Monday, February 4, 2008

Columbus State, Ohio University to sign agreement for new programs Feb. 6President Val Moeller and Ohio University President Roderick McDavis will sit down Wednesday, Feb. 6, to sign a Memorandum of Agreement for new collaborations between the two colleges. The official signing ceremony will take place at 9:30 a.m. in the WD Ballroom on the fourth floor. The ceremony is open to the public.

Columbus State and Ohio University have enjoyed a mutually supportive relationship for a number of years, and in light of new challenges from the Ohio Executive Branch, General Assembly and the Board of Regents to make higher education more accessible, the colleges will agree to provide new programs to students where they live and work, rather than requiring them to relocate. 

One of the programs under discussion at present is a 3-plus-1 degree option, where Associate of Applied Science students could complete an Ohio University bachelor’s degree in Technical and Applied Science on the Columbus State campus.

The two presidents will be available to answer questions about the new collaboration after the ceremony.

Theft from vehicles on the declineparking lotColumbus State’s efforts in community-oriented policing seem to be paying off, as theft from vehicles on campus declined 15 percent last year.

In 2007, the Columbus campus averaged fewer than four car break-ins per month, according to statistics compiled by the college’s Department of Public Safety. For context, about 8,000 students, employees and visitors park on the campus during a typical weekday. Other urban areas away from campus can average more than 60 car break-ins during one month alone.

“Our Public Safety Department focused resources on a particular crime, and that has certainly paid dividends,” says President Val Moeller. “These statistics speak for themselves and clearly demonstrate the great work Public Safety is doing to prevent crime and keep our campus safe for students and employees.”

“Columbus State’s crime rates are extremely low when compared to other urban areas, but any crime on campus is taken seriously, and the department will continue to target areas to prevent and reduce crime,” says Public Safety Director John Nestor. He credits the decrease in crime to the department's emphasis on community oriented policing, in this case, using data to target personnel and resources where they are needed the most.

Nestor emphasizes the best crime prevention tip is to reduce the opportunities for crime—in this case, keeping vehicles locked and valuables out of view.

He adds that Public Safety crime prevention officers are available to make presentations to campus departments and student groups. Contact is Sgt. Jeff Dodge at 2525 to schedule a crime-prevention presentation.

Enrollment Guide sends students online for class schedule Spring QuarterFor multiple reasons, the quarterly “Enrollment Guide” is being downsized. Starting with Spring Quarter, the Enrollment Guide will not feature a printed class schedule, directing students instead to the updated online schedule.

The eight-page Enrollment Guide will carry important basic information on how to register for classes, how to drop a course, how to pay fees, the whys and wherefores of academic advising, the academic calendar, and final exam schedule. In its streamlined format, the Enrollment Guide will serve as a handy reference piece for students, especially new ones, as they sign up for classes online.

In the short term, the Enrollment Guide will be printed every two quarters, but a decision will be made soon on its ultimate frequency. The first new-format Enrollment Guide will cover Spring and Summer Quarters 2008.

Karen D’Arbanville, longtime adjunct faculty, dies Jan. 25The Communication Skills Department is sad to report that longtime adjunct Karen D'Arbanville died January 25 after a brief illness. "Her dedication to Columbus State, the department, and her students will be greatly missed," said department chairperson Lisa Schneider.  D'Arbanville  had worked in Comm Skills since 1998 teaching primarily speech classes, according to Schneider.  She was honored last year as one of the founders of the annual Writer's Conference.

Cafeteria asks employees to answer surveyAVI Foodservice has placed a survey online asking Columbus State employees to tell them how they are doing with their foodservices on campus. Please take a moment to answer a few questions on line to help AVI serve you better.