Reminder: Fall Back on Sunday, November 3!
Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed Saturday night. Daylight Saving Time begins officially at 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning. Come back to work refreshed Monday morning from your extra hour of weekend sleep!
Throwback Thursday: Revisiting the Columbus State Ghost Story
This article was written and published in Update way back in October 1998, but never seems to “die!” Back by popular request on Halloween 2013, is the Columbus State Ghost Story:
Columbus’ 19th century cemeteries source of Columbus State ghosts
A tall woman wearing a long, flowing dress and high-buttoned shoes walks holding the hand of small child in a white petticoat and hat. They appear not to step, but to glide along the basement hallway of Delaware, past rows of bookstore buyback tables. The hour is 3:00 a.m., and as the night cleaning woman stares, they simply vanish without a trace.
As two, third-shift officers sit in the first floor lounge of the ERC, the sound of female voices is heard above their heads. A lively conversation is taking place at 4:30 in the morning; laughing, footsteps, chairs moving. The officers race for the elevator–no one should be in the building at this hour. The elevator opens without a button being pushed. On the second floor they split up and search but find nothing. They continue to search the building, floor by floor. Again, nothing.How could a campus so young, so modern and busy during the daylight hours, hold secrets and mysteries that seem to hail from earliest Columbus days, when these acres fell on the edge of the countryside? Read the full article
Systems Portfolio submitted to HLC
Columbus State's second Systems Portfolio has been submitted to the Higher Learning Commission, the college's accreditation agency. The report is a key part of the college's AQIP accreditation pathway.
Nine campus research teams produced almost 200 pages of initial data and analysis. Core team members Ingrid Emch, Bruce Massis and Antoinette Perkins assimilated the material into a draft portfolio. Multiple stakeholders provided feedback for their areas of the document and Valerie Wilson completed the final edits, with design by Paul Rehg. Faculty Fellow Greg Goodhart, interim chairperson of Mathematics, served as the project manager and Polly Owen, associate vice president of Academic Affairs, served as the administrative manager.
A year in the making, the final 124-page report answers some 140 questions about quality processes, results, and improvements at the college. The Higher Learning Commission will review the portfolio and provide a Systems Appraisal Feedback Report in February 2014. The college will then have the opportunity to incorporate the feedback into its continuous quality journey.
Financial Planning workshop offered Monday
The Columbus State Benefit Team invites you to attend a free financial planning workshop titled “Meeting the Challenges Ahead.” The workshop will be held on Monday, November 4, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. in WD 404. In this workshop, you will learn about the STRS and SERS changes, and how to get the most value from your 403(b) Retirement Plan, including:
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STRS, SERS Pension Changes
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STRS, SERS Options at Retirement
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The Value of a 403(b) at Retirement: sheltering sick pay and vacation time
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Presented By: Brandon Strong, Financial Advisor, AXA Advisors
There will be a live stream broadcast available for those who cannot attend in person, available here: http://www.livestream.com/columbusstate using the password: cougars.
Reminder: Concert Band and Ensemble to perform Nov. 5
The Columbus State Concert Band and Woodwind Ensemble will perform their Fall Concert on Tuesday, November 5, at 8:00 p.m. in the Conference Center Ballroom, 4th floor WD. The free concert will feature the band playing the world premiere of "Urban Synthesis For Band" by Everett Jones, and the Ohio premiere of "Vignettes" by David Avshalomov, which Columbus State helped commission. The Woodwind Ensemble will perform one of Mozart's last works, the Rondo, K. 617, featuring faculty member Rose Zuber playing the electronic glass harmonica.
For more information contact director Thomas Lloyd at tlloyd@cscc.edu.
International student Thanksgiving Dinner to be held Nov. 26
In the spirit of sharing American traditions with our international student population, Columbus State will host the annual International Thanksgiving Dinner on Tuesday, November 26, from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. This event allows international students and their families to enjoy a traditional meal with family and friends of the college. We have experienced an increase in participation each year and are expecting more than 100 students this year.
Your help and support are needed to make this event a success. Please consider making a contribution to support this event. Your contributions will be used to provide dinner tickets for international students and their families and to help cover other event expenses. If you would like to attend the event as well, individual tickets can be purchased for an additional $15 per person. Checks can be made payable to Columbus State Community College and sent to Amy Burrell in Enrollment Services, MA 111. Thank you again for your generosity during this giving season!
Donor options:
GOLD Sponsorship: $200 (Provides tickets for 10 international students and for 3 guests from your organization or department to cover dinner and other event costs)
SILVER Sponsorship: $110 (Provides tickets for 5 international students and for 2 guests from your organization or department to cover dinner and other event costs)
BRONZE Sponsorship: $50 (Provides tickets for 2 international students 1 guest from your organization or department to cover dinner and other event costs)
Distance Education and Instructional Support (DEIS) Seminars:
Creating Community in the Classroom
Creating a connection to and amongst your students is one of the key elements to success in an online classroom. This presentation will offer some straightforward but effective ways to foster a sense of belonging in your course.
Presenter: Ann Palazzo, associate professor, English, D-L Lead
When: Tuesday, November 5 (9:00 - 10:00 a.m.) - Register
What it's Like to Teach Online: Myths and Truths about Distance Learning Education
If you use technology in your face-to-face classroom and have toyed with the idea of teaching online, this presentation will help answer questions you have about distance learning education.
Presenter: Ann Palazzo, associate professor, English, D-L Lead
When: November 12 (9:00 - 10:00 a.m.) - Register
Volleyball Cougars win OCCAC, head to Regionals

The Columbus State Volleyball Cougars captured the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) Championship with their win in straight sets Oct. 25 against Lorain County Community College.
The Cougars last captured the OCCAC Volleyball Championship in 2009 with head coach Scott Nichols. Current Head Coach Jaclynn Yocum played as a starting outside hitter for that team.
The Volleyball Team will head to Grand Rapids, Mich., this weekend for the Region XII District E Championship. The Lady Cougars are the No. 2 seed behind Oakland Community College, Mich. The Regional Championship match is scheduled for Sunday, November 3.
Need student employees?
Could you use some extra help around the office? Did you know Columbus State departments can hire student employees? Federal Work Study, a federal financial aid program, allows eligible students to be hired to work part-time on campus and get paid – without using department funds.
Example positions include office assistant, lab assistant, tutor, library assistant, computer lab assistant, testing assistant, and department project or program assistant.
To learn more about hiring student employees through Federal Work Study, contact Amanda Jennings, Student Employment coordinator, at ext. 2156, or visit Nestor Hall Room 113.
Briefings on Health Rewards Program offered
All full-time employees with UHC coverage are invited to attend a briefing which will help you navigate the web portal and answer any questions you may have about the Health Rewards Program offered through United Health Care (UHC). The briefings will be held:
Tuesday, November 12, from 9:00-10:00 a.m. in CT107
Tuesday, November 19, from 12:00-1:00 p.m. in CT-107
Delaware Campus employees should RSVP to Nichole Bowman-Glover to attend a teleconference.
All employees, spouses or domestic partners covered under either of the UHC plans through Columbus State must reach eight (8) points in the Health Rewards program to maintain a 20 percent payroll contribution.
The Health Rewards website contains the information on the Health Rewards program and points. The deadline to achieve the eight points is June 30, 2014 for the 2015 year. Tutorials are available online here: http://welcometomyuhc.com/healthandwellness/tour/.
For any additional information, contact Nichole Bowman-Glover, Wellness coordinator at ext. 3989.
Mobile mammography screening offered Nov. 6
The James Care Mobile Mammography unit will be on campus on Wednesday, November 6, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the visitor meter spaces across from Nestor Hall. To schedule your appointment, please call The James Scheduling Department at (614) 293-4455.
Staff Advisory Council schedules Brown Bag Lunches
Join SAC for the following Brown Bag Lunches:
Wednesday, November 20 - “Stress during Expected and Unexpected Situations,” with Dr. Janine Schroeder, MATRIX, who will discuss ways to handle stress in expected situations such as the holidays, well as unexpected situations such as the loss of a family member.
Wednesday, December 18 - “Healthy Holidays” with Nichole Bowman-Glover, Wellness coordinator, who will share some healthy holiday eating tips and ways to squeeze in some physical activity during your busy holidays. Bring ideas to share too!