JSU Digest
Monday March 1, 2004

Story Index
1.A Message From President Meehan
2.Retirement Planning Seminar Forms Due Friday, March 5
3. JSU to Host First Round of OVC Tournament March 2
4. Kappa Delta Pi Applications
5.Pre-register for Saturday's Orienteering Adventure
6. JSU to Host First Round of OVC Tournament March 2
7. International House to Hold Silent Auction
8. International Week Feb. 29 to March 6
9. Commencement Information
10. New Calendar of Events Form
11. Need A Physical?
12. Dr. Whitton Invited to Speak at Holocaust Commemoration
13. Free Bicycle Safety Class to be Offered March 20
13.Hear Dr. Steve Whitton

A Message From President Meehan

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students:

Thank you for braving the bad weather in Montgomery to attend the Higher Education Day rally last Thursday. The determination of our brigade of supporters to press ahead during wet, cold conditions sent elected leaders and the public a powerful statement about your commitment and determination. Special thanks go to Dr. Legare McIntosh, Mr. Mark Fifer and music students for providing the spirited entertainment well-matched for the occasion.

JSU’s coterie joined with roughly 1,500 other students and higher education personnel at the Alabama Statehouse to make the needs of higher education institutions known to legislators, who are drawing up the state's 2004-05 budget.

Gordon Stone, director of the Higher Education Partnership, which sponsored the event, told the gathering that higher education serves as the foundation of the state's success. Stone showed the gathering two posters: one depicting a dilapidated house with a broken foundation; the other, a house built on stone. "Is that what you want?" Stone asked, pointing at the house built on stone. The crowd cheered.

The theme of the day, "Higher education: the foundation for success," was brought to life by comments from a number of speakers. They expressed a common strong belief: that if workers are assured their children can receive a good education, and if programs are available to train people to become skilled workers and professionals, then Alabama will be able to keep its industry, attract new industry and offer competitive jobs.

Gov. Riley told the audience that states that enjoy a better quality of life than Alabama – those that have better living conditions and booming economies -- are the ones that have invested in higher education. "Even in these very difficult times, this year when we are having a hard time, when we're trying to balance the budget, our administration has submitted a budget to the Legislature that increases funding by $13 million for higher education," Riley said. He emphasized that higher education excellence is about everyday Alabamians, not the administration or legislators. It is up to each of us to educate those around us about the importance of higher education and to let our elected leaders know how we feel they should vote. When enough Alabama voters feel as we do, then the Legislature will follow the lead.

The governor told students, "It is about your future; it is about whether or not you will be able to stay in Alabama and have jobs that are competitive with any in the country. It's about you making the choice that you are going to demand more out of education than you ever have before."

We will have failed if we do nothing more after Thursday’s rally. Our challenge now is to continue to educate people about the importance of higher education. I encourage you to talk to at least five people about funding issues facing the Legislature, and to contact your legislators regularly to voice concerns and opinions.

Again, thank you for such strong support and dedication last Thursday. Now let us go forward and continue to get out the word about building a stronger higher education system for Alabama’s future.

Sincerely,
William A. Meehan, Ed.D.
President

Retirement Planning Seminar Forms Due Friday, March 5

Human Resources invites you to attend the 14th annual Retirement Planning Seminar on Thursday, April 8 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the 11th floor of Cole Library. The meeting will include speakers from TIAA/CREF, Teacher's Retirement System, and the Social Security Administration. The agenda for the evening is as follows:

6:00 - 6:15 - Welcome
6:15 -7:00 - TRS
7:00 - 7:15 - Break
7:15 - 8:00 - TIAA/CREF
8:00 - 8:30 - Social Security

Individual benefits statements may be obtained from TRS and TIAA/CREF. If you wish to receive an individual benefit statement from these organizations, please complete the form below and return to Human Resources by Friday, March 5. The TRS and TIAA/CREF statements will be available the evening of the seminar.

The Social Security Administration will allow you to order an Earning and Benefits Statement on-line. You may do so at the web site www.socialsecurity.gov/statement. The statement will be mailed to your home. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page at that site and click on the “Request a Statement” button.

Spouses, family members, or guests are welcome to accompany you. We look forward to seeing you on April 8. Please call Human Resources (ext. 5007) if you have questions.

RETIREMENT BENEFIT PROJECTIONS

Employee Name ________________________________________________

Employee DOB _________________________________________________

Employee SSN ______ - ______ - ________

Second Annuitant's Name __________________________________________

Second Annuitant's DOB ___________________________________________

Retirements are always effective on the first day of the month. For example, if you work through December 31, 2004, your retirement date is January 1, 2005.

You may request estimate for one or two retirement dates.

Estimated date(s) of retirement (1) ___________________________________________

(2) ___________________________________________

Please return to Human Resources (329 Bibb Graves Hall) by Friday, March 5, 2004. If the information is received after that date, we cannot guarantee that your benefits illustrations will be completed in time for the seminar. (Forms may be returned by e-mail or campus mail).

JSU to Host First Round of OVC Tournament March 2

Jacksonville State University's women's basketball program will be hosting the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament on Tuesday, March 2, at 7 p.m. Current JSU students will be allowed to purchase a general admission ticket for just $1. This offer is extended to the first 500 students and only one ticket can be purchased for each JSU Student ID. Student tickets have to be purchased by noon on Tuesday at the JSU Athletic Ticket Office in the Gamecock Fieldhouse. The ticket office opens at 8 a.m. If JSU advances to the championship round of the OVC Tournament in Nashville, which begins Friday, March 5, tickets will be available for purchase immediately following Tuesday's game in the hospitality room at Pete Mathews Coliseum. Tickets are $5 per session and student tickets must be purchased on-campus. No student tickets will be available in Nashville.

Kappa Delta Pi Applications

Applications will be available for education majors who wish to join Kappa Delta Pi, an education honor society, at 3 p.m. March 4 at the Baptist Campus Ministries Building. Applicants must be upperclassmen (junior to graduate level) and have at least a 3.5 GPA. For more information, contact Dr. Carol Uline.

Pre-register for Saturday's Orienteering Adventure

Orienteering is an increasingly popular hobby and competitive sport. It involves using a map and compass to navigate through the woods. Join JSU's Dr. Kelly Gregg at DeSoto State Park for at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 6 for an introductory workshop on orienteering and a brief introduction to GIS - geographic information systems - followed by a friendly orienteering competition. Wear sturdy shoes and clothing for walking through the woods. Bring lunch, water, and be prepared for an adventure. This program has been enjoyed by people of all age groups. THis is an excellent experience for scout groups, as well. Pre-registration is required. The fee is $10. For further information contact Renee Morrison at Ext. 5697.

International House to Hold 'Silent Auction' March 1, 2

The International House will hold a "silent auction" from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, March 1 and Tuesday, March 2 at the IH building. Participants will be able to bid on items from around the world. This is an International Student Organization fund-raising event. For more information contact Debbie Russel at Ext. 5674.

International Week Feb. 29 to March 6

The International Student Organization Presents International Week February 29 to March 6. Planned activities include:

Sunday: Soccer Tournament, 1:00 p.m. at Germania Springs

Monday: ISO Silent Auction, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the International House

Tuesday: ISO Silent Auction 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Internation House

Wednesday: International House event, to be announced, 9:00 p.m. at the International House

Thursday: Pizza Party, 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Anders Roundhouse

Friday: Game Night: 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Patterson Basement

Saturday: International Tasters Fair and Talent Show, 6:00 p.m. at Leone Cole

Commencement Information

Commencement begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 30 in Paul Snow Stadium. Please make the Registrar's Office aware of commencement guests requiring special accommodations by April 9. Commencement will be televised live on WJXS-TV 24 (local Cable One Channel 9). Other cable companies that carry TV 24 include Cable One (Anniston, Oxford, Munford and Jacksonville); Charter (Piedmont, Southside and Heflin); Leesburg Cable; Collinsville Cable; Lookout Cable (Gaylesville); and Cherokee Co Cable (Centre). Please make your family and friends who are unable to attend commencement aware of the television broadcast. Items carried into the stadium are subject to search. Click here for instructions concerning rehearsal, graduation apparel, and additional information pertinent to graduation. The same information is available at http://www.jsu.edu/gradinfo.html.Questions? Call the Registrar's Office at 256-782-5400.

New Calendar of Events Form

In an effort ot simplify the process of posting an event to the JSU Calendar of Events, an online request form is now available at the bottom of the calendar (or go to http://www.jsu.edu/depart/admissions/calendar_request.html). The policy for posting events will appear at the bottom of the form. Please review the policy carefully before submitting additions. All requests will be considered and you will receive a response about your post. For further information contact Tracy Phillips.

Need A Physical Exam?

The Nursing Center Clinic at the Lurleen B. Wallace College of Nursing and Health Sciences has appointments available for students and other individuals from the community. Services include family planning, physical exams and immunizations. Call 782-5432 for an appointment.

President Meehan's Radio Show

Dr. Steve Whitton, professor of English, discusses a wide range of subjects, including his involvement with the writers' bowl, the holocaust project, and literature. Tune in here or go to president.jsu.edu.

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Submit items for the JSU Digest by using the request form at http://www.jsu.edu/news/requestform.html. Announcements will be issued the day after they are submitted, except those submitted on Fridays (those will be dispatched the following Monday). We reserve the right to edit for style and length.

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Compiled and edited by Al Harris, JSU News Bureau

Published by the Jacksonville State University News and Publications Office
700 Pelham Road North
Jacksonville AL 36265
256-782-5828
news.jsu.edu

The University Police Department will sponsor a Bicycle Safety class on Saturday March 20th from 8 a.m. until noon. The class will be taught in the basement of Salls Hall. Anyone interested in attending should contact Sgt. Carl Preuninger at
782-5709. The class is free.

Jacksonville State University English Professor Steve Whitton has been invited to speak at the official Alabama Holocaust Commemoration in Northwest Alabama, which begins at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 18 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Florence. It will include a variety of programs and events. An updated draft schedule of events is available here as a pdf file. For further information, contact Stanley Goldstein at
256-764-5085.