February 2010 Archive

• Spring Fever Recap.  Sunday's Spring Fever concert netted over $1800 for the Bulgaria Project Scholarship fund.  With earlier donations, we now have $1000 scholarships for two students and are on our way to a third.  Student Ashley Carpenter won the custom guitar raffle. (see photo below)  Copies of Keepsakes, Chase Brady's newest CD (with Still Crazy performing on two of the songs), are available for $10 in the Office for Global Initiatives.  Proceeds benefit the scholarship fund.  (Submitted by Rebecca Phillips 3/8/10)
• PEIA Dependent Eligibility Verification Review. PEIA has contracted with Healthcare Data Management Inc. to identify and remove ineligible dependents from PEIA coverage. All PEIA policyholders with dependents are being asked to provide dependent eligibility documentation. Should you wish to remove any dependents from your policy, please contact benefits@mail.wvu.edu. For questions or concerns regarding the PEIA Dependent Verification Review, call HDM Customer Service at 800.936.0393.  MORE
• Student Services Information.  The Division of Student Services is now offering two new ways to stay up to date on campus events and service updates.  You can now see the latest bulletins from the Division listed here on the Campus E-Bulletin Board (in the left-hand column).  You can also stay up to date with more in-depth information with the new Student Services Division Newsletter “Students First”  or through the link at the Student Services website. (Submitted by Anthony Underwood 2/19/10)
• Sympathy Note.  Joshua Jameson Jr., husband of Human Resources Director Peggy Jameson, died Feb. 27 in Parkersburg.  The campus community extends its sympathies to Peggy and the Jameson family.  Link.  (Submitted 3/1/10)
• Air Force Band Concert.  (Update:  all tickets have been distributed.) The Distinguished Performance Series will close its 2009-10 season with a free concert by the U.S. Air Force Band of Flight from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base on Saturday, March 6, at 7 p.m. in the College Activities Center. The 35-member concert band will perform a repertoire ranging from classical symphonic compositions and military marches to Broadway and popular contemporary music. Ticket holders must be seated by 6:45 p.m. Any remaining seats will be open to non-ticket holders at 6:50 p.m. (Submitted by H.G. Young 2/15/10)
• Searching the Site.  An improved search engine has been installed for the WVU Parkersburg website.  It is designed to be quicker and more comprehensive.  The web tool provides a customized search of pages within the college's website.  Give it a spin.  (Submitted 2/19/10)
• Decrease in Annuity Premium to be Reflected in Feb. 28 Paycheck. Effective February 2010, employees enrolled in the Standard Long Term Disability (LTD) Insurance plan will find a decrease of 7% in the cost of their annuity premium. The deduction decrease will be reflected in the Feb. 28, 2010 paycheck. According to The Standard, this rate reduction is guaranteed for two years. If you have any questions, please contact WVU Benefits Administration at 304.293.5700x4 or e-mail benefits@mail.wvu.edu . 
• Please Be Aware.  Several campus faculty and staff have received a phishing email that appears to be from "Administration mail.wvu.edu"  and signed by "mail support service."  The email indicates that the recipient's profile will be locked in response to a complaint.  Ignore the email and delete it.  Do not click on the link provided in the email.  (Submitted 2/18/10)

• Faculty Note re Online Academy.  If you plan to attend the Online Academy on Friday, Feb. 19th, please click on the following link to access the Online Academy Interest Survey and answer the questions which will help us better serve you.  The survey takes less than 30 seconds to complete:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/J9M3DT9 . It is important that you respond if you plan to attend so we can prepare for your attendance.  (Submitted by Paul Milhoan 2/15/10)

• Notice Regarding College Closings.  When the College is closed due to inclement weather or other safety-related situations, this means that only identified essential employees (maintenance and security, for instance) or specific personnel requested by the President are to be on campus.  Due to safety issues, all other employees are not to be on college grounds during a closure.  Contact Dave White (ext. 225) with questions. 

• Mileage Reimbursement Rate. The state has reduced the rate it will reimburse employees who use their personal vehicles for official business from 44.5 cents per mile to 40.5 cents per mile. The lower rate became effective Tuesday (Feb. 16).

• Thanks From the Reading Association.  The college Reading Association would like to thank all who supported its book sale and basket raffle on Feb. 10 and 11.  Winners of the Valentine's Day literacy baskets are Hollie Harris and Margo Thompson.  Funds raised will go toward the gift of books to students in our partnership schools; and toward a visit by children's author George Ella Lyon on March 26 and the Meet an Author, Be an Author event for fourth-graders.  (Submitted by Martha McGovern 2/11/10)

• A Note of Thanks.  Thank you all.  Once again mere words are not nearly enough to express my gratitude to my WVU Parkersburg family.  Staff, Faculty, and Administrators, rallied once again in my time of sorrow and crisis.  The out pouring of love, compassion and caring was again overwhelming.  My WVU Parkersburg family has been there for my family and myself through all of our tragedies and trials.  From years ago when Mike was injured through present day issues such as cancer, chemotherapy, and the loss of very near and dear family members, you all have ALWAYS been there and for that I have but to offer a very inadequate thank you.  Thank you for caring and having such a huge giving heart.  I love you all.  (Submitted by Pat Mollohan 2/11/10)

• Retirement and Benefit Sessions Offered.  On March 25, Jim Whetsel will be on campus to give a Retirement overview session from 10:30 AM to 12:00 noon. Also, from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM, Ginger Burns will offer a presentation on Benefits.  Both presentations will be offered in the Community Room. Please mark your calendars.   Questions: Call ext 212 or 290.  (Submitted by Peggy Jameson 2/4/10)

• Congratulations!  Dina Braniff in the Business Office is being honored as the 2010 History Hero of the Wood County Historic Landmarks Commission.  She will be recognized for her contributions to the preservation and promotion of West Virginia's  history at a History Day program Feb. 18th at the Cultural Center in Charleston as well as during the floor session in the WV House of Delegates.  Congratulations, Dina!

• 2010-2011 Academic Calendars.  The 2010-2011 Academic Calendars (Fall 2010, Spring 2011 and Summer 2011) are available now at this link.

• Surplus Property Sale.   The college's Purchasing Department  will accept sealed bids for the sale of several items of surplus property. Items are listed outside of the Purchasing office on the bid board. Please direct any questions to Kevin Offenberger at ext. 429.

• Partnership with WGU.  WVU Parkersburg alumni, faculty and staff have a new option for completing bachelor and master degrees with a new agreement between WVU Parkersburg and Western Governors University, an accredited non-profit online university. The WGU Community College Partnership Program waives the usual application fee ($65), offers a 5% tuition discount during the entirety of a student's degree program, and offers a Community College Excellence Grant.  More information is available here.  (Submitted by Peggy Jameson 2/2/10)

• A Slice of African Culture.   CIT Professor Doug Weaver will share “A Slice of African Culture” during engaged time on Monday, Feb. 8, in Room 2211.  Professor Weaver has lived in central Africa and regularly consults with the Department of Defense on cultural issues.  His multimedia presentation will explain the significance of some of the items he has placed on loan in the African Cultural Display in the main hall of the campus.  (Submitted by Rebecca Phillips 2/2/10)
• Employee Benefit Opportunities.  Belk- February 4^th – Educator’s Day.  20% Coupon available in Human Resources.  Sam’s Club – Now to February 7^th - $10 card for signing up or renewing membership.  In store offer only.  (Submitted by Peggy Jameson 2/4/10)
• Sympathy Note.  Health Sciences adjunct clinical instructor and WVU Parkersburg graduate Denae Schartiger died in a car accident Feb. 1 on Volcano Road near her home. Faculty member Kathy Frum notes Denae had taken the GRE last week to start her master's program so she could teach full time at the college.  The campus community joins the Health Sciences Division in expressing sympathy to Denae's husband Billy and their sons Parker, 6, and Logan, 5. MORE 
• Purchasing Transition.  During the interim period of hiring a new campus director of purchasing, Chris Clifford will be serving as the interim director of purchasing and Kevin Offenberger will be the college's primary purchasing agent.  (Submitted by Chris Clifford 2/2/10)
• Welcome.  Welcome to Cheryl Boso who starts Feb. 1^st as a part-time Grant Resource Specialist.  She will report to Dr. Rhonda Richards in Academic Affairs and will also work closely with Kim Jones, grants program coordinator.  (Submitted by Peggy Jameson 2/1/10)
• WCE Presentation.  James H. Keeley, Ed. D., will be at the college's Workforce and Community Education building at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 3,  to provide insight into Aztec software and its capabilities.  The presentation is open to any interested faculty and staff.  Contact Tom Lemon (ext. 276) for additional information.  (Submitted by Tom Lemon 1/26/10)