Oct. 30, 2007 issue
News Briefs

By Ron Podell

• Nominations sought for Ronald W. Collins Distinguished Faculty Awards
• International Education Week
• Swipple Presents
• New Faculty Exhibition
• Budget information available
• Thanksgiving dinner tickets on sale
• FSA open enrollment reminder

 

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

• Nominations sought for Ronald W. Collins Distinguished Faculty Awards: The provost's office is accepting nominations for the 2007 Ronald W. Collins Awards. These awards give the University community the opportunity to recognize faculty who excel in their professional academic life.

FACULTY EXCELLENCE: These EMU faculty took home the Ronald W. Collins Distinguished Faculty Awards during the 2007 Week of Excellence. From left, Ann Orr, assistant professor of special education (Teaching I Award); Linda Lewis-White, professor of teacher education (Teaching II Award); Gregg Barak, professor of sociology, anthropology and criminology (Scholarly/Creative Activity); and Jessica "Decky" Alexander (Service to the University), associate professor of communication and theatre arts.

This year, two additional awards have been added and one category changed. In addition to the Teaching I, Teaching II, and Service to the University Awards, the Creative/Scholarly Activity Award has been split into two Research Awards (Research I and Research II), divided by years of service at EMU, and a Creative Activity Award. This new configuration of awards is intended to expand the ways in which faculty at EMU may be recognized and rewarded for their outstanding work, and to express support for the value of all areas of scholarship.

Each award carries a $3,500 net stipend given as a one-time lump sum (not included in the faculty member's base salary). All tenure-track and tenure faculty members are eligible to receive only one EMU Ronald W. Collins Distinguished Faculty Award.

Nominations are to be submitted to the appropriate head or director by Jan. 4, 2008. Awards will be presented at the Faculty Awards Ceremony March 26, 2008, Student Center Ballroom A.

For questions, call Akosua Slough, 487-3200 or e-mail her at akosua.slough@emich.edu

• International Education Week: Mark your calendars. International   Education Week is Nov. 12-17. A calendar of events will follow in the next few weeks. If you are planning any events for this week, please consider an international theme. The Office of International Students would like to advertise any programs along with the week's events. If you have any program ideas or would like to participate, please contact Russ Sommer, Office of International Students, at rsommer@emich.edu

• Swipple Presents: "Swipple Presents: New Faces and Old Favorites" continues through Nov. 19, Ford Gallery. Jason Wright founded Swipple, an artists' collective and online gallery of academically trained and self-taught artists. For information, call Larry Newhouse, 487-0465, 487-1077, or e-mail him at larry.newhouse@emich.edu

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? Brooks Stevens, a faculty member in Eastern Michigan University's Art Department, poses with her work "I Know You Can Hear Me BUT AreYou Listening " The work is one of 14 on display as part of the New Faculty Exhibition, which continues through Nov. 14 in the University Art Gallery in the Student Center.

• New Faculty Exhibition: The art department's New Faculty Exhibition runs through Nov. 14, University Art Gallery, Student Center. This exhibition features the work of art department faculty hired within the last five years. Works include serigraphy, oil paintings, digital video and large-scale installations. For information, call Larry Newhouse, 487-0465, 487-1077, or e-mail him at larry.newhouse@emich.edu

• 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.

HOLIDAY CELEBRATION: Eastern Michigan University employees enjoy last year's Thanksgiving dinner. This year's event is scheduled Nov. 13, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Student Center Grand Ballroom.

• 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. In addition, you are encouraged to bring canned goods, which will be donated to Food Gatherers. For more information, contact Linda Panzica, 487-0406.

• FSA open enrollment reminder: The open enrollment period for the Flexible Spending Account is in progress through Friday, Nov. 2. The enrollment kit and information about the new Flexible Spending Account debit card are located are the Human Resources Web site at http://www.emich.edu/hr/benefits/FSA.html. Print off the enrollment forms and submit to the Benefits Office by Nov. 2. Those who previously had a Flexible Spending Account must re-enroll each calendar year. For questions, Contact the Benefits Office, 487-3195.