December 2008 Campus Notice Archives

Thursday, January 8, 2009

December 2008 Campus Notice Archives

Conserve energy over the holidays
With the holiday break upon us, OSU Energy Managers are reminding everyone to turn off all lights, computers, monitors, speakers, printers, etc.; and, unplug electrical devices such as fans, chargers, and stereos. Also, close mini-blinds to help retain heat. Small savings in individual areas add up to huge savings across campus when you take a few minutes to ensure that “off is OFF” in your area. Please be advised that the heat will be turned off in many areas during the holiday break. For details click here.    

Reconstruction project to start in January
The first part of a project to reconstruct University Avenue from Monroe to Knoblock will start in January and continue in phases through September. The first phase of the project, beginning Monday, Jan. 5, will close the Hester St. entrance to the Student Union Parking Garage as well as the parking lot east of the Paul Miller Journalism Building. In addition, a new waterline will be installed on the south side of University Avenue, causing portions of the east bound lane of University to be closed. Traffic control will allow access to vehicles and pedestrians along University, including the parking garage. The contractor expects to complete this phase in 30 to 45 days. A construction schedule is still being worked out for phase two of the project, which will extend from Knoblock to Monroe and also affect the entrance at Hester and the south parking lot at the ConocoPhillips Alumni Center.

Snow and Ice Removal
When inclement weather hits the OSU campus there is a plan in place to remove snow and ice from streets, parking lots and sidewalks on the OSU campus.  To see the best routes to take in an around campus during snowy and or icy conditions click here.

Caution advised for holiday decorations

Some holiday decorations can be dangerous, especially to children. Poinsettias are not poisonous, but if a child swallows pieces of the plant, parents are encouraged to call the Drug and Poison Information Center at 1-800-222-1222. Certain varieties of mistletoe have berries that contain substances that can affect the nervous system and blood pressure, if taken in large quantities. A few varieties of holly have berries that are reported to be poisonous if consumed and can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and a slowing down of breathing. For more information to help guard against accidental poisoning, click here.  

Wellness tip: Pumpkin packs a powerful nutritional punch
The holidays are a great time to discover the versatility, flavor and nutritional benefit of pumpkin. Often the star ingredient in many sweet delights, pumpkin can also make a savory side dish. So don’t throw away your carvings; instead, roast, sauté, steam or mash…and enjoy! Small 2-to-5 lb. pumpkins are best for cooking. The deliver vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin C, fiber, iron, potassium, and other nutrients. Wellness tips are brought to you by the OSU Seretean Wellness Center, dedicated to making OSU the Healthiest Campus in America. For more information about services for students, faculty and staff, call 744-WELL (9355).

OSU to be honored for tobacco free policy, issues quit challenge for the New Year
The Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce has selected Oklahoma State University to receive the 2008 Certificate of Excellence for outstanding achievements in improving the health of employees and the community through its tobacco free policy. Chamber leaders are congratulating OSU for going “above and beyond the call of duty to exemplify a healthy environment and healthy employees.” The official award presentation will be made in January. The OSU Seretean Wellness Center is using the announcement to challenge smokers to make a New Year’s resolution to quit. For details, click here.    

Can collection stats released
The “Real Cowboys Recycle” program collected 56,592 aluminum cans this football season, which totals more than 2,000 pounds and is valued between $1,000 and $2,000. The cans were collected by volunteers from the OSU Student Government Association Sustainability Committee, OSU President’s Leadership Council and ECO-OSU. They were donated to Stillwater Habitat for Humanity “Cans for Habitat” program. For more information, contact savannah.smith@okstate.edu.

Caution advised for holiday decorations
Some holiday decorations can be dangerous, especially to children. Poinsettias are not poisonous, but if a child swallows pieces of the plant, parents are encouraged to call the Drug and Poison Information Center at 1-800-222-1222. Certain varieties of mistletoe have berries that contain substances that can affect the nervous system and blood pressure, if taken in large quantities. A few varieties of holly have berries that are reported to be poisonous if consumed and can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and a slowing down of breathing. For more information to help guard against accidental poisoning, click here.

OSU to host Steve Forbes in Stillwater and Tulsa

Steve Forbes, Chairman and CEO of Forbes, Inc., will speak on the OSU campus at the Wes Watkins Center on January 15 at 3:30 p.m. OSU students, faculty and staff are invited to attend.  The topic is "The Political Aftermath of the Economic Crisis:  Exploring the Challenges that Lie Ahead for a New President."  This Global Briefing is presented by the OSU School of International Studies, Spears School of Business, OSU President's Speaker Series and the Student Government Association Speakers Board.  No registration is needed, but seating is limited so you may wish to arrive early. For more information, call 405-744-5662.  In addition, Forbes will speak on “America’s Promise for Hope, Growth and Opportunity” during a Tulsa Business Forums luncheon on Jan. 16 at noon.  Go to www.cepd.okstate.edu for more details on the Tulsa event.  

Stocker Receiving Management Conference next month
Stocker cattle operators can pick up practical business management tips, interact with other operators and hear from national recognized speakers at the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service’s Stocker Receiving Management Conference on Jan. 21 at the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Enid. Click here for more information and preregistration.

Wellness tip: Lack of sleep increases hunger
Did you know that lack of sleep can affect your hunger and appetite? A recent study found that when participants slept only four hours a night they produced less of the hormone leptin than when they slept a full 10 hours. Leptin is a hormone that helps you feel full. A lack of sleep also causes an increase in another hormone, ghrelin, which stimulates appetite. In other words, a lack of sleep can potentially contribute to some weight gain. Wellness tips are brought to you by the OSU Seretean Wellness Center, dedicated to making OSU the Healthiest Campus in America. For more information about services for students, faculty and staff, call 744-WELL (9355).

 

Just in time for healthy holidays—a new blog from the SWC

The OSU Seretean Wellness Center and professional chef Lisa Becklund have teamed up to bring you Cowboy Bites: Not Your Average Chuckwagon, a free blog that contains recipes, cooking tips, kitchen tips, green tips and more. Chef Lisa will be creating healthy and quick recipes designed for overcoming the weeknight “what’s-for-dinner” blues. All recipes are carefully analyzed by Seretean Wellness Center dietitian Elizabeth Lohrman to ensure you get just what you need, delicious and nutrient dense food. Check it out and sign up for updates at CowboyBites.blogspot.com.

OLLI offers gift package
OSU’s premier “Senior College” with sites in Stillwater and Tulsa is offering a holiday gift package for those wishing to join. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is geared toward those 50 and older who enjoy learning with their peers. Both OLLI sites will offer eight liberal arts courses starting  Tuesday, Feb. 3, and running for six weeks. The Stillwater site offers a Town Hall Series on Tuesday afternoons. The OLLI Office will send a gift announcement for those wishing to purchase membership for others. For full details about the gift package, click here. For general information about OLLI, go to www.okstate.edu/olli.

Be prepared for the business world
Students In Free Enterprise is an international organization that mobilizes university students around the world to make a difference in their communities while developing the skills to become socially responsible business leaders. Network beyond the local organization, go to www.SIFE.org. Locally, contact: Cory Steward at cop@okstate.edu or Joyce Montgomery at 744-5145.

OSU-OKC Farmers’ Market Holiday Celebration Saturday

The OSU-OKC Farmers’ Market Holiday Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 400 N. Portland. The market, which is open year-round, will hold its holiday celebration inside the Horticulture Pavilion with an 11 a.m. performance of “Conversations with Will Rogers” by Dr. Doug Watson. Dulcimer musician Dustin Cooper will provide music and the carriage will circle the grounds area and also stop at the greenhouse to allow people to shop at the annual OSU-OKC Poinsettia Sale. For more information, call (405) 945-3358 or log on to www.osuokc.edu/farmersmarket.

Holiday Concert set for Tuesday
The OSU Faculty Brass Quintet will present a Holiday Concert at the First United Methodist Church, 400 W. 7th Ave., Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m.. The concert will feature music from the baroque and romantic periods as well as holiday favorites from the worlds of jazz and Broadway. The concert is free and open to the public. Contact Dr. Jonathan Martin for more information at (405)744-3964.

Extra lots now available at 4th and Hester/Hall of Fame and Washington
Parking lots at 4th and Hester as well as Hall of Fame and Washington are now open. The lot at 4th and Hester adds 275 parking spaces to the OSU campus for commuters with green parking permits. A limited number of green permits are available for sale at the Parking Office at a pro-rated price. Silver commuter permit holders will have the option of switching permits for a $10 fee. The Hall of Fame and Washington location is a new lot for staff next to the new parking facility. For more information, please go to www.parking.okstate.edu or phone (405) 744-6525.

Wellness tip: Eating before exercise    
Your body clearly needs food, but too much just before exercise can impair your performance and make you feel sluggish. Try to strike a reasonable balance. Eat your larger meals 3-4 hours before exercise. Eat small meals if you eat an hour or two before starting to exercise. Wellness tips are brought to you by the OSU Seretean Wellness Center, dedicated to making OSU the Healthiest Campus in America. For more information about services for students, faculty and staff, call 744-WELL (9355).

Wanted: Oklahomans who are 100 years old and older
The Oklahoma Centenarian Project is currently seeking men and women 100 years old and older to participate in a research study on health. The primary purpose of this study is to understand how life experience and resources contribute to health among centenarians. Results from the study will be used to improve and maintain quality of life among Oklahoma’s oldest citizens. The project is funded by the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station. Interested family members are welcome to attend the interview session involved. For more information, click here. 

Annual benefits enrollment deadline tomorrow
OSU employees have through tomorrow (Wednesday, Dec. 3) to make any changes to their health care, supplemental life, long-term disability and flexible benefit plans. Enrollment is online using Web for Employees http://webemp.okstate.edu. Changes will become effective Jan. 1, 2009. Online video presentations of benefits are available on the Human Resources Web site http://hr.okstate.edu. Questions? E-mail Employee Services at osu-es@okstate.edu, stop by 106 Whitehurst, or call (405) 744-5449.

A few angels still left…
For those who still might wish to participate in Cowboy Angel Tree, there are about a dozen angels left on the tree and gifts are due back by the end of the week. The Non-Traditional Student Organization sponsors the tree each year to give the campus a way to support less fortunate children in the community. Return the angel with unwrapped gifts to 060 Student Union no later than 4 p.m. on Dec. 4.

MSIS Department to host Stillwater High School MIS Day
The OSU Department of Management Science and Information Systems will host the third annual Stillwater High School MIS Day on Dec. 16. Advanced calculus and statistics students from Stillwater High School will participate in workshops about password cracking, digital forensics, radio frequency identification and voice recognition. The event helps increase awareness about careers in management information systems and MIS degree programs at OSU. For more information about this or other MSIS events, call (405)744-3551 or e-mail msis@okstate.edu.

Annual OSU poinsettia sale this week
OSU’s annual poinsettia sale is set for this Thursday and Friday, Dec. 4 -5, at the OSU Teaching Greenhouses from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. each day or until sold out. For more information call (405)744-5414 or click on the following link http://www.hortla.okstate.edu/pdf/poinsettia.pdf.

“Citizen Kane” to wrap up classic film series

The History Club’s Classic Film series will conclude this semester with Orson Welles’ “Citizen Kane” on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. in room 313 of the Classroom Building. Sometimes called the greatest American film ever, it is the story of a millionaire newspaper baron who sacrifices all for power and wealth. The screening is free and open to the public.

Wellness tip: Alcohol intake and calcium loss
Excessive alcohol intake can increase calcium loss from bones making them weaker by interfering with the balance of calcium and the production of vitamin D, both essential nutrients for healthy bones. In addition, alcohol can irritate the intestinal tract, aggravating conditions such as ulcers and heartburn. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation, which is one or fewer drinks per day for women, two or fewer for men. Wellness tips are brought to you by the OSU Seretean Wellness Center, dedicated to making OSU the Healthiest Campus in America. For more information about services for students, faculty and staff, call 744-WELL (9355).