Category: What’s New @ UMW

The Multicultural Fair is one of the largest, most anticipated events hosted at the University of Mary Washington. The Multicultural Fair features over 30 performances, multicultural vendors, great ethnic food, and kid-friendly activities. If you are interested in serving as a volunteer, please attend the Multicultural Fair meeting on Monday, March 25 at 4 p.m. in Lee Hall, room 412.  For additional questions about volunteer opportunities, go to the James Farmer Multicultural Center’s website at http://students.umw.edu/multicultural/fair/volunteering/, or contact the James Farmer Multicultural Center at 540-654-1044, or email at umwjfmc@gmail.com.

Celebrities aren’t the only ones reaping the benefits of Weight Watchers. Here’s what our own Shannon Finley has to say about her accomplishments with Weight Watchers @ Work on the Fredericksburg campus:

“When I started Weight Watchers in May 2012, I was nervous, excited and anxious all at once,” said Shannon, who works in the purchasing department. “Not only did I have a long road ahead of me, I was not sure if I could even stick with Weight Watchers long enough for the program to make a difference.  I had tried Weight Watchers before on my own, with very little success. But this time was different, I had the at-work group to help encourage and support me along the way. Having the support of the group made all the difference. With WW@W, not only have I been able to stick with the program, I have been able to lose over 60 pounds and am well over half way to my healthy weight goal.  I am excited to continue the WW@W program and reach my goal, and with the support and encouragement of my peers, I know I will!”

Want to experience your own success?  Check out the next meeting at noon Wednesday, March 13 in the Red Room of Woodard Campus Center.  Enjoy some snacks and join your coworkers in some fun and the key to a healthier way of life. Want more information? Contact Shannon at sfinley@umw.edu or 654-1382.

It takes a tremendous amount of work to maintain a sustainable campus.  Whether it’s the efforts of the President’s Council on Sustainability (PCS), the annual Recyclemania event, the upcoming Shred Event, the Do One Thing Campaign, or any of the other numerous programs and projects that UMW participates in to create a sustainability campus community.  One thing is definitely for sure — sustainability does not happen on its own.  One area that we can ALL do something about–and that we all have a responsibility to do something about–is littering.

Laziness, apathy, and ignorance are probably the major reasons people litter.  Even in the year 2013, you will see people throw used wrappers on the ground in a fast food parking lot or leave their paper coffee cups in a supermarket shopping cart.  How often are you startled on I-95 as you watch someone throw a can or bottle of something from their car window (one of the often overlooked facts of littering is that it causes a tremendous amount of car accidents each year: http://www.greenecoservices.com/deadly-litter-and-car-accidents/).  Even for a school as Eco-friendly as UMW, litter is still a problem — on the grounds, in office hallways, building bathrooms, etc. — and as representatives of the university, we all have a responsibility to keep UMW clean and litter-free.  Some simple steps that you can take:

• Make a commitment to not litter and encourage others to do the same
• Pick up litter when you see it
• If you smoke, carry a pocket ashtray instead of throwing cigarette butts on the ground

Litter not only damages the appearance of our campuses, but it also harms plants and animals, not to mention the Earth.  It seems that within the last ten years or so, focus with regards to sustainability has shifted heavily to recycling, composting, and using biodegradable products–all very important areas that should be highlighted in order to protect the environment.  However, littering continues to take place and it is often not the center of many environmental campaigns.  The good news is–it can be maintained if you’re committed to doing so.

If you have any suggestions for things we can all do differently each day to create more sustainable environments, please feel free to leave a comment or email me the idea to be featured in a future Tip of the Week.  The PCS Action Group members for the “Office Sustainability Tip of the Week” are Kevin Caffrey, Elizabeth Sanders, Robert Louzek, and Dre Anthes.

Last Week’s Tip: Donating Blood

Congratulations to Angela Lilly, manager of system support and training in the Division of Administration and Finance, who has been selected as the Excellent Eagle Employee for the month of March. A parking spot of her choosing has been reserved for her through the end of the month.

Here is what one of her co-workers said about her:

“I nominate Angie Lilly.  Angie has worked diligently and patiently with Finance and Purchasing on the Business Meal Form.  It has been a complex form to create but will provide users an easy to use tool.”

To nominate someone who you believe is an Excellent Eagle Employee, send an email to Priscilla Sullivan (psulliva@umw.edu) with Excellent Eagle Employee in the subject line.  In your email, be sure to list the person’s name, department, work location (with the most convenient parking lot), and of course, the reason why you believe they should be recognized.  Please spread the word to other employees about this wonderful opportunity to recognize a co-worker(s).

The University of Mary Washington will conduct a test of all alert notification networks on Tuesday, March 12 at 9:45 a.m., in conjunction with the statewide tornado drill.  At that time, the University will test the Area Warning System and AlertUMW on the Fredericksburg, Stafford and Dahlgren campuses. For more information, contact Christopher D. Cash, emergency systems integrator, at ccash@umw.edu or 540/654-1579. To find out more about tornado preparedness, visit http://www.vaemergency.gov/readyvirginia/stay-informed/tornadoes/preparingfortornadoes.