Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

The Bully statue in front of Colvard Student Union stands watch as a cyclist pedals by on a recent morning. Students, employees and community members are encouraged to be mindful of the high traffic volume on campus, along with road closures and new directional changes because of construction. PHOTO: Megan Bean | University Relations

P.R.E.P/Emergency Preparedness Week next week
Will your family be prepared when disaster strikes? Learn from the experts in disaster preparedness. The MSU Campus-Community Emergency Response Team (C-CERT) and the Maroon Volunteer Center are hosting Emergency Preparedness Week next week, offering free disaster preparedness training sessions that are open to all students, faculty, staff, and community members.

U.S. Poet Laureate on campus Sept. 24
Gulfport native, Pulitzer Prize winner and current U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey will visit Mississippi State Sept. 24. Trethewey will read from her works and offer commentary during a free program to begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Colvard Union's Bill R. Foster Ballroom. A question-and-answer session will follow. While open to all, the university program will require an admission entry ticket. One complimentary ticket per person is available in the Union's Center for Student Activities.

Library technology available to all
Mitchell Memorial Library offers patrons much more than printed materials: it's the technological center of Mississippi State, housing the latest hardware, software and multimedia equipment. And the best part is -- the university library is open to the public. Offering library services to the general public encourages learning and research, which coincides with MSU's mission as a land-grant institution, said Stephen Cunetto, library system administrator.

Cross-college, interdisciplinary proposals sought
The Office of Research and Economic Development is again soliciting proposals from Mississippi State faculty who desire to create interdisciplinary, cross-college research groups on campus. These grants will be in the amount of $2,000 each and limited to a period of 12 months (renewable one time for a total of 24 months and $4,000). The grants are intended to facilitate interdisciplinary interaction between faculty and students that have a common research theme.

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.

This Week in Mississippi State Sports, 09/09/13
Men's Golf opens play in the Sam Hall Intercollegiate in Hattiesburg on Monday... Volleyball hosts the Bulldog Invitational at the Newell-Grissom Building: Friday, Niagara, 12:30 p.m.; Friday, Wofford, 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, Wofford, 12:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Niagara, 6:30 p.m.... Soccer hosts the Bulldog Classic with a match against Furman set for Friday at 7:30 p.m., and followed by a 1 p.m. match on Sunday against Jackson State. Cross Country competes Saturday in the Commodore Classic in Nashville... Football is on the road for a 6 p.m. kickoff against Auburn 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.

SEC visiting faculty travel grant applications wanted
The Southeastern Conference Visiting Faculty Travel Grant Program is intended to enhance faculty collaboration that stimulates scholarly initiatives between SEC universities. Mississippi State University can select a maximum of four faculty members to receive 2014 travel grants of $2,500 each for transportation, room, board, etc., to use for travel to another SEC campus. Completed applications must be submitted by Oct. 11.

Submit campus gameday activities
MSU Athletics and Information Technology Services, in conjunction with the MSU Alumni Association, have again partnered for the Gameday website at www.hailstate.com/gameday. It is designed to be a one-stop site that lists all activities, including operating hours for major units such as Barnes & Noble Bookstore and Dining Services, along with contacts and other key information.

Argonne National Laboratory officials visiting
Mississippi State University is hosting officials from one of the world’s leading research facilities this week. During the visit on Monday and Tuesday, MSU faculty, staff, administrators and students will have opportunities to meet with Argonne National Laboratory leaders and researchers and explore partnership and funding possibilities, among other topics.

Volunteer for 9/11 National Day of Service
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community in its current newsletter, including 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, Interfaith Service Ambassador, Starkville High School concession stands, Habitat for Humanity, and more.