Staff Forum Minutes February 2012

Staff Forum Minutes:
Thursday February 9, 2012
Performance Platform
The John L. & Christine Warner Library and Student Center
________________________________________

Attendance: Amy Lister, Jonathan Harper, Becky Smith, Amanda Bays, Kelly Adams, Lisa Smith, Brian Boehmer, Charlene Santee, Dan Longstreth, Tauni Graham, Ray Hill, Sue Bidwell, Jesse Higel, Connie Zang, Melissa Jensen, David Wirt, Elaine Stevens, Teresa McGinnis, Vorley Taylor, Linda Mathews, Kyle Morgan, Kari Fullen, Sarah Howard, Candy Sheridan, Sherry Abbott, Patsy Henderson, John Ralston, Norm Holmes, Alice Hutzel-Bateson, William MacDonald, Howard Imhof, Teri Holder, Kim Foster

Monthly Hosts: Financial Aid and Services Center

Agenda Items:

Dr. MacDonald spoke on strategic planning. Core Goals include Teaching and Learning, Research and Innovation, Outreach and Engagement, and Resource Stewardship. Steps to reach those core goals include plans to cultivate unique academic themes at each campus, improve student outcomes, expand the RCC student population, advance fundamental knowledge, become a more effective community resource, build relationships with other institutions of higher learning in Ohio, improve sustainability of financial and physical resources, and foster human resources.

Howard Imhof spoke on updates to the Newark campus portal. The faculty/staff portal will go live on March 12th. COTC students should expect access to the student portal beginning summer 2012. Access for OSU students is still to be determined, but estimates place it by the end of 2012. The portal can be accessed anytime, anywhere from any device. There will be a single sign on for both OSU and COTC so users do not have to login twice. The portal will be our one-stop shop for just about everything (email, tasks, room scheduling, events, weather, forms, and more). COTC Connect will be on the portal (no more going into Datatel). Information provided/applications available will vary depending on your campus role. OSU side of the portal will include links to Columbus services (i.e. Carmen, Peoplesoft, etc). Portal will also have Peoplefinder (similar to Find People on OSU website). You will learn to love the portal!

Alice Hutzel-Bateson spoke on service learning. Service learning combines classroom instruction with community service with emphasis placed on reflection. Digital Media Design and Early Childhood Development students have been involved with service learning initiatives. Benefits include being able to apply skills and knowledge as well as developing soft skills. There will be a service learning showcase May 23rd from 11 AM to 1 PM. More details TBA.





Area updates:

Vorley Taylor (OMCA): reminder that the 9th annual Black Heritage Dinner is coming up on Thursday February 23rd from 5:30-7 PM. There are a few seats still available, so contact Vorley ASAP if you are interested. Dinner is free but RSVPs are required as space is limited. This year’s keynote is Claude Johnson (founder and CEO of Black Fives, Inc) who will speak on the Harlem Renaissance. After the dinner there will be a cultural program available to everyone.

Ann Donahue (OSU Admissions): Because of the change to semesters, OSU will not admit any new freshmen for summer 2012. We are experiencing a slight decline in applications for autumn (currently at 1725, a difference of 71). This is likely due to applications at Columbus campus being down (currently at 27, 975 which is a difference of 714 from this time last year). Admissions will be working extra hard this year to convert those applications into current students!

Financial Aid --- reminder that College Goal Sunday is coming up on February 12th and the FAFSA deadline is coming up on February 15th. Please make sure any students you work with are aware of these important dates. On February 16th “Give ‘em the Pickle” customer service training will be available for student employees. For COTC students, an email was recently sent notifying them that financial aid refunds will be delayed to the 5th week of the quarter beginning with summer 2012. Students will need to plan/budget accordingly. The college is prepared to assist with purchasing books/supplies if needed.

Connie Zang (ODS): reminder that the ODS Open House for faculty/staff is coming up on February 14th from 12-2 PM in Warner 233 (the adaptive technology lab).

Kim Foster (COTC Gateway): 64 students attended last night’s open house to register for spring quarter classes. COTC is up approximately 20% for spring applicants (compared to spring quarter 2011). DiAna Palmer is leaving for a new position elsewhere and we wish her the best!

Kyle Morgan (OSU Academic Advising): Welcome to Kari Fullen, the new academic advisor for arts and sciences. Kari previously worked in clinical counseling.

Candy Sheridan (Education Curriculum Center): they are collecting Boxtops for Education and Campbells soup labels. Check your office supplies --- these boxtops can be found just about anywhere!

Tauni Graham (Staff Development): reminder that the Valentine’s Day casserole cookoff is coming up on February 14th. There is still time to join! Don’t want to do casserole? Bring a side dish, dessert, or cash donation.

Brian Boehmer (Facilities): Facilities has been busy cleaning up recent accidents (driver crashed into Aeriel Hall, canopy of North Classroom building damaged). Several trees have been tagged for removal for the Country Club Drive widening project. AEP coming soon to relocate power lines (they are waiting for city engineer to give start date). LEED certification is being pursued for Aeriel Hall (they are hoping for the gold ). Facilities continues to work on the framework plan. The donor wall will be dedicated March 20th. Upcoming major projects include Hopewell expansion for new OSU Admissions/Advising offices, replacing HVAC system, and replacing concrete deck around Founders Hall. Bike lockers around Adena Hall are almost finished; Sandi Sturman will sign out keys. Now is the time to think about capital requests!

Howard Imhof (ITS): A phishing scam is going through OSU student email. It claims the financial aid system is being upgraded and requests that the students provide login information and credit card numbers. A warning email was sent to students today to let them know about the scam.

Teri Holder (Office of the President, COTC): Still looking for volunteers for Aeriel Hall dedication on March 20th. A bus will leave Newark campus at 8:30 AM and the event takes place from 10 AM to 12 NOON.

Alice Hutzel-Bateson (MPR): Need help promoting your upcoming event? Let the MPR office know as soon as you have all the details!

Sherry Abbott (HR): We have a new assistant director! Upcoming events: FERPA training with Brad Meyers 2/28 from 9:30-11 AM. Health screenings will take place April 18th from 8 AM to 12 PM in Hopewell 64. See below for personnel updates.

CAMPUS TRIVIA:

Dan Longstreth --- for a Brutus bottle opener, what change did OSU employees recently make to their time cards? (Answer: they now use eTimesheets!)

Amanda Bays --- for hand warmers and an OSU ice scraper --- COTC is no longer using AngelLearner; what took its place? (Answer: Moodle.)

Kelley Adams --- for a Table of Contents coffee voucher --- COTC is providing training for what jobs at the new Columbus casino (Answer: security, accounting, gaming techs/maintenance)

Sidenote: if anyone has questions about COTC’s involvement in casino training they may call extension 57122.