GET YOUR SHOT: Seasonal flu shots for faculty and staff who pre-registered continue today. The schedule and locations is as follows: Upper campus employees (Morrow Field House and all buildings west to Main Street) whose last names begin with M-Z, from 8 a.m. to noon at Maltby Center. Lower campus employees with last names beginning with A-L, from 1:30-4 p.m. Thursday at the University Union, Room 206; and lower campus employees with last names M-Z, from 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 6, at the University Union, Room 206. You must bring your signed Seasonal Flu Consent Form to the clinic. An Influenza Vaccine Information Sheet is also available at the Web site. Those who have not pre-registered will not be able to receive a seasonal flu shot. Every effort to attend the assigned sessions is requested, however accommodations will be made if necessary.

FLU INFORMATION UPDATE: Due to a statewide shortage of the regular seasonal flu vaccine, the FluMist that was initially offered as a voluntary option to healthy employees under the age of 50, will now be the only option for members of that employee group. This is being applied statewide, not just at Slippery Rock University. We have only received a sufficient supply of the regular seasonal flu vaccine for employees who because of age, illness, or chronic condition are not able to receive the FluMist. If you are a healthy employee under the age of 50 (refer to the information provided below to determine if you are eligible for the FluMist), please print the FluMist consent form below and bring the completed form with you to your designated clinic. If you are unable to print the form, blank forms will be available at the clinic sites. http://ecapps.health.state.pa.us/FluVaccineReg/ConsentForm_for_Flu_Mist.pdf

For more information regarding the FluMist please click the link: http://ecapps.health.state.pa.us/FluVaccineReg/VIS-Flu_Mist-live.pdf

HIGH DEMAND, MORE SESSIONS: All campus employees with student degree audit access are invited to one of several hour-long sessions to explain the new My Rock Audit system. The campus is invited to attend one of the informational sessions to learn all of the system's capabilities, including navigating the audit and its interactive component. Participants will also learn the various printing options. The next session is at 8:15 a.m. today in Room 129, Advanced Technology and Science Hall. Registrations are requested and may be placed at: http://administration.sru.edu/webcomm/myrockaudit/. A confirmation e-mail, and reminder, will be sent. Those with questions should contact Nancy Ejzak, management technician in enrollment services, at 724.738.4301.

SOCIAL WORK: The annual Social Work Supervisory Training Conference will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. today in the University Union. The conference will feature Jaret Gibbons, House Representative (D-10) and Jenn Mehnert, executive director of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Association of Social Work. Thomas J. Bechard, assistant professor of social work, criminology and criminal justice, will present the internship educational contract and the competency-based skill training model.

STONE HOUSE SPOOK: SRU's historic Old Stone House will host Halloween festivities from 5:30-10 p.m. today and Saturday. Activities include spooky stories, ghost-hunting and a haunted house tour. The program is free, but donations will be accepted. For more information, visit the Old Stone House at www.oldstonehousePA.org.

SI SI: SRU is celebrating its eighth annual Hispanic/Latino Month throughout October as a way of illustrating the wealth and diversity of the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world through music, literature, cinema, art, dance, food and the media. Today the salsa band Azucar will offer Afro-Columbiana music from 9 p.m.-midnight in Carruth Rizza. Antonio Cortijo, from the University of California, will lecture about Witchcraft in the Hispanic World at 4 p.m. Monday in the Russell Wright Alumni House and Conference Center.

HELPING HAND: SRU's Institute for Community, Service-Learning and Nonprofit Leadership will sponsor a volunteer opportunity at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Dunbar Community Center in Butler. Volunteers will work with children from low-income families. For more information call 724.738.2273.

ALL NATURAL: The McKeever Environmental Learning Center at Sandy Lake will host "Spiders!," a free program examining many of the common myths about spiders, at 2 p.m. Saturday. Live examples will be provided for closer observation. Call 724.376.1022 for reservations or details.

MUSIC IN THE AIR: SRU's music department will present a Wind Band and Choir Concert at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in Miller Auditorium. The SRU Concert Choir, Women's Choir and Chamber Singers will perform choral selections by contemporary American composers. The SRU Wind Ensemble will present original works by 20th-century American composers, including a new work for wind band and choir by Stephen Barr, assistant professor of music at SRU. The program also features "Elfin Thunderbolt," a work by Nancy Galbraith, a Pittsburgh composer. Barr directs the choirs; Brian Meixner, assistant professor of music, directs the wind ensemble.

SAVIN' OF THE GREEN: Unplug battery chargers when the batteries are fully charged or when the charger is not in use. GO GREEN!

RIDE THE BUS: Tickets for students, faculty, staff and the general public are on sale for Sunday's SRU vs. the University of Pittsburgh basketball game. The game begins at 4 p.m. The SRU Student Government Association will sponsor a bus trip to the Petersen Events Center, but seating is limited to the first 48 people to sign up. Tickets are $20. All tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, at the University Union Welcome Desk. The bus will leave the Union at 1:30 p.m. The SRU Sports Information Office will broadcast the game via the Internet starting with a 3:45 p.m. pre-game show. Fans may also follow action via the Twitter link on the SRU athletic Web site, http://www.RockAthletics.com.

FACULTY/STUDENT RESEARCH: Applications for Slippery Rock University's Faculty/Student Research Grants are due Monday. The grants support research proposals that directly involve undergraduate or graduate students in scholarly research or creative activity directed toward a joint presentation, publication, demonstration and/or performance. The RFP is available at: http://www.sru.edu/pages/4958.asp

SIGN UP: Spring class registration opens Monday.

AND THE NOMINEES ARE... Academic department recommendations for scholarly and creative achievement are due to the college dean Monday. Additional information is available at: http://www.sru.edu/pages/1248.asp.

TOE TAPPING: Tickets to the SRU Jazz Dance/Tap Ensemble Concert will be available from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Morrow Field House Lobby. The concert is at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in Swope Music Hall.

ROCK-A-WISH: WSRU, the campus radio station, will sponsor a benefit concert to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of western Pennsylvania at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the University Union. The event will also include a raffle, bake sale and pizza. Tickets are $5 at the door and all proceeds benefit the foundation.

GLAD GRADS: The SGA Bookstore, located in the University Union, will host a Graduation Celebration for December graduates from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday. Students will be able to purchase regalia and pick up honor cords and commencement tickets. Representatives from campus offices, including the Commencement Office and Academic Records, will be on hand to answer questions. Refreshments will be available.

BODY PARTS: The SRU Women's Studies Program will present Lisa Wade lecturing on "Female Genital Cutting in the American Imagination" at 12:30 p.m. Thursday in Spotts World Culture Building.

SAS TRAINING: Faculty are invited to an interactive session on the use of the SAS Information Portal system. Participants will learn to navigate the portal as well as develop an understanding of the array of reports for use in such activities as student advising and class scheduling. Sessions will also explore ways of printing and exporting report results. Sessions are at 12:30 p.m., Thursday; and 10 a.m., Dec. 9. All sessions are in Strain Behavioral Science Hall Room 007. Registration is required and may be placed at: http://administration.sru.edu/webcomm/SASTraining/. A confirmation e-mail reminder will be sent. Further details are available from Michael White, technology applications coordinator, at 724.738.2111.

IN TUNE: The SRU Percussion Ensemble, directed by David Glover, associate professor of music, performs at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Swope Music Hall. General public tickets are $3; SRU students free.

WIDE AWAKE: The third annual "Up 'til 2 for St. Jude" event will be from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Nov. 6 in the Robert N. Aebersold Student Recreation Center. The event offers a night of music, live performances, entertainment, games, prizes and food while working to increase awareness of and raise funds for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. A letter-writing campaign is a part of the event and participants are asked to bring 35 names and addresses. Pre-written letters asking friends and family to make donations to St. Jude will be provided. Last year's program raised more than $19,000 for the hospital. The two-year total is more than $40,000. Registration is $5 per person and team registration, including students, faculty and staff, is encouraged. The registration fee goes to St. Jude. Register online at: http://www.myuptildawn.org. For more information and to receive a "35 Names Fast Form," visit http://www.sru.edu/pages/15113.asp. This event is sponsored by SRU's Living-Learning Communities and the Association of Residence Hall Students.

FINDING AID: SRU's Office of Financial Aid will offer a free, public presentation "Understanding Financial Aid for College" from 1-2 p.m. Nov. 7 in the Advanced Technology and Science Hall, Auditorium. The session will give high school seniors, juniors and their families an overview of the types and sources of financial aid for college in addition to information about the application process.

DANCES, ARTIFACTS AND STORIES: The President's Commission on Race and Ethnic Diversity in collaboration with the Council for Three Rivers American Indian Center present the SRU's annual Native American Celebration Day Nov. 12. The day opens at 9:30 a.m. in the University Union. Traditional Native American dances, singing, drumming, storytelling, children's activities and a panel discussion are planned. For more information contact co-chairs Michelle J. McCollin, assistant professor of special education, at 724.738.2462 or Frederick White, associate professor of English, 724.738.2363.

ALWAYS REMEMBER: The deadline for registration to attend the Chad Williamson Memorial Scholarship Competition is Nov. 6. The competition will be at 4 p.m. Nov. 14 in Swope Recital Hall and will showcase the talent of Slippery Rock University's vocal students.

SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE: Applications are due Nov. 9 for the SRU Chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Lucille Calabretta Scholarships. Scholarships of $750, $300 and $200 will be announced Dec. 11. Calabretta was the chapter's president. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, Pennsylvania resident, a fulltime SRU student with sophomore, junior or senior standing and a 2.5 grade point average or above. Applications forms may be downloaded from: http://administration.sru.edu/publicrelations/docs/AFSCME_CalabrettaScholarship_App.pdf or may be requested by e-mail from Susan Patton, SRU Payroll Office clerk.

ALL MOZART: Warren Davidson, SRU music instructor, will present a series of five recitals offering all of Mozart's sonatas for violin and piano. The pianist will be Donna Amato. The recitals are at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11, Jan. 20, March 17 and May 5 in Swope Music Hall. Admission is $5 for the general public, with proceeds benefiting SRU music scholarships. Students are admitted free.

PIANO DATE: Pianist Amber Shay Nicholson's guest recital of American music will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 in Swope Recital Hall.

FOOD AROUND THE WORLD: Tickets to Slippery Rock University's 35th Annual International Dinner, sponsored by the SRU Internations Club, are on sale now in the International Services Office, 114 Carruth Rizza Hall. The dinner, which features foods prepared by SRU's international students, will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 14 in the University Union. General public tickets are $20; SRU students, $10; and children age 12 and younger, $6. Those with questions should call 724.738.2057

SISTERS UNITE: The Sisters in Healthcare Project, organized by SRU's John Bavaro, associate professor of professional studies, will be displayed in the Martha Gault Art Gallery through Nov. 20 during regular gallery hours noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The project consists of a traveling exhibit featuring stories, photos, documents, artifacts and historical clothing that showcase the significant contributions made by 16 orders of Roman Catholic sisters to the healthcare history of western Pennsylvania from 1847-1969.

OUTSTANDING TEACHING: The deadline for nominations for the President's Award for Excellence in Teaching has been extended to Nov. 11. Nominations are due to Athula Herat, assistant professor of physics and committee chair. Criteria for the award and nomination forms are available at: http://www.sru.edu/pages/1249.asp. The award will be presented at the Academic Honors Convocation.

SECA DONATIONS: The campus is reminded that the annual SECA (State Employees Combined Appeal) is under way. The current contribution total is $19,463 toward our 2009 goal of $26,195. Information packets, including pledge cards that allow for payroll deduction, credit card or one-time contributions, have been mailed. The "Care Enough to Share" campaign is being led by Robert Smith, SRU president, who is also chairing the statewide drive for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Participants may earmark their contributions to any of some 1,400 service agencies covered by the program. A complete list of program participants is available at: http://www.seca.state.pa.us.

REGALIA SALE: The SGA Bookstore, located in the University Union, is offering Oak Hall Cap and Gown regalia at a 10 percent discount through Nov. 30. Faculty and staff may receive the discount on regalia purchases. The advantages of owning commencement regalia include no longer having to order and return items, custom tailoring service and tax deductions for the purchase price.

MASS E-MAILS: The campus is reminded that all mass e-mails (sent to faculty, staff or students) must be processed by University Public Relations. Requests for such mailings must be made as far in advance as possible to avoid multiple e-mails. Emergency requests should be immediately followed up by a telephone call to 724.738.2199, and because of vacation and days off to 724.738.2091. All requests should be e-mailed to karl.schwab@sru.edu. Attachments and photos may not be included, but should be posted on the appropriate Web site and then linked within the e-mail.

IN THE KNOW: In the event of an emergency, natural or man-made, the campus will be notified as soon as possible via the SRU emergency alert system, e2Campus. Those not registered for e2Campus should do so immediately by clicking on the emergency alert icon found at: http://www.sru.edu and following the simple instructions. Emergency information is also posted on the SRU homepage, sent via campus e-mail and shared with the regional media.

FRAUDULENT E-MAIL: The Slippery Rock University campus community is reminded to be vigilant about ongoing fraudulent e-mails. Anyone receiving a suspect e-mail should immediately delete it. No further action is necessary. Do not respond to the e-mail. All Slippery Rock University approved mass e-mails have "SRU Communication" or "Office of the President" as the sender. E-mail users will never be asked to provide passwords or other personal information via e-mail response. The same applies to banks, credit card accounts, utilities and every other legitimate e-mail user. Caution should always prevail when being asked to provide passwords or PINs to outside sources via e-mail.

MEN'S SOCCER hosts Gannon, noon, Saturday, N. Kerr Thompson Stadium.

WOMEN'S SOCCER hosts Gannon, 2:30 p.m., Saturday, N. Kerr Thompson Stadium.

MEN'S BASKETBALL at the University of Pittsburgh exhibition game, 4 p.m., Sunday, at Petersen Events Center, Pittsburgh. (See announcement below.)

VOLLEYBALL hosts Gannon, 7 p.m., Nov. 6, Morrow Field House.

VOLLEYBALL hosts Edinboro, 2 p.m., Nov. 7, Morrow Field House.