|
Year-End Gifts Support Olin's Financial Aid
Year-end gifts have provided a substantial increase to Olin's funding for need-based financial aid. The Samuel and Rae Eckman Charitable Foundation (New York City) has pledged $50,000 to create an endowed financial aid fund. In addition to the endowment fund, the foundation will provide $5,000 in each of the next five years for need-based financial aid at Olin. After 5 years, these need-based grants will be fully supported by the Samuel and Rae Eckman Charitable Foundation. Several of the firms working to build Olin's campus also have made grants to support financial aid. Hanscomb, Inc., our construction manager for the past seven years, has made a grant to support the Hanscomb Financial Aid Fund for 2005-06. The architect for East Hall, CBT Inc. (Childs, Bertman, Tseckares), has made a grant to Olin's general financial aid accounts, and William Scotsman, Inc. has made a similar gift for financial aid.
- Reimbursements Via Direct Deposit
Financial Services is pleased to announce that all employees will begin receiving travel and other expense reimbursements in the same manner that paychecks are received - they will be direct deposited to your bank account. This will get you your cash faster, and save trips to the bank. Each Friday, for all check and travel reimbursement requests, interbank transfers will be processed to the primary account listed on your payroll direct deposit form. These transfers should take no longer than three days to clear your account. If you would like your reimbursements to go to another account, please contact Jack Mui.
- Employee Travel And Expense Reimbursement Change
As a result of transition from the Great Plains to the Jenzabar general ledger system, several new object codes were added to our chart of accounts in order to comply with federal regulations regarding our sponsored research. The purpose of these new object codes is to capture costs the feds consider “unallowable expenses,” but are reimbursable under Olin's policies. In the Jenzabar system we need to charge unallowable costs to specific object codes. Below are the new object codes:
• 6104 - GftsDecorRecog-Unallow (Gift/Decoration/Recognition)
• 6105 - GftsDecorRecog-Allow
• 6500 - Trav Meals Ent - Unallow
• 6501 - Travel&Meals - Allowable
Some unallowable expenses include alcoholic beverages, entertainment (including non-business meals, social activities, etc), goods for personal use, gifts, social memberships, first class travel and fines/penalties.
When requesting reimbursements, you can charge both allowable and unallowable object codes on the same request. For example, a meal on a business trip may include a glass of wine; you would charge the dinner costs to 6501 and the wine to 6500.
For those not familiar with unallowable expenses, here is why this is important: when the college receives a federal research grant we charge an “overhead” rate to the grant. This charge helps the college recover costs for the operation and maintenance of our buildings, capital improvements, administrative services, library expenses, etc. The calculation of this overhead rate is based on specific instructions that require us to identify and exclude all unallowable expenses. Call Bill Nunez at extension 2418 if you have any questions.
- Travel Reimbursement Increase
The IRS has increased the mileage reimbursement rate for personal vehicles used for business to 40.5 cents per mile. Since Olin's rate is tied to the IRS rate, please request 40.5 cents per mile for travel on or after January 1, 2005. Please contact Susan Goldstein at extension 2423 if you have a question about a previously submitted expense report.
The Olin College Purchasing Department is now processing Purchase Orders (POs) through our new Jenzabar financial system. Please do not send any requisitions to Babson, as they no longer process our POs. Sending a PO to Babson will only delay your order.
For those who have been working with Jenzabar, please continue to do so, using the LIVE database (option one when you log in). Those who originate PO requisitions and need training should contact the Purchasing Department at ext. 2312 (courtney.sampson@olin.edu or scott.slaboden@olin.edu).
Make your opinion count! Tell us what you think about the Olin website by completing the survey at: http://it.olin.edu/survey_web.cfm. Next semester a committee will make changes to the site based on these survey results.
The College is currently seeking qualified candidates for several positions. Employees are reminded that HR is always happy to accept referrals.
All benefit eligible employees please review your January paychecks to ensure your 2005 benefit elections are correct. Please contact Pat Berardi if you need to make any corrections.
New case abstracts, educational materials, and updated procedures for the Honor Board have been posted within the Honor Board site on Blackboard. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email honor.board@olin.edu.
The Frankly Gathering Faculty/Staff Meeting will be held over lunch in the Dining Hall on Wednesday, January 19 from 11:30 am to 1 pm. The lunch offers the opportunity to escape the dreary weather, catch up with colleagues and meet some of Olin's new employees. The meeting will be hosted by new employee Dave Ware of the Library, and will feature remarks by President Miller. Please RSVP by Tuesday to Cara Szeghy so we'll know how many to expect for lunch.
Joanne Kossuth has secured an opportunity for Olin students to speak at a NERCOMP SIG (Special Interest Group) panel discussion about the impact of technology on your life and education. The panel discussion is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on January 20 at Holy Cross College in Worcester. A student from Holy Cross has already agreed to talk about residential computing and his personal experiences using technology, however the panel would benefit from additional perspectives. View the full program for more information. Contact Joanne ASAP if you are interested in participating.
On Tuesday, March 1, 2005, the Olin College Information Technology department will host a panel discussion on “Women and Technology Professions” as part of the IT Tech Talk speaker series. The panel will feature Cynthia Golden, executive director of Professional Development for Educause, Patricia Couillard, vice president for Global Operations at Nortel, Karen Sullivan, education coordinator for FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and Judy Bergeron, vice president and partner of MTS Services, among others. The discussion will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the Olin College auditorium. Inquires about this event should be directed to Mary Fitzpatrick.
The upcoming faculty/staff social will feature a Super Bowl themed party and a chili cook-off. All community members are invited to participate in the cook-off by bringing a pot of their favorite chili to share at the social. If you would like to enter your champion chili in the cook-off please send an email to socialcommittee@olin.edu. Judges will select the best chili recipe and award the chef a prize. The faculty/staff social will be held on February 3 at 3:00 p.m. in the Olin Center mezzanine. During the social Marry Ricci, Olin's former associate director of Operations and Systems, will stop by to say farewell to the Olin community.
The Weather Announcement document for 2004-05 provides information on College closing or delayed opening due to winter weather. Should it be necessary to close the College or delay the opening of the College, an announcement will be made on WBZ-TV channel 4, WCVB-TV channel 5, WHDH-TV channel 7, WBZ 1030 AM, WRKO 680 AM, and WBUR 90.9 FM. An announcement on cancellations or delays will be posted on the info line (781-292-2699) and an email will be sent to the entire community. If the College is closed, only essential employees will be available on campus. This includes Public Safety, Facilities Services, and Dining Services. The weather announcement document is located in the Human Resource folder on Blackboard.
A representative from TIAA-CREF will be here at Olin to conduct individual counseling sessions for all staff and faculty on Friday, January 28, 2005 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Please contact Susan Geist (1-800-842-2004) at TIAA-CREF to set up an appointment. The appointments, which will be held in Olin Center, room 321 are in 45 minute intervals.
The Spring 2005 Computer Training schedule is now available. The schedule includes several sessions on Excel, Outlook, Access, and Word. If you are interested in taking any of the training seminars you should contact Beth Schirick. The schedule is also posted on Blackboard.
During the January 20, 2005 meeting of the Boston Society of Women Engineers, Nan Langowitz will present “Women Entrepreneurs: Myths and Realities.” The SWE meeting will be held at General Dynamics C4 Systems in Needham and will feature Nan Langowitz, associate professor of Management and director of the Center for Women's Leadership, Babson College. The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. with registration and networking, followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the speaker presentation at 7:00 p.m. The cost for the event is $5 for students, $10 non-working members, $15 SWE members and $25 non-members.
On January 28 the Center for Women's Leadership at Babson College will sponsor “Pitch Like a Girl,” presented by author Ronna Lichtenburg. The event will take place in Olin Hall, Babson College. The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the speaker's presentation and end after the 7:00 p.m. networking and book signing reception. This event is free and open to the public.
The United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Association of MetroBoston is expanding its Board of Directors to include individuals who will bring a background in assistive technology. Rick Merson, director of Public Works for the Town of Needham, and a friend of Olin College, is currently on the Board and has inquired whether anyone from our community would be interested in participating in any manner with UCP of MetroBoston. If you would like to learn more, please contact Rick at his office, (781) 455-7548, or email him at Rmerson@town.needham.ma.us.
On January 22 at 8:00 p.m. the Homegrown Coffeehouse will present Crooked Still. This band is a vibrant young band that has wowed audiences from folk festivals to clubs to concert halls. With the unusual instrumentation of cello, banjo, bass and voice, this neo-bluegrass outfit shatters preconceptions without sacrificing authenticity. The Homegrown Coffeehouse is located at the First Parish Unitarian Church, at the corner of Great Plain and Dedham Avenue in Needham center. There is free parking and wheelchair access. Admission is $15 for the general public and $12 for students and seniors. Proceeds will benefit the Church.
In partnership with the Celebrate Life Foundation , SAC will hold Dance-A-Thon 2005 in the Olin College Dining Hall on Saturday, February 12 from 8:00 p.m. to midnight. The event will include raffles, live music, dance exhibitions, pizza and snacks. In lieu of $100 in pledges, participants can pay a $25 registration fee ($5 off with a student ID). Proceeds will benefit the Rosemarie Tocci Celebrate Life Center. For more information email Katelyn Tocci Satwicz.
Olin's Chief Information Officer, Joanne Kossuth has been recognized by Computerworld magazine as one of the Premier 100 IT Leaders. The award honors executives who show exemplary technology leadership in resolving business problems. All honorees, including Joanne, were named and profiled in the January 3 issue of Computerworld and will be honored again at Computerworld's Premier 100 IT Leaders Conference in March.
Dr. John W. Prados, University of Tennessee vice president emeritus, university professor, and member of Olin's Board of Trustees recently received the James T. Rogers Meritorious Service Award at the 109th annual Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) conference. Dr. Prados received the award based on his leadership and service to SACS' Commission on Colleges. He has served on the commission's executive council, as a member of the committee on criteria and reports, and on the SACS Board of Trustees. He also has chaired many visiting committees along with two criteria review committees. Earlier in his career, Prados received the L.E. Grinter Distinguished Service Award, ABET's highest recognition for service to engineering educations, and was named UT Macebearer, the highest faculty honor given by the university.
In an email sent to the entire Olin community, Provost Kerns announced that Dr. Mark Somerville had been promoted to the rank of associate professor of Electrical Engineering and Physics. Mark, who joined the Olin community in 2001, was previously an assistant professor. His promotion is retroactive, dating back to September 1, 2004.
CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education), the professional organization for higher education advancement professionals, recently announced that the Olin College Prospectus won a 2004 District 1 Gold Award in the viewbooks and recruitment packages category. The Gold Award is the most prestigious award given by District 1.
Congratulations to the following employees, who are celebrating five years of service to Olin College. Each January, the HR office will announce the employees who mark special anniversaries with the college. Thanks to all for their time and service.
- Rick Miller – 2/1/99
- Christine Kelly – 3/15/99
- Duncan Murdoch – 6/1/99
- Steve Hannabury – 8/11/99
- Sherra Kerns – 9/1/99
- Dave Kerns – 9/1/99
- Joseph Hunter – 11/1/99
- Joanne Kossuth – 11/1/99
- Rachel Weinstock – 11/15/99
- Manny Amaral – 12/1/99
- Terri Dunphy – 12/1/99
The following faculty members joined the Olin community on January 3, 2005:
- Brian Bingham – Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Brian's office is in OC 329 and his extension is 2541.
- Rebecca Christianson – Assistant Professor of Applied Physics. Rebecca's office will be temporarily located in OC 322. Her extension is 2560.
- Bruce Andruskiewicz – Instructor of Machining. Bruce's office is in AC 105 and his extension is 2547.
“Olin Ends Semester on Positive Note,” Needham Times, January 13, 2005
In the last issue we asked you to identify another famous Olin. Jay Gantz was the first to respond with Lena Olin (a Swedish-American actress). Jay also identified John M. Olin as another famous Olin. Jay will be receiving Olin Gear for his correct response. Olin trivia buffs...
Q: In the kudos section of this week's Link, all of the Olin employees hired in 1999 were congratulated for five years of service to the college. Who was the first employee hired by Olin in 2000?
A: First person to correctly respond to Jennifer Thomas receives a prize.
|
