Join Colleagues At Welcome Back Picnic
 

UM's Faculty/Staff Welcome Back Picnic -- a Mexican buffet -- will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18, at the Kirkwood Memorial Grove, River Bowl East, located across Campus Drive from the Fitness and Recreation Center.

The event, held annually, is open only to UM faculty, staff, administrators and retirees.

For information, call Angela Priest of UM Faculty-Staff Wellness at 243-2027 or e-mail apriest@mso.umt.edu.

 

 State Of The University Address Aug. 22
 

President George Dennison will present the State of the University address at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22, in the Montana Theatre of the PAR/TV Center.

During the event, new members of UM's faculty and administration will be introduced, and faculty members who have earned promotion or tenure during the last year will be recognized.

A reception will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Montana Theatre foyer.

 

 Academic Convocation Aug. 23
 

President George Dennison and Provost Royce Engstrom will welcome students, administrators, faculty and staff to the new academic year at the 2008 Academic Convocation on Saturday, Aug. 23.

The event begins at 4 p.m. in the University Theatre. This year's speaker, Division of Biological Sciences Professor Ken Dial, will present "Dinosaurs, Birds, Cyclists and Airplanes: The Science of Locomotion."

A reception will follow, offering an opportunity to visit with parents, students and colleagues.

For more information, call Greg Lee at 243-5669 or e-mail gregory.lee@umontana.edu.

 

 Volunteers Needed To Welcome Students
 

Welcomefest 2008 -- an event to help new and returning students move into residence halls -- will take place from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, and Saturday, Aug. 23.

For working one hour or more, volunteers receive a free Welcomefest T-shirt and a free meal at the Food Zoo. The deadline to volunteer is Friday, Aug. 15.

To volunteer, call Enrollment Services at 243-6266.

 

 Griz Central Wants Your Help
 

Griz Central is looking for staffers to greet students and provide assistance during peak time for fall semester registration.

Volunteers are needed for two-hour shifts between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Aug. 21 and between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Aug. 22, 25 and 26. All volunteers will be entered in a drawing for a variety of great prizes.

If you can help, call Kerry at 243-6077 or e-mail kerry.herndon@umontana.edu.

 

 Help Welcome International Students
 

UM's Foreign Student and Scholar Services and the Missoula International Friendship Program are gearing up to welcome about 100 new international students who will begin studies at UM this fall.

To complement their campus experience, MIFP provides a structured opportunity for students to meet local residents and share leisure and family activities once a month or so for one or two semesters. Hosts are not expected to become a legal guardians or financial sponsors, and students do not reside in hosts' homes.

To become a host for an international student requires completing an application form by Aug. 22. Hosts then will be asked to attend an orientation session the evening of Sept. 3 or 4 to receive information about their students. On Sept. 9, hosts and students will meet at an ice cream social.

To learn more about becoming a host or to get an application form, call FSSS at 243-2226.

Missoula International Friendship Program 

 Wellness Program Announces New Services
 

The Montana University System Wellness Program now offers The Life Connection, a free counseling service available to MUS employees and household members.

TLC counseling services at UM will be provided via the Employee Assistance Program through Faculty-Staff Wellness. Most community counselors are in-network, and one counselor is available on campus.

TLC also offers telephone consultations with professionals to get help with financial, legal, child care, elder care and other issues. Online work-life services, a newsletter and a monthly events calendar are available on the TLC Web site. Use the company code MUS.

Insured MUS employees and spouses also can take advantage of the new WellAwards program and earn a $100 cash award by participating in health-related activities. WellAward books will be mailed to the home addresses of those who qualify this month. Registration will take place Sept. 1-30.

For more information about TLC and the WellAwards program, call 866-248-4532.

The Life Connection 

 Homecoming Parade Applications Available
 

Applications for entries in UM's Homecoming parade are now being accepted.

The parade will take place Saturday, Sept. 20, during UM Homecoming 2008 festivities. The theme for this year's parade is "Back to the Future -- The Future is U!" The parade entry fee is $25, and the application deadline is 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12.

Application forms and parade guidelines are available on the Alumni Association Web site. They also can be picked up at the Alumni Association office, 115 Brantly Hall, and at the Missoula Chamber of Commerce.

Completed forms may be dropped off at the Alumni Association office or faxed to 243-4467. For more information, call parade organizer Suzette Dussault at 243-5214 or e-mail suzette.dussault@mso.umt.edu.

UM Alumni Association 

 Submit UM Float Ideas And Sketches
 

Do you have a great idea for UM's 2008 Homecoming float?

If so, you can be a part of a collaborative, campuswide effort to create a grand float for the Homecoming parade, which takes place Saturday, Sept. 20. The theme of this year's parade is "Back to the Future -- the Future is U!"

A $100 gift card from The Bookstore at UM will be awarded to the person who comes up with the winning float idea and sketch.

Submit ideas and sketches via campus mail to Renee Valley, Intercollegiate Athletics, Hoyt Athletic Complex. The deadline to submit is Wednesday, Sept. 3.

President George Dennison has agreed that staff, faculty and administrators can volunteer up to two hours of work time to help with the float during the week before Homecoming -- if their work duties are covered and their supervisors approve. Information about how to sign up to volunteer will be coming soon.

For more information, call Renee at 243-6899 or e-mail renee.valley@mso.umt.edu.

 

 A Few Dates Helpful For Fall Semester Planning
 

• Classes begin Monday, Aug. 25.
• Homecoming is Sept. 19-20.
• Finals are Dec. 8-12.

UM employee remaining 2008 holidays observed:

• Sept. 1 -- Labor Day
• Nov. 4 -- Election Day
• Nov. 11 -- Veterans Day
• Nov. 27-28 -- Thanksgiving
• Dec. 25-26 -- Christmas

For other important fall semester dates, see the Academic Calendar.

UM Academic Calendar 

 Staff Senate Meeting
 

The fall semester Staff Senate meeting schedule will be coming to you soon.

On Wednesday, Aug. 13, the Staff Senate will meet from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in Gallagher Business Building Room 382 and then will attend Out to Lunch at Caras Park.

For more information, call Renee Valley at 243-6899 or e-mail renee.valley@mso.umt.edu.

Staff Senate