Inside Furman March, 2001

Around Campus

FACILITIES SERVICES
Furman hosted a Waste-Wise Forum on college recycling and solid waste programs Thursday, February 22. It was attended by representatives from other local colleges as well as Furman University staff. After the forum, the group toured the Furman Eco-Cottage.

Work continues on the central plant piping project. Mike Hawley and Steve Long attended the APPA Institute conference in Newport Beach, Calif., January 26 - February 2.

We are continuing work to repair and/or replace the damage caused when a squirrel entered our electrical substation and caused a power outage.

-- Betty Fowler

COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SERVICES
C&IS has several personnel and organizational changes to report. Van Bennett, telecommunications specialist, accepted a position as senior voice analyst with Ahold Information Services. Van's presence and contributions will be missed and we wish him all the best in his new career.

Nancy Jones, computer operator, retired February 15 after over 30 years of service to the university. Pat Thompson has assumed the role of office supervisor, and Cheryl Ellis has been named telephone and Palacard accounts coordinator. C&IS is currently interviewing candidates for switchboard operator.

Randy Dill, administrative programming manager, reports that the Datatel implementation continues to add new features as the system matures. The primary focus of the administrative systems group over the last four years has been the implementation of the Datatel administrative software. Though all components of the system have been "live" for almost two years, new functionality is always being added.

This past fall, students were able to add and drop classes via the Web from all platforms. Other features available to students via the Web include grades, schedules and viewing rosters of their classes. Other features will be added as they become available.

The administrative systems group is also involved in other software systems that must interface with the various Datatel systems. These include GPMaTe in Facilities Services, PrintSmith in Printing Services, the Palacard system and the new ID system just purchased.

Ken Roper, manager of telecommunications, has been working with the staff of WFTV to set up the necessary resources to broadcast on Furman's channel 61. Ken reports that the station should be operating at least by spring term.

The WFTV office is located in the University Center. The Staff Liaison Technology Forum was held February 13. It was well attended and has generated plans for further targeted meetings and interest group sessions. The forum for faculty technology representatives will be held March 13.

-- Susan Dunnavant

ALUMNI PROGRAMS
Furman Clubs are branching out and looking to engage in joint-school alumni events. We had a successful Paladin-Wildcat hoopla (television tailgate with Furman and Davidson alumni), and we're planning a huge event on April 28 at East Court Grille for young alumni from all South Carolina schools (H.O.G. Bash to benefit Hands On Greenville).

The New York City Club, along with staff guests Carol Daniels and Shannon Wilson, had an interesting experience at The Gershwin Hotel in Manhattan, and the annual Atlanta Winter Gala, held at the Commerce Club on February 17, featured special guests, President and Mrs. Shi and singing sensation Ebone.

The Furman Singers are on tour this spring with club receptions in several locations from New Orleans to Anderson. Keith Lockhart, 1981 grad and conductor of the Boston Pops, is dropping in to visit with Furman alumni, parents and friends in Columbia, Greenville and Raleigh. Founders Week plans are well under way with the Student Alumni Council headlining some exciting events.

Founders Week will be April 22-28 and will feature events such as a birthday cake for the entire student body, Alumni Story Night, Furman trivia peppered around campus, a dance and a banner contest.

Plans for Homecoming 2001 have already begun! Hosting 11 reunions and a huge birthday celebration, Homecoming Week will be memorable for all. Though no theme has been chosen, this Homecoming will revolve around celebrating Furman's 175th birthday. Save the dates: October 15-21.

Cherrydale continues to be a favorite place to visit for the Greenville community. We are continually receiving requests to use the house for various functions. Remember that the house is available for Furman meetings, functions, etc. during the workday and on the weekends.

-- Susan Jones

PERSONNEL
During the spring, the Personnel Office will offer a variety of campus events. On March 21, the office support staff luncheon will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

This annual event brings support staff together to say thank you to the individuals who provide office and administrative support. Invitations will be sent by campus mail. There will be a series of retirement and financial education workshops with consultants from TIAA-CREF and the local Social Security Administration office on March 27 and 28.

These workshops will provide you with information on a variety of topics which include: the advantages of tax-deferred savings and investments, options available for drawing retirement income, a closer look at the different IRA products and information on Social Security and Medicare benefits. More detailed program information will be sent to you via campus and e-mail.

Retirement counselors from TIAA-CREF will return to campus April 24, 25 and 26 to provide individual retirement counseling.

Participants who sign up for a 30-minute counseling session will be given a retirement illustration projecting the value of their retirement account at age 65. Appointment scheduling and additional information will be sent to you via e-mail and campus mail.

We invite you to use the Personnel web site. The web site went on-line last summer and contains information on benefits, job openings, policies and procedures, and the performance review forms.

You will find a "frequently asked questions" section and a listing of the current campus job openings. A benefits summary and retirement income options are listed as well. For easy reference, links to the CIGNA, TIAA-CREF, VALIC and Fidelity Web sites have been provided also.

Please let us know of any suggestions and ideas you may have for enhancements to the site. You can access the site by logging onto the Furman Home Page (www.furman.edu), click on Faculty/Staff and then click on the Personnel Office.

-- Doris Foster

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
The recent retirement of Peggy Park, administrative assistant to A.V. Huff, Jr., and Beth Rice's subsequent decision to retire, have resulted in two new appointments in our office.

We are pleased to welcome Rebecca Looper as administrative secretary, and Maggie Strickland as budget manager. Both Rebecca and Maggie are familiar faces around Furman. Rebecca joined the staff in 1988 and formerly worked as employment specialist in Personnel. Maggie joined the staff in 1998 and formerly worked in Financial Services as accounting manager for special funds.

Peggy joined Furman on February 1, 1961. Through the years she's worked with five academic deans and has greeted all but one of the current faculty on their first day. Although her title is administrative assistant, Park's job has evolved into more than secretarial work. She has counseled deans and been a confidant to the faculty. She was hired by Frank Bonner. When Bonner retired in 1982, John Crabtree was named academic dean. Peggy also worked for David Shi, Ray Roberts (interim dean) and A.V. Huff. Our office wishes her well in retirement.

-- Priscilla Foreman