eInside Briefs

Together, Excellence in Action Rolls on With Your Chance to Recognize Excellence

Do you know a colleague who has done an excellent job recently? Maybe a co-worker, a project group or an entire department? Here's your chance to give a shout-out of thanks or congratulations to that person or group and share with everyone another example of excellence in action. There's plenty to celebrate. let's share the great things that happen here every day. We'll even post some of the shout-outs on the QR codes found on some of the posters around campus.

To give a shout-out, look for the QR codes on materials distributed recently as part of the Together, Excellence in Action campaign. QR codes are similar to product bar codes found on most packaged items. Or, you can scan the code reproduced here.

The code will lead you to a link to the e-Inside Message Boards where, through a special category, you can nominate someone you think demonstrates the excellence the campaign seeks to promote.

QR codes can be scanned by your smart phone and deliver messages on-the-spot, right to your phone. You may need to download a free QR code reader application, such as Red Laser, to enable your phone to read the codes.

For additional information, go to www.kent.edu/about/together.

Posted March 7, 2011

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New Purchasing Card Procedure to Begin April 1

Effective April 1, 2011, JPMorgan Chase will become the purchasing card (P-Card) provider for Kent State University.  This transition aligns Kent State University’s initiatives with the Inter-University Council (IUC) Purchasing Group who previously awarded the commercial credit card program contract to JPMorgan Chase.

The new purchasing card will be a MasterCard issued by JPMorgan Chase to Kent State University employees.  All departments and employees who are assigned access to a P-Card or are identified as cardholders, reconcilers, approvers, or system administrators must read, understand, and comply with the Administrative Policy Regarding Use of the Purchasing Card, 7-02.16.  The P-Card administrative policy and procedure will be made available on the Accounts Payable website once the policy has been approved, http://www.kent.edu/controller/accountspayable. 

In order to be issued a purchasing card under the new contract, a cardholder application must be completed and approved by the appropriate approving authority, the executive officer of the employee’s division, and system administrator.  Applications have been sent directly to existing purchasing card cardholders.  The application is also available on the Accounts Payable website.  The approved cardholder application(s) must be received by Accounts Payable no later than March 18, 2011, in order to be issued a new P-Card effective April 1, 2011. 

Grant and cost share purchases can no longer be charged to departmental P-Cards.  Departments that have grants must obtain a grant P-Card to be used for all grant and cost share purchases. 

JPMorgan Chase’s electronic reporting solution, PaymentNet, will replace Bank of America’s Works application.  Works will be accessible for a short period of time following the transition in order to allow time to complete the March 2011 reconciliation.   All outstanding transactions with a post date through March 31, 2011 must be signed off within Works by April 22, 2011 at 5 p.m.  If transactions are not appropriately allocated and approved within Works by the cut-off on April 22, 2011, the departmental index and office supplies account (72017) will be charged the full amount of any outstanding transactions. 

Training for the cardholder, reconciler and approver is mandatory.  The cardholder application will not be processed by the system administrator until the cardholder, reconciler and approver have attended training.  To attend one of the March training sessions, visit Human Resources Registration site at www.kent.edu/hr/register.  

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the new application process, please contact Katie Brown or Rosa York at 330-672-2607 or payments@kent.edu.

Posted March 8, 2011

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Golden Flashes Football Schedule Set – Homecoming Slated for Oct. 15

Homecoming 2011 has been set for Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011!

Be sure to join the fun at the Homecoming Parade, the tailgating before the Kent State versus Miami of Ohio football game, the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen, and a variety of other reunions and events that will take place on campus.  More details about the event-filled weekend will be posted in the coming weeks at www.ksualumni.org/homecoming.

The dates and opponents for the remainder of new head football coach Darrell Hazell’s first season are officially set as Kent State announced the 2011 slate of football contests, along with details about how to purchase tickets and new special offers.

 

“This is a schedule that our fans should really enjoy,” says Kent State Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen. “After our nonconference dates in September, our Homecoming contest with Miami kicks off a three-game home stand that ends with a nationally televised game against Central Michigan.

 

“I can’t say enough about how much energy, passion and enthusiasm our fans brought to Dix Stadium last season and I know Coach Hazell is going to give them even more reasons to rally behind this program in 2011.”

 

The Golden Flashes open the season Sept. 3 at Alabama as the teams meet for the first time ever. Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban was a three-year letterwinner at defensive back for the Golden Flashes and is a two-time graduate of Kent State. The Flashes then open their home schedule Sept. 10 at Dix Stadium when Louisiana makes the return trip from the 2008 tilt in Lafayette. Following Kent State’s first visit to Manhattan, Kan., to face Kansas State Sept. 17, the Golden Flashes host South Alabama Sept. 24 to close out the nonconference slate.

 

The MAC schedule begins in October with a two-game road swing to Ohio University (Oct. 1) and Northern Illinois (Oct. 8). The Flashes have come out victorious in four of their last five trips to Athens, but have not won in DeKalb since 1966.

 

A three-game home stand gets underway Oct. 15 when Miami visits for Homecoming. The contest will mark the fifth time Kent State has hosted the Red Hawks on Homecoming. Following a bye week, Bowling Green (Oct. 29) and Central Michigan (Nov. 4) visit Dix Stadium. The Friday night game with the Chippewas will air nationally on ESPNU.

 

The Golden Flashes then make the short trip to Akron for the annual Wagon Wheel game Nov. 12 before closing out the home slate the following weekend against Eastern Michigan (Nov. 19). The Flashes reclaimed the Wagon Wheel with a 28-17 victory last year in Kent.

 

Kent State then wraps up the regular season by traveling to Temple the day after Thanksgiving (Nov. 25). The affair with the Owls is part of ESPN’s multiple-game selection plan that gives the network flexibility in choosing the best match-up that day.

 

The Marathon MAC Championship Game, which will be broadcast live at 8 p.m. on ESPN2, is scheduled for Dec. 2 at Ford Field in Detroit.

 

Call the Kent State Athletic Ticket Office at 330-672-2244 for season ticket information. Plans start as low as $30 for the Golden Flashes’ six home games. Those wishing to renew their season tickets should do so prior to June 1 to lock in last year’s prices. All season tickets come with a season parking pass and a coupon good for 20 percent off merchandise at the Kent State University Bookstore. New this year is the “Golden Ticket” upgrade: make any season ticket “Golden” for just $15 more and receive a $5 food voucher for each game and the ability to enroll in the Kids’ Club for 50 percent off the regular price.

 

Anyone buying or renewing season tickets between Feb. 4 and the spring football game on April 16 will be entered into a drawing to win a pair of tickets to the Alabama game Sept. 3 in Tuscaloosa (one entry per season ticket purchased). Included in the package are round trip airfare, hotel accommodations and ground transportation. The winner will be announced at halftime of the spring game.

 

In addition, anyone buying or renewing season tickets between Feb. 4 and June 1 will be eligible to buy the same number of tickets to watch the Flashes play the Crimson Tide.

 

Posted March 7, 2011

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Biology Student Travels to Puerto Rico for Summer Research Opportunity

While some students were spending their summer working part-time jobs or relaxing poolside, Ashley Golphin was researching tropical stream ecosystems in Puerto Rico.

The senior biology major from Hudson was one of eight students chosen from across the United States to participate in the National Science Foundation's Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program. At the recommendation of Dr. Oscar Rocha, assistant professor of biological sciences, Golphin applied for the program and learned she was accepted last spring.

The program, which lasted from late May until early August, was located in El Yunque National Forest at El Verde Field Station, University of Puerto Rico. El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the United States, and is home to a rich diversity of plant and animal species, as well as many stream ecosystems.

"I was initially very nervous about being away for so long," Golphin says. "But the moment I walked into the rainforest near El Verde Field Station on the day I arrived, I knew I had made the right decision in coming."

While there, Golphin and her Puerto Rican mentor studied the effects of land use on stream ecosystems in the area. Golphin investigated urban and agricultural streams, as well as streams in forested areas. She said that it was not uncommon to work in an urban area that had pipes running from homes directly into the stream.

"The urban streams tended to look like garbage dumps," Golphin says. "Clothing, car parts, old toys and all sorts of random objects were strewn about them."

In contrast, the forested streams were rich in vegetation, which led the researchers to the conclusion that pollution was a significant cause in the way different streams functioned.

"Pollution was the major factor altering both agricultural and urban stream functioning," Golphin says. "It is an issue that needs to be addressed and proper management practices [should be] implemented."

From her time in Puerto Rico, Golphin learned to think critically about environmental issues and the way land use can affect ecosystems. She has brought this experience back to Kent State this semester. Along with Dr. Laura Leff, professor of biological sciences, Golphin is conducting research, which involves investigating enzyme activity in streambed sediment, similar to her research in Puerto Rico.

"While researching in Dr. Leff's lab, I gained a passion for aquatic ecology and environmental sciences," Golphin says. "I've had the opportunity to promote environmental awareness by presenting my research at multiple conferences across the United States."

In addition to her lab research with Leff, Golphin also works with Dr. Christopher Blackwood, assistant professor of biology, in investigating how bacteria and fungi affect the carbon cycle and impact the atmosphere. She also works at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, where she conducts behavioral studies on the Persian Leopard and the Golden-bellied Mangabey, a monkey native to the Congo.

"Gaining hands-on experience is a key for learning science, and Ashley has taken full advantage of the opportunities we offer," says Leff. "She is a valued member of my team, as well as the group of my associate, Chris Blackwood. In everything she does, Ashley strives to gain experience, learn new things and contribute to our research mission."

During her sophomore year, Golphin was accepted into the McNair Scholars Program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral studies through research opportunities and scholarly activities. After graduation, Golphin plans on attending graduate school, where she's considering programs in aquatic ecology.

During her time at Kent State and through her experiences and research in Puerto Rico, Golphin's passion for the environment has grown, and she hopes to further that passion through study, research and advocacy.

Golphin cites a quote from Senegalese environmentalist Baba Dioum as her inspiration: "In the end we will conserve only what we love.  We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught."

By Sarah Lack

Posted March 7, 2011

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Graduate Student Trustee Sought

An important search is underway that will result in the appointment of a Graduate Student Trustee to the Kent State University Board of Trustees.  Applications from interested students for this two-year term position are now being accepted by the Office of the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs.  Currently, Katherine O'Brien and Brady Ruffer are Kent State's Student Trustees, graduate and undergraduate, respectively.  O'Brien is completing her term of office this year and will serve as chair of the Student Trustee Search Committee, as required by university policy. 

An overview of the student trustee position, including expectations, responsibilities and qualifications is available at http://www.kent.edu/emsa/students/student-trustee.cfm.  The deadline for submitting nominations is Wednesday, March 30, 2011.  Documents necessary for completing an applicant's file are:  application form, résumé and three letters of recommendation (two from individuals affiliated with Kent State University and one from a personal source not affiliated with the university).  Students may choose to include additional relevant information with their application.  

Students may apply online for the position or by contacting the office located in Room 250 of the Kent Student Center. Complete applicant files will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Friday, April 8, 2011.  At the conclusion of the process, the names of five students will be forwarded to the Governor's Office for final selection of the successful candidate.

The new term of Student Trustee will begin on the date of appointment specified by the governor, and will end on May 16, 2013. 

For more information, please contact Pat Dennison at 330-672-4050 or pdenniso@kent.edu. Posted March 7, 2011

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