A message from HR - Keeping your personal emergency contact information current

Employees,
Keeping your personal emergency contact information up-to-date is crucial so that human resources may retrieve that information in the event that you are involved in an emergency situation. Please take a moment to be sure that your information is updated in the online Employee Center.

Here are step-by-step instructions to get there:
1. Go to http://www.mcckc.edu/
2. Click on myMCCKC (near the upper right-hand corner)
3. Log in with your user ID and password (If you need help obtaining either your user ID or password, click “need help” and you will be directed to the techline page for additional information.)
4. Once logged in, click on Employee Center in the left-hand navigation list
5. Click on View Personal Information
6. Scroll down to Emergency Contacts and make changes as appropriate (or confirm accuracy)
7. Be sure to save your additions or edits to this information

Thank you for helping us keep you safe and informed.

Mary Truex
Associate Director, Human Resources

An update from the MCC Green Initiative Task Force

Several green projects have been percolating across the district, and many have paid off. Comingle recycling, which includes all recyclables except, cardboard and glass, have been on the rise. There has been a significant increase in recycling on those campuses that have removed trash containers from the class rooms.

In January, total tons of recycled materials across the district equaled 5.59 tons; the last report, which reflects the end of FY 2010, was 8.89 tons. So far this year MCC has recycled 46.6 tons of comingle items.

Jon Hopkins reported that the recycling efforts at Penn Valley have been received so well, they have ordered additional bins. “The custodial staff loves it,” said Hopkins. “The classrooms are much cleaner.”

Employee recycling is just one of many efforts that MCC is making to conserve, recycle and reduce MCC’s impact on the environment. Green Initiative Task Force member Brad Frisch recently tested the power consumption of PC’s, printers and monitors. One PC that stays on 24/7 costs MCC about $30 per year; a printer only - $20 per year; and a monitor only -$29 per year. Multiply that by the number of PC’s districtwide, and that cost is over $206,000 (or 1,000 lbs of coal). The committee requests that employees who do not access their computers during off hours, to shut down their PC’s before leaving at the end of their day.

MCC’s lighting replacement project is still under way. Retro-fitting the vast majority of the internal and external campus lighting, most with motion sensors, will begin at MCC-Penn Valley next week. Most of the project is complete at Maple Woods and Business & Technology. Longview and Blue River will have updates coming later this fall.

The new Grows Native project at Longview is estimated to save three hours of mowing time and a savings on fuel consumption each week.


Stay tuned to The MCC Insider for monthly green initiative updates, or fan the MCC Green Initiative Task Force facebook page.

Administrative Center Employee of the Month: Donna Evans

Donna Evans, research analyst in the office of research and assessment, is the Administrative Center’s Employee of the Month for September.

Donna joined MCC in 1993, working in human resources for several years before she moved to the research department. She has held various leadership roles across the district, including serving as a member of the district salary committee, holding all four officer positions on the Administrative Center Staff Association, and serving as an EEO representative for hiring committees.

Donna’s nominator commends her diligence, accuracy and timeliness in responding to requests for data from all campuses and district departments, adding, “She must often balance these requests to try and please everyone.”

As she approaches her 18th year of service to the district, Donna reflects on her favorite aspects of working for MCC. “I like figuring out the puzzle,” she said “and the ‘aha!’ moments when I discover facts I didn’t know.”

Donna holds both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s in public administration from Park University. When she’s not gathering and interpreting data for MCC, Donna spends her time quilting and sewing. The project keeping her busy these days? Creating Halloween costumes for her 4 grandchildren, a labor of love she and her sister happily undertake every fall.

Thank you, Donna, for your commitment to MCC and for carrying out your work with grace and a smile!

You can't rain on my parade...

Student James Eldridge was not going to let a little rain stop him from filling out his survey and self-assessment at the MCC-Longview True Colors event hosted by the counselling department and campus life and leadership.

The goal of the event was to get students to understand the importance of career planning and to begin thinking about career paths that match their interests.

Students who participated took the True Colors career planning inventory survey. Once they completed the survey a counselor interpreted their results. Students were then encouraged to follow-up with a counselor at a later date by meeting one-on-one with a counselor, signing up for a career workshop, or enrolling in the 1 credit GUID 109 career planning class.

Of course, once the survey work was done, students were invited to make their own tie-dye t-shirt as they could now literally show off their true colors.

Insurance open enrollment coming in October

During this enrollment period, any MCC employee that wishes to make a change to any of the insurance plans, or make employee contributions to the flexible spending account (FSA) or the health saving account (HSA), must do so via the online benefits enrollment option located through the myMCCKC portal page.

If you are not making any changes to any of the insurance plans, it is NOT necessary that you re-enroll, your elections will remain the same for calendar year 2011.

2011 Insurance Open Enrollment Schedule
Tuesday, Oct. 19
Benefits Fair (in-service), Room TC200, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 20
Penn Valley, CC 502, 8:30-11 a.m.
Admin Center, Board Room, 1-3:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 21
Longview, Private Dining Room, 8:30-11 a.m.
Blue River, EC 110, 1-3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 26
Maple Woods, Private Dining Room, 8:30-11 a.m.
BTC, TC200, 1-3:30 p.m.

Check out these links below for more insurance information:
BCBS HMO Plan Summary
BCBS PPO1 Plan Summary
BCBS PPO2 Plan Summary
BCBS HDHP (High Deductible) Plan Summary
2011 Full Time Employee Rates (PDF)
2011 Insurance Open Enrollment Schedule
2011 Part Time & Contract Trainer Rates (PDF)
2011 Rate Comparison
Domestic Partner Affidavit
Domestic Partner Benefit Policy
Domestic Partner FAQs
Domestic Partner Notice of Termination
Domestic Partner Rate Sheet Reference Guide 2010
Domestic Partner Rate Sheet Reference Guide 2011

Monarchs soccer back in action at MCC-Maple Woods

Fall means back-to-school, changing leaves, and college athletics, and MCC-Maple Woods is no exception. The men’s and women’s soccer teams are back in action for their third season in the National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA), Region 16. The men are currently sitting at 0-2-1 and the women are currently at 4-1-0.

With a 29-man roster, the men’s soccer team is versatile and built to deal with a variety of offensive and defensive strategies. Todd Logan, head coach and currently director of coaching for the Futura Futbol Club, said he is focusing on fundamentals early and building team chemistry. The men’s soccer team is also one of the most diverse organizations at Maple Woods, with seven international players from as far away as Sweden, Brazil, England, Wales and Scotland.

The women’s soccer team is off to a fast start this season, winning four of their first five games. Head coach Timo Kibune, a former Kenya Premier League player and director of coaching for the KC Select Club, has assembled a roster of 15 girls from the local area. The team’s offense has excelled, scoring 21 goals over the course of five games while the defense allowed only two.

Both the men’s and women’s teams play all home games at Happy Rock Park in Gladstone, Mo. All games are free and open to the public.

How to Live United

United Way month is just around the corner! Watch The MCC Insider for information about events planned across the district to help us all "Live United."

MCC-Longview lawn 'Grows Native'

It is hard to miss the enormous swath of brown grass near the main entrance to campus. For several weeks the field of grass near the main entrance has been slowly dying, but Facilities Services Superintendent Steve Greife is not worried.


In fact, with the help and guidance of the Missouri Department of Conservation, Greife and his staff hope that by November, the grass will be completely dead. Then they can begin planting for a whole new project.


"We want to start growing native Missouri grasses in the field as part of a partnership with the [Missouri] Department of Conservation," Greife said.


Once the current grass is killed off and torn out, officials from the Missouri Department of Conservation will return and bring in grass seed that is native to this part of Missouri. The Grow Native program helps protect and restore our state's biodiversity by increasing conservation awareness of native plants and their effective use.


By building partnerships among private industry, non-profit organizations, government agencies and landowners, Grow Native aims to significantly increase the demand for and use of native plants on all landscapes.


The native grass will not only look interesting on campus, it will also help contribute to the thriving local ecosystem by providing food and shelter for much local wildlife.

MCC-Maple Woods recruiters visit first college fair

Admissions representative Denise Hemker and college admissions coordinator Karly Schmidt attended their first college fair as representatives of MCC-Maple Woods at Park Hill High School.

It's the beginning of a busy season for the admissions office: recruiters will go to about 10 college fairs and 25 or more high school visits this semester!

MCC-Longview job fair express

Dust off your resume and polish your interview skills, as a dozen prominent businesses will be on campus next week looking for new hires.

MCC-Longview students are invited attend the Express Job Fair on Thursday, Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Campus Center Cafeteria.   Local recruiters are interested in interviewing for employees, interns and volunteer positions.  

Currently registered employers are:

City of Kansas City

Time Warner Cable

First Community Bank

Fed Ex Ground

Freightquote.com

Quest Diagnostics

Disney College Program

Wings of Love

UPS

The Buckle

State Street

Cerner

More employer registrations are expected. Students should bring resumes and dress appropriately.

If your resume is not yet in tip-top shape, maybe you should swing by one of our resume workshops to get a few pointers and find out what you need to improve.

Resume review sessions are available at the MCC-Longview cafeteria from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on:

Monday, Sept. 20, and Tuesday, Sept. 28. 

For additional help go to www.mcckc.edu/ses click on Job Prep for online help with Cover Letters, Resumes and Interviewing.

MCC-Maple Woods is ready for Homecoming 2010: "What's yours?"

Community college students will have as much to be excited about as their four-year counterparts as MCC-Maple Woods celebrates its 3nd Annual Homecoming the week of Oct. 1-8, 2010. This year’s theme encourages students to make college personal, with “myLife, myFuture, my… What’s yours?”

Activities for the event include yard/door decorations by student groups and employees, Evening of the Arts and Coffee House III, 1980s karaoke, free food, a family-friendly movie-on-the-lawn, a Battle of the Bands and softball, soccer and golf events.

“We wanted to give our students the same kind of activities and events to be involved in and excited about as students attending a four-year college or university,” said Misty Chandler, Maple Woods campus life and leadership coordinator and an originator of the event. “We have a much to offer as a larger school academically, so we’re trying to step up student involvement on the activities side of things.”



Oct. 1
The MCC-Maple Woods men’s soccer team will play fellow MCC team and rival Blue River at 4 p.m. at Happy Rock Park in Gladstone, Mo. Free foam fingers, spirit sticks and mini megaphones!

Oct.3
The annual Maple Woods Baseball Golf Classic will take place at 10 a.m. at Cardinal Hill Golf Course in Liberty, Mo. Registrations are being accepted now and will be taken until tee time at 10 a.m. the day of the event. For more information or to register, contact Deb Cougill at (816) 604-3044.

Oct. 5
A 1980s Party and Ice Cream Bar will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Student Center outdoor area. Free hot dogs, chips, ice cream and activities.

The Maple Woods bookstore will host its annual Art Gallery Opening, featuring the work of Maple Woods faculty, staff and students. Individual pieces or artwork will be on display all week will be available for sale.

An Evening of the Arts and Coffeehouse III will be held from 6-9 p.m. in the Maple Woods Student Center. There will be free coffee and performances by students and the community. This is an open mic event, so feel free to bring a performance piece of your own!

Oct. 6
Maple Woods will host a Community Blood Drive from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Student Center.

The Collegiate Activities Council will host 1980s Karaoke in the Student Center from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Stop by, have some cookies, and let out your inner Journey or Madonna!

Oct. 7
The Northland Battle of the Bands will be held from 2-7 p.m. at the Campus Center Amphitheater. Local high school bands will be performing and attendees will vote for the winner.

Oct. 8
Bring the whole family for an outside, after-dark showing of “The Goonies” at 8 p.m. at the Campus Center Amphitheater. Free popcorn and water will be provided. Seating is on the lawn, so bring a blanket or lawn chairs – in case of rain, the event will be held in the Campus Center Arbor Room.

In addition to the many events being hosted on campus, Maple Woods student groups will be raising money for breast cancer awareness and the United Way. The Student Ambassadors group will be participating in a “myChange” spare change drive, with individuals competing to raise the most money for their causes, selected from a list of United Way agencies. Students, faculty, staff and the community are also encouraged to participate in Maple Leaves for Life, a fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The veterinary technology students will be holding a fundraiser to support their program, and the Maple Woods Baseball Classic serves as the team’s major fundraiser, providing scholarship and basic funds for the program.

Cass County Higher Ed Partnership to be Announced this Week

Metropolitan Community College will be front and center at a press conference this week where a new higher education and workforce training partnership in Cass County will be announced. The partnership, between MCC and the University of Central Missouri, will give Cass County residents better and broader access to education and career training resources.
Details of the partnership will be revealed at the press conference, which will be held at 10:30 a.m. this Thursday, Sept. 23, at the Belton Community Center. Speakers will include:

• Missouri State Senator David Pearce


• Cass County Presiding Commissioner Gary Mallory


• UCM President Charles Ambrose


• MCC Chancellor Mark James

Watch The MCC Insider next week for further details about this new partnership.

Support MCCA - sign up today!

It’s not too late to sign up to have Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) dues deducted from your paycheck. The deduction is $6 per month during the months of October through February. Payroll deduction forms are due in payroll no later than Sept. 24.

These are extraordinary times in Jefferson City in terms of the discussions and pending decisions impacting higher education in Missouri. MCCA has provided a strong and reasoned voice in providing critical input regarding legislative decisions that directly impact higher education in Missouri.

For more information, contact your membership representative as follows:
AC/BP/FS – Darlene Burkhart
BTC – Sherry Skinner
BR – Kathleen Henrikson;
LV – Margaret Berter
MW – Kim Sides-Steiger
PV/PI/HSI – Brian Chasteen

If you were on payroll deduction last year you do NOT need to fill out a new membership form this year. Payroll deductions continue each year until a written request to cancel is sent to the payroll department.

MCC Board of Trustees meeting

The September MCC Board of Trustees meeting will be held the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Administrative Center Board Room.

Get active with MCC-Blue River athletics

Today may be the last day of summer, but it's not the last day to get moving on the MCC-Blue River campus! Check out these fun opportunities to get active and enjoy a little spirited competition on campus.

Coed Open Volleyball Match

When: Sept. 23, 2010 at Noon

Where: Arts & Sciences Gymnasium Everyone is welcome. Attend 5 games and get a Blue River t-shirt!

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Dodge Ball Tourney

When: Sept. 27, 2010
Where: Arts & Sciences Gymnasium
The registration deadline is September 24 and the cost is $5.00 per person. At least four people must be on a team, but six is the max. Individuals that sign up will be placed on a team.

All teams must have at least one MCC student. The dodging will begin at 2:00 p.m.

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MCC Blue River’s Intramural Basketball Tournament

When: Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 2010 at Noon
Where: Arts & Sciences Gymnasium
The cost is $5.00 per person. Teams must have at least one MCC Student on their team. Intermediate and beginner categories may be developed depending on number of registered players. Winners receive a special championship shirt!

To participate in any of these activities, sign up in the Campus Life office. Questions? Call Dave Owens at 816.604.6426 or email him at david.owens@mcckc.edu.

Don’t go hungry at this year’s Inservice

MCC Inservice will be held at MCC-Business & technology on Oct. 19. A fundraising breakfast will be held to benefit student emergency funds on each campus. Tickets for the breakfast are $6.
Pre-sale tickets can be purchased at:
AC - Denise Prather in the Chancellor’s Office
BR –Library and the Information Desk in the Campus Center
BT – Chris VanDell in Student Services CC 114
LV –Library and at the Student Information Center
MW – Deb Cougill in the President’s Office
PV –Student Success Center LR 202
Tickets may also be purchased at Inservice.

Career opportunities

CO# 10-139 LV Custodian
* posted Sept. 20
* will be removed from the website on Oct. 3
* For more information or to apply:
www.mcckcjobs.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=51211

CO# 10-141 PV Academic Advisor
* posted Sept. 20
* will be removed from the website on Oct. 3
* For more information or to apply:
www.mcckcjobs.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=51213

OLAS celebrates Mexican Independence Day

The Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS) at MCC-Penn Valley hosted a Mexican Independence Day celebration last week.

The holiday marks the 200th anniversary of Mexico's freedom from Spanish rule.

In addition to selling Mexican food, the event also featured music, dancing and trivia.

A Message from MCC Chancellor, Mark James

Dear Students and Colleagues,
As we push past what was a very challenging week for us all, I am pleased to report to you that Dean Dimmitt returned home late last week and is recovering well. I would like to say he is resting, but showing his usual dedication, he insisted on participating in a meeting by phone with his colleagues very early Friday morning. We are grateful he is doing so well and anxious for his return to MCC-Penn Valley.
As we get back to our regular activities we will continue to be vigilant in reviewing our safety processes and plans. I am personally heading a top-down review of all of our security plans, technology, and notification processes. This week, I will also personally lead an after-action “hotwash” of the pre-event planning and actions taken in response to the Penn Valley incident.
My goal is to develop action items to enhance MCC’s security through a series of plans extending from improvements we can make within the next 30, 60, and 90 days. Some actions may take longer to implement. We are reaching out to external safety, security, and mental health experts to ensure we receive objective input and benchmarks for our activities. We will also be convening student leaders as well as the governance group leaders for their input. I am receiving comments and ideas and remind you that you can email them to Denise Prather in my office at Denise.Prather@mcckc.edu.
In the end, the best safety and security measures a public institution can have are those which are simple, communicated, known, understood, and most importantly - regularly rehearsed. We will not “knee-jerk” react or impose an armed encampment mentality hiding behind metal detectors but will focus on ensuring student and employee awareness of what to do, when to do it, and how to do it.
Finally, I want to thank all of you for pulling together as one MCC community. This is a great place to work, study, and train.
Sincerely,
Mark

MCC-Maple Woods Employee Appreciation Day

MCC-Maple Woods President Merna Saliman and the deans served desserts (some very delicious homemade creations!) to faculty and staff in appreciation for their ongoing efforts to serve students.

This free collage personalized with Smilebox