eInside Briefs

Kent State’s 2012 Spirit of Women in Business Conference Set for March 7

The second Spirit of Women in Business
Conference takes place March 7. Early bird
registration costs $25 and ends Jan. 31.

Kent State presents its second Spirit of Women in Business Conference with the theme “The Empowered Woman.” The conference takes place on March 7 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Kent Student Center. Students, professionals and seasoned business veterans are encouraged to attend.

The conference will be divided into three 60-minute breakout sessions where a range of topics, such as financial literacy, performance improvement, communication skills, workplace skills and breaking stereotypes, among others, will be discussed. In addition, networking opportunities will be available.

Two distinguished speakers will deliver keynote addresses at the event. DeLores Pressley, motivational speaker, author and founder of DeLores Pressley Worldwide and the BornSuccessful Institute, will deliver the breakfast keynote address. Pressley is sponsored by Kent State’s College of Business Administration. Regina Brett, author, Plain Dealer columnist and host of The Regina Brett Show on WKSU, will deliver the luncheon keynote address. Brett also will host a book signing at the event’s conclusion. Brett is sponsored by WKSU.

“The Spirit of Women in Business Conference features an excellent line-up of expert speakers and is a significant event for all women,” says Veronica Cook-Euell, co-chair of the Spirit of Women in Business Conference planning committee. “We have something for every woman —  whether you’re a professional, business owner, seasoned woman embarking on a new career path or a student, this conference will empower you with new ideas and the forte to succeed.”

Early bird registration for the conference is $25 and ends Jan. 31. Late or on-site registration is $40. Students can pre-register for $10 or $15 for late or on-site registration. Registrants also have the option of earning continuing education units by indicating that preference on the registration form.

A vendor exhibit will be on display during the conference. Exhibitors can complete a vendor registration form at www.kent.edu/business/wib by Feb. 10.

Sponsor and program advertising opportunities are also available. 

For more information about the Spirit of Women in Business Conference, including pricing, registration, sponsorship, advertising and vendor information, visit www.kent.edu/business/wib.

Important Information About Final Grading of F1 Courses – Spring 2012

Online final grading for courses meeting in the F1 (1/9-2/12) part of term begins Thursday, Feb. 9, via FlashFAST. Grading is also now available for any spring 2012 course section that was flexibly scheduled and has already ended. The deadline for grading submission is midnight on Tuesday, Feb. 14.

FlashFAST is accessible from any Internet-capable computer that has the cookies function enabled. To access FlashFAST, log in to FlashLine at http://flashline.kent.edu and click the Faculty & Advisor Tools tab. The link to your grade roster(s) is located in the Faculty & Advisor Toolbox, under the Submit Grades heading.

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

Also, as a helpful tip, it is recommended 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.

What’s Kent State President Lefton Been Up to Lately?

Andy Huston, lead IT user support analyst is surprised
by Kent State President Lester A. Lefton as he receives a
2011 President's Excellence Award.

From making time to personally thank and congratulate recipients of the 2011 President’s Excellence Awards, to checking in on Alumni Association staff as they prepared for the first ever “Flashes Forever” graduation celebration, to attending  the Golden Flashes basketball game, Kent State President Lester A. Lefton shows he can work hard and play hard, too.

Visit the President’s page to view a photo essay that features some of what the president’s been up to lately.

Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations Gets New Web Page

Kent State's Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations
has a new Web page that provides faculty and staff with
information about funding opportunities and resources.

A new sub-site of the Kent State University Institutional Advancement website has been created for the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations at www.kent.edu/cfr.

The Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations builds relationships with private foundations and businesses to encourage interest in funding programs. The team works closely with university administrators, faculty and staff to provide centralized communication about funding opportunities for research, interdisciplinary projects and institutional priorities. Team members can also assist you with proposal development and strategy.

The new Web page provides administrators, faculty and staff with information about funding opportunities and resources, and is designed to help you access the latest funding information and to use the correct protocol to contact funders.

Below is a summary of information available at the new www.kent.edu/cfr Web page:

Meet the Team
Includes a brief description of team members’ areas of expertise and contact information
 
Faculty and Staff Contact Form
Allows you to submit funding requests
The form is part of an automated system that manages data more efficiently across the university, and provides a guaranteed response to your inquiry. Please enter details on projects or research for which you are seeking funding or strategies. Specify your campus and program or school, provide a description of the project and include the amount of funding you are seeking.
 
Funder Snapshots
Provides a summary of top funding entities, both regionally and nationally
 
Request for Proposals
Contains proactive information that is filtered and monitored on a weekly basis; categorized by broad subject heading to encourage interdisciplinary projects and research
 
University Resources
Connects you to other university resources available to help you with your funding requests
 
If you require more information or have questions about using the website, contact Jessica Hudson at jmhudson@kent.edu or 330-672-0437.
 

Nominate a Kent State Faculty Member for the 2012 Outstanding Research and Scholarship  Award by Feb. 12

You are invited to nominate a Kent State faculty member for the 2012 Outstanding Research and Scholarship Award, formerly known as the Distinguished Scholar Award. Sponsored by the Division of Research and Sponsored Programs and the University Research Council, this award is intended to honor Kent State’s finest outstanding researchers and scholars. The awardees will be selected based on the quality of research and scholarship and its impact on society. 

Who can be nominated? 
Any Kent State faculty member can be nominated, except those who have previously received the Distinguished Scholar Award.
Click here to see previous winners.

Who can nominate? 
Any member of the Kent State community, including faculty, emeriti, staff, students and alumni. To nominate, you must submit a letter outlining the specific research and/or scholarly achievements of the nominee. Please send an email to research@kent.edu and attach your letter of support.

Nomination Deadline: Sunday, Feb. 12, at 11:59 p.m. Recipients will be announced on the Kent State homepage on March 15.

Women’s Center at Kent State Offers SAD Lamp to the University Community

A Kent State student reads under a
SAD lamp at the Women's Center. The
Women's Center will make the lamp
available for the Kent State community
on a daily basis.

According to About.com Women’s Health, at least 10 million Americans experience varying degrees of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). In fact, those most likely to be affected by the “winter blues” are children, adolescents and women.  Seventy-five to 80 percent of those who suffer from seasonal affective disorder are women, the majority of whom are over age 30.

Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder With Light Therapy
This spring semester, the Women’s Center will have a SAD lamp available on a daily basis for the university community.  Students, faculty and staff can stop by and use the lamp while they are reading, working or having lunch. The SAD lamp will be made available in the Women’s Center library and conference room on a first-come-first-served basis from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The only time the SAD lamp will not be available will be during times the room is already in use. To reserve your time to use the lamp, please call 330-672-9230 or simply stop by the Women’s Center located in the Alumni Carriage House.

An upcoming brown-bag lunch will be held to further explore the causes, symptoms and treatments for seasonal affective disorder.

Because SAD is caused by a lack of sunlight, it makes sense that therapy with lights is the preferred treatment. Light therapy increases light to the brain through the retina and is effective for about 60 to 80 percent of patients, with most patients noticing significant improvement within four to five days (Source: About.com Women’s Health).

Common Symptoms of SAD

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Symptoms of SAD are similar to those of other medical and mental health conditions, such as depression.  If symptoms persist, it is extremely important to receive professional evaluation of your symptoms, so that a proper diagnosis is made.

• Lack of energy, increased fatigue, increased need for sleep, lethargy
• Increased appetite, possible weight gain, increased cravings for sugar/carbs
• Withdrawal from friends/family, relationship problems, loss of libido, anxiety
• Problems focusing or concentrating on various types of tasks or work
• Increased symptoms of PMS/PMDD
• Seasonal depression during fall and winter
  

Additional Tips for Treating SAD (Source: Psychology Today)

• First, get a medical evaluation. Many illnesses such as hypoglycemia and hypothyroidism can look like SAD.
• Educate yourself about your circadian rhythm, the internal biochemical which regulates our body with respect to sleeping, feeding and well-being.
• Consider spending more time outdoors.
• Treat yourself to sunshine. Sit in a pool of sunlight when indoors.
• You might consider buying an artificial light for light therapy if you can’t get natural sunshine.
• Keep a regular sleep schedule. No sleeping in or going to bed too early.
• Eat a balanced diet.  SAD sufferers may crave sweets and starches, so be mindful to keep protein in your diet as a balance. 

Regional Campuses Engage Students Through Campus Organizations

Kent State has eight campuses, each of which has a unique focus and offers different specialty majors for students. Most campuses offer a multitude of associates degrees and some bachelor degrees, and the majority of students who attend these campuses transfer to the Kent Campus after two years.

These regional campuses provide opportunities for students to get involved, including student organizations, undergraduate student government and other fun activities. The Kent State University at Stark Campus encourages students to connect with other students who share similar interests, expose themselves to new cultures, experiences, ideas, issues and lifestyles, and to build their résumés with demonstrated leadership skills.

The Kent State Stark Campus and the Kent Campus are currently requesting nominations for the Student Leadership Awards, which is a great way to help a student gain the recognition they deserve. Kent State Stark also hosts Kentiki, an event that wraps up the school year on a fun note with food, fun and free stuff. Last year, they had a mechanical bull.

Just as at the Kent State Stark Campus, Kent State University at Ashtabula offers student support groups like the Student Veterans Association. This group supports student veterans in the process of transitioning from post-military service to a successful collegiate lifestyle through resources available on campus, as well as in the community. Membership is open to faculty, staff, administration and current or former students who are active duty, retired, prior service National Guard or Reserve.

The Kent State University at Geauga Campus has the Gaia (pronounced guy-a) Society, which is a science and environmental student organization. The group provides students the opportunity to learn more about their academic interests through participation in campus and community service opportunities.

Faculty and staff can help get students involved by referring them to the student life office on their respective campuses. Involvement is especially important when a student can complement their major by joining an academic student organization and practice what they are learning outside the classroom.