Columbus Day observed - all campuses closed
October 4, 2012
Information Representative puts heart and soul into TIC
Sue Thomas
Sue Thomas “puts her heart and soul and personality into her work” at the Telephone Information Center, says Supervisor Nina Reese in a nomination for Staff Employee of the Month. She also is able to keep a level head while on the phone, even when unexpected emergency calls find their way to the Phone Center, as happened on May 30.
“Sue received a call from an elderly gentleman who had fallen and was scared and confused,” says Reese. “Some people would have told him he had the wrong number, but Sue stayed on the phone with him while a co-worker called 911. Sue tracked down his adult daughter, who wasn’t even a Columbus State student or employee, and let her know what happened to her father.”
“Her quick thinking kept him calm and safe until the EMS squad arrived and he was taken to the hospital,” continues Reese. Sue Thomas was named the Staff Employee of the Month for October in a ceremony held October 3.
“There is nothing more frustrating than dialing a number and only being offered a series of prompts to respond to,” says Janet Kaylor, whose son Aaron graduated with an Associate of Science Summer Quarter. “We joke that Sue really owns a part of his degree because without her assistance of these last few years, my son would not be at the point he is today!”
“From our first contact, I felt that Sue was interested in listening to our questions and assisting us with resolving them. No doubt she has heard the same questions many times over, but at the time you are speaking with her, you know you have her full attention. Her professionalism and knowledge really set her apart,” says Kaylor.
“Sue is also the Chair of the Staff Advisory Council (SAC),” says Reese. “She has accepted this role with grace and a zest for creating a new look and feel for SAC. She’s gained respect from many facets of the college and community, especially with the organization of the successful Cougar Challenge 5K this past spring!”
Associate VP Owen moves to new office
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Polly Owen will move into a new office in the Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation (CT) on Thursday, October 4. Dr. Owen’s office will be CT 129 and Administrative Assistant Lucie Harkless will be in CT 127. All contact information will stay the same but the office will have a new fax number of 287-5615.
Employee input needed for internal communication assessment
Check your email on Monday, October 8 for an invitation to complete an online survey assessing internal communication at Columbus State. Your participation is voluntary and valued. The survey results will be used by a planning group to develop recommendations for improving internal communication so we can work together effectively. The survey is anonymous and confidential. No personally identifying information will be collected. The survey data will be saved and available from the Human Capacity Development office. So keep your eye out for the email on Monday, October 8!
Library hosts Audio Visual History Month exhibit
This computer station was state-of-the-art in the 80s when the college was Columbus Technical Institute.
During the month of October, the Media Services Department will host an exhibit titled: "Shaping the World: The History of the Personal Computer" in the Library’s Media Production TV Studio (Room 111.) The display will be open during Library hours of 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The display features a hands-on display of vintage PCs, music, a presentation on the history of the personal computer, and free A/V Month items. Stop in and check it out –not only is the history of personal computers fascinating, but it is interesting to note that Columbus State has witnessed each and every step of this evolution throughout its own 50-year history!
Survival Sign Language Courses offered during Disability Awareness Month in October
Learn some basic sign language and have fun while doing so! The Survival Sign Language seminar is open to all faculty, staff and students. The sessions will be one-hour long and held in the Eibling Hall Conference Room 101 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, October 10, 24 and 31.
Faculty and staff may register for the seminar here. For more information, please contact Jerry Heine.
See a full calendar of events celebrating Disability Awareness Month online here!
Play Jeopardy with Disability Services!
Would you like your department to learn the ins and outs of Disability Services for students? Play the Jeopardy Game and Disability Services will present all the basics about how to accommodate students in the classroom who are registered with Disability Services. For more information on setting up the game for your department, contact Tiffany McClain or call ext. 2571.
Read and Write Gold goes live at Columbus State
Read and Write Gold is a universal software solution that can go anywhere with you. The software is available for faculty, staff and students to support individuals with reading and writing difficulties, learning disabilities, or for those who speak English as a second language (ESL).
During Disability Awareness Month in October, Disability Services will offer training on the software at the following times:
Tuesday October 16, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Register
Tuesday, October 16, 2:00-3:00 p.m. Register
Friday October 19, 10:00.-11:00 a.m. Register
Friday October 19, 2:30.-3:30 p.m. Register
Thursday October 25, 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Register
Wednesday October 31, 1:00-2:00 p.m. Register
When you attend the session, bring a 2GB flash drive and you will receive a free copy of Read and Write Gold!