Weekly Bulletin

Reception planned for Marcellette G. Williams

The campus community and others with ties to the University are invited to a reception in honor of interim Chancellor Marcellette G. Williams to be held Wednesday, May 22, 4:30-6 p.m. at Memorial Hall.

Friends and colleagues are encouraged to contribute greetings, best wishes and remembrances for a memory book.

Older men needed for Exercise Science study

Researchers in the Exercise Science Department are looking for healthy males (ages 60-75) for a study of ways to reduce the loss of muscle strength and size through the aging process.

Specifically, the research is focused on antioxidant supplementation and its possible benefits in maintaining quality of life during periods of injury, illness or disuse.

Participants will be paid $150. If interested, contact Maria at 5-4959 or by e-mail (murso@excsci.umass.edu).

Retirement reception for Betty Brace

A reception will be held Friday, June 7 for the Library's coordinator of User Support Services, Betty Brace, who is retiring after 35 years of service.

The reception will take place from 4-6 p.m. in the Tippo Courtyard Garden of the Du Bois Library. All are welcome to attend.

Contributions towards a gift may be sent to Nancy Wonsey, Library Office, Du Bois Library, by May 25.

SPHHS hosts retirement reception

The School of Public Health and Health Sciences is hosting a reception on Thursday, May 23 for eight retiring faculty and staff: George Cernada, Seth Goldsmith, Cynthia Hardy, David Hosmer, Janelle Klar, Dorothy Knightly, Joanne Pliska and Judith Rivard.

The reception is scheduled for 4:30-7 p.m. at the University Club. Members of the campus community are invited to attend.

Return semester- and long-term loan equipment

Faculty and staff who have audio-visual equipment on semester-long or long-term loans are requested to return it to Academic Instructional Media Services (AIMS) before Wednesday, May 22.

The equipment is needed for inventory purposes and to allow AIMS staff to perform preventive maintenance, according to AIMS director John W. Stacey.

If the equipment is easily transportable, it can be returned to 303 Goodell. If not, call AIMS equipment distribution at 5-5765 or 5-5766 prior to May 22 to arrange for pick-up.

Scripps researcher leads Medical School seminar

Jeff Kelly of the Scripps Research Institute will speak on "Understanding the Energy Landscape Associated with Transthyretin Amyloid Diseases and Manipulating It to Prevent Amylodosis" on Wednesday, May 22 at noon in S1-608 Hiatt Auditorium in the Goff Learning Center at the Worcester campus.

The seminar is sponsored by the Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Department.

Molecular Genetics and Microbiology seminar

Ronald K. Taylor of the department of microbiology and immunology at Dartmouth Medical School will discuss "Bacterial type 4 pilus biogenesis and function: Vibrio cholerae TCP as a model pilus/secretion system" on Friday, May 24 at 12:15 p.m. in the MGM Seminar Room, S5-310 of the Worcester campus.

Physiology seminar

"G Proteins and the Cytoskeleton: Form and Function in Signal Transduction" is the topic of a Physiology Department seminar to be presented by Mark M. Rasenick of the University of Illinois at Chicago on Monday, May 20 at noon in the Physiology Seminar Room, S4-308 of the Worcester campus.

Heard to keynote Boston Business Luncheon

Alumna Marian Heard, chief executive officer of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, will be the keynote speaker at the 20th Annual Boston Business Luncheon on Thursday, May 23, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Colonnade Hotel in Boston.

To register, call the Alumni Relations Office at 5-2317.

Academic Computing fetes three retirees

The Academic Computing unit of the Office of Information Technologies will honor the contributions of Trina Hosmer, Carol MacKnight and Doris Peterson at a celebration on Wednesday, June 12, 4-6 p.m. in Memorial Hall.

To participate in the creation of retirement gifts, contact Ann Garstka, A209 Lederle Graduate Research Center. RSVP by June 3 by calling 7-0072.

Neuroscience and Behavior Program seminar

The Neuroscience and Behavior Program will conclude its spring seminar series on Thursday, May 23 with presentations of two major research projects by graduate students at 12:15 p.m. in 521B Tobin Hall.

Jeremy D. Houser will discuss "Circadian Changes in Retinal Sensitivity in Spiders."

Christa D. Show will speak on "Associative Learning in Jumping Spiders."

USA Sick Leave Bank

Open enrollment for the University Staff Association Sick Leave Bank is underway through May 31. During this time, USA members can donate sick days to the bank or drop their participation in the program.

Donation and withdrawal forms should be submitted to Human Resources by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 31.

For information on the Sick Leave Bank, call the USA office at 5-0165 or Kelly Dickinson in Human Resources at 5-1478.

Fire protection and emergency power systems to be tested

From May 28 through June 7, Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) and Physical Plant will conduct annual testing of all fire sprinkler systems, standpipes, and fire pumps. Buildings equipped with these systems will require flushing and flow tests. Testing is required under building code and fire prevention regulations and should pose no concerns for building occupants.

Under a separate testing program, all fire alarm and emergency/standby power systems within academic and administrative buildings will be tested. This program, which is being coordinated through a joint effort of Physical Plant and EH&S, will be conducted from June 10 through June 28. State regulations require that all components of a fire alarm system be tested annually.

The program also includes a fire evacuation drill for each building. The purpose of the drill is to ensure that occupants are familiar with the sound of the fire alarm system and are knowledgeable of all evacuation routes. The fire drill portion of the program usually takes 5-10 minutes to complete depending on building size. At the conclusion of the drill, all occupants will be allowed to re-occupy the building. Following an established schedule, building electrical power will be interrupted and emergency lighting evaluated. All fire alarm horns and pull-stations will be tested individually.

Buildings with emergency generators will be tested under emergency power, which may result in some power disruption. Building coordinators have been sent service interruption notices along with the testing schedule. They can provide additional information on how your building will be affected.

Mobility-impaired persons are not required to evacuate buildings per University policy. All department heads and disabled persons should be aware of this policy. Copies are available by contacting EH&S or Disability Services. Any questions regarding fire protection, life safety or testing programs may be directed to Ed Mientka at Environmental Health and Safety at 5-5114.

Information sessions on new dental plan for USA and MSP

MetLife replaced Delta Dental as the carrier for dental care insurance for the Board of Higher Education/Massachusetts Teachers Association Health & Welfare Trust Fund benefit plan on April 1. The change affects members of the University Staff Association and the Massachusetts Society of Professors.

MetLife representatives will present details of the company's PDP network at information sessions on Tuesday, May 21, at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. and Wednesday, May 22, at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. All sessions take place in 163C Lincoln Campus Center.

Final exams begin

The final examination period begins Saturday, May 18 and ends Friday, May 24.

Retirement dinner for Gloria Ortiz

A reception and dinner will be held on Wednesday, June 12 for associate director of Equal Opportunity & Diversity Gloria Ortiz, who is retiring.

The event will be held at the Hickory Ridge Country Club in Amherst, and is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Those planning to attend must RSVP by May 30 to Jamie Cimino at 5-3465. The cost is $30, which includes a contribution for a gift.

Retirement reception for Patricia Manfredi

UMass Extension is hosting a reception on Monday, June 10 in honor of assistant director Patricia Manfredi, who is retiring after 35 years of service. The reception is scheduled for 3-5 p.m. in 1109 Lincoln Campus Center.

RSVP to Laura Hall at 5-4371 or by e-mail (lhall@umext.umass.edu) by June 3.

Contributions towards a gift may be sent to Laura Hall, UMass Extension, 229 Draper Hall by May 31.

School of Nursing salutes Mary Mireault

The University community is invited to join the School of Nursing in celebrating the retirement of Mary T. Mireault, who has served the University for 23 years. An open house is planned for Wednesday, May 29, 4-5:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall.

Retirement reception for Maggie Vidrine

The campus community is invited to attend a retirement reception for Maggie Vidrine, director of the Office of Grant and Contract Administration, on Tuesday, June 4 from 2-4 p.m. in the Honors Lounge, 504 Goodell.

Non-unit classified staff sick leave cash-in program

May is the designated month for non-unit classified staff to opt to participate in the sick leave cash-in program.

The sick leave-cash-in is calculated based on an employee's Fiscal 2002 sick leave accrual. The number of sick days accrued will be determined based on the individual's full- or part-time employment status on May 30, 2002.

Employees must retain six of their FY02 accrued sick days; any days over that number will be used to calculate the cash-in provision.

The program allows for reimbursement of sick leave days at a rate of 50 percent of their value. Payment will be calculated using each employee's hourly rate on May 30. Payments are usually made within 30 days of the May 30 deadline.

Questions regarding the cash-in option should be directed to the Time & Labor Section of Human Resources at 5-0287 or the Human Resources Information Center at 5-6110.

Election forms for participating in the cash-in program should be returned to Human Resources by Friday, May 31.