• DO put a WN on your class roster for a student who does not attend by the 10% date, but do NOT enter the WN as a grade until the end of the term.
• DO notify the Financial Aid/Veterans Affairs Office about any student who never attended or who stopped attending by emailing Amy Schultheis. The College is liable for any payment to financial aid students who stop attending.
• Do NOT allow a student to attend your class who is not registered for that class-section.

On January 7, 2008, the College Cabinet approved the following new policies to comply with requirements of the N.C. Community College System.

• 4.09 Salary Determination 
• 4.10 Longevity Pay
• 4.39 Employee Performance Review and Evaluation 

The following current policies have recently been revised:

• 4.03 Part-time Employment  
• 4.16 Vacation/Personal Leave 
• 4.17 Sick Leave 
• 4.19 Military Leave 
• 4.32 Conflict Resolution and the Grievance Process 
• 4.36 Due Process 

For your reference, these changes may be reviewed at http://inside.cpcc.edu/P&PManual/ppm4-0/default.htm

If you have any questions, please contact Susan Oleson.

In the event of inclement weather or other emergency situations, all members of the College are encouraged to watch CPCC TV, log on to the CPCC website, or call the new emergency information line at 704.330.6888 for up-to-date information.

Employees can also listen to area radio and television stations for announcements regarding the operation of the College; however, when there are numerous closings in the Charlotte area, it may take longer to get information about CPCC on these channels.

Please note, when the College closes, all classes at all campuses are canceled.

We need your volunteer help! On February 19, CPCC will host the 2008 Open House in the IT Building on Central Campus from 2:00-5:00 p.m. Last year we had over 400 people in attendance and this year we are hoping for many more! 

If you would like to volunteer with check-in, refreshments, greeting, etc., please contact Julie Grahl via email or call 6223. Any amount of volunteer time would be greatly appreciated!

CPCC will receive $1,013,593 in federal funding to support computer forensics, cyber-security efforts, and integrated emergency response training efforts. The money was allocated in the 2008 federal omnibus spending bill signed by President Bush. The following is a summary of the awards:

§ American Academy of Applied Forensics—$822,000 from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). Cyber-crime accounts for billions of dollars in economic losses and an incalculable toll on individual victims, particularly minors. This federal appropriation will allow CPCC to develop training courses and curriculum in cyber-security (prevention) and computer forensics (investigation) for the region’s law enforcement and business sector.

§ Center for Integrated Emergency Response Training (CIERT)—$191,593 from the Department of Education Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education. The Charlotte region’s emergency responders and public health workers serve more than two million citizens in the most densely populated region of the Carolinas. These emergency response professionals must be prepared to respond to complex crisis events that require a high level of collaboration. This federal appropriation will allow CPCC to develop training exercises and curriculum for public health workers and emergency responders. The training will utilize state-of-the-art, computer-based simulations of real-world crisis events that engage participants from across all emergency response professions.

N.C. congressional delegation members Senators Richard Burr and Elizabeth Dole and Representatives Robin Hayes, Sue Myrick and Melvin Watt played a critical role in securing these appropriations.

To support N.C. State Health Plan (NCSHP) members affected by the January 1, 2008, smoking ban in N.C. government buildings and facilities, the State Health Plan offers free, over-the-counter generic nicotine patches to members and dependents. To receive free nicotine patches, State Health Plan members must visit their health care provider or take advantage of free tobacco cessation support services available through the NC Quitline. The State Health Plan offers this support to all members who want to quit smoking or quit using smokeless tobacco. According to NCSHP, research shows that counseling, combined with medication, increases the likelihood that an individual will stop smoking.

Smoking cessation has major and immediate benefits for smokers of all ages, according to the CDC. Within 20 minutes of a smoker’s last cigarette, the body begins a series of positive health changes that continue for years.

After one year of smoking cessation, the excess risk of heart disease caused by smoking is reduced by about one-half. For more information, visit the State Health Plan website. Contact the NC Quitline by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669 from 8:00 a.m.-12 midnight).

Download QA Tobacco Cessation pdf  document or visit the Be Well website: Community and State Health and Fitness Resources.

Call for volunteers
The 2008 CPCC Career Fair will take place on Wednesday, March 5, at the Grady Cole Center. The 2007 Career Fair was a great success due in large part to the support we received from our volunteers. Come be a part of one of the largest career fairs in Charlotte!

Our volunteers assist primarily in the areas of registration, evaluations and door prizes. Choose from two shifts:

• 1st Shift: 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
• 2nd shift: 12:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

For those who can devote their time for a complete shift, we will thank you with a delicious hot lunch catered by Mama Ricotta’s! Please call Christy Curts in Career Services (6449) or email Christy.Curts@cpcc.edu. Please be sure to indicate what area and time period you would prefer.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Gentle Yoga for Your Health resumes on Thursdays from 12:00-1:00 p.m. in TA 201 with Mary McCurry as instructor. Yoga helps you become more aware of your body's posture, alignment and patterns of movement. It makes the body more flexible and helps you relax and relieve stress.  All full-time and part-time faculty and staff are invited to participate in this free class. Registration is not required.

Please wear comfortable clothing.  

If you are currently pursuing educational advancement, have been a full-time employee for at least one year, and would like to have financial assistance with your tuition and books, you are eligible for Return-to-School funding through the Center for Leadership and Staff Development.

The deadline for spring applications is January 30.

Forms are available on the Employee Development website.  If you have any questions, please contact Diann Back.

The Outreach & Recruitment department is gearing up for our spring College Connection presentations. We will be going into CMS English classes and talking to students about this early registration program and the many programs and services the College has to offer. In order to participate in the program, students must apply and take the Accuplacer test prior to the registration date at their school. On the scheduled date, along with advisors, registrars and a financial aid representative, we will register students for the fall 2008 semester before they have even graduated from high school.

What a great opportunity to get a head start at CPCC!

The following openings are now available at CPCC. Details about qualifications and a complete job description are available on the Human Resources website. Please look under the “Employment” section for a list of job openings, as well as instructions on how to apply. Résumés cannot be substituted for an application. For faculty positions, copies of transcripts are required with applications; original transcripts required at date of hire. A separate CPCC application is required for each position.

Internal & External Position(s)

Conference Events Set-up Assistant PT, position #6HARRCN-HNC-4. This position is available at the Harris Campus and is part of the Harris Conference Center. This position is responsible for ensuring all meeting all meeting rooms are set up in advance according to client specification. Set tables, chairs and equipment according to client specifications. Refresh and maintain conference and service areas. Respond directly to client inquiries and requests. Maintain inventory of equipment and supplies. Must be able to lift and maneuver heavy conference furnishings. Additional requirements are standing and walking for long periods of time, bending, reaching and kneeling. Must have a spirit to serve the customer. Must have good oral and written communication skills. Understanding of computer equipment, software, audio-visual is a plus. Able to work flexible schedule of 10-20 hours per week. Primary hours are 5:00-9:00 p.m. Interested candidates send CPCC application to Steve Brennan at steve.brennan@cpcc.edu. The part-time application can be accessed online. Closing date not specified.

Customer Service Representative, Position #4STINFO-FNC-1, REQ ID #197. This position has been reopened. This position will provide customer service via telephone, internet, fax and mail. Assist with general questions, schedule placement testing, verify student information, refer customers to appropriate departments, mail materials upon request, assist with the preparation of mass mailings. This position also verifies information in master files; assists with mass mailings sent by the Recruitment Department; answers calls and discusses course requirements and/or prerequisites; schedules students for placement testing; notifies Director of any updates needed for the Information Center Manual; prepares individual information packets based on callers’ requests; mails out College information; verifies important College dates (i.e. beginning of registration, semester start dates, tuition due dates, drop/add dates, etc.). Minimum qualifications: requires high school diploma or GED plus one year of customer service work experience, preferably in a call center environment. English/Spanish bilingual skills are highly preferred. Closing Date: Thursday, January 31, 2008.

Administrative Clerk Senior, Position #4STSCCT-FNC-4, REQ ID #262. This Administrative Clerk Senior will performs a variety of standard clerical and administrative tasks which may include, but are not necessarily limited to, responding to inquiries and requests, reviewing documents, resolving discrepancies, gathering information, entering information into computer system, typing and filing in support of the operations of the registration, admissions and student records. This position will also respond to inquiries and requests involving some use of independent judgment to fit situation or facts with established guidelines; serves as informational resource to staff; gather and summarize information such as registration dates, tuition payment dates, etc.; process forms and information; enter information into computer system and review them for accuracy; assists students in the intake and enrollment process at the kiosks or directs students to the appropriate staff; process registrations and receive tuition payments; provide general information and responds to inquiries from visitors or at the Information Desk. Minimum qualifications: Requires a high school diploma or GED and one year of office experience. Closing Date: Sunday, January 27, 2008.

Student Counselor, Position #4STSCCT-FEP-2, REQ ID #261. This position provides professional guidance and information to students, primarily at-risk students. Advises students in determining educational and vocational goals, course selection, registration and program information. Counsels new and prospective students in the admissions and enrollment process. advises students in determining educational and vocational goals, course selection, registration, program requirements, and how to access information on these topics; counsels students on how to overcome individual academic problems and provides referrals for additional academic and tutoring assistance; reviews, evaluates, and interprets transcripts and test results of applicants to the college; provides information to students and parents regarding admission requirements and other policies and procedures; advises students regarding personal problems including crisis intervention; refers students to campus or community resources as appropriate; maintains a library of information and resources regarding academic and vocational options for students. Minimum qualifications: master’s degree in counseling, rehabilitation counseling, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, guidance counseling, educational counseling, social work, career development or marriage and family therapy, and one year of full-time work experience in counseling (or part-time experience equal to 2,080 hours) or completion of a full-time counseling internship lasting at least one full school year. Closing Date: Sunday, January 27, 2008.

Research Assistant, Position #6GENRES-FNC-2, REQ ID #264. This position performs a wide variety of simple to standard technical tasks related to collecting, retrieving, analyzing, and presenting research and planning information and studies; assists in the processes of gathering data, preparing reports and summarizing information; performs research activities by utilizing computer software to obtain and analyze data; reviews data, records and files for details and accuracy; enters data into computer systems; retrieves, corrects or deletes previously entered data; assists with organizing and conducting surveys and/or studies; performs tasks relating to surveys and/or studies such as coordinating mass mailings and making phone calls. Minimum qualifications: associate’s degree from an accredited institution and one year of experience relating to research or database management. Closing Date: Sunday, January 27, 2008.

Internal Posting Only:

Project Lead – Infrastructure, Position #2TELECM-FEP-3, REQ ID #84. This position has been reposted.The Infrastructure Project Lead is a senior-level/project lead position focusing on the entire system development life cycle as needed by the Information Technology Services department in delivering service and support to clients. Role includes business analysis, project management and financial analysis. Performs a variety of tasks required for the support of user and system requirements. Minimum qualifications: bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology or closely related field from an accredited institution; minimum four (4) years of full-time work experience in infrastructure or networking (or the equivalent in part-time experience); and certification directly related to infrastructure or networking. Closing Date: Friday, January 25, 200

§ The Harris Conference Center welcomed MetLife’s Carolinas Agency for the 2008 Kick-Off meeting last week. Over 200 attendees participated in seminars including financial planning, life products, auto and home insurance. This is the third annual meeting that MetLife has held at the conference center.

§ To Shareka Corry, Cashiering, Cato Campus, from Susan Oleson, Executive Assistant to the President:

“I just received a telephone call from a mother who had been having difficulty with her daughter’s account. She could not praise you enough. Not only were you knowledgeable, but you were polite, efficient, and more than willing to do whatever was necessary to help resolve the issue. Your assistance after a frustrating day meant the world to her.

“She maintains that with your personality and expertise you have a great future ahead of you. I told her that I, too, have had nothing but the most pleasant and helpful experiences with you.

“It is people such as you who give the college the wonderful reputation that it enjoys. On behalf of your co-workers, thank you!”

Business North Carolina magazine and CPCC will host the “Charlotte Region Economic Roundtable” on Tuesday, January 29, from 8:00-9:00 a.m. in Tate Recital Hall (Overcash Center). Roundtable guests include Dr. Tony Zeiss, CPCC; Ronnie Bryant, President and CEO of the Charlotte Regional Partnership; Bryant Kinney, Vice President for Regulatory and Governmental Affairs at Duke Energy; and Clyde Higgs, Vice President of Business Development for the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis.

CPCC faculty, staff and students are invited to attend.

The MLK Challenge on January 21, 2008, is an annual Service-Learning Center event that celebrates the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The day incorporates an educational kick-off, service projects, and a reflection wrap-up. The day begins with an introduction to King’s life and lessons. Participating students are then randomly assigned to groups and given a service project at a local organization to complete. Students must work together and utilize problem-solving skills in order to finish their task.

At the end of the day, students reassemble to reflect on their accomplishments in a guided discussion. This helps students process all that happened during the day. This event is free and open to the CPCC community only. We provide transportation, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Participants are asked to dress appropriately.

Registration begins 8:00 a.m. the day of the event in the Student Commons area of the Overcash Center.

Details: MLK Challenge, January 21, 2008; 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

To sign up for this event or to learn more please contact Dena Shonts via email or 704.330.6558, or Cassie Moore via email or 704.330.6824.

Wachovia CEO Ken Thompson, Chairman of the Financial Services Forum, and Congressman Mel Watt invite you to a town hall discussion on “Succeeding in the Global Economy: A New Policy Agenda for the American Worker,” moderated by Carolina Business Review host Chris William. The event will examine how communities, governments, and firms can help more American workers benefit from globalization.

The Financial Services Forum is an economic policy organization comprised of the chief executives of 20 of the largest financial institutions in the United States.

• Date: January 28, 2008
• Time: 9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
• Place: Harris Conference Center

Robert E. Johnson, Dean, College of Engineering, UNC Charlotte, will come to Central Campus on January 28, 2008, to speak to the topic “Today’s Engineering Student -Tomorrow’s Global Leader.” Classes are welcome. Dr. Johnson’s presentation begins at 10:00 a.m. in Pease Auditorium.

For more information, contact Don Jessep, 6922.

Sponsored by the Information Technology, Mathematics, Physics, and Engineering Technology divisions and The Futures Institute.

At Mint Museum
Tough times call for tough plants. This past summer’s drought emphasized the need for drought tolerant plants, which depend less on supplemental irrigation than the traditional landscape. To help horticulturalists and the public learn more about drought tolerant plants, CHAPS, the CPCC Horticulture Alumni Professional Society, will present “Water-Wise Plants with Impact” on February 6, 2008, at the Mint Museum. 

Speaker Mark Weathington is the Assistant Director and Curator for the JC Raulston Arboretum. He has been published in Horticulture, Carolina Gardener, Virginia Gardener and The Mid-Atlantic Gardener’s Book of Lists. In addition, he writes two weekly columns for The Virginia-Pilot, Virginia’s largest newspaper.

• Date: February 6, 2008
• Time: 7:00 Lecture
• Place: Mint Museum of Art, 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC
• Admission: $10; free for CHAPS members
• Hors d’oeuvres, complimentary drinks, and cash bar open at 6:00 p.m.

R.S.V.P. Arlene Main at mainkna@bellsouth.net

Open to faculty, students, community. Applications now being accepted! Boost your language skills and cultural awareness. Opportunities open to faculty, students, community.

Each language immersion course abroad will include pre-departure and onsite meetings with and guidance from your CPCC instructor.

Spanish in Mexico:  Two options:

• June 1-30,  Playa Del Carmen, Yucatan, 4-week academic program for up to seven academic credits or audit only. Cultural Immersion, Spanish language immersion at the Solexico Language Center. Students will be exposed to the culture, people, and vitality of Mexico in a seaside resort area in the heart of the Mayan Riviera. Playa del Carmen is 40 minutes from Cancun and close to many major archeological sites in the Yucatan peninsula. Weekend excursion included.  
• July 3 -21, Oaxaca, 18-day Spanish for Educators & the Workplace,  Cultural Immersion and Language Skills at the Solexico Language Center. Receive three credits for Cultural Immersion or for audit only. Enjoy the rich cultural and artistic heritage of Oaxaca, in the heart of Mexico.

French in France:  June 25- August 1, 2008

Learn French by being there! Receive up to seven credits or audit only. Join us in the French Alps on a beautiful lake in the medieval resort town of Annecy, “the Venice of France.” Arrive first in Paris and spend a few days strolling along the Seine, the Champs-Elysées, people-watching at cafés, visiting the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Jardin de Luxembourg, the Palace of Versailles, and so much more!  

In Annecy, the Institut de Français d’Annecy offers a superb immersion program.

Full details, cost estimates, payment schedules, photo albums available online. 

Contact: Donna Apgar, 704.330.6167, or email donna.apgar@cpcc.edu

QUOTES:

The Institute for Entrepreneurship will conduct free seminars the week of February 4, 2008 :

Advanced Job Costing With QuickBooks (SBX 7831). Want to know how much your business makes on each item you sell, what costs you have not billed for, or how to invoice from bills? See how to compare estimates to actual numbers or run job profitability reports. This seminar demonstrates how the advanced job costing features in QuickBooks Pro can help you run your business more efficiently.

• Date: Tuesday, February 5
• Time: 6:30–8:30 p.m.
• Place: Central Campus, PD Building

Trademarks, Copyrights, and Trade Secrets: What Small Business Owners Need To Know (SBX 7843). Coming up with new ideas to make your business unique is all part of the entrepreneurship process. But protecting those ideas has been taken to a whole new level because of the ease of technology. Find out some of the common intellectual property issues small business owners encounter. What steps should you take to protect your ideas and stay out of infringement trouble?

• Date: Wednesday, February 6
• Time: 6:30–8:30 p.m.
• Place: South County Regional Library, Charlotte, NC

Start Your Business Now (SBX 7525). What do you really need to start your own business? Much more than luck! This popular seminar is packed with valuable information to help you start off right and increase the odds of your business being successful. Learn the key aspects of marketing, sources of financing, and legal issues.

• Date: Thursday, February 7
• Time: 6:30–8:30pm
• Place: Central Campus, PD Building

To register or to obtain further information contact Customer Service at 704.330.4223.

The Institute for Entrepreneurship at CPCC is a member of the Small Business Center Network of 58 centers throughout N.C. The objective of the SCBN is to increase the success rate and the number of viable small businesses in N.C. by providing high quality, readily accessible assistance to prospective and existing small business owners and their employees.

The duo piano recital with Beverly Russell and Sidney Hamilton scheduled for next Thursday, January 17, at 12:30 p.m. in Sloan-Morgan has been canceled and will be rescheduled.

La Boheme by Giacomo Puccini will be performed on the Halton Theater stage on January 18, 19 at 8:00 p.m. and January 20 at 2:30 p.m. This most popular and beloved opera about young Parisian artists’ passionate lives will be fully staged with orchestra and sung in Italian with supertitles.

Just as tenor Placido Domingo went from the performing stage to the conductor’s podium, Craig Estep, local tenor extraordinaire, will be conducting these performances of La Boheme.

The cast features some of the area’s brightest vocal stars: Elizabeth Lawson, Jennifer Ferreira, Juan Cajero, Paolo Pacheco, Gil Ezring and Michael Dane. Miss it at your own peril!

For tickets, call the Box Office, 704.330.6534, or visit the CPCC Arts website. For information, call 704.330.6571.

§ To Jimmy Livornese, ITS, from Mark Clifton, Finance & G/L Systems:

“I just wanted to you to know how much we appreciated Steve Crull’s assistance and excellent customer service recently. We were in the process of having a much needed piece of office equipment installed and were experiencing problems both getting it installed and also getting it functional. When Steve got involved, he wrapped up all the loose ends, took the time to listen to our questions and provided business-oriented answers, and we were finally up and running. Steve demonstrates that he possesses both information technology skills and the ability to speak the language of his customers in the field, and that is a combination we very much appreciate.”

§ To Halemo Gulied, Testing Center, from Rudy Johnson, Mathematics Division:

“Thank you Halemo for all you do. You make my heart smile when I come to the Testing Center. You are truly a model for customer service.”

§ Many thanks to the over 100 volunteers who assisted on all campuses with spring registration. Your help was incredible and certainly appreciated. It allowed the College to serve more students in person. It alleviated long lines and allowed students to move smoothly through the enrollment process, which can be challenging at times. With a healthy enrollment gain this year, we needed the support of volunteers. We hope each of you learned more about our students and the enrollment process through this effort and will continue to volunteer in the future.
—Mitchell Hagler and JJ McEachern

By Susan Alford
It is with great joy and immense pride that CPCC Classified Staff Council announces the tremendous success we had with our Foster a Family Food & Fund Drive. It is because of you that we were able to provide an abundance of food for four families, along with toys and gifts just in time for Christmas. We had such an abundance of food and we were able to reach out to one of our own CPCC employees who was recovering from surgery.

On behalf of CPCC Classified Staff Council, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed. Because of your compassion and generosity, we raised $700 in cash and over 20 large boxes of food and necessities for these families.

On a personal note, I wanted to share with you the experience we had as a committee delivering these basic necessities of life to the families in need. While each reaction from each family was different, they all expressed the exact same thing: a huge sigh of relief and overwhelming gratitude. The grandmother who is raising three grandchildren and caring for her ailing husband, in tears, grabbed our hands before we left so that we could all pray together. The single mother of three who so desperately wanted her kids to experience a real Christmas, but could only afford to adorn a small pine branch atop a coffee table, was able to put actual gifts under it once we arrived. She didn’t have many words, but showed her gratitude through her tears of joy knowing her babies would definitely have Christmas this year.

Each family had different needs, but they all had the same wish: for their children/grandchildren to be able to celebrate Christmas with full bellies and smiles. We are so proud that our family, our CPCC family, was able to give this to them. CPCC is a family, and we are so proud of you for digging deep and showing unbelievable generosity.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

Emma Brown, Associate Vice President for Student Success Services, is retiring effective February 1, 2008. Please join us in celebrating Emma’s 30 years of committed and dedicated service on February 1, 2008, from 1:30 until 3:30 p.m. in the Quad Dining Room, Citizens Center.

BIRTHDAYS
Jan. 18	Leslie Irene Brooks Eric Polite Sharon Marie Simpkins
19	Mary Louise Kotsokalis Janis B. Orinson Barbara Cheryl Truesdale
20	Evelyn Yelanda Denson Paul Gene Earls Frances Pyle Nazloo Paul Anthony Zeiss
21	Gareth MacGregor Burns Adrienne Lee Byrd
22	Mitchell Hagler Clifford R. Hargette Cathey S. Ross Barbara J. Tehrani
23	Mary K. Collin John J. Holmes
24	Rebeca Fernandez

§ Charlotte Chapter of IAAP is selling raffle tickets for a Delectable Chocolates Basket with a value of $300 and a Treasure Chest of Teas and Coffees with a value of $200. Tickets for both are $3 or two for $5. The drawings will be February 29, 2008. Call Patricia at 6566 to purchase.

§ Dead tree removal, dead shrub removal, stump grinding. Free estimates. Good prices. Insured. Rich, 704.841.2788.

§ Attention: Big sale at Staples. January 20-26, 2008, go to http://www1.cpcc.edu/procurement and click on ‘News and Announcements.’ From there, click on ‘Staples’ to download the coupon you will need for your purchases. This is for personal purchases only.