Monday, February 12, 2007

City recommends no traffic signal at Grove StreetCollege to investigate alternative solutions

Last week, the City Traffic Engineer's office notified Columbus State that the crosswalk across Cleveland Avenue at Grove Street does not meet the qualifications for a pedestrian signal light to be installed.

The city's study of the crosswalk concluded that "there are not enough pedestrians crossing Cleveland Avenue."

To qualify for a pedestrian signal, the "Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices" requires a minimum of 190 pedestrians in one hour or an average of 100 pedestrians per hour over four hours. The highest number of pedestrians crossing Cleveland at Grove during any single hour of the city's study was 101, between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

The traffic engineers also report that, according to the manual, the crosswalk is too close to the traffic light at Mt. Vernon to warrant a separate pedestrian signal.

A "quick fix" item noted by numerous colleagues in October on Conversation Day was the installation of a traffic light at Cleveland Avenue and Grove Street. While this item isn't a quick fix by the definitions adopted that day, moving pedestrian traffic safely across Cleveland Avenue has been an issue on which the college has been working for more than two years.

At Columbus State's request, the City Traffic Engineer's office is investigating other solutions to improve the safety of the Grove Street crosswalk. One alternative they are examining is to make Cleveland Avenue three lanes from Long Street to Jack Gibbs Boulevard and to install a refuge median in the middle of Cleveland Avenue spanning that distance. Such a median could help make crossing safer for students of Columbus State and the Columbus College of Art and Design.

"We will begin the necessary traffic engineering studies to determine the feasibility of a three-lane section and impacts to traffic flow," said William Lewis, Planning Services Manager with the City Traffic Engineer. "We will also account for proposed changes to I-670/I-71 interchange by ODOT.  In the meantime, we will continue to monitor crashes and pedestrian behavior."

Feedback desired for the AQIP Strategy Forum Teams Feb. 16The AQIP project concepts will be shared and feedback encouraged Friday, February 16 from 8:30-10:00 a.m. in Franklin Hall Room 110 in preparation for the AQIP Strategy Forum. All employees are encouraged to attend all or part of this session.

In early March, a twelve-person Columbus State team will attend the AQIP Strategy Forum in the Chicago area. The Strategy Forum is an informal but intensive three-day event that is designed to promote interaction and help AQIP institutions select and commit to strategies that will drive continuous quality improvement.

Each Forum mixes institutions small and large, public and private, two-year and graduate, rural and urban, and from different states--to expose participants to unfamiliar viewpoints and strategies. Columbus State's project proposals will be reviewed by peer institutions, who will offer suggestions, comparisons and insights into the AQIP process for continuous improvement.

 

Physical Plant reports recycling program highlightsThe Physical Plant is very proud of its recycling efforts since the inception of the program over a year ago.   The following is an update on what has been accomplished so far and on future enhancements.

Cardboard recycling
•  The cardboard recycling pilot project began in the fall of 2005 with one collection point on main campus.   We now have two collection points at the following locations:
•  Behind Union Hall by the compactor
•  On the west side of campus at the Art Studio/Machine Shop building 366 N. Sixth
•  Since the program began, a monthly average of 720 lbs of cardboard has been recycled and removed from general landfill waste.

Paper recycling
•  The paper recycling program began in June 2006.   There are two paper recycling collection points on campus at the following locations:
•  Behind Union Hall by the compactor
•  On the west side of campus at the EMS Building 375 N. Grant
•  Since the program began, a monthly average of 1780 lbs of paper has been recycled and removed from general landfill waste.

Physical Plant distributes individual desk-side boxes to each department.   These small collection boxes are then emptied by the individuals into the large blue paper recycling dumpsters that are in the building lobbies.   Physical Plant then empties these blue recycle containers into the large collection containers. Approximately 80% of campus has been supplied with recycle containers and we hope to have the entire campus complete by March 1, 2007.

Can and bottle recycling
•  The can/bottle recycling program began fall of 2005 with 20 containers distributed in high traffic areas of campus.  
•  Ten more of these recycling containers have been purchased and will be distributed this spring

We applaud everyone on campus who has supported the recycling program and we will continue to report new developments, projects, and achievements.   If you have any questions about the program please call ext. 2425. If you need recycling containers emptied please call the Physical Plant Work Order Desk at extension 5444.

Spring Street literary magazine seeks employee submissionsSpring Street, Columbus State's literary and visual arts magazine, tends to showcase a lot of impressive student work, but this year's staff wants to see more submissions from the college's staff and faculty.  

"These employees serve students on a daily basis, but they don't get many opportunities to showcase their creativity," says Spring Street staff member, Kelly Witchen. "We'd like to see more poems, photographs, short stories, and personal writings from the people who spend their days helping others."

Submission forms and drop boxes are located in NH 420 and at the Main Library Desk.   Online submissions are accepted at http://spring-street-2007.tripod.com. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, February 20.

"Spring Street should represent every aspect of our college," says Witchen. "We urge staff and faculty to step away from their routine and submit their creative work to us."

Student group Men of Promise invites campus to film seriesThe student group "Men of Promise" invites the campus community to the first annual Freedom Heritage Month Film Series, Tuesday, February 13 from 12:30 -3:30 p.m. The group will show the film "Sankofa," by Ethiopian filmmaker Haile Gerima, in the East Lounge of Nestor Hall.

"Sankofa" is a gripping, realistic tale of a vain American fashion model who is sent back in time to the days of slavery, to live the experience of her forgotten foremothers.    For more information contact Men of Promise Secretary Alan Michael Hill at ahill@student.cscc.edu.

 

ERC Gallery North hosts first a/v exhibitionEver wanted to go on a safari?   Well now you can.   Come to the ERC Art Gallery North and experience first hand what it's like to stare down a wild lion or experience a tender moment between a leopard and her two cubs.   These are just of few of the wonderful and technically superb digital photographs presented by our own media artist, Kenny Ruffin.  

Ruffin's adventures took him to the southern regions of Africa including South Africa's Londolozi Private Game Reserve where Kenny shot the African Big Five as well as many other beautiful creatures. "The Big Five are the African Elephant, Black and White Rhinoceros, Leopard, Buffalo and Lion," explains Ruffin.   "It's a term that was used by European hunters back in the day to refer to the most dangerous and thrilling animals to hunt. Fortunately, the only people shooting at these magnificent animals today are photographers and videographers."

Other photos of note are the spectacular rainbows of Victoria Falls on the Zambia side and the large elephant herds of Botswana.   The exhibit will be on display all month long, so plan on coming more that once since the entire slideshow runs about 30 minutes. The exhibition may be found on Level 1 of the ERC in Columbus Hall.

AQIP Quick Fixes of the WeekWhat is a Quick Fix?

Quick Fixes are those things that employees agree are pressing issues and that can be done right now.  These are smaller, operational issues that can be accomplished quickly with minimal resources, yet yield noticeable improvements. For a complete list see the AQIP website under the Quick Fixes link at http://www.cscc.edu/aqip/

Quick Fix requested: "Please continue to work on improving heat need in UN 420 (space heaters ASAP)."

Response:   New boilers were installed in UN Hall in December 2006- Physical Plant

Quick Fix requested:   "Just do it! Replace the lobby furniture in DH & NH"

Response: Furniture is being replaced in Davidson Hall in February 2007 (it is on order with installation expected any day) Additional lounge furniture (Nestor Lounge East and Davidson Hal) will be replaced as funds become available. - Physical Plant

You can volunteer at the NCAA Basketball Tournament!The excitement of NCAA Basketball returns to Columbus in March. The Greater Columbus Sports Commission and The Ohio State University need your assistance welcoming NCAA Basketball fans to Columbus. Be part of the excitement by volunteering as a Hotel Welcome Ambassador on March 15, 16 or 17 during the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball First and Second Rounds. All volunteers will receive an official NCAA Men's Basketball shirt.  There are a variety of shifts available to accommodate your schedule. Volunteer for one shift or several. Sign-up and learn more at www.columbussports.org/about/volunteers.cfm.


Patrolling in the cold

Columbus State Police Officers recently completed a rigorous safety refresher training class at Ohio State January 25. The purpose of bike patrol is to have positive contact with staff and students, increase the officers' mobility around campus, and cut pollution, weather permitting of course.  The content of the course focused mainly on legal topics related to bicycle patrol, crash avoidance, and crashing techniques designed to minimize risk of injury to the officer. The Officers are from left: Officer Wayne Shingler, Sgt. Becky Johnson, Bike Patrol coordinator, Officer Jason Carl, and Officer Joseph Murphy.