Have you noticed a change in our online directory, People Search? The new version is a creation of System Programmer Jason Garris, a 2007 New River CTC graduate.

"Jason is doing great things for the College," said Vice President for Technology and Library Science David Ayersman. "The new online directory is a product that Jason created; it replaced a commercial product that was discontinued. While we looked for commercial solutions that could meet our needs, Jason's own personal effort led to the development of the new People Search directory."

This is just one example of how Garris creates solutions for the College. Because Help Desk requests are logged and categorized, our IT department is able to review them to determine which issues are impacting the most people and brainstorm ways to resolve them. Recently, Garris has used this system to problem solve and implement processes to help students with account resets, account creations and Blackboard.

"I enjoy the flexibility of my job," Garris said. "I can prioritize as needed and take on projects to improve efficiency. I'm trusted to do my job and get done what needs to be done to make our system work."

 

In making systems work for New River CTC, he helped decrease the number of problems that students generally have at the beginning of a new semester. The College saw more than a 25 percent decrease in Help Desk tickets entered during the first two days of class from the spring 2016 to the fall 2016 semesters, despite reductions in staffing.

 

Garris completed his associate degree in computer science programming from New River CTC in 2007 and joined the College as full-time staff in 2009.

New River CTC participated in AutumnFest, Princeton, Sept. 24, 2016.

• Do you have used motor oil, leftover pesticides, and other hazardous materials in your garage or home? Wondering how to safely dispose of them? FREE Household Hazardous Waste Collection is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 8 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center, and volunteers are needed. Visit bafwv.org for details or contact  Tom Lemke if you are interested in volunteering.
   
• New River CTC is participating in United States Senator Joe Manchin's Job & Resource Fair at the Erma Byrd Higher Education Center on Friday, Oct. 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and volunteers are needed. To date, 79 employers have responded and will be placed in the Erma Byrd Center, Allied Health Wing and the New River CTC Raleigh County Campus. Classes will be offered on how to market yourself with an RBA and apply for federal jobs, along with other topics. Contact Leah Taylor to volunteer.

• The College will be participating in the Ghent Fire/EMS 4^th Annual Trunk or Treat event at the Ghent Fire Department on Oct. 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. Last year, over 1,500 kids and many parents participated. Volunteers are needed to assist with decorating a vehicle, setting up at 4 p.m. and handing out candy to kids between 6 and 9 p.m. There is also a competition for best decorated vehicle. To volunteer or share suggestions for decorations, contact Jill Holliday.

Submitted photos from our recent Blue & Green Days. Our next Blue & Green Day will be Tuesday, Oct. 6.

Instructor of Foundational Math Andrew Young Greenbrier Valley Campus	Staff member Elaine Diller with student Nick Solliday One Room University
Director of Physical Plant Bob Runion Raleigh County Campus

The Department of Labor issued its final rule making changes to Part 541 governing overtime exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Human Resources recently discussed the changes with Cabinet, Classified Staff Council and Faculty Senate, as the change to federal law affects a majority of our classified staff and their supervisors and will result in a significant shift in business practices for the College. 

Exempt classified staff were surveyed during mid-September for the number of hours worked beyond 37.5/week, and supervisors will be surveyed in the near future.

 

Key elements of the new regulation that you need to know:

1. Salary threshold for exempt status changed to $913/week ($47,476 per year) This threshold doubles the current salary threshold level.
2. Automatic salary threshold increases every three years (not annually) to maintain level at 40th percentile in lowest-wage census region
3. Duties test is unchanged
4. Effective date of the rule is December 1, 2016Due to pay period dates in Kronos, this change will be made effective at New River CTC on Nov. 26, 2016.