Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Construction on the Bull Ring outside of the Colvard Student Union is in full swing. MSU's 2012 senior class reinstated the class-gift program by restoring the university's historic Bull Ring, which was a D-shaped seating area with a tree in the middle where students and others could relax and "shoot the bull." PHOTO: Nikki McKenzie | University Relations

Two researchers join MSU Extension Service
Mississippi State University named two researchers to Extension Service appointments at the Delta Research and Extension Center, effective May 1. Entomologist Jeff Gore and rice agronomist Tim Walker will divide their work between the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and the Extension Service. MAFES, the research arm of MSU’s agriculture division, is funded separately from Extension, MSU’s service branch.

Staff opinion survey deadline on Friday
The last day to complete the 2013 Mississippi State University Staff Opinion Survey is this Friday. All staff are encouraged to login to myState and provide feedback. If you have any questions about the survey or your rights as a participant in the survey, please contact Cade Smith, Staff Council chair at 662-325-0244 or cade@saffairs.msstate.edu.

Lab safety training session Thursday
The Office of Regulatory Compliance and Safety at Mississippi State is offering an interactive, hands-on training course on general laboratory safety this Thursday. "Introduction to Laboratory Safety" is a three-hour seminar for laboratory users of all experience levels. The goal of the course is to provide an introduction to the basics of laboratory safety so that users can identify and reduce/eliminate the risk of exposure to chemical and physical hazards.

Volunteers needed for projects this summer
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community in its current newsletter, including Emerson's Fresh Start Program (community garden), tutoring at Sally Kate Winters, Bridges Out of Poverty, and more.

Policy addresses employee political activity
With political campaigning for local elections underway, 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.

Art faculty exhibition at Wade Gallery now open
A collection presented in a variety of mediums by members of the Mississippi State art department faculty will be featured on campus over the next two months. The May and June showcase at the university's Cullis Wade Depot Gallery will include samples of paintings, ceramics, sculptures, drawings, photography and printmaking. The gallery is located on the second floor of the MSU Welcome Center, located adjacent to the Barnes & Noble at Mississippi State Bookstore.

New employee assistance program available
Life is filled with change, opportunities and challenges. The issues may be large or small. Knowing that you have someone who can listen, understand and suggest next steps can make a big difference. And that is where Mississippi State University's new employee assistance program (EAP) and work-life program helps.

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.

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DAWG hones MSU sponsored-project admin skills
Nine Mississippi State staff members are the first graduates of a new professional development program offered by the university's Office of Sponsored Programs Administration. The inaugural Departmental Administrator Working Group--DAWG, for short--provided participants an eight-month curriculum designed to develop sponsored-project administration skills and foster networking opportunities with their campus peers, according to the program's coordinator.

Wetherbee named senior associate AD
Scott Wetherbee, a veteran athletic administrator with more than 15 years of experience, has been named Mississippi State's Senior Associate Director of Athletics for External Affairs, it was announced May 20. Wetherbee comes to Mississippi State from East Carolina, where he most recently served as Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Ticket Operations. He began at ECU in 2003 after stints at Fresno State (1999-2002) and San Diego State, where he was Assistant AD for Ticket Operations.

MSU welcomes Boys State to campus this week
Some 350 rising high school seniors from across the state will be at Mississippi State this week to learn about government and the electoral process. Earlier this year, the university was selected as the 2013-15 host for Mississippi's American Legion Boys State. In welcoming high school students from around the state, MSU President Mark E. Keenum said having the program is a tremendous honor for the institution.

Friday deadline for faculty leadership nominations
For the 2013-2014 academic year, the Office of Research and Economic Development and the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President will again be conducting an academic leadership program for selected faculty at Mississippi State. This program has been very successful in the past, and many of its participants serve in key leadership positions on campus today. The nomination deadline is Friday.