Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Fall 2010 E-Newsletter Issue #2

Important Dates

Oct 4th- $35 late fee applies to each new course addition
Oct 8th- Last day for 40% refund of tuition only - fees nonrefundable
Oct 8th- Last day withdraw and not have classes posted to permanent transcript
Nov 3rd- Advising Day (no day classes)
Nov 11th- Veteran's Day (campus closed)
Nov 12th- Last day to submit pass/non-credit petition and last day to complete a withdrawal from fall quarter. All registration must be completed.

IP Office Hours

Walk in advising is available on Mon, Tues, Wed and Fri: 9:00am-Noon and 1:00-5:00pm.
Thursday is an appointment only day; there is no walk in advising, but the front desk staff is available to serve you from 9:00am-5:00pm.

Important Insurance Information PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

Most students need to pick up a new insurance card! You may have trouble seeing a doctor if you do not have the new card. Look at your GRCC insurance card now to check if your card has the CIGNA logo. Please come to IP today to pick up a new card if you do not see this CIGNA logo on your insurance card.

Avoid going to the Emergency Room (ER) at the hospital unless you have a serious life threatening emergency. Your student insurance will not cover the high cost of an ER visit. It's best to use a walk in clinic like the various Multi-Care clinics during daytime, even for broken bones and other non-life threatening emergencies. Come into the office if you have questions and/or want to pick up a list of nearby clinics.


Schedule your NSA Today!



If you are a new academic student this quarter you must schedule a New Student Appointment (NSA) with your advisor. During the appointment, you and your advisor will talk about your passions, high school plus, university transfer, career goals, and discuss “big picture” questions about why you are here at GRCC and create an individualized degree plan that will meet your education objectives. You must complete your NSA by the end of November so you know exactly what classes to enroll in for future quarters. Registration for Winter 2011 will begin the week of November 8th. Failure to complete your NSA will result in a registration block on your student account.

12 Credit Minimum

Are you registered for at least 12 credits? F-1 students are required by law to carry at least 12 credits per quarter. If you do not have at least 12 credits you must meet with your Advisor right away to discuss your options.

Preparing for Fall 2011 Transfer?


Here is a handy check list:

- You probably need TOEFL scores with your application. Register for TOEFL Now! Test dates are almost filled up in WA State. Check what’s still available and register online with ETS today. You can order additional TOEFL Score to be sent to the universities.
- Start Writing your Personal Statements early. Melanie is available in the IP Office on Thursdays from 9am to 3pm (by appointment) to review your essay for content or help you get started. The Writing Center is also available to help you polish your final draft.
- Request High School Transcripts to be sent. They will need to be translated if not already prepared in English.
- Register for SAT (with ETS) if you are completing your high school diploma at GRCC. Some Universities require SAT for all transfer students. Check your schools admissions requirements online.
- Attend upcoming Transfer Workshops to get additional resources.

Two Transfer Workshops this month!
Attending the following workshops will help lead you to a smoother university transfer:
Getting Started with your Personal Statement
Thursday, October 14th from noon to 1pm in SS-8
This workshop is for those who are preparing to transfer in 2011. Come get some inspiration! Melanie will give you some helpful tips about what things to include or avoid in your essay.
Advisors Transfer Panel Discussion

Wednesday, Oct 27th from 3-5 pm at SC 101

This session is designed to take the mystery out of your successful university transfer. Our four lead Advisors (Alvin, Jessica, John and Kirsten) will be available on an interactive Q&A panel to answer your questions about university transfer.

Schedule Help with Your Personal Statement

(by appointment only)



Your Transfer Angel is Here!

Log on to Angel and check out all the helpful links and tips on making a successful transfer to the university of your dreams! Go in and explore IP Advising under Community Groups. There you will find many student resources, but the section on transfer will be especially useful to you. Log in instructions to ANGEL can be found here.

The Writing Center is Open

Fall hours are Mon-Thurs 8:00am-4:00pm and Fri 8:00am-3:00pm. No appointment is necessary. We are located in RLC-174.

Offering:
-Focused 20-25 minute tutoring sessions
-Access to computers to draft and revise writing assignments
-Access to online grammar exercises
-A resource library
-A supportive, welcoming environment
-Online tutoring. Students may submit their work for feedback at http://owl.waol.org/.

Have you Moved Recently? Changed your Phone # or Email?

Update your address, phone and email using online services today. Keeping your contact information current is required by law and it also helps you from missing any important communication.

Peer Volunteer Applications are Available Now in the IP Office
Help welcome new international students to Green River and assist students and Advisors with quarterly advising activities.

Requirements:
· Must attend new student orientation during winter and spring quarter (see volunteer description in IP for dates)
· Be outgoing and open to meeting new people
· Have attended GRCC for at least two quarters by the time winter quarter begins
· Be a current GRCC student and commit to volunteering during winter and spring
· Are currently and actively involved in the GRCC campus community
· Prefer previous volunteer or work experience

Complete volunteer descriptions and applications are available now at the front desk of the IP Office. Applications are due by Friday, October 22nd at 5:00pm to the IP Office.

Student Success Series

This week Counseling and Health Services is offering free daily workshops from 12:00-12:50
Mastering Time and Procrastination- Monday, October 4, 2010, Rainier Room
Even the smartest students have to figure out how to make the clock work in their favor. No more cramming for tests or missed assignments.
Study Skills of Successful Students- Tuesday, October 5, 2010, Rainier Room
Why reinvent the wheel? Come find out how the best students make getting good grades look easy.
Test Anxiety is in the Past- Wednesday, October 6, 2010, Olympus/Baker Rooms
When you take tests do you get the shakes, bland out, or have sweaty palms? After this workshop you’ll be acing tests in no time.
Self-Care for the Busy Student- Thursday, October 7, 2010, Olympus/Baker Rooms
You will learn how to get better sleep, eat brain foods, get your body moving, and keep connected with friends (all part of a great college experience) to be the best student you can be.
Five Secrets of Great Relationships- Friday, October 8, 2010, Rainier Room
Come find out why some relationships last a lifetime and others fizzle before the icing dries on the wedding cake.

Fall Fitness Center hours
Fitness Center-
12-1 daily
4:30-6pm Monday and Wednesday
3:30-5:30pm Tuesday and Thursday
Weight Room-12-1 daily
6-7:30 Monday -Thursday

IESL Announcements

Institutional TOEFL Sign Up:October 7, 2010
Where: Glacier Room
Time: 10:30-11:30
Fee: $25.00, cash only
Bring your picture ID to sign up and for the day of the test; no refunds.
Institutional TOEFL TEST DATE:
October 16, 2010
Where: SC 101
Time: 8:45a.m.
No IESL Classes on:October 18, 2010 (In-Service Day)

Student Activities








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 Safety Rides are available from dusk 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!

Campus Resource Links
International Student Activities
Contact InformationIP Telephone 253-288-3300
Alvin Tai: ttai@greenriver.edu
Jessica Galán: jgalan@greenriver.edu
John Tankersley: jtankersley@greeniver.edu
Kirsten Weber: kweber@greenriver.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.