Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Mitchell Columns will not be published on Wednesday, Nov. 26. The final issue of 2008 will be published on Dec. 10.

CLICK HERE FOR A PDF FILE OF THE CURRENT PAPER EDITION

Scholarships

Academic Calendar

Board Briefs

QEP Quips

MCC Inclement Weather Policy

Archive

November 20 through December 3

Michael Brooks—20th

Lamont Kinney—22nd

Audra Houpe—29th

Motivating Students Series
Negative feedback can lead to a negative class atmosphere. Be specific when giving negative feedback and tie comments to a specific task or performance—not to a specific student. Cushion negative comments with positive compliments about aspects of the task that students did well and be sensitive to "offhanded" remarks that might engender feelings of inadequacy. Often students want to know the "answer"—"what was it I should have said or done to make it right?" Avoid pleas from students for the "right answer" which can rob them of the opportunity to think and problem-solve for themselves. Ask for suggestions of possible approaches to the problem, suggest sources, and encourage them to build on existing skills. Always praise students for small, independent steps. —Submitted by Employee Development (11.19.08)

College CLOSED
November 26 through 28

First ARP Church
(Rehearsal, Dec. 6 @ 3 p.m.)

Like receiving our monthly pay checks on time, we often take for granted the wonderful environment in which we work. Little things like manicured lawns and thriving garden beds, trash free sidewalks and parking lots along with clean offices, classrooms and restrooms take a lot of planning and hard work. Hardly a week goes by that I don’t hear positive comments from a visitor regarding our beautiful campus. Just last month, as the North Carolina Community College System Board of Trustees met at MCC, the board president announced that after having seen our campus for herself she would have to agree with Dr. Eason that it is the most beautiful campus in the entire NC community college system. Another compliment came from Raleigh’s NCCCS vice-president for finance who has previously visited our campus on several occasions. He related how he chose MCC’s scenic campus to meet his daughter, a student at Western Carolina University, mid-state for an afternoon picnic. As we go through our daily lives we are bombarded with so much negative news that it is easy to forget all of the wonderful things we have to be thankful for. Perhaps, every now and then, it would be good for each of us to take a few moments from our busy schedules to stop and literally smell the roses. As MCC employees, we are all extremely fortunate to work in such a wonderful environment. So, as we are enjoying the roses or leaving a clean restroom, let’s take a moment to thank our grounds and housekeeping staff for the fantastic work they perform each and every day.