Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Morgan spivey, center, a research associate in MSU’s Institute for Clean Energy Technology, and John Wilson, right, ICET chief test engineer, work last Wednesday [March 25] to measure filtration rates of face masks being produced by Blue Delta Jean Company of Oxford and Tupelo. The company’s CEO Josh West, left, turned to MSU and the university’s ICET for answers on precise mask filtration levels in the splashguard-type protectors so he can pass the information on to consumers. Small businesses, universities, large corporations and other entities across the nation are using their resources to combat the mask shortage amid COVID-19. PHOTO: Logan Kirkland | Public Affairs

University postpones search process for two vice president positions
Mississippi State University Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw, chair of the university’s search committee for its next vice president for the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, announced last Friday [March 27] that the search is being postponed, but the committee remains in place. Veteran MSU agriculture administrator Reuben Moore has been serving as interim vice president of DAFVM. Additionally, the university is postponing the search process for its next vice president of research and economic development. Shaw most recently served in this role before being named provost and executive vice president last summer. Julie Jordan, previously associate vice president for international programs and executive director of MSU’s International Institute, has since been serving in the role of interim vice president of research and economic development.

Process in place for faculty and staff working remotely to take desktop computers home
As part of facilitating as many Mississippi State University faculty and staff working remotely as possible, the university will during this period of emergency operations allow employees -- with the approval of their department head or director -- to take their desktop computers and necessary attachments home. In order to do this, the department head or director must first issue a hand receipt to satisfy MSU inventory and property control requirements. University property cannot leave the office setting without the issuance of a hand receipt. Employees should take a cell phone photo or make a diagram of how all the cables and accessories are connected to the computer to be able to replicate that at home. ITS is unable to make individual home service calls, so employees who take their desktop computers home assume responsibility for hooking it up correctly at home.

College of Veterinary Medicine updates operating procedures
Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine administration continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and implement plans developed by the COVID-19 Task Force to mitigate its impact on the college’s students, faculty, staff and clients. After discussion and consultation with MSU leaders and colleagues from other veterinary colleges, we have made the decision to relieve CVM students from their clinical obligations beginning at 5 p.m. Friday [March 27] until April 13. In an effort to continue our core values of teaching, research and service, clinical rotations will continue to deliver clinical rounds, topic rounds and other educational experiences for students online. During this time, the Animal Health Center will remain open to provide emergency and essential care to our community members and their animals.

Caring for our Bulldogs: MSU supporting on-campus students during coronavirus pandemic
Nearly 540 in-state, out-of-state and international students are continuing to live on campus at Mississippi State during the global coronavirus pandemic. From housing and dining to healthcare and academics, MSU is working to ensure these students have the resources they need to be successful throughout this challenging time. MSU Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Hyatt said she is “tremendously” grateful to the MSU staff and faculty for their time, energy and creativity as they work together to assist students and ensure the health and well-being of the MSU community.

Kavalsky offers tips for managing stress and maintaining productivity
As Mississippi State continues to closely monitor COVID-19 news and information, the university’s mental health outreach coordinator is offering tips for coping with stress and maintaining productivity during these uncertain times. Kim Kavalsky of MSU’s Department of Health Promotion and Wellness said individuals and families practicing self-isolation and social distancing can remain close through phone calls, texting, FaceTime and other forms of technology. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines social distancing as “remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet) from others when possible.”

University waiving GMAT/GRE requirements for summer and fall graduate school applicants
Due to testing limitations related to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, Mississippi State is temporarily waiving GMAT and GRE testing requirements for students applying to the university’s graduate programs. “In addition to supporting our current graduate students, our Graduate School -- along with faculty and staff across campus -- is working to support prospective students as they navigate the admissions and enrollment process during this unique time,” said MSU Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw. “We hope the waiver of these testing requirements will provide one less thing for prospective students to worry about. Our faculty and staff look forward to welcoming students as they begin new academic programs this summer and fall.”

MSU Extension, MAFES assisting state's agricultural industry during crisis
Necessary restrictions on travel and gatherings are affecting how the Mississippi State University Extension Service operates, but its ability to respond to the needs of its clients, the public and state agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic continues uninterrupted. Extension’s roles during crises are many: emergency management, local level assistance, support for the state’s agricultural industry, and dissemination of public information and education. Specialists with MSU Extension and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station continue to respond to the concerns of those working in the state’s largest industry, agriculture. Mississippi producers -- including the state’s largest agricultural commodities, poultry and forestry -- still have Extension faculty consulting with them and advocating on their behalf as they face economic uncertainty.

Outreach services continue for T.K. Martin Center, Autism and Developmental Disabilities Clinic amid coronavirus uncertainty
In the midst of the COVID-19 situation, the dedicated staff members of Mississippi State’s T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability and the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Clinic are continuing to provide outreach services to individuals with disabilities and their families. “Our commitment to providing resources to families who need the specialized services available at the T.K. Martin Center and the ADDC are strong examples of the university’s impact during the COVID-19 crisis,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “It’s a testament to the quality of our staff that they continue to find ways to serve these children and families despite the unprecedented challenges of this pandemic.”

Parisi takes on new MSU European development role; Grice named interim NSPARC director
Mimmo Parisi, founder of Mississippi State’s National Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Center (NSPARC), is taking on a new position as MSU’s senior advisor for European development. NSPARC Deputy Executive Director Steven Grice is now serving as the center’s interim executive director. In this part-time role, Parisi will work to advance MSU’s visibility and reputation in Europe, positioning the university to secure new international research and development partnerships. Grice takes the reins as NSPARC’s leader after spending five years as deputy executive director, during which he was responsible for the planning, policy development and analysis, and business development functions within the center.

Team of engineering researchers wins award at international conference
A paper authored by a team lead by mechanical engineering graduate student, Oumnia El Fajri, has been selected as one of the best papers at the 13th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference. The paper, titled “Numerical investigation of shallow-water effects on hydrokinetic turbine wake recovery,” was co-authored by mechanical engineering assistant professor Shanti Bhushan, aerospace engineering professor David Thompson and Tim O’Doherty of Cardiff University. The paper is based on collaborative research between several departments within Mississippi State’s Bagley College of Engineering, the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems and Cardiff.

Deadline extended to this Friday for Jefcoat and Ammon advising awards
The Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President is seeking nominations for Mississippi State’s 2020 Irvin Atly Jefcoat Excellence in Advising Awards and Wes Ammon Outstanding New Advisor Awards. The deadline for nominations for both awards has been extended to Friday [April 3]. Nominations are to be submitted in PDF form to the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President via email to nfultz@provost.msstate.edu.

Smoke-free policy enhances healthy environment
Mississippi State University is a smoke-free campus. Official policy prohibits the use of any combustible or vapor products anywhere on campus property including university buildings, university grounds, university vehicles, parking areas and sidewalks. The smoke-free campus policy is part of the university's commitment to creating a healthy environment for all members of the campus community. Use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookah or other similar devices are prohibited by this policy.

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Keenum shares operating guidelines and procedures for remainder of spring semester
President Mark E. Keenum is extending the emergency guidelines under which Mississippi State University will operate for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester. MSU will update this information as often as needed. No changes are being made to the current leave status of employees -- all employees who are currently on administrative leave will remain on administrative leave until further notice. MSU requests that all non-essential employees stay at home until you are contacted by your supervisor to report to work. All employees who can work remotely should do so.

Faculty, students and staff make transition to all online learning
For the first time in Mississippi State’s 142-year history, all of the university’s classes are being taught using online instruction. “This situation has created an unprecedented interruption to our day-to-day campus activities, and I want to thank our students, faculty and staff for their hard work and patience as we navigate these challenges,” said MSU Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw. “I am proud of the way the university community has come together and developed creative solutions to ensure that our students receive effective instruction and continue to make progress toward their degrees."

Looking for a way to help? Give to the MSU Student Relief Fund
The Mississippi State University community continually exhibits a great sense of responsibility and caring for enrolled students that make the land-grant institution such a special place. The MSU Student Relief Fund, built with private gifts, helps those members of the student body affected with day-to-day crises or like now, the impact to their daily lives posed by COVID-19. The Dean of Students' Office assesses needs and administers the fund for acute crises that may impact students’ ability to succeed academically. The funds have a direct impact on students in extenuating circumstances in order to help them achieve their academic success. The MSU Foundation accepts gifts year-round for the MSU Student Relief Fund. Contributions for this effort can be made online or by contacting the Annual Giving office at (662) 325-2466.

FN95 masks arrive at area medical centers courtesy of Department of Aerospace Engineering
To help area medical personnel who are combating the spread of the coronavirus, Mississippi State’s Department of Aerospace Engineering this week donated more than 1,000 N95 respirator face masks to two area medical centers. The department gave more than 700 masks to MSU’s Longest Student Health Center and an additional 400 to Starkville’s OCH Regional Medical Center. “When it became clear that our medical professionals would likely need masks like the ones that we had, several people in the department recommended that we donate ours,” department head Davy Belk said, adding that they were encouraged to help by Jason Keith, Bagley College of Engineering dean.