Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

As another school year gets underway at Mississippi State University, faculty, staff and student commuters are encouraged to exercise planning and patience as they travel to campus. Traffic is typically heavier during the first weeks of classes, so commuters will need to allow extra time to travel to and from campus during peak travel times at the beginning and end of the day. Motorists are required to stop for pedestrians at all crosswalks on campus. Campus traffic flow is expected to normalize during the coming days as commuters and pedestrians develop their own patterns for how and when they arrive on campus. PHOTO: Logan Kirkland | Public Affairs

Here to help: Mississippi State offers mental health support to ag producers, community members
From agricultural damage to financial challenges, the effects of a natural disaster can be physically and emotionally overwhelming for farmers and residents of an impacted region. As those in the Mississippi Delta and surrounding areas continue to cope and begin recovery from recent devastating floods, faculty and staff in Mississippi State’s Extension Service and Department of Psychology are extending reminders that can help.

Collaborative seeks to strengthen college tobacco-free policies
The Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation hosted the University and College Tobacco-Free Campus Collaborative last week. Top levels of leadership from all eight of Mississippi’s publicly-funded universities and thirteen community colleges engaged with healthcare and education experts about improving the health and well-being of students and personnel through the strengthening of campus tobacco-free policies.

MSU Golf Course offering fall membership special
Throughout the month of August, the Mississippi State University Golf Course is offering a fall membership special. For $550, MSU students, faculty and staff can play unlimited golf with a golf cart and hit unlimited driving range balls for the entire fall semester. This membership special can be purchased in the golf shop until Aug. 31 and is valid through Nov. 30. Please contact Adam Scott at ascott@business.msstate.edu with any questions.

Construction for new parking garage underway, to continue through July 2020
Construction for a new parking garage on the north side of Mississippi State's Starkville campus is underway and expected to last through July 2020. During this time, those navigating campus are advised to use caution when approaching this construction area. Due to construction, a section of sidewalk along Bailey Howell Drive and adjacent to the construction site will be temporarily closed, requiring pedestrian traffic to be re-routed. Please see the accompanying map for details.

The Park Cafe opens in Cochran Research Park
A new dining option has opened in the Thad Cochran Research, Technology and Economic Development Park. The Park Cafe is open for lunch weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and it’s located in the II-VI Building at 60 Technology Blvd., Suite 100. Additional information is available at www.facebook.com/theparkcafe19.

Lyceum mini-series tickets now available
Mini-series tickets for Mississippi State University’s 2019-20 Lyceum Series are now available for purchase. Mini-series tickets are available to the general public for $75 and $65 for MSU employees and senior citizens. The mini-series ticket option includes attendance to three programs and features guaranteed reserved seating at a discounted rate. The annual series supports performing arts in the Starkville and MSU communities.

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.

American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers selects Zhao for outstanding young engineer award
A Mississippi State assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering is being honored for his design achievements. Yang Zhao is this year’s recipient of the Sunkist Young Designer Award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. “Dr. Zhao is an exceptional scientist, employing precision agriculture and engineering tools to ensure the health and welfare of poultry in commercial production systems,” said Wes Burger, interim head of MSU’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and associate director of MAFES.

University leaders, special guests encourage students to make the most of their time on campus
Mississippi State University welcomed thousands of new freshmen and transfer students to campus last week with Fall Convocation at Humphrey Coliseum. During the annual event, new students were given a commemorative coin and encouraged to make the most of their time at MSU and complete their degrees. “We have all types of support here for you,” MSU President Mark E. Keenum told the students. “I want you to succeed. I want to shake your hand when you’re coming across this stage at graduation. That is when we have succeeded.”

Reminder: University policy addresses employee political activity
With political campaigning for local and statewide races currently underway, Mississippi State's Office of General Counsel offers the following reminder of the university’s policy on political activities. There are several guidelines that employees of the university should keep in mind when engaging in any form of political activity. The Office of General Counsel encourages each employee to review this policy in its entirety to make certain you are fully aware of your rights and responsibilities.

Fall general faculty meeting Wednesday
The Office of the President and the Robert Holland Faculty Senate invite faculty to the fall general faculty meeting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday in Lee Hall's Bettersworth Auditorium. Interested members of the campus community are also welcome. President Mark E. Keenum will provide an update as a new academic year begins at Mississippi State University.