eInside Briefs

Kent State Foundation Grant Program Issues Request for Proposals

Pictured is a Sorvall Lynx 4000
SuperSpeed floor centrifuge in Williams
Hall, acquired with principal support from
the Kent State University Foundation.

The Kent State University Foundation Grant Program will award up to $100,000 for the 2015-2016 academic 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 Board will review all applications and make recommendations to the full board of directors for consideration.

The Foundation Grant Program has supported many things in the past, including last year’s centrifuge for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The program also has previously supported the purchase of stereology core equipment to enhance student learning in biological sciences and the purchase of musical instruments in support of the band program in the School of Music.

To request funds, simply complete the electronic submission form.

Prior to submission, all proposals must have the approval 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. 19.

Kent State’s LGBTQ Student Center Gets First Director

New director joins the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Kenneth M. Ditlevson will serve as the
first director of Kent State University’s
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender,
Queer and Questioning (LGBTQ) Student
Center effective Nov. 10.

Kenneth M. Ditlevson will serve as the first director of Kent State University’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning (LGBTQ) Student Center effective Nov. 10. Ditlevson is a two-time graduate of Kent State, having received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and Master of Education in community counseling.  Ditlevson will report to Heather Adams, executive director of Kent State’s women’s and gender centers.

Prior to accepting this position, Ditlevson spent the last two years serving as the assistant vice president and director of special programs for Child Guidance and Family Solutions in Akron programming initiatives, monitored a budget of more than $2 million annually and collaborated with various schools, agencies and communities throughout Northeast Ohio to expand the reach of services offered.

Ditlevson served on the board for the Akron Pride Center for five years and was awarded Volunteer of the Year in 2009. Ditlevson received two awards for creating innovative programming. In 2013, he received the Trailblazer Award from the Summit County Mental Health Board, and in 2008, he received the Louis D. Kacalieff, M.D. Award from Child Guidance and Family Solutions. As director of Kent State’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Student Center, Ditlevson will provide direct leadership for the center regarding issues related to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, as well as advancing LGBTQ equality through programs, training, support services, and university and community outreach collaborations.

For more information about Kent State’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Student Center, visit http://www2.kent.edu/diversity/centers/lgbtq/index.cfm.

Call for Kent State Alumni Award Nominations

The 2014 Alumni Award recipients pose with their awards
after the Alumni Awards ceremony. The alumni association
is currently accepting nominations for the 2015 awards until
Dec. 31.

The Kent State University Alumni Association invites faculty and staff to nominate deserving alumni for the Kent State University Alumni Awards. Sponsored by the alumni association, the Alumni Awards recognize graduates in the area of leadership, service, character and professional development.

One student award – the Golden Flash award – also will be given to a student who promotes Kent State spirit, pride and tradition.

Nominations will be accepted through Dec. 31, and award recipients will be honored at the Alumni Awards Ceremony in the fall. To nominate an individual, visit www.ksualumni.org/alumniawards. 

Important Information about Final Grading of Fall 2014 Second 5 Weeks (F2) Classes

Online final grading for fall 2014 Second 5 Weeks (F2) courses meeting from Sept. 29 through Nov. 2 began Thursday, Oct. 30, via FlashFAST. Grading is also now available for any fall 2014 course section that was flexibly scheduled and has an end date no later than Nov. 2. The deadline for grading submission is midnight on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Any final grades for fall 2014 Second 5 Weeks (F2) courses not reported in FlashFAST by the grades processing deadline will have to be submitted using the Grade Change Workflow. These fall 2014 Second 5 Weeks (F2) courses will be available in the Workflow on Thursday, Nov. 6.

Incomplete Mark and NF/SF Grades:

The administrative mark of IN (Incomplete) may be given to students who are unable to complete the work due to extenuating circumstances. To be eligible, undergraduate students must be currently passing and have completed at least 12 weeks of the semester. The timeline shall be adjusted appropriately for flexibly scheduled courses. Graduate students must be currently earning a C or better grade and are unable to complete the required work between the course withdrawal deadline and the end of classes. Instructors are required to complete and submit an Incomplete Mark Form to the department chair when an incomplete mark is assigned. Access the form from your Faculty Toolbox in FlashLine.

The grade SF (Stopped Attending–Fail) denotes that the student stopped attending the course and did not formally withdraw and must be accompanied by a date of last attendance in the course.

The grade NF (Never Attended–Fail) denotes that the student neither attended one class session nor formally withdrew from the course.

For complete information on university grading policies including Incomplete Mark and NF/SF grading policies, procedures and timelines, please visit the Grading Policies and Procedures section in the university catalog at www.kent.edu/catalog.

Grades Processing Tips and FAQ may be found on the Office of the University Registrar's website at www.kent.edu/registrar/faculty-grades-processing. 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.

To access FlashFAST to post your final grades, 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.

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.