Winter Quarter enrollment another record breaker

Enrollment for the first day of Winter Quarter 2010 stood at 28,382, 16.9 percent higher than last winter’s first day of classes. The Winter Quarter enrollment is also 73 students higher than the official 14th-day enrollment for Autumn 2009. The final census count for the quarter won’t be taken until January 18, after all drops, adds and final payments have been made. The record enrollments have continued since Autumn Quarter 2008, and although classroom space and parking spots are at a premium, the growth of online courses, off-campus sites and leased classrooms including those at Franklin University, are contributing to easing the crunch on the downtown campus.

According to Brian Seeger, Knowledge Resources and Planning, the Winter Quarter drop for nonpayment was the lowest percentage ever, with only 3,975 students dropped, or 13.4 percent of those registered. Last Winter Quarter, 17 percent of students registered were dropped at the first deregistration. Of course, many students who are dropped for nonpayment will reregister and pay their fees at a later date, so the Winter Quarter 2010 enrollment figures will continue to fluctuate until January 18.

 

	MLK Day festivities plannedThe college will be closed in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 18, but our celebration of his legacy: “A Community of Voices” will take place on Thursday, January 14, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the WD Ballroom. Cathy Hughes, founder of Radio One, Inc., will present the keynote address. The event is free and open to the public. Radio One, Inc., is one of the nation's largest radio broadcasting companies and the largest radio broadcasting company that primarily targets African-American and urban listeners. Radio One owns or operates 53 radio stations in 16 urban markets in the United States. Additionally, Radio One owns Magazine One, Inc., interests in TV One, LLC, a cable/satellite network programming primarily to African-Americans, and Reach Media, Inc., owner of the Tom Joyner Morning Show and other businesses associated with Tom Joyner. Sponsoring the lecture are Huntington Bank, The OSU Hale Black Cultural Center, and Columbus State’s Institutional Advancement Department.

H1N1 vaccine becoming readily availableThe supply and availability of the H1N1 vaccine has become more widespread in the last few weeks, opening up vaccination to the general public. The Franklin County Board of Health publishes a calendar of vaccination clinics taking place each week that provide the vaccine free, http://www.columbuspandemicflu.org/vaccinecal.htm, and many area pharmacies and drug stores are now offering the vaccine for a low cost.

Because the H1N1 flu is predicted to come in waves throughout the flu season, it is important to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect yourself, even if you think the worst may be over.

	A few reminders from over the break: Parking for Winter Quarter Parking lot 2E (an employee lot) will no longer be available to students starting today. The Fort Hayes High School parking lots at Jack Gibbs Blvd. and Cleveland Ave. will be available Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for employees and students with valid permits. The gravel lot next to the parking garage, off Jefferson and Spring St. is available Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Public Safety Department expects peak times for parking to be Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to noon. After the noon hour, more parking becomes available in remote lots such as Lot 28, and in the parking garage.

IRS decreases travel rateThe IRS decreased the mileage rate effective Jan. 1, 2010, because transportation costs are generally lower compared to a year ago. The rate will decrease from 55 cents to 50 cents per mile for all business miles driven beginning January 1, 2010. Columbus State’s travel procedure, 9-06(A) ties mileage reimbursement rates to the IRS guidelines.

Travel forms are available on the intranet and will be updated to reflect the new rates. Reimbursement forms that are in transit will have the mileage rate adjusted by the Travel Office for travel that occurs on or after January 1, 2010. Questions regarding the new rates should be addressed to Betty Sugar in the Travel Office at ext. 2421.