Welcome to the new Infonet.

Return to Campus Update

With the start of a new academic year almost upon us, I want to provide an update on plans regarding the College’s operating status. On June 16, I shared a communication indicating that all part-time and full-time employees (except 10-month faculty) who were not already working at least partially on campus should plan to return to working on campus for at least a portion of the workweek starting July 19. I am glad to have seen so many of you on campus and at the Centers over the past few weeks. I share your enthusiasm about working collaboratively in person, while continuing to practice the safety protocols that were communicated by e-mail on July 15.

I am writing today to share the next steps in our return to campus plans. Effective Monday August 30, I am asking that all employees return to on-campus work for their full workweek (except 10-month faculty, who will be on campus in the Fall semester according to their individual teaching schedules). Further communications regarding the new remote work policy recently approved by the Board will follow in the coming days for those employees who may be eligible. For information regarding the process for requesting workplace accommodations, check InfoNet for updated protocols and request forms, which will be posted in the next few days.

Continue Reading:
https://mymcc.middlesexcc.edu/blog/return-to-campus-update/

Important Updates to Middlesex College COVID-19 Protocols

From: Mark McCormick, President
Subject: Important Updates to Middlesex College COVID-19 Protocols
Date: July 14, 2021

As many of us in our College community continue to become fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and in light of the recent easing of many of the Governor’s earlier Executive Orders, I am writing to you to provide an update on the College’s COVID-19 protocols. Many thanks to the members of the Return to Campus Task Force, chaired by Don Drost and comprised of faculty and staff from across the College, for updating their recommendations after reviewing updated state and federal guidance. As we move forward, we will continue to follow the guidance from the NJ Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, the NJ Department of Health, Middlesex County, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Starting Monday, July 19, 2021, in accordance with Governor Murphy’s Executive Orders 242/243 and based on CDC guidance, the following modified COVID-19 protocols will be in effect for all Middlesex College locations, buildings, and facilities.

• All employees, students and visitors must continue to wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status. This position on indoor masking will be reassessed leading into the beginning of the new academic year, and any adjustments communicated in advance of August 30.
• The wearing of masks outdoors is no longer required. However, unvaccinated individuals are encouraged to wear a mask outdoors while in a group setting.
• The six-foot social distancing requirement is eliminated in all areas, including classrooms, common areas, and offices. Unvaccinated individuals are encouraged, where feasible, to continue maintaining a safe distance from others.
• All daily online symptom questionnaires will be discontinued. If you experience fever, cough, shortness of breath or any other symptom consistent with COVID-19, stay home. Employees should contact their supervisor for guidance.
• On-campus meetings and gatherings can now resume without any capacity restrictions. Note that many meetings may continue on Zoom.
• Middlesex College will continue to comply with all State and CDC guidance related to quarantines. Note that employees can no longer apply accrued sick days to cover an absence from work due to quarantine.

I again want to urge anyone who has not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine to consider doing so. The Middlesex County website contains information on the COVID-19 vaccine.

As we approach the beginning of the new academic year, any changes to these protocols will be communicated in advance. Thanks for your dedication to our mission and our students throughout this pandemic. I look forward to beginning the Fall semester with a renewed enthusiasm as we begin our “new normal” together.

In Memoriam: Edith Rehbein

From: President Mark McCormick
September 15, 2021

Middlesex College has received notice of the passing of Edith Rehbein, retired Associate Professor of English, on July 23, 2021. She started at the College in 1969 and continued to teach for several years as an adjunct after retiring in 2002.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 16 at 2:30 p.m. at St. Luke in the Fields Church 487 Hudson Street New York, NY.

https://tinyurl.com/kux89xca

Conversation with fayemi shakur, Arts and Cultural Affairs Director, City of Newark, “The New American Monuments”

Time: Sep 27, 2021 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) via Zoom

For zoom link email Dr. Denise Rompilla drompilla@middlesexcc.edu

fayemi shakur is a writer, cultural critic, curator, visiting lecturer at Rutgers University-Newark, and currently the Arts and Cultural Affairs Director of the City of Newark. In 2020-2021, shakur oversaw the competition to design a public monument of Harriet Tubman for the city of Newark in tribute to the Underground Railroad and its historical significance. Please join Dr. Denise Rompilla, Adjunct Instructor of Art History and Women’s History, and Chair, Memorial Management Committee, the Lost Souls Public Memorial Project, in a conversation with Ms. shakur about the Tubman competition and the need to build new American monuments.

Topic: Conversation with fayemi shakur on The New American Monuments

Time: Sep 27, 2021 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Please contact Dr. Denise Rompilla for the Zoom details for this conversation.

drompilla@middlesexcc.edu

Auditions and Dance Program Activities! Dance Ensemble Opportunities for All!

Dance courses are open to beginners through advanced, for both students who need electives as well as dance majors.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR DANCE ACTIVITES:

MCC DANCE ENSEMBLE

AUDITIONS: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16^TH at 2pm in the GYM/PE Center. 

Our Ensemble/dance company, concentrates mostly in the modern dance genre.

These dancers are very committed and work toward a very professional performance at the end of the semester which takes place in the Performing Arts Center at the college.  You must provide your full school/work/conflict schedule and be ready to learn a dance combination.  Dress comfortably to dance, and no street shoes please.  You may dance barefoot, in socks or dance shoes (ballet/jazz). Professional Guest Choreographers: Vernard Gilmore of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Andrew Robinson of Metropolitan Opera, Lees Hummel of Roxy Ballet, Nathan Forster of Reframe Dance Theatre, and Dawn Schultz – Doctoral Research Scholar.

DANCE CLUB

Meetings are at least twice a month on Thursdays from 2-3pm, beginning 9/23/21, PE Center Dance Studio.

This student organization is open to all levels of experience.  There is no audition to participate. Club members decide together which styles of dance they would like to learn, and experienced students are encouraged to teach their favorite style!  We also attend a professional dance performance during the year.

To sign up – Please visit the Dance Club table at the Student Activities Fair (date TBA).  For nice weather it will take place outside at the main square, called The Quad, in front of the library.  In case of rain, it usually is held in the College Center Cafeteria. FYI – Student Activities Fair may also switch to an online/Zoom format if social distancing is a concern.

Attachment:     PDF

Severance Compensation Program FY 2021-2022

Please be advised that the deadline for eligible full-time employees to elect to participate in the Severance Compensation Program for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 is approaching. Those who wish to participate must inform their supervisor and the Office of Human Resources, in writing, of their intention to participate by October 15, 2021.

Employees who have applied to participate in the program will be notified of their application status by Human Resources shortly after October 15. Participants may elect to retire on December 31, 2021 or June 30, 2022 in order to receive a lump-sum severance payment from the College in January 2022 or July 2022 accordingly.

For more information regarding the Severance Compensation Program, refer to your collective bargaining agreement or the MCC Full-Time Management Personnel Handbook. Please contact human_resources@middlesexcc.edu if you have any questions.

Fall 2021 – Student Never Attended Reporting

Fall 2021 – Student Never Attended Reporting is now available through MC Self-Service. Please see attached for detailed information on reporting guidelines and instructions.

Attachment:     Fall 2021 - Student Never Attended Reporting Information

Pat Kennedy’s Retirement Breakfast

In honor of Pat Kennedy, who will be retiring at the end of September, the Human Resources department will be hosting a breakfast on 9/20/21.

The breakfast will be held in room CH109 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 A.M.

Please drop by and congratulate Pat on her retirement!

Attachment:     Retirement Breakfast Invitation

Donations Needed at Campus Food Pantry!

Dear Campus Community,

Welcome back! We have been very busy at the Community Resource Hub & Food Pantry. While we regularly receive food from our amazing county food bank Replenish, Nourishing Neighbors (formerly known as MCFOODS), there are some items that we are running low on. Aside from food, the students who visit the pantry are also very grateful to be able to pick up other living essentials: toiletries, cleaning products, back to school supplies, etc.

Shelf Stable Food Items Currently Needed:

• Canned, dried, or jarred fruit, little fruit cups
• Juice, bottled water, seltzer
• Healthy snacks: granola/power/breakfast bars, Belvita biscuits, crackers
• Boxes of breakfast cereal

Non-Food Items in High Demand:

• We ALWAYS need menstrual products (tampons and pads)
• Diapers (size 5 & 6 most needed), baby wipes
• Toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant
• Any cleaning products: toilet paper, paper towels
• Toothpaste, mouthwash, toothbrushes
• BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES: notebooks, pens, highlighters

WHERE TO DONATE:

1. Place items in large contact free outdoor bin at the back of the College Center beside the door closest to the Community Resource Hub & Food Pantry. This is off of College Drive East across from the Physical Education Center, between parking lots 16 and 3. Items can be placed in the bin at any time. The bin is checked daily for items.  See picture above.
2. Place items in a blue food pantry bins located in the lobby of the College Center (outside the office of Student Life), at the Community Resource Hub & Food Pantry (College Center room 170/171), or in the lobbies of the Gateway Building and West Hall.
3. Donate funds safely online through the Middlesex Foundation so that we can purchase most needed items.

Thank you and have a great semester!

Amanda Lyons, Community Resource Coordinator

Community Resource Hub & Food Pantry, College Center 170/171

alyons@middlesexcc.edu
732-548-6000 x3029

Attachment:     Food Pantry Donation Appeal

Middlesex College Employee Walking Program

Walk Your Way to Better Health! Bring your sneakers and a co-worker and get ready to walk, starting Monday, September 20th, at 12pm for a refreshing ENERGY BOOST (Please see flyer for more details)! For more information reach out to Wellness Coach Deb at dpatetta@wcusa.com

Attachment:     Middlesex College Employee Walking Program