Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Tulips bloom across from the Colvard Student Union. Faculty, staff, students and visitors have enjoyed pleasant weather and the sights of spring on Mississippi State University's campus this year. Spring semester classes conclude April 19 with final exams taking place April 22-28 before commencement ceremonies on April 29-30. PHOTO: Megan Bean | Public Affairs

#SBW21: Super Bulldog Weekend kicks off Friday
A Mississippi State spring homecoming tradition returns this weekend [April 16-18] with the annual Super Bulldog Weekend on the MSU campus. Coach Chris Lemonis' nationally ranked Diamond Dawgs will take on in-state rival Ole Miss at Dudy Noble Field for a three-game SEC series with game times at 6 p.m. Friday [April 16], 2 p.m. Saturday [April 17] and 1 p.m. Sunday [April 18]. Head football coach Mike Leach's 2021 Bulldogs will host the Maroon and White Game on Saturday [April 17] in Davis Wade Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. and admission is free.

MSU celebrates Unity Month with variety of free programs
Mississippi State is hosting a variety of free Unity Month programs that explore the dynamics of diversity and inclusion. In addition to the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, event sponsors include the MSU Access Program, MSU Libraries, World Neighbors Association, Department of Art, Health Professions Resource Center, Department of Health Promotion and Wellness, Department of Sociology, and Safe Zone Advisory Board. For a schedule of Unity Month events, click here. Questions can be directed to the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center at 662-325-2033.

Applications sought for 2021-22 Leadership Development Program
Applications are now being accepted for Mississippi State's 2021-22 Leadership Development Program cohort. Formerly known as the Leadership Excellence for Accomplished Professionals (LEAP) Program, the Leadership Development Program is designed for professional staff committed to developing their leadership skills. The nine-month program empowers new supervisors and high performing employees with a heightened self-awareness, advanced knowledge, and value-added leadership in a secure and challenging environment. Completed application packets are due by 5 p.m. on June 18 and should be emailed to Brad Skelton at bskelton@hrm.msstate.edu.

Mississippi State again named national ‘Voter Friendly Campus’
Mississippi State is again a national “Voter Friendly Campus” for encouraging its students to register and vote in last year’s elections and for its pledge to continue these efforts in the coming years. Universities awarded voter friendly status are regarded as “accountable for planning and implementing practices that help students overcome barriers to participation in the political process” by the Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project and the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, or NASPA. Regina Hyatt, MSU vice president for student affairs, said, “The university and the Division of Student Affairs were evaluated based on development of a campus plan to register, educate and turn out student voters in 2020, facilitate voter engagement efforts, and analyze our overall work. These were exceptional accomplishments for MSU and our division -- all in the face of the upheaval caused by a global pandemic.”

Reminder: University policy addresses employee political activity
With political campaigning underway for local elections, 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.

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.

Mississippi State plans broader return to in-person classes this fall
Following a transition from the traditional learning model to online and hybrid classes more than a year ago, Mississippi State University is planning a broader return to in-person instruction and normal operations this fall. “I believe our students, faculty and staff have done a heroic job dealing with the challenges of the pandemic,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “Now, following evolving guidance from federal and state authorities, I believe that MSU is ready to move decisively toward a more normal college experience. If we all continue to observe sensible COVID-19 protocols on our campus and vaccinations continue to progress, the Fall 2021 semester can be the beginning of that necessary and appropriate transition to normalcy.”

Shaw and Coble announce reorganization of DAFVM leadership structure
Mississippi State Vice President for the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine Keith Coble and MSU Executive Vice President and Provost David R. Shaw last week announced changes in the organizational leadership structure of major components of the academic division. “In evaluating the current and future leadership needs of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), the College of Forest Resources (CFR), the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES), and the Forest and Wildlife Research Center (FWRC), it is clear that these vital entities require a different structure that provides greater focus and attention to mission,” said Coble. Shaw said that national searches were currently being organized to select a new Director of MAFES who will also serve as Dean of CALS, and to select a new Dean of CFR and Director of FWRC.

Tiffin named director of ITS Enterprise Information Systems
Longtime Mississippi State University Information Technology Services employee Jason Tiffin has been named director of Enterprise Information Systems within ITS. Since 2005, Tiffin has led ITS’ web development team. The two-time MSU alumnus has worked for ITS in various capacities since 1996. In his new role, Tiffin will oversee the Enterprise Information Systems unit as it plans, implements and supports administrative information systems throughout the university. He succeeds Meredith Jackson, who recently retired from MSU after a decades-long career with ITS. “It’s an honor and privilege to serve as the director of Enterprise Information Systems,” Tiffin said. "I look forward to continuing the work of my predecessors in cultivating our internal and external partnerships, as well as exploring new collaborative models to enhance the efficiency of our services.”

2021’s No. 1: MSU named Mississippi’s top ‘Best Value College’
For the fifth time in seven years, Mississippi State University is being recognized as the Magnolia State’s top “Best Value College” for giving students the best return on their educational investment. In its annual Best Value Colleges study, New York-based financial technology company SmartAsset recently determined that MSU graduates earn higher average starting salaries than their peers from other state colleges and universities. According to the study, MSU graduates receive a $52,300 average starting salary, $2,800 above the next highest university in the rankings. The average starting salary for all Mississippi higher education graduates is $45,771.

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