Sunday, October 30, 2011

Fall 2011 E-Newsletter Issue #4

Important Dates


Nov 2- Advising Day (no day classes, except IESL)
Nov 11- Veteran's Day (campus closed)
Nov 14- Last day to submit pass/non-credit petition to Enrollment Services
Nov 24-25 Thanksgiving Holiday (campus closed)
Dec 5- Studey day (no day classes, except IESL)
Dec 6,7,8- Finals
Dec 8- Last day of instruction
Dec 14- Grades available online



Daylight Saving 2011 Ends Nov 6th


Before you go to bed on November 5th you must remember to turn your clocks back one hour. Daylight Saving Time begins every spring, when we "spring forward" one hour, and ends every fall when we "fall back" one hour. Read here about how changing your clock actually helps you physically!



Check your Winter Quarter Registration Access Time


View your access time through Online Services, available now. Access times begin in November. Know your access time so that you can secure your winter classes at the first possible moment. As Alvin says, "You'll want to lock in your classes no more than 45 seconds from your registration access time!"



Winter 2012 Classes


Now available for viewing through the schedule planner



Transfer Fair on Nov 2nd




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.



Check your Passport Expiration Date Today!


Some countries (namely China, Moldova, Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia) require passport renewal before the passport is within six months of expiring. In fact, if your passport is from one of those countries, you will be out of status in the US if you do not renew your passport before that deadline. Several Chinese students have gone out of status recently because they failed to renew their passport before this early deadline! Be aware and take action!



For Smokers Only


Smoking is allowed on campus, but only in designated smoking areas. Student who smoke in other areas on campus run the risk of discipline. There have been many complaints about students smoking near building entrances. Please be considerate of others when you light up.



Application Essay Writing Support by Appointment on Thursdays


Are you beginning to fill out university transfer applications? Get some help with your essays on Thursdays in the IP Office. Charlotte will be reviewing essays and giving feedback on an appointment basis. Schedule ahead for your private 20 minute session on a Thursday.

Need help getting started? Charlotte is offering a workshop on Nov 1st! Check IP Facebook for all Transfer Workshops!



A Great Place to Live!
Are you looking for housing? Do you know what a homeshare is? They are within walking distance to the college, offer a 3 month contract, and available now! If you would like to know more about a homeshare, come and see someone in housing at the IP office.



University of California Workshops




University of Oregon offers many scholarship opportunities!



Pacific Lutheran University Tour


IESL Announcements


-IESL classes will be in session on Advising Day, Wednesday, November 2
-In Class Registration: In your IESL classes next week you will receive a registration form for fall quarter. Please make sure that all the information is correct.



Volunteer




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
Counseling Services
The Math Learning Center
The Writing Center
Library Reference Chat
Campus Corner Housing

The Current
International Student Activities

Clubs and Organizations
Contact InformationIP Telephone (253)288-3300
Alvin Tai: ttai@greenriver.edu
John Tankersley: jtankersley@greenriver.edu
Kirsten Weber: kweber@greenriver.edu
Erin Hitzemann: ehitzeman@greenriver.edu
IP Twitter handle: @GRCC

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.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Fall 2011 E-Newsletter Issue #3

Important Dates

Oct 18- In-Service Day (no day classes)
Nov 2- Advising Day (no day classes, except IESL)
Nov 11- Veteran's Day (campus closed)
Nov 14- Last day to submit pass/non-credit petition to Enrollment Services
Nov 14- Last day to withdraw from fall quarter
Nov 24-25 Thanksgiving Holiday (campus closed)
Dec 5- Study day (no day classes, except IESL)
Dec 6, 7, 8- Finals
Dec 8- Last day of instruction
Dec 14- Grades available online

Be a Peer Volunteer for Winter and Spring Orientation
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 quarters (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
· Previous volunteer or work experience preferred
Complete volunteer descriptions and applications will be available Monday, October 10th at the front desk of the IP Office.
Applications are due by Friday, October 28th at 5:00pm to the IP Office.

Update your Address Today!
It is required by law that you must update your address within 10 days of moving.
Make sure both GRCC https://www.greenriver.edu/online/ and the US Post Office http://www.mychangeaddress.com/ have your correct mailing address!
Remember, Green River Community College cannot accept personal mail for students, so please do not use the college address. For residents at Campus Corner Apartment Students please use this address:
31920 124th Avenue SE (Your apartment #)
Auburn WA 98092

CCA has Rooms Open!
If you want to move to CCA it's a great time to check availability! Last week six rooms became available for male students! Rooms are always open on a "first come, first serve" basis.

University Applicants: Check the deadline for International Students
The application deadline for international students may be earlier than the deadline for transfer students. Please remember to check your deadline; you are an international student! It's easy to make a mistake, and then your application will be denied. Don't let this be your story...
Check your Winter Quarter Registration Access Time

View your access time through Online Services, available now. Access times begin in November, Know your access time so that you can secure your winter classes at the first possible moment. As Alvin says, "You'll want to lock in your classes no more than 45 seconds from your registration access time!
Winter 2012 Classes
 
Now available for viewing through the schedule planner

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.
Application Essay Writing Support by Appointment on Thursdays

Are you beginning to fill out university transfer applications? Get some help with your essays on Thursdays in the IP Office. Charlotte will be reviewing essays and giving feedback on an appointment basis. Schedule ahead for your private 20 minute session on a Thursday.
IP Job Openings for Student Marketing Assistant-China & BNU Zhuhai

There are 2 job openings! We need a Chinese Student Marketing Assistant and a BNU Zhuhai Chinese Student Marketing Assistant.
Each job has different requirements. Please stop by the IP front desk and pick up an application
Applications will be accepted now until October 31st, or until the position is filled.


IESL Announcements

Classes are cancelled on Tuesday, October 18 for In-Service Day. There will also be no tutoring sessions held for IESL on October 18th.

Volunteerism


Student Activities






Foot ball Game -The Huskies against The Oregon Ducks in Husky Stadium!

Nov 5th from 10am to 6pm (meet at bus circle at 10am)
$60 for student and $80 for non-student
Sign up in Student Programs Office




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 (currently around 7:00 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!

Campus Resource Links

Contact Information
IP Telephone (253)288-3300
Alvin Tai: ttai@greenriver.edu
John Tankersley: jtankersley@greenriver.edu
Kirsten Weber: kweber@greenriver.edu
Erin Hitzemann: mailto:ehitzeman@greenriver.edu
IP Twitter handle: @GRCC

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.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Fall 2011 E-Newsletter Issue #2

Important Dates

Oct 3- $35 late fee for each added class
Oct 7- Last day to withdraw and not have class(es) posted to permanent transcript
Oct 8- Last day for 40% refund of tuition only
Oct 18- In-Service Day (no day classes)

12 Credit Rule
All academic students must register for a minimum of 12 credits to be in compliance with the immigration regulations. If you do not yet have 12 credits, attend the classes you are interested in (try several sections) and ask the teacher if they have space to add you. Then bring the completed registration forms to the IP office to add those classes. After talking to teachers, if you have questions or need advice, you should speak with your advisor to find the best solution.

New Student Appointment (NSA)
If this is your first academic quarter, please schedule your NSA with your assigned advisor at the IP office. If you fail to complete your appointment by the 8th week of the quarter, your registration account will be blocked. Yikes!

Address Update
The law requires that you update your address within 10 days of any move! Updating your address is quick and easy. Link here to get the form to update your address. Then take the completed form to Enrollment Services, located upstairs in LSC. You may also update your address at the front desk in the IP Office.

SAVE A LIFE - DRIVE RIGHT! Letter from Ross

Auburn, WA, September 20, 2011

A young international student from GRCC hit another vehicle at the corner of SE 124th and 312th SE Tuesday morning at about 11:00am. The driver of the second car was injured and had to be taken to the hospital. Both cars were damaged. Police determined that the GRCC driver was at fault, and was driving without a driver's license or insurance. The police and the court will investigate, and likely impose a big fine and possibly assign jail time to the unlicensed driver. The GRCC driver will have to pay all car damage and hospital costs of the other driver out of his own pocket, most likely several thousand dollars.

This is a real case. Sadly, this happens too often. It should not happen even once.

Every driver in Washington State must have a driver's license and car insurance. This is to protect the driver, the driver's passengers, and other drivers and pedestrians. If you drive, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to follow the law. Here is the order of driving:

1. Learn how to drive (if you don't have a driver's license from home). Learn from a driving school, not from your friends.
2. Get a Washington State driver's license.
3. Buy a car.
4. Buy car insurance.
5. Drive your car safely.

If you want to drive, follow the order above. There are no exceptions. Driving is a big responsibility. Drive safely. We want you, your friends and members of the community to be safe and alive.

Ross

Be a Peer Volunteer for Winter and Spring Orientation
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 quarters (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
· Previous volunteer or work experience preferred

Complete volunteer descriptions and applications will be available Monday, October 10th at the front desk of the IP Office. Applications are due by Friday, October 28th at 5:00pm to the IP Office.


HSCP Celebration


University Applicants: Check the deadline for International Students

The application deadline for international students may be earlier than the deadline for transfer students. Please remember to check your deadline; you are an international student! It's easy to make a mistake, and then your application will be denied. Don't let this be your story...

UW Bothell is coming to Visit!

Why choose UW Bothell?

Private School Setting at a Public University Price:
-Small Class Sizes: average 25 students only
-Individualized attention from faculty and staff
Alternative to the TOEFL:
Conditional admissions to meet the English Proficiency Requirement! http://www.uwb.edu/admissions/engprof
Earning your Associate of Arts Direct Transfer Agreement helps to meet the English Proficiency Requirement!
Simple and Friendly Admissions:
- Admissions offered every quarter
- Flexible admissions
Prestige:
- University of Washington name recognized throughout the world
- The University of Washington is ranked: # 14 by Academic Ranking of World Universities (http://www.arwu.org/, 2010) # 16 by Washington Monthly (2010)

On Tuesday, Sept 4 from 11 am – 2 pm, two representatives from the University of Washington Bothell admissions office will be in the International Village for transfer advising. Please email WBird@uwb.edu to schedule an advising appointment.

Public Speaking Center

Do you have to give oral presentations in your class? Are you ever frustrated with the quality of those presentations? Do you wanna get some real help preparing and presenting?
Like the other tutoring centers here on campus, we are here to help students to prepare for oral presentations. Once you have planned out what you want to say, you can sign up for a 20 minute practice session in the Public Speaking Center in HL 116 (under the staircase in the library). Open: Monday 10-11:00; Tues, Wed, Thurs 1:00-4:00. Friday 12:30-3:00.

Student Success Workshops THIS WEEK!



IESL Announcements
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY CHANGE
Effective winter 2012:
We will accept IELTS of 5.5 with no band lower than 5.0 for entrance into the academic program winter 2012.

IELTS SCORES FROM THE UNITED STATES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
Effective immediately:
We believe that test security at some IELTS test sites in the US may not be up to standard. For that reason, we will not accept IELTS scores from US testing centers until test security improves.

Institutional TOEFL Sign-Up:
Thursday, October 6th 10:30-11:30 a.m. in IVC 101
$25.00 non-refundable fee (prefer exact change) CASH ONLY
PLEASE NOTE: You must have picture I.D. to sign-up for the test.
Also, you cannot take the test if you do not bring picture I.D. on the day of the test.

Institutional TOEFL Test:
Saturday, October 15th 8:30 a.m. (Test starts promptly at 9:00 a.m.) SC 101
Limited space available.

Pronunciation Class!Pronunciation for International Students with Paul Kern
Wednesday & Friday 10:00am – 11:00am
October 7th through November 9th
$139 -Register with Debbie Van Hoy in IP
Campus Talk- conversational English practice

When: Every Tuesday & Thursday from 11:30am – 2:00pm
Where: St. Helen’s Room, Lindbloom Center
Cost: Free
Volunteerism


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 (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!




Campus Resource LinksIP Advising on ANGEL




Contact InformationIP Telephone (253)288-3300
Alvin Tai: ttai@greenriver.edu
John Tankersley: jtankersley@greenriver.edu
Kirsten Weber: kweber@greenriver.edu
Erin Hitzemann: mailto:ehitzeman@greenriver.edu


IP Twitter handle: @GRCCIf 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.