April 20, 2006

PC Specialist Grubbe shares expertise with campus
A desire to improve the overall learning experience for students, going the extra mile to help students and fellow employees, and responding to the needs of the campus in a timely and professional manner have earned Chris Grubbe, PC specialist in Communication Technologies and PC Services, Staff Employee of the Month for April.

“Chris’s expertise in audio visual equipment is a wonderful complement to his vast knowledge of computer software and hardware,” says his supervisor Connie Feeney, supervisor of PC Support in Communication Technologies and PC Services.

It is his expertise that helped make the Franklin Hall audio visual renovation a success in December. During the break, Grubbe spent extra hours on campus and at home working on the renovation. According to his nominator Martin Barry, supervisor in Information Technology Educational Resources, “The seeds of the building’s new smart classroom design were planted through Chris’s input and thoughtfulness toward improving the classroom experience for students.”

Grubbe comes up with progressive ideas and is always trying to promote teamwork, not only within Information Technology, but across campus as well. During the Autumn 2005 In-Service Day, Grubbe helped media services set up and operate the general session. In order to make the start of each quarter more pleasant and less stressful, Grubbe joined the Welcome Team to make sure the experience students have at Columbus State is a good one. He’s also requested and received a grant to create an audience response system that will be used by several departments on campus.

“He helps remove artificial barriers to teaching and learning by consistently being a force for positive change.” Barry says. “Chris has an infectious energy and spirit that inspires those around him to give that extra effort.”

“Chris has been a great addition to our department since he came to Columbus State in December 2003,” says Feeney. Barry seconds that by saying, “His willingness to lend a hand to make things better is priceless.”

When receiving the award, Grubbe said, “This shouldn’t just be about me. I can’t do my job without all of you.”

Val’s Book Club to read Brazilian fable about simple truths
In the latest installment of Val’s Book Club, a fable about following your dreams will be the topic of discussion. According to ReadingGroupGuides.com, Brazilian author Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist” is about the faith, power, and courage we all have within us to pursue the intricate path of a personal legend.

Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy, leaves Spain to literally follow his dream of a distant treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. According to Coelho’s Web site, “Along the way he meets a beautiful, young gypsy woman, a man who calls himself a king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is or if Santiago can surmount the obstacles along the way through the desert.” What starts out as an adventure turns into a quest for self-understanding and spiritual enlightenment.

“The Alchemist,” Coelho’s second book, established his worldwide fame. The runaway bestseller has sold over a million and a half copies around the world and has already achieved the status of a universally admired modern classic.

The Spring Quarter Val’s Book Club will meet Wednesday, June 7, at noon in Nestor Hall Seminar Room A. To sign up for the club and receive a free copy of “The Alchemist,” contact Vickie Hunter in Institutional Advancement at vhunter@cscc.edu.

Participation will be limited to the first 25 to enroll.

ERC displays works by Hilltop art league
The art gallery in the ERC is currently displaying works by the Greater Hilltop Area League for the Arts. The exhibit consists of a wide range of artwork created by amateur and professional artists. Items showcased include works in colored pencil, oil, acrylic, photography and digital printing.

The exhibit is open Monday–Thursday, 7:30 a.m–10 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; and Sunday, 1–5 p.m. The exhibit will be on display through April 30 on the first level of Columbus Hall.

Changes in matriculation fee to take effect summer quarter
After a thorough review by both governance councils and approval by the Board of Trustees, beginning summer quarter students will be charged a one-time matriculation fee. The changes in respect to a student’s one-time matriculation fee include:

• When a student registers at Columbus State for the first time, the student will be assessed a one-time matriculation fee of $50. This fee combines the former application, matriculation, and ID fees
  
• The fee is nonrefundable, no matter when courses are dropped. Once a student registers for classes, the $50 fee will remain, even if classes are dropped immediately.
  
• The matriculation fee will appear on the student’s account when looking at registration charges.
  
• Replacement ID charges are still $4.
  
• The fee will not be charged to students who have already paid the former matriculation fee of $35.
  
• The $50 matriculation fee cannot be appealed.
  

How does this affect how Columbus State employees help students with registration?

• If you are registering a student just to see what their fees will be, you must use “X” or the “XXX” to keep from having the student registered and charged, prior to updating from the RGN screen.
  
• If you drop students out of all of their classes, check ARTI or ARAI, or direct the student to the Web to determine if charges are still on the student’s account and need to be paid. Any unpaid charges will be turned over to the Attorney General’s office for collection.

If questions arise concerning the new combined fee, it can be explained to students as follows:

• As soon as a student applies for admission to Columbus State, a record is generated for them. Part of the matriculation fee is for establishing this record, which was previously charged as an application fee. Once created, the record is updated and maintained permanently. The student ID is needed to use any of the computer labs, check out materials from the library as well as other items. That is part of the record keeping that is done.

For more information on the matriculation fee, contact Jan Ellis, supervisor in Grants, Contracts and Loans, at ext. 2442.