Please note the following IT service update for Monday, February 21.
- IT Services will be working on wiring closets and physical networking in the college on the Family Day Holiday, Monday February 21.
- Segments of the internal MHC network will be down for some extended periods during the day, meaning some college computers will have no network access at times during the day.
- This will not affect our websites or Blackboard.
Office Moves in Student Services
Please note the following office moves in Student Services:
- Aileen Leslie,(Scheduling Administrator) C105
- Alleen Eirich, (Academic Advisor / Case Manager C118
- Brandi Durda, (Academic Advisor) C237
- Kim McDowall (Academic Advisor)C235
- Louise Pimentel, (Academic Advisor / Case Manager) C119
- Natalie Ward, (Articulation and PLAR Advisor) C236
- Shelley Rennie, (Records Clerk) C236
- Stacey Scholer, (Academic Advisor) C235
Who will YOU nominate?
The 2011 Employee Recognition Awards program is up and running! We are looking for nominations for each of the four categories: College Employee of the Year, Academic Achievement, Service Achievement, and Innovation. Often, just being nominated is a huge recognition for many employees.
For further information on the program, please view the MHC website on the Employees page under Your Job/Employee Recognition.
One Book One Community 2011
The One Book One Community committee is busy planning the 7th annual event for October 2011 and they need your help! Each event, the OBOC book to be read by all of Medicine Hat is selected from suggestions from the community.
During February 2011, the committee will be taking submissions via an online suggestion form and in person at the Vera Bracken Library, Medicine Hat College, the Medicine Hat Public Library and Coles Bookstore in Medicine Hat Mall. Suggested books should be by a Canadian author, available in paperback and substantial enough to generate discussion. Fiction, non-fiction, biography, short stories, or poetry suggestions are welcome. The suggested titles are read and evaluated by volunteer readers and the committee. Once the book has been chosen, the title will be announced in the spring.
Check out the OBOC website, join the Facebook page and stay tuned for events in October 2011. For more information, contact Leigh Cunningham at 403-504-3654 or obocmh@gmail.com.
NISOD Innovation Abstract: Using Twitter to Stay Connected
In "Using Twitter to Stay Connected," Catherine Howard, Professor of Chemistry and Biology, at Texarkana College (TX), describes her remarkable success sending tweets before each class day in order to stay in better touch with students-e.g., address assignment schedules, provide reminders about upcoming exams, offer study tips, and offer encouragement. Student feedback from the initial pilot study conducted in three of her classes encouraged her to continue using Twitter in all.
Access this article at:
http://www.nisod.org/password/abstracts/XXXIII_4.html
(*The username is member and the password is nisod2011.*)
NISOD Conference
Registration for the 33rd annual International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence, which will be held on May 29-June 1, 2011, in Austin, Texas, is now open. Be sure to register by April 29th to take advantage of our early-bird discount. Further information can be found at http://www.nisod.org/conference/registration.html.
Hit & Run @ Cultural Centre
Anyone with information regarding a hit and run incident (damage estimated between $5,000 - $7,000) at the Culture Centre on Tuesday, February 1 between noon and 5 p.m. are asked to contact Christine Bootland @ 403-529-4816.
OH&S Issue: Ultrafine particles from laser printers contribute to reduced indoor air quality
Background
UFPs or Ultra Fine Particles are defined as those having a diameter of less than 1 micron. Only in the past five years has technology been available to measure the presence of these particles in the work environment and what is being found is a new source of public concern.
These particles are generated by; combustion, as in the case of diesel exhaust emissions and cigarettes; cooking, and in some electrical appliances, including laser printers. These particles primarily consist of paraffins, oils, and carbon black. The small size of these particles is the primary concern as they defeat the body’s ability to keep them out of the respiratory system. This may lead to throat irritation and may contribute to other chronic cardio-respiratory diseases.
Studies of UFPs indicate diesel vehicle exhaust and cigarette smoke as the primary contributors of concern with orders of magnitude greater emission than those form indoor sources like cooking and small appliances.
In the office environment, one study found that indoor particle count increased five fold as the work day progressed. The same study found that particle emissions increased with use of a new toner cartridge and when printing graphics or other high density images. Photocopiers appeared to be a very minor contributor to UFP levels compared to some models of laser printers.
What does all this mean to you?
The understanding of the potential long term health effects of UFPs is still in its infancy. Technology has progressed to the point where we can identify these particles in the workplace environment, but the mechanism on how they may affect human health is incomplete.
How can you minimize your exposure to UFPs?
These particles are a natural part of the outdoor environment so eliminating their presence is not possible except within some manufacturing “clean rooms”. You can reduce your exposure to man-made sources by reducing idling of your vehicle, not smoking, and using your kitchen exhaust fan whenever cooking.
In the office environment, take your breaks away from your desk and go for a walk. Use an area printer or the duplicating shop rather than a desktop printer wherever possible. Eliminating or moving your office printer at least 2 meters away from your breathing zone is also an option if you are concerned. This also offers the perfect opportunity to get up and stretch thus reducing ergonomic issues as well!
If you have concerns or questions please contact the EHS office, rsloan@mhc.ab.ca.
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