Volume 8, #8

The Weekend Outlook

Basketball Doubleheader vs. UNC Pembroke, Jan. 19 The Lakers will take on UNC Pembroke (the Tar Heels couldn’t make it) on Saturday, Jan. 19 for an afternoon Peach Belt doubleheader at the Athletics & Fitness Center. The still-undefeated, and at least third-ranked women, led by All-American candidate Me Me Griggs, the fastest guard in the east, will play at 1:30 p.m., and the men at 3:30 p.m. Auxiliary Services Hours for MLK Day/Weekend, Jan. 19 to Jan. 21 In observance of the MLK Holiday, Auxiliary Services will have the following operating hours: Loch Shop and LakerCard Center:  Saturday – Monday:  CLOSED Dining Services: -          Lakeside Dining Hall

• Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 19-20:  CLOSED
• Monday:              Brunch – 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Dinner – 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. -          Sandella’s

• Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Monday, Jan. 21: 4:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.

-          Jazzman’s, Subconnection, Pizza Hut, Simply to Go

• Saturday-Monday: CLOSED

All regular operating hours will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 22. -          Loch Shop Operating Hours -          LakerCard Center Operating Hours -          Dining Services Operating Hours King’s Celebration 2013, Jan. 20, Jan. 21 The Annual Dr. Martin Luther King (MLK), Jr. Celebration is a collaborative effort between the Department of Campus Life, AmeriCorps, Diversity Education Experiences for Peers (D.E.E.P.) Educators, the Tau Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the Sigma Sigma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., to commemorate the life of Dr. King and significant events that occurred during the Civil Rights movement. Jan. 20 — King’s Sunday Supper Inspired by the legacy of Dr. King, America's Sunday Supper invites people from diverse backgrounds to come together to share a meal, discuss issues that affect our community and highlight our shared values and strengths. This is a ticketed event and FREE for Clayton State students, $10 for non-Clayton State students. Tickets will be available beginning Monday, Jan. 14 from the Department of Campus Life, located in Suite 223 in the Student Activities Center. 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., Student Activities Center Ballroom Sponsored by: Campus Life, Tau Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Sigma Sigma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Jan. 21 — MLK Day of Service and MLK March The campus community will engage in a series of volunteer projects in the Atlanta area in tribute to the work and life of Dr. King. Transportation will be provided for 25 participants. To register for this event, visit: https://claytonstate.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_4YLkBBEKcaH6syp. 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Atlanta Sponsored by: Department of Campus Life Lakers vs. Swamp Foxes, Jan. 21 Clayton State will conclude the MLK holiday on Monday night, Jan. 21, with a 5:30 p.m./7:30 p.m. Peach Belt doubleheader against the Swamp Foxes (if you know your American Revolution history) of Francis Marion.

Announcements

Gun Control New York Times Talk, Jan. 25 Clayton State University’s partnership with the New York Times continues on Friday, Jan. 25, with a New York Times Talk on the day’s most controversial subject – gun control. The talk will be facilitated by Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and Sociology Dr. Lisa Holland-Davis, and will be held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in room UC267 of the James M. Baker University Center. The title of the talk is, “Gun Control: Missing the Target - Sense and Nonsense About Gun Violence in America.” The talk is free and open to the public, however, anyone interested in attending should RSVP via email to Dr. Joseph Corrado, Clayton State associate professor of Political Science and campus coordinator of the American Democracy Project, at joecorrado@clayton.edu no later than Jan. 24 at 3 p.m. A free lunch (pizza/soda) courtesy of the New York Times will be served to all those who respond by Jan. 24. Business Transactions Disclosure Statement This year's State Business Transaction Disclosure Statement is now available. Board of Regents policy requires that information regarding the possible obligation to file the disclosure be distributed to all System employees each year.  Georgia law requires that all public officials and employees disclose all required business transactions that occurred during the previous calendar year. The information must be electronically submitted by Jan. 31, 2013. The website below explains who must report and what types of business transactions must be reported to the state. If you do have an obligation to file please go to http://ethics.ga.gov/2011/06/state-business-transactions/ and follow the instructions. You do not have to complete and file the State Business Transaction form if you determine that you did not have any business transactions with the state last year. Join the Fun and Participate in the Lose to Win Incentive Program Hurry, it is not too late to get involved in the FREE Lose to Win Incentive Program, designed to help all Clayton State University employees start the New Year off right by losing weight and inches. However, today is the deadline! If not you, tell a friend. The primary purpose of the program is to encourage Clayton State University faculty and staff to achieve a healthy weight and in an effort to enhance his/her overall health. Secondarily, we will be encouraging participants to engage in daily physical activity and reach the minimum exercise recommendations established by the American College of Sports Medicine (150 minutes/week). From January to April teams of four will compete to see who can earn the most loss points by calculating the average weight in pounds and inches lost by each team member. We have some folks who are seeking team mates so don’t worry if you are a loner… we will put on a team!  If you would like to participate, contact Lisa Williamson right away and we will make it happen! Participants will receive an initial assessment and final assessment at the end of the program (the week of Apr. 8, 2013) consisting of a weigh-in and circumference measurements. Total loss will be calculated based on an average of all four team members’ inches and pounds lost from the initial to the final assessment. Individuals or teams may register for the Lose to Win Incentive program by contacting Williamson, assistant director of Fitness & Wellness for the Department of Recreation & Wellness at ext. 4975 or email lisawilliamson@clayton.edu. Alternate Link to GaView Desire2Learn In the event that the SWAN portal goes down, faculty and students can use the following URL to access GaView Desire2Learn… http://clayton.view.usg.edu/. The Homecoming Parade, Feb. 9  One of our featured events for this year’s Homecoming is the return of the Homecoming Parade.  The parade will be held on Saturday, Feb. 9, starting promptly at 11 a.m. The parade will start at the Morrow Municipal Complex (Morrow City Hall) and proceed northbound on Hwy 54/Jonesboro Road, turning right on Clayton State Boulevard, and ending on campus in parking lots C & D. It is our hope that this will be an event that our campus and local community can participate in and be proud to support. Student organizations and campus departments are encouraged to enter a unit in the parade. You may build a float, decorate a truck/car, walk with a banner or any other expression of creativity and originality you can think of — the choice is yours! Please visit the Information Desks at the Student Activities Center (SAC) or the Baker Center to pick up your Homecoming Parade Packet. You may also visit the Campus Life website, www.clayton.edu/campus-life to download the Parade Packet and the full Homecoming schedule. All parade entry forms are due by Friday, Jan. 25, to Natasha Hutson in Suite 223 upstairs in the Student Activities Center Administrative Suite. Please do not hesitate to contact Hutson via email at NatashaHutson@clayton.edu should you have questions or need additional information, or check out the Homecoming web page at www.clayton.edu/homecoming. We look forward to your participation in this event and a successful Homecoming 2013. Clayton State Football Shirts Now at The Loch Shop We’re not exactly sure if this is a tie-in to Homecoming or not, but, The Loch Shop is now stocking “Clayton State Football: Still Undefeated” t-shirts. They retail for $9.99 and are available for purchase now in The Loch Shop. 2013 Tax Status In an effort to update employee records, we ask that all employees log into ADP Employee Self Service to view and verify their current tax status. If the information needs to be updated, complete one or both of the forms listed below and return to HR for processing.

• Form W-4: Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate Employees are required to complete this form to designate their dependents and tax withholdings.
• Form G-4: Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate This form is used to designate their dependents and tax withholdings for the state of Georgia.

SmartPrint Now Supports MAC It’s finally here! SmartPrint now supports MAC. Please visit http://www.clayton.edu/auxiliaries/smartprint/smartprintdownload in order to download the print drivers to your MAC device. Online Emergency Response Quick Reference Guide Campus faculty and staff; for those of you who are new to the campus, and to refresh the memory of those who have been here a while, the following is a link directly to the University’s Emergency Response Quick Reference Guide which is located at Public Safety’s website and contains guidance for responding to various emergency situations that may occur on campus.  Hard copies can also be obtained at our office. (Note that page two is intentionally left blank.) http://www.clayton.edu/Portals/39/docs/emergency-quick-reference.pdf. In addition, a PowerPoint entitled “Keeping Yourself and Your Classrooms Safe” has been posted on the Public Safety website. Its primary focus is to provide guidance and suggestions for faculty in identifying and addressing issues in the classroom. The presentation can also be provided by Public Safety staff to any groups on campus upon request. 2012 W2's are Now Available On-line 2012 W2’s are now available for all USG employees via the ADP Portal. Go to Portal / Pay & Taxes / Annual Statements. For employees awaiting mailed copies, these will be sent by mail later this week. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact helpdesk@ssc.usg.edu. New Health and Safety Devices in Place The University has recently purchased additional defibrillators (commonly known as AEDs) to be used by trained personnel only if CPR has been implemented and is unsuccessful.  In addition to  the ones located in the SAC, AEDs are now located in the Athletics and Fitness Center, Clayton State — East, Clayton Hall, the Downs Center, Arts and Sciences, and NBS. Also, additional evacuation chairs have been purchased for use in transporting disabled persons or others unable to walk down stairs in the event of a building evacuation. The chairs can be used by anyone physically capable of operating them. They are located in or near stairwells in the upper floors in the following locations:  Student Services Center, SAC, Clayton State — East, Laker Hall, School of Business, the LAB and Clayton Hall. New Mileage Reimbursement Rates for Travel for Calendar Year 2013 The GSA recently announced revised mileage reimbursement rates for the calendar year 2013. The following rates are applicable to travel that occurs on or after Jan. 1, 2013: Tier 1 Rates:     Automobile –   $0.565 per mile (up from $0.555 per mile) Motorcycle –    $0.535 per mile (up from $0.525 per mile) Aircraft –         $1.33 per mile (up from $1.31 per mile) Tier 2 Rate:    Automobile -   $0.24 per mile (up from $0.23 per mile) If you have any questions regarding the mileage reimbursement rate or any other travel related questions, please contact Wanda Neal at (678) 466-5496 or wandaneal@clayton.edu. Clayton State Music Division Granted Full Membership in NASM The Clayton State University Division of Music, part of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts in the University’s College of Arts & Sciences, is honored to announce that it was granted full membership (accreditation) by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). NASM is a professional organization that specializes in accrediting degree and non-degree music programs at U.S. institutions of higher learning. Established in 1924, NASM helps support artistic and academic excellence by setting national standards for music study. It also conducts statistical research and policy analysis to promote the importance and achievements of music education. Clayton State Division of Music was granted full membership at NASM’s annual meeting in November, 2012, a dream made real for one of Clayton State’s signature academic programs. Clayton State was initially granted associate membership in NASM in 2006, when the then-Department of Music was chaired by Dr. Douglas Wheeler. “Our achievement of full membership in NASM, as a result of an extensive peer review process, acknowledges that Clayton State has been recognized to meet comprehensive national program standards held by college and university member programs nationwide,” says Dr. Susan Tusing. NASM has 644 institutional members, including 21 public and private colleges and universities in Georgia. Tusing is chair of the Clayton State Department of Visual and Performing Arts, and Dr. Kurt-Alexander Zeller is program coordinator for Music. Procurement Services Promises Purchasing Power Plus! Great things are happening in Procurement Services! The Clayton State Office of Procurement Services is preparing to enhance purchasing power throughout the campus. Look an announcement later this month in Laker Lines about the new purchasing limits. And, that’s not all. To further serve our colleagues, Procurement Services will also be holding the University’s first Procurement Day as well as a Vendor Expo during the first quarter of 2013. Look for more information on these events in forthcoming Laker Lines.

Upcoming

MOOC Overview and Discussion, Jan. 22 Janet Winkler has negotiated with Dr. Nelson Baker, dean of Professional Education at Georgia Tech, to discuss the MOOC (Massive Online Open Course) phenomenon. Please take note of the time and place below and come to listen, learn, and challenge perhaps. Should you fear or welcome the MOOC? Below is a link to a good article on the history, method, and philosophy of MOOCs. http://sirjohn.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/120925MOOCspaper2.pdf On Jan. 22, at 1 p.m., Baker will be on the Clayton State campus to provide a brief overview of what seems to be taking place in higher education, the internal and external pressures being placed on higher education and Georgia Tech’s activities in the online world including Massive Online Open Course. This activity is an informal discussion with a liberal amount of Q&A. The entire discussion will take no more than 90 minutes and be held in the Downs Center. Faculty participation is highly encouraged. We will also target future members of the IT Governance Committee, IT staff and the Academic IT Advisory Committee. To register, please got to https://claytonstate.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_exNOHxn0DIAi5sV. Outdoor Adventure Indoor Rock Climbing, Registration Deadline, Jan. 22 Come experience Atlanta’s finest climbing facility. Everyone is welcome regardless of skill level. You will have the opportunity to learn proper climbing techniques and get a feel for the sport of rock climbing. Climbing gear is provided. Sign-up at the front desk in the Student Activities Center (SAC). Space is limited! Destination: Atlanta Rocks, Atlanta Date: Saturday, Jan. 26 Cost: $20/$35/$45 Limit: 10 Registration Deadline: Tuesday, Jan. 22 For more information, contact Nick Kilburg, assistant director of Recreation and Wellness, Outdoor Adventures, (678) 466-4972, nicholaskilburg@clayton.edu. Recreation & Wellness to Host “The Weight of the Nation,” Jan. 29 The Clayton State University Department of Recreation & Wellness would like to invite all Clayton State University faculty, staff, and students to a weighty subject – a live screening of “The Weight of the Nation Series,” held in Student Activities Center Ballroom C on Tuesday, Jan. 29, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This is a one-time event that seeks to promote awareness of the obesity epidemic and explore potential causes for why obesity is so prevalent in the America, especially the Southeast. Possible solutions for the obesity epidemic will also be addressed in the two hour program. A panel of experts, exercise demos, raffles, snacks, and a screening of The Weight of the Nation bonus shorts will all be included in the program for the night. Attendees will have the opportunity to win several gift baskets from Kaiser Permanente. Faculty and Staff participating in the Lose to Win Incentive program can also gain four loss points for their team by attending the screening event. The Weight of the Nation screening event is co-sponsored by the Clayton State University Wellness Council and Kaiser Permanente. “The primary goal of The Weight of the Nation screening event is to raise awareness of the obesity epidemic and provide solutions for the problem,” says Lisa Williamson, assistant director of Fitness & Wellness for the Department of Recreation & Wellness. “We are looking forward to raising awareness for such a prevalent health concern and hope that we might be able to help someone through hosting the event.” For more information on The Weight of the Nation screening event, contact Williamson at (678) 466-4975 or email lisawilliamson@clayton.edu. Boots UK Sale at The Loch Shop, Through Jan. 31 Through Jan. 31, 2013, all Boots UK products will be featured at 25 percent off the retail price in The Loch Shop. Boots is the UK’s most popular and trusted brand-name in skin care and makeup products. No other discounts can be accommodated. Not valid on prior or future receipts. Study Abroad Sign Ups: Deadline is Feb. 1 Time is running out for students to sign up for 2013 Maymester and Summer semester study abroad programs. The deadline for sign-ups is Feb. 1. Director of International Programs John Parkerson and Assistant Director Cele Blair are available to visit classes, upon request, in order to provide a short, 10 minute information sessions about available programs.  Parkerson and Blair can provide general overviews of all programs, or they can tailor the presentation to attract students from particular disciplines (e.g., speak to Biology students about the Tropical Ecology course in Costa Rica). Students should consider the applicable deadlines in making their decisions:  most important, many students may need to sign up for the programs and make deposits while they still have available financial aid. Clayton State this year is offering a broad array of Clayton State Faculty-led study abroad programs for 2013, including the following: Costa Rica -– “Tropical Ecology” France – “Teacher Ed. – Language, Religion, and Immigration: Comparative Multiculturalism” Haiti – “Nursing/Service Learning Study Abroad” Italy – “Honors – Social Sciences” (spring break – enrollment is filled) Jamaica – “Social Sciences and Caribbean Literature” Mexico – Guadalajara – “Healthcare Spanish” Panama — “International Business / Global Management” Turkey – “International Business / Global Management” Through Clayton State’s participation in USG consortia (European and Asia Councils), there are also summer semester programs to Scotland (Maymester); London; Waterford, Ireland; Madrid; St. Petersburg, Russia; Berlin; Paris; China and Korea. For additional information, please consult the Office of International Programs website http://www.clayton.edu/international-programs/home , or contact Parkerson or Blair. Library Hosts Fifth Annual Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl (Volunteers Needed), Feb. 2 Clayton State University is hosting the Fifth Annual Metro Atlanta Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Competition with more than 500 folks on campus, we need your help! We are in need of approximately 60 volunteers to serve as readers, score keepers, and other general volunteers. There will be training sessions on Friday afternoon, Feb. 1, at 4:00 p.m., and Saturday morning, Feb. 2, at 7:30 a.m. In addition, online training may be found at:  http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/hrrb/files/156A4B171A794D62AA7ED93F5546B2B2.pdf All volunteers will need to be on campus by 7:30 a.m. on Saturday. The competition will run from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2. Please come out and support our community. To volunteer, please contact Dr. Gordon Baker at (678) 466-4334 or gordonbaker@clayton.edu. Homecoming Step Show, Feb. 7 The 2013 Homecoming Step Show will be held on Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m., in the Athletics & Fitness Center. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Clayton State students/Greeks pay $5 in advance, and $7 at the door. Non-Clayton State students pay $8 in advance. Tickets are $10 at the door. Tickets can be purchased from the Department of Campus Life (Suite 223, Student Activities Center), the UC Info Desk or any Clayton State Greek (Note: That’s Greek, not Geek.) Clayton State students must show Laker ID to purchase a ticket at the student rate. If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Campus Life at 678-466-5433 or campuslife@clayton.edu. Clayton State Homecoming 2013 to be Highlighted by Parade, Basketball Doubleheader, Feb. 9 Clayton State University’s annual Homecoming, where both students and alumni will gather to celebrate their dreams made real, is fast approaching. This year’s event, which will run from Monday, Feb. 4 to Saturday, Feb. 9, will be highlighted by the return of the Clayton State Homecoming Parade and a basketball doubleheader against Montevallo University. Also among the “Don’t Miss” events will be a 5K race and the Annual Alumni Breakfast – all on Saturday. Various student-related activities will take place early in the week – Clayton State Idol (Feb. 4), the Annual Student Choice Awards (Feb. 5), a Hump Day Party and a faculty/student basketball game (athletic trainer John Zubal promises to stand by for that one) on Feb. 6, a Homecoming Step Show (Feb. 7) and the Homecoming Pep Rally and Bonfire on Friday. Feb. 8. Even though the bonfire will be the day before, Homecoming will really get hot on Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. with the 5K Run/Walk, “Run Clayton State.” The race will run entirely on the University’s campus, starting and finishing in front of the Harry S. Downs Center. Actually, check-in for the race will begin at 7:45 a.m. in front of the Downs Center with the race beginning at 9 a.m. All runners will receive a T-shirt and age group winners will be recognized with awards. A special grand prize will be awarded to the top female and male winners. As an added bonus, the race will also include admission to come-one, come-all Annual Alumni Breakfast, which starts at 9:30 a.m., and runs to 11 a.m., also at the Harry S. Downs Center. At the end of the breakfast, the Homecoming Parade will return for the first time since the fall of 2006. This year’s parade will be a first, as the parade will not be held on campus, but will start (at 11 a.m.) at the Morrow Municipal Complex and will run on Jonesboro Road to Clayton State Boulevard before turning on campus. The parade will be followed by the Tailgate/Homecoming Festival, which will run from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., in the parking lot of the Student Activities Center. That’s a warm-up for a couple of high-level basketball games, which are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. In the first game, the Clayton State women, the 2011 NCAA Division II national champions and currently ranked fourth in the nation, will take on Montevallo. In the second game, the 2012 NCAA Division II runner-up Montevallo men will take on the Lakers in a 5:30 p.m. start. The men’s game will include the crowning of the Homecoming king and queen at halftime. For more information, go to the Homecoming web page at www.clayton.edu/homecoming. Run Clayton State 5K Run/Walk, Feb. 9 The Clayton State Department of Athletics and the Atlanta Southside Runners, a local running club, will team up to hold the second 5K Run/Walk, “Run Clayton State.” The race, which will take place in conjunction with Clayton State’s Homecoming festivities, will be held on Saturday, Feb. 9, and will run entirely on the University’s campus, starting and finishing in front of the Harry S. Downs Center. Check-in for the race will begin at 7:45 a.m. in front of the Downs Center with the race beginning at 9 a.m. All runners will receive a T-shirt and age group winners will be recognized with awards. A special grand prize will be awarded to the top female and male winners. The race will also include admission to the Annual Alumni Breakfast, which starts at 9:30 a.m., also at the Harry S. Downs Center. In addition, participants will receive complimentary tickets to the Saturday afternoon’s NCAA Division II women’s and men’s basketball games at Clayton State’s Athletics & Fitness Center. Clayton State’s women’s team will play Montevallo at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, followed by the men’s game against Montevallo at 5:30 p.m. The entry fee for the race is $15 per person with the registration fee increasing after Feb. 6 to $20 per person. The race day entry fee is $25. A family rate (minimum of three, maximum of six participants) is also available. The family rate is $40 and increases to $55 after Feb. 6. The race day family rate is $75. To be guaranteed a race T-shirt, participants must be registered by Feb. 1. For more information about the 5K Race/Walk or to register online, please visit www.claytonstatesports.com\RunClaytonState. Proceeds from the race will benefit the fundraising efforts of the Clayton State Department of Athletics. Gifts — regardless of the size — support student- athlete success both on and off the playing fields, and helps Laker teams compete in the elite Peach Belt Conference of NCAA Division II. Recreation & Wellness to Host AFAA’s APEX Event, Feb. 8 to Feb. 10 The Clayton State University Department of Recreation & Wellness is proud to host the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America’s (AFAA) semi-annual APEX event in the University’s Student Activities Center from Feb. 8 to Feb. 10, 2013. During APEX, AFAA, the world's largest fitness and TeleFitness® educator, offers certifications and workshops in multiple cities for the special price of only $99 per day, per program. The training is targeted to primary group exercise instructor and kickboxing instructors seeking certification for the first time, or renewing a certification. The primary group exercise instructor certifications will take place on Friday, Feb. 8, and Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013, while the kickboxing instructor certification will take place on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013. Registration is currently available on AFAA’s website http://www.afaa.com by clicking on the APEX link and searching the Atlanta area. For more information, please visit AFAA.com or contact Williamson at (678) 466-4975 or email lisawilliamson@clayton.edu. Visiting Writer’s Reading Series Returns, Feb. 12 The Spring 2013 Visiting Writer’s Reading Series will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m., in room L-200 of the Library, featuring young adult fiction author Terra McVoy. Women’s Forum Scholarships, Applications Due, Feb. 15 Clayton State Women’s Forum is accepting applications for the organization’s annual scholarship awards.  Applications are due by Feb. 15.  For more information visit http://www.clayton.edu/womens-forum/scholarships or contact Dr. Angelyn Hayes.  The Women’s Forum Scholarship Committee considers applications for the General Student Scholarship and for the Staff Member Professional Development Scholarship. 11^th Annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference, Feb. 20 The 11^th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference (SMDO) will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 20, from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Georgia International Convention Center located at 2000 Convention Center Concourse in College Park, Georgia.  This year’s theme is Collaborate to Compete. Recognized as the largest event of its kind in south metropolitan Atlanta, SMDO will focus on critical topics of interest that impact growth in South Metro including Economic Forecasting, “Aerotropolis,” Economic Development, the film Industry and more!  The Conference highlights the City of Atlanta and the following counties: Clayton, Coweta, Douglas, Fayette, Henry, Spalding and South Fulton. Admission is $40 early registration, $50 registration and $55 on-site registration. For more information visit www.smdoconference.com or call (404) 684-7031. Clayton State Academic Research Conference, Mar. 15 Clayton State’s Academic Research Conference will be held on Friday, Mar. 15 from noon to 4 p.m. Research. Made Real. Here’s your chance to learn about research from all academic departments on campus as presented by the University’s exceptional students. All students are welcome to apply. Poster presentations will be made from noon to 2 p.m. in the James M. Baker University Center. Oral presentations will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Lecture Hall. Go to www.clayton.edu/ARC2013 for more information.