New in this Issue

    Construction Traffic has Begun on Campus Now that construction vehicles have begun rolling on campus, Chief of Police Bobby Hamil urges everyone to please exercise extra caution when driving or walking around the campus roadways and parking lots.  Loch Shop Open Late, Dec. 10 In conjunction with Book Buyback, The Loch Shop will be open late, until 7 p.m., on both Monday, Dec. 9 and Tuesday, Dec. 10.

GAIE Logo Design Contest Open Until Dec. 31

It’s time for the Georgia Association of International Educators (GAIE) to update its logo, one of the initiatives of the current executive board – and there’s a design contest with a prize of $250!

Participants can review the details and guidelines at: http://gaieinfo.blogspot.com. Click in the upper left corner on “GAIE Logo Contest”

The deadline for submissions is by midnight on Dec. 31, 2013.

After the deadline, members of the GAIE planning committee will select four to six finalists based on creativity, impact, and adherence to contest guidelines. The finalist images will then be voted upon by the full GAIE membership (nearly 600 individuals) via an online poll. The winning design will be unveiled at the GAIE Bi-State Conference in Chattanooga, Tenn., in February 2014. The winner will be notified and will receive a $250 gift card (subject to USCIS regulations regarding compensation in the event an international student’s design is selected).

SBDC to Hold Starting a Business Workshop at Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce, Jan. 9

The Clayton State University Small Business Development Center is bringing its popular “Starting a Business Workshop” to Griffin on Thursday, Jan. 9.

The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce/Griffin Welcome Center, 143 N. Hill St., Griffin.

Clayton State students and staff receive 50 percent off the full registration price of $69. Contact Heather Chaney at heatherchaney@clayton.edu for the discount code.  Individuals can also receive 50 percent off each additional person with the purchase of one registration at the full price. All registrations must be made at the same time in order to receive this discount. This discount cannot be combined or used with any other discount or coupon. For more information, please contact Chaney at (678) 466-5100.

 

 

 

 

This Week

   

Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin to be Awarded Honorary Doctorate at Clayton State Commencement

Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley C. Franklin will receive an honorary doctorate of public service from Clayton State University on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013, as part of the University’s fall commencement ceremony.

As has been the case for several years, Clayton State will hold two ceremonies to honor its graduates, the first at 9 a.m., and the second at noon. Both ceremonies will be held in the University’s Athletics Center. Franklin will be honored at the noon ceremony and will also be the keynote speaker for that ceremony. The speaker for the 9 a.m. ceremony is State Senator Jack Hill of Reidsville, Ga., chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The 9 a.m. ceremony will present degrees to approximately 235 graduates of the University’s colleges of Business and Health. The noon ceremony will present degrees to approximately 245 degrees to the graduates of the University’s colleges of Arts & Sciences and Information and Mathematical Sciences.

City of Morrow Gearing Up for Annual Family Christmas Event, Dec. 7 

On Saturday, Dec. 7, the Morrow Business & Tourism Association and Events By Mete’Dela will present the City of Morrow’s Annual Christmas in the Park Tree Lighting Celebration at Milton Daniel City Hall Park (1500 Morrow Rd.) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Like years past, Christmas in the Park will feature various activities for the whole family such as live entertainment, food, vendors, children’s activities, and a tree lighting ceremony.

“That special time of year is drawing near and we are preparing to continue Morrow’s holiday tradition of sponsoring a family-friendly event to celebrate Christmas,” says Michael Sakowitz Twomey, president of Morrow Business & Tourism Association. “We are thrilled to work with Events by Mete’Dela to help us make this year’s Christmas in the Park the best it’s ever been. I’m confident that Morrow residents will be pleased.”

Events by Mete’Dela’s founder, Melinda Brundidge explained, “City of Morrow’s Annual Christmas in the Park Tree Lighting Celebration will have something for children and adults alike. There will be plenty of great food and holiday treats to indulge in. Families can sing their favorite Christmas carols together with featured gospel choirs. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will greet children and pose for pictures. Various vendors will be available so attendees can do some holiday shopping. And, residents can enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas by viewing a live nativity scene and beautiful Christmas decorations of City Hall Park.”

The annual event will also feature live entertainment. In addition to a having a live band and various gospel choirs, Christmas in the Park will feature renowned recording artists. Singer Gwen Hughes, who is heralded as Atlanta’s Institution due to her expressive voice and stage presence, will perform at this year’s event. And, legendary Jazz musician, Theresa Hightower, will grace the stage as one of Atlanta’s greatest talents.

Christmas in the Park will conclude with a beautiful tree lighting ceremony at 7:30 p.m.

Third Annual Spivey Hall Children's Choir Silent Auction

The Third Annual Spivey Hall Children's Choir Silent Auction is now live on line at http://www.spiveyhallchildrenschoir.org/annual-tour-choir-silent-auction/

You can “buy it now” on line, or come to Spivey Hall on Saturday, Dec. 7, starting at 6 p.m., to bid on your favorite items. All proceeds support the Spivey Hall Children’s Choir program.

   

Upcoming

   

Lakeside Dining Hall Closing Date for End of Fall Semester, Dec. 9

The Lakeside Dining Hall will close at 2 p.m., on Monday, Dec. 9, and will remain closed through the semester break. The Dining Hall will resume normal operating hours on Monday, Jan. 13.

Laker Hall Meal Plans End Monday, Dec. 9

Laker Hall residents: Your meal plans end after lunch on Monday, Dec. 9. Any unused guest meals from fall semester will be forfeited. Unused dining dollars will carry forward to spring semester and be added to your allotment for your spring semester meal plan.

Auxiliary Services Semester Break Hours

During the semester break, the units of Auxiliary Services will have the following operating hours:

Loch Shop/LakerCard Center – Dec. 10 – Dec. 20 and Dec. 30 – Jan. 3

Monday – Thursday:  8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Friday:  8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

NOTE:  On Tuesday, Dec. 10, The Loch Shop will be open until 7 p.m.

The Loch Shop and LakerCard Center will be CLOSED Dec. 23 to Dec. 27, and Jan. 1, 2014. 

            Dining Services

            Jazzman’s

            Monday – Friday:  8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

            Subconnection

            Monday – Friday: 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

            Note: SubConnection will be closed Dec. 30 and Dec. 31

            All other dining locations will be closed during semester break.

All dining locations will be closed New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2014. 

SAC Fitness Center Locker Rental Notice

For those patrons who are renting locker at the SAC Fitness Center, you have until Dec. 13 to renew your locker rental or clean it out (if not renewing). Any locks remaining after that date will be cut and the contents will be stored for 30 days. Unclaimed items will be donated to charity.

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Brandon Marshall at BrandonMarshall@clayton.edu or (678) 466-4976.

Ask Me! … Volunteers Needed by Dec. 13

Volunteers are needed for the Spring Semester Ask Me! program.

Ask Me! is designed to help welcome newcomers and returners to the University during the start of each semester. The program features welcome tents and student volunteers wearing bright orange Ask Me! T-shirts. Volunteers are positioned in high-traffic areas around the campus to help welcome students, answer questions, and to point people in the right direction.

Student volunteers will serve four-hour shifts on the following days: Friday, Jan. 10, 2014 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday, January 13, 2014, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan.14, 2014, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Volunteers for Ask Me! will earn $25 “Bookstore Bucks” for each four -hour shift (limit two shifts per volunteer).

To be eligible, a student must have earned at least 15 credit hours at Clayton State University and must attend ONE of two 30-minute training sessions, held on Wednesday Jan. 8, 2014, 11 a.m. –noon and Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. in the James M. Baker University Center, room 262.

There are MINIMUM SPOTS available so please email ASAP if you are interested to have a guaranteed position! To sign-up, contact Jasmine Foster at jfoster16@student.clayton.edu at least by Friday, Dec. 13, 2013. For more information regarding this program, contact the Department of Campus Life at (678) 466-5433.

Southern Crescent Symphony Concert, Dec. 13

The Southern Crescent Symphony, conducted by Clayton State Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Richard Bell, along with the Rick Massengale Trio, will present a Christmas concert on Friday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m., at the Fayetteville First United Methodist Church.

The program will include Christmas favorites performed by the orchestra and the jazz trio along with a sing-a-long of Christmas Carols. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Proceeds will benefit the Breast Cancer Survivors Network. The church is located at 175 East Lanier Ave., Fayetteville.

Bookstore Bucks Dates for Spring 2014

Bookstore Bucks (formerly Financial Aid Book Money) will be available from Jan. 6 to Jan. 22, 2014. Up to $1,000 of your unused Financial Aid will automatically be deposited in your Bookstore Bucks account on Jan. 6 for you to purchase anything in the Loch Shop.

Remember…your LakerCard is required for all purchases. After Jan. 22, any unused Bookstore Bucks are returned to your student account and refunded in late January based on your refund preference through Higher One. 

Drs. Howell and Zeller Participating in Peach State Opera Performance, Jan. 11 

Clayton State University professors Dr. Christina Howell, performing the role of Despina, and Dr. Kurt-Alexander Zeller, director, are both involved in Peach State Opera's upcoming performance of Mozart's Cosi fan tutte, being performed locally at the Avondate First Baptist Church, 47 Covington Rd., Avondale Estates, Ga., at 3 p.m. on Jan. 11, 2014.

Ticket prices are $22 (adult general admission), $20 senior (over 60), $10 students (including college students with ID) and are available at the door or at the website:  www.peachstateopera.org.

Clayton State to Launch Digital Film Technician Certificate Program in February 2014

The Center for Continuing Education at Clayton State University will be launching a new program in February 2014 that will have a major impact on individuals, economic development and a growing industry in metro Atlanta… and provide another way to make dreams real.

The Digital Film Technician Certificate program is a two-course program with day and evening classes that is designed to introduce students to production of digital media and film. Digital Film Tech Training I, scheduled to launch on Feb. 18, 2014 for the evening course and Mar. 3, 2014 for the day course, is designed for students with no background in digital media, as well as those students with some experience or coursework in the field. Digital Film Tech II, which will start in the summer of 2014, is a follow-up course designed to help students achieve a level of film/media production skills that will promote employability and/or the ability to become independent contractors.

Both courses are designed, and will be taught by, Barton Bond, who comes to Clayton State from New Mexico with 45 years of experience working in electronic media, the last 25 years being teaching on the college level.

 

Loch Shop News

 

Need Money to Buy Presents? Cash for Books at the Loch Shop!

Didn’t complete your holiday shopping on “Gray Thursday” or “Black Friday?” The Loch Shop’s end of semester book buyback dates, times, and locations are as follows:

In the Loch Shop:

Dec. 3 to Dec. 5 – 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.;

Dec. 6 — 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.;

Dec. 9 and Dec. 10 — 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

At Laker Hall:

Dec. 3 to Dec. 5 — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

At Clayton State – Fayette:

Dec. 9 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Shop for the Holidays at ClaytonStateGear

Looking for a unique gift for the holidays? Consider logging on to www.claytonstategear.com, where you can literally get one-of-kind Clayton State-themed gifts. Everything from golf equipment to tailgating items to bleacher chairs.

More Deals from The Loch Shop

We’ve added additional items to our Loch Shop Clearance Sale! Come by and see the new discounted styles. Look for the stickers – Orange is $5, Yellow is $10, Pink is $15 and Green is $20.

Just arrived – looking for a new hoodie? Do we have a deal for you. Buy the sweatshirt for $29.99, get the matching t-shirt for $5 (normally a $50 value). This deal is too good to pass up!

There’s a free Clayton State mug promotion, valid through Dec. 26, 2013, on www.claytonstategear.com.

   

Announcements

   

Make Your Refund Selection Through Higher One

You don’t want your financial aid refund to be delayed. If you’ve not done so, make your selection through Higher One right away! If you have a refund selection from previous semesters, you’re set.

President Hynes Announces "Making Things Better" Awards

 

Great work deserves recognition. Individuals who make differences in the lives of people at Clayton State University and the community we serve are the source of our strength and pride.  Success should inspire even greater success.

 

Accordingly, the President’s “Making Things Better” Awards recognize great work by our colleagues. Awards are made via an annual nomination and review process. Up to six, $500 cash awards are given annually, generously funded by the Clayton State University Foundation.

 

Any member of the Clayton State community may make a nomination, and an eligible nominee can be an individual, or any group of people, drawn from Clayton State faculty, staff and/or students. 

 

Any nominee (whether an individual or a group) is eligible for only one $500 award per annual award cycle. Nominees may be made in multiple years; however, winners of the President’s “Making Things Better” Awards are excluded from the award for the next two award cycles.

For more information, go to the official The President’s “Making Things Better” Awards website at http://www.clayton.edu/makingthingsbetter.

“We do hope that you will go to the Web Site listed here for more information,” says Hynes. “We also hope that you will nominate colleagues you believe help make things better here at Clayton State. And thanks as always for all you do.”

The FBI Says… Beware of Scams this Holiday Shopping Season

The FBI has a lot on its plate these days — everything from interstate crime to terrorism watch to video piracy. Even so, they've taken a moment this week to remind you about the risks inherent in the holiday shopping season.

In a news bulletin released just before Black Friday, the FBI advises consumers that scammers will be on high alert for the next few weeks, using a variety of techniques to defraud you of your money. These approaches include fraudulent online auctions, reshipping merchandise purchased with stolen credit cards, and old-fashioned phishing.

Specifically, here are some things to be wary of this season:

Fraudulent sales and auctions. The most important advice is not to give your credit card information to anyone in conjunction with an online sale; don't trust the seller unless you can use a legitimate payment service to protect your purchase and your credit card.

Gift card scams. Purchase gift cards directly from retailers — don't buy them secondhand through auctions or private sales. If the cards are fraudulent, the merchant will deactivate the cards and they won't be honored.

Phishing. Be especially careful with email at this time of year; your bank and other financial institutions should never ask you for personal information or passwords in email, and you should never click links in email to go to websites; enter the URL in the address bar manually to be sure you're not redirected to a fraudulent site.

Here are some of the top tips offered by the FBI to help you protect yourself this holiday season:

Don't respond to unsolicited mail.

Never click on links within unsolicited mail — navigate there yourself by typing the address or using your saved favorite.

Don't fill out forms in email that request personal information regardless of the source.

If you receive email from a business, contact the business to ensure the email is genuine.

Requests to react quickly or urgently are typically scams.

Clayton State's Fall 2013 Laker Connection Magazine Now Online

The latest issue of The Laker Connection magazine is now available online: https://academicinfo.clayton.edu/laker-connection/. Clayton State University makes dreams real for a diverse student body, and the fall 2013 issue celebrates the University’s inclusive diversity.

Hard copies will be distributed around campus, but will also available by visiting the Office of Marketing & Communications (second floor of the Clayton State East – Woodlands Hall building).

Get the latest Clayton State news via:

·         Facebook http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/Morrow-GA/Clayton-State-University/120178704320?ref=ts  

·         Twitter  http://twitter.com/ClaytonStNews   

·         Campus Review Newsletter http://academicinfo.clayton.edu/campus-review/

·         Laker Newsroom http://news.clayton.edu/  

Check us out on:

·         YouTube  http://www.youtube.com/user/ClaytonSTNews

·         Instagram http://instagram.com/claytonstateuniv#

·         Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/claytonstate/

·         Four Square  https://foursquare.com/claytonstnews

·         Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/claytonstateuniversity/

Commuter and Faculty/Staff Meal Plans 

For commuters and faculty/staff with meal plans: Any unused meals and dining dollars will carry forward to spring semester.  Remember… any unused meals and dining dollars remaining at the end of spring semester will be forfeited. 

A Reminder on Parking Lot Changes

Campus communications have been disseminated advising of the new Science Building construction impact on parking lots and roadways. Now that the changes are in place, this is a reminder that a large section of parking Lot D has been designated for faculty and staff only. There are signs at each end of these sections, but many student vehicles are still being parked there.

Our officers are paying attention to this lot as well as the part of Lot G that was redesignated for students only. Citations will be issued for those parking in violation of the designated signage.

We realize that the construction significantly impacts parking on campus, but also want to remind everyone of the availability of open parking in Lots K and L near the tennis courts. These lots were surveyed at peak times this week, and had minimal occupancy.

Also, now that Snelling Drive will used as the primary route to access the back side of campus, please use caution and adhere to the established speed limit when using this roadway. Also, watch for pedestrians walking along Snelling to and from Lot E as well as those crossing to access the pathway to Clayton State East. 

How to get Around the Science Building Construction

Here is a summary of the major impacts and changes to campus parking lots and roadways during the construction of the new science building, and, even if you’re not one of those people to whom a picture is worth a thousand words, here’s a link to the campus map that also illustrates the changes…

http://www.clayton.edu/maps/maincampus/construction

Parking lot impacts

·         A section of parking lot D will be designated for faculty/staff parking only to accommodate for those parking spaces affected by the construction. 

·         The disability parking row that is currently in the faculty/staff parking lot will be relocated to the D lot.

·         Parking lot F will be closed during construction. Additional construction vehicles will park along the fence line in lot L near the tennis courts.

·         A section of parking lot G will be designated for student parking only to accommodate for those parking spaces affected by the construction.

·         Parking will remain available in lot E for faculty, staff, and students.

Roadway impacts

·         Caldwell Drive will be closed from public use for incoming traffic just past the first entrance to parking lot D (across from Arts and Sciences Building). Traffic will be detoured through lot D at that point. 

·         Caldwell Drive will also be closed from public use for outgoing traffic from the G and H lots. All traffic to and from lots G and H must use Snelling Drive.

We apologize in advance for any inconvenience caused by the construction of the science building, but with any new development, some disruption is unavoidable. However, we always try to minimize the impact on daily life as much as possible.