The American Red Cross will be having a community blood drive at Genesee Community College from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday Oct. 7-8. Your generous donation of blood is very much needed and greatly appreciated. Could you take some time to give to this critical cause?
GCC officials today acknowledged that popular volleyball coach Roger Majeski violated recruiting rules, but asserted that GCC officials brought the violation to the attention of the athletic governing board.
The National Junior Athletic Association suspended Majeski, as first reported in The Batavian, for a recruiting violation. The team was also forced to forfeit five games, and the freshman player is ineligible for the remainder of the season.
School officials today issued a press release that said the school was fully cooperative with the NJCAA and agreed the organization's response was appropriate.
Majeski reportedly personally paid for a visit to Batavia by a recruit from California, and in such circumstances, the player must return home within 48 hours. In this case, the player did not return home within the stipulated time.
Full press release after the jump:
Batavia, NY – In response to a recent inquiry, Genesee Community College Athletics Department has confirmed that the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has issued a statement of disciplinary action relating to Roger Majeski, Genesee’s Women’s Volleyball Coach. The action came about as a result of a single recruitment violation. Coach Majeski has been suspended from Genesee’s next seven volleyball matches. The action also required that the Women’s Volleyball team forfeit the first five games of this season.
Coach Majeski personally funded a recruitment visit of a prospective volleyball player from California. NJCAA Guidelines stipulate that prospective players must either pay for their own transportation, or return to their home residence after a 48 hour period. The player did not meet the required time stipulation for returning home.
Coach Majeski took full responsibility for not staying within the guidelines. Both he and Margaret Sisson, Genesee’s Athletic Director, acknowledge the appropriateness of the NJCAA findings and their actions. Ms. Sisson was quick to point out that the action by the NJCAA came about only after the College found about the violation and the College self-reported the issue to the NCJAA. Ms. Sisson said that while it is regrettable, the College feels it must adhere to the spirit and the literal interpretation of the rules and regulations established by the NJCAA. ]
This Saturday, September 12th, Care-A-Van will be heading to GCC for their Annual Fall Cookout.
The cookout will be held at the Dorms Parking lot beginning at 4:00 PM until ?.
The cookout will inlcude hot dogs, hamburgs, salads, baked beans, pickles, chips, pop and ice cream cones. The Care-A-Van band will provide music while the students enjoy their food.
All Students are invited to bring their friends and have a good time.
On Sunday, September 13th we will return at 4:30 for a church service beginning at 4:30 PM. Pastor Dale Gooch from the Emmanuel Baptist Church will bring the message.
During the school year, Care-A-Van visits the dorms on a monthly basis. We knock on 95 dorm rooms and bring them a treat, along with words of encouragement and prayer if needed. Over the years, we have had the opportunity to build relationships with these students. They look forward to our monthly visits and the little suprise package that we bring them.
If there is any organization or church that would like to partner with us and join in on our monthly visits to the dorms, please contact us at 343-0328. This is a great outreach opportunity for the community.
May God Bless all the students for the new school year!
GCC volleyball coach Roger Majeski has been suspended for an apparent recruitment violation, a spokesman for the National Junior College Athletic Association confirmed this evening.
The NJCAA is also forcing the team to forfeit its games played with the player in question, and the player will be ineligible to play with the team for the remainder of the season. The player is reportedly a freshman who joined the team this year from California.
Mark Krug, director of sports information and media relations for NJCAA, confirmed the details in an e-mail, but said he could not say more about the situation.
Calls late this afternoon to GCC have not yet been returned.
Majeski is a highly regarded coach, having led the GCC team since 1987 and notching more than 800 wins in his career. His teams have made 11 appearances at the national tournament, and he's been awarded Region III Coach of the Year nine times, as well as AVCA Northeast/Southeast Regional Coach of the Year three times. He has coached 14 All-American athletes.
Photo above is a file photo provided to The Batavian in December.
Genesee Community College will hold the 2009 Wolcott J. Humphrey III Symposium on Leadership and Community Life on Monday, Sept. 21.
Fred Grandy, television star, radio personality, former CEO and Congressman will deliver the keynote address on the "Art of Change." It will focus on bringing positive change to local organizations and the community.
"We couldn't have asked for a more appropriate topic for this year's symposium," said 2009 Symposium Chair Lori Stupp. "As the economic and political climates have changed recently, our local businesses and community groups must adapt and change as well."
The symposium will be from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Batavia Campus. Tickets are $25 and reservations must be made by Sept.14. For further information, please call the Genesee Community College Office of External Affairs at 585-343-0055 x6234.
A reception with hearty hors d'oeuvres will follow the keynote address.
Although Grandy may be best known for his acting role as the loveable "Gopher" on The Love Boat comedy series, he has an assortment of career experiences that allow him to present poignant messages on importance of giving back and community involvement.
Upon leaving Hollywood, Grandy successfully campaigned for Congress in his home state of Iowa and served eight years in House of Representatives. Afterward, he became president and CEO of Goodwill Industries and spent the next few years rebuilding the nonprofit chain of retail stores and rehab centers.
A magna cum laude graduate of Harvard with a Master's degree in Shakespearean studies from The George Washington University, he has been a visiting professor at the University of Maryland's School of Public Affairs, as well as a consultant to a number of nonprofit organizations.
He now makes his living in talk radio as the host of the popular Grandy & Andy Morning Show on 630 WMAL in Washington, DC, and is the co-host of Retired Living TV's Daily Café, which focuses on news and current affairs and includes viewer participation.
The family and friends of Wolcott J. (Jay) Humphrey III, who died suddenly in September 2001, established the symposium in his memory. Humphrey, who served as president of Pavilion State Bank (now part of Five Star Bank) and was chairman of the Board of Trustees for Genesee Community College at the time of his death, was one of the region's foremost civic leaders and a strong proponent of leadership development.
The symposium brings speakers with a national or regional reputation to the college to discuss some facet of leadership. Past speakers have included Syracuse University Basketball Coach Jim Boeheim, Paychex CEO Thomas Golisano, William Hudnut III, a former Congressman, and Paul S. Speranza, chairman of the board of directors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The office of Alumni Affairs at Genesee Community College has named Jacqueline Kay Christenson as the new alumni coordinator. "Jackie" began her new position earlier this month after the retirement of Patti Pacino.
Previously, Christenson was director of alumni programs at Roberts Wesleyan College, where she also served as the assistant director of alumni relations. She was responsible for organizing the Homecoming events, as well as many other alumni initiatives and communication efforts. In addition, she served in other capacities, including office manager and tutor coordinator.
She received her bachelor's degree in organizational management and a master's degree in business from Roberts Wesleyan College. She attended college as a nontraditional-aged student and started her professional career later in life. As an adult student, she had to balance the responsibilities of home and family with her college studies. She enjoyed being around students of all ages. She's eager to hear about the success of nontraditional Genesee students who have graduated and started their own careers.
"I'm really looking forward to connecting Genesee's alumni," Christenson said. "It will be interesting to meet the many different graduates and hear their stories. I hope to bring as many alumni back to campus as possible, so they can see how much the college continues to grow and how their support and involvement with their alma mater adds an incredible dynamic to the life and times at Genesee."
One new opportunity she plans to develop in her first year is an Alumni Mentoring program. Funded by a grant, she hopes to match successful alumni with current students to foster relationships and help to guide students with career advice and possible job shadowing.
Christenson is a resident of North Chili and has two sons, Jeff (34) and Steve (29). She enjoys spending time with her family, especially her two granddaughters, Claire and Maggie. She also enjoys camping, Cajun Zydeco music and swing dancing.
For further information, or to contact the Office of Alumni Affairs, please call 585-343-0055 x6265 or email at alumni@genesee.edu.
Friday moning (8/28/09) at approximately 2:00 AM, fire alarms were activated in Beech and Cedar Halls (Buildings B and C) at College Village. Initial response was two Town of Batavia Fire Department chiefs and Engine 21, with one Genesee County Sherriff's Office patrol car and two New York State Police patrol vehicles arriving shortly afterward. During the investigation Beech Hall's alarm activated a second time. At approximately 2:25 AM residents were allowed back into their rooms. Information regarding cause, etc. is currently unavailable due to lack of an appropriate time to ask officials who were on-scene.
More photos as well as personal comments "after the jump..."
First view of E21 as I walked out to see what was happening:
E21 in front of Beech Hall:
From the road (walked around to stay out of the way):
GCSO response arrives (sorry for the blur - unsupported long lens at night didn't want to work too well) :
Residents awaiting all-clear:
CV Safety (I think, couldn't really be sure), Sherrif's Deputy and unidentifiable individual (possibly TBFD) talking next to E21:
My Comments:
Based on the number of people talking (and in general having no respect or care) at our fire safety meeting Monday night, I have a feeling that these unnecessary incidents are going to continue for a while. Furthermore, the total lack of respect from my fellow residents toward our firefighters is not only appalling, but absolutely unacceptable. When someone gets out of bed at 3:30 AM (two years ago this was a pretty common time for alarms to happen within an hour of) to possibly pull people out of a burning building if necessary (regardless of if it's for pay or not), a little respect is due to say the least. We've even had residents vehemently arguing (trust me, this is putting it nicely) with one of the fire chiefs and a safety officer wanting to go back into a building with the smell of smoke and a sounding alarm still present.
I'm honestly no longer sure there's anything that can be done to change these issues, but if you have ideas feel free to share, I'll pass along anything good to one of the RAs, the CV office or GCC.
I have a suspicion that tonight's alarms were a false pull due to it being two buildings at the same time and the larger-than-average police response.
Also, an obligatory disclaimer:
My comments are made purely on my behalf. I have never been a Resident Assistant at, or employee of, College Village or Genesee Community College. I am not speaking on their behalf, and have no intention of doing so unless I am asked to, in which case I would indicate such. Furthermore, I have no affiliation with any fire or law enforcement agencies in Genesee County. I am simply a concerned GCC student and CV resident. Intentionally misconstruing anything I publish/print/say in regards to the above disclaimer and the content it applies to will be interpreted as slander, and/or libel, and may or may not be met with legal action as necessary and to the fullest extent of the law. None of this is meant to harm the reputation of administrative, security, law enforcement or fire officials, nor that of the organizations they represent. It is, to the contrary, meant to support them.
If any official from involved agencies and organizations feels that I may have photos which would help their investigation into this incident, please contact me via bill [AT] buckleyw [DOT] net or my college e-mail address. I have retained all revisions of the images above (which had to be enhanced due to exposure issues) as well as various images either too blurry or not useful enough from a journalism perspective.
Edit: Code refresh and added photo captions.
Administrators at Genesee Community College and Empire State College have signed an articulation agreement to effectively transfer Genesee Community College credits to Empire State College to earn a prestigious State University of New York (SUNY) bachelor's degree.
As the first formal partner in the new Pathways Program, graduates from Genesee Community College are now able to define an individual degree program tailored to their unique interests, and with the help of a mentor, make a smooth transition to Empire State College to earn a bachelor's degree.
The Pathways Program is a new transfer opportunity where Genesee Community College graduates can take an additional 16 credits of introductory coursework at Genesee to support their bachelor's degree requirements. The remaining 48 credits of required upper division coursework is taken with Empire State College through flexible teaching and learning models. Known commonly as a "5+3 program," students enrolled in the Pathways Program generally take five semesters at Genesee, and three semesters with Empire State College to achieve a bachelor's degree.
With this agreement, students are able to stay within their community and earn a bachelor's degree that is tailored to their career goals. Students are also able to choose a blend of online, independent study and in-person study through one of Empire State College's regional locations, or they can choose to study entirely online.
Pathways Program students not only choose what they want to study, but also how, where and when they want to study. With an Empire State College campus in Batavia, Rochester, Alfred, Canandaigua and Corning, residents across upstate New York can now earn a bachelor's degree with little or no commuting from home.
The flexibility of the Pathways Program includes more than 400 online Empire State College classes, allowing students to continue their studies while fulfilling family, work and community commitments. The joint venture between Genesee and Empire State College reflects a highly individualized approach to degree planning that addresses the varying needs and demands placed upon contemporary students.
"The new Pathways Program increases access to high quality, higher education - meeting the needs of today's adult learners," Alan R. Davis, Ph.D., president of Empire State College. "It offers the flexibility for students to mix and match what they want to take, and where and when they take it. The partnership allows students to hold down a job, stay in their community, continue to fulfill family and community obligations and still earn a SUNY degree."
Empire State College offers the following 11 areas of study for a bachelor's degree: Nursing (BSN); Social Theory/Social Structure and Change; Science/Mathematics and Technology; Human Development; Historical Studies; Educational Studies; Cultural Studies; Community and Human Services; Business Management/Economics; and the Arts. These bachelor's degree study areas overlap with all of the associate degrees offered at Genesee, but particularly coalesce with Genesee's Business, Human Services, Communications, Criminal Justice, Liberal Arts and Nursing programs.
For more information on the Pathways Program between Genesee Community College and Empire State College, visit www.esc.edu/geneseecc <http://www.esc.edu/geneseecc> or contact any of the following representatives:
EMPIRE STATE COLLEGE
Ed Warzala, Unit Coordinator/Mentor
36 Ellicott Street, Batavia, NY 14020
585-343-2307
E-mail: ed.warzala@esc.edu
Laura Lee Jezsik, Recruitment and Outreach Specialist
1475 Winton Road North, Rochester, NY 14609
585-224-3299
E-mail: laura.jezsik@esc.edu
GENESEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Career and Transfer Center
Priscilla DiRisio
One College Road, Batavia, NY 14020
585-343-0055 x 6423
E-mail: CTC@genesee.edu
The BEST Center at Genesee Community College offers two new noncredit community classes this fall.
They are the Library Assistant/Technician Certificate Program and Exploring Your Family History workshop this September at Genesee's Batavia Campus.
The first course, Library Assistant/Technician Certificate Program, is a noncredit professional course sponsored by the New York Library Association (NYLA). It is open to individuals already working or newly hired in libraries, or people interested in working in a library setting.
It is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Sept. 21-24 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26. To receive a certificate, participants must complete the entire 18-hour program, which includes a survey of libraries from their beginnings in pre-history to the dynamic institutions they are today.
Special attention is given to the various aspects of library work and the distinctive role of the library assistant/technician in today's libraries as well as the current employment situation. The course costs $250 and financial assistance may be available to those who qualify.
Additional topics include public/circulation services, reference and technical services. Public/circulation services will introduce circulation systems, reserves, special collections, shelving, stack maintenance, customer service, public relations, confidentiality and security. The reference topic will tackle organization of information, the reference question and search strategies, electronic reference products, trends, library/bibliographic instruction, information literacy, and the role of a library technician.
Lastly, the technical services topic will provide an overview of technical processing services used in libraries to ensure growth, development and bibliographic control of all collections and materials. In addition, individuals will learn the procedures required to acquire, catalog, process and preserve materials in all formats and impact of computers on technical services in libraries.
The second course, Exploring Your Family History is a noncredit genealogy workshop for those interested in learning about their ancestors.
Not that long ago, genealogy was considered strange and slightly morbid, because it often required trips to cemeteries and delving into the sometimes shady past. In recent years, however, genealogy has gone mainstream and new technology is available to facilitate both the search and the storage of genealogical information.
There is new appreciation for the stories that connect people to their ancestors. Participants in the workshop will learn how to trace their own genealogy and help others trace theirs. Individuals will go beyond names, dates, and places to gather the stories of their ancestors and pass them on to future generations. Topics will also include the proper storage and organization of the materials and artifacts used to develop a family history. This workshop cost is $74 and is offered in eight sessions from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays starting Sept. 30 and running through Nov. 18.
Exploring Your Family History is taught by Connie Constantine, who has been exploring the history of her family and helping others do the same since she was 16. After helping friends and acquaintances with their genealogy for decades, she developed a curriculum for a course in Family History at the Larkin Center in Buffalo. She has written a book of family recipes and stories and is currently working on a book based on her mother's diaries. She practices and teaches pre-industrial arts including spinning, cheese and soap making, hearth cooking, butter making and other skills that past generations depended upon.
"These community classes and workshops are designed to serve all people in our region," Ray Chaya, director of The BEST Center said. "Community really is our middle name here at Genesee. Whether it is a professional skill building seminar that may help someone enter a new career, or a community workshop on genealogy - these courses illustrate that there really is something for everyone at Genesee Community College."
For more program information, course descriptions, or to register online, please visit www.bestcenter.org <http://www.bestcenter.org> . For enrollment information, contact The BEST Center at 585-345-6868.
BATAVIA, NY -- About 200 people attended a formal Senate hearing this afternoon at Genesee Community College focused on a dairy industry in crisis and possible solutions.
New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand heard testimony from producers and processors, economists and dairy industry experts. At the end of the two-hour hearing, which started about a half hour late, she said she was taking some good ideas back to Washington to use in developing long-term fixes.
The dairy industry is hard hit by: a pricing structure that's based on only 2 percent of the industry's products: higher fuel and feed costs; trade inequities; the expense of meeting increased regulations and standards not required by international competitors; and by a swiftly fluctuating market -- stemming from changing demands, the impact of product perishibility and supply -- plus many other factors.
It's a tough business and it requires a certain youthfulness to do the heavy physical labor, 365-days-a-year, with a liklihood of losing money at the end of the year instead of making a profit.
One of the surest ways of increasing the health of the dairy industry, is to increase consumer demand for its products. Several spoke in favor of the federal government doing more to help out, such as buying more milk for school breakfast programs, stocking up food banks with cheese or buying powdered milk for women and infant nutrition programs. In other words, use more Department of Agriculture money going toward food purchases anyway to beef up dairy consumption.
To compete with a ever-increasing variety of thirst-quenching beverages, the dairy industry needs to develop new products and boost the flavor, "mouth feel," and nutrition of milk without adding fat or calories.
They also called for leveling the field when it comes to trade. Why does an American dairy farmer have to pay a 15-cent per-hundred-weight fee for marketing and promotion, when the foreign importer does not yet still enjoys the benefits?
One good way to boost oversees consumption is to sell more solid milk product, which is in great demand worldwide. But more production plants are needed. Yet a capital expansion program for Batavia has been on hold since 2005 pending USDA approvals.
Rep. Eric Massa said he'll enlist his colleagues to pressure the USDA to speed things up if Kim Pickard-Dudley drafts him a letter on why the capital expansion program is critical for Western New York. She spoke as a representative of the farmer-owned Upstate Niagara Co-op.
Robert Church advocated "market-driven solutions" and federalizing uniform industry standards, so states like California, do not have unfair advantage over Western New York's dairy industry. He's herd manager for Patterson Farms, a 980-cow operation west of Auburn.
"You said one-size-fits-all," Massa told Church. "My job is to protect New York. That's what I'm here to do."
The problems faced by New Mexico, California or Arizona dairies, compared to here, are vastly different because their circumstances are different, Massa said, about as different in fact as Mars is from Pluto.
"California cows are happy cows," so goes the marketing slogan, but Massa said here it's more like "New York cows are really angry cows."
An organization that specializes in helping under-served rural communities improve medical care has agreed to open offices in the new med-tech center under construction on Steven Hawley Drive, accross the street from GCC.
The Batavia-based Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center (R-AHEC) is a non-profit independent organization that creates community partnerships to educate and place health care professionals in under-served rural areas.
Additionally, UMMC has received a "certificate of need," allowing it to sign a long-term lease at the new facility.
As a not-for-profit community hospital, UMMC is regulated by the state and is required to seek approval for projects involving expansion of services or renovations to its facilities.
The approval will allow UMMC to move its two physical therapy operations into a single, more modern and high-tech space with improved handicapped accessibility.
Modern Think, a national research firm, and The Chronicle of Higher Education, have named Genesee Community College as one of the nation's "Great Colleges to Work For."
GCC was the only community college in the State University of New York system to be included in the "Great Colleges to Work For" list.
As part of the "Great Colleges" project, faculty and staff members at Genesee and almost 250 other leading colleges and universities across the nation described their attitudes toward their positions and their institutions in a lengthy survey.
Modern Think, the research firm, tabulated the results on behalf of The Chronicle of Higher Education, the nation's leading higher education professional periodical. As part of the survey process, the college also had to complete a detailed institutional profile.
Chronicle editors used the survey results and institutional profiles to identify several dozen colleges and universities as "great places to work." Genesee scored exceptionally high in the quality of facilities, and the safety and security of the campus environment.
Genesee faculty and staff ranked the college highly in numerous categories, including institutional pride, relationships with supervisors, and overall job satisfaction.
Six members of the College's Buildings and Grounds staff were on hand, and applauded, at the Board of Trustees meeting last month to hear the survey report given by Associate Vice President of Human Resources Gina M. Weaver.
They included: Timothy Landers, director of Buildings and Grounds; Martin Cross, senior custodial worker; Jason Reardon, senior groundskeeper; Erik Will, senior custodial worker; Diane Marchese, Buildings and Grounds secretary; and Wayne Gruendike, Buildings and Grounds supervisor.
Board of Trustees Chair Laurie Miller said that she was pleased with the survey results.
"We know we're a great college, but it's very nice to be recognized nationally," she said.
Eight new faculty and staff members will join Genesee Community College this fall semester.
They are:
Genesee Community College is offering of a new criminal justice course in forensics this fall.
CRJ161 -- Introduction to Forensics -- is being added to the criminal justice curriculum. Along with the current CRJ118 Forensic Anthropology course, the new forensics course will enhance student preparation in the CSI field (crime scene investigation).
The class is offered on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 12:20 to 1:15 and on Friday from 12:25 to 2:25 p.m..
Taught by criminal justice faculty member Karen Wicka, Introduction to Forensics is a three-credit course that will familiarize students with the basic principles of CSI and the scientific concepts and techniques used in a forensic laboratory.
Students participate in crime-scene analysis, evidence collection and evidence preservation. They also work in a number of forensic crime labs involving various branches of forensic science including fingerprinting, toxicology, serology (the study of blood serum) and impression evidence.
Specific forensic labs include blood spatter analysis, chromatography and handwriting analysis, blood typing, DNA fingerprinting and developing fingerprints using multiple methods such as Super Glue fuming.
Wicka has taught criminal justice full time at GCC for the past year and has been an adjunct faculty member since 2001. She has also taught criminal justice and forensics with Genesee Valley BOCES for 10 years, where she set up simulated crime scenes for students to solve. She has a law degree from Albany Law School and remains current on the latest innovations in the field by attending continuing-education training sessions with top forensic experts.
In Forensic Anthropology CRJ118, students examine human skeletal remains in the context of medico-legal issues. They analyze the scientific evidence of skeletal or badly decomposed remains to establish circumstances of death, and identify the decedent by estimating age, gender, racial affinity, stature, pathologic conditions, and traumatic injury.
The course also introduces human osteology (the study of bones), and presents methods and techniques used in forensic anthropology. The course discusses case reports, contexts in which human remains are found, and methods of recovery. Forensic Anthropology is taught by Dr. Jennifer Prutsman-Pfeiffer and will be offered on Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 this fall.
Prutsman-Pfeiffer is a pathologist's assistant at the University of Rochester Medical Center in autopsy pathology. She is also an adjunct assistant professor at the School of Nursing. In addition to her work at Genesee, she teaches at St. John Fisher College, and is a National Institute of Forensic Nursing faculty member.
Prutsman-Pfeiffer has served as a consulting forensic anthropologist in counties throughout western and central New York State since 2000, and she is a former member of the Disaster Mortuary Operations Response Team, assisting with identification of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
Students in her CRJ118 Genesee class this fall will see and learn about actual cases she has consulted on locally, and possibly participate in some aspect of real case studies that may occur during the semester.
Genesee's growing criminal justice program will soon offer a course called Emergency Management. The program will also soon be adding special concentrations within its Associate's in Applied Science curriculum. Homeland Security/Emergency Management, Forensics, Policing, Corrections Counseling or the traditional general concentration will be among the options for students to consider.
"Genesee's Criminal Justice Program has a strong history of excellence." said Barry Garigen, professor of Criminal Justice and program coordinator. "The new courses and concentrations will enhance learning and allow students to focus on emerging areas within the field while still continuing to receive the traditional educational foundation necessary to become successful criminal justice professionals."
Students can still enroll for the fall 2009 semester for any of the following three Criminal Justice degrees at Genesee Community College: an Associate's degree (A.S.), an Associate's in Applied Science degree (A.A.S.), or a certificate. The A.S. degree program prepares students to successfully transfer to a four-year institution for a baccalaureate degree in Criminal Justice or a related field. The A.A.S. degree program is designed for students preparing to enter the workforce upon graduation for a career in law enforcement, corrections, emergency management, community service or private security. The Criminal Justice certificate program prepares students for employment opportunities, or helps develop a deeper background in the field for those who are already employed within the criminal justice system.
All of Genesee's criminal justice programs may be taken in a distance-learning format.
For more information on Genesee's Criminal Justice program, please contact Barry Garigen, Criminal Justice professor and program coordinator at 585-343-0055 x6307 or visit www.genesee.edu/legal/crimjust <http://www.genesee.edu/legal/crimjust>.
Fall semester at Genesee Community College is quickly approaching and students are taking full advantage of financial-aid opportunities. As economic times get tougher, it is imperative for all students to be able to apply for and receive financial aid.
The federal government has recently launched a campaign to encourage people to attend higher education institutions, especially community colleges, and is now informing current and prospective students of the financial aid opportunities that they may not be aware of.
A letter from Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, was sent to Genesee President Stuart Steiner outlining financial aid opportunities. As an instructor at a community college herself, Jill Biden is helping to spread the word about financial aid for people who have suffered during the current economy.
Her letter highlights financial-aid opportunities that many students may be unaware of, including:
There are a variety of programs including federal Pell Grants, New York State TAP fund, fiscal loans, and numerous college scholarship programs available. Approximately 84% of Genesee's students receive some form of financial aid.
"Last year, students at Genesee received $19 million in financial aid," Joseph Bailey, director of Financial Aid at Genesee, said. "There is money available, and we hope we can reach students of all ages and backgrounds to let them know that college is more affordable than they think."
To receive more information, or to apply for Federal Student Aid, visit www.genesee.edu/financial/apply <http://www.genesee.edu/financial/apply> .
The fall 2009 semester starts on Aug. 24, at all Genesee Community College campuses, with the exception of the new Lima Campus Center, which will start classes on Sept. 21.
For further information, please contact Genesee's Financial Aid office at 585-345-6900 or at www.genesee.edu/finaid <http://www.genesee.edu/finaid>.
Genesee Community College is nearing the day when it will include a school of nursing.
After eight years of planning, securing funding and pre-development work, ground was broken yesterday on the Dr. Bruce A. Holm Upstate Med-Tech Center.
The new facility is being build across the road from GCC. It will house the new school of nursing as well as UMMC's Occupational and Physical Therapy program and new offices for the Genesee County Economic Development Center.
The initial complex will be 43,000 sq. ft.
Start-up med-tech companies will also be able to apply for space in a 7,000 sq. ft portion of the building intended to help new businesses get off the ground. The hope is that up-and-coming companies will launch in the med-tech center and then move into new buildings on the adjoining land as their businesses grow, keeping the companies and the jobs in Genesee County.
The center is named for former Batavia resident, Dr. Bruce A. Holm, a former Batavia resident and a SUNY Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pharmacology and Toxicology. He is also the Executive Director of the NYS Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences and Senior Vice-Provost at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Dr. Holm previously held the positions of Senior Associate Dean of the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and Senior Associate Vice President for Health Affairs at UB.
From a news release prior to the ground breaking:
“Dr. Holm has been a pioneer and leader in Life Sciences innovation and commercialization here in Western New York and we felt it was fitting to honor him for his vision, dedication and hard work,” said Steve Hyde, President and CEO of the GCEDC. “Life Sciences is a thriving industry in the region and now Genesee County is well positioned to participate in its growth and our economy will benefit from good paying jobs in a facility that has ties to GCC, the hospital and regional university centers.”
(WBTA contributed to this report)
The $3.26 million Genesee Community College budget received unanimous County Legislature support tonight.
The spending plan includes a commitment from the county for an additional $50,000 in spending in 2010, even though the county has not yet begun work on the 2010 budget.
"Higher education, with the way the economy is, is very important to people who need help in getting a job or keeping a job," said Ed DeJaneiro.
Both County Manager Jay Gsell and Legislator Charles Zambito noted that the county's contribution to GCC is among the lowest of any county in the state to a community college, as a percentage of the college budget. Gsell also said after the meeting that GCC's students get one of the more affordable college educations in the state because GCC's coverage area is bigger than just one county.
The county's contribution to the spending plan will be $1,936,374.
Zambito spoke highly of GCC's efforts.
"Enrollment is the highest it's ever been and it's expected to be higher next year," Zambito said. "At a time when every other college is raising tuition, GCC is making a concerted effort not to increase tuition."
Students will pay $1,700 per semester in the coming academic year, or $140 per credit hour for part-time students.
Lewis J. Serventi was named the 2009 recipient of Genesee Community College's Alpha Medal of Service at the 41st Commencement Ceremony in May. The recipient is selected annually by the college's foundation board.
The Alpha Medal of Service medallion is encased in a crystalline sculpture. It recognizes individuals whose philanthropic or volunteer support has deeply influenced GCC.
Serventi has demonstrated longstanding support of the college, especially with his early and generous support for the construction of the Conable Technology Building and the Humphrey Student Union. Financial contributions have been recognized with plaques in the south foyer of the Conable Technology Building and in one of the Humphrey Student Union vestibules.
Serventi retired as CEO and chairman of the former Lew-Mark Baking Co. of Perry, where he lives. He's well known for his involvement with civic and volunteer activities in the Genesee-Livingston-Orleans-Wyoming region.
"Lew and his wife Clelia have worked tirelessly to make our region a better place to live, and they have been unwavering in their support of Genesee Community College," college President John C. Dwyer said.
"They have given their time and financial resources very generously and very humbly. We are proud to recognize them with the Alpha Medal of Service. We hope and believe that they will be an inspiration for the entire College community, especially our students who will be tomorrow's leaders."
Past recipients of the Alpha Medal of Service include Lynn E. Browne (2006), Jerry and Carm Reinhart (2007), and John F. Andrews (2008).
The Genesee Community College Foundation is a charitable organization that marshals financial and volunteer support for the college. It is governed by a 30-member Board of Directors comprised of many of the region's leading civic and business leaders. The Foundation has funded more than 2,000 scholarships over the last decade, and was instrumental in securing support for the construction of two new buildings on the Batavia Campus and the acquisition of student housing at Genesee.
Press release
More than 2,000 attendees witness GCC's 41st Commencement
Genesee Community College's 41st Commencement on May 17 was bittersweet for the audience of more than 2,000 proud parents, friends and family members and President Steiner, Board of Trustees and faculty.
The Commencement speaker was Ruth Andes, PhD, Genesee's professor of sociology and assistant dean of assessment and special projects, who recently announced her retirement after 39 years at GCC.
She compared the turbulent times during her college graduation in 1967, including the Vietnam War and the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., to the difficulties of today with "less than positive economic times." But, Dr. Andes stated: "...Difficult times are also times of fabulous change. I hope that as you go forth, you will be part of that change. There is still a lot of work to be done. We still need peace. We still need civil rights - though we've come a long way. And we still need people committed to making the world a better place."
As she recounted the early stages of her career, she reflected on her initial reluctance to accept a teaching assistantship because she felt research was her strength. Nonetheless, she persevered and "by mid-October, I found I was enjoying it ...that was one of the greatest surprises of my life."
"When people tell you the odds aren't very good, don't listen to them. Tell them they are wrong. Go ahead and do it anyway...Listen to your heart. Trust in yourself."
After thanking President Steiner for encouraging her professional growth, Andes also thanked her colleagues.
Then, she told the students: "I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you have taught me. Teaching is a two-way street and I have learned as much from you as I have tried to share with you. It mattered that you opened your eyes and expanded your horizons."
The Commencement Ceremony also included special recognition of the College's 20,000th graduate. Jennifer Bryant of Batavia received an award representing Genesee Community College's 20,000 graduates, and her many accomplishments as a Genesee student.
After four years in the military as an MP with two tours in Iraq, Jennifer's efforts at Genesee have been equally impressive. She served as president of Alpha Iota Upsilon chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and was named to the President's list for three consecutive semesters. She actively promoted green alternatives in the community, and participated in the College's Honors Program and school newspaper.
Jennifer was nominated for the Coca-Cola and USA Today sponsored All-USA Academic Team and was named as a Gold Scholar. She was also named one of 10 students to make the All-New York State Academic 1st Team. She is a SUNY Chancellor's for Student Excellence honoree and she received the College's Board of Trustees Award. Jennifer was nominated to take part in the International Scholar Laureate Program on International Relations and Diplomacy. She now plans to attend SUNY Brockport majoring in International Relations with a minor in Environmental Studies and one day she hopes to attend Columbia Law School.
Students of Genesee County College should be relieved to know there will be no tuition increase for the 2009-2010 school year.
The board of trustees announced the proposed budget Monday. The county legislature will now be asked to approve the spending plan.
The $32.6 million budget holds full-time tuition at $1,700 per semester while part-time students will continue to pay $140 per hour.
The budget includes plans to open a new campus in Lima this fall as well as moving the college's school of nursing to a new Med Tech Park that will be constructed on the south side of Hawley Drive.
Most of the $1.8 million in additional costs in the budget are due to increases in energy cost, insurance, telecommunications and state-mandated increases in faculty and staff retirement contributions, as well as normal salary changes.
The full press release from the college after the jump:
BATAVIA, NY -- Genesee Community College's Board of Trustees announced Monday evening that the College will not increase tuition during the 2009-2010 academic year. Under the 2009-2010 budget adopted that evening, tuition for full-time students will remain $1,700 per semester. Part-time students will continue to pay $140 per credit hour. The Board met at the Batavia Campus for its regular monthly meeting.
The $32.6 million spending plan will now be submitted to the Genesee County Legislature for approval. Genesee County is the College's sponsor.
Trustees wanted to keep college costs to students and parents as low as possible during these economically challenging times, according to Board of Trustees Chair Laurie J. Miller.
The 2009-2010 budget includes the cost of opening of a new campus center in Lima this fall, as well as relocating the College's recently-expanded School of Nursing to the new Med Tech Park slated for construction on the south side of Hawley Drive across from the Batavia Campus. The College expanded its nursing program from 72 incoming students to 120 incoming students last year, and now offers the full range of nursing courses during the fall and spring semesters. The relocated nursing facility will also accommodate the College's growing LPN-to-RN program, which allows licensed practical nurses to complete the course of study necessary for a nursing degree and registered nurse status.
Most of the $1.8 million in additional costs in the new budget is due to significant increases in the costs of energy, general insurance, health insurance, telecommunications, state-mandated increases in faculty and staff retirement contributions, and ordinary salary and wage adjustments. Despite the College's record-breaking enrollment during the 2008-2009 year, the budget calls for a net increase of only one faculty position - the Board added four new positions and eliminated three positions as the result of retirements and discontinued programs. The College is moving a half-time admissions counselor to full-time status to help serve the rapidly growing number of applicants, President Stuart Steiner said. The College is also planning to add a career coach who can help students in area high schools with educational and job planning. The College posted record enrollment of 6,672 during this year's fall census. Another record-breaking spike is possible this fall, Dr. Stein! er said.
At the request of the Student Government Association, trustees voted to increase the student activity fee by $14 per semester for full-time students, to $118, and $7 per semester for part-time students, to $22. Student fees cover the cost of student clubs and organizations, out-of-class activities, and bus service between the Batavia Campus and bus stops throughout the Batavia area.
The budget also includes a request to Genesee County to increase the County's college appropriation by $50,000, to $1,936,374. Even with the adoption of this increase, Genesee County would still have the second-lowest level of community college sponsor support in the entire State University of New York.
Dr. Steiner called the 2009-2010 budget "thoughtful and prudent." "We are maintaining our longstanding record of fiscally conservative spending, while protecting the academic programs that have boosted our reputation across the United States." Dr. Steiner noted that Genesee's cost per student, of just over $7,100, is among the lowest in the SUNY system and about 20% below the SUNY average.
The current recession ironically helped the Board of Trustees meet its flat-tuition goal. A growing number of students are seeking affordable college education, and these students bring added tuition revenue to the College, Dr. Steiner noted. Also, despite worries that state aid to community colleges might be cut this year, the State Legislature and Governor decided to use federal economic stimulus money to maintain state funding at current levels. "Every budget we develop is a challenge, but overall we are pleased with the outcome of our budget preparation this year," Dr. Steiner said.
In other business Monday evening, the Board of Trustees:
Promoted six members of the faculty: Kathleen A. Kimber, from Associate Professor of Spanish, to Professor of Spanish; Christine Belongia, Assistant Professor of Teacher Education, to Associate Professor of Teacher Education; Michelle D. Abdella, Instructor of Mathematics, to Assistant Professor of Mathematics; Elise C. Banfield, Instructor of Psychology, to Assistant Professor of Psychology; Cheryl A. Corke, Instructor of Accounting, to Assistant Professor of Accounting; and Patricia J. Kendall-Cargill, Instructor of Nursing, to Assistant Professor of Nursing.
Authorized President Stuart Steiner to negotiate and execute a new three-year contract with AVI Foodsystems, Inc. to operate the College's food service and vending operations, upon the recommendation of an ad-hoc Food Service Committee. AVI currently provides these services, and the company's current contract expires June 30. Under the new contract, AVI Foodsystems has committed $108,000 in capital improvements to the kitchen and cafeteria area.
Authorized President Steiner to negotiate and execute a new five-year contract with SunGard Higher Education Managed Services, Inc. to provide technology services to the College. The current SunGard contract expires August 31. SunGard has been the College's technology partner since 1979, and manages the College's computer and telecommunications infrastructure. The new $1.75 million annual contract will add computer help desk support for all students, and expand the help desk to a 24/7 operation. This will result in considerable savings to the College, while providing more services to students, Dr. Steiner said.
Approved a "Negative Declaration" for the upcoming athletic fields and gymnasium capital projects. The "Negative Declaration," made under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, reflects the Board's conclusion that the projects will have no significant effect on the environment and no major adverse impact on the environment.
Heard Board Chair Laurie J. Miller appoint a three-person Nominating Committee to recommend board officers for the 2009-2010 year. Appointed to the Nominating Committee were Melvin J. Wentland, Glenn R. Morton, and Marcia H. Noonan. Board officers will be elected at the Board's annual meeting in July.
Presented "Certificates of Completion" to eight students from earthquake-ravaged Sichuan Province of China, recognizing the year they spent at Genesee. The eight students were among the "China 150" group invited by the State University of New York to attend a year of college at SUNY campuses. All of the students will continue their studies in China, and have made public service commitments to help rebuild their communities. Professor of English Charley Boyd and Director of Human Services Programs Connie Boyd, who spent much time with the Chinese students over the last year, showed video clips of the students to the Board.
Heard President Stuart Steiner report that James Goodwin has been appointed Director of Curriculum and Review. Mr. Goodwin has served as Instructor of Mathematics and Chemistry since 2006. Mr. Goodwin has been developing curricula for a new Veterinary Technology Program the College hopes to establish in the next several years. He is a native of Australia. Dr. Steiner also noted that Yolonda Johnson will join the staff as Project Coordinator of the Finger Lakes WIRED grant program. She has been a training specialist with the Catholic Youth Organization, a probation assistant with the Monroe County Probation and Corrections Department, and a department director for the Advocacy Center in Rochester. She has also been a member of Rochester Institute of Technology's adjunct faculty. She holds an A.S. degree from Monroe Community College, and B.A. and M.P.A. degrees from SUNY College at Brockport.
Heard Vice President for Student and Enrollment Services Dr. Virginia M. Taylor report that 2,680 individuals have applied to Genesee for admission as full-time students during the fall 2009 semester as of May 5, up 10.2% from the 2,430 individuals who had applied one year ago. Two hundred thirty nine individuals had applied for admission as part-time students, up 5.6% from the 226 individuals who had applied a year ago. President Stuart Steiner said that the summer semester and fall semester enrollment will probably once again break records. Summer course registrations are running 8 ½% over last year's registrations, while fall registrations are running 11 ½ percent over last year's.
Copyright © 2008-2022 The Batavian. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
