Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum drives the ceremonial first nail at the site of the seventh annual Maroon Edition Habitat for Humanity home last week. MSU has partnered with the Starkville Area Habitat for Humanity to build a 1,200 square-foot home at No. 5 Hope Lane in north Starkville for a single mother and her four children. PHOTO: Beth Wynn | Public Affairs

The Fresh Food Co. opening for Sunday brunch
Mississippi State officials are announcing the launch of a weekend special to begin Aug. 23, and encouraging area residents to come to campus for Sunday dining. “Our goal is to bring members of local communities back on campus for Sunday lunch,” said Ann Bailey, director of housing and residence life.

Maroon Volunteer Center needs you
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community on its website and in its newsletter this week, including Shades of Starkville, Maroon Edition: Global Village Experience, local food pantry shifts, Habitat for Humanity, and more. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to make a difference by volunteering this fall.

Register today: Men and Women of Color Summit
Mississippi State's Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion is encouraging interested members of the campus and surrounding communities to begin registering for the 2015 Men and Women of Color Summit. Now in its fourth year, the summit is designed to engage minority students with faculty, staff, administrators, alumni and others interested in dialogue about critical issues related to academic and professional success.

Hardy Rd. traffic re-route now in place
Hardy Rd. from Etheredge Hall south to Morrill Rd. on Mississippi State's campus will be rerouted through December 2016 while an addition to Mitchell Memorial Library is under construction. During this time, all traffic will be rerouted around Herbert St. and re-enter Hardy Rd. Students, faculty, staff and visitors are advised to plan their daily commutes accordingly.

2015-16 Lyceum Series takes stage in September
A Sept. 3 concert by American musician and singer-songwriter ZZ Ward will kick off Mississippi State's 2015-16 Lyceum Series season. Season ticket renewals for those wishing to retain the same seats as last year will take place through June 19, while new season tickets will go on sale June 29-July 17. Season tickets for the general public are $125; for MSU employees and senior citizens, $105.

MSU Riley Center announces Fall/Winter Series
Singing legends and fresh young talents, theatrical productions that delights children and intrigue adults, and an athletic, creative contemporary dance company will entertain the state as part of the MSU Riley Center’s Fall/Winter Series. The series gets off to a romantic start in the historic venue in downtown Meridian on Aug. 24 with ballad singer and Grammy winner Michael Bolton.

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.

Policy addresses employee political activity
With local and statewide campaigns underway this fall, 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.

This Week in Mississippi State Sports, 08/17/15
Soccer hosts South Alabama on Friday at 7 p.m. and Murray State at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

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.

Parking and transit changes in place for fall
MSU Parking and Transit Services is excited about the upcoming academic year and would like to welcome everyone back to campus. A few parking and transit changes have occurred over the summer, including limited access to Creelman St. and President Circle and an expansion of the SMART shuttle system.

Babski-Reeves named Bagley interim associate dean
A Mississippi State alumna with 15 years of faculty experience has been named interim associate dean for research and graduate studies of the Bagley College of Engineering. Kari Babski-Reeves, an associate professor of industrial and systems engineering, officially began her new role on Aug. 16.

Lee named inspiring woman in STEM
A computer science and engineering faculty member will appear in a national magazine for her contributions to the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. Sarah Lee, the director of undergraduate studies of the computer science and engineering department, was selected as a recipient of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine’s 2015 Inspiring Women in STEM award.

SEC visiting faculty travel grant applications sought
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 eight faculty members to receive 2015-216 travel grants of $1,250 each for transportation, room, board, etc., to use for travel to another SEC campus. Completed applications must be submitted by Aug. 21.