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December 16, 2013
Hocking College Student Center Gym Closed
Due to the discovery of mercury in the subfloor of the gymnasium within the Student Center on Hocking College main campus, the gym has been closed indefinitely and Hocking College is working on a solution to remedy the situation.

The hazardous material was discovered during the course of attempting to repair water damage to the current wooden flooring.  The original structure of the gymnasium dates back to 1976, when mercury was commonly used in flooring.  The remainder of the Student Center was added to the original gymnasium in 2002.

Hocking College takes the safety of our student body and campus community very seriously.  As soon as we learned of the situation, the facility was closed and the administration began working with appropriate regulatory agencies and certified contractors to abate the area and clear the hazardous material.
From the Provost

FYI...Late Grade Submission...
  • can impact the student's financial aid eligibility
  • can delay the student's graduation
  • can impact a student's status for programs with waiting lists
  • can impact student's GPA and Dean's list status
  • can cause lots of problems and extra headaches for our students and staff
  • IS POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE TO OUR STUDENTS!!

Grades are due December 24, 2012. 

flatscreen-computer-room.jpg Technology Quotes and Service Requests
In order to expedite IT services and quotations, please direct all technology related requests and quotes such as requests for computers, projectors, printers, phones and access issues to the Helpdesk. 

The Helpdesk can be reached at extension 6113 or via email at helpdesk@hocking.edu. You can still open a new service request by visiting the support.hocking.edu web site. 

By using the helpdesk for all requests and quotes, we can better ensure that all the requests are logged and prioritized accordingly.  Our goal is to provide a more convenient one-stop shop for all your technology needs. 
students_portrait.jpg Spring Registration Information
Encourage your students to register now for spring semester. From now until January 1, students can quickly register on WebAdvisor without making payment. However, students must have their final payment in place before the first day of classes on January 13, or their class schedule will be cancelled.

Payment must be received by January 13, 2014, not postmarked. Students can pay for the semester by having enough financial aid or full sponsorship in place, by enrolling in the payment plan or by paying their balance in full. More information on registration can be found here.  
Winter Break Department Schedules
Hocking College will close at 12 p.m. on December 24, and offices are closed December 25 in observance of the Christmas holiday.  The college will close at 3 p.m. on December 31, and offices are closed January 1 in observance of New Year's Day.  

Many campus offices and most academic departments will have limited or special hours from December 24 - January 2.  Please see the attached Winter Break Schedule. Watch your e-mails for any updates to this schedule.
Reminder: Holiday Potluck and Ugly Sweater Contest 
A Holiday Potluck will be held December 19 in Oakley 210 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend, no matter what holiday they are celebrating.

Please bring a dish or supply to share.

Wear your ugliest sweater for a chance at a prize.
QuickStart Date Added and Extended Concourse Hours
In order to assist new students in registering for spring semester 2014 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 6, 2013 at 9:30 a.m.

On the same date, please be aware that returning students are also being invited to campus to complete their registration, if they need additional assistance.

Finally, the Student Services Concourse in Light Hall will extend their hours of operation for the first four days of classes, Monday, January 13 - Thursday, January 16 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Regular hours will resume on Friday, January 17.
Student Awarded Featherston Memorial Scholarship
Susan Dishon of Chauncey was awarded the Leah G. Featherston Memorial Scholarship for the Hocking College 2013-14 academic year.

Dishon is pursuing her degree in Early Childhood Education and hopes to become an educational aide or special education teacher. She loves the fact that she is able to make a difference in someone's life.

Leah Featherston was from Athens, Ohio and left provisions for a scholarship to be established that would benefit students from Athens County, Dover Township.  Students from the Village of Chauncey in Dover Township are given first consideration. Applicants must have an appropriate grade point average.
Reminder: Holiday Student Art Sale Continues
The Holiday Student Art Sale is currently taking place at the Hocking College Art Gallery, 30 Public Square in Nelsonville.

The sale features a wide selection of ceramics, glass artwork, photography and jewelry created by Hocking College Art, Design and Marketing students. Don't miss the opportunity to purchase a special, one-of-a-kind gift, while supporting Hocking College students.

The Holiday Student Art Sale is open 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday through December 20.
Verbatim Hiatus
Verbatim will be on hiatus over winter break.  In the meantime, please continue to submit your article ideas and feedback to verbatim@hocking.edu. Have a happy holiday! 
Hocking College Student Awarded National Arbor Grant
Forest Management student Lucas McCabe, of Greenville, Ohio was recently awarded a $1,000 Davey Foundation Arbor Grant from The Davey Tree Expert Company. The award was presented to McCabe on December 11, 2013 at the Hocking College School of Natural Resources by Mark Noark, Davey Tree Recruiter/Trainer.

Headquartered in Kent, Ohio, The Davey Tree Expert Company is the nation's largest full-service tree care provider in the United States and Canada, with more than 7,500 employees.  John Davey, who emigrated from England, started the Davey Company in 1880. Today, Davey has become one of the most influential employee owned companies in the country with a rank of eighteenth out of the top 100 employee owned companies with revenues over 700 million dollars.

As the company continues to grow, the need for an educated work force has become a mandatory initiative.

"Hocking College has consistently produced top talent for the Davey Tree Expert Company. In addition, our legacy to provide incentive and financial assistance for students and interns from Hocking College has become a long-standing commitment," Noark said.

For more information about The Davey Tree Expert Company, visit www.davey.com.
Get Your W-2 Form Electronically
Employees may opt to receive their Form W-2 electronically. To opt in, go to the employee section of WebAdvisor and click on "W-2 Electronic Consent" under "Employee Profile" and select the first option which is the electronic consent. You'll get your W-2 a few days earlier this way.  If no electronic consent is given, a printed form will be mailed to your home address on file. This also applies to student employees.
 
Students may also opt to get their Form 1098-T electronically. Form 1098-T, an IRS form entitled, "Tuition Statement" is provided annually to qualifying students. The form provides the documentation necessary for students or parents to claim an education tax credit, depending on the taxpayer's own tax situation. Students may opt in to receive this form electronically through their WebAdvisor account.
 
Electing for electronic form delivery will assist in our efforts to reduce waste, protect our environment and preserve our natural resources.
 
Thank you for doing your part. 
You Can Support EarthShare
Nearly 10 years ago, Hocking College adopted a workplace giving option supporting EarthShare Ohio. Since then, faculty and staff have sent thousands of dollars to be distributed to worthy environmental organizations around Ohio, the U.S. and the world.  

Much like the United Appeal option, you can have a certain amount deducted from each paycheck, which is then distributed to EarthShare member organizations. You can select specific groups to receive more, or have the entire amount evenly distributed. You can also choose to donate a lump sum, or any combination you wish. Joining EarthShare will not affect your United Appeal or Hocking College Foundation contributions. 

Each organization supported by EarthShare must pass rigorous criteria for inclusion, and each is doing important work to support wildlife, fragile ecosystems, conservation and more.

Employees interested in more information can visit the EarthShare website or contact Ken Bowald. The EarthShare pledge form can be found here.
money_grass.jpgPerkins Mini Grant Applications Due
Final reminder that Perkins Mini Grant applications are due this Friday, December 20, 2013. Faculty and staff should be sure that they are working closely with their deans/supervisors to have grants approved and submitted. If the request requires an IT quote, employees should remember to attach it to the application.

Deans/supervisors must approve, rank and submit all applications to Claudia Haning in Oakley 210 by 4:00 p.m. on December 20. At least 30 mini-grants for up to $5,000 each will be funded by the Review Team for equipment, supplies, activities or materials that support student learning and success. The Review Team is looking forward to helping support students, classrooms and programs through the mini grant process.
eTextbooks Offer Environmentally Friendly Option
As the eTextbook Benefit Series comes to a close, there are a few other benefits faculty and staff should keep in mind.

Etextbooks are environmentally friendly, something Hocking College should appreciate since beautiful nature surrounds the college's campus. They are also easier to carry and easier to use, since they can be accessed through almost any type of technology.
Alumni Spotlight

Alumnus Sets Example for Transfer Students
Hocking College alumnus Stephen Rist has been named southern regional coordinator for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
 
Rist obtained an Associate's Degree in Forest Management from Hocking College and then went on to obtain a Bachelor's of Science degree in Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife from The Ohio State University. He also obtained a Master's of Science degree in Natural Resources Management from The Ohio State University. He is currently working toward a doctorate in plant biology at Ohio University.
 
"Stephen is an experienced forester who will make a great leader," Robert Boyles, state forester and chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry, said. "His enthusiasm and talent will greatly aid the division in serving woodland owners throughout southern Ohio."
 
Rist is a perfect example of how Hocking College students can transfer to a four-year college and continue their success.
 
Read more about Rists's success at ohiodnr.gov.
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 Korner
Student Lands ODOT Internship

Kudos to second year GeoEnvironmental Science student, Jordan Binkley, for being selected for a paid internship at the ODOT Geotech/Soils Lab. He is the first associate degree level student to have secured such a position. Great job, Jordan!

And kudos to Mike and Kim Caudill - their dedication has built a strong program and successful students like Jordan!

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3301 Hocking Parkway
Nelsonville, OH 45764
admissions@hocking.edu / www.hocking.edu

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