Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Heith Fox and Douglas Dumas of Facilities Management put the finishing touches on the Fixit bicycle station outside of Oak Hall. The Fixit includes all the tools needed to perform basic bicycle repairs and maintenance, including changing a flat tire and adjusting brakes. A second Fixit station is located near Ruby Hall. PHOTO: Russ Houston | University Relations

U.S. Poet Laureate visits next week
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.

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.

Volunteer to help your campus, your community
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community in its current newsletter, including Humane Society volunteer training, soccer coach volunteers, teaching art at the Boys and Girls Club, Maroon Edition Habitat House, and more.

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.

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.

This Week in Mississippi State Sports, 09/16/13
Men's Golf opens play in the Dick's Sporting Goods ACC/SEC Challenge in Kingston Springs, Tenn., on Friday... Men's Tennis competes in the SEC Invitational in Nashville beginning Friday. Women's Golf starts play Friday in the Mercedes Benz Women's Collegiate Championship in Knoxville... Volleyball travels to Nashville for the Belmont Bruins Classic: Friday, Belmont, 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, UAB, 10 a.m.; and Saturday, Arkansas State, 3:30 p.m.... Football hosts Troy on Saturday. Wear white.

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.

Keenum shares optimism at fall faculty address
During his fall address to Mississippi State faculty last week, President Mark E. Keenum shared a new level of optimism, noting that for the first year since he began his presidency in January 2009, the university's state funding has not been cut. While he discussed numerous ongoing challenges, Keenum told faculty he believes "our long-term prospects as a university today look better than ever before."

University hosts IHL peers for HR conference
A one-day conference at Mississippi State last week marked the first time for human resources staff from the state's Institutions of Higher Learning entities to come together for a day of professional development. MSU's Chief Human Resources Officer Judy Spencer said often HR professionals are so busy helping other employees with professional development that they neglect their own needs.

CASE honors Mississippi State work
The 50th anniversary annual report of the Mississippi State University Foundation is being recognized for achievements in fundraising communication by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education with a 2013 Circle of Excellence Award. A second 2013 CASE Circle of Excellence Award was presented to Mississippi State on behalf of Harriet Laird, associate director of University Relations. Laird received a bronze award for District Conference Promotions for the "Inspire" Conference.

P.R.E.P/Emergency Preparedness Week underway
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 this week -- offering free disaster preparedness training sessions that are open to all students, faculty, staff and community members.