MATC Matters

Dear Faculty and Staff,

SPECIAL NOTE: We are working on developing this year’s MATC calendar/annual report and need nominations from all of you of alums who are successful. Please submit names and any pertinent information about these “stars” by Friday, August 3, to Bob Dinndorf, MATC Foundation Executive Director. You can email him or call 608-246-6440.

Speaking of Bob, I would like to thank everyone who came to Barrie Park on Monday night to support Bob and The Nefrons. Bob did a wonderful job representing the college and our project of expanding the Fort Atkinson Campus. Besides that, it was an enjoyable evening in the park. This is the kind of support of each other that we need to continue. Thank you, again.

Convocation
As July sails into the history books, it’s time to flip the page to August and circle Tuesday, Aug. 21-the date of this year’s school kickoff. It’s an opportunity to reflect on past successes and focus on new goals for the 2007-2008 school year.

MATC Marvels
Marty Crabbs, administrative specialist for Learner Development at the Downtown Education Center, and Brad Kahn, catering specialist, for their help with the college council retreat.

Tricia Weisheipl, resource development analyst for the MATC Foundation/Alumni Relations, for organizing the pre-Concert on the Square and attendance at the Mallards baseball game.

John Alt, retired regional campus director, and Stacy Clement, nursing program director, for their collaborative effort in Sauk County in presenting MATC’s story. Sauk County Board members approved the building of a new health care center adjacent to campus, which will offer clinical and work opportunities to MATC students and staff.

Budget updates
We continue to watch closely the State budget process. An eight-member State budget conference committee will meet for the first time Tuesday to try to reconcile the dramatic differences between the Assembly and the Senate budget versions. The committee must agree on identical budgets to pass each house before the bill can go to the Governor. The Assembly version of the bill calls for significant cuts to the technical college system, while MATC supports the adoption of the bi-partisan version, which allows for modest budget increases to Wisconsin Technical College System funding. We will keep you posted as any cuts could significantly impact our ability to meet the needs of our students and community.

Contract agreement
MATC and the Paraprofessional and School Related Personnel (PSRP) Union have ratified a three-year contract. The agreement calls for a 3 percent raise for 2007-2008. Workers will collect a 2 percent increase on July 1, 2008; then another 2 percent increase on Jan. 1, 2009. An additional 2 percent increase is due July 1, 2009; followed by a 1 percent increase on Jan. 1, 2010.

The contract also calls for an increase in the deductible for WPS coverage, controls prescription coverage costs and limits out-patient psychiatric benefits.

The agreement also specified that the college will close for winter break from Dec. 24 through Jan. 1.

A special thank you to the 13 members of the negotiating team for their efforts in successfully completing this arduous task!

Members of the Management Team are: Gwen Torkelson, director of Human Resources; Becky Baumbach, vice president for Strategic Advancement; Rick Graves, internal auditor, Infrastructure Services; Diane Jetzer, Regional Campus Manager, Northern Region; Terrie Thorstad, director, Client Services, Technology Services; Laurel Anderson, Human Resources specialist.

Members of the Union Team are: Linda Geier, purchasing analyst, Financial Services; Annie Neuberger, Academic Advisor, Agriscience & Technologies; Jeff Luthanen, project leader, Facilities; Stephanie Dean, Enrollment Center coordinator; Steve Hineline, senior project leader, Tech Services-Enterprise Development; Shana Kuehn, clerical technician, College Prep & Academic Advancement; Steve Kowalsky, lead negotiator, AFT-Wisconsin.

Congratulations to all.

Highlights of the last two weeks

• Participated in Operation Fresh Start as a member of the United Way’s Disconnected and Violent Youth Delegation.
• Met with MATC retirees at their annual meeting.
• Attended the MATC Foundation’s pre-Concert on the Square reception where I greeted current employees, retirees, alum and former district Board members.
• Attended an Economic Development meeting regarding stem cell research.
• Participated in a presidents’meeting with Franklin University, Columbus, Ohio.
• Attended the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) District Board Association’s meeting in Milwaukee with four of our Board members.
• Met with Jan Bultema, vice president of human resources at UW Hospitals and Clinics and our new MATC District Board Chair.
• Participated in the MATC Foundation Board meeting.
• Met seven new employees during their orientation: Veronica Delcourt, Dean of Arts & Sciences; Kathleen Radionoff, Dean of Business, Marketing, Hospitality, Finance & Applied Arts; Kenneth Starkman, Dean of Construction, Manufacturing, Apprenticeship & Transportation; Andy Kuruzar, graphic designer; Susan Dalton, distance learning media analyst; Aimee Altof, auxiliary services associate; and Claire Rasmussen, library tech.
• Attended the College Council’s retreat.
• Met with students at the Culver’s VIP Scholarship program and reception.
• Attended Rotary Club meeting, where Vince Sweeney talked about marketing UW Badger athletics.
• Participated in a coalition conference call regarding the state budget.
• Videotaped a president’s segment for the New Student Daze student orientation.
• Presented information about our plans for expansion of the Fort Atkinson campus to the Fort Healthcare Foundation Board and the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation.
• Threw out the first pitch at the Mallards baseball game, which was attended by more than100 MATC faculty, staff, alum, retirees, their families and guests.
• Participated in the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) President’s monthly meeting.
• Spoke to parents at the UW Connections Orientation Program.

In closing, here is a quotation from automaker Henry Ford:

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at 20 or 80. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.”

Have a great week!

Bettsey