Oct. 23, 2007 issue
News Briefs

By Ron Podell

• Disco Drive
• Enjoy "Flashback" Homecoming Week
• Seventh Annual Alumni Social
• Purchasing card change
• Homecoming 2007 decorating contest
• Flu shot satellite clinics offered
• Architectural engineering firms to vie for Mark Jefferson Science Complex project
• Halloween concert set for Oct. 26
• Explore Eastern scheduled oct. 27
• Budget information available
• Thanksgiving dinner tickets on sale
• Healthcare rates for riders

 

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

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: The Homecoming Committee is sponsoring "Disco Drive," a food drive in support of Food Gatherers.

• Disco Drive: The Homecoming Committee is sponsoring "Disco Drive," a food drive in support of Food Gatherers. There are many ways faculty, staff and students can get involved. Bring a can to the Oct. 25 pep rally for a chance to win an iPod. Drop-off locations are at Pray-Harrold, the Student Center, Halle Library, Mark Jefferson and at the Homecoming game against Western Michigan Oct. 27. Non-perishables, canned goods, noodles, breakfast foods and snacks are sought. Teams can sign up at http://www.emich.edu/vision/mss.html

• Enjoy "Flashback" Homecoming Week: Dust off those platform shoes and Members Only jackets; the 1970's and 1980's are back! The celebration continues this week through the big football game and beyond Saturday, Oct. 27, when the Eagles kick off against the Western Michigan Broncos, 3:30 p.m. at Rynearson Stadium. For a complete schedule of events, go to www.emich.edu/homecoming.

• Seventh Annual Staff Alumni Social: Are you an Eastern Michigan graduate who works at EMU? Come celebrate your flashback spirit at this year's Staff Alumni Social, hosted by the Office for Alumni Relations. This event is scheduled Tuesday, Oct. 23, 4-6 p.m., University House. Light refreshments will be provided. Business casual attire. Limited parking is available at University House. Additional parking is available at Convocation Center Lot C. To R.S.V.P., contact the Office for Alumni relations, 487-0250, or e-mail alumni.relations@emich.edu.

• Purchasing card change: The University has changed banks for the Purchasing Card program. Existing Comerica Purchasing Cards are valid through the end of October. The purchasing department will distribute new JP Morgan Chase Purchasing Cards Friday, Oct. 26, 9-11 a.m., Student Center Auditorium, and 1-3 p.m., Halle Auditorium. The format will include an overview of the new program, user information gathering, Comerica card collection and distribution   of Chase cards. If you are unable to attend one of the sessions, cards will be available at the purchasing department Monday, Oct. 29. New cards will be issued only to the cardholder identified on the card. Additionally, training for details about online access to cardholder account information for all cardholders and approvers is required. Training sessions will be offered by ICT training services. For information, contact Cynthia Palombit, purchasing card administrator, 487-6936.

GET IN THE SPIRIT: The office for Alumni Relations hosts the popular Homecoming Decorating contest again this year. (above) The College of Tecnology, located in Sill Hall, won last year's door decorating contest.

• Homecoming 2007 decorating contest: The Office for Alumni Relations will host the popular Homecoming Decorating Contest again this year. Gather your colleagues and compete against other offices by showing off your EMU spirit. Departments/offices may participate in one of two categories: best office or best office door. Judging will take place Oct. 24. Winners will receive a monetary donation to the department's general fund, free office lunch and possession of the winner's plaque for one year. Registration forms have been distributed in campus mail bags. For more information, contact the Office for Alumni Relations, 487-0250.

• Flu shot satellite clinics offered: University Health Services is offering EMU employees the opportunity to be proactive and keep themselves healthy today. Flu shots are available at satellite locations on the following dates and times: Wednesday, Oct. 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., room 104, Student Center; Monday, Oct. 29, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., room 473, College of Business; and Monday, Nov. 5, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., fourth floor, media center, Pierce Hall. Cost is $30 per person. Payment options at satellite clinics include check, student account or faculty/staff payroll deduction. For more information, call 487-1122.

• Architectural engineering firms to vie for Mark Jefferson Science Complex project: The Mark Jefferson Science Complex Executive Committee and Advisory Committee will host architectural engineering firm interviews Friday, Oct. 26, 201 Welch. The EMU community is invited to attend. Each interview will be two hours, with the first hour consisting of the firms' presentation and the second hour serving as a question-and-answer session. The schedules are as follows: Harley Ellis Deveraux, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m; Holibird & Root, 1:15-2:30 p.m.; and Lord, Aeck, Sargent, 3-4:15 p.m. Please not the time changes. For questions, contact Scott Storrar, 487-5249.

COME IN COSTUME: This mother and daughter walk the stage during last year's Halloween concert. Having the audience show up in costume is encouraged. This year's concert is scheduled Friday, Oct. 26, 7 p.m., in Pease Auditorium.

• Halloween concert set for Oct. 26: Kevin Miller and the EMU Symphony Orchestra present an entertaining evening of astonishing surprises and spooky music during the annual Halloween concert Friday, Oct. 26, 7 p.m., Pease Auditorium. The audience is invited to come in costume. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, and $6 for children under 12. For information, call 487-2255.

• Explore Eastern scheduled Oct. 27: Eastern Michigan University's Explore Eastern is a great way for high school students, transfer students and graduate students to learn about EMU and how an EMU education can launch the path to their future. The next Explore Eastern event is scheduled Saturday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The day begins at the EMU Student Center. For more information, call 1-800-GO-TO-EMU. To register, go to http://www.emich.edu/admissions/register/eereg.html

• Budget information available: In order to provide a better financial overview of the University, the office of business and finance is putting budget and financial statement information online. Go to www.emich.edu/budget/files/index.php. For questions on the budget, contact Veda Jenkins, 487-3226. For financial statements, go to www.emich.edu/controller/docs/financials2007.pdf. For questions about financial statements, contact Doris Celian, 487-0324.

• Thanksgiving dinner tickets on sale: Tickets for the 23rd Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon are now on sale. Guests will enjoy roast turkey, carved to order, with all the holiday trimmings Nov. 13, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., EMU Student Center Grand Ballroom. This year, tickets must be purchased either in person or by phone (no e-mails). Cost is $12.50 for faculty and staff, and $11 for students. Tickets may be purchased Monday-Friday at the following locations: Convocation Center, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the Student Center Ticket Office, noon to 9 p.m.; or the Quirk-Sponberg Theatres Ticket Office, noon to 5 p.m. All ticket offices share the same phone number 487-2282 (as always, first-come, first-serve). Cash, check, charge card, banner numbers and requisitions will be accepted. Seatings are limited for each buffet. Fifty cents from each ticket will be donated to Food Gatherers. For more information, contact Linda Panzica, 487-4180.

• Healthcare rates for riders: The Benefits Office announces rider rates for 2008. These pre-tax deductions will be: for CS/FM/PS employees, $234.28 monthly; for AC/AP/CC/PT employees, $206.51 monthly for PPO Option 1 and $231.74 monthly for PPO Option 2. Enrollment forms are due by Nov. 2. For information, contact Jeanette Hassan, 487-3195 or jhassan@emich.edu.