FEBRUARY 17, 2011

IN THIS ISSUE

1. University will test text messaging system tomorrow

Marquette will test its emergency text messaging system, ConnectEd, tomorrow, Feb. 18. 

All students who registered their personal phones through CheckMarq will receive a message that says, “This is a TEST of the textMU system. This is only a TEST.” If you do not receive this message by 1:15 p.m., send an e-mail, including your cell phone number and your cell phone carrier, to security@marquette.edu. Speed of test message delivery may be affected by the user’s cell phone carrier.

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

The text messaging system augments other forms of campus communication, including e-mail, voice mail, social media and/or the marquette.edu website, as the situation warrants. 

Students should enter their cell phone number in the “Personal Information” section of CheckMarq if they have not already done so, and keep it updated. Instructions are online.

Phone numbers submitted before 6 a.m. tomorrow will be included in the test.

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2. Consumer financial protection topic of Public Service Conference

The Law School will host its 2011 Public Service Conference, “New Directions in Consumer and Community Financial Protection,” Friday, Feb. 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Eckstein Hall. Charles Harwood, deputy director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection for the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, and Gregory Zoeller, Indiana’s attorney general, will be the keynote speakers.

The recent economic recession and the home mortgage foreclosure crisis have prompted renewed interest in consumer financial protection. The 2011 Public Service Conference will focus on consumer financial regulatory change, particularly the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The presentations will address how new laws, regulations, and agencies seek to diminish the impact of predatory lending on vulnerable populations; the efforts needed to ensure fair access to credit, and how community education, economic development, and private enforcement will play a role in consumer protection initiatives.

The event is free for Marquette employees and students. The cost for members of the public is $40. Register online by tomorrow, Feb. 18.

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3. CNN correspondent Ali Velshi to speak Monday

“An Evening with Ali Velshi” will be held Monday, Feb. 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the Weasler Auditorium. As CNN’s chief business correspondent, Velshi reports on breaking news, politics and is known for his in-depth profiles and insight into national issues. He is the anchor of CNN Newsroom, Your $$$$$ and the Ali V podcast. Admission is free.

The program is sponsored by MUSG.

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4. Aquinas Lecture to address “Perception as a Capacity for Knowledge”

John McDowell, distinguished university professor of philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh, will present the 2011 Aquinas Lecture, “Perception as a Capacity for Knowledge,” Sunday, Feb. 27, at 3 p.m. in the Raynor Library Beaumier Suites. Defending the ancient idea that humans are rational animals, McDowell will discuss the role that perception plays in rationality and defend the view that perception as an operation of human rationality is distinctive to something that is generically animal.

The lecture is sponsored by the Department of Philosophy.

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5. Honors Program beginning “Revitalizing Marquette” series

The Honors Program is hosting “Revitalizing Marquette: A Series of Conversations to Reflect, Discuss and Collectively Move Forward” Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 5:30 p.m. in Raynor Beaumier Suites BC.

“Revitalizing Marquette” will kick off a lecture series to reflect, discuss and press forward with Marquette University's mission and identity, decision-making processes, commitment to human dignity and academic freedom, and revitalize the sense of unity and identity among the Marquette community in a structured, academic setting. This initial discussion will reflect on the spring 2010 arts and sciences dean search and highlight concerns of students, faculty and administration, serving as a springboard for more discussions this semester.

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6. Member of Joint Chiefs of Staff team to discuss her journey after Marquette

The Career Services Center is hosting “From Average to Extraordinary: One Marquette Alumna’s Journey to Career Success” Thursday, Feb. 24, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in AMU 257. Suzanne McGuire, Arts ’94, Central Asia Branch chief for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, will speak. McGuire has held several positions in the federal government. Her initial motivation came from a life-changing trip to the United Nations as part of her Marquette experience.

She will also discuss internship opportunities at U.S. Southern Command, a program created with her assistance.

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7. Pink Zone basketball game, bra drive being held

The women's basketball team will host its 6th Annual Women's Basketball Coaches Association's Pink Zone game Saturday, Feb. 19, at 2 p.m., when the Golden Eagles take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at the Al McGuire Center. The event includes a pregame health fair beginning at 1 p.m.

Fans are encouraged to wear pink to the game in support of breast cancer awareness. Pink Zone T-shirts will also be available at the game and the Spirit Shop. All proceeds will benefit the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund and the Milwaukee Breast and Cervical Cancer Awareness Program. Go online for more information or to donate to the cause.

In conjunction with the “Pink Zone” event, the Center for Health Education and Promotion is hosting its third annual “Bra Drive,” through Saturday, Feb. 19. Collection bins are located around campus, including in the AMU, Rec Center, Rec Plex and McCormick, Schroeder, Cobeen and Mashuda residence halls to collect new or gently used bras for the Sexual Assault Treatment Center of Greater Milwaukee. Bras will be collected until halftime of the game. For more information, contact the Center for Health Promotion at 8-5217.

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8. Daily events featured for “Love Your Body Week”

The 13th annual “Love Your Body Week 2011: No One Size Fits All” will be held the week of Feb. 21 to provide interactive education about positive body image, self-esteem and overall wellness. Shannon Cutts, a singer and advocate for eating disorder prevention, will give the keynote address, “Beauty Undressed,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, in AMU 163. Her presentation is free and open to the public.

Other events include:
• “Swing-a-Thon,” from 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 21, to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, under the Raynor bridge
• “Healthy Snacking,” noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21
• “Just My Size” fashion show from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the AMU ballrooms
• “TRUE LIFE … I had an eating disorder,” 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22
• Links of Love, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 21-25, AMU second floor lobby

 For more information call 8-5217.

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9. Manresa Scholars applications due Monday

Applications for the 2011-12 Manresa Scholars Program are due at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21, in AMU 236 and are available on the Campus Ministry website.

Manresa Scholars explore and discern a call to Christian ministry and service through field experience in the Milwaukee community and reflect upon their experience through the lens of Ignatian spirituality. Students accepted to the program will be awarded an $8,000 scholarship for the 2011-12 academic year. For more information, contact Gretchen Baumgardt, assistant director of Campus Ministry, at 8-3689.

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10. Registration for “Finding God in All Things” retreat due Tuesday

Registration for the “Finding God in All Things” Retreat,” Feb. 25–27, hosted by Campus Ministry is due Tuesday, Feb. 22. Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy conversation, quiet reflection, prayer and the outdoors at a camp facility with cabins and a fire pit. The $45 cost covers transportation, food and lodging.

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11. Applications for Dorothy Day community due next week

Applications for the Office of Residence Life’s Dorothy Day Social Justice Community are due Friday, Feb. 25. The program provides an opportunity for 44 sophomore students to live together in Straz Tower and participate in a yearlong social justice-focused living/learning experience.

Students will enroll in discrete sections of Philosophy of Human Nature in the fall semester and Christian Discipleship in the spring semester. Each course meets the university’s core requirement and each will incorporate a shared service-learning component. The curricular and service components are enhanced by out-of-classroom experiences that bring students together for reflection on classroom concepts and their service and other experiences that help shed light on the meaning of justice in their lives.

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12. Nursing students to discuss “Dissertation Journey”

The College of Nursing will hold a program Tuesday, Feb. 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. in the Clark Hall terrace. Rebekah Carey and Patti Varga, nursing doctoral students, will present “Dissertation Journey — From Defining the Topic to Envisioning a Program of Research.”

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13. Spirit Shop holding 25-percent off sale

The Marquette Spirit Shop’s Presidents Day sale, tomorrow, Feb. 18, to Monday, Feb. 21, will feature 25 percent off almost every item in the store. The shop will have extended hours Saturday, Feb. 20, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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14. MUSG hosting movie, “Perfect Pair Game Show”

MUSG is hosting Morning Glory at the Varsity Theatre tomorrow, Feb. 18, at 9 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Becky (Rachel McAdams), an unemployed TV producer longing for work, lands her big break on a struggling morning show. While trying to save the show from horrible ratings, Becky falls for Adam (Patrick Wilson) and tries to manage her personal life and her dream job. Tickets are available at the door for $2 with an MUID and $3 without.

MUSG After Dark will hold “The Perfect Pair Game Show” Saturday, Feb. 19, at 11 p.m. in the Weasler Auditorium. Three teams of two will compete for the title of “The Perfect Pair” through dancing, acting and trivia. The winning team will receive $200. Sign up on site. Cost is free to Marquette students.

Applications for MUSG Program Board commissioners are due to the MUSG office at 5 p.m. tomorrow, Feb 25. Program Board commissioners are responsible for planning events such as Night of Chocolate, After Dark, diversity events and more.

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15. Free group fitness classes offered tomorrow

The Department of Recreational Sports is offering free group fitness classes tomorrow, Feb. 17.

The classes are free to members:
• Cardio Step at 1 p.m. at the Rec Center
• Spin at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Rec Center
• Total Body Burn and Flexibility at 3 p.m. at the Rec Plex
• Variety Fitness at 4 p.m. at the Rec Center

Call 8-6979 for more information.

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16. Save money when filing your federal income tax return

Students may be able to take advantage of thousands of dollars in federal tax credits when filing income tax returns because of their enrollment status. Internal Revenue Service Publication 970 outlines all tax benefits for education when filing returns for 2010, including:
 
• The American Opportunity Tax Credit: This tax credit, which has replaced the Hope Tax Credit, has a maximum of $2,500 per student (100 percent of the first $2,000 and 25 percent of the next $2,000 of qualified education expenses) and is available for the first four years of postsecondary education. The National Association of College Stores and the Internal Revenue Service have also created a website to help students recoup expenses on textbooks and other course materials due the American Opportunity Tax Credit.

• Increased income thresholds for education savings bonds: In 2010, the amount of interest exclusion will be gradually reduced depending on your filing status and modified adjusted gross income.

• The amount that can be deducted for miles driven has changed for students who drive their car to and from Marquette for work-related education and qualify to deduct transportation expenses.

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