Autumn light paints the sky above Eckie’s Pond on a beautiful fall afternoon at Mississippi State University. Final exams conclude this week with four commencement ceremonies scheduled for Humphrey Coliseum on Wednesday [Nov. 25], followed by the Thanksgiving holiday. PHOTO: Ariell Fain | Public Affairs
Mississippi Horse Park’s Rotary Classic Rodeo wins regional ‘Justin Boots Best Footing Award’ for second consecutive year
Through a 20-year partnership between Mississippi State University, the city of Starkville and Oktibbeha County, the award-winning Mississippi Horse Park has become a nationally recognized destination for hundreds of diverse events, from roping and barrel racing to concerts and garden expos. For the second consecutive year, the Horse Park’s Rotary Classic Rodeo is receiving the first-place Justin Boots Best Footing Award for the Southeastern Circuit. The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association honor recognizes rodeo committees in each of 12 designated rodeo circuits for their efforts in ensuring safe, consistent ground conditions for all rodeo livestock, specifically barrel racing horses.
$2.5 million DOE grant to help researchers measure benefits of growing trees for biofuel
A $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy will benefit Mississippi State researchers in the university’s Forest and Wildlife Research Center studying the economic and ecological benefits of growing trees for biofuel production. The DOE funding will help MSU scientists study how to produce better, hardier hybrid poplars and eastern cottonwoods harvested for biomass energy. The team also will quantify the ecosystem services these fast-growing trees provide. Assistant Professor Heidi Renninger in MSU’s College of Forest Resources is the project’s principal investigator.
Existing telework agreements set to expire; new agreements required for 2021
The Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President reminds all Mississippi State University employees that Telework Agreements implemented in 2020 will expire at the end of this year. If any employee in your department plans to continue to telework, a new 2021 Telework Agreement must be completed by the employee and approved by you. Before approving the 2021 Telework Agreement, you should evaluate both the job duties and the ability of the employee to ensure that the essential functions of the job can be effectively performed by the employee from a remote location. Most employees are no longer working remotely and have returned to their physical work locations. If an employee is not performing the same quality of work from a remote location as the employee could perform in the office, a 2021 Telework Agreement should not be approved.
‘Look Up and Look Out’ pedestrian safety campaign launched as fall season brings shorter days and less daylight
“Look Up and Look Out” is a new pedestrian safety awareness campaign at Mississippi State aimed to show students that being more attentive when crossing campus roads can be a life-saving part of their day. The social media campaign, posted by the MSU Division of Student Affairs, runs through the month of November. Injuries, and even fatalities, are caused by three main violations on campuses across the nation. These are failing to use marked crosswalks, not looking up from cell phones and not looking out for cars, motorcycles and bicycles. “Look Up and Look Out” also includes the placement of campaign signs at campus crosswalks during November, social media videos and graphics, and a new website at www.lookup.msstate.edu.
Construction: Use caution at the intersection of Bailey Howell Drive and Lee Boulevard
The intersection of Bailey Howell Drive and Lee Boulevard is now a four-way stop as part of the East Road (Bulldog Way) construction project. Caution should be given to the new south leg of the intersection, which will serve as the primary entrance for construction traffic entering the road site. New traffic signals will be installed over the next several months and, as the construction process will allow, be turned on with full intersection function and use expected in September 2021. To increase safety and notification, existing traffic signals are operating in a blinking red condition in an effort to start the all-stop pattern. The blinking red will continue until the stop signs are installed and signals removed.
University offering winter session Dec. 1-Jan. 4
For the first time in more than a decade, Mississippi State University is offering a winter session to help students advance in their academic journeys and earn credits on an accelerated schedule. With the launch of MSU’s comprehensive “Winter Express,” students at every level can choose from an updated, expanded selection of more than 200 online courses that begin Dec. 1 and conclude Jan. 4. By enrolling in Winter Express, students can get a head start on the spring 2021 semester, finish core course requirements, take classes within majors, or pick up extra credits to accelerate graduation. They also can explore new subject areas, concentrate on difficult courses, and benefit from smaller classes taught by MSU’s world-class faculty.
Testing waivers for Graduate School, College of Education continue into new year
As prospective college students continue to navigate admissions and enrollment processes in a relentless and lingering pandemic, Mississippi State continues its student support into the new year with testing waivers. Students applying to MSU’s Graduate School will have the GMAT and GRE tests waived in many of the university’s on-campus and online programs. Also, those applying for entrance into many of the College of Education’s teacher training programs or working toward teacher certification will have testing waived as defined by the Mississippi State Board of Education.
Looking for a way to help? Give to the MSU Student Relief Fund
The Mississippi State University community continually exhibits a great sense of responsibility and caring for enrolled students that make the land-grant institution such a special place. The MSU Student Relief Fund, built with private gifts, helps those members of the student body affected with day-to-day crises or like now, the impact to their daily lives posed by COVID-19. The Dean of Students' Office assesses needs and administers the fund for acute crises that may impact students’ ability to succeed academically. The MSU Foundation accepts gifts year-round for the MSU Student Relief Fund. Contributions for this effort can be made online or by contacting the Annual Giving office at (662) 325-2466.
Smoke-free policy enhances healthy environment
Mississippi State University is a smoke-free campus. Official policy prohibits the use of any combustible or vapor products anywhere on campus property including university buildings, university grounds, university vehicles, parking areas and sidewalks. The smoke-free campus policy is part of the university's commitment to creating a healthy environment for all members of the campus community. Use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookah or other similar devices are prohibited by this policy. The complete policy is available at www.policies.msstate.edu/policy/91301.
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