Tansey Topics | Eastern North Carolina Now

    BCCC's Planning Committee has this week made available to our campus community the new Strategic Directions that were recently approved by the Board of Trustees. Earlier this year, the Planning Committee and Senior Staff, along with contributions from the college community, participated in several planning sessions recommending the replacement of our Long Range Goals with the Strategic Directions. These can be viewed on our website by clicking on Mission Statement in the drop-down box on the left. A direct link to these Strategic Directions can be found at http://www.beaufortccc.edu/Planning?PDF/Vision%20&%20Mission/vission.pdf. This year, the Planning Committee, in consultation with the campus community, will focus on updating the Mission and Vision of the college. Within the next few weeks, you will receive a survey asking for ideas and suggestions. The current Mission and Vision statements are available at http://www.beaufortccc.edu/Planning/PDF/Vission%20&20%20Mission/vission.pdf. Thanks very much to the Planning Committee for their hard work on this project.

    Here's a look at other BCCC events happening on campus and in the community:

• Employment contracts for full-time employees have been delivered to the Vice Presidents of each area and will be distributed from there. Employees have 30 days from Friday, November 7, to sign and return the contracts to the Human Resources Office. Since the 30-day period falls on a weekend, contracts must be signed and returned no later than Monday, December 8.
• On Monday, BCCC's campus email was changed from Groupwise to the cloud-based Office 365. Network Administrator Whiting Toler has provided a list of Frequently Asked Questions which I hope will address most of your concerns during the transition. Whiting advises that more information will be coming on shared calendars and proxy access. Thanks very much to Whiting and his team for their hard work on this project, which included many weekend and late night hours.
• After many weeks, most work on the lobby of Building 1 has been completed.. After workers finished laying the carpet, the switchboard was moved back to the lobby from the Building 1 conference room. We hope to complete the project in 2015. Thanks to everyone for their patience as this work took place.

• Director of Nursing Kent Dickerson has good news about passing rates for our students in the Associate Degree and Practical Nursing programs as published by the North Carolina Board of Nursing for the third quarter of 2014. The passing rate for our associate degree nursing students on the state exam was 91 percent; for practical nursing students, 92 percent. This puts us above the national threshold. Thanks very much to Kent and all of our nursing staff for their hard work in preparing our students to become licensed nurses.

• Don't forget to nominate a student for BCCC's Best for November. This month's character trait is "inquisitive" or someone who demonstrates a natural desire to learn and seeks information for their own benefit. The nomination deadline, is Tuesday, November 18 with the recognition ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, November 25. Thanks to Vice President of Student Services Rick Anderson and Director of Counseling Kimberly Jackson for developing this project to honor our students!

• In news regarding the Digital Sign Campaign, Foundation Director Judy Jennette reports that $52,198.32 in donations and pledges has been received, over 60 percent of the way towards the final goal! To make a donation, contact Judy at 252-940-6326.

• Six Beaufort County Community College students have been awarded scholarships from the Golden LEAF Scholarship program for the North Carolina Community College System to complete short-term training programs. Those receiving the award are Larry J. Beale, Melissa Jean Buck, Brenda Sue Cahoon, Anthony M. Maye, Lein Slade Spencer and Shaneiqua Denise Wiggins. Thanks very much to the Golden LEAF Foundation for providing money for these scholarships and to Sue Gurley, Health care Programs coordinator with the Division of Continuing Education, for her work on the project.

• Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society is sponsoring a food drive for Eagle's Wings, a local food pantry. Non-perishable food items are being collected through Monday, November 17, at drop-off sites in Buildings 9, 11 and 12. Let's all support this worthwhile effort to aid those of us who need food assistance.

• Gulls on the Run, BCCC's running club, will hold a social from 3 to 4 p.m., Thursday, November 13, in Room 113 of Building 2. Club advisor Michele Mayo says the club will have food and door prizes to help members of the campus community become re-energized to exercise and meet some people with whom they may want to form a walking or running group. The group is sponsoring a fund-raising event at Pizza Inn on Monday, November 17, when members will be serving pizza for tips that will help fund club activities. Watch for more information about this event.

• BCCC is looking forward to participating in Shop Local day, sponsored by First South Bank and the Washington Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, November 29. Local businesses are offering special promotions and discounts on Buy Local Day to entice shoppers to buy local, spend local and be a local. As part of this effort, BCCC will have a display in downtown Washington and will conduct a raffle at that display. We will be offering a $250 scholarship that can be used for curriculum or continuing education classes, books or supplies. Thanks to Marketing Coordinator Wes Sumner for arranging the display and spearheading this effort.

• Due to demand, Beaufort County Community College has extended registration for Spring Semester 2015 which is scheduled to begin Wednesday, Jan. 7, college officials announced this week. Spring Registration, originally scheduled to end Friday, Nov. 7, has been extended until 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12. The move was made to give faculty advisors, financial aid staff members and others who provide services to students and prospective students the ability to meet demands for registration and class enrollment, according to Vice President of Student Services Rick Anderson. Students may register Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday, Dec. 12. Last chance registration will be Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015.

• Washington is in the running for Coolest Small Town in America, an annual contest sponsored by Budget Travel magazine. The designation is based on consumer opinion and votes on various social media outlets. If named as one of the top towns, Washington will gain national attention. To vote, go to www.BudgetTravel.com. Click on the image for Coolest Small Towns. From there click on any towns on the list of Current Top Nominees. Next find Washington, N.C. and click on the green thumbs up. Let's all vote and help make Washington a cool small town!

    And in the coming weeks, watch for the following:

    November 10 – Veteran's Breakfast, 9 a.m., Student Lounge, Building 9.

    November 11 – Holiday.

    November 13 – Registration Retreat Work Group meeting, 2 p.m., Room 104, Building 1.

    November 14 – Last day to withdraw from Fall Semester without grade penalty.

    November 14 – Division of Student Services meeting, 8:30 a.m., Room 928, Building 9.

    November 15 – Chowan University Open House for students served by TRiO/Student Support Services. Depart from BCCC at 7:45 a.m.

    November 18 – Professional Development - How to Take Total Advantage of Blackboard, noon, Room 104, Building 1.

    November 19 – Gullfest Team, meeting, 2 p.m., Core Team; 3 p.m., Leaders Team, Board Room, Building 10.

    November 21 – New Trustee Orientation, Board Room, Building 10.

    November 21 – Division of Student Services meeting, 8:30 a.m., Room 928, Building 9.

    November 24 – Campus committee chairmen and vice chairmen meeting with the SACS-COC Leadership Committee, 3 p.m., Room 1220, Building 12.

    November 25 – Student Government Association meeting, noon, Student Lounge, Building 9.

    November 25 – BCCC's Best, noon, Student Lounge, Building 9.

    Beaufort County Community College is a public comprehensive community college committed to accessible and affordable quality education, effective teaching, relevant training, and lifelong learning opportunities for the people served by the College.