Faculty, staff have long to-do lists over holiday break
By Julius Williams
As December approaches, mostly everyone on campus is preparing for the last big push to finish the semester strong and then get some much deserved downtime.
Mostly everyone, but not all. For some members of our community, the last day of classes is just the beginning.
Rick Monk, director of Campus Services and Energy Management, is confident that his staff is prepared to get the ball rolling.
“Our guys understand. It’s time to get in there,” Monk said.
The staff in the campus services department takes advantage of the empty hallways and classrooms to get a head start on the next semester.
“Work gets done more efficiently,” Monk said. “We are able to get a lot done.”
Monk’s crew will be remodeling classrooms, replacing flooring and carpeting, building bookcases and installing new whiteboards in various places around campus. They will also be installing smart boards in several locations.
Crestron Digital Media smart boards are digital overhead projectors allowing classroom integration between teachers and students. They are the 21st century upgrade from the light bulb overhead projectors and transparency sheets that professors used to scribble on during class. Only a few classrooms will be getting the upgrades this break, since the $30,000 price tag makes this a long term project.
Outside of the classroom, Monk and his staff will be implementing their inclement weather plan. His office starts preparing for possible scenarios in October. They make sure that every detail is covered from sand and salt supplies to critical support for power outages or plumbing freezes.
Monitoring the repairs and upgrades will be the job of the college’s police department. Officer John Armilio is currently acting as interim deputy chief while Deputy Chief Larry Dixon is on holiday. His officers will be on campus throughout the break.
“This is usually a big time for contractors, so we will be there to escort and assist them,” Armilio said.
The officers will continue their regular three-shift detail. Their work will include escorting personnel into buildings and rooms for repairs and renovations, and patrolling the property.
The campus police department will continue to run 24 hours a day to serve the needs of the community. Students working on last minute essays or the professors grading them will still be able to call extension 4112 for courtesy assistance anytime day or night.
The continued presence of the officers will be a comforting sight for the many staff members whose work takes them past the last days of classes. Professors at the college have until Dec. 19 to grade exams and essays and calculate final grades. After that, many professors go right into preparing for the next semester.
“Our professors are really conscientious,” said Marilyn Rhinehart, chief academic officer and executive vice president of academic affairs. “Students aren’t the only ones under pressure…it’s an intense time.”
When students and staff do finally get that much needed downtime, they can head over to Billington Library for some recreational reading. The library, which serves patrons all over Johnson County, will be open most of the break.
Judy Korn, the library access services manager, said like many other departments, library staff will be concentrating on housekeeping.
“We usually have a lot of books to re-shelve right at the end of the semester,” Korn said.
When the spring semester starts, students will also find some changes to the second floor, Korn said. Bookshelves will be rearranged for better access and the library will add new group study rooms. The study rooms will be available after the semester starts on a walk-in basis.
The many responsibilities of our faculty and staff do not end with the last day of classes, because their job is to keep the college running like a well-oiled machine. They intend to serve the needs of the students of this college, whether by grading papers, salting icy sidewalks or anything in between.
It seems that ’tis the season to be… busy.
Contact Julius Williams, staff reporter, at jwilli78@jccc.edu.