Tuesday, Nov.15, 2016

SIUE's IRIS Center is offering a free digital humanities seminar.

"Build your own mini-Google: Processes for Data Mining Social Media."
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Today
Dunham Hall room 2041

Instead of searching through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the data you're looking for, you can easily create an API and let the application bring the data to you!

Professor Musonda Kapatamoyo, associate professor in the Department of Mass Communications, will demonstrate how non-programmers can create a tool, known as an API, to pull data from various social media sites for use in beginning or advanced research projects. Students and faculty in all departments can use this strategy in their scholarship, archive building, journalism, political analyses, web design projects, etc.  

Everyone is welcome! No special computer skills required.

Contact Jessica DeSpain at jdespai@siue.edu, or Kristine Hildebrandt at khildeb@siue.edu, for more info.

Take note of today's presentation -- Financial Matters: Ask an Expert!

2-3 p.m.
Today
Morris University Center, Meeting Room A, second floor

Topics include:

• Benefits: What to ask an employer about health and retirement benefits – hosted by Ameren
• Salary Negotiations – hosted by U.S. Steel
• Home/Renters, Auto and Professional Liability Insurance Basics – hosted by State Farm
• Paying off Student Loans and Budgeting -- hosted by Lexow Financial Group
• Mortgages and Car Loans – hosted by TheBank of Edwardsville
• Wise Use of Credit – hosted by Regions Bank
• Identity Theft – hosted by Midwest Regional Bank
• Life Insurance: Types of insurance available in the marketplace and things you should know – hosted by Visionary Wealth Advisors
• Investment: Types of investments available in the marketplace and the differences – hosted by Northwestern Mutual
• Banking Basics – hosted by PNC Bank
• Credit Reports: How to read them, what does my score mean, how to improve a score – hosted by SIUE Credit Union

Please RSVP to:
Career Development Center
Student Success Center, room 0281
650-3708

This is a round table event. Come and go as you wish. Talk to the experts of your choice. Professional attire is not required.

Vivian Rodgers, office support associate in the Kimmel Student Involvement Center, is the recipient of the November Employee Recognition Award. Vivian was nominated by Sarah Laux, with support from Kelly Jo Karnes, Michelle Welter and Tyler Manning.

Please join us in congratulating Vivian as the Employee of the Month:
3:30 p.m.
Today
Kimmel Student Involvement Center Conference Room

You can also send Vivian a congratulatory email at vrodger@siue.edu. 

“The two and a half years that I have been employed at SIUE have been great!," said Rodgers. "I work in the best department ever. The best part about my job is that I get to interact with great people and terrific students. One of my favorite quotes is: 'We are not here merely to make a living. We are here to enrich the world, and we impoverish ourselves if we forget this errand.' by Woodrow Wilson. I believe SIUE is moving in a great and positive direction, and I look forward to witnessing the growth. Go, Cougars!”

“Vivian is a true asset to SIUE. She has approached everyone and everything with a smile, excellent work ethic and positive attitude," said Laux, assistant director at the Kimmel Student Involvement Center. "She genuinely cares about the well-being of our students and goes above and beyond to encourage them, never stopping short of providing them with motivational quotes, cards and even snacks."

For more information, contact Jen Oates-Blair, joatesb@siue.edu or 650-2127.

Campus Kitchen at SIUE is hosting a food drive, “Give Thanks Give Food” through today.

This themed food drive will collect dry and canned food donations that will be used to make Thanksgiving meal grocery bags for Community Care Center clients in Granite City.

Boxes will be located in the Student Fitness Center, Kimmel Student Involvement Center, Lovejoy Library Information Desk, Peck Hall and Rendleman Hall.

The items requested for "Give Thanks Give Food" drive include:
• Stuffing
• Canned vegetables
• Canned yams  and potatoes
• Instant mashed potatoes
• Gravy
• Macaroni and cheese
• Applesauce
• Canned fruit
• Gift cards to grocery stores are also appreciated

For more information, contact Melissa Bandy, mbandy@siue.edu.

Your support and generosity is much appreciated.

Thanks to the support of the SIUE and surrounding community, the 2016 Employee Banquet held on October 12 was a great success!

The event raised almost $3,300 for the University Staff Senate Scholarship.

The Staff Senate Fundraising Committee would like to gather your feedback about the event. The survey is open to all, whether or not you attended. Your feedback is essential for the success of future events!

It should only take a few minutes to complete the survey.

The survey is open through end of day on today.

Check out the SIUE Day Rally Week participants and enjoy free offers and incentives:

10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Morris University Center Goshen Lounge 

• Today - Enclave – FREE promo items
• Wednesday, Nov. 16 - Scott Credit Union – Play SCU Baggo and win Chef’s Shoppe popcorn, plus promo items
• Wednesday, Nov. 16 - Greenhill Apartments – FREE cups with lids, T-shirts, plus a chance to win $100 VISA Card
• Wednesday, Nov. 16 - Vantage - Play Giant Jenga and received a free gift

The month of November is open enrollment for the new Student Fitness Center Payroll Deduction option for a one-year membership (January to December).

The payroll deduction option will allow SIUE employees to pay for their Student Fitness Center membership by automatically having four equal payments of just $60 withdrawn from their pay in the months of January and February. There is also a monthly payment option using a checking account.

See the Student Fitness Center’s Membership page, call 650-2348, or stop by the reception desk for more information about payroll deduction and other membership payment options.

Also for a limited time, all new memberships get a free full-size locker rental for one year, which is a $60 value.

The Music Department presents:

SIUE Percussion IN CONCERT
7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 16
Dunham Hall

The concert will feature the SIUE Percussion Ensemble and the SIUE Drumline.

There are more than 100 local children who are in need of gifts and clothes this holiday season!

Any organization, student, faculty or staff can sponsor a child or multiple children this holiday season.

To sign up to sponsor a child, please stop by the Student Government Office front desk, located in the Student Success Center (SSC), room 1280.

Remaining Deadlines:

· Thursday, Nov. 17: Last day to pick-up Angels by 4 p.m. at Student Government Office, SSC 1280

· Monday-Thursday, Nov. 28-31: Drop off labeled presents to Student Government Office

· Saturday, Dec. 3: Children's holiday celebration and gift pick-up
   9 a.m.-Noon
   Meridian Ballroom

For more information, contact event chair, Noah Manibusan, at nmanibu@siue.edu, or stop by the Student Government Office.

Counseling Services will host a free introductory guided meditation:

1-2 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 17
Morris University Center, International Room

All are welcome to learn how breathing can reduce stress. The hour will include discussion and direct experience with how to meditate.

For more information, please email Lisa Thompson-Gibson at lithomp@siue.edu.

The URCA program is now recruiting for the 2017-18 URCA Associate class.

URCA Associates are a small group (at most, 10 students per year) of upper-level students who develop their own student-led project and then complete that project under the guidance of a faculty mentor over the course of an academic year. (Note: This is separate from the URCA Assistant program where many more students work on faculty-led projects for one semester. The completely separate student application website for Spring 2017 Assistant positions will be up and running in the coming weeks.)

If you know of students who may be interested, please encourage them to visit the URCA website, specifically the section on URCA Associates (siue.edu/urca/whatisassociate), where they can find more information regarding benefits, eligibility and how to apply.

Interested students may attend an informational meeting:
4-5 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 17
Alumni Hall, room 0201

The application process requires students to submit a detailed proposal by the deadline:
Noon
Friday, March 17, 2017

This semester, SIUE’s International Training Program in Pedagogy is hosting 12 visiting scholars from Northwest Normal University (NWNU) and Sichuan University of Science and Engineering (SUSE) in China.

The scholar's will discuss what they learned during their semester at SIUE during their third presentation, being held:

10:15-11:45 a.m.
Friday, Dec. 2
Alumni Hall, room 3402