Study abroad opportunities in Oxford or Vietnam

By Hoang Tran

NCC students who want to find out more information about an upcoming opportunity to study abroad in Vietnam or about any of the study-abroad opportunities should contact Dr. David Rayson (History), david.rayson@normandale.edu or Dr. Ben Maegi (History), bernard.maegi@normandale.edu.

No previous Vietnamese language study is required. Vietnamese visas are required for US citizens and those arriving without an appropriate Vietnamese visa will not be permitted to enter and will be subject to immediate deportation.

A visa must be obtained from a Vietnamese Consulate at least two month before traveling.
Visit www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/consular_services/visas/info to find information about applying for a visa.

Before traveling to Vietnam, each student should obtain vaccines for Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Tetanus (DTP). Polio booster and flu shot are also a good idea. In addition, preparing for a trip to Vietnam usually involves medication to prevent malaria and diarrhea.

All students will be required to have comprehensive Medical and Accidental insurance policy to cover the dates of the program.

UW-Stout program may be offered here

By Rebecca Erdmann

This fall, NCC may have a new program in the Business and Technology department.
Although it is still waiting to be approved, NCC is working with the University of Wisconsin-Stout to bring its Bachelors in Service Management program to NCC.

NCC’s would be the first Service Management program in the state. If the program is approved, one class could be offered this fall.

Terri Wichman, Dean of Business and Technology at NCC said, “the program would be somewhere between a Hospitality degree and a Business degree” although its focus is slightly different. Service Management is very people-centered, and teaches people to meet the needs of customers and a company’s own employees.

Although NCC considered adding a Bachelors degree in Hospitality, it was determined that Service Management would be a better fit. According to Wichman, this program is broader, and could include Hospitality or any service industry.

Wichman said that this program has the potential to be very popular at NCC. Already, enough people are interested to fill one class.

The Chair of the Hospitality department, Dan Creed said, “Many occupations are service related” and a Service Management program would give students “a wider range of appeal for employers."

However, the program still needs to be approved by NCC’s president Joseph Opatz.

ARAMARK out, A’Viands in

By Melanie Martin

NCC obtained a new food service starting on July 27.
MnSCU requires that each campus bid every five years for their food service contract. Therefore, last spring NCC’s campus committee of students, staff, faculty, and administrators began working on the selection of a food service company for the new contract.

From a pool of eight companies, the committee recommended to award the contract to A’Viands Foods and Services Management. The previous company, ARAMARK, left NCC at 5 p.m. allowing A’Viands to begin at 5:01 p.m. on July 27.

A?Viands is working to provide NCC?s favorite foods and adding new items the campus community will enjoy. One request has been the change to Caribou Coffee at Java Junction. Food options will be available at Java Junction, the Kopp Student Center Normandale Café, and Campus Catering representing every price range.

If students have a specific request they can pass on comments to Mark Robinson, the Food Service Director or talk with Joe Poell, the Director of Student Life. Also, students can see Poell if they are interested in being on the Campus Food Service Committee.

As Poell stated in an email, “New looks, new selections, and great quality and service will start the year out right with our new food service company, A’Viands.”

Involvement Fair is Sept. 5

The annual Involvement Fair will kick off the 2007-2008 year with a bang. The event will take place on Sept. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Center Plaza.

Food will be served as students can explore their interests with booths representing the numerous clubs and organizations here at NCC. NCC has a variety of groups for students to explore common interests, experience community, make friends and have fun.

Music will also be provided at this event as Jack Norton and the Mullet River Boys fill the atmosphere with bluegrass enjoyment.

Tuition goes up again

By Hoang Tran

According to a press release revealed by MNSCU, tuition has risen at NCC.

On average, NCC students will have to pay $146 more a year in tuition starting this fall.

Tuition and fees will raise an average of 3.7 percent under the package approved by the MNSCU board.

Starting in the 2007-2008 academic year, NCC will no longer charge a higher rate for non-resident students. Under the tuition package approved by the board, NCC will charge the same rate to non-resident and resident students.