Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Middleton Hall, built in 1910 and a Mississippi Landmark Building, recently received a $3.1-million, state-appropriated renovation that includes 1,000 square feet of additional space. New interior walls, mechanical and electrical systems, and refurbished windows are just a few of the upgraded features for the structure. PHOTO: Beth Newman-Wynn | University Relations

Signup now for disaster preparedness training
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.

No-cost lab safety training session in July
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 in July.

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.

Sign up for P.R.E.P., Service DAWGS, Habitat
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community in its current newsletter, including MVC/VS AmeriCorps VISTA positions, Service DAWGS Day, Maroon Edition Habitat for Humanity, P.R.E.P. Disaster Preparedness Training, and more.

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.

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.

MSU delegates travel to Smithsonian Folklife Festival
More than 50 Mississippi State students, faculty and staff are traveling to Washington, D.C., over the next two weeks, representing the university at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Participation in the festival, an annual event on the National Mall since 1967, is one way MSU is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Morrill Act. Among the festival's 2012 themes, the Campus and Community emphasis commemorates the historic legislation, which led to the founding of land-grant universities.

Staff Council releases survey results
In its recently completed survey of 3,600 Mississippi State employees, Staff Council found that an overwhelming number say they're proud to be part of the MSU community. Completed by 1,240 staff members, a 35 percent response rate, the survey reveals that 9 of 10 respondents express pride in their affiliation with the university, said Amanda Bell, Staff Council chair.

Giesen honored with inaugural book award
A Mississippi State historian who also directs a university-based regional center is being honored for his book on agriculture in the modern American South. James C. Giesen is receiving the first Deep South Book Prize for "Boll Weevil Blues: Cotton, Myth and Power in the American South" (University of Chicago Press, 2011).

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.