September 8, 2005

 

Collecting today for hurricane victims

Columbus State is collecting donations to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina today, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., near the Christopher Columbus statue in conjunction with the 10TV, American Red Cross "Columbus Unites" relief effort. Community Outreach Coordinator Barbara Smith-Allen will deliver the donations to the City of Columbus fundraising drive this afternoon. All contributions will go to the American Red Cross. Cash and checks (made out to the American Red Cross) will be accepted.

Policy and procedures cover absence for military duty

In light of recent disaster relief efforts taking place in the Gulf Coast and military actions continuing in Iraq, many central Ohio residents, including students, faculty, and staff, are being called into active duty.

According to Registrar Dr. Regina Peal, when students are called into active duty, “We work with each student to find the best possible solution for their situation.” She continued, “If it’s helping a student drop a class and receive a refund, work out financial aid details, or even stay in the class, we work with everyone on a case-by-case basis.”

Employees who are called to active duty are covered by Policy No. 3-14 of the Policy and Procedure’s manual. Below are a few highlights:

  • Employees, except temporary employees, who are members of the Ohio organized militia, or members of other reserve components of the armed forces of the United States shall be paid up to a maximum of one month any calendar year (one month equals 176 hours and is not required to be in one continuous period) for such time as they are in the uniformed service on training or active duty.
  • Leave does not affect vacation or sick leave credits.
  • To be eligible for this payment, the employee must submit to his or her supervisor an order or statement from the appropriate military commander authorizing the military service.
  • During this paid leave, the individual and/or any covered dependents are entitled to continue medical, dental, and vision insurance coverages.
  • Employees entitled to leave who are ordered to extended active duty exceeding one month in a calendar year, shall for each subsequent monthly period of that leave of absence receive a monthly pay differential.
  • Employees, except temporary employees, are eligible for military leave without pay for service in the uniformed services and reemployment after such service in accordance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994.
  • Under the law, a veteran’s right to reemployment includes the right to restoration of the employee benefits in which the veteran, and his or her dependents, participated at the time the uniformed service leave began, as well as to benefits that began during the leave for which the service member would reasonably have become eligible. The veteran is not entitled to wages and salary that would have accrued during the leave.
  • Individuals on military leave for 31 days or less may continue their current college health care coverage at the normal employee rate for such coverage. Individuals on military leave beyond 31 days will have the right to elect continuation of medical coverage up to eighteen months, but will have to pay 100 percent of the full premium for the coverage elected.
  • Individuals on military leave may, at the employee’s option, use any accrued vacation or personal business leave.

If you need more detailed information on the military duty policy, go to Policy No. 3-14 at http://intranet.cscc.edu/pres/policy/3-14.pdf and Procedure No. 3-14 (I) at http://intranet.cscc.edu/pres/policy/3-14(i).pdf.

New Staff Employee of the Month Committee named

The new Staff Employee of the Month Committee is already hard at work having chosen their first Staff Employee of the Month, Maureen Erney, for August.

New committee members include: Michele Arnold, representative in Human Resources; Patricia Fabrisi, enrollment advisor in Enrollment Services; Trish Jenkins, network administrator in Information Technology; Tracy Kemp, reference and instructional librarian; and Shelly Sills, specialist in Physical Plant.

New Chair Tracy Kemp thanks the 2004-2005 Staff Employee of the Month Committee, chaired by Joyce Willison, for their hard work in promoting the program throughout campus and increasing the number of nominations coming in each month. Past committee members included: Lorraine Beckman, lab assistant in Hospitality Management; Shawn Ferguson, acting director of Information Services; Suzanne Vonahn, scholarship coordinator in Financial Aid; Joyce Willison, asset management specialist in Information Technology; and Sunday Zidonis, project specialist in Knowledge Resources and Planning.

What does the new committee have planned for this year? According to Kemp, “We’re going to keep on keepin’ on and build on the past committee’s success.”

 
Working together on choosing the next Staff Employee of the Month are:
(from left, front row) Lorraine Beckman, Shawn Ferguson, Joyce Willison, Tracy Kemp
(back row) Michele Arnold, Patricia Fabrisi, Shelly Sills, Trish Jenkins

Autumn 2005 enrollment information available on the intranet

Information on the college’s enrollment for Autumn 2005, as well as comparisons with Autumn 2004 and Autumn 2003, is available at http://intranet.cscc.edu/stats/index.htm.  At the site, you’ll find definitions of enrollment terms, and a spreadsheet showing the daily registration and fee payment statistics for Autumn 2005, Autumn 2004 and Autumn 2003. 

Another spreadsheet and graph show daily student registrations for Autumn 2005 by different methods: Web (CougarWeb), in person (Colleague), and touchtone (TREG).

Contact Brian Seeger in Knowledge Resources and Planning at ext. 2663 if you have any questions.

State Representative and Gahanna Council member praise Columbus State

As we end one quarter and embark upon another, it is sometimes beneficial to reflect on the services we provide to the community. The college receives a number of letters about the good work of our faculty and staff, and one of the most recent is a letter from State Representative Jim McGregor of the 20th Ohio House District and Gahanna Council Member Nancy McGregor. The letter details their ease in registering for classes and their son’s ability to take classes online while serving in Baghdad. To read their letter, click here.

Culinary treat on campus September 13

Don’t forget, Tuesday, September 13, is the day for the 17th annual Taste the Future. Tickets are $100 and are available through the Development Foundation. This is a great way to support student scholarships while enjoying many a tasty treat. For more information, contact Cindy Hood at ext. 5421. 

Senior Job Fair coming to campus September 20

Columbus State is sometimes described as a college of freshmen and sophomores. But the day before Autumn Quarter begins, more than 1,000 seniors will be on the Downtown Campus.

On September 20 Columbus State is hosting the annual Employment for Seniors, Inc. Job Fair 2005 for people ages 50 and older. The event, to be held in the gymnasium and adjoining classrooms, will feature more than 60 exhibits, workshops and recruiters. Visit www.employseniors.org for a list of exhibitors and activities.

To accommodate parking for those attending the fair, lots 3E and 4S will be closed for campus parking.

For more information about the Employment for Seniors Job Fair 2005, contact Julie Maurer, at extension 2576 or jmaurer@cscc.edu.

Welcome Team looking for smiling, friendly faces

Looking to add snow cone maker, popcorn popper and greeter to your resume? Then the Welcome Team wants you to share your smiling face and valuable time to help kick off Fall Quarter.

The Welcome Team supports and coordinates the efforts of Columbus State by welcoming students to campus at the beginning of each quarter. Whether its answering questions, giving directions, looking up class information or passing out goodies, it’s the teamwork of faculty, staff and students that makes the time fun and rewarding. 

Volunteers are needed to staff information booths, help make popcorn and snow cones, and greet students. Any amount of time you can share will be much appreciated and help provide a positive first week experience for our students.

If you’re interested in joining other faculty, staff and students on Wednesday, September 21, and Thursday, September 22 anytime from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. in welcoming new and returning students, contact Barbara Allen at ballen03@cscc.edu or call ext. 5526 with the dates and times you are available. Within 24 hours, she will get back to you with your assignment.