Volume 8, #102

   

New in this Issue

 

Red Cross Blood Drive Today

The Honors Student Association is hosting a Blood Drive with American Red Cross on Wednesday, Sept. 4, in the Student Activities Center Laker Lounge, from noon to 5 p.m. All presenting donors will receive a free haircut coupon and are entered into a drawing for a $1000 gift card AND, if they collect at least 32 pints, there will be an additional drawing for four $25 gift cards.  For an appointment log onto http://www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: claytonstate

Monthly Alert System Testing Today

The Office of Public Safety will conduct the monthly test of the campus alert system at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

Fifth Annual Diversity and Multicultural Conference, Presentation Proposals Due, Sept. 6 Clayton State’s Fifth Annual Diversity and Multicultural Conference will be held on Friday, Oct. 11, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the Student Activities Center Ballroom. The Diversity and Multicultural Conference is a dynamic and interactive one-day development opportunity that gives participants the essential knowledge and strategies needed to lead and function in a globally complex society. This conference is a great career and personal development opportunity for students, faculty and staff; separate conference tracks are implemented to meet the needs of both groups. Call for Presentations — Submit Presentation Proposals by Friday, Sept. 6 Conference Theme: Beyond Race: The Forgotten “isms” Our goal is to broaden participants understanding of diversity, multiculturalism, and social justice. Additionally, explore the intersection of social identities and how our social identities can create privilege and oppression. If you are interested in contributing to the conference by presenting, go to: http://www.clayton.edu/campus-life/multicultural/conference Register until Friday, Sept. 27, by visiting http://apps.clayton.edu/webreg/register/Diversity2013. Free for Clayton State students; Clayton State faculty/staff $20, Non-Clayton State participants $40.Registration fee covers continental breakfast, lunch and conference materials. For additional information, go to: http://www.clayton.edu/campus-life/multicultural/conference For more information regarding the conference, contact Lakiesa C. Rawlinson at lakiesacanteyrawlinson@clayton.edu or (678) 466-5421.

ROTC to Hold Situational Training Exercises at Clayton State – East, Sept. 7, Sept. 8

Clayton State University’s ROTC program will be moving out of the classroom, and into the woods around Clayton State – East this weekend, for the purpose of conducting situational training exercises.

Clayton State students, faculty, staff, neighbors and any visitors to Clayton State – East, located at 5823 Trammell Rd., Morrow, on Saturday, Sept. 7 and Sunday, Sept. 8, are advised that those individuals in the woods are neither an invading force, nor armed with real weapons. According to Clayton State Senior Military Science Instructor Robert Walker, the ROTC program will be conducting situational training exercises in the wooded area.

“We will be using dummy weapons, all plastic,” he promises. The training will be conducted from 8 a.m. to around 3 p.m. on both days.

2013 Required Employee Training

It’s that time of the year for all faculty and staff to complete training required by Clayton State University, Board of Regents, and the State of Georgia.

The Right to Know (RTK), Ethics, Security Awareness, Campus Vehicle Use and Sexually Harassment courses must all be completed on an annual basis. During this time period, we ask that you also take a moment to review the updated Clayton State University Employee Handbook and complete a new Employee Handbook Acknowledgement Form. The signed Acknowledgement Form and five required courses should be completed by Dec. 1, 2013.

Here are the instructions to access and complete these trainings:

·         Use your current Clayton State University user name and password to log into Employee Training.

·         Review the Employee Handbook – Complete the Employee Acknowledgement Form and forward to HR.

·         Required Trainings

o        Right to Know (RTK) – At the end of the session, enter the requested information and submit.

o        Ethics – Presentation, Assessment and Compliance Agreement

§         Basic – New Faculty/Staff

§         Refresher 2011 – Faculty/Staff active as of Dec. 31, 2010

o        Security Awareness – Review the presentation and complete the assessment.

o        Campus Vehicle Use Training - Review the videos, complete assessments, and forward the Acknowledgement Form to HR

o        Sexual Harassment – Review the policy, responsibilities, and video content, then take the assessment/quiz.

For instructions on navigating the new Employee Training platform, please visit Desire2Learn Support.

 

This Week

 

Outdoor Adventure – Upcoming Trips

Indoor Climbing

Join Outdoor Adventure on Friday afternoons for indoor rock climbing at Ascension Climbing in Peachtree City. Climbing gear, transportation, and instruction will be provided.

Date: Friday, Sept. 6 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Cost: $5/$15/$20 (per event)

Limit: 10

Registration Deadline: Friday, Sept. 6 by 3:30 p.m.

Surfing

Join Outdoor Adventure on a surfing trip to Tybee Island. Learn the basics of surfing and enjoy the Georgia Coast. Surfing and camping equipment is provided.

Dates: Saturday, Sept. 7 – Sunday, Sept. 8

Cost: $50/$70/$80

Limit: 8

Registration Deadline: Tuesday, Sept. 3

For more information, contact Nick Kilburg, assistant director of Recreation and Wellness, Outdoor Adventures, (678) 466-4972, nicholaskilburg@clayton.edu.

Our Genealogy Group Meeting, Sept. 8

Please join Our Genealogy Group for its September meeting on Sunday, Sept. 8 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the James M. Baker University Center.

Patricia Fields will be giving a lecture on USGenweb, a free genealogy online database. See the blog, ourgenealogygroup.blogspot.com for the exact location.

And, save the upcoming dates – Oct. 6: Local Courthouse Records, and Nov. 3: "Dying to get it Done!" a mini-workshop on death records, cemeteries and more.

Our Genealogy Group also has a facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourgenealogygroup/.

This is the place to get quick answers to genealogy questions without waiting on the next meeting. You can also share genealogy information here, and invite your friends and family who are interested in discussing genealogy too.

For more information, contact Rosemary Fischer at (678) 466-4333.  

Upcoming

  Top Workplaces Employee Celebration Event, Sept. 12

You are cordially invited to the Top Workplaces Employee Celebration Event on Thursday, Sept. 12, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the Student Activities Center and SAC Green.

Since Clayton State University was recognized by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as one of Metropolitan Atlanta’s Top Workplaces, the purpose of this event is to come together and celebrate the supportive and collaborative environment which contributed to Clayton State University’s Top Workplaces recognition. Please R.S.V.P. by Aug. 23 to https://claytonstate.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_3pCYlW7Lq09beYJ so that an accurate count can be obtained for catering purposes.

Testing Center Moving to Clayton State – East, Sept. 13 to Sept. 30

The Clayton State Testing Center will be moving to its new home at Clayton State-East, room 121 in Arbor Hall, from Friday, Sept. 13, until reopening on Monday, Sept. 30.

In between Sept. 13 and Sept. 30, the Testing Center will be considered closed, although they hope to answer phones or at least return phone calls as much as possible after the phones are reconnected.

Spring 2014 Graduation Deadline, Sept. 15

The spring 2014 graduation application deadline is Sunday, Sept. 15. Please contact the Registrar's Office for more information.

Teacher Education Lunch and Learn Series

Teacher Education is once again organizing a Lunch and Learn series for faculty and staff who want learn about using technology. These sessions will take place in A&S 205 in the Resource Room.

Faculty and staff, both novices and experts in using technology, are encouraged to bring a lunch and come share in the knowledge.  We held one session already, but here is the rest of the list for the fall.

Sept. 16—Smart Boards

Oct. 21—Ipads and other gadgets

Nov. 4—Lockbox and Tools for Organizing

Constitution Week, Sept. 17 to Sept. 20

Clayton State University Associate Professor of Political Science Dr. Joseph Corrado has announced the events for Clayton State’s upcoming annual celebration of Constitution Week. All Constitution Week events are free and open to the public

Tuesday, Sept. 17; from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Writer’s Studio (Arts and Sciences room 224) — Screening of the “It’s a Free Country” which is a part of the PBS TV series on the Constitution. Refreshments will be provided.

Wednesday, Sept. 18; from 11 a.m. to noon in the ballrooms of the Student Activities Center – “Constitutional Debate on Guns on College Campuses: Defensive or Offensive?” This debate will be moderated by Corrado, an expert on gun control who has been interviewed on the subject by NBC Nightly News.

Thursday, Sept. 19; from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Spivey Hall — The Second Annual Civil Constitutional discussion with Georgia House Minority Leader Stacy Abrams and Georgia House Majority Caucus Vice Chair Matt Ramsey, “Government monitoring of personal communications: A Violation of the Fourth Amendment?” Representatives from the Clayton County Voter Registrar’s Office will assist students to register to vote before and after this event.

Friday, Sept. 20; from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., in room UC267 of the James M. Baker University Center -- A New York Times talk facilitated by attorney Herbert Adams, “Self-defense in Georgia: Lessons from the Zimmerman Trial.” Adams most recently facilitated a Clayton State New York Times Talk on “Second Amendment Rights and Heller Case: Strict Constructivism or Judicial Activism?” in February 2013. A free lunch will be provided to all of those that RSVP to Corrado via email at joecorrado@clayton.edu by Thursday, Sept. 19 at 3:30 p.m.

Weather Channel VP to Visit Management Principles and Organization Behavior Class, Sept. 18

Matthew Harrison, the vice president of Talent Management for the Weather Company (commonly known as the Weather Channel) will visit Dr. Leon Prieto’s “Management Principles and Organization Behavior” class on Wednesday, Sept. 18. The class is from 10 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. in the Arts and Sciences building, room G229. Interested faculty and staff are invited to attend.

Information Sessions on Revisions to the Contracts Review Process, Sept. 18 As of July 1, 2013, the Georgia legislature enacted statutory changes to the process for entering contracts with public employers. There is now a requirement that, prior to entering contracts for labor or services using either a bidding process or when the contract amount exceeds $2,499.99 in value, contractors (and subcontractors) must submit signed and notarized affidavits which either attest to their compliance with the terms of the Federal Work Authorization Program, or state a specific exemption from this requirement. Although informative documents are available for review at the Business and Operations website,www.clayton.edu/contract-administration, University officials will host information sessions on the following dates, times and locations to further educate the campus community. Those faculty and staff who are either occasionally or frequently involved in the contract review process are strongly encouraged to attend. However, the information sessions are open to anyone to attend.  No RSVP is needed. Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2 p.m. at University Center, room 272

Tips and Resources for Effectively Supporting the Success of Student Veterans Transitioning from Military Life to Campus Life, Sept. 20

The Clayton State Veterans Resource Center will present a faculty and staff professional development opportunity, “Tips and Resources for Effectively Supporting the Success of Student Veterans Transitioning from Military Life to Campus Life” on Friday, Sept. 20 from noon to 1 p.m. in room UC 322 of the James M. Baker University Center. Lunch will be provided for the participants.

Presenters will come from the Veterans Resource Center, Counseling and Psychological Services, and the Disability Resource Center in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs Transition Team.

This is a chance to gain a better understanding of the unique needs of student veterans and the resources available to assist in their college success.

To register, go to https://claytonstate.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_eEYxIC51uOPAHM9

For additional information, contact Tina Lake at (678) 466-5528 or TinaLake@mail.clayton.edu.

Join us at the Alumni Awards Dinner, Sept. 26 This year, the Annual Alumni Awards Dinner will be held on Thursday, Sept. 26, in the Harry S. Downs Center. The Alumni Awards Dinner is an annual event hosted by The Alumni Association, which seeks to recognize the University’s alumni and alumnae (current and future) who have made significant contributions to society, and whose accomplishments, affiliations, and careers have honored the legacy of excellence at Clayton State University. The reception will begin at 6:15 p.m. with the program and dinner to follow. Go to http://giving.clayton.edu/alumni/event_calendar?cid=2&ceid=10&cerid=0&cdt=9%2f26%2f2013for more information and to register. Fifth Annual Diversity and Multicultural Conference, Oct. 11 Clayton State’s Fifth Annual Diversity and Multicultural Conference will be held on Friday, Oct. 11, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the Student Activities Center Ballroom. The Diversity and Multicultural Conference is a dynamic and interactive one-day development opportunity that gives participants the essential knowledge and strategies needed to lead and function in a globally complex society. This conference is a great career and personal development opportunity for students, faculty and staff; separate conference tracks are implemented to meet the needs of both groups. Register until Friday, Sept. 27, by visiting http://apps.clayton.edu/webreg/register/Diversity2013. Free for Clayton State students; Clayton State faculty/staff $20, Non-Clayton State participants $40.Registration fee covers continental breakfast, lunch and conference materials. For additional information, go to: http://www.clayton.edu/campus-life/multicultural/conference Call for Presentations — Submit Presentation Proposals by Friday, Sept. 6 Conference Theme: Beyond Race: The Forgotten “isms” Our goal is to broaden participants understanding of diversity, multiculturalism, and social justice. Additionally, explore the intersection of social identities and how our social identities can create privilege and oppression. If you are interested in contributing to the conference by presenting, go to: http://www.clayton.edu/campus-life/multicultural/conference For more information regarding the conference, contact Lakiesa C. Rawlinson at lakiesacanteyrawlinson@clayton.edu or (678) 466-5421.

 CNN VP to Visit Management Principles and Organization Behavior Class, Oct. 16

Lanze Thompson, the vice president of Finance for CNN will visit Dr. Leon Prieto’s “Management Principles and Organization Behavior” class on Wednesday, Oct. 16. The class is from 10 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. in the Arts and Sciences building, room G229. Interested faculty and staff are invited to attend.

 

Announcements

 

Clayton State Announces a New Scholarship Initiative; “Dream Makers”

As a means of addressing the ongoing challenge of students being stretched by increasing educational costs and the need to “make ends meet,” Clayton State University has announced a new scholarship initiative, “Dream Makers.”

Dream Makers is a multi-faceted approach to helping those students who are either high achievers, are close to completing their degree, or both. Three separate initiatives will be a part of the Dream Makers program; Dream Makers Scholarships, the Loch Leaders Investment Fund, and Laker Completion Grants.

Dream Maker Scholarships will carry the name of the donors and will have broad selection criteria established by the individual donor. Each scholarship will be given to one student.

The Loch Leaders Investment Fund will recognize high achievers – those full-time students with a GPA of 3.5 or greater who demonstrate unmet need. A select group of students will be designated as Loch Leaders each year with priority given in order to: continuing students; new freshmen; returning students; and transfer students.

Many Clayton State students are the first in their family to attend college. Completing their coursework and receiving their degree is a significant accomplishment that can be postponed due to family situations, work demands, and, very often, financial challenges. The Laker Completion Grants will impact those students who are near degree completion and demonstrate unmet need. Priority will be given to those closest to degree completion with unmet need and a GPA of at least 2.5.

If you are interested in becoming a Dream Maker, go to https://giving.clayton.edu/dreammakersinitiative or contact Troelstra at (678) 466-4470.

Building Naming Committee Recommends New Names for Athletics & Fitness and Student Center

The Clayton State Building Naming Committee: Chair Cindy Lauer; Kelly Adams; Dolores Cox; Mike Mead; Nicole Harris; Jim Braun; R.B. Rosenburg has recommended name changes for the Athletics & Fitness Center and the Student Center. New signage for both of these buildings is in the works.

The Student Center will now be called Edgewater Hall, and the Athletics & Fitness Center will now be called the Athletics Center. The committee also recommended that the Student Activities Center keep its current name.

“The committee was a composed of individuals from all areas of campus and they understood the need to find names that would clearly distinguish the names of several buildings on campus,” notes Vice President of Business and Operations Corlis Cummings. “I hope that everyone appreciates their work as much as I have.”

Clayton Station Security

From 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. only the main entrance to Clayton Station, which is adjacent to the clubhouse, will be accessible for vehicle entrance and exit. The other three entrances will be secured with temporary roadblocks.

These extra security measures will be in place only on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. During other times and days, all access points will be open for public use. These temporary changes are being implemented to assess the need and locations for any additional permanent security enhancement to Clayton Station.

Survey for the University Relations Experts List

The following link is to the qualtrics survey for the new, interactive, searchable University Relations’ Experts List. This will be a prominent feature of the new Laker Newsroom page and will be for thus use of both the news media and any local organizations (for example, Rotary clubs) that might want to have a speaker from Clayton State.

If you are interested in being a part of the Expert’s List, please click on the following link to give us your information. https://claytonstate.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_7OEZpCjVnIJIsa9

If you think you might already be on the current list, you can go to https://academicinfo.clayton.edu/experts-list/ to check. If you are already on the list, but have a change in your information, please email johnshiffert@clayton.edu.

Note: This new list will include pictures of our experts. In many cases, University Relations already has head shots of our faculty members, although there are undoubtedly many new faculty who have not had the chance yet to sit for our photographer, Erin Fender.

Facilities Advisory Committee Requests – Fall 2013

It is the time of the year when Facilities Advisory Committee is calling for requests for facilities’ modifications. The Modification/Space Request Form is located on the Facilities Management web page at http://www.clayton.edu/facilities/planningdesign/facilitiescommittee.The completed form should be submitted to the appropriate vice president for signature and transmitted to the committee by Sept. 20, 2013.

For new people on campus we would like to give a brief overview of Facilities Committee tasks. The Facilities Advisory Committee provides input and makes recommendations for new facilities or space needs and modifications to existing spaces, as well as dealing with facilities-related issues and long-term planning. Requests are reviewed at semi-annual Facilities Advisory Committee meetings in October and April.

Not all requests will lead to PowerPoint presentations before the committee. Vice Presidents will be notified by Sept. 25 whether they will need to submit presentations. Presentation submittals are due on Oct. 11, 2013. Presentations to the Facilities Committee will be conducted the week of Oct. 21 by those confirmed by the committee.

Please be advised that currently the availability of space is very limited. Facilities Modification/ Space Request form has been adjusted for you to justify your request with reference to the Space Utilization report. This adjustment is due to recently received Space Utilization Study report conducted by the Board of Regents, showing various campuses’ space utilization metrics. In particular, Clayton State University features excess of conference and meeting spaces. It is getting more difficult to justify new space without showing compelling needs that are aligned with institution’s strategic plan and any other documentation that clearly and objectively supports the needs.

Tom Gausvik Appointed Director of Human Resources

We are pleased to announce that Thomas E. Gausvik has been appointed director of Human Resources at Clayton State University, and will arrive on Aug. 26.

Gausvik earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from The Citadel and a Master of Science in Human Resource Development from The American University and NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Science. As the Associate Vice President for Human Resources for the University of Georgia, he implemented TALX’s online Onboarding System, which eliminates the majority of paperwork in the hiring process for all newly hired employees, and he developed and implemented a 360 Personal Financial Consultation (360PFC) program, which provides comprehensive services to employees and retirees in all aspects of financial life management.

Prior to joining UGA, in his capacity as the chief human resources officer at the University of Virginia, he was responsible for the development and administration of a comprehensive human resource program for the UVA Academic Division, the UVA Health System (UVA Medical Center and School of Medicine and Nursing), and the UVA College at Wise, Va.

In addition, he has been responsible for recruitment, payroll and compensation, training, performance management, employee relations, policy implementation, HRIS, strategic planning, organizational development and professional staff development. 

With the experience and leadership which Gausvik brings to the Department of Human Resources at Clayton State University, we look forward to working with him. Please join Vice President of Business and Operations Corlis Cummings and the entire Human Resources team in welcoming him to Clayton State.

Changes to Travel Policy There are some important changes to state rules regarding travel effective July 1, 2013. In order to comply with these new requirements, this notification will provide a quick snapshot of the changes and how they may impact our business practices. Please note that this notification includes information in summary and that the detailed policies and procedures are contained on the Clayton State University (updates pending), University System of Georgia, and the Department of Administrative Services websites. Travel Policy Amendments: ·         Employees must submit all expenses for reimbursement and reconciliation within 10 days of trip completion or no later than 45 calendar days. IRS guidelines require submission of expenses and supporting documentation and reimbursement within 60 days. If the reimbursement does not occur within the 60 days the advances and expense reimbursements are included in the employee’s taxable income. (Section D of the State Travel Policy) ·         Out of State per diem meal rates no longer include the $5 incidental expense. Incidentals such as fees and tips reimbursed separately. (Section 4.1 of the State Travel Policy) ·         The State of Georgia Certificate of Exemption of Local Hotel/Motel Excise Tax form has been updated on the Clayton State website (waiting on updated location from webmaster)  and SAO website (https://sao.georgia.gov/sites/sao.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/SOG%20Hotel%20Tax%20Exempt%20form_FINAL.pdf to assist travelers in gaining compliance with this requirement. (Section 3.3 of the State Travel Policy)   ·         Employees are allowed 75% of the meal per diem for overnight travel on the day of departure and the day of return. If a meal is provided on the day of departure or return the total per diem must be reduced by the individual meal per diem before the 75% is calculated. (Section 4.4 of the State Travel Policy)

Total Meal per diem for day	$     28.00
Traveler receives Lunch on Day of arrival	-           7.00
Total Before 75% Proration	21.00
Total Reimbursed	$     15.75

·         Employees who travel more than 50 miles AND are away for 12 hours (not overnight) are entitled to 100% per diem meal reimbursement. (Section 4.5 of the State Travel Policy) ·         Additional clarification has been provided on mileage reimbursements and determining the employees primary work station. We can assist individuals that require help determining their primary work station. (Section Appendix A of the State Travel Policy) ·         Additional clarification has been provided on reimbursement for meals and incidentals during international travel. (Appendix B of the State Travel Policy) Statewide Travel Policy: http://sao.georgia.gov/sites/sao.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/SOG_%20Statewide_Travel_%20Policy_061313.pdf. We will provide additional training in the coming months regarding the changes to the State’s requirements and our business practices.

Auxiliary Services is Celebrating Birthdays!

Auxiliary Services is now celebrating your birthday!

Come in to the LakerCard Office on your birthday and pick up Auxiliary Services’ gift to you. If you aren’t on campus on your birthday, that’s okay, come by any time during the month.

Auxiliary Services has special discounts, a free fountain soda, a birthday button and other goodies for you. Happy Birthday from Auxiliary Services!

Loch Shop News For a limited time, The Loch Shop is giving away a snazzy Clayton State Lakers navy baseball cap with every $30 purchase. The promo code is 5868. Go to www.ClaytonStateGear.com for more details.

The Loch Shop is having a special sale on 2013 Women’s Basketball Elite 8/Conference Championship T-shirts. They have been put on sale for… wait for it… $8.88.

The Loch Shop is now up and running on both Instagram and Twitter.  The handle for both of social media platforms is lochshop.  Chair Upgrades in the Baker Center Facilities Management is in the process of upgrading 50+ chairs in the James M. Baker University Center, mainly in the student lounge areas. The project will start the week of Sept. 3. We will be reupholstering lounge chairs and removing up to 15 chairs at a time for work. The next set of 15 chairs will be sent to workshop after we receive and return the first set of finished chairs. This process will continue till we have completed the entire scope of project. This is to inform you that seating will be limited in certain lounge study areas for up to two weeks at a time. The project will start from the fourth floor. Please contact Facilities Management with any questions regarding the project. An Electric Car Charging Station at Clayton State? Take the Survey The University is committed to sustainable practices, energy savings and environmental safety. Therefore, we have designed a quick survey to determine the level of interest in installing an electric car charging station on Clayton State University’s campus. We would highly appreciate your participation in this survey which will take less than a minute of your time. Please follow the link below to answer only four survey questions: https://claytonstate.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_dool8qXlBiSQej3

Campus Walking Distances

Want to know how far and how long it takes to walk across campus? The link below is from the 25-year Facilities Master plan, and the walking distance information in located on page 24 of the summary.

http://www.clayton.edu/portals/1/fmp/ExecutiveSummary2010.pdf