Thursday, November 19, 2009

Fall 2009 E-Newsletter Issue #6

Winter Break Office Hours

During the break the IP office is open for regular hours (M-F 9am-12pm and 1pm-5pm)
Note: Winter 2010 New Student Orientation is scheduled from 12/28 through the morning of 12/30. No advisors will be available to see current students during that time.


Important Dates
Dec. 7- Study Day (no day classes)
Dec. 8-10- Finals
Dec. 10- Last day of instruction. IESL Graduation (see announcement below)

Dec. 24- Campus closes at noon for Christmas Eve

Dec. 25- Campus is closed for Christmas Day

Dec. 28-30- New Student Orientation

Dec. 31- Campus closes at noon for New Year's Eve

Jan. 1- Campus is closed for New Year's Day
Jan. 4- Winter quarter classes begin


Check your I-20 Expiration Date!
You must always have a valid I-20. If your I-20 is about to expire then you must apply for a new one before it expires. Bring your I-20 to the IP office IMMEDIATELY and we can help you. You can see if your I-20 expiration date by reading #5 on the first page.

Traveling outside the US?

You must get a signature on your I-20 before you leave! If you have had your I-20 signed within six months of your return date you do not need another signature. Also, we recommend that you print out your class schedule for winter quarter and carry it with your documents. If you are questioned upon re-entry to the US it is handy to have that.



Tuition for Winter quarter is due by January 4, 2010

You may pay as early as you are ready. To avoid long lines on the first day of the quarter make your payment prior to the deadline. You can make your payment here using online services.


Campus Safety Rides
Free Campus Safety Rides are available from dusk (currently around 5:00 pm) until 11:00 pm on Sunday through Thursday, and dusk until 2:00 am on Friday and Saturday within 1.5 miles of campus. Call 253-797-4868 which will put you in direct contact with the driver of the van that night. Be safe; use Safety Rides!



IESL Announcements

IESL Finals: Monday, December 7th and Tuesday, December 8th
IESL Grade Day: Wednesday December 9, 2009 in the Lindbloom Student Center at 2:30pm
Institutional TOEFL Scores: You can pick up your TOEFL scores after you get you grades in IVA 101 between 2:30-4:00pm
IESL Level 5 Graduation: Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 1:00pm in the Lindbloom Student Center (Main Dining Area)
First Day of Winter 2010: January 4, 2009
Schedule for Winter Quarter: Are available online after 12:00pm on Thursday, December 31, 2009. You will need your student ID & pin# https://www.greenriver.edu/Register/waci003.html
Updates: Please make sure you update your address and e-mail address if they have change at the IP office.



Suggestion Box for The Food Market at Lea Hill

The doors are finally open for business. Staff at the IP Office have already been speaking to the Food Market managers asking them to make more Asian foods available for you. The new market is very eager to serve you, so let them know what you’d like to have available on the shelves! There is a suggestion box at the Customer Services Counter in the market. If you let them know what kind of veggies you need and what spices and types of meat you prefer (ie: can you slice this kind of steak “paper thin” for Sukiyaki please), they will do their best to make it happen.



Free Conversational English Practice

Campus TalkAn English conversation group with Amy and Joy
This group meets in the main dining area on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 11 am to 2 pm. Just drop in when you have time!
Please contact Martha Koch at mkoch@greenriver.edu if you have any questions!

Talk Time
Practice your English with Americans every Friday night from 7-9pm
Family of Grace Lutheran Church, just down the street from GRCC
31317 124th Ave. SE
Call Mark or Chris for more information (253) 833-8910



Two Volunteer Opportunities!

AT&T USA Swimming Short Course National Championships
King County Aquatics Center, Federal Way
Dec 3- 5, 2009 http://www.usaswimmingchamps.com/
Shifts: 8:30am-2pm and 3:30-8pm each day.
The jobs: Helping the Hospitality Director with food service, Deck Marshals and Ticket Takers
Event shirts will be provided for each volunteer.
To volunteer, please contact: Laurie L Clinton, Volunteer Program Manager 206-296-4452 Laurie.Clinton@kingcounty.gov



Volunteer Tutoring with Neighborhood House
Be part of a fun team at Youth Tutoring & Resource Center in Auburn
Assist in an after-school program Mondays through Thursdays
Elementary (K-5th grade) students 3:15-4:45pm
Middle & High School students 5:00-6:30pm
Please direct further enquiries to: Kimberly Macias-Shell, Career Developer for Youth

Ph: 206.571.4770 kimberlys@nhwa.org



Student Activities

Nutcracker Ballet at the Pacific Northwest Ballet

· Date: Friday Dec 4th. Meet at the bus circle at 4pm.

· Price: $30/ student and $45/non-student

· ONLY 3 spaces left for sign up. Wait list available. Sign up NOW in Student Life Office LSC 2nd floor!

· “"Forget the Space Needle, forget the Ring Cycle, forget Mt. Rainier—this Nutcracker alone is worth a trip to Seattle.” —Newsweek




Leavenworth Trip to a Bavarian Village (space on waitlist only)

· Date: Saturday Dec 5th. Meet at the bus circle at 7:30am

· Location: Leavenworth, WA

· Price: $20/ student and $30/ non-student

· Prices include continental breakfast and transportation.

· Wear warm clothes and bring along your camera to take pictures




Whistler Ski and Snowboarding Trip (space on waitlist only)

· Date: Dec 11th – 13th

· Location: Whistler, Canada – Host Venue of the 2010 OLYMPICS

· Price: $310 for students and $335 for non-students

· Sign up until Nov 25th.

Visit STUDENT LIFE Office LSC 2nd floor to purchase ticketsor call (253) 833 9111 x. 2400 for more information.


Campus Safety

* GRCC Safety Alert- Subscribe to GRCC Safety Alert and keep informed of Campus emergencies, safety issues and inclement weather emergency closures. This is a FREE service available to all GRCC students. Click here to learn more and to subscribe.
* Send a Red Flag- GRCC has an information reporting system. Please click here to report any suspicious behavior or security threats on campus. In a true emergency please call 911 first to contact the police, the fire department or to get emergency medical help.







Contact Information
IP Telephone 253-288-3300
Alvin Tai: ttai@greenriver.edu
Jessica Galán: jgalan@greenriver.edu
Sarah Hamilton: shamilton@greenriver.edu
John Tankersley: jtankersley@greeniver.edu


If you have any feedback or comments regarding this newsletter, please email ipadvising@greenriver.edu
Disclaimer: Green River Community College has made reasonable efforts to provide in this schedule information that is accurate at the time of publication. However, the college reserves the right to make appropriate changes in procedures, policies, calendars, requirements, programs, courses, and fees. When feasible, changes will be announced prior to their effective dates, but the college assumes no responsibility for giving any particular notice of any such changes. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to create any offer to contract or any contractual rights. Green River Community College does not discriminate against anyone based on race, ethnicity, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, religion, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or status as a disabled person or veteran of war, in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Students needing an alternative medium for communicating must contact Disability Support Services in Educational Planning, ext. 2631. Limitation of Liability: The college's total liability for claims arising from a contractual relationship with the student in any way related to classes or programs shall be limited to the tuition and expenses paid by the student to the college for those classes or programs. In no event shall the college be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including but not limited to, loss of earnings or profits.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

fall 2009 E-Newsletter Issue #5

Have You Registered for Winter Quarter?
Most students have already registered for winter quarter. Many classes (including wait lists) are already full. If you are not already registered for winter quarter, you should register today! We want you to get the classes you need. New students will be coming in soon and the open seats will be taken. If you need help please come into IP and see an advisor.

Important Dates

Nov. 26-27- Thanksgiving week-end begins (campus closed)
Nov 30- Application Deadline for University of California
Dec. 7- Study Day (no day classes)
Dec. 8-10- Finals
Dec. 10- Last day of instruction
Jan. 4- Winter quarter classes begin

Tuition for Winter quarter is due by January 4, 2010

You may pay as early as you are ready. To avoid long lines on the first day of the quarter make your payment prior to the deadline. You can make your payment here using online services.

Shopping Tips for "Black Friday"- the biggest shopping day of the year!

On Thanksgiving Day Americans gather with their families to have a feast and remember what they are thankful for. Most businesses are closed for the holiday. However, the day after Thanksgiving, often called "Black Friday", is the biggest bargain shopping day of the year! Many people wake up early to catch the best deals! Check your newspaper for ads from various shopping malls and your favorite department stores. Beware of the huge crowds and be prepared for long lines!

Univ. Application Essay Writing in IP- Thursday mornings

Need help getting started? Need some tips or ideas? Need a second pair of eyes to review your essay? Melanie is offering essay writing support in the IP Office every Thursday morning from 9:00 am-noon. Schedule your private 20 minute session today! Take a look at the you-tube video below under the UC Transfer deadline.

Transfer Tips from the Director of UW International Admissions
Kim, the UW Director of International Admissions, will give inside information on how to be admitted to the University of Washington Seattle as an international transfer student! Every year she comes and fills up the largest room on campus. If you skip this, your friends will have an advantage in applying over you! November 17, 2:30, SS-8.

Application Deadline for the University Of California is Nov 30th
 Check this video out too! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zo6NI4wHf4


The Lea Hill Food Market is Open!
The doors are finally open for business. Staff at the IP Office have already been speaking to the Food Market managers asking them to make more Asian foods available for you. The new market is very eager to serve you, so let them know what you’d like to have available on the shelves! There is a suggestion box at the Customer Services counter. If you let them know what kind of veggies you need and what spices and types of meat you prefer (ie: can you slice this kind of steak “paper thin” for Sukiyaki please), they will do their best to make it happen.
Free Software and Great Discounts for Students!
As a student you are able to use your GRCC student e-mail address (login@mail.greenriver.edu) to get many Microsoft programs for free or to purchase other Microsoft products at a substantial discount. A great landing page to start looking for available offers is here (http://www.microsoft.com/student/en/us/default.aspx). This site links to both the available free and discounted software programs. A couple of discounts available to students are: Windows 7 for $29.99 or Office 2007 Ultimate for $59.95.
For free software, students can go to https://www.dreamspark.com/ where they can download such programs as:
· Visual Studio 2005, 2008 or 2010
· Windows Server 2003 or 2008
· SQL Server 2008 Developer edition or Express edition
· Virtual PC
· XNA Game Studio
· Robotics Developer Studio 2008
· Expression Studio 3

Student Activities
CULTURAL DAY

- Friday, November 20th 2009, 11-2 PM
- Volunteer to set up a booth and represent your country!
- Experience the multicultural community at Green River Community College
- Sign up the country that you represent at Student Life Office, LSC 2nd Floor
- For more information, contact Jessica H (jhendrawidjaja@greenriver.edu) or call (253) 833-9111 ext. 2400

Nutcracker Ballet at the Pacific Northwest Ballet
· Date: Friday Dec 4th. Meet at the bus circle at 4pm.
· Price: $30/ student and $45/non-student
· “"Forget the Space Needle, forget the Ring Cycle, forget Mt. Rainier—this Nutcracker alone is worth a trip to Seattle.” —Newsweek
· http://www.pnb.org/Season/09-10/Nutcracker/#Overview

Leavenworth Trip to a Bavarian Village

· Date: Saturday Dec 5th. Meet at the bus circle at 7:30am
· Location: Leavenworth, WA
· Price: $20/ student and $30/ non-student
· Prices include continental breakfast and transportation.
· Wear warm clothes and bring along your camera to take pictures
· http://www.leavenworth.org/modules/pages/index.php?pageid=1

Whistler Ski and Snowboarding Trip

· Date: Dec 11th – 13th
· Location: Whistler, Canada – Host Venue of the 2010 OLYMPICS
· Price: $310 for students and $335 for non-students
· Sign up until Nov 25th.
· http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/index.htm

Visit STUDENT LIFE Office LSC 2nd floor to purchase tickets
or call (253) 833 9
111 x. 2400 for more information.
Campus Safety

* GRCC Safety Alert- Subscribe to GRCC Safety Alert and keep informed of Campus emergencies, safety issues and inclement weather emergency closures. This is a FREE service available to all GRCC students. Click here to learn more and to subscribe.
* Send a Red Flag- GRCC has an information reporting system. Please click here to report any suspicious behavior or security threats on campus. In a true emergency please call 911 first to contact the police, the fire department or to get emergency medical help.
Campus Resource Links
Contact Information
IP Telephone 253-288-3300
Alvin Tai: ttai@greenriver.edu
Jessica Galán: jgalan@greenriver.edu
Sarah Hamilton: shamilton@greenriver.edu
John Tankersley: jtankersley@greeniver.edu
If you have any feedback or comments regarding this newsletter, please email ipadvising@greenriver.edu
Disclaimer: Green River Community College has made reasonable efforts to provide in this schedule information that is accurate at the time of publication. However, the college reserves the right to make appropriate changes in procedures, policies, calendars, requirements, programs, courses, and fees. When feasible, changes will be announced prior to their effective dates, but the college assumes no responsibility for giving any particular notice of any such changes. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to create any offer to contract or any contractual rights. Green River Community College does not discriminate against anyone based on race, ethnicity, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, religion, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or status as a disabled person or veteran of war, in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Students needing an alternative medium for communicating must contact Disability Support Services in Educational Planning, ext. 2631. Limitation of Liability: The college's total liability for claims arising from a contractual relationship with the student in any way related to classes or programs shall be limited to the tuition and expenses paid by the student to the college for those classes or programs. In no event shall the college be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including but not limited to, loss of earnings or profits.