Keep your discounted rate! Wellness Challenge starts March 22
Final round of wellness activities must be completed by June 15
It’s time to review what you’ve done to make sure you’re still in line to keep your discounted insurance rate. Follow this checklist to check your progress:
1 - Non-smoker certification
Did you take the non-smoker certification (aka “puff test”)? If you have done this since June 2009, you have met this requirement.
2 - Health Risk Assessment
Did you complete Aetna’s online confidential Health Risk Assessment? If you have done this since June 2009, you have met this requirement. It only takes 15-20 minutes and is completely confidential. Human Resources will only know who has taken it -- but will not see the results. If you still need to complete the online assessment, be sure to use your Aetna user name and password (not your SPC username and password).
3) Wellness programs
Did you already complete either of the following wellness programs?
- two Aetna Online Wellness Programs - This option is available 24/7. The Health Risk Assessment must be completed before starting the online programs; or
- one Aetna Online Wellness Program and one Wellness Challenge; or
- the SPC Fall 2009 Wellness Challenge and you plan to complete the SPC Spring 2010 Wellness Challenge
If you answered “yes” to all of the above, congratulations. You are done.
4) If you answered “no” to any of the above, you must complete any of the requirements you are missing by June 15. Failure to complete the requirements means you will be automatically placed on the regular (non-discounted) rate in the 2010-11 plan year.
The Spring 2010 Wellness Challenge starts March 22. This wellness program option adds the motivational team, competition and fun factor.
Get all the facts online
Learn more about the insurance discount on the Wellness Web site including:
- Links to different options
- Step-by-step guides
The choice is yours. Not only can you choose to live healthier, but you can save money too. Give yourself every opportunity to feel better. There is no limit to where good wellness habits can take you. Join the movement at SPC!
FAFSA Outreach to be held at five campuses
FAFSA Outreach, an event that aims to help students and families get speedier financial assistance results, will be at the Health Education Center, St. Petersburg/Gibbs, Clearwater, Seminole and Tarpon Springs campuses beginning March 25.
Financial assistance experts will be at all locations to help students file their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. Those who participate can expect to get their financial assistance results in two weeks or less from the Federal Processor.
Participating students must bring their FAFSA PIN and their completed 2009 Federal Income Tax returns. Dependent students must bring their parents’ tax returns also.
Human trafficking is widespread in Clearwater and throughout Tampa Bay
Members of the Clearwater Area Task Force on Human Trafficking and others appeared at the Clearwater Campus Wednesday (March 3) to discuss a serious local problem that is not widely recognized – trafficking in human beings.
Presenters described a widespread problem that pervades Tampa Bay, the state of Florida and many U.S. states. Victims may come from a variety of foreign countries, while others are U.S. citizens.
Related links » Clearwater Matters blog |
Victims generally are forced into prostitution or used as laborers. Force, fraud or coercion are used to control the behavior of victims and keep them in servitude.
James McBride, a Clearwater detective who serves on the Task Force, said foreign victims often are coerced into coming to the U.S. by the promise of jobs that pay enough so that money can be sent back home.
“They are told that they will have a good job, then they are forced to do something else,” McBride said.
The human trafficking numbers are startling. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, between 500,000 and two million people are victims of human trafficking worldwide. Around 70 percent are female. McBride said it is the second most lucrative illegal business, right behind drug dealing.
“Some drug organizations are beginning to turn to human trafficking because the profits are high and the penalties are much less,” he said.
Another presenter, Cal Cundiff, a special agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, talked about how houses of prostitution, which use human trafficking victims, often exist in middle class or upper middle class neighborhoods in Clearwater and other areas of Tampa Bay. Neighbors often are unaware of their presence, he said.
“The safe houses and flop houses are often in neighborhoods where you and I live,” he said.
Also taking part in the discussion were Diana Soto, a victim advocate with the Clearwater Hispanic Outreach Center; Robin Gomez, the city of Clearwater’s auditor and liaison to the city’s Hispanic community; and Mary Anyan, of SPC’s Center for Public Safety Innovation.
The presentation was part of Clearwater Matters, an ongoing series of public service programs that examine issues of interest to the people of Clearwater. Clearwater Matters was put together by Clearwater Provost Stan Vittetoe and other campus leaders.
Second presidential candidate visits SPC March 16-18
William D. Law Jr. will visit SPC March 16-18. Check the Presidential Search Web site for specific dates, times and locations for each candidate's visit and how you can make your voice heard.
SPC Scholarship Luncheon connects donors, students
Each year the St. Petersburg College Foundation, Inc. hosts its Annual Scholarship Luncheon for donors and scholars.
This event provides the opportunity for donors and their scholarship recipients to meet and enjoy a unique time together. It is one of the most heart-warming events of each school year!
About 155 people attended this year's luncheon on Friday, March 5 at the EpiCenter.
For images from this event view the Scholarship Luncheon slideshow.
Silverberg grant proposals due March 19
The Silverberg Endowment for Academic Excellence was awarded first in 1982 and has been given annually. The grant, of up to $5,000, goes to support, enhance, enrich or develop programs of benefit to SPC and its students.
Proposals for 2010 now are being accepted.
Proposals are invited from faculty and staff in regular (non-acting) budgeted positions in any area of SPC. Grants are for up to $5,000. Particularly sought are those ideas that will engage persons in creative endeavors and activities.
Submissions should be forwarded to the campus provost for review and approval, then to Executive Director Paul Hanna of the SPC Foundation at the District Office by March 19.
Proposals will be considered carefully and it is expected that the 2010 award will be announced by April 30.
When submitting proposals, include:
- Title of activity
- A brief description of the proposal, including goals and objectives, costs involved, project timeline, method of evaluation, and statement of purpose and need
- Campus and department submitting the proposal
- Name(s) and campus address(es) of proposal originator(s)
Deep appreciation is expressed to the members of the Silverberg family for the establishment of the Endowment Fund, and for their interest in and support of St. Petersburg College.
Dollars for Scholars Thrift store udpate
How can you help Dollars for Scholars give more to students in need?
1 - Donate items - see list of needed items online
2 - Donate your time to the thrift store
3 - Donate money online through Pay Pal
4 - Come shop in our thrift store - 7028 66th St., Pinellas Park
5 - Shop in their new online store
For details, visit the Dollars for Scholars of St. Petersburg online.
Progress Energy donates $25,000 for sustainability lab
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Progress Energy has awarded $25,000 to the College of Technology & Management for the development of a sustainability lab.
Located at the EpiCenter, the Progress Energy Sustainability Lab will teach students about practical, economically feasible solutions to environmental and energy problems. Both two- and four-year students will benefit from hands-on learning in:
1 - Energy efficiency (materials and methods)
2 - Renewable energies (solar, biofuels)
3 - Air/carbon pollution (greenhouse gas measurement, carbon sequestration)
4 - Waste (toxic waste, recycling to energy)
5 - Water (treatment, management, reuse)
6 - Other alternative energies (wind, geothermal, hydrogen, coal, nuclear)
The experience the students will gain through hands-on application in the Progress Energy Sustainability Lab will allow them to further develop skills for professions in the energy industry.
Collegewide initiative to help state’s Haiti relief efforts
The college is joining colleges around the state to offer financial support to the survivors of the earthquake in Haiti.
The initiative is part of the college’s overall Dollars for Haiti recovery effort. Beginning March 16, donations can be made through the college’s business offices on each campus. A logo has been designed and a sticker will be given to those who donate.
“Dollars for Haiti is a collegewide initiative proposed by the students, approved by the faculty and staff, and the President's Cabinet,” said Tonjua Williams, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. “These funds will be donated to the governor’s Haiti Relief Fund in the name of St. Petersburg College.”
The college’s fund drive will feed into the state relief effort, known as “Neighbors to the Rescue,” which was activated by Gov. Charlie Crist as a part of the Florida Disaster Recovery Fund. This fund will provide long-term recovery funding to assist with relocation expenses, and employment expenses such as job training and placement, among other things.
“We’ll have a Web site designed; but the process and the account numbers and all that are already in place," she said.
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Honors College students present research
More than 100 Honors College students, student leaders, and faculty observed 25 Honors College students present research on topics including:
- microbiology
- toxicology
- solar photovoltaic technology
- literature
- arts
- culture
The theme for the Third Annual Research Conference, Health and Balance, was chosen by the students in response to the pressing issue of health care in the U.S. as well as in the lives of St. Petersburg College students.
Pictured from left: Spenser Reed and Peggy Neal, Honors College students; Nadia Yevstigneyeva, Honors College Assistant Director; Samantha Mitchell and Tara Brown-Ogilvie, Honors College students.
Meeting notices
The Finance Committee for the Board of Directors for the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art will meet on Wednesday, March 17, 3 p.m., in the Administration Building, AD136, Tarpon Springs Campus, to discuss general business.
The Board of Trustees of St. Petersburg College will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, March 16, 8:30 a.m. in Room 107, at SPC Midtown, 1048 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg, to consider routine business including adopting or amending rules. View the legal notice of the meeting.
The Board of Trustees of St. Petersburg College will hold a public meeting on Thursday, March 18, 3:30 p.m. at the Seminole Campus Digitorium, 9200 113th St. N., Seminole, to interview a presidential candidate. View the legal notice of the meeting.
The Board of Directors for the St. Petersburg College Alumni Association meets on Tuesday, March 23, 6 p.m. at the District Office, Consular Corporate Conference Room 102, 6021 142nd Ave. N., Largo.
The final decision on who will be SPC's next president will be made at a Board of Trustees public meeting on Tuesday, April 13, at 4 p.m., EpiCenter, Room 1-453.