What’s in a Name? “Team Molly” Embodies KSU Geauga Spirit
“If I need anything, I just call out ‘Molly!’ and someone comes running,” says Dr. Angela Spalsbury, Dean and CAO of the Geauga Campus and Regional Academic Center.
The campus is home to The Molly Five: Dr. Molly Sergi (History), Prof. Mahli Mechenbier (English), Prof. Molly Mokros (English), Dr. Zhiqiang Molly Wang (Chemistry), and Molly Smith (Institutional Advancement).
Molly Sergi (Molly #1), who has taught at the Geauga Campus since 1997 - first as part-time and since 2001 as full-time, said “It just happened. I was there and Mahli Mechenbier (Molly #2) was hired, then came Molly Mokros (Molly #3).
When Molly Wang was interviewed the first three Mollys couldn’t believe it, but Dr. Wang was offered the position and became Molly #4.
Molly Smith (Molly #5) was hired in 2017, rounding out the group as the associate director of Advancement. “It’s the best name to have on campus,” said Smith. “I had Molly #1 as my professor when I took classes in Burton in ‘98 and ’99. Who knew I’d be joining her?!”
Molly #3 remembers when there were only two Mollys: ‘Molly-History’ (Sergi) and ‘Mahli-English’ (Mechenbier). “When I was hired in 2013, since I was also English faculty, things became more complicated, so we adopted a numbering system based on year of hire,” said Molly Mokros. “At school, I answer to M3.”
“Basically, we have a ready-to-go basketball team,” said Mechenbier (#2).
“I really enjoy working with my Molly Family at KSU Geauga,” said Molly #4. I always share pictures of the Mollys with my daughter, and I think it is important to enjoy your job and appreciate your colleagues and friends on campus.”
The Geauga Molly Five are fortunate to share a first name as well as positions they value as part of the regional campus community. Visit the Geauga Campus and meet one or all of the Mollys!
--Mahli Mechenbier
University Health Services announces new Interim Chief Physician, Lisa Dannemiller, M.D.
Kent State University welcomes Dr. Lisa Dannemiller as the new Interim Chief University Physician at University Health Services. Dannemiller is a board-certified internist practicing medicine in local communities and hospitals since 1995.
She joined KSU UHS in 2012 and became the Interim Chief University Physician in July of 2019. Dannemiller received a bachelor of science degree in pharmacy, as well as her medical degree, from The Ohio State University.
Her internal medicine residency was completed at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Besides providing medical care to the Kent State Community, Dr. Dannemiller enjoys gardening, traveling and spending time with family, friends and her golden retriever.
No appointment? No problem! New Flash Clinic now open at the DeWeese Health Center
University Health Services is excited to announce the opening of the new Flash Clinic, a walk-in treatment facility on the lower level of the DeWeese Health Center that shares space with the Women’s Clinic.
Available to Kent State University faculty, staff and students, the Flash Clinic is now open for walk-ins on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thursday from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., and Friday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Nurse Practitioners in the Flash Clinic treat cold and flu symptoms, coughs, congestion, sore throat, earaches, pink eye, bug bites and stings, and minor burns and cuts. They also provide flu shots and other vaccines. Most insurance plans are accepted; primary care copays apply.
Call 330-672-2322 for more information.
2019-20 December/January Holiday and Pay Schedule
Kent State University's holiday closure schedule for 2019 will begin Monday, Dec. 23, 2019, at 10:30 p.m. All offices will re-open on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020.
- The December biweekly pay will be on Dec. 6 and 20. The December semimonthly pay will be on Dec. 13 and 23.
- The January biweekly pay will be on Jan. 3 and 17. The January semi-monthly pay will be on Jan. 15 and 31.
Employees not eligible for the paid leave include student employees, classified temporary staff, temporary agency staff, those holding short-term unclassified appointments or unclassified intermittent appointments, and employees in a lay-off status. More information on the holiday schedule, including how employees should report time during that period, will be communicated in early December.
Please direct questions to hrweb@kent.edu.
National Depression Screening Day
The offices of Psychological Services and Health Promotion are co-sponsoring the 25th annual National Depression Screening Day on Thurs., Oct. 3, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on the second floor of the Kent Student Center.
Complete a free, confidential mental health screening and discuss the results with a health professional. The event is also being held on Ashtabula, Geauga and Stark campuses, and is open to all students, faculty and staff, as well as the larger community. An anonymous online screening is also available.
For more information, please visit the University Health Services web site.
Important Information Regarding Fall 2019 Midterm Grading for all Lower-division Undergraduate Courses
Online midterm grading for all Fall 2019 lower-division undergraduate courses (levels 00000, 10000, 20000) meeting in the full term (August 22, 2019 through December 8, 2019), begins Sept. 12, 2019, via FlashFAST. Please remember that midterm grading applies ONLY to courses that meet for the full semester.
The deadline for midterm grade submission is midnight on Wed., Oct. 9. Midterm grades may not be reported after the deadline. The Grade Change workflow cannot be used to report or change midterm grades after the deadline, and the Registrar's office will not accommodate other late submission requests.
Submit Midterm grades using Midterm Grades roster
To submit midterm grades via the Midterm Grades roster, login to FlashLine, click Faculty and Advisors/Faculty Dashboard/Grading Resources. Locate midterm grades to submit grades.
Submit Midterm grades using Grade Push (Blackboard Users)
If you use Blackboard, there is a tool to make reporting your midterm grades easier—with a push of the button. The process is called Grade Push and it will allow you to “push” the midterm grades recorded in Blackboard into our KSU Midterm Grade Roster, thus eliminating the time and effort spent manually entering them.
To access the Grade Push application, login to FlashLine then click Faculty and Advisors/Faculty Dashboard/Grading Resources. Locate Grade Push to submit grades.
If you have questions or concerns regarding the Grade Push application, please direct them to support.kent.edu.
Please note: The Grade Push application has been developed for Blackboard users as an option to assist in streamlining the university grading process. The use of this application is not mandatory, though it is encouraged.
Tips and Tricks
Grades Processing Tips and FAQs may be found on the Registrar's website. Any faculty member needing personalized instruction on submitting their grades via the Midterm Grades roster should contact their campus Registrar's Office during normal business hours for assistance.
Troubleshooting tip: FlashLine is accessible from any Internet-capable computer that has the cookies function enabled. We recommend that you clean out your cookie and cache files regularly to help your computer run faster, and to potentially restore and/or improve your access to FlashLine by improving your connection to the server. Our Helpdesk is prepared to help with these issues. Please contact them at 330-672-HELP (4357) for one-on-one assistance and technical issues.
3rd Annual Kent Green Energy Ohio Tour
On Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., you can see green technologies in our community that include renewable energy, green buildings and clean transportation.
It’s all part of the 3rd Annual Kent Green Energy Ohio Tour that highlights sites that are using innovative technologies that benefit the environment.
Multiple tour sites will be located throughout Kent State University and the City of Kent such as university, government and non-profit buildings, and community residences.
The Kent Clean Transportation Cruise-In will showcase energy-efficient vehicles (EEVs) including hybrid and electric models and is part of the Kent Creativity Festival. Children and adults are encouraged to “Touch-an-EEV” and local public and bike transportation options will be highlighted.
The Kent Green Energy Ohio Tour is a joint event co-sponsored by the Kent State University Office of Sustainability, City of Kent Sustainability Commission, and Green Energy Ohio. For more information visit the KSU Sustainability web site.
Golden Flashes Football Open Practice Photo Gallery
Some 100 Kent State faculty and staff and their families gathered in the President’s loge at Dix Stadium recently to see coach Sean Lewis put the Golden Flashes through drills and an inter-squad scrimmage during the football open practice.
Interim Provost Melody Tankersley handed out prizes that included an autographed football and team jersey, VIP meal passes to three football games, an autographed helmet, and a football swag bag.
Staffers and their friends and families dined on food and beverages provided by Old Carolina Barbecue.
The Golden Flashes bagged their first victory of the season in an overtime contest against Kennesaw State, 26 – 23.
Veterans Day Ceremony 2019
All are invited to pay tribute to those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. A special invitation is extended to Kent State faculty, staff, students and community members who are veterans, active service members, or who have family members in the military.
Kent State will hold its annual Veterans Day Commemoration on Thurs., Nov. 7, at 11 a.m. in the Kent Student Center Kiva.
The program, Honoring All Who Serve, will include:
- A flag-raising ceremony conducted by a joint color guard from the Army and Air Force ROTC programs on the Student Green at Risman Plaza at 10:30 a.m.
- National Anthem and Service Song Medley performed by Momentum (Kent State student organization) and Kent State Flasher Brass Pep Band, respectively.
- Remarks from Kent State President Todd Diacon.
- Guest speaker Lt Col. Colleen VanNatta. A graduate of Kent State's Air Force ROTC detachment, VanNatta has served as a media escort for Joint Information Bureaus in Dubai and Dhahran during Operation Desert Storm. She was also the first female Public Affairs Officer for the United States Air Force Thunderbirds
- Watch live on the day of the event.
For up-to-date information, please visit the Veterans Day Commemoration web site.
Guests seeking an accommodation in order to attend this event should contact the Office of Compliance, EOAA 330.672.2038 or aa_eeo@kent.edu prior to the event date to discuss their request.
Open Enrollment Update
The 2020 Open Enrollment period begins Oct. 14 and runs through Nov. 1. The annual Open Enrollment Kiva presentation is scheduled for Wed., and Thurs., Sept. 25 and 26, from 9 – 11 a.m. The Sept. 25 presentation will be live streamed and recorded for play back. Postcards are being mailed to the home addresses this week, detailing the dates the Open Enrollment and Wellness fairs will be at your campus.
Register Today - Fall On-site Health Screenings and Flu Clinics
As part of the employee Wellness Your Way incentive program, all full-time, benefits-eligible employees are invited to attend a "Know Your Numbers" on-site health screening. We will also offer flu vaccines to all full and part-time employees, family members and KSU students. Don't miss out on your chance to take advantage of these onsite services.
What Happens at the "Know Your Numbers" Screening?
Our wellness partner, Be Well Solutions, will be on site to take your "finger-prick blood sample", blood pressure and weight. Within a few short minutes, Be Well will provide you with your personalized profile with the following information: total cholesterol (HDL and LDL), triglycerides, blood pressure, glucose, and body mass index. This service has been provided to full-time, benefits eligible employees for nearly 6 years with excellent service ratings from our employees.
For your convenience, we have arranged flu vaccine clinics to align with all upcoming health screening dates through November 2019 for all campuses.
The following on-site dates are now available to schedule your "Know Your Numbers" health screening and/or flu vaccine. Follow the "How to Schedule" instructions below as registration is required for these services.
|
Date |
Location |
Time |
|
Sept. 24 |
Kent, Heer Hall, Rm 107 |
7:30 - 10:30 a.m. |
|
Sept. 25 |
Tuscarawas, Founders Hall, Bus. Conf. Rms. A/B |
7:30 - 10:30 a.m. |
|
Sept. 26 |
Twinsburg RAC, Rms 113/115 |
7:30 - 10:30 a.m. |
|
Oct. 2 |
Kent, Heer Hall, Rm 107 |
7:30 - 10:30 a.m. |
|
Oct. 10 |
Ashtabula, Main Hall, Oak/Lake Rms. |
7:30 - 10:30 a.m. |
|
Oct. 16 |
Trumbull, Classroom/Admin Bldg. Rms. 233/236 |
7:30 - 10:30 a.m. |
|
Oct. 22 |
Geauga, Gallery |
7:30 - 10:30 a.m. |
|
Oct. 23 |
Kent, Student Center Balcony (health screenings) Kent, Ballroom (Flu vaccine clinic) |
7:30 - 10:30 a.m. |
|
Oct. 24 |
CPM, Pod Med Classroom 1 |
7:30 - 10:30 a.m. |
|
Oct. 29 |
E. Liverpool, Purinton Hall, Slak Shak |
7:30 - 10:30 a.m. |
|
Oct. 30 |
Salem, Main Bld., Rms 189/191 |
7:30 - 10:30 a.m. |
|
Oct. 31 |
Stark, Recreation and Wellness Center |
7:30 - 10:30 a.m. |
|
Nov. 13 |
Kent Campus, Student Center Balcony |
7:30 - 10:30 a.m. |
**We will only be hosting one health screening and flu vaccine clinic date per
regional campus. Employees are welcome to attend any clinic that best fits their schedule. Don't delay, register today!
How to Schedule Your Appointment
- Login to your private Be Well portal. If you have never logged into Be Well, there are special instructions for first-time access at University Benefits Be Well Solutions web page.
- Once you are logged in, select "My Appointments," then "Worksite Screening." Choose the date and location that best meets your schedule. Please keep in mind that you will need to fast for 8 to 10 hours prior to your health screening and blood draw via a finger prick. You can also schedule your flu vaccine appointment should you desire.
- To complete your online health risk assessment while logged into Be Well, select "My Wellness" and then select "Health Risk Assessment."
- Results of your screening remain confidential at all times.
An information page for all "Know Your Numbers" and Flu Vaccine Clinics is available here. If you wish to register your spouse, partner or student for the flu clinic, you must do so by calling Be Well directly at 1-888-WEL-SERV (935-7378). For all other questions, you may contact the Employee Wellness Office at 330-672-0392 or wellness@kent.edu.
Lunch & Learn: Understanding and Taking a Closer Look at Addiction and Opiates
All Campus Access via Live Streaming
Addiction as a disease has historically been a controversial topic for professionals and consumers alike. Recent scientific advances have revolutionized the understanding of drug abuse and addiction. Addiction is now widely recognized as a chronic, relapsing brain disease.
Additionally, the epidemic of opiate addiction requires professionals and consumers to proactively understand and monitor medication use that can introduce anyone from adolescents through geriatric populations to dependence and addiction.
Join us on Thurs., Sept. 19, from noon - 1 p.m. when our presenter, Kelsey Loushin, LICDC, will present a comprehensive overview of addiction, the disease process and the resources available to prevent and treat substance abuse and addiction. This session will be available for participation live in the Heer Hall training room (space is limited), or via live streaming. Registration is required by selecting the desired link below:
Register to attend the Heer Hall session, space is limited.
Register to participate via live-stream.
This program is open to all full and part-time employees. For full-time, benefits-eligible employees participating in the Wellness Your Way program, this session will be worth 10 points towards your Tier Two total.
2019 Employee Wellness Fall Speaker Series
The Employee Wellness Fall Speaker Series, "Psychological Safety - Pathway to Workplace Effectiveness," begins later this month and features Dr. Joel Gecht, president and chief executive officer of IMPACT Solutions, a leading behavioral healthcare and people development consulting firm.
As a psychologist, Dr. Gecht specializes in the design and implementation of customized behavioral healthcare and related services for colleges, universities, school systems, healthcare facilities and corporations. Gecht is highly knowledgeable regarding the importance of psychological safety in the home and workplace and is passionate to share that knowledge and provide tools to support individuals and workplaces so they might flourish.
In part one of this two-part series, we will explore the importance of psychological safety and how the presence or absence thereof affects personal wellbeing and workplace health. We will also explore how each one of us, regardless of our role, may support psychological safety at home, work or within our communities. In part two, we will discuss how and why psychological safety is critical to support thriving employees and productive teams.
While we hope that you can take advantage of both sessions in-person, we are planning to remote stream to maximize accessibility for all who wish to attend. All faculty and staff are invited and encouraged to attend this series. Registration links for the in-person or live-streamed follow below:
Part One: Pathway to Workplace Health and Personal Wellbeing
Friday, September 27, 2019 - 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Kent Student Center Room 306 or live stream
Register to attend in-person. Register for the live-stream
Part Two: Psychological Safety For Thriving Employees and Effective Teams
Friday, October 11, 2019 - 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Kent Student Center Room 306 or live stream
Register to attend in-person. Register to attend via live-stream
For full-time, benefits-eligible employees participating in the Wellness Your Way program, each session will be worth 30 points for a total of 60 points for the Fall Speaker Series.
For questions regarding this series, please visit our webpage here or contact the Employee Wellness Office at 330-672-7505 or wellness@kent.edu.
Keep Our Campus Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free
With the fall semester in full swing, Kent State University would like to remind everyone about its Smoke-free, Tobacco-free policy.
Kent State implemented the Smoke-free, Tobacco-free policy in 2017 as part of its healthy campus initiative, which seeks to foster a culture of health and wellness for students and employees at all campuses. Under this policy, smoking and tobacco use of any kind, including the use of electronic smoking devices, is prohibited on any Kent State property – both inside and outside campus buildings. Smoking or tobacco use also are prohibited in personal vehicles parked on university property and on campus grounds. This policy applies to students, employees and all campus visitors.
Ready to kick the habit? The university offers a free smoking-cessation program for students. Employees also have access to smoking-cessation resources through their university benefits. Kent State encourages members of our community to take advantage of these resources to help them quit.
Notice any smoking activity on campus? Please feel free to remind employees, students or visitors about our university policy. It’s our campus! Let’s all do our part to keep it healthy and safe for all.
For more information about Kent State’s Smoke-free, Tobacco-free policy, including a list of restricted products, resources to help you quit smoking, FAQs and more, visit www.kent.edu/smoke-free.
Kent State of Wellness Announces Koru Mindfulness Classes for Fall
Kent State of Wellness is again offering Koru Mindfulness classes this fall to Kent State University students, faculty and staff. September classes are currently being held and registration is now open for October classes.
This is a free, four-week, 75-minute evidence-based training specifically designed for emerging adults, but anyone will find this useful at any age. Participants learn mindfulness and meditation skills that can help them become more resilient, more mindful and more rested, including several other health benefits. Classes fill up quickly so register today!
Koru Basic: Monday Lunchtime Class
Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28 (Noon-1:15 p.m.)
Aeronautics and Technology Building
Register here
Koru Basic: Monday Evening Class
Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28 (5:30-6:45 p.m.)
Kent Student Center, Alumni Suite (1075 Risman Dr., 3rd Floor, Kent, OH)
Register here
For more information, visit www.kent.edu/stateofwellness/meditation/koru. Information about November and December classes will be added soon. Email Melissa Celko, director of Kent State of Wellness, with questions at mcelko1@kent.edu.
Cat Fanciers’ Association International Cat Show Comes to I-X Center
Over 1,000 famous cats, fancy cats, athletic cats and adoptable cats return to the International Exposition (I-X) Center on Sat., Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Sun., Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. for the Cat Fanciers’ Association International Cat Show.
More than 10,000 cat lovers and fans of the famous acrobatic felines, the Savitsky Cats from America’s Got Talent, will enjoy two full days of cat competitions, performances, adoptions, shopping, contests, educational workshops and crafts.
Purchase tickets for $12 using promo code CATS19.
Dates to Remember:
Sept. 17
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
Sept. 21
International Day of Peace
Sept. 22
First Day of Autumn (Autumnal Equinox)