Weekly Bulletin

Retirement reception for Joyce Abel

The campus community is invited to a retirement reception for Joyce Abel, director of Academic Budget in the Provost's Office, on Friday, March 15, 3-5 p.m. in Memorial Hall.

To contribute to a gift, send a check payable to "UMass Abel Retirement Fund" to: Jaclyn Bowdren, Provost's Office, 362 Whitmore. For more information, contact Jaclyn at 5-2554.

Nominations for the Student Employee of the Year Awards

As part of the campus's continuing effort to encourage and reward exemplary performance by all of its employees, the Gerald F. Scanlon Student Employee of the Year Awards are again being held in conjunction with the Chancellor's Citation Awards.

To be eligible a student must be a matriculated undergraduate student who is a junior or senior in good academic standing; employed by the University for at least six months, and on payroll during the 2001-2002 academic year.

The nomination deadline is April 5. To receive a nomination form and additional information, contact the Student Employment Office at 5-3798 or by e-mail ([email protected]), or visit its Web site (www.umass.edu/umfa).

Units invited to participate in Daughters to Work Day

The Faculty Senate Council on the Status of Women is inviting campus departments and programs to participate in the 10th anniversary observance of Take Our Daughters to Work Day on April 25.

Departments can take part in the event by staffing information tables during the breakfast reception at the Mullins Center or by sponsoring activities, such as tours, films, speakers and hands-on workshops later in the day.

For information, contact Ann Carr at 5-3464 or by e-mail ([email protected]).

Rep. Story announces district office hours

Rep. Ellen Story (D-Amherst) is holding district office hours this month as follows:

Amherst: Friday, March 15, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Bangs Community Center.
Shutesbury: Thursday, March 21, 10:30-11:30 a.m., town hall.
Pelham: Thursday, March 21, 3-4 p.m., community center library.

The hours are set aside for residents to talk to Story about ideas or concerns related to state government programs or legislative matters. No appointments are needed.

Story can be reached locally at 256-6300. Story can also be contacted in Boston at (617) 722-2692 or by e-mail ([email protected]). The mailing address is Room 167, State House, Boston MA 02133. Her district aide, Jan Klausner-Wise, can be contacted at 253-3690.

Toner cartridges to trade

The Social and Demographic Research Institute (SADRI) has four Epson toner cartridges (stock #S051011) for Action Laser Printer 1000/1500 to trade for office supplies.

Call Karen Mason at 5-5970.

Aging and muscle function study

The Muscle Physiology Laboratory is looking for men and women ages 65-85 to participate in a study of aging and muscle function. Individuals in good health and free from disease that may affect muscle function are eligible to participate. Financial compensation will be provided for those who complete the study. For more information, call Ted Towse or Ian Lanza at the Muscle Physiology Laboratory, 5-5305.

Blood drive

The Hampshire County Chapter of the American Red Cross will conduct a blood drive on Tuesday, March 26, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in 174 Lincoln Campus Center.

New Weight Watchers session begins March 25

A new 12-week series of Weight Watchers' Winning Points Program begins Monday, March 25.

A free introductory meeting is being held Monday, March 18 at noon in 253 Boyden Gymnasium. The meetings are open to all members of the community.

For information, call Cheryl at 548-9404 or Jill at 5-3321.

Evacuation Day observed

Evacuation Day will be observed as a state holiday on Monday, March 18. Since the campus must remain open and function as usual on this day, employees who cannot be spared and who work on such a holiday are entitled to another day off with pay in lieu of the holiday. Additionally, an employee who is not normally scheduled to work on the date on which the holiday occurs, if the employee's usual workweek is five or more days, shall be entitled to a day off with pay in lieu of the holiday. Such days off may be taken by the employee at a time approved by the department head within 120 days of the date of the holiday unless other provisions exist in current collective bargaining agreements.

Judges needed for regional science fair

Organizers of the Region I Science Fair are seeking judges for the event, scheduled for Tuesday, March 26 in the Student Union Ballroom. Additional judges in the areas of biology and environmental science are needed to accommodate student interest, according to Mary Musgrave, associate dean of the College of Natural Science and Mathematics.

Judges are needed beginning at 9:30 a.m., and their duties will continue until noon. Faculty, postdoctorals, professional staff and advanced graduate students from the Five Colleges can participate in the judging. To volunteer, contact Mary Musgrave at 7-4712 or by e-mail ([email protected]).

'W' deadline is March 27

Faculty are asked to remind undergraduates in their classes and departments that they have until Wednesday, March 27 to drop a class with a record of "W." Doing so will have no adverse impact on their cumulative average. A "W" on one's transcript is almost always preferable to an "F," according to Pamela Marsh-Williams, associate dean and director Undergraduate Advising and Academic Support Center.

"If you have not already done so, I urge you to provide some feedback to students on their performance in advance of this date," says Marsh-Williams. "Such information would encourage those who need it to get additional help in time to make a difference in their performance as well as enable students to make a more informed decision on whether to continue in a course beyond the March 27 deadline.

Sports Luncheon speakers announced

Women's crew coach Jim Dietz and women's lacrosse coach Phil Barnes will speak at the Weekly Sports Luncheon on Wednesday, March 20 at noon in 1009 Lincoln Campus Center.

Softball coach Elaine Sortino and men's lacrosse coach Greg Cannella will be featured at the luncheon on Wednesday, March 27 at noon in the Top of the Campus.

The buffet lunch is $6.50 per person. Call 5-4289 for reservations.

Retired Professional Staff schedule meeting

The Retired Professional Staff's next meeting is Wednesday, March 20 at 10 a.m. in 805-09 Lincoln Campus Center. The speaker will be John Clobridge, executive director of the Amherst Senior Center.

Spring break begins

Spring break begins after the last class on Saturday, March 16. Classes resume on Monday, March 25.