Oct. 27, 2009 issue
News Briefs

By Ron Podell

• A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
• Electronic W-2 consent
• EMU Open Enrollment Period and Flexible Spending Account
• EMU Open Enrollment for Short-Term Disability
• Continuing Education scholarships available
• Contemporary Art Exhibition continues
• Student Center parking lot closed
• Native American Fall Feast
• Special benefits from Chase
• AQIP Action Projects sought

 

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

• A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: The EMU Theatre season kicks off with Stephen Sondheim's Tony Award-winning musical, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," Oct. 29-31, 7 p.m., Quirk Theatre. Pirooz Aghssa directs this farce, inspired by the works of the ancient Roman playwright Plautus (251-183 B.C.) and accounts the raucous, libidinous story of Roman slave Pseudolus, as he tries to win his freedom by helping his master, Hero, find love. Appropriate for ages 12 and up. For tickets, call 487-2282 or you can purchase them at the Convocation Center, Student Center ticket office or the Quirk Box Office.

• Electronic W-2 consent: In its continuing effort to GO GREEN, Payroll is now offering employees the opportunity to receive their W-2 electronically instead of being printed and mailed. Employees can consent to receive their electronic W-2 in Employee Self Service (ESS). For more information, go to: http://www.emich.edu/finserv/payroll/index.html or contact Payroll at 487-2393.

• EMU Open Enrollment period and Flexible Spending Account: Eastern Michigan University's Open Enrollment period is scheduled through Friday, Oct. 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. FSAs for 2009 will end Dec. 31, 2009. For enrollment information, please contact the Benefits Office at 487-3195.

• EMU Open Enrollment for Short-Term Disability: The Open Enrollment Period for the Short-Term Disability benefit for CS employees is scheduled 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 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.

• Continuing Education scholarships available: Five scholarships are available for students studying through Continuing Education. Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in any of the programs offered through Continuing Education during the winter or spring 2010 terms are eligible. The application deadline is Nov. 1, 2009. An online application form is available at ep.emich.edu/scholarships

• A WOMAN AND HER DOG: "Ellen and Nellie," an oil on panel painting by artist Joseph Begnaud, is part of the Contemporary Art exhibit on display in Ford Gallery.

  Contemporary Art exhibit continues: "Contemporary Art," an invitational survey of contemporary painting, features the work of artists from across the nation working in a variety of paint media and approaches, continues through Thursday, Nov. 5, in Ford Gallery. Curated by EMU faculty Michael Reedy and Amy Sacksteder, the exhibit features the work of local, regional and national artists. The exhibition investigates the role of painting in today’s art world with no restrictions on scale, media, and subject matter. For more information, call 487-0465 or e-mail Jennifer Locke at jlocke1@emich.edu

• Student Center parking lot closed: The Student Center parking lot A1 will be partially closed through Monday, Nov. 2, for a roofing project scheduled at Hill and Pittman Halls. Alternative parking is available in Green Lot 1 and 2. For questions, contact Travis Temeyer, physical plant, 487-3380.

• Native American Fall Feast: Usher in this time of harvest and celebration during the Native American Fall Feast Monday, Nov. 2, 6 p.m., room 310 A/B, Student Center. Blue Lake will be the featured drumming circle. There will be free food sponsored by Student Government. Canned goods will be collected during the event to be donated to local food banks in the area. The event is organized by the Native American Student Organization, The Center for Multicultural Affairs and Diversity and Community Involvement. For more information, contact the CMA, 487-2377, by e-mail at cma.dci@emich.edu or go to www.emich.edu/cma.

• Special benefits from Chase: Eastern Michigan University staff and faculty members will be able to receive better rates, more rewards and bigger discounts in one convenient banking package by becoming a JP Morgan Chase customer. Representatives from Chase Bank will be located in front of the EMU bookstore in the Student Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, and Wednesday, Oct. 28, Please stop by to find out how you can take advantage of these special features. For more information, call Benefits,487-3195.

• AQIP Action Projects sought: EMU’s Continuous Improvement Operations Council (CIOC) requests proposals for AQIP Action Projects to be implemented in January 2010 and beyond. The CIOC will review proposals at its December 2009 meeting. Any member of the EMU community (student, faculty, staff, or administrator) can propose an Action Project. Action Projects are concrete, specific continuous improvement projects that address an EMU area of functioning that can be improved. The project should identify evidence supporting need for improvement. Ideally, an Action Project will document measurable improvement over a period of six months to three years. Additional information can be found at http://www.emich.edu/aqip/index.html, and the application form can be found at http://www.emich.edu/aqip/actionproject1.html. Proposals are evaluated on clarity of the problem definition, relationship to one or more AQIP categories, feasibility of implementation within a relatively short time, consistency with the EMU mission, level of collaboration in the implementation plan, and clarity of criteria for success. For more information, please contact Jeanne Thomas at 487-7120, extension 2742; or e-mail jeanne.thomas@emich.edu.