Author: Marty Morrison

Chad Murphy, assistant professor of political science and faculty sponsor for the UMW district mapping team, will speak to the Fredericksburg PC Users Group on April 14 about the Virginia Redistricting Competition that helps educate students about the process of redistricting. He will speak about the importance of institutions and redistricting on the quality of competition, the history of computers and redistricting, and student participation in the Virginia redistricting competition. Read more at http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2011/042011/04112011/618339.

Since March of 2010, Laura T. Allison has lost 30 pounds. She’s shed her “fat girl jeans” and proudly shares her secret.

Weight Watchers at Work.

“It was a life changing moment,” Laura, assistant controller for compliance in the Office of Business and Finance, said of the date she joined. “I began to change my lifestyle through activity and smarter food choices. Weight Watchers is not a diet by any means. It’s about making smarter choices while still enjoying the foods you love.”

Laura is a among a growing number of the UMW family who have joined Weight Watchers at Work (WW@W), which meets each Wednesday at 11:45 a.m. at Woodard Campus Center’s Red Room.

Since the program came to the Fredericksburg campus in October 2009, UMW employees have shed 1,350 pounds. Two colleagues have lost more than 100 pounds; 16 have dropped 10 percent of their starting weight and six have reached their lifetime weight goals.

Join these “losers” and sport a slimmer figure for the warm weather. And save money in the process. As a state employee, you may be eligible for 50 percent reimbursement on a WW@W membership.

A new session begins April 27, but you are welcome to check out a meeting for free on Wednesday, April 13 or 20.

Can’t make the meeting, but would like more information?

Contact:  Pam Taggert (ptaggert@umw.edu <mailto:ptaggert@umw.edu> ) 654-1018 or Joan Greco-WW leader (joangreco65@yahoo.com <mailto:joangreco65@yahoo.com> )

“I genuinely look forward to our WW@W meetings every week,” Laura said. “It’s extremely convenient, and you can use your lunch hour to attend…but it’s the group members that make it worthwhile. The group doesn’t consist of co-workers, it consists of friends.”

The Finance Office is pleased to announce that University departments, through Commerce Manager, can now accept online credit card and e-payments for UMW-sponsored events, conferences, workshops and other one-time programs.

Policies and Procedures for handling incoming payments have been updated and posted on the Finance website.

All events must first be approved by the Associate Vice President for Finance and Controller before departments collect any funds.  Departments that currently collect funds are requested to submit updated procedures to Marta Smith to maintain current authorization. Please contact Marta Smith with any questions.  Training will be held in March 2011 for all authorized collection sites.

Susan Knick, assistant vice president for Public Safety and Community Services, has  been invited by the Virginia Association of Emergency Managers to present a workshop titled  “Managing the Emergency: Special Events Planning For Major Events”  on March 30 in Richmond.

Cate Brewer, visiting assistant professor in the  Department of Theatre and Dance, presented her paper titled: “The Company You Keep: Engendering Ensemble With A Diva in the Crowd” at The Mid-America Theatre Conference  on March 3rd.