eInside Briefs

Department of Recreational Services Offers Exclusive Faculty-Staff Programming for Fall 2013

Kent State University's Department of
Recreational Services is offering 
exclusive programming for faculty and
staff this fall. 

The Department of Recreational Services is proud to announce a variety of programming designed specifically for faculty and staff members of Kent State University for the fall semester. Programming includes adult swimming lessons, multiple intramural leagues, a family hiking trip and a new Group X class. All programs will be offered during lunchtime or after traditional work hours.

“The Department of Recreational Services continues to support the university’s Wellness Initiative by providing exclusive programs for faculty and staff members,” explains Kim Rufra, associate director for the Department of Recreational Services. “We chose popular offerings and scheduled them during convenient times. These programs are just another way we serve the university community and support healthy lifestyles at Kent State.”

Exclusive faculty-staff programs for fall 2013 include:

Faculty/Staff Swim Lessons
This class is offered exclusively for faculty and staff with little to no experience in the water. Participants will learn basic swimming techniques and have the opportunity to develop their own personal swimming goals (Mondays and Wednesdays, 12:15 – 1 p.m.).

Outdoor Soccer, Softball and 6-on-6 Volleyball Intramural Leagues
Each team will participate in regular season games, followed by a single elimination tournament, for teams that qualify, to determine the championship team. Individuals interested in playing, but unable to create an entire team, may register individually as a free agent (registration deadlines and days of play vary).

Family Hiking Trip
Learn essential tips and tricks to hiking and enjoying the outdoors with children during this fun, family-friendly day trip. Cost includes lunch (Oct. 19 at 10 a.m.; register by Oct. 16).

PiYo Group X Class
Step into this fun, challenging class that fuses Pilates and Yoga. You will tone muscles, work on balance and get a great stretch while relieving stress. This class is a little different each time but always a great workout! (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:15 – 1 p.m.).

To learn more about faculty-staff programming or to register for a program, visit www.kent.edu/recservices.

Welcome Weekend: Movers and Groovers Make Move-in Day Less Stressful

Kent State University President Lester A. Lefton poses
with some of the 700 student volunteers that help
freshmen move into the residence halls. 

The residence hall move-in process can be stressful for both students and parents at the start of a new school year. To make the experience more fun and welcoming, the Kent InterHall Council sponsors the Movers and Groovers program. Each fall during freshman move-in day, Kent State faculty, staff and students volunteer to assist incoming freshmen get settled in their new university accommodations.

Freshman move-in day will take place on Aug. 22, and Kent State University President Lester A. Lefton will personally welcome new freshmen and lend a hand. Other university executive officers will join Lefton and a host of volunteers in welcoming students and parents, and assisting with the heavy lifting.

“The Movers and Groovers program provides an opportunity for upper-division students, student groups, alumni, faculty and staff to help new students get adjusted and moved into the residence halls,” says Jill Church, director for Residence Services at Kent State. “The Movers and Groovers help keep things flowing during a very busy day. With more than 4,000 students moving in on Thursday, the extra hands keep the traffic flowing. Families are able to get their cars unloaded quicker and get on to the important things like setting up the room for the year.” 

The Movers and Groovers program is part of Kent State’s Welcome Weekend, an orientation program that runs Aug. 22–25. Welcome Weekend includes a variety of activities that help students explore the Kent State community and transition into the university environment.

“Our volunteers love the chance to meet new students when they are moving in,” Church says. “They remember Movers and Groovers helping them when they were coming their first year. “Move-in day is a long day, but everyone is working toward the same goal – helping students get moved in and connected quickly to campus.” 

One of the Welcome Weekend events is Freshman Convocation. Freshman Convocation takes place Friday, Aug. 23, at 10:30 a.m. at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center. This special ceremony marks the beginning of first-year students’ college careers and their entrance into higher education. 

Welcome Weekend concludes Aug. 25 with Blastoff, a Kent State tradition where student organizations and community groups gather  to welcome students to campus. The event, held this year on the Student Green, includes hot air balloon rides, live music, fun activities and Kent State’s annual fireworks display, sponsored by Undergraduate Student Government, at 9 p.m.

For more information about Kent State’s Residence Services, visit www.kent.edu/housing.

Homecoming Court Applications Now Available

Nominate a deserving student

Pictured are members of the 2012 Homecoming Court.
Applications for the 2013 Homecoming Court are now
available and are due by Sept. 9.

Applications for the 2013 Homecoming Court are now available at www.ksualumni.org/homecomingcourt. Members of the Homecoming Court represent the university and are chosen for their leadership abilities, academic achievements, community service and involvement in Kent State.

Faculty and staff who know a Kent Campus student with senior class standing, a 2.25 cumulative grade point average and who embodies the qualities listed above are asked to provide a nomination letter so the student may apply to serve on the Homecoming Court. Details about the nomination process and the applications are available at www.ksualumni.org/homecomingcourt and due Sept. 9 by 5 p.m. 

Final Grading of Summer 2013 Full Term, Second Seven Weeks, Summer III and Open Learning Classes

Online final grading for Summer 2013 courses meeting in Full Term (1: 05/20/2013 – 8/17/2013), Second seven Weeks (W2: 07/01/2013 – 08/17/2013) or Summer III (S3: 07/15/2013 – 08/17/2013) parts of term begins Thursday, Aug 15, via FlashFAST. Grading is also now available for any Summer 2013 course section that was flexibly scheduled. The deadline for grading submission is midnight on Tuesday, Aug. 20.

PLEASE NOTE: Any final grades for Summer 2013 courses not reported in FlashFAST by the Aug. 20 grades processing deadline will have to be submitted using the grade change workflow. You may access the grade change workflow for these courses beginning on Thursday, Aug. 22.

To access FlashFAST, login to FlashLine from www.kent.edu (click FlashLine Login from top right menu bar) then click the Faculty & Advisor Tools tab. Locate the Faculty Toolbox, and select Final under the Submit Grades heading.

Grades Processing Tips and FAQs may be found on the Registrar's website at www.kent.edu/registrar/facstaff/facresc.cfm. Any faculty member needing personalized instruction on submitting their grades via FlashFAST should contact their campus Registrar's Office during normal business hours for assistance.

Troubleshooting TIP: FlashFAST is accessible from any Internet-capable computer that has the cookies function enabled. We recommend that you clean out your cookie and cache files regularly to help your computer run faster, and to potentially restore and/or improve your access to FlashFAST and/or FlashLine by improving your connection to the server. Our Helpdesk is prepared to offer assistance with these issues. Please contact them at 330-672-HELP (4357) for one-on-one assistance and technical issues. 

University Services Ready for Students This Fall

As Kent State welcomes new and returning students, the Opening of School Master Schedule of University Services is a useful tool for departments, parents and students alike. This schedule lists the days and hours various university service areas are open from the week before school starts through the first week of classes, Sunday, Aug. 18, through Friday, Aug. 30.