When Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issued a statewide “stay-at-home” order at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, a group of Kent State University students immediately recognized an issue that almost nobody else was talking about: Not all homes are healthy homes. The students were enrolled in the College of Communication and Information course Media and Movements and in the process of creating an advocacy campaign centered on climate justice, a term that refers to the disparities in how climate change is affecting already-marginalized communities.  This team was tasked with raising aware...

The Kent State University Police Department is scheduled for a virtual assessment as part of a program to achieve international reaccreditation. Administered by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. (CALEA), the program requires agencies to meet state-of-the-art standards in four basic areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations and support services. As a part of the assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information hearing on Monday, July 27, at 1 p.m. The session will be conducted virtua...

Women of Color Collective Newest Employee Resource Group The Women of Color Collective (WoCC) was founded in 2018 as an initiative of the Kent State Women's Center to provide a supportive space for faculty and staff women of color at Kent State University. Through professional development, supportive networking, and emotional support, the WoCC seeks to advance the needs of women of color and thereby enrich their professional journeys at the university.  “Honestly, I was so excited when WOCC was created and I received the first invite,” said Keya Jennings, Senior Advisor I. “I thought ...

Every college basketball player remembers the first basket they scored in a real game. That’s also true for Kalin Bennett, but his first points came with an entire nation cheering him on. Now the Under Armour size XXL jersey Bennett wore that night in a 97-58 win over Hiram is displayed at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. His jersey now hangs in the “Underdogs” section of the hall alongside other memorabilia from the basketball world. “Thank you to the Basketball Hall of Fame for hanging my jersey up with the legends...

There will be free COVID-19 testing this week open to all at Northeast Ohio Medical University in Rootstown. The drive-up testing will take place in NEOMED’s campus parking Lot B on the south side of campus, 4211 Ohio Route 44, Rootstown. To access testing stations, enter through Loretta Drive from Tallmadge Road. All exiting will be onto Route 44. Testing will take place:  Tuesday, July 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, July 23, from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those being tested are asked to bring a proper form of identification, a pen and something f...

As part of our continuing financial wellness focus, join Victor Russel of Apprisen as he identifies some of the most targeted scams that focus on the senior population. This webinar will be held on Tues., Aug. 11, from noon – 1 p.m. Victor will demonstrate how to identify these scams and prevent them, including strategies for seniors to protect their identity and their money. Registration is required and may be done so here. This webinar is open to all full- and part-time faculty and staff. For full-time, benefits eligible employees participating in the Well...

With vacation season upon us, please make sure you are reporting your vacation time accurately and timely. Here are some details that you may find helpful as an employee or leave approver.  Vacation is earned each pay period according to eligible employees’ years of service and job appointment (e.g., classified or unclassified). Eligible employees are expected to use vacation time for rest, relaxation and other personal reasons during the year in which it is earned. A detailed explanation of vacation accrual rates, eligibility and usage is in administrative policy 6-11.7. You...