July 8, 2008 issue
News Briefs

By Ron Podell

• EMU everywhere
• 2008 mileage rate increases
• Systems Portfolio submitted to Higher Learning Commission
• Counseling services for returning veterans, support staff
• Common read selection
• Office name change
• Return to Learn summer open house
• ELearning Training - Developing online courses and content
• New child booster seat law in effect
• Office of Nutrition Services opens this summer
• "Why I" feature subjects requested
• Robert Bailey retrospective at Ford Gallery

 

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

SUMMER PUSH: Eastern Michigan University recently launched a summer student enrollment marketing push that includes billboards entitled "1 Smart Move" in five counties along 11 major freeways and roads.

• EMU everywhere: Eastern Michigan University has launched a summer student enrollment marketing push. New radio ads will begin airing on area stations WDTW-1310 AM, WXYT-97.1 FM, WDRQ-93.1 FM, WDVD-96.3 FM and WWWW-102.9 FM; and a new billboard, titled "1 Smart Move," will be placed along 11 major freeways and roads in Wayne, Washtenaw, Oakland, Livingston and Macomb counties. On June 23, EMU will begin airing a new 30-second TV ad on cable stations MTV, VH1, BET, E!TV, A&E, Bravo and ESPN. For more information, contact Ted Coutilish, 487-2483.

• 2008 mileage rate increases: Under Issue Number IR-2008-82 from the Internal Revenue Service, as of July 1 through December 31, 2008, the standard mileage rate has increased from 50.5 cents per mile to 58.5 cents for all business miles. The University will reimburse up to the 58.5 cents per mile for business miles during these months. For questions, please contact the Accounts Payable Department, 487-0022.

• Systems Portfolio submitted to Higher Learning Commission: As part of EMU's accreditation process, a Systems Portfolio has been submitted to the Higher Learning Commission. This portfolio is the work of many faculty, staff, and administrators across all divisions and departments. It provides an overview of EMU as well as descriptions of processes used to address nine categories related to the five criteria for accreditation. It is available for down-loading at http://www.emich.edu/aqip/systemsportfolio.html

• Counseling services for returning veterans, support staff: Eastern Michigan University's Counseling Clinic in the College of Education is now offering free, short-term counseling services to veterans and civilian support staff who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Services include counseling to help veterans or support staff return to civilian life, job problems, career counseling and assessments, and coping with depression and anxiety. Advanced graduate students in a counseling program provide counseling in the College of Education Clinic, Porter Building. Experienced faculty, who are licensed professional counselors and psychologists, supervise all counseling. For more information, contact Dr. Perry Francis, 487-4410.

• Common read selection: Campus Life announced the selection of "Autobiography of a Face," by award-winning author Lucy Grealy, as this year's common read selection for all new freshmen. Faculty members who teach 100 and introductory courses, general education, honors and UNIV courses are encouraged to consider ways of incorporating the book into their fall semester classes. A variety of campus events related to the book's subject matter have been planned throughout fall semester. For more information or to participate in the program, call 487-3045, or go to http://www.emich.edu/campuslife/nsp/commonread.php.

• Office name change: As of July 1, Access Services, located in room 240K of the Student Center, officially changed its name to Students with Disabilities Office. For more information, call Lorraine Hallinen, 487-2470.

• Return to Learn summer open house: Adults interested in earning a college degree or who are looking for an advanced degree or certification can explore a wide range of opportunities during Eastern Michigan University's Return to Learn open house in Livonia, Wednesday, July 9. The open house is from 3-7 p.m., at EMU-Livonia, 38777 W. Six Mile Rd., west of I-275. Prospective students will learn about EMU, can apply for admission, and talk with advisers regarding academics, registration, financial aid, career services, veterans services and more. For more information or to register, call (734) 542-0866. To register online, go to http://www.emich.edu/returntolearn/ Walk-ins are welcome.

• ELearning Training - Developing online courses and content: Learn more about the exciting possibilities of eLearning in a relaxed, informative and collaborative setting at training offered once a week for three consecutive weeks. The training is designed for instructors who have never used an online course management system and are interested in
  developing a Web-enhancement, hybrid course or 100-percent online course. No specialized technical skills or abilities are needed to take part in the workshop or for instructors to develop an online offering. Participants who successfully complete the series are awarded a certificate of completion and typically implement their newly-developed course shell in the upcoming academic term. Workshops are scheduled Wednesdays, July 9-23, 1:30-3 p.m., Room G05, Boone Hall. For more information or to R.S.V.P., contact 487-1081 or e-mail emuonline@emich.edu

• New child booster seat law in effect: As of July 1, 2008, a new Michigan law mandates that all children be in a booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4'9" tall. Children must be in a seat until they reach the age requirement or the height requirement, whichever comes first. This is a primary enforcement law so a police officer can stop a vehicle if the officer sees an improperly restrained child and issue a citation. This could end up costing parents $65 to $165 in fines and fees for each unrestrained child in the vehicle. For more information about child passenger safety seats and the new law, please visit http://www.michigansafekids.org/

• NUTRITION HELP: The Office of Nutrition Services provides a number of health-related services for EMU faculty, staff and students. At the same time, students majoring in dietetics gain valuable experience.

  Office of Nutrition Services opens this summer: The Office of Nutrition Services, located in 108 Roosevelt Hall, will be open to serve faculty, staff and students during the summer semester. The office will be open every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Services include individual nutrition counseling, body composition and nutrient analysis. Student fees are $5 and faculty/staff fees are $10. For more information or to make an appointment, call 487-6572 or e-mail chhs_nutrition@emich.edu

• "Why I" feature subjects requested: If you know of an interesting faculty, staff member or administrator that you think would make an interesting "Why I" subject, please forward to Ron Podell at rpodell@emich.edu or call 487-4400. The employee must have worked at EMU for at least three years.

• Robert Bailey retrospective at Ford Gallery: Art from throughout artist Robert Bailey's career will be on exhibit July 14-25, Monday thru Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Ford Gallery. View drawings, paintings, computer art, lithography and ceramic painting from Bailey's most influential years. The show boasts a visual timeline complemented with articles and photos. The two-week-long homage to the artist shows a reflective timeline of Bailey's ever-changing art. A special meeting with Bailey is scheduled July 25, 5-8 p.m., Ford Gallery. For more information, call Ford Gallery, 487-0465.