Attendees:
MCC President Shaink; Michael Simon-Manager of Office of President; Jennifer McDonald-Interim Director of Student Financial Services; Dean Delores Deen-Executive Dean of Student Services; Tom Saelens-Director of Admissions; Sgt. Lloyd Nicholson-MCC Public Safety; Larry Gawthrop-Chief Financial Officer; Mike Cieslinski-Resource Coordinator Student Services; Dean Margaret Brainard-Dean of Social Sciences; Dean Johanna Brown-Dean of Science & Mathematics; Dean Patricia Bergh-Dean of Humanities; Dean Patricia Markowitz-Dean of Health Sciences; Dean Mary Cusack-Dean of Fine Arts; Mark Kennedy-Chief Human Resources Officer; Dawn Vanniman-Student Life Coordinator; VP Scott Jenkins-VP of Student & Administrative Services; Dean Clark Harris-Dean of Technology; Dean Bob Loth-Dean of Business; Dean Troy Boquette-Dean of Counseling & Student Development; Bob Howald-Executive Dean of Continuing Education, Extended Campuses & Institute for Medical Simulation; Cindy Sanders-Executive Assistant Southern Lakes Branch; El Nita Blount-Technician Mailroom; Beverly Vargo-Humanities Instructor; Michelle Robinson-Computing Support Services Manager; Dr. Amy Fugate-VP Academic Affairs; Dr. Steve Robinson-Executive Dean Planning Research and Quality; Michael Kelly-Executive Director Public Information; Rose Beane-Director of Learning Center & DisAbility Services; Dave Goldsmith-Technician ITS Media Services; Dolores Sharp-Academic Resource Administrator; Lori Trumbo-Executive Dean of Professional Development & Experiential Learning; Yakini Brown-SGA President; Thomas Caine-SGA Vice President and Shan Buckley-SGA Secretary.
Why has MCC blocked off the lot across from Robert T?
Dr. Shaink – that lot does not belong to us, it belongs to the Ruth Mott Foundation and they put in the creek and lawn so we cannot use it now.
Why do we have to wait two months for loan refunds when other colleges disburse them on the first day of classes?
Dean Deen – Colleges have to make choices on how to deal with financial aide issues. We wait thirty days in to the semester and certify loans, then within another thirty days the refunds should be disbursed.
Why do Advisors put you into classes you aren’t prepared for?
Dean Deen – Advising is a two-way street, often Advisors caution students against taking certain classes; but sometimes Advisors are doing students a “favor” by getting them into a class just so they have a class. If you have a question about your case in specific, please see me.
Why are nursing students set up at 8 credits, can we correct that to receive full-time credit? At 8 credits we aren’t considered full-time.
Dean Markowitz – Have you completed all of your General Education requirements?
Student – Yes
Dean Markowitz – Can you take a ‘fun” class to fill out your schedule?
Student – Can you change the class credits to reflect full-time?
Dean Markowitz – No, we can be penalized for giving a class too many credits or contact hours.
Dr. Fugate – The program is set up so that you may take another class with the 8 credits.
Student – There’s a three year waiting list and I’ve taken all my classes and now I can’t get the full-time financial aide.
I’ve always assumed that the logo is an apple tree, is it?
Michael Kelly – The logo was designed in the 70’s by Doug Warner, based on an apple tree on Applewood Estate.
Dr. Shaink – The logo is very recognizable and also feeds into the “Tree of Learning” for the college.
Michael Kelly – CS Mott Farm stood where the college is today also.
Why does Financial Aide send the same letter eight times and then sends another letter six times contradicting the first one?
Dean Deen – We do apologize for that. Our software sends automatically and we were having some issues with it.
Beverly Vargo – My composition students are all writing about financial aide, has something changed in the administration of it?
Mr. Jenkins – There have been a number of changes in regulations with the federal government. For example, with all the layoffs, we would generally not be giving financial aide to some people as we would look at their past years earning, now we can look at them right now. Sometimes the issue is that the FAFSA is not filled out correctly also, then it gets flagged and the federal government and the college have to communicate on information for that particular application. We have 28% unemployment in Flint and 17% in Michigan, there are a lot more people filling out the FAFSA that have never filled it out before. Some schools capped enrollment and classes this fall – we did not, we added courses and let everyone in that we could. That also put Financial Aide behind, 12,500 students does create some issues. We’re required to do things and if we don’t do them correctly, we will fall into “default” status and will not be able to handle financial aide anymore. We have never been in “default” status and do not plan to go there.
I hear there’s a proposal to have the FAFSA attached to our Income Tax forms and how can we promote this?
Dean Deen – Yes, there is such a proposal. If and when it happens, it will still be difficult because of verification issues. If you would like to promote it, please contact your legislators.
Dr. Shaink – We go over FAFSA for some students that end up not even attending MCC, they send their FAFSA to several colleges at once. The college bears the brunt of the frustration, not the government. I visited Financial Aide during the Fall rush and they work very hard, we provided snacks and lunches because you are our guests and we increased staff.
Thomas Cain – Financial Aide was very accommodating, front people were nice and pleasant, great for providing lunch. But may I ask who we are seeing at the front? How is the department set up?
Jennifer McDonald – There are eight people that work out front and four to six in the back.
Thomas Caine – what level of education and training do they have?
Jennifer McDonald – The staff meet the minimum requirements, an Associates Degree and 2-4 weeks of training.
Announcement by Dr. Shaink:
Yakini Brown and Larry Gawthrop met and they wish to set up some workshops for students to tell them what they need to do for financial aide.
Dean Deen – We are getting ready to offer financial aide guidance, with Financial Aide and Admissions, there will be workshops to assist with FAFSA and loans. A seasoned pro will be running the workshops, they will probably begin in November.
Announcement by Dr. Shaink:
The Board of Trustees were asked to set tuition at the end of March this year. I am going to the Board in October to request that they set tuition for the entire 2010 year (winter, spring, summer, fall). That will help in Financial Aide also.
I have financial aide in place, why do I keep getting bills?
Dean Deen – If you are still receiving bills and your financial aide is posted and received, something has not been covered. If you have a PERC Hold, you are going to receive bills until the aide is processed and posted, then you should receive notification of that.
My brother has no high school diploma but was told he could attend MCC, what exactly would he be working toward?
Dean Deen – He would be working toward an Associates Degree. A student needs either a high school diploma or to pass our Ability to Benefit test to receive financial aide, but without either you may attend and pay cash.
Will the fact that he doesn’t have a high school diploma, but an Associates degree affect him with employers later?
Dean Deen – A college degree without a high school degree should not be an issue.
Dr. Shaink – We have a Trustee with no high school diploma. She has received three Associates degrees and went on to receive further education at a university. I love to see people change their life that way, it just improves everything.
Announcement by Dr. Shaink:
State aid for school and property taxes are all down. If we just pass on the losses, tuition would be higher. But college employees have given up some things and the college worked hard to keep costs down.
Yakini Brown – tuition, even at $139 would be about 1/3 of other colleges.
Yakini Brown – MCC decided to close the third shift for janitorial, but now things are not as clean as they used to be. Why is that, when they are here all day?
Mr. Jenkins – We wanted to try out not having a third shift. Third shift costs a lot of money – we’re paying the same amount for utilities as during the daytime. We’re working with union reps and supervisors, looking for more solutions. Now they take care of things that would linger all day. Now we can address a specific situation – call Facilities. For the most part we have had positive feedback.
Dr. Shaink – This has been a “green” move. Increased enrollment, less payment for utilities at night for third shift.
I see more and more people littering on campus, what can be done about it?
Mr. Jenkins – 65% of students return after the first semester, so we have a lot of new students. They don’t know how we do things yet. If you see things – you can certainly pick it up or call Facilities – they will handle litter and graffiti.
Is a general computer class a requirement?
Dr. Fugate – In the general education requirements for Associates of Arts and Sciences there is a technical requirement, it can be any tech class. Also DLES is required for online courses. For some, turning on/off and doing attachments is included in the beginner classes. We require that because the GPA for online is not well. Also there was a 50% drop rate for online.
Dr. Shaink – Why do you ask?
I took a class and at least half the class was taken up in assisting other students in turning on the computer and saving attachments. It took away from class time and I felt that I did not get everything out of the class that I could have. I hate to say it, but it was mostly the older generation.
Dr. Fugate – One of the biggest challenges for faculty in classes is technology. There is a gap in technology and age – Tech is looking at beginner classes now. If you are having this issue with a class, please speak to the Dean about it and perhaps they can work with the faculty to figure it out.
I was a nursing student in the eighties, can I graduate with a general degree now?
Dr. Fugate – Please see a counselor so that they can go over your records and see what can be accomplished. There is an Associates in General Studies.
Why aren’t more classes added, instead of overloads being done?
Dr. Fugate – some of the facilities are simply full, there are classes being run from Monday through Saturday from 8:00am – 10:00pm. We do have some large classes in auditoriums, those are lecture classes with several labs connected to them.
Announcement by Michael Kelly:
Over the weekend, I was approached by several people – including the Mayor of Flint, the cultural neighborhood people and more – about the legal variance for Lot T. There is apparently a map floating around that gives the idea that MCC is planning a parking lot on the side of the Regional Technology Center (RTC) where the tennis courts and park area are. That is not true. It would be by Lot S in the northeast corner.
In the Automotive Program, why don’t we have state certification after each specific course – for example, after doing brakes, have the state certification? We have to take it elsewhere at the end.
Dean Harris – I’ll talk to the faculty and ask about this question.
There are a lot of handicapped people on campus, sometimes I have to park near Gorman, can’t we get golf cart service?
Dean Deen – there is a lot of handicap parking near the buildings. If it is consistently full, you may go through your DisAbility Services Coordinator to deal with Public Safety for an ongoing issue.
Sgt. Nicholson – If you call us, we will come to help you.
Thomas Caine – What is MCC’s sense of mission or responsibility to the community at large? Example: Green Initiatives to benefit the college and community, how can students contribute?
Dr. Shaink – MCC has grants for Green Initiatives and we support several community centers – Hispanic, church related and youth related – we also do community policing through Public Safety.
Dr. Fugate – We use classes for this also, we are incorporating Service Learning into classes. No, this is not a requirement like it is in some high schools.
Thomas – What about the Board of Trustees, do they brainstorm or review community ventures?
Dr. Shaink – we work with other colleges, Chambers of Commerce, other community ventures and keep on top of all of it. Many of our staff and faculty are on community committees. Any student who wishes to volunteer, please come talk to us, we’ll help connect you.
Michael Kelly – MCC also runs the Summer Youth Initiative.
Thomas – Are the way MCC is involved on our website anywhere?
Dr. Robinson – Not only is that in our mission statement, but also in the President’s Five Year Strategic Plan. We just completed a portfolio on this very thing, you can find it by searching Systems Portfolio on our website. It is a 100 page document.
Sgt. Nicholson – Public Safety hosts the Halloween Party every year for the community children, many of MCC’s staff/faculty/students volunteer and give items. We also do a county-wide Bike Rodeo where we give our bikes and helmets.
Thomas – Is there a way to identify what we have done and what we are going to do?
Lori Trumbo – recently Dr. Fugate created the Advisory Council for Experiential Learning.
Yakini Brown – Could you please define Experiential for the students here?
Lori – There really isn’t a Webster definition for it, in general it is some sort of experience outside of the classroom that relates back to the class.
Michael Kelly – Some of the things that would be experiential would be volunteering or internships, they give experience that relates back to the program or your interests.
Dr. Shaink – Talk to your instructors or to Lori Trumbo, they can help guide you.
Dawn Vanniman – Student clubs also come in to this, many of them provide experiential learning – they volunteer at soup kitchens, domestic violence shelters, all kinds of things that may relate back to your class or interest.
I’ve been here two years, is there any plan to have Bachelors Degrees in the future?
Dr. Shaink (laughs) It’s just like we paid you to say that! About fourteen states have allowed community colleges to give out BA’s. MCC is approaching the state and may be allowed to do certain degrees – only Applied areas, no transfer programs.
Michael Kelly – The University Center offers BA and MA degrees. Often you can take three years at MCC and one year at the university, saving money and they offer a lot of programs. We also send a large amount of students to UM-Flint, just down the street.