MATC Matters

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Starting today and for the next two weeks, I encourage each of you to let your voice be heard by taking our online AQIP Constellation Survey (password is MATC2). The AQIP (Academic Quality Improvement Project) Steering Team invites you to share your opinions in this confidential survey about what is important and how well MATC is performing in serving our students and community.

Our first Constellation survey was held in 2002, prior to our involvement in the AQIP accreditation process. Results from this survey will be compared to our 2002 results. The survey also prepares us for our next all staff Convocation Day on March 13, when we will conduct a college-wide “conversation� similar to the series of conversations we held in 2002. For more information on the AQIP Constellation Survey, see the Bulletin sent to all employees today, or contact Scott Beard, director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness at ext. 6446.

I’d like to thank each of our administrators, or “Deans of Darknessâ€? as we have dubbed them, for their flexibility and responsiveness in signing up for rotating night duty shifts of 1 to 9 pm Monday through Thursday, or the first Saturday of each month from 9 am to 1 pm. We have assigned administrators to cover our extended hours to provide staff members access to a manager who can make decisions or assist in addressing student or faculty issues, serve in a public relations role, or assist in emergencies during our evening hours of operation. Staff can reach our assigned night administrators by calling (608) 576-7122 or 7822.

MATC Marvels
Here are this week’s “favorite teachers,â€? as mentioned to me by students:
John “Luke� Matthews, anthropology
Bryan Witkowski, information technology
Maria “Paula� Tuduri, Spanish
Kathryn Grovergrys, Spanish
Pamela Larson, algebra
Christopher Syrnyk, English

Other MATC Marvels
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the planning, and also rearranged their schedules to work Saturday, at our Jam the Gym celebration of the 20th anniversary of the first basketball game played in the Redsten Gym. Both our WolfPack Men’s and Women’s Basketball Teams rose to the challenge with each winning against MATC-Milwaukee, 63-58 and 81-26 respectively. I’d like to give special recognition to Athletics, Foundation and Food Service staff who made sure our athletes – both current students and alumni, their families, friends and all our guests received a warm welcome (including some warm chili) for coming out to join us on a bitterly cold day!

MATC Foundation Update
In addition to Covance Laboratories, Inc.’s annual support of six Laboratory Animal Technician Scholarships, the company donated $25,000 to the Foundation’s Forward Fund. Monique Heiser, MATC alum, Foundation Board Member and donor, was integral in securing the donation. After participating in the scholarship reading process another MATC Alum, Sherri Kliczak, National Guardian Life, increased her company’s annual scholarship contribution.

TDS Telecommunications renewed its support of our Women in IT Scholarship — thanks to Lori Kelley, a member of our IT faculty and an MATC alum, who spearheaded this funding.

Do you have any 35mm SLR (single lens reflect) cameras you no longer use? If so, students in our college transfer photography classes can use them – as long as they are in good working condition with variable lens aperture, shutter speed controls and working exposure meters. Please consider donating your cameras to MATC through the Foundation. If you have questions, contact Herb Nelson at ext. 6789 or hnelson@matcmadison.edu

Highlights of my week

• Met with the President’s Advisory Team.
• Participated in the Employee Health Assessment.
• Met with College Council.
• Attended a WTCS briefing at the state capitol following the Governor’s State-of-the-State address.
• Attended Downtown Madison Rotary and heard from Laura Davis and Dan Stephans who spoke about “The History of the Wisconsin State Capitol.â€?
• Met with printing industry leaders Niall Power and John Bertelsen.
• Attended the WTCS Presidents’ monthly meeting hosted by Lakeshore Technical College.

In closing, I would like to share a quote by William Arthur Ward:

“The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist waits for the wind to change. The realist adjusts the sail.�

Have a great, warm, week!

Bettsey