Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Construction for the Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex continues on schedule with completion expected in early 2013. The all-encompassing facility became a reality when the athletic department recently received its largest gift in history -- $12 million -- from the Seal Family Foundation in Gulfport. This lead gift joins contributions of approximately $21 million from more than 35 other families supporting this project. PHOTO: Megan Bean | University Relations

No-cost lab safety training session on Wednesday
The Office of Regulatory Compliance and Safety is offering an interactive, hands-on training course on general laboratory safety. "Introduction to Laboratory Safety" is a three-hour seminar for laboratory users of all experience levels. The next session of the summer takes place this Wednesday.

C-CERT: Is your family prepared for a disaster?
Will your family be prepared when disaster strikes? The Mississippi State University Campus-Community Emergency Response Team (C-CERT) is hosting an emergency/disaster readiness program titled PREP -- Personal Readiness and Emergency Preparation -- on July 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Bost Extension Center.

Risk assessment in labs workshop June 22
Effective risk management is an important aspect of managing a safe laboratory. The Office of Regulatory Compliance and Safety at Mississippi State is offering an interactive class this month for principal investigators, lab managers, research associates and graduate students designed to provide information on how to conduct a risk assessment and to effectively manage risk in the lab.

University hosting PERS seminar this fall
Human Resources Management at Mississippi State is hosting a PERS pre-retirement, full-day seminar on Oct. 3, 2012, at Bost Extension Center. The seminar offers general information on a range of topics, including estate planning, Mississippi Deferred Compensation Plan and Trust, Social Security benefits, and PERS benefits and options. The seminar is available to any covered PERS member at no cost, but pre-registration is required.

Sanderson offering Summer Fun 2012 memberships
The Joe Frank Sanderson Center at Mississippi State has a special deal for you this summer. The center's special Summer Fun membership is now available for all faculty and staff. Summer Fun membership rates for adults are $90 per person and $25 for each child -- for the whole summer.

Great volunteer opportunities this summer
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community in its current newsletter, including Service DAWGS Day, Maroon Edition Habitat for Humanity, MVC service coordinator positions, and more.

Policy reminders from University Health Services
University Health Services at Mississippi State reminds the campus community of several important policies for its patients to keep in mind when seeking treatment, parking, refilling a prescription online, and privacy.

The Office of Public Affairs provides Maroon MEMO as a general information
resource for Mississippi State University employees.

Web links are subject to change. Submit news, questions or comments to Jim Laird.

King appointed co-chair of NATO technical team
A senior Mississippi State researcher is the new co-chair of a group overseeing development of next generation technology to protect ground vehicles for the world's leading military alliance. Roger King, director of the university's Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, recently was appointed to lead an exploratory team developing new armored vehicles for North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces.

Usher named industrial/systems engineering head
A 20-year veteran of Mississippi State University's faculty ranks becomes the Bagley College of Engineering's newest department head. John M. Usher officially assumed his role as head of the department of industrial and systems engineering in May. He had served as interim leader since 2011 when Royce Bowden was named as the BCoE's associate dean for academic affairs.

Blackjack Road project underway
Construction activity is underway for the resurfacing of Blackjack Road. The limits of the construction will be from Locksley Way through the roundabout. This work is scheduled to continue through the end of July. Traffic control measures will be used to allow traffic to continue to pass through this area, but delays should be expected.

Movin' You to MSU volunteers needed
Faculty, staff and student volunteers are needed for Mississippi State University's annual Movin' You to MSU move-in day, which will take place Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, beginning at 8 a.m. Duties include working check-in at Humphrey Coliseum, moving boxes from cars to rooms, greeting students and directing traffic. Volunteers receive a free t-shirt, and a box lunch from Aramark.