Eastern Michigan University: EMU TODAY

See the University Calendar for events through 2009

TUESDAY, JAN. 6

NOTES AND QUOTES

Note: On this date in 1959, Howie Long, famous Hall of Fame football star and sportscaster, was born.

Quote: “When I went to the Hall of Fame in 2000 and was inducted, it was a travesty the kind of carnage I saw out of these guys who were in their 50s and 60s, who had defined and, in many ways, laid the foundation for the NFL being what it is today." — Howie Long

SPECIAL NOTICES

*NEW CHANGES AT HALLE LIBRARY: Services in the Halle Library have been reviewed and changes, effective Jan. 5, have been implemented to more efficiently provide service to the campus community, in addition to maximizing cost effectiveness. Services provided by the Library Client Service Department have been moved to the following areas in the library: administration, circulation and the multi-media desk. For more information, contact Library administration, 487-0020, extension 2200.

EDUCATIONAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Eastern Michigan University recognizes the tough economic times students and their families are facing. EMU is committed to providing financial assistance to eligible students through federal financial aid programs. EMU also is allowing students to register for winter 2009 classes if they owe $300 or less. Students who still owe a bill from the fall semester, but who have not applied for financial aid, are encouraged to submit a FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Funds continue to be available for federal Pell Grants and Stafford Loans. Students who have already filed a FAFSA, but who have difficulty paying their remaining bill, should contact the Office of Financial Aid in Pierce Hall or Service EMU in the Student Center. Staff in both offices are available to check to ensure that students have received their maximum aid eligibility and award additional financial aid if eligible.

TODAY

FOCUS EMU ON THE WEB: Eastern Michigan University celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Monday, Jan. 19. Learn about the lineup of events scheduled for this annual remembrance. Set-up for construction of the science complex started shortly after finals. Read the details to help you navigate campus in that area. And this issue's "Why I" feature teaches in the School of Health Sciences. Guess who it is. For these and other stories, check out today's issue of FOCUS EMU tomorrow at www.emich.edu/focus_emu

CONTROLLING STRESS: Human Resources Training & Professional Development is
sponsoring an Employee Wellness Program, "A Better Way to Live: Controlling Stress with Meditation-Part 2, Advanced Course." For four weeks, step out of your busy schedule to rest and relieve stress in a course taught by Martha Kimball. Classes are free and will take place Tuesdays: today, Jan. 13, 20, and 27, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Room 310B, Student Center. Faculty and staff employees who have previously taken a meditation course or have practiced meditation can attend. Enrollment space is limited, so register early. To register, go to
hr_tpd(hrunderscoretpd)@emich.edu. Include your name, department, class grade level, e-mail address and phone number. For more information, contact Pat Harris, 487-3430, or e-mail pharris@emich.edu.

JEWISH ANATOMY: Ever wonder what being Jewish means? Wonder no more. EMU Hillel hosts "Jewish Anatomy: Have Your Fill," today, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pray-Harrold. Like doctors learn about the body from "Grey's Anatomy," we'll learn about Judaism from "Jewish Anatomy." For more information, contact Ricky at program@emuhillel.org or call (734) 482-0456.

EMU COMMUNITY MUSIC ACADEMY: Free trial classes are available for adults, youth, children, young children, & infants/toddlers today through Thursday, Jan. 8. Pre-registration is required. To request a pre-registration form and flier, e-mail Rachel Zirk at rzirk@emich.edu or call 487-9750.

LECTURES AND MEETINGS

SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS

*GRANT WRITING WORKSHOP: A grantwriting workshop, "Introduction to the World of Grants," is scheduled for faculty and staff Thursday, Jan. 8, 11-11:45 a.m., second floor conference room, Starkweather Hall. Susan Campbell presents. Enrollment is limited to seven persons. To enroll, call 487-3090 or e-mail mdargo@emich.edu

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION: International Student Orientation is scheduled Sunday, Jan. 11, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Registration is from 8-9 a.m. in the Ballroom mezzanine, Student Center. Orientation costs $50 per student and $50 per guest. The orientation is mandatory for all new EMU international students with F and J visa types to attend. Other visa types are welcome. For more information, contact the Office of International Students (OIS) at 244 Student Center, 487-3116.

ACADEMIC ADVISER TRAINING: The Academic Advising Center in 301 Pierce is offering a six-week Faculty & Staff Academic Adviser Training Program this winter semester. This is an intensive program emphasizing the details of the EMU Catalog, general education, graduation requirements and needs of special student populations. The class will meet each Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to noon, starting Jan. 13 and running through Feb. 19, 2009. To RSVP, please contact Molly Weir, 487-2171, or e-mail molly.weir@emich.edu.

ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

*GIVE BLOOD: The Halle Library hosts a Blood Drive with the American Red Cross Wednesday, Jan. 14, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred and last approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Sarah Fabian at sfabian@emich.edu

*GRADUATE OPEN HOUSE: The Graduate Open House takes place Saturday, Jan. 31, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Halle Library. This is an opportunity to learn about EMU graduate programs, apply on-site at no cost, talk to academic advisors and tour the campus. Informational sessions on admissions process, programs of study, financial aid, graduate assistantships and doctoral fellowships will be offered. For more information, call 487-3060 or 1-800-468-6368; or visit www.emich.edu/gradopenhouse

*MICHIGAN DECA: Michigan DECA will host 1,400 high school marketing education students on campus Thursday, Jan. 8, and Friday, Jan. 9, for their annual district competition. Most of the events will take place in the Student Center. The students will participate in various examinations and evaluations to qualify to compete at DECA’s State Conference in March. For more information, contact Dave Wait at 487-3322.

PRESIDENT'S MLK LUNCHEON: The President's Luncheon takes place Monday, Jan. 19, from 11:50 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. in the Student Center Grand Ballroom. Tickets are $19 for students and $29 for adults. Please be prepared to choose a meat or vegetarian option. This year's keynote speaker is Ed Gordon, an Emmy Award-winning television broadcaster and founder of Daddy's Promise. Departments and colleges are encouraged to reserve tables early as this event typically sells out. For additional information, please contact Kay Woodiel, Director of Diversity and Community Involvement, at dwoodiel@emich.edu or 487-6790, or, for tickets, call the EMU ticket office at 487-2282.

ALUMNI AWARD NOMINATIONS SOUGHT: Do you know a graduate or friend of EMU who should be honored for distinction in their field or service to the University? Nominate them for a prestigious Alumni Award. Each year, EMU's Alumni Association honors individuals who have demonstrated the value of their college education through success in their field and post-college achievements, or through their continued interest in and support of EMU. All nominations must be submitted by Jan. 16. Awards will be presented Saturday, May 9, 2009, at the Ypsilanti Marriott at Eagle Crest. For more information about the awards available or to download a nomination form, go to http://www.emich.edu/alumni/awards or contact the Office for Alumni Relations at 487-0250 or alumni.relations@emich.edu.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

*WALKING THE DOG: Eastern Michigan University Theatre's production, "Walking the Dog," premieres Friday, Jan. 9, 7 p.m.; and Jan. 10-11, 3 p.m., Sponberg Theatre. This play is intended for audiences ages 8 and up, and explores a young girl's journey after losing her father. For more information, call 487-1220 or go to http://www.emich.edu/public/cta/ted

NAS COMING TO CONVO: Rap star Nas performs Feb. 6, 8 p.m., Convocation Center. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale today. EMU students receive $5 off the regular ticket price. Nas's CDs include "Illmatic," "It Was Written," "I Am" and "Nostradamus." For tickets and pricing, call 487-2282 or go to www.emich.edu/convocation

THE KILLERS: Famous rock band, The Killers, will be coming to EMU's Convocation Center for a concert Thursday, Jan. 22, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at www.livenation.com, TicketMaster and the Convocation Center ticket office. For more information or tickets, call 487-2282.

ATHLETICS

TOPPLE TEMPLE: The EMU men's basketball team takes the court against Temple University Wednesday, Jan. 7, 7 p.m., Convocation Center. For tickets, call 487-2282.

REMINDERS

*WINTER BREAK STUDY ABROAD: Applications for the Winter Break Study Abroad program may be dropped off until Wednesday, Jan. 7, 103 Boone Hall, and will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Space is limited on programs, so don't delay. For more information, visit http://www.emich.edu/abroad/winterbreak.html or call 487-2424 or 800-777-3541.

2008 FOUNDATION DONATIONS: All gifts to the University through the EMU Foundation must be postmarked by Dec. 31 in order to receive a 2008 tax receipt. All gifts that arrive in individual departments during the holidays must have the envelopes attached and will be accepted no later than noon, Jan. 9, 2009, in order to be included in 2008 business. For more information, contact Glenda Cornette, Judy Williams or Cathy Cart at (734) 484-1322.

MARK JEFFERSON CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: Commencing with the end of classes for the fall semester, contractors for the Science Complex project will prepare the site for start of construction activities. Pedestrian and vehicle traffic will be affected by these activities. Please visit the Physical Plant Web site at http://www.emich.edu/physplant/high_projects.html for complete detail and site map.

2009 UNDERGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM: The online submission of student nominations to present at the March 27 Undergraduate Symposium can be accessed through a link at the Symposium Web site www.emich.edu/symposium or directly at http://db1.emich.edu/symposium. The submission process will close in stages: students will no longer be able to access to the online system after 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009, and faculty sponsors will be "locked out" from making changes at 11:59 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19. These deadlines will come quickly after the start of winter term, so submit online nominations soon. For questions, call 487-3198 or e-mail wkivi@emich.edu.

GIFT OF EDUCATION: Want to do your part to increase enrollment at EMU while giving a student a holiday gift? Admissions is providing free gift cards good for the undergraduate or graduate application fee. The cards can be picked up at the admissions welcome desks in Pierce Hall or the Student Center anytime before the expiration date of Jan. 14. The gift card must be used by that date to apply for winter, spring, summer or fall 2009 at EMU and can only be used with a paper application. For more information, contact Kathy Orscheln at 487-0239 or korscheln@emich.edu.

MLK HUMANITARIAN AWARD NOMINATIONS: Nominations are still being accepted for the 2009 Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award scholarships. The awards will recognize two Eastern Michigan University students who have demonstrated a commitment to promoting respect and improving the quality of life for all people consistent with Dr. King's ideals. One $1,000 award and one $750 award will be presented Jan. 19, at the President's Luncheon as part of the MLK Day activities. All nominees are required to: submit a completed Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award Application, which is available at www.emich.edu/finaid;
Write a two-page essay discussing the nominee's achievements and qualifications; provide two letters of support, one of which must be from an Eastern Michigan University faculty or staff member; be enrolled at Eastern Michigan University for the fall 2008 and winter 2009 semesters (12 credit hours for undergraduate students and eight credit hours for graduate students); and MUST be in good standing with the University. All application materials must be received in the Office of Government Relations, 202 Welch Hall, by 5 p.m., Friday, Jan. 9. Only complete applications will be considered. Late applications will not be accepted. For more information, contact Charlene Martin at cmartin6@emich.edu or call 487-7048.

TUITION WAIVER: The deadlines for employee and employee spouse/dependents tuition waiver application submission for Winter Term 2009 is Wednesday, Jan. 14. Failure to turn in an application on time will result in the application being denied. Please submit them to Human Resources, room 140, McKenny Hall. If you have any questions, please contact Karyn Jones, 487-3195.

"WHY I" FEATURE SUBJECTS REQUESTED: If you know of an interesting faculty, staff member or administrator that you think would make an interesting "Why I" subject, please forward to Ron Podell at rpodell@emich.edu or call 487-4400. The employee must have worked at EMU for at least three years. Participants receive a green "FOCUS EMU" polo shirt.

SCHOLARSHIPS

DUETSs PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE: The Honors College, in association with the Creative Scientific Inquiry Experience (CSIE) and the Office of Urban Education and Educational Equity (OUEEE), has obtained $750,000 from the Robert Noyce Teacher Education program of NSF’s Division of Undergraduate Education to establish the DUETSs Program (Developing Urban Education Teachers in STEM subjects). The DUETSs Program will award 45 scholarships over the next five years for secondary science, math and technology teaching majors. Application forms and eligibility details of the program may be obtained at the Office of Urban Education and Educational Equity (104 Porter Building), the CSIE office (218 Rackham Building), or online at: http://www.emich.edu/honors/duetss/index.html
The application deadline for the current solicitation is Feb. 2, 2009.

LINK TO OPPORTUNITIES: To find out about current scholarship opportunities, go to www.emich.edu/finaid/schols/schols.htm

The deadline to submit events for consideration for EMU TODAY is noon the day before the event is to occur. For inclusion in EMU TODAY, entries should be formatted in the EMU TODAY style and forwarded electronically to emu_today@emich.edu. Most events will only be able to appear for three days. For more information, call the Office of University Communications at 487-4400.