The Blue & White is published weekly for St. Petersburg College employees and interested visitors. It is designed for you to be able to scan the headlines quickly. If you are interested in an article listed below, click on the link and you will be directed to that article. You also can view the paper version locations or the printable pdf. Calendar items with a specific deadline are marked with an *.
New Flex Team can handle all sorts of assignmentsAs enrollment rises, the college has a new strategy to help handle the corresponding increase in workload: The Flex Team. A five-member group based in Human Resources, the Flex Team is the brainchild of SPC President Carl M. Kuttler, Jr. The president asked HR to create what amounts to an internal “temp” agency. Only the employees are not temporary — they are in full-time, budgeted positions. Having these as regularly established positions means those in them should be better equipped to fill in than an OPS person who is new to the college. It’s also hoped this will save OPS and overtime costs. Just that scenario is playing out in Central Records, where the backlog is so desperate that OPS help was about to be called in. Instead, the Flex Team is there. Even better, one of the Flex Team members (Vivian Winters) has helped in Central Records before. Susan Fell, Director of Admissions and Records, said she has been delighted with the work produced by the Flex Team on its first assignment, which is expected to last about two weeks. Fell said her own employees can evaluate such documents as transfer credits, while the Flex Team members (called Administrative Generalists) can handle the information entry into PeopleSoft. “Without the Flex Team’s help, our evaluators would be doing both tasks,” she said. The Flex Team can be deployed as a five-member team, or individual team members can be sent out on assignments, said HR’s Lisa Charest, who manages the Flex Team and its assignments. It’s anticipated that Flex Team members will be flexible enough to handle front-line customer-service interaction, PeopleSoft-related work, and general administrative support. Charest said the Flex Team could be dispatched quickly to any SPC department that needs short-term assistance — for no less than two weeks and no more than four months. “The idea behind the Flex Team,” she said, “was to develop a small but effective team of generalists who could deploy quickly, work hard for a short period of time, then move on to the next assignment.” The MySPC Answer Place (MAP) Centers are a target for the Flex Team during peak student registration periods. At other times during the year, members could be assigned on special projects or, Charest said, to fill voids created by extended leave. Departments wishing to use the services of the Flex Team must complete an electronic needs-assessment form. HR will do its best to match the right Flex Team member to the need. By design the Flex Team members come from a variety of backgrounds. The members are:
Interested in learning more about the Flex Team or requesting team members for your area? Please contact Lisa Charest at charest.lisa@spcollege.edu or 727-341-3046. Open enrollment continues
» Benefits In an effort to save money and trees, a postcard notice was mailed to employees this year instead of the large printed enrollment packet. While the new, more efficient process is online, HR representatives are available to personally answer any questions you may have. On-campus info sessions continue or you can call the Benefits Open Enrollment Hotline, Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Update on qualifying for discounted insurance ratesAs most employees may know by now, there are some changes in the way you qualify for the discounted insurance rates beginning July 1. Employees who want the discounted rates now must prove they are non-smokers and must participate in some wellness activities. To qualify, you must take Aetna’s online Health Risk Assessment and complete at least one online Healthy Living program recommended by the assessment. Please note that Aetna announced some changes to the Healthy Living programs this week. The changes begin in mid-August, so you may want to wait until then to start your online Healthy Living program. However, do NOT wait to take your confidential Health Risk Assessment. It MUST BE COMPLETED by June 30 if you already are enrolled in Aetna and by July 31 if you are joining as of July 1. Changes to the Healthy Living programs since last week Aetna will update the program on Aug. 15. You may do one of the programs now, but it must be completed before Aug. 15. If it isn’t, it will be lost when the new system comes online and you won’t be given credit for it. That means you must start your Healthy Living program no later than July 6 or you must wait until after Aug. 15 to begin. Either way, the program will rely on answers given via the confidential Health Risk Assessment completed by the June 30 deadline. Recap of what you need to do to qualify for the discounted rate for 2009-10
Healthy Living programs are tailored for every employee, according to that employee’s needs and physical abilities. They cover a variety of subjects, ranging from Alcohol Awareness to Stress-Relief to Healthy Heart. Collegiate High students No. 1 in county on FCATSt. Petersburg Collegiate High School (SPCHS) students have once again placed among Florida’s best high schools on Florida’s Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). SPCHS students recorded the highest test results of any school in Pinellas County, and also placed among the best in Florida on the recently released 2009 FCAT results.
“I think this demonstrates how the SPC and the Collegiate High School faculties work seamlessly to ensure that SPCHS students achieve at very high levels,” said Starla Metz, SPCHS Principal. “It’s a partnership, and the support we get from SPC is greatly appreciated – it truly makes a difference for our students.” SPCHS FCAT results (Sunshine State Standards) included: » In mathematics, the students scored a 100 percent passing rate at levels 3-5; ranked first in Pinellas County; and ranked first in the state, along with four other schools. » In reading, 100 percent of students passed; 91 percent scored at levels 3-5; ranked second in the state; and ranked first in Pinellas County. While reading scores dropped statewide, SPCHS’ scored went up seven points. » In writing, 95 percent of students passed; ranked fifth in the state, first in Pinellas County. » In science, 87 percent passed scoring at levels 3-5; ranked sixth in the state; ranked first in Pinellas County. Metz said SPCHS students have performed at or near the top of the range since the FCAT was first introduced. She said the school’s performance is in the same league as those schools that have stringent entrance criteria; SPCHS has an open enrollment policy. One thing that helped this year, she said, is the addition of a certified math teacher who served as a tutor to students who needed a bit of extra help. “She offered support in math for our students who were having some difficulty, as well as support for study skills and coaching,” Metz said. “I think that made a big difference.” Frank Mullen, jazz guitarist and retired SPC teacher, dies
Mr. Mullen was born in Washington, D.C. and became interested in the guitar at age 10. Three years later, he formed a big band that played in the Washington area for six years. Along with Charlie Byrd and Bill Harris, he became part of a select group of jazz guitarists who pioneered the classical guitar as a jazz instrument. He went on to become a fixture on the national jazz scene. In a career that began in the 1940s and lasted well over 60 years, he played with such jazz icons as Wes Montgomery, Charlie Byrd, Larry Elgart, Herb Ellis and Les Elgart. He also performed with Sammy Davis, Jr., Eddie Fisher, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Sergio Franchi, Marvin Gaye, Bob Hope, Tom Jones, Horace Heidt, Carol Lawrence, Tony Martin, Julie Andrews, Steve Allen, Skitch Henderson and others. In 1972, Mr. Mullen moved his family to St. Petersburg. He began teaching at SPC the next year, beginning a relationship that lasted until his retirement in 2005. During his years at SPC, he continued to perform, teach and serve as a mentor to up-and-coming jazz guitarists. Joe Braccio, who teaches guitar at SPC, was an early student of Mr. Mullen. “I was a music major at SPJC, majoring in flute and minoring in piano. I once played classical guitar for a music theory class, and my teacher, Larry McCann, said we should have a program for guitar. He got Frank Mullen, who became our teacher.” Braccio said Mr. Mullen was able to attract nationally known jazz performers to come and do clinics for SPJC music students. “We had Herb Ellis and Charlie Byrd come here and play with him and do clinics for us,” he said. Mr. Mullen had his own methods on the guitar, “and he wanted you to follow them,” Braccio said. “It was almost like having a master sergeant. His emphasis was on students being able to read a variety of styles.” Mr. Mullen leaves a wife and daughter. Services will be Friday at E. Dale Gunter Funeral Home, 4100-16th St. N., St. Petersburg. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Woodlawn Memory Gardens. Baccalaureate Expo 2009 is June 25
Visitors can talk with advisors, four-year degree specialists, faculty and staff. They can learn how to transfer associate’s degree credits, learn about upper division certificates, and get advice on admissions and financial assistance. They also can submit applications, turn in official transcripts, and get help registering for classes. In addition, information is available on degree programs offered through the University Partnership Center. Meeting noticeThe Development Committee for the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art Board of Directors has rescheduled the June 10 meeting to Wednesday, June 24, at 3:30 p.m. in the Museum Archives to discuss general museum business.
Wellness Challenge Fall UpdateSlated to start in October, the SPC Wellness Challenge is a fun and flexible way to make healthy happen! This voluntary team event not only gives you points for wellness basics such as exercising and eating healthier, but also for wearing a seat belt, eating plenty of fruits and even donating blood. From couch potatoes to triathletes, the SPC Wellness Challenge is designed to incorporate wellness into everyone’s lifestyle. And for budgeted employees who wish to continue to pay the discounted rate for medical coverage, participating in the fall wellness challenge and earning a minimum number of individual points (450) counts as a Wellness Activity. Here is what’s new:
Here is what’s the same:
If you have questions regarding wellness, contact Cathleen Shears, Wellness Coordinator. To explore additional wellness updates, visit the SPC Wellness blog. The Digital TV Transition begins! Are you ready?The issue
Be part of the solution
Want to become involved with SPC’s exciting sustainability initiatives? Dear friends, Thank you for your kindness and support during Keith's sudden relapse. He is in the hospital now receiving treatments. His attitude is positive during this time of treatment, and we appreciate so much all of your offers of help and support during this very difficult time. Thank you again. Warmly, Keith and Anna Goree On SPC-TV NEW –Stories from the Campfire: Living Life Without Limits WATCH THE VIDEO: (1 Hour) Or watch it on SPC TV: Saturday at noon and 9 p.m.; Wednesday at 9 p.m. » SPC Madrigalians: Oh, Eternal Spring » CoMotion Dance Theatre - Spring 2009 Dance Concert » Frontline: Behind the Lines » The Music Center Presents: Percussion Ensemble » A Night at the Palladium: Divertissement Ensemble |
The new online Open Enrollment process is a big hit! Be sure to read the following updates:
Signing up for your benefits is easier this year. It’s all online. Visit 
Frank Mullen, a well-known and well-respected jazz guitarist who set up SPC’s guitar program in the early 1970s and then taught the instrument for 32 years at the school as an adjunct instructor, died June 5. He was 78.
Baccalaureate Expo 2009
