Eastern Michigan University: EMU TODAY

See the University Calendar for events through 2008

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

NOTES AND QUOTES

Note: On this date in 1986, “The Oprah Winfrey Show” aired for the first time. This daytime talk show was the top-rated talk show for years and also has the distinction of being the first talk show hosted by an African-American woman.

Quote: "As you become more clear about who you really are, you'll be better able to decide what is best for you — the first time around." — Oprah Winfrey

SPECIAL NOTICES

*FOCUS EMU ON THE WEB: Eastern Michigan University's Homeocming festivities take ona country/western flavor this year. Check out the lineup of events leading up to the Sept. 27 Homecoming game against Northern Illinois. Proponents of peace and a Pulitzer Prize winner will visit the Convocation Center this fall. Find out who's coming. And this week's "Why I" is a lecturer II in the English department. For these and other stories, check out the Sept. 9 issue of FOCUS EMU tomorrow at www.emich.edu/focus_emu/

NEW BILLBOARDS: Eastern Michigan University and the EMU-AAUP have teamed to create
a billboard campaign to further promote awareness of EMU's brand slogan: "Education First". Nine billboards, located along major roads and freeways throughout Washtenaw County, have been placed and will appear throughout September and October. The billboards read: "EMU Faculty + EMU Students = Education First".

ONLINE DEPARTMENT DIRECTORY REVISIONS: Revising your online departmental directory is as easy as copy, paste, and e-mail. COPY the department listing of the online directory that needs to be revised. PASTE it to a Word document to make the revisions. E-MAIL the revised document as an attachment to: dept_directory@emich.edu. Please make sure the subject of the e-mail contains only the department name. The list of incoming e-mails is used as a quick reference to identify which department has submitted revisions. For further information, please contract Marion Laskowski, Senior Secretary, Office of Marketing and Communications at 487-4402.

REGISTER NOW FOR EMERGENCY TEXT MESSAGE SYSTEM: EMU has initiated an emergency text messaging system for all students, faculty and staff. In the event of an emergency on campus, a short message would be sent via text message to everyone who registers his or her cell phone with the University. Users also can choose to have the emergency alerts sent to their e-mail. If you do not sign up, you won't be able to receive emergency text alerts. There is no charge to the University, but individual phone carriers assess a charge to users based on individual text messaging plans. Anyone interested in receiving emergency messages can sign up at http://www.emich.edu/alerts/.

TODAY

WEMU ADDS REBROADCAST: Beginning at 6 p.m. tonight, "The Lynn Rivers Show" will be rebroadcast on WEMU. It returns from a summer hiatus. Hosted by a former U.S. congresswoman, the hour-long program focuses on news, public affairs, and Constitutional issues with guests from the community and around the country. For more information, call 487-2229.

(UN)CIVIL DEFENSE: This art exhibition in Ford Gallery will feature artwork by Zachary Orcutt and Claire Rau, today through Oct. 18. The human penchant for resolving issues with violence will be examined. A reception is scheduled today, 4-6 p.m., Ford Gallery lobby. For more information, contact Larry Newhouse, 487-0465, 487-1077 or larry.newhouse@emich.edu.

LIBRARY ELECTRONIC RESERVES WORKSHOPS: Library electronic reserves workshops are 45-60 minutes in room 111, Halle Library. The following dates and times are available: today, 10-11 a.m.; Tuesday, Sept. 9, 3-4 p.m.; Wednesday, Sept. 10, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 11, 9-10 a.m.; and Friday, Sept. 12, 1-2 p.m. Contact Rita Bullard, rbullard@emich.edu, or call 487-0020, extension 2141.

WRITING CENTER WORKSHOPS: The University Writing Center offers workshops for EMU writers on all aspects of writing. The first week of workshops will be today through Thursday, Sept. 12. The workshop topics will include: "Using Your Writing Handbook," "Strategies for Successful College Reading" and "Noticing Genre Conventions." The workshops are offered multiple times throughout the week. Registration is strongly encouraged. To view descriptions and times to register, go to the UWC Web page at www.emich.edu/english/writing-center.

WRITING CENTER OPEN HOUSE: The University Writing Center will host an open house, today, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, room 209, Pray-Harrold. Enjoy a bite to eat and meet the writing consultants. For more information, call 487-0148 or go to www.emich.edu/english/writing-center.

BISTRO OPEN: GreenMarket Bistro is now open at the Student Center. The Bistro features the first-ever, on campus ALL-VEGETARIAN venue at the Vegetarian Bistro, complemented by an expanded menu at Sbarro introducing hot heros, pasta, soups and more, plus Jet green tea smoothies and Dog Daze gourmet hot dogs with a twist. A grand opening celebration is scheduled today. For more information, contact Roth Woods at rwoods@emich.edu

LECTURES AND MEETINGS

*ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING-GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE ACROSS THE CURRICULUM: Within the lifetime of our students, the climate may change dramatically. What knowledge, skills, and habits will students need to succeed in the world they face? How are we at EMU addressing these general and specific needs? Join a Community of Practice (ComP) to discuss how the prospects for climate change affect how we teach both in and across disciplines. The first meetings are scheduled Wednesday, Sept. 10; or Thursday Sept. 11. All meetings will take place 4-5 p.m., 109 Halle Library. Peter Bednekoff, from the department of biology, will facilitate. For more information, call the Bruce K. Nelson Faculty Development Center, 487-0020, extension 2113 or send an e-mail to aavp_fdc@emich.edu.

COT FALL MEETINGS: The College of Technology has set its meeting for Friday, Sept. 12, 11:30 a.m., with a location to be announced.

WEIGHT WATCHERS MEETINGS: Want to lose some pounds before Christmas? All Eastern Michigan University employees are welcome to Weight Watchers meetings that start Sept. 12, noon to 1 p.m., fourth floor conference room, near the admissions counter, Pierce Hall. If 15 or more people sign up, there will be a free week added for everyone. Cost is $135. Registration and payment by cash, credit and check are available Sept. 12. For questions, call Katherine Schindler, 487-1063, or e-mail kschindle@emich.edu.

SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS

*NEW EMU E-MAIL INFORMATION SESSIONS: Come learn about the new EMU e-mail
system scheduled for implementation Oct. 3, 2008. Information sessions are being offered and include a Q&A section, along with a "sneak-peek" of the new EMU e-mail Web client. To register, go to https://ict.emich.edu/training/register and select the session you want to
attend. For more information, contact Kathy Robertson, krobertso1@emich.edu, or call 487-2666.

THE B SIDE: The Business Side of Youth is a project to provide youth, ages 13-20, with entrepreneurial education and support to develop youth-owned and youth-run businesses. It is offered at no cost to participants and is a program to teach youth about what it takes to be an entrepreneur. Interested participants can download an application at www.bsideofyouth.com, e-mail info@bsideyouth.com or call the B Side at 487-6570. The application deadline is Friday, Sept. 18.

GRANT WRITING WORKSHOPS: The following grant writing workshops are available for faculty and staff: "The Essential Elements," Thursday, Sept. 11, 9:30-10:15 a.m.; "Intro to the World of Grants," Monday, Sept. 15, 1-1:45 p.m.; "Identifying Funding Sources," Tuesday, Sept. 16, 9:30-10:15 a.m.; "Professional Writing Tips," Wednesday, Sept. 17, 9-9:45 a.m.; "Technology Transfer at EMU," Thursday, Sept. 18, 9:30-10:15 a.m.; "The Evaluation Component," Tuesday, Sept. 23, 9:30-10:15 a.m.; "Developing the Budget," Wednesday, Sept. 24, 9-9:45 a.m.; and "The Review Process," Thursday, Sept. 25, 11-11:45 a.m. All workshops will take place in Starkweather Hall on the second floor. Registration is required because space is limited to seven. For more information or to register, call 487-3090 or e-mail mdargo@emich.edu.

2008 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN COURSE: The department of political science is offering a special section of PLS 112 (American Government) dedicated entirely to the 2008 presidential election and its aftermath. This specially designated PLSC 112 section showcases 10 department faculty discussing various aspects of the election; a different faculty member will lecture each week. There also will be special events, including: movies, mock debates and an election-watch party. Lectures are open to the public, and non-PLSC 112 students are encouraged to attend these classes that carry Learning Beyond the Classroom (LBC) credit. For more information, contact Claudia Petrescu, cpetrescu@emich.edu, or go to the department's Web site at http://www.emich.edu/polisci.

EMU ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS TRAINING: The Division of Information Technology
will be delivering orientation and training sessions on many EMU administrative systems during September. Session topics include entering time sheets/leave reports (Web Time Entry), viewing finance/budgets, and viewing student information. A session time can be reserved for groups of eight or more faculty, staff, and/or student employees for one or more of these topics. For more information or to reserve a date, contact Kathy Robertson, 487-2666, or krobertso1@emich.edu.

ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

*EMU EMERITUS FACULTY TO READ: George Perkins, an EMU emeritus faculty member, will be reading from his new book, "Rare Days in Lost Valley: The Bellwether University Book of Universal Truths," Thursday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m., Nicola's Books, 2513 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor. For summaries and excerpts from the book, go to www.georgeperkins.net. For more information, call Nicola's Books, (734) 662-0600.

*HOMECOMING COURT: The deadline for Homecoming king and queen applications is Thursday, Sept. 1, 1 p.m., at the required meeting in room 352, EMU Student Center. Applications are available online or at the Campus Life front desk. For more information, contact Courtney Fitzpatrick, 487-3045, or e-mail cfitzpa2@emich.edu.

TIGERS' GAME EASTERN EXCURSION: Join Campus Life for its annual trip to cheer on the Detroit Tigers. Not only does the trip include transportation and admission, but also fun money which can be used toward food or merchandise purchases. The bus leaves at 5 p.m. from Circle Drive in front of the EMU Student Center for Comerica Park at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23. Tickets are $25 for EMU students and $55 for general. For more information, contact Campus Life, 487-3045, or visit www.emich.edu/campuslife. To purchase tickets, contact the EMU Ticket Office, 487-2282.

HOMECOMING OFFICE AND DOOR DECORATION: The Office for Alumni Relations will host the Office and Door Decorating Contest. Gather your colleagues and show off your EMU spirit by competing against different offices. Departments can participate in two categories: best office or best office door. First place winners will receive a monetary donation to the department’s general fund, an office lunch and possession of the winner’s plaque for one year. Registration forms have been distributed through campus mail. For more information contact the Office for Alumni Relations at 487-0250.

GIVE BLOOD: Halle Library hosts a blood drive with the American Red Cross Tuesday, Sept. 9, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred and last
approximately 45 minutes to one hour. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, contact Sarah Fabian at sfabian@emich.edu.

LGBT WELCOME BACK CELEBRATION: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource (LGBTR) Center will welcome everyone back to campus with a luau celebration Tuesday, Sept. 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Big Bob's Lake House, University Park. Food, games and prizes will be included. For more information, call Kay Woodiel at 487-6790.

NEW E-MAIL SYSTEM: EMU will introduce a new system for e-mail, calendaring and collaboration beginning in October. The e-mail component will be implemented Oct. 3, with the other components to follow in early 2009. For more information, go to www.emich.edu/email. An EMU name and graphic identity are needed for the new system. Please visit this brief survey to include input about a name: http://webstage.emich.edu/email_survey/.

EMU IN NYC: Experience an EMU-filled weekend in New York City, Oct. 10-12. Events include a reception at Steinway Hall, tailgate at Westpoint and tickets for the EMU vs. Army football game. Book by Friday, Sept. 5 to save on discounted travel. For more information, contact Susan at (734) 483-8500.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

*BELLAMY BROTHERS IN CONCERT: Country music legends Howard and David Bellamy take the stage Friday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m., in Pease Auditorium. General admission tickets are $20. For more information or tickets, call the Convocation Center box office, 487-2282.

CROSSROADS MUSIC FESTIVAL: Chris McCall and the Flying Latini Brothers will perform at the Crossroads Music Festival, which runs 7-10 p.m. in front of 13 N. Washington in downtown Ypsilanti. The event is free. Looking for an easy way downtown? Meet in front of Pierce Hall off College Place at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to be walked down by event staff. A marked route also will be in place starting at College Place and West Cross Street. For more information, go to ypsicrossroads.org or e-mail ypsieagles@gmail.com

MUSIC ACADEMY OFFERS FREE CLASSES: The following classes will be offered by the EMU Community Music Academy to the campus and public community during Open House Week, Sept. 9-12: Early Childhood Music Class, Adult Piano Keyboard Class, Children's and Youth Piano Class, Children's and Youth Violin Class, and Children's and Youth Guitar Class. The classes will all take place in the Alexander Music Building and registration is required because space is limited. Times and dates of each individual class can be found at www.emich.edu/music/html/cma.html. Registration also is done through the Web site. For more information, call Rachel Zirk, 487-9750, or e-mail her at rzirk@emich.edu.

MUSIC LESSON INFORMATION SESSION: Inquire about private music lessons for ages four through adult during Open House Week for the EMU Community Music Academy in rooms 208/211 of the Alexander Music Building. The dates and times are the following: Sept. 9-11, 3:05-4:05 p.m., 5:05-6:05 p.m., and 7:05-8:05 p.m. For more information or to register, go to www.emich.edu/music/html/cma.html. For more information, call Rachel Zirk, 487-9750, or e-mail her at rzirk@emich.edu.

BAROQUE MUSIC PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS AUDITION: Baroque Music prospective students, ages 12-17, may register for auditions, (youth honors piano) through the EMU Community Music Academy Wednesday, Sept. 10, 6:15-7 p.m., room 208/211, Alexander Music Building. For more information or to register, go to www.emich.edu/music/html/cma.html. For more information, call Rachel Zirk, 487-9750, or e-mail her at rzirk@emich.edu.

POSTERS OF DISCONTENT: The art exhibit, entitled "Posters of Discontent," will feature artists from the U.S. and abroad who will attempt to enact change. Most of the pieces were produced using hard-rendered printing techniques, but posters printed using offset lithography also will be included. Participating designers hail from the United States, Great Britain, Greece, Holland, Iran, Israel and Turkey. The range of poster media includes screen printing, stencil, digital and offset lithography. Copies of posters will be available for purchase with proceeds going to charity. The exhibit is scheduled through Oct. 9, with a reception scheduled Wednesday, Sept. 10, 4-7 p.m., University Art Gallery. Andrew Maniotes, exhibition curator, will present the gallery talk at 6 p.m. A local DJ will play music. For more information, call Larry Newhouse, 487-0465.

PULITZER PRIZE WINNER THOMAS FRIEDMAN: Thomas L. Friedman, three-time Pulitzer Prize winning columnist for the New York Times, presents, "Hot, Flat and Crowded," Wednesday, Sept. 17, 12:30 p.m., Convocation Center. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. This event is sponsored by the Washtenaw Economic Club and the Ann Arbor Business Review.To purchase tickets, call 487-2282 or go online to http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?&organ_val=2440

ROCK BAND LIVE TOUR: Tickets are now on sale for the first-ever rock band tour at EMU's Convocation Center, Thursday, Oct. 23. "Panic at the Disco" and "Dashboard Confessional" will co-headline the tour. Fans will compete in head-to-head competitions for the chance to play on the main stage in between the tour acts' sets. Bands will be selected through local radio promotions, national contests and on-site at each show. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 487-2282 or visit www.tickets.com to purchase online.

ATHLETICS

ALUMNI TAILGATE: Show some "Eagle Pride" at the Office for Alumni Relations Tailgate Saturday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m., Rynearson Stadium. The Eagles will take on the Toledo Rockets with a noon kick-off. The public is welcome to attend. Donations for the Alumni Scholarship Fund will be collected at the tent. For more information, contact the Office for Alumni Relations at 487-0250 or e-mail alumni.relations@emich.edu.

REMINDERS

THE COMMONS: Dining Commons ONE has a new name. It is now known as The Commons. and features all-you-care-to-eat dining with a new expanded menu. It is open to faculty,
staff and students, and their guests, Monday-Friday. For details, go to www.emich.edu/dining

ELECTRONIC ORDERING FOR BUSINESS CARDS, STATIONERY, ENVELOPES: The Purchasing Department has announced a new electronic ordering system for business cards, stationery and envelopes. Requisitions for purchase orders are no longer required as employees will place their orders, proof the artwork and utilize their Purchasing Card to process the order. Please visit: http://diggypod.com/index.iml?aid=6373&cid=19799
to enroll in the program. For more information or comments, contact William Pollard, 487-3600, or wpollard@emich.edu.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE: All registered international students with an "F" or "J" visa will be billed for student health insurance, UNLESS the student has received an "approved" waiver from Snow Health Center, NO LATER than 4 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 23. For more information, call Pat Short at 487-3048.

FALL TUITION WAIVER DEADLINE: The deadline for employee and employee spouse/dependents tuition waiver application submission for the fall term is Friday, Sept. 12. Failure to turn in an application on time will result in the application being denied. Please submit applications to Human Resources in 140 McKenny Hall. For questions, contact Karyn Jones, 487-3195.

EMERGENCY FLIP CHART: The EMU Emergency Procedures Flip Chart is available online at http://www.emich.edu/publicsafety/emuflipchart.html. Any questions, call 487-0892.

EMU STAFF/FACULTY ELIGIBLE FOR TUITION WAIVER: Eastern Michigan University staff and faculty are eligible to use the University tuition waiver benefit for courses at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral level courses. The benefit waives up to six (6) credit hours for a full-time employee and up to three (3) credit hours for a part-time employee each term. The Internal Revenue Code (IRC) requires reporting and withholding of income, state and FICA taxes for the value of tuition waivers whenever an amount exceeds $5,250 annually per employee. The value of tuition waivers exceeding $5,250 in a year (fall, winter, spring and summer) will be considered taxable income. Please keep track of the value of the waivers used in the event this amount is exceeded. Tuition waiver applications for employees and spouse/dependents are available on the Human Resources Web site under HR forms, under benefits, at www.emich.edu/hr/hrforms Be sure to complete a waiver for each term. For questions, call the Benefits Office, 487-3195.

"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.

SCHOLARSHIPS

HURON VALLEY PUBLISHING SCHOLARSHIP: Huron Valley Publishing has a scholarhip available for the 2008-09 year. Applicants are selected by department heads each semester. Please review the requirements at http://www.huronvalleypublishing.com/index.iml?mdl=selections/view.mdl&PAGE_ID=30542. For questions, call Laurie Maisano at (734) 971-2135 or e-mail laurie@hvpi.com.

LINK TO OPPORTUNITIES: To find out about current scholarship opportunities, go to www.emich.edu/finaid/schols/schols.htm

The deadline to submit events for consideration for EMU TODAY is noon the day before the event is to occur. For inclusion in EMU TODAY, entries should be formatted in the EMU TODAY style and forwarded electronically to emu_today@emich.edu. Most events will only be able to appear for three days. For more information, call the Office of University Communications at 487-4400.