Friday, December 9, 2011

Winter 2012 E-Newsletter Issue #1

Important Dates

Jan 4- Winter classes begin; Last day for 100% refund of tuition and fees
Jan 6- No-Show replacements accepted
Jan 6- Last day to register for winter quarter without instructor signature
Jan 9- All registrations and adds require instructor signature - no web registrations
Jan10- Last day for 80% refund of tuition only- fees nonrefundable
Jan 16- Martin Luther King Jr Day (campus closed)
Jan 19- $35 late fee applies to each course addition
Jan 23- Last day for 40% refund of tuition only- fees nonrefundable
Jan 25- Last day to withdraw and not have classe(es) posted to permanent transcript

Advising During the First Week of Winter Quarter

Advising will be limited to registration and urgent issues only during the first week of the quarter. Advisors will be available to help you in the IP Office from:
Jan 4th-5th- 8am until 5pm
Normal IP Office hours (see below) will resume as of Jan 6th.

Normal IP Office Hours
The IP Office is open from 9:00 am-5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Advisors need to eat too, so they are not available during the lunch hour, from noon to 1 pm. You may see advisors with your questions during the walk-in hours, or schedule an appointment for any Thursday. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday are walk in days. Thursday is an appointment only day, no walk ins.


12 Credit Rule
All academic students must register for a minimum of 12 credits to be in compliance with the immigration regulations. If you are having trouble registering for at least 12 credits, please talk to your advisor immediately.

Be Safe and Stay Alive!

Tragically, two students were hit when crossing the street last quarter. According to the report, the students put themselves at risk by crossing illegally. American drivers are not accustomed to dealing with pedestrians walking in the middle of the street. Use the sidewalks for their intended purpose. When crossing the street, please use the cross walk. This will keep you safe and you will receiving a ticket with a steep fine for jaywalking.

New Student Appointment

If this is your first academic quarter, you must 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 for spring registration. Yikes!








Address Update
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.


Strategizing your application with University of Washington - Bothell
UW Bothell admissions officer Mariah Ortiz will talk about strategizing your university application, writing a strong personal statement, resume and WSA tips and the transition from community college to university. This is a great opportunity for anyone applying to UW, but also good information for anyone working on their transfer application. This workshop will be held on Tuesday, February 7 from 2-3:30 pm, SS-8.



GRCC Spring Sports Opportunities
Are you interested in playing for GRCC? Our athletics department is on the lookout for women interested in fastpitch softball, track, or golf and men interested in baseball and track. You must be 18 or have graduated high school, be a full-time academic student (the ESL schedule does not work with the sports schedule), and have the interest, commitment and ability to participate in American sports. If you want more information, email Director of Athletics Bob Kickner bkickner@greenriver.edu.


When Can I Take a Vacation Quarter?
Immigration law requires that you study for a full three quarters before you are eligible for a vacation quarter. The only exception is summer quarter (unless you already used your vacation quarter during the previous school year). You must ALWAYS see an advisor first to register for a vacation quarter, or you will risk having your I-20 terminated. So if you think you are ready for a vacation, you must meet with your advisor in the IP office before you make plans.



GRCC Student Email Address If you have not set up your GRCC student email account, please click here. You are required to check your Green River email everyday as that is how professors and advisors will communicate with you.

How to find your instructor?

Click here for the GRCC staff directory.

The Foundation for Success
The Foundation for Sucess program helps students meet their academic goals by overcoming previous challenges. Participants work with peer mentors weekly and also participate in weekly learning modules that cover: Study/Research Skills; University Transfer/Career Survey; Life Skills/Time Management; Setting a Road Map for Success. This one-quarter program meets on Fridays from 3:30-4:30 and costs $200. If you are interested please email Mary Butcher mbutcher@greenriver.edu immediately – first day of class is January 6th.

IESL Announcements


  • The first day of winter quarter is Wednesday, January 4th. You must attend the first week of the quarter, or you will be dropped from your IESL classes.


  • Tuition and proof of personal insurance is due on the first day of the quarter. There are no refunds of tuition to IESL students.


  • If you purchase a used textbook for your class it must be the exact edition listed in your teacher’s syllabus. Older editions or editions from other countries will not be permitted. Used textbooks of the edition specified by your teacher must have no writing in them. All books will be checked the first week of class. Students with older editions or previously marked textbooks will be required to purchase new ones.

  • TOEFL sign-up for winter quarter will take place on Thursday, January 19th in IVC 101 from 10:00-11:00. Come early, spaces fill quickly. You must bring photo I.D. and $25 cash (exact change please), in order to sign-up. The TOEFL test will take place on Saturday, January 28th, in SC 101.


Volunteerism

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

Campus Corner Housing

The Current

International Student Activities

Clubs and Organizations

Contact Information

Alvin Tai: ttai@greenriver.edu

John Tankersley: jtankersley@greenriver.edu

Kirsten Weber: kweber@greenriver.edu

Erin Hitzemann: ehitzeman@greenriver.edu

IP Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/GRCC.IP

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, December 5, 2011

    Fall 2011 E-Newsletter Issue #6

    Important Dates
    Dec 5- Study Day (no day classes, but IESL has finals)
    Dec 6, 7 and 8- Final
    Dec 8- Last day of instruction
    Dec 14- Grades available online
    Jan 2- Last day to add name to waitlist (by 10:30 pm)
    Jan 4- Winter classes begin
    Jan 4- Tuition is due, last day for 100% refund of tuition and fees

    Office Hours During Break
    During the break the IP office is open for regular hours (M-F 9am-5pm), with the exception of holidays, Dec 26 and Jan 2. Winter 2011 New Student Orientation is scheduled from Dec 28-30. No advisors will be available during that time.

    Tuition for Winter Quarter is Due by January 4, 2012
    You may pay as early as you are ready! To avoid the $95 late fee, long lines on the first day of the quarter and any bank transfer delays make your payment prior to the deadline. You can make your payment here using online services.

    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. Plan to fly out after finals and return before classes start on January 4th. Be aware that if you miss the first two days of class your seat can be given away to another student, even if you already paid tuition.

    Applying to UW?
    The summer 2012 and autumn 2012 application deadline for all transfer students is February 15, 2012. The online application will be available for transfer students from December 15 – February 15. If students want to preview the application, go to http://admit.uw.edu/Admission/International/Apply/PDF to download the PDF. UW still prefers students complete the online application, but you can see what to expect by reviewing the paper version. Students should not begin the online application until December 15 since the current application is specifically for freshman and the form will be different once the transfer application is available. Students can also start working on the essay section of the application. The essay topic is available at http://admit.uw.edu/Admission/International/WritingSection#transfer.

    Diversity Credits Required for students begining Winter 2012 and later
    The new diversity requirement has begun for new students. Check here for more information.

    Beware of Banking Scam
    If someone calls you to say that your account is blocked and they ask to collect information, you can ask for a number to call them back. Tell them that you will check with the bank in person. Never give out personal banking information over the phone. This is a common scam.

    IESL Announcements
    ·View your winter schedules online Friday, December 30th, after 2PM.
    ·Your finals will be taking place on Monday, December 5 and Tuesday, December 6. Please note: IESL finals will be taking place on Study Day!
    ·The cafeteria and coffee stands will not be open on Study Day, so please bring a lunch as needed.
    ·Please be sure to pay any outstanding fines (CCA charges, library fines, parking fines, etc.) as soon as possible.

    Volunteerism

    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!


    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: @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.