1. Optional student health insurance available

The Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities is offering an optional, voluntary student health insurance plan for all Marquette students through Student Assurance Services, Inc. Insurance plan brochures are available at Student Health Service in the lower level of Schroeder Complex, and the Counseling Center, located in Holthusen Hall, 204. Health insurance for full- and part-time graduate students taking at least six credits is also available through Student Assurance Services. For more information, go online or contact Student Assurance Services at 800-328-2739.

These plans are offered in addition to the many health services that are provided by Marquette's Student Health Service. Adult children of parents with health insurance may also be covered by their parents' insurance through the end of the month of their 26th birthday. Students should check with their parents for more information about coverage through their plan.

2. Engineers Without Borders nominated for national philanthropic award

Marquette's Engineers Without Borders group has been nominated for a prestigious Classy Award, the largest philanthropic awards program in the country, for their work bringing electricity to a rural village of 350 people in Guatemala. The lack of electricity and cost of having conventional utility required people in the village to burn kerosene and candles in their homes, causing chronic pulmonary disease from breathing in fumes and limiting activities after the sun went down at 6 p.m. Student volunteers brought in solar-powered LED lights for individual homes, 13 street lights that provide outdoor light to the entire village, and a wind turbine and generator.

In this video on the group's Classy Awards nomination site, Marquette student volunteers describe the impact the organization has had on them. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in San Diego in September. Past Classy Award winners include Panera Bread, Invisible Children and Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.

3. Functional Neuroscience Symposium is July 20

The College of Health Sciences will host its first annual Functional Neuroscience Symposium Friday, July 20, beginning at 1:30 p.m. Neuroscientists working within Marquette's Integrative Neuroscience Research Center will cover topics ranging from mechanisms of brain trauma and neural degeneration to new therapeutic strategies for addressing spinal cord injuries and neuromotor dysfunction. A series of lectures on the neurobiology of stress, addiction and neuropsychiatric diseases will also be offered.

All lectures will be held in Cramer Hall. Registration is $50 and is available online, by calling Rosie Moser, office associate in the College of Health Sciences at 8-5053, or by faxing the registration form to 8-7948. Participants may choose up to four of the eight topical presentations.

4. Office of Residence Life looking for volunteers for Arrival Day

The Office of Residence Life is looking for volunteers to help welcome students to campus. Arrival day for freshmen is Wednesday, August 22 and arrival day for sophomores is Saturday, August 25. Volunteers can work as a greeter, assist with administrative tasks or volunteer to help students move into their rooms. There is no minimum or maximum time commitment.

For more information or to sign up, contact Rick Arcuri, associate dean for administration in the Office of Residence Life, at 8-7208.

5. Gender and Sexuality Resource Center announces faculty-in-residence and faculty research fellowship recipients

The Gender and Sexuality Resource Center has chosen two faculty members to serve as faculty-in-residence for the 2012-2013 academic year: Dr. Theresa Tobin, assistant professor of philosophy, and Dr. Stephen Franzoi, assistant chair and professor of psychology. Each will serve one semester with an office in the GSRC, will conduct scholarship related to gender and/or sexuality, and participate in GSRC programming and educational activities.

The GSRC has also chosen six faculty members to receive $5,000 fellowships to support research related to gender and/or sexuality studies:

Dr. Lisa Edwards, associate professor of counselor education and counseling psychology
Dr. Angelique Harris, assistant professor of social and cultural sciences
Dr. Lezlie Knox, associate professor of history
Dr. Qianhua Ling, assistant professor of accounting
Rev. Bryan Massingale, associate professor of theology
Dr. Pamela Nettleton, assistant professor of journalism

6. Smoking prohibited within 25 feet of university buildings

Smoking is prohibited in all university buildings and within 25 feet of all building entrances and balconies to comply with Wisconsin Act 12, "Smoke-Free Wisconsin," as well as to support campus health and safety. The university's smoking policy also prohibits smoking in parking structures and university-owned vehicles.

Voluntary compliance is emphasized. However, anyone observing someone who is smoking in a no-smoking area is encouraged to courteously inform the smoker that he/she is in violation of the university's smoking policy.

Repeated violations by employees may be subject to the university's progressive disciplinary policy; by students to the university's student code of conduct. Those who do smoke should also make sure they properly dispose of their cigarette butts in the receptacles provided throughout campus.

The Employee Wellness Program and Raynor Memorial Libraries have resources available to help current smokers who would like to quit.

For more information or questions related to Marquette's smoking policy, contact Steve Duffy, associate vice president of administration, at 8-6897.

7. Marquette iPhone, iPod and iPad app now available

A Marquette app for iPhone, iPod and iPad users is now available for download from iTunes. The app allows users to explore Marquette, learn about academic programs, navigate campus, look up contacts and receive the latest university news. The application also allows iPod touch users to utilize SkypeOut to call traditional phone numbers, including mobile phones, for a small fee.

The Office of Marketing and Communication is currently working on an app targeted exclusively toward current students.