GRCC Players 2022-2023 Season

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number is now available

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a national network of more than 200 crisis centers that helps thousands of people overcome crisis situations every day.

These centers are supported by local and state sources as well as the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress.

By calling or texting 988, you’ll connect to mental health professionals with the Lifeline network.

You can call 988 or 9988 from campus to connect with this resource.

Raider Rally 2022 – Save the Date

Saturday, August 27, 10 a.m  – 1 p.m.

Dr. Juan R. Olivarez Student Plaza

GRCC’s annual Raider Rally is coming soon. New students enrolled for the fall semester are invited to come to campus to join faculty and staff for a fun, welcoming event. 

We will have food and free giveaways. Additionally, students will be able to speak with academic departments and student organizations. Students will also be able to get their RaiderCard and books, and tour campus. 

RSVP today!

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) is a proud sponsor of the Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Festival being held this weekend

Join us this weekend, June 10 -11, 2022, to celebrate the history, culture, and legacy of diverse Asian communities.

For a list of festival activities, visit: www.grapf.org.

GRCC at ‘Rock the Block’ celebration June 11

The ‘Rock the Block’ celebration powered by Linc Up returns this Saturday, June 11 at 11670 Madison Ave SE!

Stop by the GRCC table to say hello and receive cool swag anywhere from 11 AM to 5 PM.

Student employment on campus offers competitive wages, flexible schedules, great experiences

Karissa Ferry has a busy schedule, staying on top of her Grand Rapids Community College studies while playing basketball and volleyball and trying to earn money for expenses.

But as a student employee in the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse, Ferry is able to take advantage of flexible scheduling around activities and classes.

“This is the best job I’ve ever had,” she said as she helped people check into the GRCC Fitness Center. “I’m on campus a lot anyway. This has been a great way to make money between going to class and playing sports — and the people are really nice.”

GRCC has a variety of student employment opportunities during the school year, and about a dozen to be filled during the summer semesters. Students can work in roles including office assistants, lifeguards, and orientation ambassadors, and in offices including Student Services, Student Life, Facilities and the Academic Advising and Outreach Center.

A full list of available jobs is available online.

Christopher Allen, associate director of Student Employment Services, said GRCC recently increased student wages to $12.50 an hour, competitive with many off-campus summer jobs.

“Student employee positions are a fantastic way for students to develop valuable work skills and experience while taking advantage of convenient and flexible scheduling,” Allen said. “Students can build their resumes while getting to know people and places on campus, all while earning money to cover expenses.”

Student Employment Services can help with questions about campus jobs as well as provide tips on resumes and interviewing. The office is located on the second floor of Steven C. Ender Hall, 455 E. Fulton St. Students can contact the office at ses@grcc.edu and (616) 234-4170.

Internet Explorer- End of life

Beginning June 15, 2022, Microsoft will be retiring Internet Explorer.

 If you are still using Internet Explorer as your default browser, please switch to another browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

We have a helpful knowledge base article to assist you.

Any applications or sites that are traditionally only accessible in Internet Explorer can be opened in Microsoft Edge using the Compatibility Mode feature. 

If you use Internet Explorer for linking documents, you may now use any browser to complete this function. 

If you have any questions about this change, we encourage you to reach out to the IT Support Desk at 616-234-4357 or by visiting our Customer Support Portal at supportdesk.grcc.edu to submit a ticket. 

New benefit makes internet free for many Michigan families

Today’s announcement of partnerships with internet providers plus a $30/month subsidy for high-speed internet makes it free, or nearly free, for a large portion of Michigan families. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a U.S. government program run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices like a laptop or tablet.

You are likely eligible for the ACP if your household’s income is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line, or if you or someone you live with currently receives a government benefit like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, WIC, Pell Grant, or Free and Reduced-Price Lunch. If your household is eligible, you could receive:

• Up to a $30/month discount on your internet service
• Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands
• A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)
• A low cost service plan that may be fully covered through the ACP

Today, several internet providers, including AT&T, Charter-Spectrum, Comcast-Xfinity, Frontier, WOW!, Verizon, and more, have announced high-speed internet plans for $30/month or less. If you apply your ACP benefit to one of these plans, you will have no out-of-pocket cost for your household internet.

Go to GETINTERNET.GOV to learn more. 

Wellness Champions: Disposing of unused medications in a safe way

Expired or unwanted medicines can be dangerous, but the Grand Rapids Community College Police Department can help you get rid of them.

Be a champion! GRCC is helping students and employees focus on all areas of health and wellness as we emerge together from the pandemic.

Wellness is a full integration of physical, mental and spiritual health. That includes physical health, but so much more. During the next year we’re also looking at emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, environmental and occupational health, and how we all can work to help ourselves and each other.

There are many resources at GRCC to help all of these types of wellness. Each week, we’ll introduce you to people and places here on campus ready to support you on your wellness journey.

This Saturday, April 30, is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

America’s substance misuse crisis is a public safety and public health emergency that threatens the well-being of individuals who misuse drugs as well as their families, communities, and, ultimately, the nation.

A secure drop box has been installed at Campus Police headquarters, 25 Lyon St. NE, where you can anonymously drop off unneeded and expired prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements, pet medicine and medicated ointments and lotions. Collected items will be incinerated.

GRCC’s Student Life office funded installation of the drop box in 2018. Before bringing your medicine to the drop box, block out all identifying personal information on the prescription — but do not remove the name of the medication. Medications can be packaged together in small baggies for disposal.

The SafeMeds drop box can be used by GRCC staff and students — and anyone in the community. It is for residential medications only and cannot be used by businesses and pharmacies.

Supporting the field in addressing this epidemic is one of the U.S. Department of Justice’s top priorities and, at the center of this response, is the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program.

Tech Tips: Microsoft Windows and Office license notifications

As we continue working remotely, Information Technology would like to bring to your attention a notification that you may see in the coming days or weeks on your campus provided computer from Microsoft Windows or Microsoft Office Suite notifying you that the license may expire soon.

Don’t worry if you see this message. You won’t see any loss of functionality for quite some time, but you will still need to get the license validated.

If you are a student utilizing the loaner laptop program, you will simply need to swap your loaner at the library. 

If you are a staff/faculty, you can validate your license by simply stopping by a GRCC building, restarting your device,  and connecting to our Secure wireless network for a minimum of 15 minutes will revalidate your license automatically.

If you need to come into a campus building, please make sure to follow any posted COVID protocols. 

If you have a suggestion or a Technology Tip you think can be useful, you can submit them by emailing techtips@grcc.edu