Welcome to Calm Waters!

The purpose of this site is to navigate the rumor mill common to college campuses and to minimize the turbulence churned up by half-truths, misinformation or misunderstanding. If you want to check the veracity of a rumor floating around campus, check out the ones below or submit it here and we will try to steer you in the right direction. If your rumor is correct, we will confirm it. If it is untrue, we will explain. If you want anonymity, you got it.

The Latest Rumors

August 11, 2010
Rumor:
I heard a rumor that due to budget restraints, Employees, WILL NOT receive a step increase, which is already figured into the pay schedule. Is this true? And if so, why hasn't anyone been notified? role: administration_staff

Response:
At this point in the budget development process no decision has been made about any pay increase for employees. Contrary to what many employees believe there is no automatic annual pay increase; however, if the funds are available to offer employees a step increase then that is what we would do.

Thank you, Michael A. Elam, Ed. D. President

June 30, 2010
Rumor:
In a meeting, a staff person announced that campus police collected unpaid parking fines by deducting the amount out of the person's paycheck. Is that true? Has it ever been done? role: administration_staff

Response:
I am not sure if there has ever been a parking fine set up as a payroll deduction, but according our payroll clerk, there have not been any parking fines set up as a payroll deductions since 2002, when she started.

Lisa Templer, CPA Vice President for College & Financial Services

June 29, 2010
Rumor:
As a student. I have noticed a pattern of individuals who work for COM but are a part of many organizations outside of COM using COM equipment, work time (often outside of their scheduled work hours) and even their office space to promote and advance organizations, church affiliations and various personal projects that are not relative to COM in anyway nor to the advancement of the institution. I wouldn't think that this type of activity would be accepted and permitted at such a "Student Centered" institution but with it happening so frequently, I can only assume that these individuals have been flying low enough below the radar for this type of abuse to be detected. I don't understand how you all can afford to support the cost of these people running organizations that have nothing to do with COM all while paying these individuals to do it, ESPECIALLY with the budgetary restraints the college is already under. I thought that a person's work at COM took priority over their work outside of COM...especially if they are on the payroll....but I guess I was wrong. role: student

Response:
In accordance with College policy CR(Local), utilizing College resources for personal gain is strictly prohibited. Employees who violate this policy will be disciplined accordingly. However, incidental use is permissible with certain restrictions as outlined in the Acceptable Use Policy located on the I-Drive.

“PERSONAL BUSINESS Computing facilities, services, and networks may not be used in connection with compensated outside work, nor for the benefit of individuals or organizations except in connection with scholarly pursuits (such as faculty publishing activities).” Teresa D. Hudson, Esq. Associate Vice President, Human Resources

See all of the rumors »