Just a reminder that today (Tuesday, Aug. 17)  is the last day to RSVP for the LGBT Advocacy Council Summer Social.
The quarterly social event for LGBT and Ally faculty and staff will be Friday, Aug. 20 at 5 p.m. at Pepper Sisters, 1055 N State St.
The event is open to all faculty and staff, but an RSVP is requested by today in order to provide accurate numbers to the restaurant. 
Please RSVP to lisa.larrabee@wwu.edu or call (360) 650-2993.

Human Resources has updated the list of employees who are eligible to receive shared leave in accordance with RCW 41.04.650 to include only the following name:

• Rita Sinclair

Employees may donate vacation leave, accrued sick leave and personal holiday leave as long as the donations don’t cause them to fall below the minimum balances. Leave donation forms are available in e-form version at https://esign.wwu.edu/admcs/process/forms/HR/shared_leave5.aspx.

After hearing feedback from Western Washington University faculty, staff, alumni and students, the folks at the Wade King Student Recreation Center on campus have decided to increase the hours of operation for the center's climbing wall.

Beginning Monday, Aug. 2, the climbing wall will be open on Mondays and Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in addition to the regular hours of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information, contact the recreation center at (360) 650-3766 or campusrec@wwu.edu.

It seems that no matter where one turns on the Western Washington University campus this summer, construction of some sort is visible.

Among the many projects taking place on campus are renovations to the exteriors of Wilson Library and the Art Annex. Both of the buildings are receiving exterior treatments this summer to stop leaks and obviate the need for continuous maintenance due to the damage those leaks can cause.

The purpose of the Professional Staff Organization Award for Excellence is to recognize one professional staff employee annually for an assortment of exceptional efforts and contributions to Western Washington University. The award is presented annually at Fall Convocation.

This award honors professional staff employees who demonstrate one or more of the following criteria:

Nominations are being accepted through Friday, Aug. 6, for the 2010 Outstanding Classified Staff Award at Western Washington University. The award recognizes an individual who exemplifies a positive and creative approach to problem solving and innovation that significantly advances departmental goals and/or university mission.

Starting July 1, 2010 (fiscal year 2011), Western Washington University's monthly contribution toward employees' Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) benefits will increase from $745 to $850 per eligible employee for fiscal year 2010-2011. These rates were established in the 2010 supplemental operating budget (ESSB 6444.PL, Section 906) and cover benefits under the PEBB program.

The PEB Board, created within the Washington State Health Care Authority, has the following authority in regard to employee benefits at WWU:

Western Washington University President Bruce Shepard has announced that the university has received final approval from the state Office of Financial Management for its response to the state’s “furlough bill”, ESSB 6503.

Western's plan, which was presented to and approved by the Board of Trustees at the June 11 meeting, was to achieve the one-time $1.172-million reduction mandated by the legislature without closing the university or requiring employees to take furlough days.

The Faculty & Staff Wellness Program at Western Washington University provides water aerobics as a way for WWU faculty and staff to exercise in a low-resistance environment. For more information on the program, visit http://www.acadweb.wwu.edu/hr/wellness/.

The folks running the Faculty & Staff Wellness Program at Western Washington University are looking for input from WWU faculty and staff members to help them create an environment more conducive to healthy lifestyles.

Results from the survey, which is online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9LH2ZF6, will be used to enhance worksite wellness at WWU and to give program staff a better understanding of the wellness culture at the university.

Wellness Program classes for summer quarter have begun on campus with a revised summer schedule.

Available courses include Hatha Yoga, Flow Yoga, Lap Swim, Water Aerobics, Fitness and Advanced Cardio Conditioning. For information on how to sign up for each of the classes, visit the Western Washington University Wellness Program website at http://www.acadweb.wwu.edu/hr/wellness/summer2010.shtml.

Photos of the Viking 45's recent paintjob are online on the Vehicle Research Institute X-Prize Team's Facebook page here.

The team is currently in Detroit for the second stage of the Progressive Insurance Automotive X-Prize competition. The team is going through technical inspections now, and road testing begins in earnest on June 21.

The team from Western Washington University's Vehicle Research Institute is in Detroit and ready for the second round of the Progressive Insurance Automotive X-Prize competition, which began this morning at Michigan International Speedway.

The team from the VRI has been working hard to get Viking 45 ready for today's technical inspection. The car received a conditional pass from the opening round.

Bill Warner (Woodring College of Education) has completed the requirements to be named an American Society for Quality-Certified Six Sigma Green Belt. As such, Warner has reached a significant level of professional recognition, indicating a proficiency in and a comprehension of Six Sigma principles and practices, according to a press release from the society.