President Mark E. Keenum welcomed attendees to The Mill at MSU for a one-day conference focused on academic security last Tuesday [Oct. 5]. Sponsored by the university and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the event brought together leaders from across academia and the federal government to discuss challenges and solutions related to academic security on college campuses. PHOTO: Megan Bean | Public Affairs
October is Faculty Athletics Month with special events for faculty and staff
To show appreciation to members of Mississippi State University’s faculty and staff and recognize their role as a part of winning the national championship, the university is planning special events to celebrate this accomplishment and designating October as Faculty Athletics Month. Activities planned for faculty and staff include: Faculty/Staff and families @ MSU football practice on Oct. 19 from 4-6 p.m. Participants will meet at the Leo Seal Football Complex. Family is invited and registration is required. Sign up at https://tickets.formstack.com/forms/facultyday.
Applications open for 2022 university teaching awards
The Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President is now accepting applications for the 2022 Grisham Master Teacher Awards, Donald Zacharias Early Career Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Awards and the MSU Alumni Association Graduate and/or Professional Teaching Awards. Interested faculty must submit an electronic application in PDF form to the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President at grishamaward@provost.msstate.edu by October 21, 2021 if their teaching can only be observed in the Fall 2021 semester or by November 18, 2021 if their teaching can be observed in the Spring 2022 semester. All current full-time faculty members at Mississippi State University with the required years of service, regardless of rank, are eligible to apply for these awards. Late applications will not be accepted.
CDE fall panel series focuses on online teaching and learning
In March of 2020, the entire world got a taste of what it means to be "online." However, long before that time, the world of online learning and teaching has been a thriving campus at Mississippi State University. An upcoming Center for Distance Education panel series will feature various experts about what it truly means to teach and learn online, traditionally, and not just as an emergency measure. Join us to learn about what it means to be online at MSU. Panels will be held in Memorial Hall, Coskrey Auditorium and available via WebEx. Each session will be 2-3 p.m. CST. Visit https://forms.gle/hXTQG3qwRbAxMXmX8 to register.
Employees should review coverage in preparation for benefits open enrollment in October
Mississippi State University faculty and staff should review their existing coverage in preparation for benefits open enrollment during the month of October. You may review your current coverage and deductions in your MyState account. The HRM website provides an overview of benefits. You may access our website at https://www.hrm.msstate.edu/benefits. Open enrollment is for the election of new coverage and changing or dropping existing coverage. The appropriate form(s) must be completed and submitted to your Benefits Specialist no later than Friday, October 29, 2021. If you do not want to add additional coverage or make changes to your existing coverage, no further action is required for your benefits to continue in 2022.
ORED adds financial incentive for faculty writing for The Conversation
Mississippi State University's partnership with The Conversation allows faculty to communicate research to a broad audience online at https://theconversation.com/us and beyond. The Conversation publishes faculty-written articles under a Creative Commons license, meaning that other news sources can republish The Conversation’s content. Publishing your work in The Conversation communicates MSU’s scholarly activities to wider audiences and increases the public’s understanding about the types of work being done at MSU. In order to recognize the importance of sharing research with a wide variety of audiences MSU's Office of Research and Economic Development will provide a $500 incentive for any MSU faculty member whose work is successfully published in The Conversation.
International Institute shares passport reminders
Mississippi State's International Institute is encouraging all students and faculty who are considering travel within the next six months to apply or renew (if needed) their passport now. Current U.S. passport processing times are significantly longer than normal, so it is more important than ever that you plan early. First-time passport applications and renewals are taking up to 18 weeks for routine service and up to 12 weeks for expedited service (additional $60). If you aren't sure if you need to renew your passport, check the expiration date and make sure it is valid for six months after the end of your potential travel dates. Additionally, keep in mind that if your travel requires a visa, you often need to send your passport to the embassy to receive your visa prior to travel.
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.
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Jim Laird.
