Jan. 6, 2009 issue
News Briefs

By Ron Podell

• DUETSs Program scholarships available
• Controlling stress
• Walking the Dog
• Educational financial assistance
• Distinguished Faculty Awards
• Academic adviser training
• Tuition waiver deadlines
• Alumni Award nominations sought
• WEMU is reader's choice
• Don't be S.A.D.; brighten your mood
• 2009 Undergraduate Symposium
• New FSA vendor

 

The following are news briefs about important activities and events happening at Eastern Michigan University.

• DUETSs Program scholarships available: The Honors College, in association with the Creative Scientific Inquiry Experience (CSIE) and the Office of Urban Education and Educational Equity (OUEEE), has obtained $750,000 from the Robert Noyce Teacher Education program of NSF's Division of Undergraduate Education to establish the DUETSs Program (Developing Urban Education Teachers in STEM subjects).

DUETSs SCHOLARSHIPS: The EMU Honors College, through the establishment of the DUETSs Program, will award 45 scholarships over the next five years to secondary science, math and technology teaching majors.

The DUETSs Program will award 45 scholarships over the next five years for secondary science, math and technology teaching majors. The scholarships provide up to $13,333 for each of the final two years of undergraduate studies for secondary education students who intend to teach science or math in high-need schools. Full tuition and fees, books, and certain living expenses can be funded by the scholarship. Students who are admitted to the DUETSs Program will participate in events, training and mentoring that are organized by the OUEEE. Students also must commit to teach in high-need schools for two years for each year of scholarship support. CSIE will offer education course clusters designed to enhance students' training in urban education issues.

This year, the Honors Program seeks juniors and seniors for admission to the program. Students need not be members of the Honors College. Seniors should already demonstrate a serious interest in pursuing the challenges of teaching in high-need schools.

Eligibility for admission to the DUETSs Program and receipt of a Noyce Scholarship will be limited to students who have: completed 56 credit hours (the College of Education requires 56 credits prior to admission); been admitted to the COE teacher-preparation program; registered as a secondary teaching major in biology, chemistry, computer science, earth science, geography, mathematics, physics or technology education; a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, with at least a 3.0 GPA in their majors; and U.S. citizen or national, or permanent resident alien status.

Application forms and details of the program may be obtained at the Office of Urban Education and Educational Equity (104 Porter Building), the CSIE office (218 Rackham Building), or online at: http://www.emich.edu/honors/duetss/index.html Application deadline for the current solicitation is Feb. 2, 2009.

• Controlling Stress: Human Resources Training & Professional Development is sponsoring an Employee Wellness Program, "A Better Way to Live: Controlling Stress with Meditation-Part 2, Advanced Course." For four weeks, step out of your busy schedule to rest and relieve stress in a course taught by Martha Kimball. Classes are free and will take place Tuesdays: January 6, 13, 20, and 27, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Room 310B, Student Center. Faculty and staff employees who have previously taken a meditation course or have practiced meditation can attend. Enrollment space is limited, so register early. To register, go to
  hr_tpd(hrunderscoretpd)@emich.edu. Include your name, department, class grade level, e-mail address and phone number. For more information, contact Pat Harris, 487-3430, or e-mail pharris@emich.edu.

• Walking the Dog: EMU Theatre kicks off its winter season with "Walking the Dog," scheduled Jan. 9, 7 p.m.; Jan. 10, 11 a.m.; and Jan. 10-11, 3 p.m., Sponberg Theater. Christine Tanner directs the world premiere of her original work, which centers around nine-year-old Meriah, who is having a hard time with the loss of her dad, her move to Chicago and her new responsibility to walk her dad's dog. This play explores Meriah's journey to overcome her fears of living life despite last year's changes. The play will be showcased at EMU before touring as part of EMU's Drama Theatre for the Young program. This play is appropriate for all ages.

• Educational financial assistance: Eastern Michigan University recognizes the tough economic times students and their families are facing. EMU is committed to providing financial assistance to eligible students through federal financial aid programs. Students who still owe a bill from the fall semester, but who have not applied for financial aid, are encouraged to submit a FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Funds continue to be available for federal Pell Grants and Stafford Loans.

Students who have already filed a FAFSA, but who have difficulty paying their remaining bill, should contact the Office of Financial Aid in Pierce Hall or Service EMU in the Student Center. Staff in both offices are available to check to ensure that students have received their maximum aid eligibility and award additional financial aid if eligible.

• Distinguished Faculty Awards: Nominations are still being taken for the Ronald W. Collins Distinguished Faculty Awards. Awards will be granted in the following categories: Teaching I, Teaching II, Research I, Research II, Service to the University and Creative Activity. Each award carries a $3,500 net stipend given as a one-time lump sum. All tenure-track and tenure faculty members are eligible to receive only one Distinguished Faculty Award. Nomination materials are available through campus departments and at www.emich.edu/public/aa/Info_Faculty.htm Nomination materials need to be submitted to the appropriate department head or program director no later than Monday, Jan. 12. Awards will be presented at the Faculty Awards Ceremony March 25. For more information, contact Don Loppnow, provost and executive vice president, at dloppnow@emich.edu

• Academic adviser training: The Academic Advising Center in 301 Pierce is offering a six-week Faculty & Staff Academic Adviser Training Program this winter semester. This is an intensive program emphasizing the details of the EMU catalog, general education, graduation requirements and needs of special student populations. The class will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon, starting Jan. 13 and running through Feb. 19, 2009. To RSVP, please contact Molly Weir, 487-2171, or e-mail molly.weir@emich.edu

• Tuition waiver deadline: The deadlines for employee and employee spouse/dependents tuition waiver application submission for Winter Term 2009 is Wednesday, Jan. 14. Failure to turn in an application on time will result in the application being denied. Please submit them to Human Resources, room 140, McKenny Hall. If you have any questions, please contact Karyn Jones, 487-3195.

• Alumni Award nominations sought: Do you know a graduate or friend of EMU who should be honored for distinction in their field or service to the University? Nominate them for a prestigious Alumni Award. Each year, EMU's Alumni Association honors individuals who have demonstrated the value of their college education through success in their field and post-college achievements, or through their continued interest in and support of EMU. All nominations must be submitted by Jan. 16. Awards will be presented Saturday, May 9, 2009, at the Ypsilanti Marriott at Eagle Crest. For more information about available awards or to download a nomination form, go to http://www.emich.edu/alumni/awards or contact the Office for Alumni Relations at 487-0250 or alumni.relations@emich.edu.

• WEMU is reader's choice: WEMU 89.1 FM was recently named best radio station for music by in the Reader's Choice Awards sponsored by the Ann Arbor News. WEMU also placed third in the category of best radio station/talk.

• Don't be S.A.D.; brighten your mood: During the fall/winter months, if you are feeling sad, anxious or having "empty moods, are less energetic and sleeping excessively or gaining weight, you may have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Light therapy may help make you feel better. Counseling Services provides free light therapy for the EMU community. For questions, contact Counseling Services, 487-1118, or go to www.emich.edu/uhs/counseling.html

• 2009 Undergraduate Symposium: The online submission of student nominations to present at the March 27th Undergraduate Symposium can be accessed through a link at the Symposium Web site www.emich.edu/symposium or directly at http://db1.emich.edu/symposium. The submission process will close in stages: students will no longer be able to access to the online system after 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009; and faculty sponsors will be "locked out" from making changes at 11:59 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19. These deadlines will come quickly after the start of winter term, so submit online nominations soon. For questions, call 487-3198 or e-mail wkivi@emich.edu.

• New FSA vendor: Effective Jan. 1, 2009, EMU will have a new Flexible Spending Account (FSA) administrator, named BASIC. EMU employees will receive confirmation of enrollment for calendar year 2009. Please be aware that you will receive a new debit card for the medical FSA prior to Jan. 1. The FSA card will be mailed in a plain envelope without a return address. Please do not mistake it for junk mail. There is an employee fee for replacement cards. The Ceridian debit card will no longer be in service after Dec. 31, 2008. Please destroy that card. You may still submit receipts for medical and dependent care expenses for calendar year 2008 to Ceridian until March 31, 2009. For more information, call the Benefits Office, 487-3195.

• Graduate adviser open house: You have earned your bachelor's degree and you probably have some work experience. That's a great start, but if you want to advance further in your career, a graduate degree from EMU could be just the advantage you need. Eastern Michigan University's first-ever open house for graduate students is scheduled Jan. 31, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Halle Library. Check-in is at the main floor library entrace. Refreshments will be served in the Carillon room, third floor. Informational sessions about the admissions process and programs of study are scheduled 11:30 a.m. to noon, room 320, Halle Library. Sessions about financial aid, graduate assistantships and doctoral fellowships are scheduled 12:15-1:45 p.m., room 302, Halle Library. An Academic Fair is scheduled 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., room 300, Halle Library. Graduate coordinators will be available to answer questions about all degree programs, admissions requirements, course offerings and anything you need to know about graduate study at eMU. For question, call 487-3060 or 1-800-468-6368; or e-mail graduate.admissions@emich.edu