Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

A Raspet Flight Research Laboratory unmanned aircraft flies over the Mississippi River between Greenville, Mississippi, and Lake Village, Arkansas, Oct. 13 in the aftermath of Hurricane Delta. In an ongoing project with the Northern Gulf Institute, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and its National Weather Service, MSU is demonstrating the feasibility of incorporating unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones, into the immediate aftermath of severe weather to improve flood forecasting capabilities. These advances could potentially assist with emergency response and disaster recovery decisions. PHOTO: Northern Gulf Institute

Department of Psychology marks 50-year milestone
Mississippi State’s Department of Psychology is observing its 50th anniversary as a university academic department. The full degree-granting program accredited by the American Psychological Association also provides mental health services for the university and Starkville community. A planned celebration for the milestone anniversary was canceled this spring because of COVID-19. However, a virtual ceremony that included the induction of 33 students into the Psi Chi international honor society was held in September. Professor and department head Mitchell Berman said that while psychology was part of MSU’s curriculum in the 1960s, it wasn’t until 1970 that the university officially began offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology. Today the department offers undergraduate and graduate degrees through the doctoral level.

Reminder: University policy addresses employee political activity
With political campaigning underway this fall, Mississippi State's Office of General Counsel offers the following reminder 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. MSU employees are encouraged to review OP 01.14: Political Activities in its entirety and to understand their rights and responsibilities.

Global apparel and textile experts talk sustainability Oct. 26-30 during MSU online conference
In a virtual format open to the public, Mississippi State’s School of Human Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is partnering with Cotton Inc. to host a sustainability conference centered on the apparel and textile industry. The weeklong event begins Monday [Oct. 26] and features several daily speakers focused on social, economic and environmental processes, practices, strategies and solutions for achieving sustainability across the industry. Caroline Kobia, MSU assistant professor of fashion design and merchandising, organized the summit and said the event will highlight industry advancements and accomplishments.

MSU Extension cancels 2020 Row Crop Short Course
The 2020 Mississippi State University Extension Service Row Crop Short Course has been cancelled as COVID-19 cases trend back up in Mississippi. In addition to Extension-mandated guidelines that limit meeting attendance, the Row Crop Short Course planning team also cited travel, funding and hotel accommodation restrictions as roadblocks to holding the educational event. “We are gravely concerned about spreading COVID-19 if we attempted to gather people at this event,” said Darrin Dodds, a member of the short course planning team and head of the MSU Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. He said the team plans to hold the 2021 Row Crop Short Course.

2020-2021 Lyceum Series season postponed, performances to be rescheduled for 2021-2022
Mississippi State University's Center for Student Activities and the Performing Arts Committee are postponing the university's 2020-21 Lyceum Series. Many of the performers scheduled for this season were forced to postpone their tours in response to problems and scheduling conflicts related to COVID-19. Everyone who has purchased a package or ticket will have their tickets rolled over to the 2021-22 season. Next season will include the shows that were scheduled for this season, and additional shows may be added.

Closed captioning available for Webex meetings
Closed captioning is now available through Webex Assistant, which has been configured for MSU Webex meetings under a trial license from Cisco. The university has been assured the trial license will remain active through June 30, 2021. Those hosting Webex meetings must have Webex Assistant enabled on their accounts to make the following key features available for all meeting participants. Please contact the ITS Service Desk at servicedesk@msstate.edu or 662-325-0631 to request enabling of Webex Assistant for your Webex account.

Caution urged due to plaza construction near McCool Hall and Colvard Student Union
Due to construction of a new plaza on the northeast corner of McCool Hall and the southeast corner of Colvard Student Union, those accessing these buildings and nearby sidewalks are urged to use caution. The construction is expected to continue through the end of December 2020. We apologize for any inconvenience of the construction and appreciate your patience and support. Please contact the Facilities Management Service Desk at 662-325-2005 if you have any questions.

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 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.

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. The complete policy is available at www.policies.msstate.edu/policy/91301.

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.

University offering winter session Dec. 1-Jan. 4
For the first time in more than a decade, Mississippi State University is offering a winter session to help students advance in their academic journeys and earn credits on an accelerated schedule. “Winter Express is part of our effort to provide students with options to achieve their educational goals in a virtual learning environment that also prioritizes their health and safety,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “We recognize the need to be as flexible and accommodating as possible in our academic schedules, and we believe Winter Express will be a welcomed addition for students who want to continue to concentrate on their degree tracks.” With the launch of MSU’s comprehensive “Winter Express,” students at every level can choose from an updated, expanded selection of more than 200 online courses that begin Dec. 1 and conclude Jan. 4.

In-person ceremonies set for fall commencement
Mississippi State is announcing plans for in-person fall commencement exercises to be held on the Starkville and Meridian campuses. The Starkville campus will have four ceremonies on Nov. 25 in Humphrey Coliseum, and MSU-Meridian will celebrate commencement on Dec. 1 at the MSU Riley Center. Multiple viewing options will be available for those who wish to watch these events remotely. MSU alumnus Hassell H. Franklin also will be honored with an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree during Starkville’s 2 p.m. ceremony for lifetime achievements and longtime major support of university programs. Franklin earned a 1959 management degree from MSU’s College of Business.

Rula endows Bagley College's School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
The department of civil and environmental engineering at Mississippi State University has become a named academic school with a cornerstone endowment gift from one of the land-grant institution’s most loyal alumni. The Richard A. Rula School of Civil and Environmental Engineering is named for Richard A. Rula of Ridgeland, a 1970 MSU civil engineering graduate and longtime leader in the state’s construction industry as owner and president of Florence-based Hemphill Construction Company Inc. “This endowment is an opportunity to tremendously further the goals and objectives of civil and environmental engineering at Mississippi State, while making a contribution to education and research in the state of Mississippi,” said Rula, a Vicksburg native.

French selected National Academy of Public Administration Fellow, joins Mississippi’s elite honoree group
P. Edward “Eddie” French, professor and head of Mississippi State’s Department of Political Science and Public Administration, is joining a prestigious group of academics and high-ranking government officials as part of the National Academy of Public Administration’s 2020 Class of Academy Fellows. French’s new distinction places him among only four Mississippians with the title, including former Gov. William Winter. “Dr. French was selected both because of a lifetime of service and his scholarly contributions to the study of governance,” said Rick Travis, dean of MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences. “The fellows include former federal cabinet officers, members of Congress and governors, in addition to leading state and local government officials, and prominent academic scholars,” Travis said.

Coronavirus/COVID-19 information and resources