MCC-Blue River Inservice Updates

The January 18 campus Inservice, facilitated by dean of student development, Jon Burke, delivered timely information and updates about MCC-Blue River’s recent changes and transitions.

Associate dean, Basil Lister shared that Blue River’s enrollment is at 4,129 which equals a 10% increase. This means Blue River has exceeded expectations once again!

Other updates included:

• Cheryl Carpenter Davis, an update on Administrator in Charge processes that will be followed while Dr. Seabrooks is at Penn Valley.

• Jeff Eubank will fill in for Sean Kitchell for technology needs and questions. You may reach him at 816.604.6645

• Bob Shrauner, Blue River’s physical facilities superintendant, said the campus recently recycled 9 tons of material. Removing trash cans from the classrooms has proven to be a good idea. “Students did a great job” he said.

Associate dean Karen Goos and her team are working to streamline processes to ensure the best and timeliest responses to student needs. Some changes (in addition to the remodeling) will be new systems, temporary role assignments and more.

The Welcome Center is currently manned with staff to meet a variety of student needs. The goal is a “one-stop shop”, meaning they will centralize services for student and faculty convenience. Questions may be directed to Student Development at 816.604.6558.

March is the anticipated date for completion of the remodeling.

MCC-Longview staff strikes a pose

The MCC-Longview staff strikes a pose after an exciting day of professional development at the 2011 Campus In-service.

 (photo by Clay Bussey)

MCC-Maple Woods takes on “best practices” at spring inservice

To meet the rising challenges of more students, less money and the need for constant innovation, MCC-Maple Woods dedicated spring inservice to looking at best practices in education, from accreditation to connecting with different kinds of students to employees managing their own practices to better serve their departments and themselves.

Cynthia Proctor, Math, Physics and Communications division chair, shared that MCC has been selected, along with other two- and four-year institutions, to participate in a new pilot program from the Higher Learning Commission for reaccreditation, which is due again in 2015-2016. Along with other national colleges and universities, MCC will participate in the HLC Open Pathways program. The program was offered to schools with a solid record of accreditation, inviting them to participate in the four-year Academy for Assessment of Student Learning.

All work conducted for the Open Pathways program will lead to a less mammoth undertaking during reaccreditation visits in the future – electronic files will be required, along with periodic updates, to keep the process streamlined and accessible, resulting in less cost, less labor cost, and a more streamlined process for MCC.

Serving the needs of different groups of students, from traditional high school graduates to returning veterans to those returning to education after many years in the workforce is one of the greatest challenges any institution faces. Andy Forester, evening and weekend coordinator at MCC-Penn Valley and chaplain for the United States National Guard, helped faculty and staff understand some of the needs of veterans returning to school after active duty and some of the challenges they face when transitioning back to civilian life.

Kim Fernandes, Kathryn Barker, Mary Northrup, Mary Ann Blitt, Ayanna Bridges, Crystal Johnson, Jessica Halperin and Kenneth Snell all gave presentations on how to best serve our students and ourselves for the next semester.

Welcome back to MCC-Maple Woods, student faculty and staff – we look forward to an exciting semester!

Campus closed Monday, adjusted business hours Tuesday

MCC campuses and business offices will be closed on Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

On Tuesday, Jan. 18, the business offices will be closed because of inservice during the following times:
8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Blue River and Penn Valley
8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Maple Woods
8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Business & Technology and Longview

Your opinion matters - In-service survey

Last week’s In-service had many changes from programs of the past. Many of those changes come from the yearly feedback sent to professional development through follow-up surveys. Did you like this year’s program? Do you have suggestions for next year?

Here is your chance to voice your opinion. Complete the survey by Friday, Oct. 29.

All employee In-service on Tuesday

MCC will hold its annual all employee In-service tomorrow, Oct. 19, at MCC-Business & Technology, located at 1775 Universal Ave., Kansas City Mo.

View a copy of the day’s agenda.

Employees do not have to register for any breakout sessions; be prepared to have alternatives in case your first choice if full.

Bottled water and pop will be sold inside Exhibit Hall A and on the second floor outside the balcony area. Proceeds will go to the United Way.

A week from today...

The Metropolitan Community College all employee In-service will be Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010 at MCC-Business & Technology, located at 1775 Universal Ave., Kansas City Mo.

View a copy of the day’s agenda.

Please note: Employees do not have to register for any breakout sessions; be prepared to have alternatives in case your first choice if full.

MCC In-service - Oct. 19

Visit the In-service web page to review all the information you need for the day.

Annual employee benefits fair

On Tuesday, Oct. 19, (yes, that is Inservice Day), join your colleagues in room TC200 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for the annual employee benefits fair. Meet with benefit representatives to learn about many of the benefits available to you. Pick up some freebies while you are there!

Representatives will be on-site at BTC to talk about:
BCBS Medical
Delta Dental
Vision Service Plan
USAble Life
Assurant LTD
Employee Assistance Program
Flex Spending Accounts
UMB Health Savings Accounts
Community America Credit Union
CSD Credit Union
PEERS & PSRS Retirement
Social Security
AFLAC – Short Term Disability

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

MCC-Maple Woods Inservice focuses on getting fit

Healthy body, healthy mind, healthy employees: that's MCC-Maple Woods' take on keeping faculty and staff fit and equipped to handle the stress that comes with another exciting semester. With a new line-up of fitness discussions and workshops and a fitness center staff waiting to help out, Chancellor Mark James and MCC-Maple Woods President Merna Saliman encouraged everyone to do a few simple things to get started on healthy habits.

Sheila Jeunger, fitness center director, and her full-time fitness specialists April Anderson, Brian Young and Dalena Bologna hosted several breakout sessions, giving demonstrations on how to shape up and improve flexibility at home and how to help employees and their families eat better. Treat America had two chefs on hand to not only prepare a healthy lunch for inservice attendees, but also to teach employees how to stir-fry healthy meals.