SAM WOLF GRANITE CITY CAMPUS - Southwestern Illinois College

DuQuesne University Tamburitzans
Get your tickets for this year’s Duquesne University Tamburitzans
dance performance! Tickets are $15.
Saturday, Nov. 13 • 7 p.m.
Granite City High School Performing Arts Center, 3101 Madison Ave.
Tickets are available at:
• SWGCC Business office
• SWIC Foundation office at the
Belleville Campus
For credit card purchases, call ext. 5215.
No tickets will be sold at the door.
Proceeds from the event benefit scholarships for SWGCC students.
THE OFFICIAL EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER FOR SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS COLLEGE NOVEMBER 2010
SAM WOLF GRANITE CITY CAMPUS
▲
▲
RENOVATION AND DEDICATION OPEN HOUSE
SOCIAL
GATHERING
From left, retired
SWGCC Provost’s
Secretary Bonnie
McArther,
Business Division
Dean Janet
Fontenot and
Network Design
& Administration
Associate
Professor Matt
Swinford mingle
during the open
house event.
SAM WOLF DAY – Rep. Tom Holbrook proposed
a resolution to the state of Illinois House of
Representatives 96th General Assembly that designated
Oct. 20, 2010 as Sam Wolf Day in Illinois in honor of Wolf
and his accomplishments. Accepting the declaration
on Wolf’s behalf was his granddaughter-in-law, SWGCC
Physical Plant Administrative Assistant Rose Wolf.
Presenting the framed declaration, from left, are Rep. Jay
Hoffman, Holbrook, Rose and Rep. Daniel Beiser.
▲
PRESIDENTIAL PRESENCE – SWIC college presidents,
old and new, gather at the Sam Wolf Granite City Campus
dedication open house. Pictured at the event, from left,
are former President Joseph J. Cipfl, Ph.D.; Board Chair
Nick Mance; President Georgia Costello, Ph.D; and former
President Elmer H. Kirchoff, Ph.D.
FROM THE DESK OF
THE PRESIDENT
In his business bestseller – “Debt-Free U” – author Zac Bissonnette
includes a chapter on “The Community College Solution.” In it,
the 20-year-old UMass art history major, who also writes daily
for DailyFinance.com, takes on “a busting of myths” with “real
information based on statistics and logic.”
Myth #1 … “I just won’t get a high-quality education …”
The author points out: “Four-year colleges accept transfer credits
from (accredited) community colleges because the work required
is comparable to one of their courses,” at a much-reduced cost. “In
addition, the level of individual attention is likely to be far better at the community college” where
“classes average between 25 and 40 students.” With an average student/faculty ratio of 19-to-1,
SWIC does even better than that. Also, the author cites the National Survey of Student Engagement,
finding that “only half of the four-year (institution) students ask questions in class. SWIC’s most recent
Community College Survey of Student Engagement shows that two-thirds of our students
ask questions in class.
Myth #2 … “Financial aid is harder to get at community colleges.”
“This one is completely false. Attending a community college will still allow you to qualify for the
federal Pell Grant if you come from a family of modest means, and all the other federal financial aid
programs are still available.” As testimony, SWIC students received more than $14.9 million in Pell
funds last year, including an increase of $450,000 due to the year-round formula change. The author
also relays $2,500 of the first $4,000 you spend on college is tax deductible, but there is no tax benefit
after that, “another reason affordable college options are so great.”
Myth #3 … “Transferring to a four-year college is very difficult …”
“Some of the most selective colleges in the country are believers in community college students.”
In 2007, nine of 11 transfers to Amherst College (top-ranked by U.S. News and World Report) came
from community colleges. In 2006, half of the University of Virginia’s transfer students came from
in-state community colleges,” as did 26 percent accepted to Stanford. A majority of transfer students
to SIU Edwardsville annually come from SWIC, and precise articulation agreements yield similar hightransfer results with our other four-year-institution partners.
Myth #4 … Community college graduates are “unprepared for the rigors of tougher classes.”
“Studies have shown that community college graduates who transfer to four-year colleges tend to
earn better grades than students who have been there the whole time.” The University of California
reports that “academically, our transfers can compete with any UC student, and their graduation rates
are comparable, as nearly two-thirds complete a bachelor’s degree within three years of entering UC.”
At SWIC, our faculty-driven assessment of student learning reveals longstanding transfer-student
success, which has steadily increased over time. We not only track results, we take measures to
improve our commitment in the classroom to help our students succeed wherever they transfer.
Myth #5 … Community college students are “more likely to drop out.”
“There is no data to suggest that students of similar abilities and backgrounds are more likely to drop
out of a community college than a four-year college.” Community college dropout rates are “much
more likely to be a function of (required) open admissions policies.” Regardless of college choice,
U.S. Department of Education data shows that “among college freshmen who graduated in the
bottom 40 percent of their high school classes, 76 percent won’t earn a college degree within eight
and a half years.” In spite of this tough reality, SWIC annually ranks in the top 100 of 3,000 accredited
institutions nationally in conferring degrees and certificates; and 40 percent of our 10,000-plus Adult
Basic Education program graduates have enrolled after earning their GED.
To check out more of what this author has to say, or other third-party news features about
postsecondary education, click the “Education News” link on the home page of SWIC.edu.
Pay It Forward,
G E O RG I A COSTELLO, PH.D.
P R E S I D ENT
NOVEMBER
CALENDAR
2
Family Night Out: “The Belize Whale
Shark Expedition,” 6:30 p.m.,
SWGCC The Commons
Concert in the Café: The Casuals,
7 p.m., MC Café
3
Employee and Special Group
Registration for Spring
Semester 2011
8
Current Student Registration begins
for Spring Semester 2011
10
Veterans Day Ceremony, noon,
SWGCC The Commons
11
Veterans Day – all campuses closed
15
Holiday Gingerbread House
workshop, 6:30-9 p.m., RBC
Open Registration for Spring
Semester 2011
16
Concert in the Café: Raven Moon
Band, 7 p.m., MC Café
17
Thanks-For-Giving, 3-6 p.m.,
Eckert’s Orchards Restaurant
18-20 Three-Act Play: “Musical Comedy
Murders of 1940,” 7:30 p.m.,
BC MC Theatre; tickets: $5
21
Three-Act Play: “Musical Comedy
Murders of 1940,” 2 p.m., BC MC Theatre; tickets: $5
25-28 Thanksgiving Break –
all campuses closed
UNITED WAY
TO GO!
Accounts
Receivable
Specialist Gwen
Stauder, left,
shows off the
Tony LaRussa
autographed
baseball she
won from the
United Way
Campaign SWIC
Donor Drawing. Sherry Johnson, right, led the
2010 campaign where the Belleville and Red
Bud campuses, along with PSOP, exceeded the
campaign goal and raised $24,550. Another
highlight from the campaign was the 15 percent
increase in participation this year.
The Sam Wolf Granite City Campus currently
is wrapping up its United Way campaign
and employees are aiming to reach the goal
of $15,000.
Coaches in Skirts
HARRINGTON
JUENGER
★★★★★★★★★
CAST YOUR VOTE!
PROUD CITIZENS – English as a Second Language
Instructor Margaret Cooke, left, and her husband,
George, celebrate after receiving their Certificates of
Naturalization at a ceremony in Mt. Vernon. The
couple recently completed the SWIC Citizenship
class where they studied American government and
history to prepare for naturalization. Adult Basic
Education offers Citizenship preparation classes
once a month throughout the district.
The SWIC cheerleaders are raising funds
and providing some entertainment for the
SWIC community at the same time. For $1,
you can cast your vote to put Men’s Head
Basketball Coach Jay Harrington or Women’s
Head Basketball Coach Mike Juenger in a
cheerleading skirt.
Look for voting opportunities at home
basketball games, outside the BC MC Café and in the
Athletics office. The voting will begin at the first men’s
home basketball game Nov. 6 and the winner will
be announced at the Nov. 23 game. For more
information, contact Cheerleading Coach
Diane Tye at diane.tye@amdocs.com.
★
★
Tweet!
SWIC is expanding its social media presence
to include Twitter!
You can find the SWIC Twitter profile at
twitter.com/SWICedu and become a follower to
receive tweets about key news and events. You
can view any account’s tweets (updates) with or
without registering. Registration is free.
Twitter is a micro-blogging service where each
user can send tweets of up to 140 characters
to their followers. Once you are registered, your
Twitter page displays the tweets of all those you
are following.
You can access Twitter on your cell phone, smart
phone or other texting device. However, you
are responsible for any additional charges for
accessing in this manner.
PUMPKINS GALORE – Kids Club made a recent
visit to the Eckert’s pumpkin patch. Pictured
walking through the pumpkin patch, from left, are
Camren Jackson, Aubrey Albers, Kids Club Teacher
Ashleigh Koshko and Alexia Parsons.
The presence on Twitter is in addition to the college’s
presence on Facebook (facebook.com/SWIC.edu).
The primary means for emergency messages
continues to be the SWIC Alert system, which is
accessible through iSTORM.
Facebook Update
More departments are using Facebook as a socialnetworking tool to reach students … and that’s a
good thing. Unfortunately, Facebook won’t allow a
page creator to be removed as an administrator.
To address this issue, please consult with PI&M
before creating a new departmental Facebook
page.
PROJECT READ TUTOR
TRAINING SESSION
Wednesday, Nov. 10 and Wednesday, Nov. 17 • 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Fairview Heights Public Library, 10017 Bunkum Road
Interested individuals need to attend both sessions. Refreshments
will be served.
SHORT GAME
SUCCESS – Physical
Plant Custodian
Tommy Thompson
sinks a putt at the
recent Athletics golf
outing. The event
was held at Clinton
Hill Golf Course and
raised more than
$14,000 for the
Athletics program.
SWIC PAINTS THE TOWN – Visual Arts Club President
Beckie Turner, daughter of Director of Computer
Support Services Ken Turner and Associate Director of
Public Information and Marketing Kelly Turner, paints a
building on West Main Street during the Paint the Town
event in Belleville. Nearly 150 Team SWIC volunteers
came out to revitalize the downtown area as part of a
project initiated by radio personality Delilah.
Once trained, individuals will be assigned either one or a small group of adult
students in their local area to tutor in reading, writing and/or math.
Tutors are provided with all necessary books and materials at no cost and are
asked to work with students a total of at least two hours per week. Tutoring is
always conducted in a public place, such as a library or at the SWIC campuses.
The program is funded by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office.
Register to participate by Monday, Nov. 8 at ext. 5462 or e-mail
brenda.boggs@swic.edu.
Volunteers must have earned at least a high school diploma or a GED.
CAMPUS BRIEFS
BELLEVILLE CAMPUS
Santa Claus is comin’ to town! Have
Breakfast with Santa Saturday, Dec. 4 at
8 a.m. in the MC Café. Activities include
holiday crafts, games, breakfast and a
personal visit from Santa and his friends.
Advanced reservations are needed. Tickets
are $7 each and include one photograph of
your child or children with Santa. For more
information, contact College Activities at
ext. 5561.
Don’t miss this comedy whodunit with
a twist! College Activities presents “The
Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” by
John Bishop. Performances begin Thursday,
Nov. 18 through Saturday, Nov. 21 at
7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 21 at 2 p.m.,
in the MC Theatre. Tickets are $5. For more
information, or to purchase tickets, call
ext. 5561.
Looking for a new way to help this
holiday season? Stop by the Holiday
Volunteer Fair, Wednesday, Nov. 3 from
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the First Floor Hall,
Lounge and Alcove and visit with different
organizations to learn ways to help the
community during the holidays.
RED BUD CAMPUS
Bring your wish list and take your picture
with Santa, sing holiday songs with Freddy
Tinsel and Blaise, and blow up balloons
with Balloonatic at Santa’s Workshop
Saturday, Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. to noon. The
cost is $5 per child with a maximum cost
of $15 for all children of the same family.
Tickets for the event must be reserved by
Friday, Dec. 3. For more information or to
register, call ext. 8104.
Annual Benefits Enrollment
By L ARRY F RIEDERICH
The annual benefits enrollment process for full-time faculty and staff will be conducted between Nov. 1-30. Look
for the enrollment packet to be delivered via intercampus mail to your office. Please take the time to review the
enrollment form, amend it or confirm it, sign it and return it to the Human Resources office.
The rates for Dental, Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability are not changing and will remain at the current levels.
While the overall costs for the medical plan will remain the same for 2011, the rates for the four plan options have
been adjusted to reflect the claims experience for the first eight months of 2010.
Plan
Current Rates
2011 Rates
Change in Rates Annual Cost Difference to Employees
HMO Single
$418
$400
Down $18
(-4.3%)
$54 less
HMO Family
$1,298
$1,284
Down $14
(-1.1%)
$42 less
PPO Single
$558
$600
Up $42
(+7.5%)
$126 more
PPO Family
$1,692
$1,750
Up $58
(+3.4%)
$174 more
Finally, those employees who enroll in the Medical Flexible Spending Account plan need to be aware of a change
necessitated by the federal health care reform legislation. Beginning Jan. 1, 2011, over-the-counter drugs can be
reimbursed under the Flexible Spending Account plan only if the receipt is accompanied by a prescription for the
OTC drug from the attending physician.
MASTER-PIECE – Precision
Machining Technology
student Erich Schaefer shows
off the engine coil cover he
created with Computerized
Numerical Control machines
over the summer at the Sam
Wolf Granite City Campus.
Schaefer’s work won him
second place in the 20092010 Mastercam Wildest Parts
competition, which pitted him
against other CNC operations
students from across the U.S.
This is the second year in a row
Schaefer has won the award.
The Thanksgiving Food Drive is under
way! The class with the most food items
wins a pizza or McDonald’s breakfast party
and braggin’ rights! Encourage students to
donate or bring in items to support your
favorite class! Call ext. 8104 for details.
sam wolf granite city campus
Don’t miss the campus’ Family Night Out!
“The Belize Whale Shark Expedition” is
stopping by Tuesday, Nov. 2 from
6:30-7:30 p.m in The Commons. Come
face to face with the world’s largest shark
in this thrilling, real-life Ocean Adventure
program.
Bring your kids and enjoy an Evening
with Santa and Friends Thursday,
Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m. in The Commons.
Photos will be available for $3 each and
you may purchase up to 10. Preregistration
is required. For more information, call
ext. 6678.
STORM STRUCK – Jennifer
Albat, secretary for the Dean of
Business, met Discovery Channel
star Reed Timmer when he came
to SWIC. Timmer, a meteorologist
and storm chaser, shared the
lessons learned about tornadoes
through his research efforts and
played video clips of some of the
tornadoes he’s encountered. More
than 700 people crowded the
Varsity Gym for the presentation.
People also had an opportunity to
see his Storm Chaser’s vehicle, the
TVN Dominator.
FALL FESTIVITIES – SWIC student Jamie Long, daughter
of Green Jobs/Green Economy Initiative Director Karen
Stallman, paints a heart on 2-year-old Callie Davis’ cheek at
the Red Bud Fall Fest. The annual event featured everything
from pony cart rides and bounce houses, to pumpkin
decorating and green presentations.
Committee
Moving
Forward
with Title III
Student Data
Intelligence
Project
Implementing a business
intelligence system is not a simple
task, but a 15-member crosssection committee currently is
working with IT staff to complete
the project.
“A tremendous amount of
planning took place before system
construction began,” notes Title III SAT
Specialist Laura Mondy. “We are fortunate to
be working with Covenant Technologies, a St.
Louis area consulting group. Their knowledge
of the Microsoft platform, understanding of
business intelligence theory and experience
assisting other organizations in implementing
business intelligence systems are benefiting
SWIC enormously.”
FRUITS OF LABOR – Assistant Professor of English Treasure
Williams, left, and East St. Louis Community College Center
Site Supervisor Rick Gregory, second from left, discuss
sustainable gardening techniques while students Jau Tolden,
center, and Skyler Stanaland, right, enjoy grilled vegetable
pizza and apple salad.
The first phase of the project includes
the establishment of the infrastructure;
development of the student enrollment data
system; creation of a visual dashboard to
display key enrollment measures; the launch
Dean of Health Sciences and Homeland Security Julie Muertz participated in two
presentations at the Illinois Community College Board’s ninth annual Forum for Excellence.
As the recipient of an ICCB CTE/Developmental Ed Bridge grant, Muertz interacted with
the audience during the CTE/Developmental Ed Bridge Program Planning: A Conversation
about Answers. In FY10 and FY11, Muertz also received a Local Implementation/Pathways to
Results grant to develop and implement a Program of Study in the Health Science Diagnostic
Services pathway. Muertz served on a panel of presenters during the Effective Practices from
Pathways to Results session.
BLUE STORM SUPPORT – From left, Baseball
Head Coach Neil Fiala, Physical Plant Shift
Supervisor Jerry Ainsworth, Executive Assistant
to the President and Board Secretary Beverly
Fiss, Men’s Head Basketball Coach and Athletic
Director Jay Harrington and President Georgia
Costello, Ph.D., enjoy the great weather before
a recent women’s home soccer game.
WINNERS ALL THE WAY – Members of the SWIC chapter of
the Association of Information Technology Professionals pose
for a photo after being recognized as one of the eight best
chapters in the country in five different qualification categories.
Pictured are, from left, standing, chapter sponsor and Computer
Information Systems Professor Sharon Banjavcic with students
James Bowen, Angela O’Dell, Staci Cripe, Jill Hasstedt and
Richard Nibello; sitting, Dana Schmierbach and Lauren Peterson.
of SharePoint, Microsoft’s collaboration platform;
and training for users who will pilot the system.
“It will be helpful to decision-makers to be able
to drill into the data to get detailed information
on a variety of student demographics and
course data elements for any of the SWIC
campuses and learning centers,” notes project
sponsor Vice President for Instruction Clay Baitman.
IT staff members assigned to the project include,
standing, from left, Mondy, Systems Analyst
Nancy Homann and Database Administrator
Mike Hinton; sitting, IT Development Director
Linda Andres. Not pictured is Senior Systems
Analyst Pam Taylor.
From the Board of Trustees
At the October meeting, the SWIC Board of Trustees:
•Approved the following appointments:
Assistant Director of the Physical Plant
James F. Gunter.
•Accepted a $600,000 U.S. Department of
Education grant for the Illinois Community
College Sustainability Network as SWIC
serves as the fiscal agent for the Illinois Green
Economy Network; $125,000 College and
Career Readiness Grant for Instruction for high
school partnership initiatives; $89,000 in state
grants awarded to Partnership for College and
Career Success to support local development,
improvement and implementation efforts, and
to transition developmental education students
into existing credit bearing postsecondary
degree and certificate programs; and $1,275
grant from the Illinois Department of Insurance
awarded to PSOP for its SHIP program which
educates seniors on the changes in Medicare
and the drug programs.
“Regular Board Meeting Minutes” and “Other Board
Minutes” are posted on SWIC.edu. Click “About Us”
and “Board of Trustees.”