must be justified and documented in the student's file - a grade change should be a very rare circumstance.
- If a student retakes a course, the new grade will replace the previous grade in the student's GPA calculation - but as indicated in number 1, the original grade will stay on the student's official transcript. So, a student who repeated a course where he/she previously received an "F" would replace that grade in his/her GPA, but the "F" would still appear on the official transcript.
- Finally, SUBMITTING GRADES LATE IS UNACCEPTABLE, grades are due December 18, 2012 at 9 a.m.!!!
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Stocking Stuffer Fundraiser
 On December 10, student members from The Volunteers club, Phi Theta Kappa, and AmeriCorps combined efforts to stuff stockings in the President's Office conference room. President Erickson's wife, Nancy, was also kind enough to assist.
Approximately 30 stockings were filled, which will be dispersed by the Salvation Army to local children in need throughout the community. |
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QuickStart Date Added
In order to assist new students in registering for spring semester 2013 classes, another QuickStart date has been added. The final spring semester QuickStart will be held on main campus in the Light Hall Student Services Concourse on January 3, 2013. Students can arrive anytime between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. to complete the registration process.
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 College and Office Closure Policies for Faculty and Staff over Holiday Break
The holiday season is quickly approaching. Please note the following holiday break policies.
Supervisors must obtain prior approval from the President or the Provost before closing an office during the holiday break period. The campus community must then be informed, in advance, of any office closures.
In regards to Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, unless an emergency exists, all Professional Bargaining Unit, Support Bargaining Unit, and non-bargaining unit employees are expected to attend work.
Employees scheduled to work on Christmas Eve will be released four hours earlier than their regularly scheduled release time, and/or, if scheduled to work on New Year's Eve will be released two hours earlier than their regularly scheduled release time. This release time is considered paid leave. If an employee chooses to take additional vacation leave for the day, the balance of the scheduled work hours for the day must be charged to vacation leave. In all cases, none of the above-mentioned employees will be scheduled to work beyond 5 p.m.
Campus offices will be closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Campus Safety and Police will be scheduled in accordance with departmental policy and the OPBA agreement.
Contact John Sanders, Director of Human Resources, with any questions.
Have a happy holiday!
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Donate 20% of Your Holiday Purchases to the Foundation
Are you doing any holiday shopping online this year? If so, sign up for goodshop.com and designate Hocking College Foundation as your charity, and 20 percent of everything you buy from over 2,800 participating stores will be donated to the Foundation. Please consider adding this simple step to your online shopping this Holiday season! |
 Reminder: Foundation to Host Holiday Open House for Campus and Community
At the successful conclusion of our very first semester, come celebrate the holidays and relax with your fellow co-workers!
The Hocking College Foundation cordially invites all faculty and staff to a Holiday Open House on December 12 from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Rhapsody. Business owners, friends of the college and members of the Hocking College Board of Trustees and Foundation Board of Trustees are also invited. The Foundation will provide hors d'oeuvres and non-alcoholic beverages. The bar will be open to purchase beer, wine and mixed drinks.
Please RSVP to Anita Weisenbach by December 10.
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 Evening EMT Advanced Certification Class Offered Hocking College School of Public Safety Services will offer an evening Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Advanced Certification class from 6-10 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday during spring semester.
This class is designed to provide instruction in the Department of Transportation (DOT) National Standards Curriculum for Paramedics.
Current students waiting to begin paramedic training and professionals already in the field that desire to upgrade their certification level are encouraged to enroll. Ohio Basic EMT certification is a prerequisite for the Advanced Certification class.
Students should contact Scott Mong at 740.753.6472 or Betty Dalton at 740.753.6451 for more information about the EMT Advanced class or the Hocking College Fire and Emergency Services program.
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 Dress Like the 80s and Win!
Ready to win a gift certificate to Kroger, Rocky Brands or Rhapsody? We want to celebrate 80% of our students returning for spring semester, and you are invited!
Come to the Student Center from 2 - 4 p.m. on December 12 for a "Dress Like the 80s" Costume Party! At the party, we'll have a contest to give a gift certificate to the person who has the best 80s costume. Students will be able to win a Kindle Fire for their best dressed 80s costume. And, we'll have free pizza to celebrate our 80%!
As of today, 2,625 returning students have registered, so we have met 70% of our goal of registering 3,700 returning students. We still have a few free "80%" t-shirts remaining, so please encourage students to register online, at their department, or finalize their registration at the Cashier and Records Office to get their coupon for a free "80%" t-shirt.
Remember, our goal is to have the most outstanding re-enrollment we've ever had. But, we can only accomplish this with everyone's participation. Thank you for your assistance, and stay tuned for further updates.
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 Reminder: Stained Glass Stars Sale to Raise Funds for Service Dog Program
On Thursday, December 13 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Cindy Yeager's Ethics class will sell stained glass stars with the proceeds going to the class' partnership with the Noble Correctional Institution.
The stars will be located in the foyer of Arts and Sciences in Oakley 324 with an envelope for checks. Stars are $15 (originally $18) and starbursts are $25 (originally $28). A few vintage picture frames with stained glass images will also be for sale, priced between $20 - $40.
The Ethics class service partnership with Noble Correctional Institution is an eleven-year service project that has been recognized locally by the Jenco Foundation, regionally by Campus Compact and nationally by the National Conference for Community Colleges on Civic Engagement.
Inmates in this project correspond with the students in the Ethics class. The inmates participate in a program designed to rescue dogs that have been left at the local animal shelters and have not been adopted. The inmates train the dogs for basic obedience to make them more desirable to be adopted. The students contribute to the program's basic needs, such as leashes, collars, bedding, treats, toys and, recently, a portable agility course.
Cindy Yeager has presented this school's work in service learning in San Francisco, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Athens and Granville. This program has received funding from Ohio Campus Compact, Pay it Forward, Dollar General and the Jenco Foundation.
This September, the Ethics class was also responsible for sponsoring a month's worth of immunizations at the Athens County Dog Shelter by contributing $150 to the Friends of the Shelter.
"As in all service work, money is tight. Because of semesters, I have lost an Ethics class, so your help is especially needed at this time," Yeager said. Contact Cindy Yeager with any questions.
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Hocking College Hosts Ohio Board of Regents Workshop
The Ohio Board of Regents hosted the Ohio LiftEd conference in May that discussed the importance of postsecondary education and training for Ohioans striving to make the transition to a more skill-driven job market.
To expand upon the items covered at the conference in May, the Ohio Board of Regents will conduct a series of regional workshops to discuss and share perspectives on how colleges and universities, Adult Workforce Education Centers (AWE) and Adult Basic Literacy and Education (ABLE) can work together to meet regional employers' workforce development and training needs.
The workshops will highlight opportunities to strengthen the connections between regional industries and current courses, certifications and degree programs to prepare adult learners for meaningful careers.
Hocking College is honored to host the regional workshop for Southeastern Ohio on Friday, December 14 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Faculty and staff are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Key topics that will be discussed at the LiftEd regional meetings include:
- Taking advantage of resources available to help identify areas of growth
- Identifying the training assets and gaps related to the demands of growth industries
- Planning to assist adult learners through the education pipeline to fill critical jobs and advance their careers while enhancing their skills and credentials
Ohio ranks 27th among states in the number of adults entering the job market adequately prepared. Ohio's economy continues to diversify and change, requiring new skills and experiences for our citizens to be competitive in the global marketplace.
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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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Campus Community Enjoys Holidays Around the World and Annual Holiday Dinner
Great job to Dining Services, Hocking College Student Affairs and Campus Ministry who hosted 447 students, faculty and staff on December 6 in the Light Dining Hall for Holidays Around the World and the annual Hocking College Holiday Meal.
According to Sonja Hill, the annual Holiday Meal is a time to show appreciation to the Dining Hall customers. Hocking President Dr. Ron Erickson and his wife, Nancy Erickson, graciously assisted in serving pie to the diners for the third year in a row.
Event attendees also celebrated holiday cheer from around the world. They learned about how holidays are celebrated in different cultures, including Christmas, Kwanzaa, Diwali and Hanukkah.
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Fitness Management Program Hosts First Triathlon
The Athens Messenger recently recognized the Fitness Management program's triathlon event that was held December 1. The newspaper boasted, "Hocking College students take away real-world lessons after hosting first-ever triathlon."
The event was organized and conducted by the Fitness Management program students. Twenty people, ages 11 to 72, participated in the hour-long endurance event.
"It was definitely a group effort. Everybody pitched in. Everything ran smoothly, so I'm happy overall with the way things turned out," Eric Burris, a second-year student and the triathlon project manager, said.
Not only were current Hocking College students participating in the event, but also alumni of the program participated. James Barnes, a 2010 Hocking College graduate, stated that events, such as the triathlon, help students obtain hands-on career experience. After he graduated, he partnered with another Hocking College graduate, Brandon Holly, and opened a fitness business, called TrueFIT, in Lancaster. They encouraged customers of their business to participate in the triathlon.
Congratulations to all of the students in the Fitness Management program that contributed to the success of the event, and thanks to the alumni who continue to give support to the program!
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