Briefly Speaking: Headlines for Week of May 9, 2005

Jenny Tabatabaie and Teddy Wenger III were named the 2004 Homecoming King and Queen during the halftime ceremony at Dix Stadium. Photo by Gary Harwood

Homecoming 2005: Save the Date!

The date is set, and the arrangements are being made for another exceptional Homecoming extravaganza. As always, this year’s Homecoming is an opportunity for students, alumni, faculty and members of the Kent community to get together and support Kent State.

Homecoming is set for Sept. 17, when Kent State will play Miami University at 4 p.m. Details are being finalized, but some of the weekend’s events include:

• Annual Bowman Cup 5K race
• Class of 1955 Golden Order reunion
• Announcement of the 2005 Homecoming Court king and queen
• Bonfire and pep rally
• Kent State University Museum tours
• Varsity “K” Day
• President’s Spirit Cup competition

Please check the Alumni Association’s Web site for Homecoming event and time updates. Visit www.ksualumni.org for additional information.

There’s Family Fun for Everyone at Geauga Lake

Geauga Lake is offering discount coupons for Kent State employees valid for Saturday, June 11, or Sunday, June 12. The coupons will be distributed with employee paychecks in May and available at the Benefits Office, Terrace Hall Annex.

Once again Geauga Lake is offering discount coupons for Kent State employees in 2005. Unlike past years when the coupons were valid for only one day, this year the coupons will be valid for one of two days; Saturday, June 11, or Sunday, June 12. The discount coupons will be distributed with employee paychecks during the month of May and will also be available from the Benefits Office located in Terrace Hall Annex on the Kent Campus.

The discounted admission price is $19 (plus tax) per person for up to six adults. Children age 3 and older and under 48 inches tall pay the junior admission price of $14.95. Children age 2 and under are admitted free.

All areas of Geauga Lake and the newest feature, Wildwater Kingdom, are included with this admission. The opening of Wildwater Kingdom has been delayed until “early to mid June.” If this attraction is not open by June 11, the adult admissions price will be discounted by an additional $1. The existing waterpark, Hurricane Hannah’s, will be open.

Picnic baskets and coolers are welcome at the shelters located outside the park near the main entrance. With the exception of special diet/need items (which may be kept in a small cooler) and unopened bottled water, outside food and beverages are not allowed in the park.

Enjoy your day at Geauga Lake and Wildwater Kingdom!

Mail Services Tip of the Month: Address Quality Workshop, June 1

On June 1, Mail Services along with the United States Postal Service will conduct a workshop on address quality. The workshop will be held at the Kent Student Center in Room 319 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The workshop will cover address placement, address format, barcode clear zone, font size and ancillary endorsements.

To make your reservations, please contact Anna Pascarella in Mail Services at 330-672-8703 or apascare@kent.edu.

Preventing Water Pollution Through Efficient Landscaping

As summer approaches and the temperatures go up, so does the amount of water used for landscaping and other outdoor activities. What many may not know is that excessive water use can escalate the danger of polluting storm water and other area water resources.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an average lawn consumes 10,000 gallons of water in addition to rainfall each year. By implementing what the EPA calls “environmentally friendly landscape management,” lawns in the area can be both attractive and safe for the surrounding water supply. Limiting the amount of water used to landscape provides the chance to enjoy a beautiful lawn and lower water bills. It also keeps water supplies safe and clean.

The EPA gives the following tips to maintain a healthy lawn while conserving using less water:

• Group plants according to their water needs
• Use native and low-water-use plants
• Use efficient irrigation systems
• Make sure soil is healthy
• Remember to mulch
• Provide regular maintenance

Healthy lawns and gardens not only please the eye and increase the value of a home, but also filter pollutants from the air and provide a natural “dam” for dangerous run-off. For more information on water-efficient landscaping and other ways to protect area water resources, visit the EPA Web site at http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofbmps/pub_ed.cfm.

This article is being published in e-Inside as part of the action plan developed for the city of Kent and Kent State to improve the quality of storm water discharges. Watch for upcoming e-Inside articles designed to educate the university community about lawn and garden care.

e-Inside Takes Summer Vacation; Message Boards Still Available

e-Inside is taking a short break. See you on May 30 when e-Inside kicks off the Summer 2005 schedule! Remember that e-Inside’s interactive message boards will still be available during the break. Visit the e-Inside message boards now.

Update Your Information in Online Directory by June 30

To update your information, visit the Online Directory Updates - Individual Listings on University Communications and Marketing Web site.

University Communications and Marketing will continue to produce a printed phone directory this year, as well as the online directory. The printed directory will include individual listings for faculty and staff members. Your individual printed listing will appear exactly as it does in the online directory at the time of June 30.

Data in the online directory will supply data for the printed directory. Therefore, it is very important that each individual update his or her listing as it appears in the online directory on the university’s Web site. Individuals also will be able to enter additional titles, campus locations, phone numbers and nicknames. Please be sure to include your 5-digit code so intra-campus callers can take advantage of the "Five is Free" extensions and avoid long distance charges.

To update your information, visit the Online Directory Updates - Individual Listings on University Communications and Marketing Web site and follow the directions listed there.

Because of printer deadlines, the deadline for updating your information is June 30.

Thank you for helping to ensure complete and accurate directory listings.

Help Test New Human Resources Web Site

The Division of Human Resources has been busy working on a new Web site for faculty and staff. Before they launch the redesign, they want to get feedback from faculty and staff to find out if the new site is user-friendly. Here's your chance to help (and get a sneak peek of the site)! Dr. David Robins, assistant professor, College of Communication and Information, is helping conduct usability tests on the site the week of May 16. Please contact Robins to find out how you can participate in a usability test in the new usability lab on the third floor of the Kent State Library. Contact Robins via e-mail at drobins@kent.edu.