Monday, October 15, 2012

MHC News









One College Initiative Update – The formation of the institutional promise

Back in February, MHC’s leadership identified the need to formally define a position and promise statement for our college that would provide a foundation for the One College Initiative. An institutional promise is a reflection of an organization’s personality, and signifies the commitment to those it serves.

Why is this important? Having a clear institutional promise provides a sense of purpose and direction for the employees who work here, and ensures that we develop strategies and make decisions with a consistent goal in mind

The development of the promise included:

  • The engagement of SEM Works consulting group to facilitate the process.
  • Spring 2012 focus groups on campus with various stakeholder groups including MHC staff and faculty, recent high school graduates, international students, mature students, and New Canadian students.
  • Review of recent Medicine Hat College surveys and reports, including the Environmental Scan, Student Satisfaction Survey, and Leaver Survey, as well as third party reports such as Academica Group’s University & College Applicant Study.
Through these efforts, SEM Works identified the attributes that stakeholders currently recognize as authentic to Medicine Hat College:

LocalHelpfulModern/Attractive Vibrant
OpportunityExcellent Convenient Comfortable
SmallFuturePersonal attentionPotential
HomeFun Quality learning experienceChallenging
FriendlyQuality of facultyCompetentProgram reputation
RattlersAccessibleDiverse

Through continued work with SEM Works, Medicine Hat College was advised to refine these concepts – focusing on some more than others – and to add ‘pathways to careers and/or university.’ Looking to the future, we would want stakeholders to describe Medicine Hat College using words like:

FriendlyQuality of facultyDiverse
Pathways to careers and/or university
HelpfulQuality learning experience Vibrant
Personal attentionProgram reputationPotential

SEM Works distilled what they heard from various stakeholders:

Our position:
Our people are passionate about unleashing the potential of every student—
intellectually, emotionally, and socially.


Our promise: UNLEASHING POTENTIAL
Through every encounter we have with students – and all that we do - we will seek to recognize and encourage their potential as learners, workers, and global citizens.

In June, the statements were presented to and approved by the executive and other formal leaders at Medicine Hat College.

Visit http://source/sites/OneCollege/SitePages/Home.aspx to learn more about the One College Initiative.



Bookstore Closure
The Bookstore will be closed for a staff meeting on the last Tuesday of each month:

October 30: 1:30 - 2 p.m.
November 27: 1:30 p.m. - 2 p.m.



HR Update

Please join Human Resources in welcoming the following new employees:
Support Staff
Justine Boughen, Teacher Aide, Adult Basic Education
Shannon Thomas, Graphic Designer & Multimedia Developer, Educational Technology Services

Additionally, the following employee will soon be off-campus on a leave:
Aoi Hildebrand, Office Assistant, International Education



Canada Savings Bonds
The Canada Savings Bond Campaign is now open until November 1, 2012.

To participate in the Payroll Savings Program or to make changes to your existing plan, visit http://www.csb.gc.ca/. To access the site you will need our Organization ID: 15626

New participants:
Through the registration process you will create your own Client ID, Password, and Challenge Questions. You will then be asked to set up your monthly CSB contribution.

Existing Participants in the Payroll Savings Program:
  • If you would like your current contribution to continue, do nothing.
  • If you would like to make changes to your existing plan you will need to login with your existing Client ID and Password. If you have forgotten your Client ID you can retrieve it from the login page.
  • Existing participants have the ability to create a personalized Client ID (something easier to remember) and set up Challenge Questions in the event you have forgotten your login information.
Please note: if you are an existing plan holder but have never accessed the on-line system, you will need your 10-digit plan number (starts with a “2”) found on last year’s annual CSB statement. You will then need to follow the Register link.

All changes and new registrations will take effect on December’s payroll.
If you have any questions contact Denise Paul at 3859 or dpaul@mhc.ab.ca.



NISOD Innovation Abstract
In "The Peer Review Course," Kristen Pearson Westrick, Instructor, English, at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, describes a method for getting students more involved in the peer review process.

Access these articles at: http://www.nisod.org/password/abstracts/XXXIV_22.html
(*The username is member and the password is nisod13.*)



Continuing Studies Spotlight: Stepping Stones and Mosaic Stained Glass
LAST CHANCE! Kim Marshall and Cora Williamson are teaching the final classes of both “Stepping Stones” and “Mosaic Stained Glass”. They are retiring and this Fall 2012 session will be their last! Call Registration (3844) to find out what classes are still available and register today!

Dates: October 24, 25, and November 1
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: MHC, Room T129

Continuing Studies Spotlight: Basic Welding and Cutting Processes
Become familiar with the most common weld­ing and cutting jobs that can be done successfully and safely. Gain some independence and learn about basic maintenance you can perform yourself at home, on the farm, or on the job. This course will expose students to a variety of welding processes, including Oxyacetylene Welding (OAW), Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW). You will be introduced to theoretical practices and practical use of the various processes in a safe manner. Coveralls or denim clothing, safety footwear, welding gloves and safety glasses are required on the first evening (not supplied). Instructor: Jason Bonogofsky

Time: Mon & Thur, Nov 1- 29 (No class Nov 12), 6:00-9:00 PM
Cost: $575.00 + GST



Course Pack Materials Deadline for the Winter Semester: November 23
The semester is quickly flying by and there are only eight weeks left until the end of classes. This is a reminder for instructors to submit their course pack materials to the Bookstore by 12:00 Noon, November 23, 2012. Instructors are asked to submit their course pack materials along with a photocopy log to Clint prior to submission to the Bookstore. The photocopy log details the bibliographic information of the course pack materials and allows the Copyright Officer to process the course packs more quickly. Visit the Bookstore SharePoint site under the “Faculty Information” tab to download the Copyright Photocopy Log.
NOTE: If the course pack contains no copies and is completely the original work of the instructor, there is no need to complete the photocopy log.

Please contact Clint Lawrence if you require assistance with permissions, fair dealing assessments, and/or the photocopy log at clawrence@mhc.ab.ca or 3835. If you have questions related to the production and sale of course packs, please contact Debbie Wood at debbiew@mhc.ab.ca or 3816.