March 6, 2007 issue
News Briefs

By Ron Podell

• EMU plans to launch Eagle Discount program
• Open forums scheduled
• Graduate Student Art Show runs through March 30
• Distinguished Speaker Series
• DPS temporarily moved
• Academic Service-Learning Faculty Fellows sought
• EMU Day in Lansing
• Faculty and Tutor Appreciation Day nominations sought
• WEMU pledge drive volunteers needed
• Get fit
• Relay for Life

 

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

• EMU plans to launch Eagle Discount Card program: The EMU Office of Marketing and Communications is in the early stages of launching the Eagle Discount Program with Ypsilanti businesses. The program would work like this: Participating Ypsilanti businesses would offer a discount of their choosing to EMU employees, students and alumni who show their Eagle ID card. Businesses would benefit from increased customer traffic at no cost while EMU would benefit by having its school colors and paraphernalia displayed in participating Ypsilanti businesses to increase the University's exposure with the city. All types of businesses — except those that sell tobacco products, promote sex or gambling, or solely liquor — are welcome to participate. Look for future updates in EMU Today and FOCUS EMU. For more information about the program, contact Ted Coutilish, 487-2483, or e-mail him at ted.coutilish@emich.edu.

• Open forums scheduled: There will be two open forums hosted this week. The first meeting is Wednesday, March 7, 6-7:30 p.m., in Ballroom A, Student Center. The second open forum is scheduled Thursday, March 8, 3-4:30 p.m., room 320, Student Center. The forums are open to faculty, staff and students. For more information, visit the EMU homepage at http://www.emich.edu

THICKER THAN WATER: From left, art lecturer Trisha Lloyd and graduate student Lisa Baum, of Garden City, discuss Gypsy Schindler's oil painting, "Thicker Than Water," at the opening reception of the Graduate Student Art Exhibition. The exhibit runs through March 30 in Ford Gallery.

• Graduate Student Art Show runs through March 30: The Graduate Student Art Show runs through March 30, in Ford Gallery. This exhibiton features the work of the art department's graduate students and coincides with the annual Graduate Research Fair. A variety of media and concentrations are represented. All art is eligible for the Graduate Research Fair's Artistic Excellence Awards. The award-winning works are purchased by the Graduate School and become part of EMU's permanent collection. For information, call Larry Newhouse, 487-0465 or 487-1077; or e-mail larry.newhouse@emich.edu

• Distinguished Speaker Series: The Clinical Research Administration Distinguished Speaker Series continues Thursday, March 8, 7:30 p.m., St. Joseph's Hospital Education Center Auditorium. Ananda Chakrabarty, distinguished professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, presents "Drugs, Intellectual Property Protection and Business Development in an Academic Setting." For more information, call Stephen Sonstein, 487-1238, or e-mail him at stephen.sonstein@emich.edu

• DPS temporarily moved: The Department of Public Safety, police, parking, and health and safety will temporarily relocate to the ground floor of Pittman Hall until renovations are complete at the parking structure. For questions, call Anita Amrhein, 487-0892.

• Academic Service-Learning Faculty Fellows sought: Attention full-time tenure track faculty: Are you interested in experiential education? Would it be rewarding for your students to gain course knowledge through a mutually beneficial partnership with a nonprofit organization within the community? Have you considered sending your students into the community for some 'hands-on' experience? Apply to become an Academic Service-Learning Faculty Fellow for fall 2007. To request an application, please contact kstacey@emich.edu or call 487-6570. Accepted faculty will have one course release time for fall 2007; a weekly two-hour, semester-long seminar of sharing, exploring, and learning about AS-L with four other faculty members; laughter, challenge, and collegiality; and a revised course syllabus, which includes an AS-L experience. Deadline for receipt of application is Wednesday, March 7.

PROUD OF EMU: Eastern Michigan University Vice President Jim Vick, Steve Holda, executive assistant to the president, and EMU alumnus Hayes Jones, a 1964 Olympic gold medalist, show their school spirit in Lansing. This year's EMU Day in Lansing is scheduled May 9.

• EMU Day in Lansing: Help spread the good word about EMU! A special "EMU Day in Lansing" is scheduled Wednesday, May 9. If you are interested in being part of a team that will visit with state legislators May 9, we want to hear from you. Interested faculty/staff members should contact the Office of Government Relations by e-mailing Holly Smith at holly.smith@emich.edu or by calling 487-7048 to sign up to participate in this event. The day's activities will begin with a breakfast at the Capitol at 9 a.m., followed by teams (consisting of faculty, staff, students and alumni) meeting with individual legislators until 4 p.m. Training and materials will be provided. Please sign up to participate by Wednesday, April 18.

• Faculty and Tutor Appreciation Day nominations sought: Holman Learning Center (HLC) is now accepting nominations for their 2006-07 Faculty and Tutor Appreciation Day program, scheduled April 3. This program will recognize and reward faculty, lecturers, HLC tutors and Supplemental Instruction leaders who have demonstrated outstanding teaching and learning strategies both in and out of the classroom. The deadline for all nominations is Friday, March 16, at 5 p.m. To learn more about Faculty and Tutor Appreciation Day and how to nominate someone for this award, visit www.tlc.emich.edu. For general questions about the program, call 487-2133.

SIGN UP: WEMU needs volunteers for its spring pledge drive, scheduled March 23- 31. Volunteers work two-hour shifts and are fed.

• WEMU pledge drive volunteers needed: Sign up now for your preferred phone shift for WEMU's spring pledge drive that takes place 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Friday, March 23, through Friday, March 30; and Saturday, March 31, 6 a.m.-4 p.m. Shifts are a minimum of two consecutive hours and we promise to feed you well. To volunteer, call Molly Motherwell, 487-2229.

• Get fit: The Rec/IM is currently offering the "Total Fitness and Aerobics" program at half price. Enjoy all of the classes for $32.50. To participate in this program, you must be a member of the Rec/IM. All fitness levels welcome. For questions, contact Barb Figurski, 487-1338, e-mail barb.figurski@emich.edu, or online at www.emich.edu/recim

• Relay for Life: The American Cancer Society will kick-off the Ypsilanti Community Relay for Life with an informational meeting Thursday, March 15, 7 p.m., Ypsilanti District Library. Come find out how to join the EMU team or start your own. The Relay for Life is scheduled June 23-24 at Riverside Park in Depot Town. For information, call Cathie McClure, 487-2390.