Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Mississippi State University unveiled its state of the art Science and Technology Center located at the John C. Stennis Space Center in Hancock County last week. Funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the facility will help researchers manage and better understand the mechanics of the Gulf of Mexico. Pictured at the opening are MSU President Mark Keenum, Sharon Mesick with the NOAA National Coastal Data Development Center, and MSU Vice President for Research and Economic Development David Shaw. PHOTO: Beth Newman-Wynn

StatePride initiative exceeds $100 million goal early
Two months ahead of schedule, Mississippi State is taking its "StatePride: An Initiative for Student and Faculty Support" beyond its $100 million goal. "This goal was an ambitious one, yet we reached it ahead of schedule. Credit for this tremendous success goes to the many alumni and friends who committed resources to be part of this effort to advance higher education in our state," said President Mark E. Keenum.

MSU hosting 5K race for United Way next week
The local community is invited to help support Mississippi State University’s United Way campaign by running or walking Bully’s 5K for United Way. Race day fun begins Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 5:30 p.m. with registration at McArthur Hall on the MSU campus. The race starts at 6:30 p.m. “We have the same course as prior years, but have changed the day and time,” said race director Les Potts. “We plan on having a lot of fun with a twilight race with plenty of glow sticks and a new Halloween theme.”

Make a Difference Day is Oct. 27
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community in its current newsletter, including Bulldogs on the Move, Make A Difference Day, One Million Bones, MS Best Robotics Competition, and much more.

Mississippi State calendars now on sale
There's no place like home. The 2013 Mississippi State University hanging wall calendar features a sleek, modern design, with 13 beautiful images of campus scenes. Featuring MSU's own award-winning photographers, it's truly a one-of-a- kind treasure. Get yours today before they are sold out.

University Health Services: Get the shot — not the flu
University Health Services at Mississippi State reminds students, faculty and staff to get the flu shot -- not the flu. A series of clinics offering flu shots will be offered on campus this fall, including one this Tuesday in the first floor rotunda of Swalm from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

MSU landscape wins top prize
A Mississippi State University experiment station recently won first place in a North American landscape design competition. The South Mississippi Branch Experiment Station in Poplarville took top honors in the first annual All-America Selections’ Landscape Design Contest. “We were thrilled and honored to have been selected from among several AAS display gardens in the United States and Canada,” said Gene Blythe, MSU assistant research professor of horticulture.

ITS expands hours for Help Desk
Information Technology Services at Mississippi State University has expanded Help Desk hours for the benefit and convenience of students, faculty and staff. In addition to walk-up business in 108 Allen Hall and on the phone, requests for Help Desk assistance can be submitted via email to helpdesk@msstate.edu or by visiting the ITS website, www.its.msstate.edu, and clicking on the "Need Help" tab.

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. There are several basic guidelines that university employees should keep in mind when engaging in any form of political activity.

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, 10/22/12
Soccer hosts Ole Miss at 7 p.m. on Thursday... Men's Tennis opens play in the USTA Future at Pensacola on Friday... Cross Country competes in the SEC Championships at Nashville on Friday... Volleyball travels to Gainesville for a match against Florida at 6 p.m. on Friday, and then faces LSU in Baton Rouge at 1 p.m. on Sunday... Men's Golf begins play at the Bridgestone Golf Collegiate in Greensboro, N.C., on Saturday... Football plays Alabama in Tuscaloosa at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday (ESPN).

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.

Cyber Security Awareness Week underway
Mississippi State University's 5th-annual Cyber Security Awareness Week runs Tuesday through Friday this week as part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Students, faculty and staff will have opportunities to interact with information security experts to gain valuable information that can be used to protect themselves and raise their awareness of information security issues.

Stafne recognized for work on national project
A Mississippi State University Extension Service fruit crops expert recently received recognition for his work on a national project. Eric Stafne was honored with the 2012 eXtension Community of Practice Individual Achievement Award based on his leadership as project director for the National Grape Community of Practice. The eXtension website is an online consortium of Extension Service experts with nearly 60 topical resource areas, called communities of practice.

MSU Extension hires three ag economists
Owners and operators of the state’s agricultural businesses now have more agricultural economists to consult through the Mississippi State University Extension Service. James Barnes and Brian Williams are located on MSU’s main campus in Starkville. Larry Falconer is based out of MSU’s Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville.

Open enrollment for benefits ends Wednesday
Benefits open enrollment at Mississippi State will be held through Oct. 24. During the open enrollment period, MSU employees may add new benefits coverage, change existing coverage, or cancel coverage. All open enrollment benefits elections are effective on Jan. 1, 2013. If you do not want to make changes, your benefits will automatically roll over for 2013 and no action is required to remain enrolled in coverage.