Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Construction will soon begin at Mississippi State University's Davis Wade Stadium. The project will add more than 6,000 seats to the north end zone, which will push total seating at the football stadium to 61,337. Other additions will include another high-definition video screen, premium seating, concession stands and restrooms. The project, announced last Wednesday by President Mark Keenum, left, and Athletic Director Scott Stricklin, should be complete by the beginning of the 2014 season. PHOTO: Russ Houston | University Relations

Sign-up underway for ORC&S Scavenger Hunt
Are you ready to test your knowledge of Mississippi State University? Is your closet, house or office a little low on Bulldog gear? If so, sign up now for the 2012 Office of Regulatory Compliance and Safety Scavenger Hunt. Sponsors are ORC&S, the Office of Research and Economic Development, MSU Athletics, MSU Foundation and University Relations.

Policy addresses employee political activity
With political campaigns for the White House and other federal offices well underway for the Nov. 6 general election, Mississippi State's Office of General Counsel reminds employees to be aware of the university's policy on political activities.

Volunteer for Maroon Edition Habitat for Humanity
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community in its current newsletter, including Get Swept Up Starkville on Aug. 29, the Clothesline Project, Maroon Edition Habitat for Humanity, and more.

Food security conference on campus Sept. 10
Several of the world’s leading authorities in food production, safety, and security will gather for a daylong conference exploring “Technology Implementation at the Local Level: Food Security for the Future” at Mississippi State University in September. MSU’s International Institute will host the symposium in Colvard Student Union's Foster Ballroom on Monday, Sept. 10. It will cover a wide range of topics.

Men of color summit set for Aug. 31
Mississippi State is announcing a daylong conference late this month designed to identify and address the scholastic needs of male students of color at the university and beyond. Welcoming and opening remarks will be delivered by MSU President Mark E. Keenum; Jerry Gilbert, provost and executive vice president; athletic director Scott Stricklin; and Camille Scales Young, national alumni association president.

University hosting October PERS seminar
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.

This Week in Mississippi State Sports, 08/20/12
Soccer hosts Tennessee-Martin on Friday at 7 p.m. and South Alabama on Sunday at 2 p.m.... Volleyball hosts Jackson State at 7 p.m. on Friday, and then ULM at 12:30 p.m. and Kennesaw State at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

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.

Volunteers break ground for fourth Habitat house
With ground broken Aug. 10 by Mississippi State and Starkville Area Habitat for Humanity volunteers, the fourth annual Maroon Edition Habitat for Humanity project is under way. Kicking off construction was MSU President Mark E. Keenum, who drove the first nail into boards that will serve as part of the door frame.

Free health screenings available this week
The MSU on the Move program, made possible by grant funding from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation, will provide free health screenings for faculty, staff and students this Monday through Thursday from 8-11 a.m. With each screening, participants will receive a free MSU on the Move t-shirt, Freshens smoothie coupon from MSU Dining Services, and information about the program. There is no obligation. Screenings are free.

Bushby honored for animal welfare dedication
A professor with the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine received national recognition from the American Veterinary Medical Association for his dedication to animal welfare. Dr. Phil Bushby received the 2012 American Veterinary Medical Association’s Animal Welfare Award at the national convention in San Diego. He has taught at MSU since 1978 and holds the Marcia P. Lane Endowed Chair in Humane Ethics and Animal Welfare.

Roberts named assistant men's tennis coach
Matt Roberts, recently assistant coach with the Michigan State Spartans, has been named to the same position at Mississippi State, as announced last Monday. Roberts replaces Matt Hill, who was named head coach at South Florida in June. Roberts joins a Bulldog program that has won back-to-back Southeastern Conference Western Division titles and returned to national prominence with final top 20 rankings the past two seasons.