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From the President
 Concluding our "80% Campaign"
With the official reporting date behind us, we can now report an official spring semester enrollment of 4,144 students, which reflects a 9.54 percent decline in headcount from our recently concluded autumn semester.
Enrollment declines are very typical between autumn and spring semesters, but the encouraging news for us is that this decline is much less than the 12 percent decline estimated for budgetary purposes, and consequently, has little negative impact on our overall operational budget for the current fiscal year.
Our "80% Campaign" was successful in attracting 744 new students to begin their studies with us this spring--a number higher than our established target. Returning students were slightly less than hoped for, but still a respectable 3,400 students continued their education with us from last semester.
I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to all of you who assisted in our marketing, recruitment, admissions, registration and retention efforts for the spring 2013 semester. Your collective efforts undoubtedly made a real difference in stabilizing our annual enrollment and ensuring our ability to serve our students with both care and quality.
In recognition of your efforts, each member of our faculty and staff will receive a special "80%" t-shirt during the All Employee Learning Day on February 20.
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Take Precautions with Flu Prevention on Campus
The flu is no t backing down this year. People are experiencing flu-like symptoms everywhere, and it is not an illness to take lightly. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control's weekly report ending January 5 shows that 4.3 percent of people consulted a health care provider about flu-like symptoms, down from 5.6 percent the week before.
With the students returning to campus and employees coming back to work after holiday travels, the risk of contracting the flu has increased. Hocking College wants to ensure that students and employees take the appropriate precautions during flu season.
Hocking strongly advises students and employees who are experiencing flu-like symptoms to stay home. Ill students should contact their professors as soon as possible if they need to miss a class or event.
Transmission of the flu could be serious and result in complications. To avoid exposure to germs, people should wash their hands frequently and avoid touching their nose, mouth and eyes as much as possible.
For more information about the flu, visit the Centers for Disease Control website.
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Plans for Renovation and Relocation
In order to better accommodate student and faculty space, the Bookstore is in the process of being relocated. The current Bookstore will move to the second floor of Davidson Hall (DVD) and connect to the patio, creating an alternate entrance to the building. This will be located in the previous dining hall space.
The Music Management program will move from Washington Hall into the previous Bookstore space after renovation. This relocation will allow the music program to be integrated on campus, while also allowing the college to sell the Washington Hall building.
The relocation and renovation plan will be completed no later than August 2013. Once the project details are released, Verbatim will keep faculty and staff informed of the transition.
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 Hocking College Hosts "College Goal Sunday"
Hocking College is the Athens County site for "College Goal Sunday," a statewide financial aid event, taking place on February 10, 2013 at 2 p.m.
This free event provides students and their families with assistance to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is the federal application that is required to receive federal financial aid including the Federal Pell Grant and student loans as well as the need-based state grants.
Due to the great demand expected for assistance in completing the FASFA, families are encouraged to register at www.ohiocollegegoalsunday.org or by calling 800.233.6734.
The FAFSA is key when it comes to funding a college education. It helps families overcome financial barriers that prevent students from attending their institution of choice. Studies show that 50 percent of students are more likely to attend college if they complete the FAFSA.
Students should bring their social security card, driver's license, IRS 1040 tax return and W2s, their parents' IRS 1040 tax return and W2s and any other benefit and/or income information to the event. Attendees will register at the Light Hall Main Concourse at Hocking College. No alternate date for the event has been scheduled in case of inclement weather.
The event is presented by the Ohio Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (OASFAA) and endorsed by the Ohio Board of Regents.
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 Final Friday Presents "Fire and Ice"
For the first Final Friday of 2013, on January 25, 2013 from 5 - 9 p.m., the Hocking College Culinary Arts program will present Master Ice Carver Paul Ahrens from Precise Ice Creations. Ahrens and the Culinary Arts students will carve blocks of ice located throughout the square weighing a total of 6,000 pounds, or three tons. The Hocking College Epicurean Club will also serve warm cider, hot cocoa, cookies and flamb�ed desserts.
Fire barrels and fire performers will be located throughout the square adding some heat to the night. The Logan Superstars will twirl fire batons at 6:30 p.m. on the square, and at 7 and 8 p.m. adult fire performers will take over.
As usual, local art galleries and shops are staying open late. At Starbrick Cooperative Gallery, chili is free with the purchase of a fine pottery bowl. Majestic Galleries will present a curated show titled, "You're Not From Around Here." Grace Zuniga, the international artist, will be featured at Paper Circle, and Hocking College Art Gallery hosts its opening night with a Mixed Bag Show including various types of artwork.
Some of the other entertainment venues to check out are Stuart's, Nelsonville Library, Nelsonville Emporium, The Plaid Butterfly and Tish's Treasures.
Rhapsody, the Hocking College student-run fine dining restaurant, is also taking reservations for the evening. The special "Fire and Ice" menu includes an appetizer of king crab legs and main entr�e specials of ice fish from the Great Lakes or Alaskan halibut. A flamb�ed dessert will also be available. Contact Rhapsody at 740.753.5741 for reservations.
Stay long enough and be entered to win a diamond ring and band. Ice-ice-baby!
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 Support Staff Collects Blankets for Red Cross
As the weather from the weekend changes back to the cold and dreary days of winter, we are reminded of those less fortunate and in need. Once again the Support Staff Bargaining Unit will collect blankets until the end of February for the Red Cross. These blankets are distributed during times of crisis such as tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, and fires. They are used for the Red Cross shelters that are setup but mostly given to people who have lost their belongings due to the aforementioned situations.
Any size is accepted, but queen size is preferred, and blankets for children are nice. The blankets must be new. Drop off your donation to one of the following locations:
- Darlene Tipple - DVD 309
- Kim Coy - JL 367
- Betty Dalton - Public Safety Services Building
- Cindy Wasson - JL 154
- Nancy Holcomb - Logan Campus
- Cindy Dillinger - NNR 203
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Hocking College Offers Volunteer Firefighter Course 
Hocking College School of Public Safety Services will offer a Volunteer Firefighter Basic 36-Hour course evenings and weekends during spring semester 2013.
The course is designed to meet and exceed the certification established in the Ohio Revised Code for volunteer firefighters and a portion of the training and educational standards identified in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications.
Students interested in attending the course must be at least 18 years of age, and no longer in high school. Additionally, students are required to attend all sessions of the course and pass all written and practical examinations. Protective clothing that meets the NFPA standards is required.
Orientation for the class will be held on February 18, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hocking College Fire Training Center, Public Safety Services Building, Room 111, and the class schedule will be provided at that time. For registration information, please contact Larry Hatem at 740.753.6486 or Betty Dalton at 740.753.6451 .
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Board of Trustees meeting
As a reminder, the Hocking College Board of Trustees will hold their monthly meeting tonight, January 22, 2013 at 6 p.m. at the Inn at Hocking College.
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An Evening of  Bluegrass
Need your banjo strumming, fiddle playing, bluegrass-loving fix? Stuart's Opera House in Nelsonville is hosting an evening of bluegrass music on February 1 at 8:00 p.m.
The show will feature artists such as Russell More and IIIrd Tyme Out and The Hart Brothers. Tickets are on sale now so make sure to reserve your seat. Prices vary for reserved seats and boxed seats. For more information contact Stuart's Opera House at 753.1924 or buy your tickets at www.stuartsoperahouse.org.
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Live Well, Work Well 
Wondering why that New Year's Resolution is so difficult to manage? While many people set goals to eat healthier and exercise more, several end up abandoning their goals because of the way they gauge their progress.
During the beginning of a new diet and exercise routine, people may find it easier to shed the pounds. Why does this progress come to a swift halt only after a few short weeks? The body is losing its water weight, and once this excess fluid is gone, the body must begin working on strengthening muscles and slimming the fat tissue.
In the newsletter Live Well, Work Well, the authors provide tips to stay on track. Instead of aiming for a certain weight, people should set their goals on a clothing size. Taking measurements, as well as recording the weight on the scale, is another great alternative. If a person isn't losing pounds, they're most likely losing inches! These, as well as other tips, are listed in the January 2013 issue of Live Well, Work Well.
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Scholarship Deadline Quickly Approaching
All currently enrolled Hocking College students should complete the online Scholarship Application by January 31, 2013 to be considered for scholarships for the 2013-2014 academic year.
To apply, please direct students to use the Online Scholarship Application, which can be accessed through the Office of Student Financial Aid Services webpage. Click on the Scholarships subheading to find additional information and a direct link to the 2013-2014 scholarship application.
Students who are selected to receive scholarships will be notified in March.
If you need additional information regarding completion of the Online Scholarship Application, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid Services at 740.753.7061.
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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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 | Kudos to Cashier and Records Office
Great job to the staff of the Cashier and Records (CARS) Office who assisted in the tremendous volume of student needs and inquiries in the opening weeks of the semester, both with registration and financial aid overage distribution.
Thank you for your ongoing dedication!
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Your Brain in a Shootout: Faculty Member Quoted in National Article
Bill DeWeese, head of the Hocking College National Ranger Training Institute, was recently quoted in a TIME news article about the brain's reaction to weapons. During a gunfight, the human brain reacts with adrenaline.
According to Amanda Ripley's article in TIME, even professionals with heavy training often miss their target in a shootout. This means innocent bystanders are caught in the crossfire. Statistics from the Rand Study cited in TIME state that even the NYPD only hit their target 18 percent of the time. Knowing this about professionals brings a whole new concern to the debate on whether educators should possess weapons in the classroom.
Some think that this would only cause more chaos in a time of crisis. An educator might accidentally injure a student or other faculty member, or police might mistake the teacher for the gunman since he or she possesses a weapon. Others say that with proper training, armed educators could be a deterrent for potential violence, and even help take down a shooter in an emergency situation.
DeWeese, a veteran police officer, recommended at least three weeks of intensive training. "I'm an avid firearms person and always have been," he said, "The one thing I've learned is that it's not about possessing firearms. It's about possessing the skills to read a situation-learning how to adapt and maneuver, to respond to an unexpected, fluid situation."
Read the TIME article in full.
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