Focus EMU Online: People

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

Campus e-mail selection committee identifies two products: The campus-wide committee charged with developing a recommendation for a new university e-mail system has narrowed its consideration list to two products: Google Apps for Education (Gmail) and MeritMail (Zimbra). After significant research and testing, the following products have been eliminated from consideration: Windows Live, Novell Groupwise and Microsoft Exchange.

E-MAIL OPTION: Google Apps
for Education (Gmail) is one of
two e-mail options currently
being considered by a campus-
wide commitee charged with
developing a recommendation
for a new university e-mail
system. Zimbra's MeritMail is
the other option.

The committee, which includes students as well as faculty and staff from every division throughout the University, expects to conduct further research on both Gmail and Zimbra, and make a single recommendation to the chief information officer and the Strategic Operations Council sometime in April. The committee's final report will include details of the process; the selection criteria; research, testing and customer reviews; the rationale for the recommendation, including usability, appeal, integration parameters, expected costs and infrastructure/technology requirements; a migration plan and timeline; and recommendations regarding campus communication and training. Though some new policies may need to be developed, the selection committee has not been charged with policy development.

The overall goal is to have the new system ready for university-wide rollout in Fall 2008. If you would like to set up a free test account on either of the two products currently under consideration, please visit mail.google.com or www.zimbra.com. Test accounts on these systems may not have the full feature set that will be available to EMU. Please remember that whatever system we select, EMU users will retain their @emich.edu e-mail addresses.

If you have any questions about the process or the progress of the committee, please contact selection_committee@emich.edu.

Open forums with CAS dean candidates: Candidates for dean of the College of Arts and Sciences will participate in open forums for the University community. The schedule is as follows: Thomas Venner, professor and head, art department, Eastern Michigan University, Tuesday, March 25; and Jude Nixon, director, The Honors College, Oakland University, Monday, March 31. All forums are scheduled 3:30-4:30 p.m., with the first five in 201 Welch Hall; and the final candidate, on March 31, meeting in room G03, Halle Library. A group site, CAS_Dean_Search_Public, has been set up at my.emich. This group has reference material for each candidate and after his or her visit to campus, will have an audio file of their material. For more information, contact David Woike, department head of music and dance, 487-0244, or dwoike@emich.edu

Faculty Colloquium scheduled March 26: For the first time ever, a Faculty Colloquium will be part of the "Salute to Excellence" Week. Oral presentations will take place Wednesday, March 26, noon to 1:15 p.m. and 1:30-2:45 p.m., rooms 301 and 304 (both times), Student Center. Poster presentations run 12:30-2 p.m., room 300, Student Center. This showcase will give faculty an opportunity to share their creative and scholarly work in a conference-like setting with the EMU community. This event precedes the Faculty Excellence Awards. For more information, call Akosua Slough, 487-0889.

MACABRE MAKEUP: Eastern
Michigan University students Josh
Hamilton and Luna Alexander
perform during a scene of "Brecht
on Brecht." The EMU Theatre
production has scheduled
performances March 28-29 and
April 3-5.

Brecht on Brecht: EMU Theatre presents "Brecht on Brecht," March 28-29 and April 3-5, 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 30, 3 p.m., Sponberg Theatre. The performance is an eclectic mix of songs, poems, scenes and other musings by one of the 20th century's most influential playwrights. Tickets cost $15 for general admission, $12 for students and $9 for mainstage patrons. Tickets are available by phone, 487-2282, or at the Convocation Center, the Student Center ticket office or the Quirk Box Office. For more information, call 487-1220.

The Scoop on Swoop: Join the Office for Alumni Relations, along with Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD), as they get 'The Scoop on Swoop' Saturday, March 29, 10:30 a.m. to noon, room 330, EMU Student Center. Guests will learn about eagles like Swoop and other hunters of the sky during a presentation by the Leslie Science Center. Attendees will get the rare opportunity to see a living hawk, owl, falcon, and eagle up close. The presentation will be followed by a snack, an organized eagle craft and a visit from Swoop himself. For more information or to R.S.V.P., contact the Office for Alumni Relations, 487-0250, or visit http://www.emich.edu/alumni/gold/rsvp/

WEMU needs volunteers: WEMU needs volunteers to answer phones and take pledges during the Spring On-Air Pledge Drive Friday, April 4, through 6 p.m. Saturday, April 12. Shifts are a minimum of two consecutive hours and run from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m daily (1 a.m. Sunday and Monday; 2 a.m. Fridays). Watch WEMU hosts in action; eat great food donated by area restaurants and businesses; and student groups may receive community service credit. To sign up, call 487-2229 or e-mail lsigarto@emich.edu.

Explore Eastern: Eastern Michigan University's next Explore Eastern event is Saturday, April 5. High school seniors can receive an onsite admissions decision. Just bring your official high school transcript in a sealed envelope, and official ACT or SAT scores. EMU will let you know how you can become an Eagle! Once you apply, your name will be entered into a drawing to receive 12 credit hours of free in-state equivalent tuition. For transfer students, EMU will waive the normal application fee, and the student's name will be entered into a drawing to receive six credit hours of free, in-state equivalent tuition. For more information, go to http://www.emich.edu/explore/

The Harlem Globetrotters

Globetrotters tickets available: The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their 2008 "Magic As Ever" World Tour back to Auburn Hills, Sunday, April 6, 3 p.m., Palace of Auburn Hills. Tickets are available for $10. To purchase tickets, call (248) 377-8228 or go to http://www.mycompanyoffer.com. To reserve your ticket, give the offer code, EASTE1886POH.

National Survey of Student Engagement: If you have received an e-mail invitation from Don Loppnow, EMU's provost and executive vice president, to participate in a survey from the National Survey of Student Engagement, please take 15 minutes to complete it. The survey will help EMU learn more about current students' academic activities and experiences on campus. Selected freshmen and seniors have received the survey via e-mail. For questions, call 487-8735.

Ruperez

Gala reception for Spain's Consul General: EMU, the Department of Foreign Languages and the Honorary Cousul of Spain, will host a gala reception for the honorable Javier Ruperez, Friday, April 18, 7 p.m. to midnight, room 310 A & B, Student Center. Ruperez, former ambassador of Spain to the U.S. and the United Nations, is currently the Consul General of Spain. The event is by invitation only. Consul generals from various countries, business executives, community leaders, EMU faculty, administrators and alumni will attend the event. The cost is $60 per guest. Business attire is required. If you wish to attend, please R.S.V.P. to lvitale1@emich.edu or abaker13@emich.edu no later than March 31. Seating is limited.

EMU Leadershape: For the past seven years, Eastern Michigan University has hosted a campus-based session of the LeaderShape® Institute. Each session is comprised of approximately 60 EMU student participants representing diverse ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds. Participants vary from first-year students who are just getting their feet wet, to upperclass students who have been presidents of student organizations. If you are interested in taking advantage of this intensive leadership experience, applications are currently
available at http://www.emich.edu/campuslife/leadership/index.php For questions, e-mail emu_leadershape@emich.edu