UM residence halls will remain open for students during the Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving break. Students do not need to sign up if they plan to stay over the break, but University Dining Services will be limited. Residence halls will be locked 24 hours a day, so students need to carry their Griz Card to access their building. Residence Life staff will be available during the break.

Residence halls will close at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, for winter break and will reopen for spring semester on Saturday, Jan. 26. Students planning to return to their building for spring semester do not need to remove their belongings, but must leave their room key or access card at the front office of their hall before they leave. Students will be charged $17 per night if they do not leave their key or card.

Students may stay in their residence halls during winter break for $17 per night. Students who plan to stay any time between Saturday, Dec. 15, and Friday, Jan. 25, will need to sign up at the Residence Life Office in Turner Hall by Tuesday, Dec. 11. Students who make arrangements after the deadline will be charged a $35 late fee.

For more information visit the Residence Life website.

UM student Bryn Hagfors, center, is shown with U.S. Sens. Max Baucus, left, and Jon Tester, right. Hagfors, vice president of the Associated Students of UM, interned with the U.S. Senate Finance Committee in Washington, D.C.

Service helps UM students find internships 

If your student is searching for an internship opportunity to fulfill a degree requirement or further their professional experience, they can receive assistance at UM Internship Services.

Internship Services is a unique resource for UM students, focusing solely on helping undergraduate and graduate students identify and compete for domestic and international internship opportunities. The office provides comprehensive services such as resume and cover letter assistance, internship opportunity development and advertisement, and coordination of the entire internship process.

Internships are available throughout the year, can be paid or volunteer and may offer academic credit toward graduation. Many employers look for applicants who have completed one or more internships, and Internship Services can help prepare your student to compete for top positions.

"In many ways, participating in an international internship in Kenya was the experience of a lifetime," said UM student Megan Chambers. "I not only learned a lot about working in the international arena, but I also discovered many aspects of myself that have helped me to grow and mature into a different person."

For more information or to begin searching for internships, students can visit the Internship Services website.

'Can the Cats' food drive wraps up Nov. 17

The "Can the Cats" food drive has returned for its 13th year of Griz-Cat competition.

"Can the Cats" is a contest between UM and Montana State University. The universities compete to collect the most pounds of nonperishable food for their local food bank. The event will benefit the Missoula Food Bank. The winner will be announced at the Griz-Cat football game Saturday, Nov. 17, in Missoula.

People are encouraged to donate items such as potatoes, rice and canned vegetables, fruit and tuna. Monetary donations also are accepted and every $1.60 converts to one pound of food.

Donation boxes will be available at Karl Tyler Chevrolet, UM residence halls, The Source in the University Center, Davidson Honors College, the Fraternity and Sorority Involvement Office, Mansfield Library, all Noon's convenience store locations, Lambros Realty, all Missoula Federal Credit Union locations, The Ranch Radio, MSO Hub, Worden's Market, all Albertsons locations, Orange Street Food Farm, Grizzly Grocery, Good Food Store and Rosauers. Pre-bagged food will be available for purchase at all Albertsons locations.

The Federal Depository Library Program recently recognized the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library at UM for its outstanding service and commitment as a regional federal deposit library.

Mansfield Library was presented a plaque and a letter at the 2012 Depository Library Council Meeting and Conference in Washington, D.C. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Depository Library Act of 1962, which established the FDLP, a program that offers the public free access to U.S. government publications.

Mansfield Library has made federal government documents available to Montanans since 1909 and received full regional status in 1965. As a regional depository, Mansfield Library coordinates services with other libraries in the state to ensure Montana residents have access to all federal publications, including books, reports, pamphlets, maps, microfiche and digital material.

For more information visit http://www.lib.umt.edu.

United States Marine Corps Cpl. Jonas Rides At The Door, a student at UM, recently was named the newest Defender of Freedom Fellow by U.S. Sen. Max Baucus.

"Jonas is a true hero," Baucus said. "He has been recognized many times for his bravery and service to Montana and America. Having recently transitioned from the Marine Corps to the classroom, Jonas knows firsthand the challenges veterans often face upon returning to civilian life, and I know he will bring his experience to the table to improve the lives of veterans across Montana."

Rides At The Door, of Browning, deployed to Iraq three times as a heavy machine gunner infantryman with the Marine Corps. On his first and second deployments, Rides At The Door served with the 2nd Battalion 7th Marine Regiment. On his third deployment, he served with the 1st Tank Battalion TOW Platoon. He was an active participant in the first Battle of Fallujah in 2004. During his first deployment, he was wounded by an improvised explosive device on July 2, 2004.

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The NCAA recently announced that UM scholarship athletes who enrolled in the 2005-06 academic year hold the highest federal graduation rate in the Big Sky Conference. According to the UM Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, the 77 percent graduation rate is the best in recent years.

Federal graduation rates count student-athletes a success if they graduate from their original school within six years.

UM and Montana State University were matched for the best graduation rate in the Big Sky Conference for the league's 2005-06 classes. NCAA Football Championship Subdivision schools had an average graduation rate of 63 percent, and UM's overall rate for the 2005-06 class was 47 percent.

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• English Professor Wins Distinguished Service Award. Read more
• Glaciologist Finds Greenland Absorbs Large Amounts of Melt. Read more
• Recycling, Waste Manager Receives National Certification. Read more
• Marketing Professor Appointed to National Committee. Read more

• Wednesday, Nov. 21: Student Travel Day, no classes
• Thursday-Friday, Nov. 22-23: Thanksgiving Break, no classes, UM offices closed
• Friday, Dec. 7: Last day of regular classes
• Monday-Friday, Dec. 10-14: Final exams
• Friday, Dec. 14: Residence halls close at 5 p.m.