News Briefs
Return to Issue of Nov. 5, 2009
A Few Dollars Given Can Mean Vital Services Received
A little change can make a change.
A few dollars donated to United Way can mean a person or family in need receives services worth far more than the face value of the cash. Here are some examples of the goods and services United Way provides today – and will continue to provide tomorrow, with your donation:
$1: Provides a person in need with a free winter coat and a free bag of clothing from the County Clothing Center
$1.95: A full-course, hot and nutritious meal to a hungry child or adult
$2: Will provide three hours of after school tutoring and prevention activities for an at-risk youth
$15: Will provide 24 hours of shelter, three meals and case management support for a homeless veteran
$15: Will provide a family with intensive services to stabilize their home life for their children through the Fast Track program
$20: Two separate round trips to a medical appointment from Portage County to an out-of-county doctor or hospital
$40: Will provide a safe place to stay with three meals and case management support for a victim of domestic violence and her two children
$50: Groceries for a needy family of four to provide a week of meals
$50: Will assist two underinsured persons with their monthly medications and diabetic supplies
$50: Will provide 24 hours of shelter, three meals and case management support for a homeless family of five
These are only a few examples of how much a little can do! Each and every seemingly small amount can make a big difference in the lives of a person or family in need. As we near the end of our campaign, the United Way committee asks that if you have not yet made your United Way pledge, that you once again consider a donation. Even the smallest amount can make the biggest difference.
A pledge of $2 each month per employee, or $50 for 2010, will bring us to our goal for this campaign. See how much good that small amount can do?
Information Services Seeks Your Feedback
Ed Mahon
Kent State’s Division of Information Services would like your feedback on the systems and technology support it provides. All Kent State students, faculty and staff are encouraged to complete a brief online survey, which is accessible at http://www.zoomerang.
com/Survey/?p=WEB229RUG62WD9. Input will be taken through Friday, Nov. 13. All responses are anonymous.
Feedback from the survey will be used as the division embarks upon a new strategic planning initiative. Last updated in 2006, the strategic plan for Information Services serves as a blueprint for its resources and strategic investments. The objectives of the planning process are to:
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Ensure alignment of the division’s efforts to Kent State’s mission and priorities;
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Confirm and set priorities;
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Enhance service levels;
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Secure financial and other resources; and
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Enhance relationships.
The survey is a critical step in examining the current state of Information Services and provides the framework for understanding existing strengths, weaknesses and capabilities. This internal assessment will be coupled with an external analysis of industry trends in higher education, as well as other environmental factors.
The survey takes only a few minutes to complete. Your honest, constructive comments and suggestions are appreciated. If you have questions about the survey or the strategic planning process, please contact Jennifer Goings Smith, executive director of planning, security and disaster recovery for Information Services, at jgoingss@kent.edu or at 330-672-7170.
Thank you in advance for your time and input.
Where at Kent State Is This? Check Out the November Photo Contest Image
Can you figure out where this appears on one of Kent State’s eight campuses?
Appearing the first week of each month, e-Inside will publish a close-up image from one of the eight campuses that comprise the Kent State system.
The November image appears this week in the top left corner of the issue.
Check out the image and see if you can identify where it appears!
A Kent State-branded item will be awarded each month to the first person who correctly identifies what’s in the photo.
If you can identify this image, shoot an e-mail to einside@kent.edu, and specify what the image captured is, and on which campus it appears. We will select the first correct entry and announce the prizewinner and the prize in an issue of e-Inside that is published later this month.
Please provide your university affiliation with each entry. Only one prize will be awarded per person for the duration of the contest.
Calling All CommonSpot Users: Take Advantage of Open Labs to Help With Your Site Redesign Now Through January 2010
By now you’ve heard the news! Current CommonSpot clients and a new set of CommonSpot clients will be working to migrate their Web sites into the university’s new Web design, which was unveiled Sept. 30.
The university’s goal is to have all current clients, colleges and academic Web sites transitioned to this new look, via its free content management system, by Feb. 28, 2010. In some instances, this deadline has been accelerated. For example, the College of Arts and Sciences and academic departments in that college should have their sites completed by Dec. 23.
Because this redesign brings with it the need to move every page in existing CommonSpot Web sites to a new database, and will require new uses of the content management system, even current users will need a CommonSpot crash course. To keep the project moving, a weekly series of open labs will be hosted to support end users and provide ongoing training. Each session will take approximately two hours. Training materials will also be available online.
Seating is limited, so be sure to register. However, keep in mind that you must meet with a University Communications and Marketing Web team member prior to registering for an open lab session. These initial meetings will allow the Web redesign team to migrate current CommonSpot sites into the design on a rolling basis.
The open labs will be held in Room 333 of the Kent State Library, from Nov. 18 through Jan. 25, 2010:
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Nov. 18, 1 - 3 p.m. and 3 - 5 p.m.
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Nov. 23, 9 - 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
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Nov. 30, 1 - 3 p.m. and 3 - 5 p.m.
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Dec. 10, 9 - 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
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Dec. 16, 9 - 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
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Dec. 22, 9 - 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
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Jan. 5, 2010 1 - 3 p.m. and 3 - 5 p.m.
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Jan. 14, 1 - 3 p.m. and 3 - 5 p.m.
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Jan. 19, 9 - 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
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Jan. 25, 1 - 3 p.m. and 3 - 5 p.m.
Register online at: http://www.kent.edu/ucm/
Contact webteam@kent.edu for more information.
Professor Creates Virtual Conference on Counseling
Juncius created the conference which was held in Second Life.
This September, the first Virtual Conference on Counseling was held in the online world of Second Life thanks to a Kent State faculty member. The virtual event, held Sept. 16-18, was hosted by counseling and human development faculty member Dr. Marty Jencius, who envisioned the online meeting after spending time in Second Life working with doctoral and master’s students who were practicing basic communication and diagnosis skills.
The conference focused on a wide variety of areas in the fields of mental health, counseling practice and counselor training. There were presentations, workshops and even free time scheduled for virtual drinks and networking. Speakers still had the ability to show PowerPoint presentations, videos, incorporate large and small group discussions and provide handouts.
Jencius says he thinks virtual conferences are just as effective, but more cost-efficient than the in-person versions of the same meetings. “If we’re going to do the same things at national conferences, we don’t need to fly off to an expensive hotel,” he says.
The conference hosted 120 official registrants, but many more could watch the proceedings from a live stream without participating. There were participants from 14 countries including Mexico, Australia and Taiwan.
Because of the success of this inaugural conference, Jencius says he plans to hold another in the future, potentially in late spring of 2010.
For more information about the Virtual Conference on Counseling, visit the Web site here.
Tips to Staying Healthy at Work During Flu Season
This flu season is different from previous years. In addition to seasonal flu, people are protecting themselves against the H1N1 flu. To help answer employees’ questions and alleviate concerns, members of the Kent State University Emergency Operation Center offer the following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tips to stay healthy in the workplace, particularly if a co-worker becomes ill and is presumed to have the H1N1 flu.
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Monitor yourself for symptoms of influenza-like illness. Symptoms of flu include fever or chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, flu symptoms may include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea or vomiting.
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Cover your coughs and sneezes. Influenza viruses spread mainly from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes.
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Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes. Germs spread this way.
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Wash your hands frequently, either with soap and water or the alcohol-based hand sanitizers provided throughout the university. Influenza may spread via contaminated hands.
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Clean surfaces and items that are more likely to have frequent hand contact. The H1N1 virus can live outside of the body for 4-5 hours. Use sanitizing wipes on shared equipment before you use them, such as computers, phones and desks. No additional disinfection beyond routine cleaning is recommended.
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Get vaccinated against seasonal influenza. Once it becomes available, we also encourage you to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine.
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Maintain a healthy lifestyle through rest, diet, exercise and relaxation.
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Don’t spread the flu! If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home. CDC recommends that sick workers stay home if they are sick with flu-like illness until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
For more information and updates concerning seasonal and H1N1 flu, visit www.kent.edu/flu.
Kent State University at Stark Recognizes Dick Maggiore as 2009 Distinguished Alumnus
Dick Maggiore
Since 1996, the Kent State University at Stark alumni chapter has annually recognized outstanding alumni who attended Kent State University at Stark. Award recipients are chosen based on excellence in a profession, excellence in service to the community and excellence in service to Kent State Stark.
The 2009 recipient, Dick Maggiore, president and CEO of the Innis Maggiore Group, was recognized at the Kent State Stark scholarship luncheon Oct. 9.
After graduating from Canton’s Lehman High School, Maggiore was enrolled at Kent State University at Stark before moving to California to pursue a bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University. In 1977, he joined forces with Chuck Innis to build what is now recognized as one of the nation’s leading advertising and public relations firms in the marketing practice of positioning. The Innis Maggiore Group, with locations in Canton and Youngstown, was named Northeast Ohio’s fastest growing agency by Advertising Age magazine for three consecutive years. A noted industry “hall of famer” for pioneering dimensional outdoor advertising, Maggiore is the author of the book, The CEO’s Number One Responsibility: Identifying and Articulating Your Brand’s Position, which lays out sound counsel for chief executive officers about building and promoting their companies’ brand differentiation.
Maggiore has been recognized with numerous awards in the advertising field. He is also very active in the community and frequently attends Kent State University at Stark events and activities. Maggiore has been a member of the campus’s advisory board since 2003. He also lends his knowledge to the university as a visiting professor of marketing and public relations.
Nominations Sought for an Interim Associate Dean for Graduate Studies
Nominations are now being accepted for individuals interested in appointment to the role of Interim Associate Dean for Graduate Studies. Primary duties of the position are conducting reviews of graduate programs and serving as liaison with Curriculum Studies on the graduate catalog
Position begins in Spring 2010, and can be part-time or full-time, although full-time is preferred.
Nominees should possess a Ph.D. degree, rank of professor, F4 graduate faculty status and a working knowledge of Kent State.
Nominations should be submitted to Mary Ann Stephens at mstephen@kent.edu by Friday, Nov. 6.
If you wish to discuss this matter, please contact any member of the ad hoc search committee: Nancy Barbour, Ralph Lorenz, Isaac Nettey, John Stalvey or Mary Ann Stephens.
Higher Ed Group Led by Kent State Human Resources Provides Network of Career Opportunities
Joseph Vitale
Kent State University is leading the way by launching a new cooperative initiative designed to recruit and retain diverse faculty and senior staff administrators for nine area colleges and universities.
The College and University Recruitment Enterprise (CURE) program was established in the fall of 2008 to provide a resource network that allows for a formal process for candidates and their spouses to complete when applying for jobs with one of the nine member institutions.
Joseph Vitale, human resources director of talent management and compensation at Kent State, created the program.
“We want to highlight the benefits of Northeast Ohio and the member institutions as employer choices,” Vitale says.
Since the inception of the program, membership has grown and now includes: Kent State, The University of Akron, Cleveland State University, The Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, John Carroll University, Case Western Reserve University, Lorain County Community College, Cuyahoga Community College and Baldwin Wallace College.
The group, made up of a representative from each institution, meets once a month to share best practices and to share career opportunities and applicants with other member institutions.
Applicants’ resumes will be available for members of the recruitment program to review if placement is not available at the applicant’s preferred institution.
“The program was designed to build trust between institutions that are often competing for the same talent,” Vitale says. “The hope is we can share jobs and potential candidates with other members.”
The program also addresses the issue of trailing-spouses and serves as an employment resource for spouses of new hires. CURE markets employees’ spouses and points them to other member institutions, as well as to local businesses.
“This expedites the networking process and is more of a welcoming approach to candidates,” Vitale says.
Judy Brooks, human resources’ manager of talent acquisition, is Kent State’s representative and manages the university’s leading role in the program.
For more information about the College and University Recruitment Enterprise program, contact Joe Vitale at jvitale1@kent.edu or Judy Brooks at jbrook10@kent.edu.
Standing Rock Cultural Arts Accepting Film Festival Applications
Standing Rock Cultural Arts is now accepting applications for its seventh annual film festival. The Standing Rock International Short Film and Video Festival will be held Jan. 30, 2010, at 8 p.m. at the Kent Stage.
Executive Director Jeff Ingram says the festival is a great opportunity for students to showcase their work.
“I don’t think a work of art is complete until you share it with an audience,” Ingram says.
Standing Rock encourages independent filmmakers and videographers to submit short films, DVDs and videos that are up to 15 minutes in length. Films should be in VHS, Hi-8, mini-DVD or DVD format. The application fee is $10 for Ohio residents and $15 for out-of-state applicants.
The preferred deadline for submitting applications is Dec. 1, but Standing Rock will accept applications until Dec. 31.
Applications can be found at www.standingrock.net. To request to have an application mailed, write to: Standing Rock Cultural Arts, 257 N. Water St., or e-mail info@standingrock.net.
Daffodil Bulb Planting Scheduled Now to Beautify May 4 Memorial in the Spring
Daffodil bulb planting now will help beautify the area in the spring.
Campus Environment and Operations invites volunteers who enjoy gardening to assist in the planting of daffodil bulbs on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 10 a.m. Volunteers should meet at the May 4 memorial near Taylor Hall on the Kent Campus. Those who have gardening shovels and gloves are asked to bring those tools; a limited number of each will be available.
Approximately 3,000 daffodil bulbs will be planted to replenish the existing flowers when the bulbs bloom in early spring. For additional information, contact Heather White, manager, grounds department, Campus Environment and Operations at hwhite1@kent.edu or 330-672-0817.
Human Resources Question of the Week: When is the university’s Veterans Day observance?
Kent State will hold its annual Veterans Day program on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 3:30 p.m. in Room 306 of the Kent Student Center. The theme for this year’s observance is “Honoring All Who Served … A Tradition of Service.”
The observance is open to the university community, with a special invitation to faculty and staff in the military or who have family members in the military. You can RSVP to Joshua Rider at 330-672-0510 or jrider@kent.edu by Nov. 6.
View the HR Question of the Week archive.
Return to Issue of Nov. 5, 2009
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