Double-Digit Enrollment Increases
Hefty enrollment increases in virtually all categories are filling our classrooms and labs. As of August 31, registrations (relative to fall 2008) are up:

• 10.4% for program students
• 10%, returning students from the spring semester
• 9.5%, new students
• 10.9%, total FTEs

The economic downturn is a major factor in the enrollment surge as students seek stable first careers or reinvent themselves in new occupations. Fall 2008 enrollment numbers posted a 5% gain over fall 2007, making current increases all the more impressive. Final enrollment numbers for this semester will be available in three to four weeks.

Photo: More new students led to the fall enrollment surge.

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MATC to Host District High School Principals
On September 15 we will host district high school principals who will share data about their schools as we seek ways to increase MATC student registrations from the high schools and highlight some of our programs.  Among the programs we will feature: Occupational Therapy Assistant, Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement, Culinary Arts, Baking Production and Liberal Arts and Sciences. Thanks to Colleen Wagner, Institutional Research, for her efforts in coordinating the high school study.

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Parking in a Whole New Light
The college's green initiatives have extended to the six-story, 900-vehicle Eighth and State Street parking facility. Sodium vapor lights were replaced over the summer with efficient, long-lasting LED (light-emitting diode) lighting. The change:

• Reduces energy costs by 60%
• Increases light output
• Adds cost-saving light sensors to the facility's top deck

The switch was celebrated at an August 25 event. In related news, the surface parking lots at the Mequon, Oak Creek and West Allis campuses may soon be lighted through all off-grid, photovoltaic cells.

Photo: A ribbon cutting celebrates the new energy-efficient LED lighting in the 8th and State Street parking structure. Doing the honors are (from left) Fred Royal, MATC District Board; Don Albinger, Johnson Controls; Dr. George Stone, Natural Science faculty member; and Jeff Roepsch, Johnson Controls.

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H1N1 Information
The start of a new academic year is likely to result in news about the H1N1 (swine flu) issue. Many throughout the college are concerned about its possible impact on MATC instruction and services.

The pandemic flu preparation plan has been reviewed and refined. Additionally, a core team is meeting weekly to ensure that the college is prepared for any outbreaks.

The Academic Team, led by Interim Provost Dr. Evonne Carter, will review policies and procedures that would impact academic instruction. Wellness coordinator Anne Sheridan will share updates throughout the semester.

Websites that provide timely information and alerts include:
Centers for Disease Control - http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
State of Wisconsin - http://pandemic.wisconsin.gov/
City of Milwaukee - http://www.milwaukee.gov/fluseason/2009SwineFlu.htm

Dr. Vicki J. Martin is committed to keeping all college constituents informed about H1N1 developments and how the issue affects MATC. The goal is to be prepared and respond quickly to keep MATC a healthy college.

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Web Gallery Captures College Events
Selected photos of key MATC events are now available for viewing through the web gallery at http://marketing.matc.edu/web/photos/.

The current gallery features hundreds of photos from 22 recent college events, including Employee Recognition Banquet, the Nurses Pinning Ceremony, Spring Graduation, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan's visit and West Allis Night Out. Events will be archived as new ones are posted. The galleries are an impressive representation of some of the activities that make MATC such a dynamic institution. Thanks to the efforts of the Communication and Events department, especially Sue Ruggles and Design Center Coordinator Kathy Kaesermann.

Photo: The college's online Web Gallery provides highlights of recent MATC events.

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Giving Campaign Answers Community Needs
The annual Employee Giving Campaign is under way, offering employees and retirees a convenient way to support hundreds of local nonprofit organizations that make a difference throughout our community. Faculty and staff can contribute to the MATC Foundation and the MPTV Friends in addition to charities supported through the Community Health Charities of Wisconsin, Community Shares of Greater Milwaukee, Hunger Relief Fund of Wisconsin, United Performing Arts Fund and the United Way of Greater Milwaukee. Now more than ever, it's especially critical to meet this year's goals of $180,000 and 600 employee participants. The campaign runs through October 23. Pledge packets will be distributed through the departments and divisions. For additional pledge forms, contact Bill Quirmbach at quirmbaw@matc.edu.

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Report Highlights a Year of Success
Changing Lives/Building Futures is the title of MATC's recently printed 2008 annual report (PDF). Focusing on our innovative academic divisions, the report highlights numerous accomplishments, including student and alumni achievements. It is distributed to area leaders. All faculty and staff were instrumental in last year's myriad accomplishments. Student success is our collective mission and the reason MATC is one of the country's leading two-year colleges.

Photo: The recently published annual report highlights a busy and productive year.

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Students and Employees Can Take their Money to the U.S. Bank
We welcome U.S. Bank as the college's on-campus full-service bank and student campus card bank partner. U.S. Bank now operates a branch bank on the third floor of the Student Center. ATMs are available on the Downtown Milwaukee and Mequon campuses. As U.S. Bank customers, students and employees can choose from a variety of financial products and services. U.S. Bank will also provide the banking function of the multi-use identification card - the Stormer Pass. It will allow students to access a number of MATC services. For details about the partnership, visit http://www.matc.edu/matc_news/2009_USBankPartnership.html

Photo: We welcome U.S. Bank as our on-campus banking partner. The new branch is on the third floor of the Student Center.

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Search is on for College President
The MATC District Board announced that the search for the college's next president has begun. To gain input on a Presidential Profile (posted at http://www.matc.edu/presidentialsearch/index.html), a public forum will be held from 5 - 6 p.m. Wednesday, September 9 in Room S120 (Conference Center) of the Downtown Milwaukee Campus. Those unable to attend can offer input through the site's "Submit a Comment" link. The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) is assisting the District Board in the search. ACCT has conducted more than 300 technical and community college presidential searches. National and local advertisements will be placed in the Chronicle of Higher Education and other major publications. The deadline for receiving applications is October 26. The District Board will keep the MATC community informed through:

• Distributing progress reports
• Postings on matc.edu
• Reports at regular board meetings
• Opportunities to meet and hear from final candidates

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Simulated Crisis Will Test Security Response
The Oak Creek Campus will be a focal point of a drill to test our ability to work with authorities in crisis situations. Held at the Oak Creek Police Department headquarters on September 18, the exercise will involve the Milwaukee County Emergency Management team, the Oak Creek police and fire departments, and MATC management team members, including Public Safety. The simulated crisis - an active shooter - will test communication, incident control and security. Information gathered during the exercise will be helpful for us, area schools and law enforcement. We have been working with the city of Oak Creek and Milwaukee County for more than four months to make this important training a reality. Special thanks to Public Safety Director Brad Hines and department staff for their efforts.

Photo: Members of the Oak Creek Police Department will assist the college in a test of an emergency response to a simulated crisis at the Oak Creek Campus.

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Business Partnerships Create Synergy
New web pages from the recently launched MATC Business Synergy Center show many innovative ways our students and instructors are serving area businesses. The comprehensive web pages detail how local businesses can partner with MATC faculty and students on short-term special projects and internships. The projects are designed to last one semester and cover a wide range of possibilities, including designing web sites, developing financing plans and creating risk management plans. Internship opportunities are available in 16 different categories. Visit the Business Synergy Center at http://matc.edu/business_synergy/index.html.

Photo: MATC Marketing program students recently met with Village of Greendale business owners to help develop promotional plans as part of the college's Business Synergy Center.

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College Introduces Gmail
MATC students now have a fast, simple, reliable and secure college email system. The new Gmail service is quickly becoming the standard for college email - it is used at a growing number of major colleges and universities. Google introduced Gmail in 2004. Today, it is available in more than 40 languages and has more than 100 million users worldwide. Among its features are email formatting, spam filters and enhanced mailbox organization. We provide students with Gmail support through http://matc.edu/TecHELP/webmail.html.

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Book It: Open House, Nov. 7
Faculty members are encouraged to promote their programs at the annual fall Open House, set for Saturday, November 7, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. This event typically draws more than 1,000 prospective students and their parents to the Downtown Milwaukee Campus. It also showcases our student services, including financial aid, career planning, admissions/registration and more. Many of the college's programs are represented at the Open House and many of those attending complete applications for the spring or fall semester. To volunteer, contact John Lopez at lopezj@matc.edu.

Photo: Last year's successful Open House played a part in our current enrollment increases.

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Staff Notes
Walter Lanier, Assistant General Counsel, was appointed to the Committee on Legal Education for the National Association of College and University Attorneys.

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Wellness Update
Anne Sheridan, Wellness Coordinator

Let's All Stay Vertical: Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls
Did you know that slips, trips and falls are the number-one cause of employee injury at MATC? Accidents do happen, but we can all take steps to make our surroundings safer. Between July 1, 2007 and March 31, 2009, we had 40 falls on snow or ice, stairs and level floors. Preventing injuries is important, and so is reducing expenditures. Thus far, the cost for injuries caused by these falls is just under $164,000.

With the start of another school year, it's a great time to review how to prevent slips, trips and falls:

• Wipe up spills
• Wear appropriate footwear for the weather and the job you perform
• Wipe your feet on the floor mats when entering a building, especially if your shoes are wet
• Straighten out floor mats
• Keep classrooms, labs and office aisles unobstructed (book bags, purses, boxes and equipment clutter)
• Minimize what you carry while taking stairs
• Turn on lights before entering a dark room
• Secure electrical cords across doorways and floors
• Avoid hurrying, inattention, obscured vision and carrying or pushing large loads
• Maintain three points of contact (hands and feet) when working on a ladder
• Pick up loose items off the floor (paper clips, paper, etc.)
• Identify floor hazards with signage (wet floor, slippery when wet, etc.)
• Report identified hazards to the campus Operations department for repair
• Let's work together on all of the above!

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Anne Sheridan