Focus EMU Online: People

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

SENIOR ISSUES: EMU ElderQuest continues to host
its inaugual Elder Week conference on issues that
relate to senior citizens Oct. 13-14, in the Student
Center.

ElderQuest Conference: EMU ElderQuest continues to host its inaugural Elder Week conference on issues that relate to senior citizens, Tuesday, Oct. 13, and Wednesday, Oct. 14, in the Student Center. Speakers include members from various community and professional organizations, such as Elderwise and Catholic Social Services, as well as EMU faculty. Seminars will cover topics such as learning later in life, effects of volunteerism, leisure activities, and images of the elderly in literature, film and comics.
"Our goal is to expand people's awareness of how lives change as they transition into the third major phase of life," said Ian Andrews, director of EMU's Elderquest Program and a professor at EMU. "The focus of these seminars is to inform the public about the current issues that are transpiring with our aging population and to make people aware of the resources available in their community."

Community organizations such as SOS, Elderwise, the EMU Gerontology Program, and Extended Programs and Educational Outreach will provide resource information.

ElderQuest is a non-profit program at EMU designed to provide a welcoming environment for persons 50 years and older and to provide these individuals with an opportunity to fully participate in campus programs and activities.

The ElderQuest program has two primary components. One is to offer one-half tuition and a reduction of fees for anyone over the age of 65. This includes graduate and undergraduate coursework, taken for degree and non-degree purposes, at any of the EMU campuses. The second component of the program offers unique civic engagement opportunities in various campus-based programs and departments.
The conference is free and open to the public. For further information, contact Andrews at iwojcik@emich.edu or 487-0227.

Associate VP for Student Affairs and enrollment management open forums: The campus community is invited to attend open presentations/forums for candidates for associate vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. The schedule is as follows: Robert Seltzer, Special Assistant for Enrollment Management, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 1:30-2:30 p.m., room 330, Student Center; Lisa Shaffer, Director of Student Services, School of Hotel Administration, Cornell University, Thursday, Oct. 15, 1:30-2:30 p.m., room 350, Student Center; and Anthony Jenkins, Dean of Students, University of Houston-Clear Lake, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 1-2 p.m., room 310A, Student Center. For further information, contact Teri Papp, 487-2390.

HOOP THRILLS: The EMU men's and
women's basketball teams officially kick
off the 2009-2010 hoops season with a
"Thriller Madness" event for fans Friday,
Oct. 16, 9-11 p.m., Convocation Center.

Thriller Madness: Join the EMU men's and women's basketball teams for "Thriller Madness" Friday, Oct. 16, 9-11 p.m., Convocation Center. Come support your EMU's basketball teams as they tip off the 2009-10 season with a tribute to the King of Pop in "Thriller Madness." Doors open at 9 p.m. and the festivities will include autographs and photos with both teams, a behind-the- scenes tour of the Convocation Center (including team locker rooms), the Eagle Nation 3-point Challenge (open to all fans), and a Michael Jackson impersonation contest. Groups of two or more are encouraged to perform their best Michael Jackson routine with great prizes for the winners. Interested groups can sign-up by visiting http://www.emueagles.com/promotions

Club Halle

Club Halle initiative: Student Government would like to invite faculty and staff to the Late Night Breakfast kickoff for Club Halle, the 24-hour library initiative at 10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18. If you are interested in volunteering as a server for the event, please contact Student Government at student.government@emich.edu. More information about the Late Night Breakfast and Club Halle initiative can be found on the Student Government Web page at emich.edu/studentgov

EMU Open Enrollment Period and Flexible Spending Account: Eastern Michigan University’s Open Enrollment period is scheduled Oct. 19-30. The “Health Care Options” booklet will be mailed to every benefits-eligible employee’s department. This booklet will provide specific information on each of the available health plans. The effective date of any coverage change will be Jan. 1, 2010. For questions, please contact the Benefits Office at 487-3195. Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Open Enrollment is scheduled Oct. 19-30. If you wish to have an FSA for calendar year 2010, you must enroll during this time. FSA’s for 2009 will end Dec. 31, 2009. For enrollment information,please contact the Benefits Office at 487-3195.

Open enrollment for Short-Term Disability: The Open Enrollment Period for the Short-Term Disability benefit for CS employees is scheduled Monday, Oct. 19, through Friday, Oct. 30. During this time, clerical/secretarial employees who did not enroll in the Short-Term Disability benefit when initially offered will have the opportunity to enroll, with coverage becoming effective Jan. 1, 2010. Any enrollments will require a Statement of Health to be completed. CS employees who are interested in this benefit must complete an enrollment application and a Statement of Health. These must be turned in by Oct. 30. There is a cost to the benefit of $7.58 per month. CS employees who are currently enrolled in the plan need to do nothing. This benefit is administered by MetLife, which offers a dedicated customer response center; a toll free number to initiate claims (1-800-858-6506); seamless transition from Short-Term Disability to Long-Term Disability. Any questions can be directed to either Karyn Jones or the Benefits Office at 487-3195.

Jay-Z in concert at Convo Center: Rapper Jay-Z performs in concert Wednesday, Oct. 21, 8 p.m., Convocation Center. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets to see the multiple Grammy Award winner are $25 with a valid EMU student I.D. Limit two tickets. Tickets for the general public are now on sale, Convocation Center. Tickets are $75, $50 or $35. For tickets, call 487-2282 or go to emutix.com

Fields

Teaching Excellence Awards: Eastern Michigan University's Alumni Association will partner with MEEMIC Insurance Company and the Krumm Agency, LLC, in celebrating EMU's outstanding professors. The 19th Annual Teaching Excellence Awards will take place Saturday, Oct. 24, 9:30 a.m., in the Student Center Ballroom. This year's recipients are: Pirooz Aghssa, communication, media and theatre arts; Doris Fields, communication, media and theatre arts; Edward I. Sidlow, political science; Shel Levine, health promotion and human performance; Paul T. Majeske, School of Technology Studies; James E. Barott, education leadership; Karen M. Paciorek, teacher education; and Alicia Li, special education. Tickets are $15 per person or $8 for students. For tickets, contact the Office for Alumni Relations, 487-0250, or e-mail alumni.relations@emich.edu.

Distinguished Faculty Award nominations sought: Nominations for the 2009 Ron W. Collins Distinguished Faculty Awards are now being sought. These awards give the University community the opportunity to recognize outstanding faculty who excel in their professional academic life. Awards are granted in the categories of: Teaching I, Teaching II, Research I, Research II, Service to the University and Creative Activity. The guidelines, deadlines and nomination forms for the 2009 Ronald W. Collins Distinguished Faculty Awards can be found online at http://www.emich.edu/public/aa/faculty.html. Please share this information with the appropriate people and/or committees within your department or area. The awards will be presented at the Faculty Awards Ceremony March 24, 2010. For questions, contact Akosua Dow at adow3@emich.edu or call 487-0889.