Surge Cupboard receives more donations; Oct. 21 Farmer's Market provides produce for students

The Surge Cupboard Food Pantry recently received about 20 boxes of food, water, and Gatorade thanks to efforts of CState graduate Michelle Hunt Almond (Practical Nursing) and members of Restoration Christian Church.

Above, Nursing faculty member Kristen Dekok, Associate Dean of Humanities & Sciences Angela Haensel, and Dyllon Dekok prepared to unload the donated items, after working with Michelle to coordinate the donation efforts.

Others who assisted in getting the donations to the Surge Cupboard shelves so they can be shared with students included faculty member Abbey Yee (EIT), clerical staff member Jamal Lundy (H&S), and Campus Police Officer Zach Rash.

During Fall Semester, Surge Cupboard hours are:

• Tuesdays - 4 to 6 p.m.
• Wednesdays - 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
• Thursdays - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Currently registered students can visit the Surge Cupboard once a month to receive up to a three-day supply of food and toiletries, at no cost, by showing their Surge Card (student ID).

A Farmer's Market for students will take place Thursday, Oct. 21, starting at 11 a.m., in the ATLC First Floor lounge near the fireplace. (Note the new time and location.)

LGBTQ+ & Ally Solidarity Training session offered today

Faculty and staff members are invited to participate in "LGBTQ+ & Ally Solidarity Training" taking place on Wednesday, Oct. 20, starting at 1 p.m. via Zoom.

• Click for the Zoom link

The purpose of the training is to enhance equity and safety for Cincinnati State LGBTQ+ students and employees, by emphasizing nationally recognized practices for creating LGBTQ+ allyship and solidarity.

The session will provide tips and strategies to improve safety, equity, and consensus-building on the Cincinnati State campus, particularly during times that are tense and/or times of vulnerability at CState and beyond.

A goal of the training is to develop a plan for students to help other students in times of need, with support from faculty and staff as well.

The training facilitator is Dr. Ronnie Gladden, Professor of English and student club advisor for the "In the Zone" student organization, which works to provide a safe, supportive environment for gay, lesbian, transgender, and questioning students and their straight allies.

Dr. Gladden has facilitated past programming such as "Safe Zone" training focused on promoting greater inclusion of the LGBTQ+ campus community and a more tolerant campus culture.

CS speaker joins Oct. 21 webinar on Post-Pandemic Career Seeking

Kelly Harper, Director of the Cincinnati State Career Center, is an invited speaker for a webinar sponsored by The Chronicle of Higher Education.

The free virtual webinar on "College to Career, Post-Pandemic" will be offered Thursday, Oct. 21, starting at 2 p.m.

The panel will examine questions including:

• How have the ways students get work experience changed during the past two years?
   
• How can colleges and employers work together to shape the educational experience and further students’ career opportunities?
   
• How can employers partner with colleges to better equip students with the practical skills they will need?

In addition to Kelly, panel members are:

• Marcie Kirk Holland – Executive Director, Internship & Career Center, University of California Davis
   
• Bill Means – Director, Career & Professional Development Center, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
   
• Jeffery Moss – Founder and CEO, Parker Dewey, an organization that connects college students and companies through micro-internships

Click to learn more and register for the webinar. Registered participants who can't attend the live webinar will receive a link to a recording of the session.

10-digit dialing starts Oct. 24

Starting Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area is changing the requirements for making local phone calls. The area code will be required for all calls made in the 513 and 859 areas-- even to other phones with the same area code.

So beginning Sunday, if you want to make a local call from a campus phone or any other phone in the 513 or 859 area, remember to add the area code to the 7-digit number.

(And remember to reprogram all the numbers you have saved in your cell phone or any other devices that use stored phone numbers, such as security alarm systems or medical alert systems.)

Long distance calls will still require dialing "1" ahead of the area code and 7-digit number.

Background: Why is 10-digit dialing needed?

The change to 10-digit dialing is required because of the implementation of the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline.

The helpline will be able to be reached by dialing 988 starting July 16, 2022. Before that date, individuals must dial 1-800-273-TALK to reach the helpline.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officials say for the new helpline to work, 10-digital dialing must be required in 513 and 859 area codes starting Oct. 24.

• A total of 82 area codes in 36 states are affected by this change.
   
• All of the affected area codes use 988 for some local numbers, so the area code must be added to local calls to avoid confusion with the national helpline number.

If you have questions, check with your local phone service provider or visit https://www.fcc.gov/suicide-prevention-hotline.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month Week 3: Explore Cybersecurity Careers

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and Cincinnati State's Information Technology Services Department encourages all employees and students to refresh your knowledge of how to stay safe online.

Cybersecurity attacks or lapses can happen when you are at work, at home, at school, or on the go with your digital devices.

The theme (and hashtag) for the month is #BeCyberSmart. The focus for the third week is "Explore, Experience, Share" with emphasis on learning more about careers in cyber-security.

• Cincinnati State provides an excellent opportunity to prepare for a career in cyber-security, through the Associate of Applied Science degree Computer Network Engineering Technology - Cyber-Security Major.

For more tips, visit https://staysafeonline.org/stay-safe-online.