eInside Briefs

Foundation Grant Program Issues Request for Proposals

In the past, foundation funds have been
used to upgrade the nursing simulation
lab.

The Kent State University Foundation Grant Program will award up to $100,000 this year as part of its annual request for proposals. Funding will be available to departments, schools, colleges, institutes and centers universitywide.

There are no restrictions on the awards, which will be made to projects that have an impact on the quality of education offered to students at Kent State. Requests may be made up to the full $100,000. A committee of the foundation will review all applications and make recommendations to the full board of directors for consideration.

Previous grants as part of this program have included support for the All-Steinway School initiative, the renovation of an organic chemistry laboratory, the purchase of equipment for various departments, the STATE student research project, renovations to the art classrooms, equipment for architecture and upgrade of the nursing simulation lab.

Download the application by visiting www.kent.edu/advancement/ksufoundation/forms.cfm. Completed applications should be forwarded to:

Gene Finn
Kent State University Foundation
1061 Fraternity Circle
PO Box 5190
Kent, OH 44242-0001

All proposals must have the approval signature of the academic dean responsible for the program. Each recipient will be required to submit a report on the use of funds to the Kent State University Foundation board.

Applications must be received by Dec. 15, 2012.

Nominations Requested for the Diversity Trailblazer Award

David Mohan, dean of Kent State University at Geauga,
was the recipient of the 2012 Diversity Trailblazer Award
that recognizes diversity pioneers associated with the
university.

The Kent State University Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is now accepting nominations for the annual Diversity Trailblazer Award. The Diversity Trailblazer Award recognizes diversity pioneers associated with Kent State University. The award is given to those individuals who have displayed exemplary contributions in the area of diversity to the university community.

Previous winners of the award include, David Mohan, Ph.D., dean of Kent State University at Geauga; The Rev. Ronald Fowler, Kent State alumnus and special assistant to the Office of the President; and Dolores L. Noll, Ph.D., professor emeritus of English.

Criteria for the award and nomination form are available at www.kent.edu/diversity/trailblazers.cfm. Self nominations are accepted. 

The deadline for nominations is Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, and can be sent to Diane Matasek in Room 252 at the Library or by email to dmatasek@kent.edu.

Kent State University Implements Required Advising

A Kent State University student meets with her advisor.
The university is implementing Required Advising to
support student success. 

Kent State University is committed to assisting students to graduate on time. To help students stay on the path to graduation, the university is implementing Required Advising beginning this Fall 2012 semester. 

Required Advising is designed to support students’ success and requires freshmen and sophomores who are new to the university starting summer 2012 and beyond to meet with an advisor every semester.  New students who are juniors and beyond need to see an advisor once every year until graduation. Continuing students, while not required, are strongly encouraged to meet with their advisor on a regular basis.

A marketing and communications program started earlier this month to increase student awareness and encourage them to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. 

“Meeting with an advisor can help students in so many ways,” says Charity Snyder, university advising director.  “Advising is a valuable experience and tool for students to use throughout their academic careers.  Advisors offer knowledge and skills to assist students in choosing classes, help build and maintain their GPS plan, and assist students with exploring internships, study abroad, and other valuable opportunities.” 

Required Advising is being implemented on all campuses. Students can make an advising appointment, by visiting www.kent.edu/advising and find their advisor by logging into FlashLine and viewing their Academic Profile. 

A recent survey stated that 95.2 percent of students who were surveyed said they meet with an advisor at least once a year and 97 percent of students surveyed who attend advising appointments were provided the tools and resources needed to answer their questions.*

For more information about Required Advising, visit www.kent.edu/advising.

*The survey was generated through the Kent State advising office Web-scheduler system after each student had an appointment. 
 

Thanksgiving in a Flash, Money-Saving Tips for the Holidays, and More From Kent State's Employee Blog

Thanksgiving in a Flash

Michael Fiala, executive chef for Kent State University’s Dining Services (Schwebel Room), offers tips for making Thanksgiving dinner a breeze.

“Let’s face it…we lead busy lives. Taking a week to prepare a Thanksgiving feast for your family just is not in the cards. Thank goodness for our ancestors that could devote the week to preparing a spread fit for royalty. I will lay out a Thanksgiving meal that should only take about three hours to prepare and it will hit most of those “traditional” flavors that we long to experience.”

Click here to read more.

Money-Saving Tips for the Holidays

Erik Zemljic, lecturer in Kent State’s Department of Economics, shares his tips for holiday shopping.

“Survey results recently released by leading public accounting firm Deloitte indicate the average consumer plans to spend a total of $386 on approximately 12.8 gifts this holiday season.  How many people are you buying for?  To find the best gifts at the lowest prices this year, consider the following holiday shopping tips …”

Click here to read more.

A Tough Month, Then the Big Day

Bob Burford, marketing/external relations coordinator with University Communications and Marketing, and weekend announcer with WKSU, continues his story about his weight loss journey.

“After adapting to a sensible diet of six to seven small meals or snacks a day, I was a bit blindsided by my difficulty with the next step in my weight loss journey. For the month prior to my surgery date, my doctor put me on an all OptiFast diet. OptiFast is a meal replacement program of shakes and soups that is not unlike SlimFast. It’s basically an all-liquid diet, though some nutrition bars are allowed.”

Click here to read more.

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Support the Peace Basket Project

The Peace Basket Project will take place for the 16th year on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 9 a.m. at the King Kennedy Center. The Professional Women of Kent State University started the Peace Basket Project in 1997 when a group of members created baskets of “little things” to share with the residents served by the King Kennedy Center in Ravenna. While the Professional Women of Kent State University is no longer active, the annual event continues through the support of Kent State community members. Last year, more than 120 baskets were filled and shared with the community.

The Kent State community can get involved in several ways:

• As a “Santa shopper” – you can help fill gift baskets by donating items such as toiletries, personal grooming products, small toys, books, kitchen items, school supplies, hats, socks, cologne, etc. Shoe boxes make for great baskets and are also welcome.
• As an “elf” – on Dec. 7 you can join others to help sort and set up for the basket filling, and help fill and decorate the baskets on Dec. 8 before the event begins. 
• As an “absentee angel” – you can make a donation to help purchase shrink wrap, gift bags, ribbons and bows. 
• As a “holiday knitter” – you can donate your hand-knitted or crocheted scarves and hats.
  

Donations can be dropped off from Nov. 26 through Dec. 7 until noon at the Kent Student Center in Room 250. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Barb Boltz by phone at 330-672-1306 or email at bboltz@kent.edu.  

Kent State Blackstone LaunchPad Survey

The Blackstone LaunchPad office is located at the Kent
Student Center.

Kent State University’s Blackstone LaunchPad program is looking for Kent State entrepreneurs. The program is currently exploring events and methods to connect and build a network of entrepreneurs between students, faculty/staff, alumni and the community.

Please help the program with its efforts by taking this two-minute survey.

Do You Have an Interesting Talent or Hobby?

Here is your opportunity to share a post about your interesting talent or hobby on Kent State Connects, the Kent State University faculty and staff blog. 

Email your topic and a short description for consideration to connects@kent.edu, using “Interesting Blog Topic” as the subject line.

Blog topics must be received by Thursday, Nov. 28. 

Share Your Favorite Holiday Recipe

Share your favorite holiday recipes with other Kent State
colleagues.

As we approach the holiday season, we want to give you the opportunity to share your favorite holiday recipes, from traditional, to vegan or vegetarian, family recipes and more.

We will select recipes to publish in e-Inside based on the number of responses that we receive. Submit your favorite holiday recipes by Tuesday, Nov. 27, to einside@kent.edu. Use “Holiday Recipe” in the email subject line. Only one submission per person.