Board to Hold Listening Sessions with UM Constituency Groups
The IHL Board Search Committee for the next Chancellor of the University of Mississippi will meet with various university constituency groups on Tuesday, February 17, 2009, beginning at 7:45 a.m. at The Inn at Ole Miss on the University of Mississippi campus. The purpose of the meetings is to hear what qualities the University of Mississippi community is looking for in their next Chancellor. These qualities will be used to draft the profile and job description for the position of Chancellor at the University of Mississippi. Please click here for a complete schedule of the listening sessions. Members of the general public interested in submitting their ideas on the qualities of the next Chancellor at the University of Mississippi may do so by filling out the Search Feedback Form located here. Members of the public may also submit feedback here related to the search for a new Commissioner for Higher Education, which is under way as well. For more information on the University of Mississippi Chancellor and the Commissioner of Higher Education search processes, including a timeline of events, visit the IEO search website.
| Board to Hold Committee and Monthly Meetings Feb. 18-19 at JSU
The IHL Board will hold various committee meetings on Wednesday, February 18, and its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, February 19. All meetings will take place in on the campus of Jackson State University (JSU) in the JSU Student Center, 3rd Floor-Ballroom B, 1400 John R. Lynch Street, Jackson, MS, 39217. On Wednesday, the Budget, Finance, and Audit Committee will meet, beginning at 2:00 p.m.; followed by the Educational Policies and Programs Committee, beginning at approximately 2:30 p.m.; and finally, the Real Estate and Facilities Committee, beginning at approximately 3:00 p.m. Committee meeting start times are approximate as committee meetings will begin following the conclusion of the preceding committee. On Thursday, the full Board will convene at 8:30 a.m. and then conduct business as a committee of the whole. Various Board committees, including Educational Policies and Programs; Budget, Finance, and Audit; Real Estate and Facilities; and Governance/Legal will meet as part of the Board meeting. The Board will also receive an update on its progress on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as its annual Black History Month presentation. It will also honor the institutional recipients of its annual 2008 Best Practices competition. For all committee meetings and the Board meeting, an executive session may be held in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. Learn more about the IHL Board. The Board meeting will be available for real-time viewing via live webcast on the IHL website. | IHL Discusses Facilities Needs with State Representatives
On Thursday, February 5, the leaders of Mississippi's eight public universities and Interim Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Aubrey Lucas met with members of the House Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Representative Percy Watson and co-chaired by Representative David Norquist. Dr. Lucas presented to the Committee the IHL Board's priority facilities needs request for FY 2010, which can be viewed here, followed by a discussion of specific needs by each of the System's Institutional Executive Officers. A complete list of needs by institution can be found here. For more information, contact Assistant Commissioner for Governmental Relations Jim Borsig. | Mississippi College Readiness Summit to Take Place March 4
ACT and the Mississippi ACT Council are sponsoring a College Readiness Summit in Jackson on March 4 at the Jackson State University e-Center. Speakers will address how college ready Mississippi students currently are, the initiatives underway and proposed to assist college readiness, the Mississippi high school feedback report, ACT research about course rigor, and how to use college readiness standards. High school and district administrators; high school curriculum planners and counselors; college and system administrators; college curriculum planners; college admissions and retention staff; and anyone involved in planning for and assisting the college readiness and success of students are encouraged to attend. Registration is available online. There is a $30 registration fee, which includes conference materials, continental breakfast, and lunch. For more information, please see the online flyer, or contact Phil Bonfanti or Jay Allen. | |  Items included in the "University News" section of the System Review are submitted each week by the universities. The news items are listed in rotating alphabetical order by university.ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS
 ASU Supports Annual Go Red for Women Movement
Red was the dominant color in the James L. Bolden Campus Union Ballroom on Friday, February 6th, worn in support of the national Go Red for Women movement. The Alcorn Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated presented their version of this health awareness initiative receiving ample support from other sororities on campus and the local community. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. each set up a booth with heart-related health information, red candy, and sign-up sheets. At the end of the program, the organization with the most names would receive "seed money" for their hard work. Visitors and participants also enjoyed fresh fruit courtesy of Piggly Wiggly, Port Gibson, MS, and had their blood pressure checked by employees visiting from the Jefferson Comprehensive Health Center, Incorporated in Fayette, MS. The guest speaker, Dr. Frances Henderson, former Dean of the School of Nursing at Alcorn State University, spoke to the audience about her experience in a three-part study being conducted in Jackson, MS concerning heart health among area men and women. She presented a slide show and read study participants' personal stories about their life with high blood pressure, obesity, and other related issues. At the end of the program, everyone walked away with beneficial information and ways to incorporate healthy living into their own life. Learn more. ASU Employee LaTricia Jackson Receives Ph.D. Stephen McDaniel, CFRE Appointed VP Development and Marketing at ASU ASU/ARM to Celebrate National Service Day in March Permy Thuha Appointed Director of Internal Audit DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS
Helping Secure the Inauguration
In November, the Delta State University Center for Interdisciplinary Geospatial Information Technology was called upon by the federal government to help with then President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration ceremonies. The center teamed up with the United States Marine Corps, U.S. Geological Survey, Tele Atlas and TerraGo Technologies to create detailed mapping of the Washington D.C. area to aid responders in the event of a disaster. "It started last year as a demonstration project for the Joint Task Force National Capital Region," Talbot Brooks, director of the center, said. The task force is a combination of military units and assets, government agencies and civilian units that convene under command of one agency during a regional crisis or high profile event requiring additional security. "We convened under Department of Defense authority to provide homeland security and crisis response for 13 counties and Washington D.C.," Brooks explained. "The fundamental problem the project was addressing was literally addressing lots of places that don't have an address. Learn more. Delta State University Named to Presidential Honor Roll For Community Service Delta State's Deniger Cobb Named National 'Pike of the Month' Alton Robinson Named GSC West Player of the Week JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS
Jackson State Receives National Recognition for Community Service
Jackson State University was named to the 2008 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll Feb. 9 during an awards program at the American Council on Education Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. The organization recognized Jackson State for its various community service programs at area schools, shelters and food pantries. Through classes, organizations or academic departments, Jackson State University contributed more than 20,000 community service hours during the fall of 2008, said Valerie Shelby, director of the JSU Community Service/Service Learning Center. One volunteer hour, she added, is valued at $14.10, making JSU's contribution to the local community worth $282,000. "Service is one of the things that we think will be key to the nation during this time of recession when organizations cannot afford to pay people the way they have in the past," Shelby said. "Our students get to see how they have a hand in helping others." Jackson State junior Matthew Dee agreed. "It is a whole different kind of experience knowing you actually cared for someone other than yourself," said Dee, a computer science major from Dallas who participated in JSU's alternative spring break in Chicago last year. "People don't spend too much time with those less fortunate than themselves." Launched in 2006, the Honor Roll recognizes colleges and universities nationwide that support innovative and effective community service and service-learning." Learn more. Mississippi e-Center Expands Online Technology Certificate Courses Jackson State University Working to Improve Science Education in Mississippi JSU Hamer Institute Unveils 'Pioneers of Civil Rights' Stamp Jackson Teen Seatbelt Coalition Looks to Save Young Lives MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS
U.S. ChallengeX-champion MSU Begins 'NeXt' Team Project
About 60 Mississippi State students are preparing to spend three years working to improve "their car" and, in the process, help shape the United States energy policy. They've accepted a national university challenge to make a difference in the next generation of vehicles--electric plug-in automobiles. So far, early tests show the prototype they're designing will have a fuel economy reaching up to 100-miles-per gallon. MSU is among 17 collegiate teams from throughout North America competitively selected recently to create the "EcoCAR." Known as EcoCAR: The NeXt Challenge, the competition includes the U.S. Department of Energy and General Motors as headline sponsors. The goal: to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions of a Saturn VUE, while also maintaining performance, safety and consumer appeal. MSU holds a special honor entering the 2009-12 event. For the last two years, the land-grant institution won first place in ChallengeX, a national four-year collegiate competition also sponsored by DOE and GM that focused on hybrid technology. Learn more. MSU External Affairs Now Headed By Alumn, Former Wicker Aide MSU Aerospace Engineering Faculty Receives International Honor MSU Department Head Now Leads Forest Resources College MSU Earns National Honor for Community Service MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND VETERINARY MEDICINE NEWS
Youth Earn School Funds at MSU-directed Livestock Sale
Economic woes cannot change what many Mississippians are deep down in their hearts -- generous. The Feb. 5 Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions marked 40 years charitable buyers have stepped forward to bid on market animals raised by 4-H and FFA members from across the state. The event rewards youth for jobs well done and provides money for educational funds, future livestock projects or other needs. "In about a two-hour period, buyers donated almost a quarter of a million dollars at this year's sale," said Dean Jousan, Mississippi State University Extension 4-H livestock specialist. "The quality of the character of these youth inspires buyers to be generous every year, even when the economic outlook is not very strong." Wes Herrington of Laurel, 16, plans to donate the proceeds from one of his two steers in the sale to the medical costs of a friend injured in a recent car accident. Tellus Operating Group purchased his 1,203-pound steer for $13 per pound. This year, 12 hogs, 12 lambs, nine goats and eight steers were auctioned off at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds. In addition to the market animals, donors contributed money to support 25 scholarships worth $1,200 each, five premier exhibitor scholarships worth $1,500 each and three supreme exhibitor scholarships worth $1,000 each. Learn more. Veterinary Basics Yield Unusual MSU Course Names MSU Logger Education Program Serves Major State Industry MSU-based Master Gardeners Beautify Mississippi Communities Youth Serve in State Government through MSU Extension 4-H Internships MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY FOR WOMEN NEWS
Testing of Potential University Names Under Way; Public Input Requested
Testing is under way for three potential names for Mississippi University for Women. The public is encouraged to participate by voting online at http://survey.cirlot.com. The university's naming committee determined the three names after beginning with more than 180 names suggested by the public. The names being tested are Reneau University, Waverley University and Welty-Reneau University. The top three names are being test marketed by The Cirlot Agency, specialists in brand strategy, public relations and market research. The Jackson-based agency was founded by MUW alumna, Liza Looser, the agency's CEO. The three names are being tested online at http://survey.cirlot.com and in focus group settings statewide. The results will be delivered to MUW in six to eight weeks. Learn more. MUW Seeks to Internationalize Campus Through Partnerships in China MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS
MVSU Partnership With Logan University Benefits Student Athletes
A volunteer dinner provided by two Greenwood chiropractors has bloomed into a partnership between their alma mater and Mississippi Valley State University. Dr. Dorothy Pernell and her daughter, Dr. Erin Jacobs, of Murphree & Pernell Chiropractic, have been providing pre-game meals for the MVSU women's basketball team. As the team doctors, they have worked with the young women as part of their training to prevent injuries. The partnership has now expanded to a new venture with a partnership of the chiropractors' alma mater, Logan University College of Chiropractic in St. Louis, Mo. Graduate program director, Dr. Laney Nelson, and eight interns were on the Itta Bena campus Feb. 11-12 to conduct strength, conditioning and agility testing of approximately 230 MVSU student athletes. Each Valley student athlete will be evaluated and receive a customized program in order to maximize his or her athletic performance. "This is a wonderful experience for the university as a whole," said coach Alyse Wells-Kilbert, assistant athletic director and women's senior administrator. "Dr. Pernell contacted Logan's Biofreeze Sports & Rehabilitation Center and asked them to consider MVSU for its service outreach program, which is normally limited to the St. Louis area. They are very excited to come to Itta Bena." "This is an opportunity for us to help our athletes prevent injuries. Each student will have an individualized program to help them be the best healthy athlete." Learn more. MVSU Named To President's Roll for Community Service MVSU Hosts 14th Annual Piano Festival MVSU Music Symposium Scheduled Feb. 24-25 THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI NEWS
Revamped Writing Program Involving Entire Curriculum Announced
A two-year campus wide collaboration at the University of Mississippi, driven by students and faculty, has identified student writing as a top priority and resulted in a five-year reorganization plan to improve the way writing is being taught. To meet part of the requirements for reaccreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools this year, the university organized a Quality Enhancement Plan task force in fall 2006 to identify a student learning outcome that could be improved. After much research and discussion, with guidance from other students and faculty, administrators, staff and alumni, the task force zeroed in on student writing. "Good writing complements good thinking," said John Winkle, professor of political science and chair of the QEP topic selection task force. "The ability to write well enhances and solidifies the ability to think well. Emphasizing writing will help students to communicate more confidently and more effectively once they graduate from Ole Miss." The QEP proposal, which includes precise goals, new writing initiatives and methods of evaluation, went public this week. SACS representatives are scheduled to make their reaccreditation visit to campus Feb. 24-26. The plan calls for hiring new faculty who specialize in writing, expanding and enhancing the existing Writing Center, and creating a seed-grant program for faculty. The university also plans to adopt technologies to encourage and support student writers. Learn more. Colin Powell Reflects on America's Progress, Advises Students to 'Give Back' Senior Honors Student Wins Scholarship to Study in Belfast, Ireland this Semester UM Space Law Students Partner with MIT Engineering Students on Project UM Researchers Join Statewide Study of Childhood Obesity Policies THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER NEWS
Nurses Praise UMHC for Job Satisfaction
When it comes to providing the best nursing care possible, it's not enough to focus on retention efforts. As far as Janet Harris is concerned, a top-performing nursing staff begins with a commitment to making University of Mississippi Health Care the No. 1 pick for nurses on the job hunt. As chief nursing executive officer at UMHC, Harris has made it her mission to turn the Medical Center into an "employer of choice" for nurses. Those efforts, combined with other achievements of UMHC Nursing Services, appear to be paying off: the Medical Center has just been recognized as one of the top workplaces for nurses in the nation. Nursing Professionals magazine has announced its "2009 Top Hospitals to Work For" list, which will be published in its inaugural Spring 2009 issue. The Medical Center is the only health care institution in Mississippi to make the list. Learn more. Straight to the Heart New Recycling Effort at UMMC A Shock to the Gut Bender Follows Heart to Public Health THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI NEWS
Southern Miss Researchers Discover Gene That Plays Role in Staph Infections
Microbiology researchers at The University of Southern Mississippi have identified a gene that affects the formation of biofilm, the protective barrier that allows staph bacteria to resist antibiotic treatment. This recent finding, published in the December 2008 issue of BMC Microbiology, contributes a piece to the complex puzzle on how Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria thrives and becomes resistant to some of the medical community's most aggressive antibiotics. The msa gene plays a role by encouraging the growth of biofilm to protect the staph bacteria from antibiotics. Invasive MRSA infections occur in approximately 94,000 persons each year and are associated with approximately 19,000 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most staph infections are protected with a layer of biofilm, a slimy substance of living microorganisms that are also responsible for plaque formation on teeth and can form on just about any surface from contact lenses to swimming pools. The msa gene is just one of many found that controls biofilm formation in humans, according to Elasri. However, its discovery means that scientists are one step closer in finding effective treatments against staph infections. Learn more. Professor's Book Earns Society of Military History's Top Award Training Academy Brings Change to Social Work Profession Hildman Colloquium to Feature Renowned Expert on Behavior Change Record-Breaking Attendance Marks High School Drama Festival at Southern Miss THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST NEWS
Financial Aid Helps Many Students Achieve Higher Education Goals
An important concern for students preparing to attend college is how they will pay for their higher education needs. Pete Loisel, a freshman at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast, sees financial aid as a way of taking the burden off of students who cannot afford to put themselves through college. "It was easy to apply for financial aid," Loisel said. "You can just go to FAFSA.ed.gov and fill out the paperwork on the computer. It's pretty easy to do if you have your tax documents right there. "With federal financial aid, some people get grants and some people get loans. I received a loan and it's helped me out a lot." Financial aid is identified as any resource used by a student to meet higher education costs. These resources vary and can include scholarships, grants, loans, work-study and tuition reimbursement. According to research from the Digest of Information Statistics, 63.2 percent of undergraduate students across the country received some form of financial aid from 2003 to 2004. College costs can include tuition and fees, room and board, books, supplies, transportation and personal expenses. "Financial aid is a way for students to achieve their dream of attaining a higher education," said Rose Bremenkamp, manager of the Office of Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs at Southern Miss Gulf Coast. "It's not meant to replace income, it's meant to supplement income to enable the student to achieve their dream." Learn more. Issues + Answers Lecture to Feature Apollo 13 Astronaut Haise Lansford Welcomed as Southern Miss Gulf Coast Academic Dean Fishman Photo Exhibits at Katrina Research Center 
Feb. 12-14 - Jackson State University's Department of Music will host its 69th Annual Song Festival at the F.D. Hall Music Center. Admission is free. For more information, call (601) 979-2141. Learn more. Feb. 12-17 - Southern Miss Theatre will present "Shakespeare Project." Learn more. Feb. 13-14 - Southern Miss Rodeo will support breast cancer awareness and research. Learn more. Feb. 15 - Jackson State University's TV23 will air "Living with AIDS," featuring AIDS activist Rae Lewis Thornton and host Eddie Brown at 9 p.m. Learn more. Feb. 15 - Mississippi State University's Riley Center in Meridian will host Kathy Mattea and Marty Stuart at 4 p.m. Performing together, the two country music stars will entertain Meridian. For more information, call Derron Radcliff at (601) 696-2200. Learn more. Feb. 17 - Joseph Rannazzisi, deputy assistant administrator for the Office of Diversion Control at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, delivers the 2009 Charles W. Hartman Memorial Lecture in Fulton Chapel at Ole Miss. The 11 a.m. lecture, sponsored by the School of Pharmacy, is free to the public. Learn more. Feb. 17 - Nationally renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble performs at 8 p.m. in the University of Mississippi's Ford Center for the Performing Arts. The program is part of the Dance Theatre of Harlem's 40th anniversary Dance for America National Tour. Tickets are $20 and $28 for various seating. Learn more. Feb. 17-Mar. 24 - Southern Miss Community Health Sciences will host Executive MPH information sessions. Learn more. Feb. 19 - Delta State University will present "Hairspray" in the Delta & Pine Land Theatre of the Bologna Performing Arts Center at 7.30 p.m. For ticket information, please call the Box Office at (662) 846-4626. Learn more. Feb. 19 - A Producers Advisory Council meets at the Lee County Agri-Center in Verona to provide input to MSU's Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine research and outreach programs. Contact Mark Shankle at (662) 489-4631 or shankle@ra.msstate.edu. Learn more. Feb. 19 - The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast and the Sun Herald present a lecture on the space program by Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise at 7 p.m. in the Advanced Education Center auditorium on the Gulf Park campus in Long Beach. The lecture is free and open to the public. Learn more. Feb. 20 - Mississippi State University's university libraries presents "who's citing you?" at 2 p.m. at the Giles classroom of the Mitchell Memorial Library. The program will give an overview of databases that track scholarly citations. Learn more. Feb. 20 - ASU America Reads MS staff will hold a member training at ASU in the Ray Johnson Assembly Center from 9:00am till 3:00pm. The keynote speaker will be Mr. Albert Butler from MS Job Corps at Crystal Springs. Learn more. Feb. 20 - Mississippi State University's Holmes Cultural Diversity Center presents a tax workshop at 4 p.m. in the Eastman auditorium of the Swalm Chemical Engineering Building. For more info, call Jerrie Bishop at (662) 325-2033. Learn more. Feb. 24 - The Coastal Research and Extension Center Producers Advisory Council Meeting will convene at the center in Biloxi. Contact Patricia Knight at (228) 388-4710 or tricia@ra.msstate.edu. Learn more. Feb. 24-25 - Mississippi Valley State University will host the MVSU Music Symposium on the Itta Bena campus. The free symposium includes a High School Music Business Seminar on Feb. 24 at 9 a.m. Delfaeayo Marsalis will conduct a jazz workshop at 7 p.m. A panel discussion will follow on Feb. 25. Feb. 24-26 - In its third year MSU's "Mississippi Women in Agriculture" program targets women who are often the sole decision makers in their agricultural businesses. The next seminar is at the Capps Center at 920 Highway 82 West in Indianola. For information, call (662) 887-1901. Learn more. Feb. 25 - Award-winning journalist Roland Martin delivers the keynote address for the UM observance of Black History Month at 5:30 p.m. in the Ford Center for the Performing Arts. His speech centers on the Black History Month theme "Legacy of Hope - Promise for Tomorrow." The event is free to the public. Learn more. Feb. 28 - Jackson Heart Study's ninth annual "Celebration of Life" will be held Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Jackson Medical Mall in the University of Mississippi Medical Center Conference Center, 350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave. in Jackson, Miss. Learn more. |
