News Briefs

• Accrued Vacation Time: Use It or Lose It 
• Alumni Association Welcomes Officers to Board of Directors 
• Prentice Gate Shifting Locations
• Community Leagues Offer Entertainment, Exercise for Community 
• Human Resources Question: Will there be a Leadership Academy this fall? 

Accrued Vacation Time: Use It or Lose It

Please be reminded that Sept. 30 is the deadline for employees to use vacation time that has accrued beyond the maximum level allowed. After that date, per university policy 3342-6-11.7, any vacation balances beyond the maximum will be forfeited. Employees who have accrued more than the maximum level of vacation time and who are impacted by this policy will receive a letter prior to the elimination of the overage.

As with all vacation leave, requests must be scheduled with the approval of the immediate supervisor and properly recorded. Leave reporting should be recorded through FlashLine. Employees can visit the My Action Items tab, and then select the appropriate Time Reporting channel. Unclassified employees should use Leave Report, and classified employees should request leave through Kronos.

Any questions can be directed to the Human Resources Records Department at 330-672-2901.

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Alumni Association Welcomes Officers to Board of Directors

The Kent State University Alumni Association recently announced the following officers for its National Alumni Board of Directors:

• Timothy D. Eippert, of Concord, continues his role as president. Eippert is owner of MC Sign Company in Mentor. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in marketing in 1992.
• Nicholas Sucic, of Hudson, continues his role as president-elect. Sucic is vice president and controller at Davey Tree Expert Company in Kent. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting in 1973.
• Thomas M. Welsh, of Akron, continues his role as vice president. Welsh is senior vice president at First Energy in Akron. He also serves as a member of Kent State’s Journalism and Mass Communications Advisory Board. Welsh earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism in 1970.
• Michael A. Cesa, of Seven Hills, has been appointed secretary. Cesa is marketing development manager for Etna Products Inc. in Chagrin Falls. Cesa earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in marketing in 1976.
• Stephen O. Rhinehalt, of Rocky River, has been appointed treasurer. Rhinehalt is assistant vice president of retail cost accounting at National City Bank in Cleveland. Rhinehalt earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance in 1990.
• Gary Brahler, of Bay Village, continues his role as immediate past president. Brahler is vice president of the Polcar, Brahler, Heil, Belden Wealth Management Group. Brahler earned a Bachelor of Business degree in marketing in 1989.

In addition, the following new members, alumni of Kent State, have been appointed to serve three-year terms, ending in 2011:

• John Garofalo, of Sagamore Hills, is senior development officer at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital at University Hospitals in Cleveland. Garofalo earned a Bachelor of Science degree in community health education in 1987 and a master’s degree in health education in 1993.
• Stuart Giller, of Akron, is chairman of B. Berger Company in Macedonia. Giller earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in telecommunications in 1956.

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Prentice Gate Shifting Locations

A Kent State landmark is shifting locations. Prentice Gate, currently positioned at the corner of Lincoln and Main streets, will be moved back from the road, and new Kent State signage will be added.

“The gate and walls have taken a lot of abuse from road salt over the years after Main Street was widened to within five feet of the edge of the brick,” Thomas J. Euclide, executive director of Facilities Planning and Operations, says. “So, we are rebuilding the gate and adding a Kent State University sign back away from the road.”

Portions of the existing gate, including the steel arch, bronze seal and dedication plaque, are being reused. A new plaque will be installed indicating the rededication date.

Prentice Gate is one of Kent State’s most recognizable markers and once served as the primary entrance to the university. The gate is named in honor of May Prentice, who was hired in 1912 as the first female faculty member at Kent State.

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Community Leagues Offer Entertainment, Exercise for Community

Catering to the recreational needs of its members, the Kent State University Department of Recreational Services plans to add four new community leagues this fall.

“We want the community to view the Student Recreation and Wellness Center as more than an exercise facility,” Greg Bailey, assistant director of the center, says. “We strive to provide programs for students and community members alike, and we hope everyone takes advantage of the exciting physical and social opportunities that the leagues provide.”

Three of the new leagues were created for local high school students. The leagues are an ideal option for teens seeking after-school activities and the chance to participate in sports. Flag football, racquetball and basketball leagues will be offered. The flag football league is set to start in mid-September, the racquetball league in early November and the basketball league in December.

“Sports are a source of physical activity and entertainment for teens,” John Krehnovi, intramural sports and community leagues coordinator, says. “If students have an interest in sports, but don’t want to commit to joining their high school’s varsity team, these leagues are perfect for them.”

Adult softball, basketball and racquetball leagues are offered again this fall. Adults also have the opportunity to get competitive with a backyard favorite by participating in the new adult kickball league. Softball league play will begin the first weekend in September. The basketball league and kickball league will begin play the following weekend. Racquetball league play starts Sept. 15.

The Department of Recreational Services at Kent State is proud to provide students, faculty and staff of the university and members of the surrounding community with outstanding recreational, fitness and wellness opportunities. For more information about program offerings, call Recreational Services at 330-672-4REC (4732).

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Human Resources Question: Will there be a Leadership Academy this fall? 

There will be a new leadership development program debuting this fall called the Institute for Excellence in Leadership. The Institute for Excellence in Leadership builds on the Leadership Academy, while adding numerous recognized external facilitators with national and international perspectives on leadership.

While there are some similarities to the Leadership Academy, several new elements and expectations have been incorporated into this program. Information about the application process and other important details are available on the Institute for Excellence in Leadership Web site.

View the Human Resources Question archive.

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Return to Issue of Aug. 18, 2008