NOVEMBER 5, 2009

IN THIS ISSUE

1. Marquette to present Père Marquette Discovery Award

Marquette University will present the Père Marquette Discovery Award, the university’s highest honor, to the Little Rock Nine on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010.

The Little Rock Nine became an integral part of the fight for equal opportunity in American education when they dared to challenge segregation in public schools by enrolling at the all-white Central High School in 1957. Eight of the nine are expected to be present for the awards ceremony at 4 p.m. in the Varsity Theatre.

Previous recipients of the Père Marquette Discovery Award are: Archbishop Desmond Tutu; Mother Teresa; the Apollo Seven astronauts; and theologian Karl Rahner.

The appearance of the Little Rock Nine extends the Centennial Celebration of Women at Marquette, as the university continues to recognize the importance of access to education. Check the Centennial Web site for more spring activities. Spring semester Centennial events replace the annual celebration of Mission Week.

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2. New identification procedures required for access to student records

In order to comply with FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) regulations, students must be able to verify their identity when calling or visiting the offices of the Bursar, Financial Aid or Registrar for assistance. In person, students must provide a photo ID. Students calling for information by phone will need not only their MUID number but also a four-digit number, referred to as Marquette Central Access Number (MCAN); the MCAN is now available in a student’s CheckMarq account. The MCAN is initially assigned randomly, but students can change it via CheckMarq at any time.

If parents or others wish to talk with the offices of the Bursar, Financial Aid or Registrar by phone regarding student financial and enrollment information, they must now provide the MCAN and student MUID numbers to verify their right to access the student’s information. This information includes tuition, fees, financial aid and academic records, with the exception of the schedule of classes or any activity related to grades.

Students may still grant online access to their financial and academic records to parents or others following the guest access procedures outlined in CheckMarq. This enables parents or others to access information online 24/7.

Students should be careful about to whom they disclose their MCAN and/or MUID numbers, as personal information about their finances and academic records should be guarded.

Later this month, the offices of the Bursar, Financial Aid and Registrar will move to the new Zilber Hall. At that time, students will be able to access these services in one centralized location, called Marquette Central. Marquette Central will be located on the first floor of the building, inside the entrance at 1250 W. Wisconsin Ave. Staff members from the three offices have been cross-trained to respond to student questions about enrollment and financial services.

A Marquette Central Web site is in the Beta stage. Students and employees are encouraged to access the Beta site at https://demo.mu.edu/mucentral/ and offer suggestions.

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3. H1N1 Vaccine Update

Student Health Service has depleted its initial shipment of the H1N1 vaccine and is in contact with state and local health officials regarding a timeline for receiving more vaccine. Consistent with public health guidelines, students working in clinical health care settings were offered the first wave of vaccine; most eligible students were vaccinated if they chose to do so.

Marquette hopes to offer the vaccine to the broad student population through additional clinic offerings; however, this is dependent on future shipments. As supply of the vaccine fluctuates nationwide, this timeline is still uncertain. The CDC recently removed healthy 18- to 24-year-olds from its priority list until vaccine quantities are more stable, which could affect the timing of additional vaccine allocation to Marquette.

Students and employees with underlying medical conditions or who otherwise fall under CDC priority groups are also encouraged to check with local heath departments or their personal health care providers for vaccine availability.

The final seasonal flu clinic was held earlier this week in the AMU. A limited supply of seasonal flu vaccine remains available at SHS. Call 8-7184 to set up an appointment or for more information.

All Marquette community members are reminded to stay home from class, work or campus activities if you become ill with flu-like symptoms, until you are fever-free for 24 hours. Students should call SHS at 8-7184 if they are ill for assessment of symptoms. Check the Web site for continued updates.

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4. University conducts successful text message test

Marquette conducted a test of its text message system on Tuesday, resulting in 8,433 text messages being sent to the campus community. All members of the Marquette community with university-owned cell phones or who registered their personal phones (students via CheckMarq and employees via MyJob) were to receive a test message and encouraged to report if they did not receive the message. Twenty-three individuals reported not receiving the message, but 16 had not entered their number into the system; IT Services is investigating the other seven. Another 104 numbers were not valid.

Students should verify that their area code is entered and the number itself is correct. Students who have not enrolled in the emergency text messaging system should enter their cell phone number in the “Personal Information” section of CheckMarq and keep it updated. Instructions are online. Phone numbers are uploaded for the text messaging system regularly.

The university will use the text messaging system coordinated through the Department of Public Safety, in conjunction with other communication methods, when there is an imminent threat on campus. It will also be used in the event that severe weather causes class cancellations.

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5. Ethicist to discuss women and Catholic social teaching

Dr. Lisa Cahill, the J. Donald Monan, S.J., Professor at Boston College, will present “Justice for Women in Catholic Social Teaching,” today, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. in the Varsity Theatre. The event is free and open to the public.

Cahill is past president of the Catholic Theological Society and the Society of Christian Ethics. Her areas of special interest are method in theological ethics, especially in the Roman Catholic national law tradition; use of scripture in ethics; ethics of sex and gender; medical ethics; and history of Christian ethics.  

Cahill’s visit is part of the Gathering Points lecture series, co-sponsored by Marquette University’s Office of Mission and Identity and Gesu Parish.

The Cahill lecture is part of Marquette’s Centennial Celebration of Women.

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6. Spring semester registration begins Monday

Registration for spring semester classes begins Monday, Nov. 9. Undergraduates will use Academic Advisement in CheckMarq to help plan their schedule and make their advising sessions more effective.

Snapshot is available now to plan spring courses. Spring registration appointments have been assigned and can be accessed on CheckMarq. Students may register at that time or thereafter.

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7. Rev. Prakash to discuss human rights in India

Rev. Cedric Prakash, S.J., Wade Scholar, will present “Human Rights in Gujarat, India” Wednesday, Nov. 11, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Sensenbrenner Hall, Eisenberg Memorial Hall.

Father Prakash will discuss the historical and political circumstances that contribute to the long-standing abuse of religious minorities in Gujarat. He will also discuss his own advocacy on behalf of religious minorities and the kinds of pressure the international community can bring to eradicate discrimination.

RSVP online.

This event is sponsored by the Law School and the departments of Political Science and Theology.

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8. Alumnus Paul Wilkes to speak

Author Paul Wilkes, Jour ’60, will speak at several upcoming events:

• Monday, Nov. 16, at noon, AMU 407 — Soup with Substance, “Passage to India: My delayed vocation” about Wilkes’ work in India with the Home of Hope Orphanage, over a free lunch of soup and bread.

• Monday, Nov. 16, at 4 p.m. in Cudahy 001 — “The Unlikely Making of a Catholic Writer” about his journey as a professional journalist, followed by a reception and book signing.

• Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 5:30 p.m. in AMU 121 — “Life beyond Marquette” discussion about post-graduate volunteer opportunities teaching at the Home of Hope orphanage in India. A baked potato bar dinner will be provided.

• Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. in AMU 252 — “Transforming the lives of street kids in India” in which Wilkes and Rev. Cedric Prakash, Wade Scholar, discuss their experiences and work with children from different regions in India.

The programs are co-sponsored by Manresa, Diederich College of Communication, College of Nursing, Department of Theology, College of Education, Campus Ministry, and the Office of International Education.

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9. Senior speaker nominations due Nov. 16

Nominations for senior speaker at December graduation are now available for eligible seniors interested in speaking at graduation. Nominations are due Monday, Nov. 16.

For more information e-mail Ryan Michaels.

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10. Scott Walker to speak on campus this weekend

Milwaukee County Executive and gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker will speak Sunday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. in AMU 252. Walker will discuss his vision for Wisconsin and take questions.

The program is sponsored by Marquette’s College Republicans.

E-mail for more information.

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11. Software engineer to present colloquium

Dr. Mark Palmer, lead software engineer at American Superconductor Corporation, will present “Integration of Inverters for Reactive Compensation Solutions” for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering colloquium Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m. in Olin Engineering 120.

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12. Residence halls holding "capture the flag" event tomorrow

Straz Tower and the residence halls will hold “Xtreme Capture the Flag” tomorrow, Nov. 6, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Participants will meet in front of Lalumiere Hall at 8 p.m. to divide into teams. The playing field will consist of the academic area south of Wisconsin Ave between 16th and 11th streets.

For more information, contact Aaron Owen.

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13. "After Dark" event featuring comedy and improv group

MUSG and Intercultural Programs will co-sponsor iLOL, tomorrow, Nov. 6, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the Weasler Auditorium. 

This free event will feature comedian Eddie Ifft and a Marquette improv group, Studio 013 Refugees, performing comedy routines.

Popcorn, chocolate-covered pretzels and beverages will be provided.

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