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 Holiday Break Closure Information
All Hocking College campuses will be closed for holiday break Monday, December 22, 2014 through Friday, January 2, 2015. All campuses will officially reopen Monday, January 5, 2015.
During this time, all college buildings and offices will be closed. There will be no on-campus, in-person or telephone student services available. Online registration and payment will remain available over break via WebAdvisor but students are encouraged to register before leaving campus at the end of the semester.
We have created a webpage at hocking.edu/holidaybreak with FAQs about the closure.
Residence halls will be closing on Saturday, December 13 at 12 p.m. Housing will not be available over break. Move in for spring semester will be Sunday, January 11, 2015 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. for both new and returning students. Spring term begins Monday, January 12, 2015.
After the Holiday Break, QuickStart events will be held on Friday, January 9, 2015 and Saturday, January 10, 2015, starting at 9:30 a.m. each day. For these events, 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 have extended hours of operation the week prior to the start of the term and the first four days of classes:
- Tuesday, January 6 - Thursday, January 8: 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Saturday, January 10: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Monday, January 12 - Thursday, January 15: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Regular hours will resume on Friday, January 16.
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 Holiday Break Messaging
In order to provide the best service to our students, our goal is to communicate with them as effectively as possible regarding our Holiday Break campus closure. We have created a Holiday Break FAQ so that students can find answers to their questions, particularly regarding spring semester registration, when we are closed. The information can be found at hocking.edu/holidaybreak
To remain consistent with our message, please use the following voicemail script and email vacation response during the closure.
Instructions for changing outgoing voicemail message:
Pick up the handset and press the VM key, Press the star key (*), enter your four digit extension then enter your passcode and press the pound (#) key. Then press 4 for personal options, press 1 to change your personal greeting, then press 2 to select your alternate greeting. You will then be prompted to record your alternate greeting. Press the pound key when you are done recording. Then follow the prompts to either re-record your message or accept your message as recorded. This will make the new message your primary message, so you should wait to do this right before you leave campus for the break.
Voicemail Message
You've reached <insert name> at Hocking College. The college is currently closed for the holidays and will reopen on January 5, 2015. If you need assistance during our closure, please visit our website at hocking dot edu backspace holiday break for answers to frequently asked questions. Otherwise, leave a message and I will get back to you when we reopen. Thanks and have a great holiday.
(Don't forget to return to your normal outgoing message after break!)
Instructions to turn on the vacation out-of-office in Google mail:
Click the gear symbol in the upper right corner then select Settings. In the Settings menu, scroll down to Vacation Responder. Click the radio button to turn Vacation Responder on, then set the first day (the first day you will be out) and last day (January 4, 2015) in the date fields, then cut and paste this into the message area:
Email Message
Thanks for your email. The college is currently closed for the holidays and will reopen on January 5, 2015. If you need assistance during our closure, please visit our website at hocking.edu/holidaybreak for answers to frequently asked questions. Otherwise, I will return your email when we reopen. Thanks and have a great holiday!
After you've pasted the message in the message box, click Save Changes at the bottom of the page, and you're done.
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Board of Trustees Meeting
The Hocking College Board of Trustees will will hold an Executive Committee Board meeting on Monday, December 8, 2014 at 5 p.m. in the JL 147 conference room.
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 Lake Snowden Prescribed Burn
Hocking College students participated in a prescribed burn in late November at Lake Snowden.
Prescribed burns are a tool in natural resources used to achieve forest management objectives such as: natural regeneration, competition control, hazard reduction and habitat manipulation.
Hocking College Wildland Fire students, led by Natural Resources instructor Mark Pyhl, were able to utilize this tool at Lake Snowden in a controlled burn of prairie grassland.
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 Police Chief Publishes Article on Academia Policing
Hocking College Police Chief Al Matthews was recently published in Ohio Police Chief magazine. His article, "My Experience with Academia Policing and Municiple Policing: A Brief Comparison," discusses the differences between policing for an institution of higher learning and for a city, county or township. Differences discussed include budgeting, communications and community relations. Read the article here. |
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TRIO Program Meets Annual Objectives
Hocking College  TRIO programs have been working to serve disadvantaged students in the community. The program had a successful year, both meeting and exceeding their requirements.
The Annual Performance Report submitted to the U.S. Department of Education showed the TRIO staff's exemplary work on the TRIO Talent Search and the TRIO Student Support Services.
TRIO Talent Search
The program is required to serve 592 middle and high schools students; 601 or 101.52 percent of goal were served. Goals were exceeded in other areas including: 100 percent of TS non-seniors persisted to the next grade level (goal was 98 percent), approved objective for senior graduation rate was 50 percent with 97.87 percent graduating, and the approved objective for postsecondary enrollment of 60 percent with 67.39 percent of TS graduates enrolled in a postsecondary program for the 2014 academic year.
TRIO Student Support Services
This program also achieved or exceeded the approved objectives. They are required to serve 190 Hocking College students, 192 were served. The approved objective for persistence from autumn 2013 to autumn 2014 was 70 percent, actual rate attained was 70.31 percent. The approved objective for academic standing was 70 percent, actual rate attained was 92 percent. The approved objective for graduation within four years was 12 percent, with an attained rate of 34.61 percent. The program also met the 10 percent approved rate for graduation and transfer to a four year institution.
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 Spring Fitness Classes are Available
Spring registration has started and Hocking College is offering various group fitness classes for the new semester. Classes include: Personal Training, Spinning, Zumba, Yoga, Beginning Swimming and Lifeguard Training. Each class requires one additional PACE hour a week or an hour of additional fitness training outside of class.
Fitness classes are available to both students and community members. Class times and information can be found on the Hocking College website on the Student Center Fitness page.
Please encourage students and friends to get active and get involved.
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Light Hall Roof Replacement Continues
The Light Hall roof replacement project continues and is expected to last until February 11, 2015.
Due to the nature of the construction project, the third floor classrooms and offices may experience loud noises at various times during the project. Please contact the Registrar's Office if you would like to temporarily relocate your classroom at any time during the construction period.
If your office is on the third floor, please be aware that dust accumulation is highly likely. It is recommended that you protect any personal items in your office or take them home for the duration of the project.
We apologize for the inconvenience and are available to assist as needed.
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 Reminder: Insurance Forms Due Friday
It is that time of year again for health, dental, vision and flexible spending account open enrollment.
If you are making any changes to your current plan, or want to enroll in any of the new benefit options, forms must be turned in no later than December 12, 2014.
The deadline to enroll for the Flexible Spending Account is also this Friday, December 12, 2014.
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 Reminder: Student Art Sale Continues
The Hocking College Art Gallery, on 30 Public Square in Nelsonville, is currently hosting a student art sale. The gallery will be open 12 - 7 p.m. on December 12 and 13.
The sale will feature a wide selection of glass, ceramics, 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.
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Alumni Spotlight
 Alum Retires After Successful Career
After more than 30 years with Ohio Wildlife Enforcement in Erie County, alumni Brad Baaske is looking towards retirement.
Baaske lived in Sawmill Creek, Ohio as a child and enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping. After high school he went on to attend Hocking College, where he graduated with a degree in Wildlife Resources Management. Baaske then worked at a variety of places including the Lake Erie Fisheries Unit, Crane Creek Research Station, Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area and Resthaven Wildlife Area.
In 1989, Baaske attended the Wildlife Officer Training Academy. He was later assigned to Wyandot County were he remained until his retirement this past November.
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 Holiday Happenings in Athens and Nelsonville
Athens Holiday Highlights
Josh Hutchison and his team of horses will provide holiday carriage rides on Court Street on Thursday, December 11 and 18 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
A free picture with Santa will be available on Thursday, December 11 and 18 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. inside the 5 On Court Building at 5 North Court Street.
Enjoy holiday card making at Passion Works, 20 E. State Street. Create and decorate your own one-of-a-kind holiday card on Thursday, December 18 from 6 - 8 p.m.
See some of your favorite holiday films at the Athena Cinema and assist other families who may be struggling during the holiday season. The price of admission will be a minimum donation of one canned food item per ticket. Screenings will be on Saturdays at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Nelsonville Holiday Events
A ride on the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway Santa Train will offer Christmas poems and festive music. Santa Claus boards the train and visits with each child as the train traverses the countryside. This event is every Saturday at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and every Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. through December 21. Purchase tickets online.
After you finish taking a ride on the Santa Train, enjoy a Holiday themed wagon ride into North Pole Nelsonville! The wagon ride will take you right into the center of Nelsonville's Public Square, where you can see lots of fantastic decorations, shop for unique locally made gifts, visit Santa and more.
The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway is also hosting Stuart's Winter Wine Express on Friday, December 12 at 7 p.m. Enjoy wine, cheese and other treats while riding through the Hocking Valley. All proceeds benefit Stuart's Opera House. Tickets on sale now.
An Appalachian Christmas Carol sets the classic tale in Southeast Ohio in 1907, old Eb Scrooge owning the local mine. Presented by the Brick Monkey Theater at Stuart's Opera House. Shows are December 17-21. See show times and buy tickets here.
Santa will be set up at Santa's Village at the Historic Public Square in Nelsonville. Visit with Santa from 1-6 p.m. on December 13, 14, 20 and 21 in his workshop at 37 Public Square.
More information on any event listed above can be found online here and here. |
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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 on a Great Holidays Around the World
Kudos to Giles Lee and the Student Center staff, Dining Services, Diversity Without Division and the ministries on campus on hosting a successful Holidays Around the World event last Thursday.
Holidays Around the World featured information on how holidays are celebrated in different cultures and included a free turkey dinner.
The event had a great turnout and was enjoyed by all. Good job! |
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