Author: gccblogs

Imparare, Apprendre, Kujifunza, Leren.

Standard

mango2It’s easy to say that you want to learn a new language, but now it’s easy to actually do it!

The Alfred C. O’Connell Library has recently released their newest resource – Mango Languages, which offers over 60 foreign languages and 17 ESL/ELL online courses for you to learn. Mango is completely online, which means there are no CDs to buy, subscriptions to pay for, or downloads to keep track of.

As an online resource, Mango allows GCC students to learn everything from Biblical Hebrew to Pirate anytime, anyplace – even using the free app for smartphones! Creating an account is free and easy, but not required to take advantage of the resources for each language.

After logging in, you can quickly dive in to any of the languages offered by selecting “all languages” – producing a list that includes:

  • IrishScreen Shot 2014-06-19 at 2.39.13 PM
  • Yiddish
  • Scottish Gaelic
  • Turkish
  • Greek
  • Polish

…and did we mention Pirate?

Mango uses quirky videos as part of the continuously expanding Premiere service, alongside “Mango Conversations” to help teach each language. These videos range from “La Moustache” to learn French, to “Soccer Celebration” – a video that uses the current excitement of the World Cup to teach Portuguese.

Some languages, such as Italian and German, have mini courses that teach a specific instance of a language. Italian teaches “Romance” while German will have you navigating “Oktoberfest” in no time!

Did we mention you can learn PIRATE? Get started today!

 

TOEFL Test Prep at The BEST Center

Standard

GCC is proud to have students from over 20 countries studying a variety of academic programs, and we are excited to announce another resource available for these students. The BEST Center is now offering a TOEFL Test Preparation course for Fall 2014.

Students enrolled in the course will be able to improve their English skills through interactive classroom lessons, tutoring, and extra out-of-class activities.

Preparation includes:

  • reading comprehension
  • sentence completion
  • vocabulary
  • structure of the English language
  • writing exam exercises
  • practical test-taking strategies through practice exams under testing conditions

Students are invited to attend a free program orientation session on Wednesday, September 3rd at 3:00 pm in Room B-260 at the Batavia Campus, 1 College Road, Batavia NY, 14020.

At the orientation session, students will be able to meet instructor Kia Banej, who will provide classroom details and confirm enrollment in the course.

Course Information

Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:00 – 5:00 pm.
September 15 – November 12
GCC Batavia Campus, Room B-260
$375 (includes Textbook & Audio CD-ROM)

NOTE: Advanced registration is required by Thursday, September 4, 2014.

Registration

Students must register in-person at the Records Office, Online, by Phone or by Mail:

  • To register by phone with a MasterCard or Visa, call The BEST Center, 585-345-6868.
  • You may also register online at http://www.bestcenter.org .
  • Print and complete the registration form to register in person or by mail. Make checks payable to “GCC”.

Mail c/o Records Office, One College Road, Batavia, NY 14020.

Lima’s Party on the Patio

Standard

The Lima Campus Center will be kicking off the summer with their annual Party on the Patio on Tuesday, June 3 2014 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm. 

Fun at the 2013 Party on the Patio

Fun at the 2013 Party on the Patio

The Ghost Riders, a country music band with a twang will be out and about to entertain! Visitors of all ages can also enjoy free refreshments including hot dogs, watermelon, dessert, chips and lemonade – all provided at no cost. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or a blanket to sit out on the Campus Center lawn with their family and friends or they can dance and sway to the music. The event will occur rain or shine.

Before the Party on the Patio and starting at 4 p.m., the Lima Campus Center is also hosting a free College Information Session specifically for homeschool families interested in learning about New York State’s High School Equivalency Diploma. Through GCC’s ACE program, homeschool students have the opportunity to earn 24 college credit hours applicable to the NYS High School Equivalency Diploma and also toward a GCC associate degree.

The Party on the Patio is fun for all ages!

The Party on the Patio is fun for all ages!

“Once again, this event is a perfect way to start summer featuring two great community events that are both free and open to the public,” Patty Chaya, associate dean of both Lima and Warsaw Campus Centers. “We are hoping for another great turnout!”

Viva La Vida

Standard

Viva La Vida will be this Friday May 2 from 6:00-10:00 in the Student Union.

Viva La Vida PosterIt will be a fun night where students can dance to Latin music along with other popular music!

There will be food, games and prizes at the event.

Tickets are $5 per person and can be purchased ahead of time or at the door.

Taalibah at Medina Campus Center

Standard

On Wednesday, April 23 from 6 – 7:30 pm at the Medina Campus Center, Taalibah Amatul-Haqq will be presenting about alternative medicine.

personal-care2Taalibah runs Wildflower Natural Foods store located in Medina, New York.  She is a graduate of Boston College, and has been involved in the study, teaching, and application of alternative and complimentary health care for almost 40 years.

She is the president and manager of Wildflower Natural Foods, Inc of Medina, NY, which she established in 1984.

Taalibah is also presenting an Alternative Health Education Program at Lee-Whedon library in Medina.

OC87 – The Obsessive Compulsive Major Depression Bipolar Asperger’s Movie

Standard

 

Filmmaker Bud Clayman’s documentary is a personal story with universal relevance – a wildly original documentary of pain and vulnerability, empowerment and his quest for belonging.

Throughout his youth, Bud’s future was filmmaking. After college he headed to Hollywood in search of a break. Instead he had a breakdown. Thirty years later, in an effort to reclaim and share his story, he made the movie of his life.

“I want people to understand,” says Clayman, “there is more to mental illness than pain and problems. My recovery is about acceptance and getting on with life.”

On Thursday May 1, The Mental Health Association in Genesee County and the Reel Mind Theatre & Film Series presents OC87, The Obsessive Compulsive Major Depression Bipolar Asperger’s Movie by Bud Clayman in the Stuart Steiner Theatre at 7pm. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

After the screening, there will be a question and answer session with Bud Clayman, Co-Director Glenn Holsten, and Clinical Director at the Rochester Psychiatric Center Dr. Larry Guttmacher, M.D.

There will be an additional screening for students from 12:30pm – 2pm. Suggested donations for both showings is $5.

For more information, call the Mental Health Association in Genesee County: (585) 344-2611

This project is made possible through the Reach Grant Program, a decentralization regrant program administered by the Genesee Orleans Regional Arts Council.

The Heartbleed Bug and What it Means

Standard

There has been a lot written lately about the Heartbleed password security issues.  Below is an overview about the issue and what GCC computer services staff has done and will do.  If you suspect that you have a work-related Heartbleed issue please contact the help desk at Helpdesk@genesee.edu or 1 866 614-5004. 104237444-heartbleed

What’s all this about Heartbleed?

On April 7, researchers found a flaw in one of the tools used to secure internet traffic. That tool, called OpenSSL, is responsible for providing security on the internet. The bug allows an attacker to capture usernames, passwords, and pretty much any other information.

Why does this matter?

Much of the internet relies on OpenSSL to protect secure traffic. At least 500,000 servers world-wide appear to be affected by the bug, and some personal computers and mobile devices are also affected. Until the bulk of affected computers are fixed, or “patched,” any secure site on the internet is potentially dangerous to visit.

What is GCC doing?

GCC has updated our wireless software and we are reviewing all fileservers for vulnerabilities. When necessary, security patches will be (or have been) applied. We will continue to monitor the situation going forward.

What should I do?

First off, don’t panic. While this is a serious vulnerability, Computer Services, as well as folks around the world, are working to reduce the risk. Nevertheless, there are some things you can do while the world catches up:

  •  Avoid online banking and shopping for a few days, if you possibly can.
  • Don’t change your online banking password until your bank tells you that it’s OK; otherwise, you may just be giving attackers your new password.
  • Be very suspicious of any emails asking you to change passwords.
  • Remember that legitimate GCC emails will never ask you to respond with sensitive information such as password, SSN, or bank account number.
  • Apply the latest security updates to your home and work computers, as well as to your mobile devices.

For more information, NPR’s Marketplace story is a great place to start, and Mashable and CNet.com have provided lists of sites that have been affected. CNet.com also provided information on more recent activity.

9th Annual EcoFest

Standard

It’s that time of year – spring has sprung which means GCC will celebrate Cool Kids 9th annual EcoFest!

Saturday, April 12th 2014
10 AM – 2 PM
Cost: Free!

Cool Kids – get your “cool card” and get a stamp at each exhibit you visit! Fill the card to get more raffle tickets for a chance to win a mountain bike! 

EcoFest has some new, fun, and exciting events:

  • New ways to recycle: Old bikes and parts, as well as used “nonfabric” (metal and wood ONLY) furniture for resale to benefit Habitat for Humanity. You’ll get another raffle ticket for every item you recycle.
  • Door prizes: The earlier you come to EcoFest, the better your chances of winning all day during the “green grab.”
  • More exhibits: Including Abbott’s Frozen Custard for sale and free yogurt samples from Muller Quaker Dairy.
  • No electronic recycling this year, with hopes that it will return in 2015!

When you arrive, you can drop off your recyclables in the parking lot, as well as earn a raffle ticket for getting a free tire pressure check with Sloat Tires. Free Tree Seedlings will be given to first 250 to arrive!  

When you head inside, you can recycle:

  • Old Sneakers – no shoes, boots, or sandals!
  • Old Paperbacks – no magazines, or hardcovers!
  • Old American Flags
  • Old Eyeglasses – no sunglasses!
  • InkJet/Laser Cartridges
  • Old Cellphones

THANKS for Being GREEN KIDS The Cafeteria will be open for lunch, or bring your own!

The raffle drawing will be at 2:00pm for a mountain bike and other great prizes – must be present to win. Participants are also encouraged to stop by the Go-Art table to purchase tickets for the 3:00 showing of Comfort Zone.

Schedule:

  • 10 AM – Sign in! Bring your recyclables inside for raffle tickets! Participants will get a treasure map, and each exhibitor has a stamp. Fill your card with stamps and you’ll get 5 free raffle tickets!
  • 11 AM – Ribbon Cutting for “Seeds of Change” exhibit in cafeteria.
  • 12:45 PM – Big Bag Bash!  by GCC Student Activities and College Village.
  • 1 PM –  Cool Kids stage show- live exotics wildlife show with Wildlife Educators Coalition
  • 2 PM – Cool Kids EcoFest Raffle – 21 speed Mountain Bike Giveaway from Adam Miller Bike Shop, Batavia, NY. Must be present to win.
  • 3 PM – Showing of Comfort Zone

Thinking About Transferring?

Standard

Many GCC students transfer to a four-year institution after graduating, and there are a lot of choices to make! We have plenty of representatives coming to the Batavia Campus to give information and help answer any questions about transferring.

More upcoming transfer events

Wednesday, Apr 09, 2014

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Batavia Campus – Cafeteria

Wednesday, Apr 09, 2014

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Batavia Campus – Cafeteria

Friday, Apr 11, 2014

9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Room C222

The Buffalo State Admissions Counselor will be in the Academic Advisement and Transfer Services Office, Room C222, Batavia Main Campus and will be available to meet one on one with interested students.
Please call (585-345-6805) or stop into the office to make an appointment.

Monday, Apr 14, 2014

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Room C222

The Brockport Admissions Counselor will be in the Academic Advisement and Transfer Services Office  (Batavia – Main Campus) and will be available to meet one on one with interested students. Please call (585-345-6805) or stop into the office to make an appointment.

Wednesday, Apr 16, 2014 & Thursday, Apr 17, 2014

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Batavia Campus – Forum

Wednesday, Apr 16, 2014

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Room C222

A RIT Admissions Counselor will be in the Academic Advisement and Transfer Services Office, Room C222, Batavia Main Campus and will be available to meet one on one with interested students. Please call (585-345-6805) or stop into the office to make an appointment.

Albion Million T-Shirt March Against Bullying

Standard

Join the Liberty Partnerships LIFE Program, Gay Straight Alliance of GCC, GSA of Albion High School, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, The Advocacy Center of Rochester, and GCASA for a roundtable discussion on bullying, screening of the movies Trevor, Bully, and A Call to Action.

T-Shirts are available for purchase for $9, and will be counted towards our goal of 1,000,000 people helping to put an end to bullying.

The Million T-Shirt March Against Bullying will be held at GCASA Albion on Thursday, May 1 from 2:00 – 6:00pm.

GCASA Albion
249 East Avenue
Albion, NY 14411

Please contact segolden@genesee.edu if you have any questions.