Willy became an instant media darling when she flew in to North Carolina from Britain.

The Turtle Who Could Fly Media star Willy the sea turtle gets a clean bill of health from NC State.

Article by David Hunt

urtles don’t run in packs, but journalists do. That may explain the whirlwind of media coverage for the arrival of a young sea turtle named Willy, who jetted into Tthe Raleigh Durham International Airport last Thursday after two years in Britain. Willy shared her flight across the Atlantic with a BBC documentary film crew that is exhaustively chronicling the repatriation of the rare turtle to American soil. Never mind that Willy probably isn’t a U.S. turtle at all, but a seasonal immigrant from Mexico, according to turtle experts. She apparently wandered outside her usual migratory path along the East Coast in 2007 and, carried by currents, ended up in Britain’s Woolabombe Bay. Discovered on a beach, she was taken to the Weymouth Sea Life Park to recuperate from her ordeal. As the American Airlines 767 carrying Willy made its approach to RDU last week, news teams from four local television stations set up their vans outside Cargo Building 3. Two stations prepared to go live so eager viewers could catch their first glimpse of Willy.

Bulletin | April 30, 2009 2 Reporters and photographers from several print publications lounged inside the cargo hangar while a group of youngsters stood nearby in excited anticipation, brandishing signs with red hearts and green stars that proclaimed: “Welcome Home, Sea Turtle.” Dr. Craig Harms gives Willy a medical check-up upon her arrival at RDU. Dr. Craig Harms, director of marine health programs at NC State’s College of Veterinary Medicine, arrived on the scene up to the cargo hangar, photographers of media attention from reporters around early, and began preparations to give Willy from various news outlets began to snap the country who are fascinated by the a complete medical check-up as soon as pictures. turtle’s globetrotting. It’s not surprising, she she landed. Harms serves on the clinical “No photos,” barked a security guard, added. staff at the Center for Marine Sciences and as RDU employees herded the overly “Willy is a Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle, the Technology, a 51,000-square-foot facility eager news people outside the building. A smallest and rarest of the seven types in the coastal community of Morehead City photographer from the News & Observer of sea turtles,” she explained. “Only two that NC State operates in partnership with mused, “If they see how we transport our Kemp’s Ridley turtles are known to have the state’s community college system, and animals, then the terrorists win.” survived after washing up in Britain.” he’s an expert on aquatic animals. Thankfully, Harms concluded his In fact, the last time a Kemp’s Ridley Also on hand were volunteers from the examination of Willy quickly, and the survived a transatlantic trip was 20 years Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and security guards threw open the hangar ago. Beasley said she saw that turtle at Rehabilitation Center in Topsail, N.C., gates to the growing throng of Raleigh Sea World shortly after it returned to the who had agreed to care for Willy until media. Jean Beasley, director of the sea United States. she could be released back into the wild turtle rescue center in Topsail, patiently “We’ve just had a pretty rare event,” she on this side of the Atlantic. The Beasley answered a flood of questions while she said. “Plus, if we ever needed something center contracts with NC State’s College and other volunteers posed with Willy, who to distract us from all the gloomy news, it’s of Veterinary Medicine to provide medical sat quietly on a small table. a feel-good story.” care for all its turtles. A week later, Harms and Beasley And, she added, Willy’s return didn’t cost Security was tight, with a chain link gave the Bulletin a progress report on the taxpayers a dime. American Airlines fence separating those who had been Willy. She was in good condition, the arranged a free flight after bumping a dog cleared by the U.S. Customs Service veterinarian said, although a bit stressed off the plane to make room for the famous from those who had not. The group on from the long flight. A blood test showed turtle. Airline officials thanked the dog (and the outside of the fence included the elevated muscle enzymes, but no cause its family) in remarks on Thursday. media. The group on the inside included for concern. Ironically, Willy was physically fit enough everyone else, even the children, who “She seems to be settling in to her new to make the trip more than a year ago. – coincidentally – had been cleared by digs,” Beasley said. “She likes dozing in But the paperwork involved in bringing a customs days earlier for “Take Your Child the sun in her sunny tank. She’s anchored rare animal into the United States is both to Work Day.” herself by the overflow pipe and then complex and time-consuming to process, The media relations staff at RDU every so often paddles over to take a Beasley said. explained the ground rules for the media shower under the hose.” “It involved embassies and a number event: Willy had to go through customs After living on a British diet for two of federal agencies, including homeland and then get her medical checkup. Then, years, Willy is making a quick adjustment security, customs and immigration,” she and only then, would she be ready for the to more tasty fare, including North Carolina said. “There were all kinds of criteria, press. They weren’t kidding. blue crab. treaties and rules to deal with.” When an SUV carrying the turtle drove Beasley said Willy is still generating a lot

3 Bulletin | April 30, 2009 Benefits and Rates to change in State Health Plan

Gov. Perdue signs legislation changing the plan and limiting some coverage.

C State employees will see Spending Accounts based on elimination of amount the plan would have paid for changes in health insurance the PPO option, according to the NC Flex the generic equivalent, in addition to the Nbenefits and rates for 2009-10 plan administrator. Universities in the UNC generic copayment. and 2010-11. Here is a summary of the System have asked that the decision be Health Initiatives changes from Senate Bill 287, signed into reconsidered. Effective July 1, 2010, you must attest law April 23 by Gov. Bev Perdue. Deductibles, copays and coinsurance that you or your covered dependents do maximums will increase, effective July 1. not use tobacco products. If not, you may Rate Increases See the Benefit Changes Chart for details only opt for the PPO Basic (70/30) plan. • On July 1, there will be an 8.9 percent As of Jan. 1, 2010, routine vision exams Effective July 1, 2011, you must attest premium increase on all coverage tiers. will no longer be covered under the PPO that your weight and height ratios are • On July 1, 2010 there will be another options. Annual enrollment for the NCFlex within an evidence-based determined 8.9 percent premium increase on all Vision Care Plan will be held in October for range. If not, you may only opt for the PPO coverage tiers. a Jan. 1, 2010 effective date. Basic (70/30) plan. Benefit Changes Prescription Drug Coverage The 90/10 Plus plan will no longer be The number of days’ supply for one Insurance Cards offered as of July 1. Currently enrolled copayment will change from 34 days to 30 Because of the shortened time frame, employees will have the choice of days, effective July 1. not all members who make changes will moving to the PPO Basic (70/30) or Prescription drug copays for preferred receive ID cards by July 1. Providers and PPO Standard (80/20) during annual brand (without a generic available), and pharmacies will accept your old ID cards in enrollment, scheduled for May 6-29. To nonpreferred brand will each increase by the meantime. change options, you must complete an $5, effective July 1. Questions? annual enrollment change form, which Beginning July 1, a 25 percent Health benefits or pharmacy questions: will be posted on the benefits homepage coinsurance will be charged for specialty State Health Plan Web site at http://www. by Monday, May 4. If a PPO Plus (90/10) prescription drugs up to $100 for each shpnc.org participant does not submit a completed 30-day supply. If you are currently taking Toll-free customer service for plan form by May 29, he or she and covered a specialty medication, you will receive questions: 888-234-2416 dependents will automatically default to the additional information in the mail. Medco customer services for pharmacy PPO Standard plan (80/20) effective July The preferred brand copay tier (with questions: 800-336-5933 1. Employees who switch or are moved generic available) will be eliminated NC State Benefits Consultants: http:// to the 80/20 plan will no longer have to effective July 1. www.fis.ncsu.edu/hr/benefits/consultant. pay for employee-only coverage, effective Beginning July 1, if a generic equivalent asp July 1. Premium changes for dependents is available and you choose to have the will occur in June payroll with coverage brand name drug or your doctor prescribes effective July 1. “Dispense as Written,” you will be required At this time, no changes will be allowed to pay the difference between the actual in the contribution level of Medical Flexible cost of the brand name drug and the

Bulletin | April 30, 2009 4 Cost-Cutting Measures the economic crisis hits home as employees face a furlough and budget cuts.

Article by D’Lyn Ford

wo budget-cutting moves an- Academic Affairs we’re cutting less than 1 percent of the nounced this week will affect NC * 49 faculty jobs (41 vacant) seats in classes.” TState employees: furloughs for state * 61 EPA non-faculty jobs (19 vacant) A total of 1,965 class seats or 5,895 workers and the university’s plan for a * 108 SPA jobs (71 vacant) credit hours were eliminated with the permanent 5 percent budget reduction. Jobs eliminated: 218 cuts. That represents 0.8 percent of the On Tuesday, in response to state budget university’s 750,000 credit hours, Nielsen shortfalls, Gov. Bev Perdue ordered a Agricultural Research Service said. “flexible furlough plan” for all state workers, * No faculty jobs including higher education employees. In * 25 EPA non-faculty jobs (9 vacant) What’s Next May and June, all state employees will see * 16 SPA jobs (1 vacant) An additional 2 percent in strategic a reduction of half a percent of their annual Jobs eliminated: 41 budget reductions are planned to bring the salary. university’s total savings to $36 million, For example, an employee making Cooperative Extension Service or 7 percent of the university budget. $30,000 would see a decrease of $75 in Most of the job cuts will come under a “Strategic cuts will be made one at a time May and $75 in June for a total of $150. special federal retirement incentive. as we are prepared to move,” Nielsen said. In return, state employees will be given 10 * 50 faculty jobs (none vacant) “Some of those cuts could take up to a hours of flexible time off, which they may * 8 EPA non-faculty jobs (7 vacant) year to implement.” take any time between June 1 and Dec. * No SPA jobs More job losses are possible because of 31. Jobs eliminated: 58 those cuts, he added. April paychecks are in the works The UNC system’s Office of the and will not reflect any changes, said Overall, academic colleges received President and Board of Governors will Terree Kuiper, senior director for human a 2.7 percent reduction, compared with review the 5 percent budget reduction resources. 7.3 percent for administrative units in the plan. “We are operating under the premise Meanwhile, NC State released details of provost’s office and 6.7 percent in other that this is the plan for the 5 percent a permanent 5 percent budget reduction administrative units. The library budget reduction,” Nielsen said. “We have a plan, plan to cut $25.8 million in spending for was reduced by 3.7 percent and utilities by but the legislature could give us different 2009-10. The plan, spelled out in an April 1.7 percent. reduction instructions.” 23 document, breaks out reductions in Because of other budget issues, “The next thing to watch for is the House three major university budgets: academic the colleges of Humanities and Social budget, which will be developed based affairs, Agricultural Research Service and Sciences, Agriculture and Life Sciences, on tax revenues,” Nielsen said. “Once we Cooperative Extension Service. and Veterinary Medicine will make know that, we’ll have a much better idea additional cuts not reflected in the totals for what the sideboards are on the budget Job Losses the 5 percent reduction, he said. discussions.” A total of 317 positions, 148 of which are Cuts reflect the university’s priority Despite the cuts announced this week, vacant, will be eliminated. They include 99 of protecting undergraduate academic the university remains strong, Nielsen said. faculty jobs, 94 EPA non-faculty jobs and programs, said Dr. Larry Nielsen, provost “NC State is a valued part of our state, and 124 SPA jobs. and executive vice chancellor. “We North Carolina values education. We know directed the cuts away from core teaching that they are doing the best that they can responsibilities. A good example is that at the state level.”

5 Bulletin | April 30, 2009 at 919-513-3826 or anne_porter@ncsu. Chris Tonelli. The So and So Reading Bulletin Board edu. For more information about the JC Series works in conjunction with the Raulston Arboretum visit http://www.ncsu. print journal the Raleigh Quarterly, which Math and Stats Building Dedication edu/jcraulstonarboretum. features work by the visiting poets, visual NC State will formally dedicate its new artists and others. Salerno and Tonelli not mathematics and statistics building at 3:30 Faculty Invited to Symposium only run the reading series, but also serve p.m. on Friday, May 1. Self-guided tours NC State has been invited to attend a as poetry editors for the Raleigh Quarterly. of the facility will be held from 3:30 p.m. faculty workshop at UNC-Chapel Hill at The next reading will be held Saturday, until 4:15 p.m., when the official ceremony no cost. The theme of this year’s Spring May 16, at the Morning Times Cafe, and will begin. The building is located at 2311 Teaching Symposium is, “Teaching Well will feature poets Justin Marks, Kate Stinson Drive, at the former site of Riddick in a Time of Serious Budget Restrictions.” Pringle and Chris Vitiello. More information Stadium. The 119,000 square foot building The symposium is scheduled from 9 a.m. is available at http://thesoandsoseries. will house state-of-the-art classrooms, to 3:45 p.m. on May 11. For more details blogspot.com. computer labs, tutorial centers and and to register, visit: http://cfe.unc.edu/ meeting and study space for students and budget_restrict_agenda.html. DELTA Grants Available faculty from NC State’s mathematics and Distance Education and Learning statistics departments. A partnership with Wolf Pack N Go Sale Technology Applications (DELTA) offers Cisco will improve digital communications The large exodus of resident students grants to support distance education for students by providing access to live and can yield a massive amount of unwanted initiatives at NC State. For eight years, on-demand video content from anywhere materials. The purge of materials is why DELTA’s Innovation in Distributed on campus. University Housing and NCSU Waste Education Application (IDEA) grants have Reduction and Recycling are collaborating provided funding and personnel support for Plagiarism: Prevention, Detection, and for another “Wolf Pack n Go Sale” on May the planning, design, and development of Reporting 15 at the E.S. King Village Community distance education courses and projects. Concern about plagiarism is on the Center. The sale starts at 8 a.m and goes Proposals can be submitted electronically minds of many who are teaching courses until 6 p.m. This is the fourth annual event at http://delta.ncsu.edu/ideagrants/. at NC State. Plagiarism is the subject of an where donated items left by students are Proposals must be submitted no later than upcoming webinar and listserv discussion picked up, stored, and sold to the public. May 21 at 5 p.m. co-sponsored by the Office of Faculty All money collected from the sale will go Development and the Teaching, Learning, toward environmental education. Parking Reduced During Construction and Technology Roundtable (TLTR). This Volunteers are needed for Tuesday (9 As part of the Partners Way Deck webinar consists of presentations by a.m. to 2 p.m.), Wednesday (8 a.m. to 7 Expansion project on Centennial Dr. Henry Schaffer, Jamie Larsen, Daun p.m.), and Thursday (8 a.m to 11 a.m.) Campus, approximately 40 spaces will be Daemon, Carrie Larsen, and Paul Cousins. shifts. All state employees are invited to unavailable for parking until August (five on Many practical ideas and tools are use their Community Service Leave to each of the floors). included to assist your work with students. volunteer. Beginning May 12, staff and The webinar has already been taped and faculty can also donate items in resalable is available for viewing at any time at condition at the donaton site, located in the Faculty and Staff Notes http://www.ncsu.edu/faculty-development/ lobby of the E.S. King Village office. teach-learn/plagiarism.html. You can Kessel Wins Nebula for ‘Pride and submit questions by e-mail by pressing the Young Writers’ Workshop Prometheus’ “envelope” button at the top of the screen. The Young Writers’ Workshop, As a fledgling science fiction author in You can access links by pressing the sponsored by the NC State College of the early 1980s, John Kessel got a boost “paper clip” button at the top of the screen. Humanities and Social Sciences and the when he won the prestigious Nebula Award The listserv discussion runs through May Department of English, is a two-week, for science fiction and fantasy writing. 8. To join, visit http://www.ncsu.edu/tltr. For non-residential summer camp conducted in Twenty-six years and eight nominations more information, contact Nancy Fire at June with daily afternoon sessions to help later, the NC State English professor has nancy_fi[email protected]. young people develop their creative writing done it again, taking home one of the most talents. The workshop is open to students highly esteemed awards a science fiction Arboretum Hosts Gala who will enter the fourth through eighth author can receive. The JC Raulston Arboretum will hold grades in the fall. Tuition is $200 and the Kessel won the Nebula Award for Best its annual Gala in the Garden on Sunday, registration deadline is Friday, May 15. For Novelette for “Pride and Prometheus,” May 3, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The theme more information, visit http://english.chass. a tale involving characters from Jane of this year’s event is “An Enchanted ncsu.edu/youngwriters/youngwriters.html. Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” and Mary Garden Party.” In addition to a silent A similar workshop for teens in the ninth Shelley’s “Frankenstein.” “It’s a story about auction, guests will enjoy live music by through twelfth grades is held in July. Visit the difficulty of finding the proper mate,” the Southern String Band and gourmet http://english.chass.ncsu.edu/youngwriters/ Kessel says, “and how initial impressions hors d’oeuvres, including a special dessert teenwriters.html for more information. are not always the most trustworthy.” reception. The award was presented April 25 in Los Gala tickets are $60. Proceeds from Some Rhyme, Some Reason Angeles. the event will benefit the JC Raulston Nationally recognized poets are coming “I have achieved overnight success,” Arboretum, a working research and to downtown Raleigh as part of a poetry Kessel says. “I believe I now hold the teaching garden of NC State University. reading series launched by English record, 26 years, for the length of time To purchase tickets, contact Anne Porter Department lecturers Chris Salerno and between winning my first Nebula and

Bulletin | April 30, 2009 6 my second.” He won his first Nebula for Food Scientists Win National Award the novella “Another Orphan,” in 1982. The Institute of Food Technologists Silver of the Stars The Nebula Awards are given to the best honored a team of NC State, federal and science fiction and fantasy novel, novella, corporate scientists with an Industrial novelette and short story, as voted on by Achievement Award for a significant active members of the Science Fiction and advance in applying food science to food Fantasy Writers of America, Inc. production. NC State collaborated with Kessel has also found success as a the U.S. Department of Agriculture and mentor to aspiring writers at NC State, Industrial Microwave Systems to develop where he teaches American literature continuous-flow microwave sterilization. and fiction writing. One of his students, This type of food processing preserves Josh Eure, won this year’s highly coveted quality and nutritional value in low-acid, Dell Magazines Award for Excellence shelf-stable foods. After several years of in Undergraduate Science Fiction and research and development with NC State Fantasy Writing (formerly the Isaac Asimov and the USDA’s Agricultural Research Award). Service, Yamco, a commercial food processor in Snow Hill, N.C., has built Poultry Club Funds Flocks a facility to use patented technology to The Poultry Science Club raised $2,000 produce sweet potato puree. to buy flocks of poultry for farmers in NC State is the first university to win The Gregg Museum of Art & developing countries. the award twice and only one of four Design presents a collection of Club members, who had been collecting universities to receive it in the 50 years it’s donations since last fall, gave their money been given, according to Prabhat Kumar, contemporary Scottish silver made to Heifer International, a charity that works a doctoral student in the Department by some of Scotland’s finest artists to end hunger and poverty by providing of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition livestock, including poultry, to small-scale Sciences. NC State won in 1994 for and created in collaboration with farmers and communities, said Crystal developing ultra-pasteurized liquid whole 10 of the most glittering names Mitchell, the group’s treasurer. eggs with an extended shelf life. The in film, fashion, theatre, music Raising money for Heifer International university has completed development was one of the club’s service projects. The work to enable preservation of berry and literature. It includes a teapot club was named the top poultry science purees, low-acid vegetable purees and inspired by a Harley Davidson club in the nation during the International multiphase products such as soups and three-wheeler for Billy Connolly Poultry Expo in January. sauces, the IFT Web site noted. and a stunning silver and gold Mexico Travel Canceled Because of Lumberjack Falls Short of Final quaich (just Google it) for Sean Swine Flu Forestry student Logan Scarborough Following the advice of the U.S. State dominated the lumberjack competition Connery. Visit the Gregg through Department and Centers for Disease at the Southeastern Conclave, missing July 3 to view the collection. Control and Prevention (CDC), NC State an invitation to the championship by two is restricting all official travel to Mexico points. because of an outbreak of H1N1 swine flu. Scarborough, the favorite, finished first The State Department issued an alert for in three of four events: underhand chop, U.S. citizens of the health risks of travel to standing block chop and single buck. But Mexico, and the CDC also issued a notice he misjudged a cut in the fourth event, Bulletin recommending that American citizens stock saw, earning no points. He was avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico. among seven competitors disqualified in The Bulletin is published weekly, except This travel alert expires July 27. that event. during the summer and holidays, by North University officials recommend that ESPNU plans to air the competition Carolina State University News Services. if you’re returning from abroad, closely in July as part of the Stihl TimberSports To subscribe to the online version, visit monitor your health for seven days. If you Collegiate Challenge. Winner Brad Sears www.ncsu.edu/bulletin. become ill with fever and other symptoms of the University of Arkansas-Monticello Please submit news and announcements of swine flu, such as coughing, sore throat will compete in June in Columbus, Ga. one week in advance of publication. and possibly vomiting and diarrhea during this period, call your doctor or clinic for an Hill Honored for Post-Disaster Housing News Services appointment right away. Design Campus Box 7504 When you make the appointment, tell David Hill, assistant professor of Raleigh, NC 27695 the doctor your symptoms, where you architecture, received one of four traveled and if you have had close contact 2009 Faculty Design Awards from Phone (919) 515-5863 with a person infected with swine flu. the Association of Collegiate Schools E-mail [email protected] As of Wednesday, there were no of Architecture (ACSA). The award, Web www.ncsu.edu/bulletin suspected cases of swine flu on campus or presented at the annual meeting in Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/c2ewk9 confirmed cases in North Carolina. Check Portland last month, recognizes a post- the university home page and student disaster housing project that Hill completed Editors: David Hunt health services page regularly for updates. with Professor Laura Garofalo of SUNY D’Lyn Ford

7 Bulletin | April 30, 2009 Buffalo and Nelson Tang. Hill and Don Kranbuehl, adjunct professor of architecture, also spoke at a recent meeting of the Construction Poultry Club Raises Specifications Institute’s Raleigh/Durham chapter. They made a presentation on building information modeling and Funds for flocks collaborative practice.

Campus 23rd in Recycling Contest NC State finished 23rd in a national Recyclemania competition in its second year of participation. In the 10-week contest, NC State amassed 484,497 pounds of recyclables in the Gorilla Prize division for collecting the highest tonnage of recyclables, regardless of campus size. For Landfill on the Lawn, one of the featured events, student volunteers compared trash from two residence halls: Lee, which has a trash chute, and the Honors Village, which does not. “Sixty and 50 percent of the waste thrown into the dumpster was recyclable, reusable or compostable at Lee Residence Hall and the Honors Village, respectively,” said Analis Fulghum, education and outreach coordinator for Waste Reduction and Recycling. “We still have a lot of room for improvement.” The Poultry Science Club’s donation will buy poultry for farmers in developing nations.

See Sculpture Class’ Work in Cary Rooftops peek from the ground at Cary’s initiative, designed to offer training, Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences; Bond Park on High House Road. The support, and professional development Leigh Samuel, Technical Communication; sculptures – tips of six house roofs – are experiences for graduate students. More Scott Sink, Forestry; Derek Sollenberger, the creation of Dana Raymond, art and than 2,100 graduate students have taken Computer Science; Summar Sparks, design associate professor, and his basic professional development workshops and English; Stephanie Teixeira-Poit, Sociology sculpture students. Class members were seminars since PFL was established in and Anthropology; Lisa Tichavsky, commissioned to design, build and install 2007, said Dr. Duane Larick, dean of the Sociology and Anthropology; Robert temporary public sculptures, which were Graduate School. Watson, Mathematics; Stacy Weiss, installed for the Spring Daze Festival on Certificate of Accomplishment in Curriculum and Instruction; and Li Yang, April 25. The sculptures will remain on Teaching recipients are Amit Awekar, Industrial Engineering. display for 30 days. Computer Science; Eric Bancroft, Preparing the Professoriate fellows This commission is the third one in Mathematics; Erin Bancroft, Mathematics; are Ali Kefeli, Industrial and Systems Raleigh’s surrounding communities for Dr. Geoffrey Bell, Marine, Earth and Engineering; Alex Capaldi, Mathematics; Raymond and his students during the past Atmospheric Sciences; Steve Bernacki, Amy Gaffney, Communication, Rhetoric six years. The other two are permanent Plant Biology; Karen Bliss, Mathematics; and Digital Media; Angela Shores, sculptures in Knightdale and Garner. Christian Casper, Communication, Counselor Education; Bilgen Yuncu, Rhetoric and Digital Media; Jeff Dalton, Civil, Construction and Environmental Students Invest Time in Training Liberal Studies; Jeremy Green, Marine, Engineering; Callie Prater, Entomology; Graduate students who completed two Earth and Atmospheric Sciences; Janine Cary Rivard, Plant Pathology; David specialized training programs in teaching Haugh, Mathematics; Andrea Hunt, Padgett, Mechanical and Aerospace were recognized April 22. Sociology and Anthropology; Brenda Engineering; Eric Tucker, Chemistry; Thirty-one students completed Johnson, Zoology; William Johnstone III, Jessica Springer, Industrial and Systems the Certificate of Accomplishment in Zoology; Ali Kefeli, Industrial and Systems Engineering; Joseph Burdis, Mathematics; Teaching and 18 took part in Preparing Engineering; Taylor Krohn, French; Katie Liszewski, Mathematics; Mary the Professoriate. Provost Larry Nielsen Lucas Layman, Computer Science; Louis Bridget Kustusch, Physics; Matthew thanked them for devoting time to learning Levy, Mathematics; Hosun Lim, Textiles; Krachey, Zoology and Biomathematics; how to teach effectively. Nearly 70 of Brandon Mayes, Computer Science; Michael Allocca, Mathematics; Dr. Shawn their colleagues, friends, family members, Colleen Munro-Leighton, Chemistry; Kylie Holmes, Mathematics, Science, and faculty and staff attended an ice cream Parrotta, Sociology and Anthropology; Technology Education; Dr. Travis Breaux, social to celebrate. Ryan Pekarek, Horticultural Science; Computer Science; and Tarek Aziz, Civil Both programs are part of the Graduate Christin Phelps, Communication, Rhetoric Engineering. School’s Preparing Future Leaders (PFL) and Digital Media; Brandon Puckett,

Bulletin | April 30, 2009 8 HR Offers Help to Employees Facing job cuts at NC State

A team of Employees is helping people cope with reductions in force.

Article by David Hunt

taff members in the Employment • Assistance with job searches, Services department in Human resumes, applications and SResources meet with every practice interviews employee who is being laid off as a result • Meetings with a benefits of state-mandated budget reductions at consultant to discuss individual the university. And even though the initial benefits and retirement options meetings take place under pretty stressful • Classes on resume circumstances, they bring more than just a development, interviewing, sympathetic ear to the table. effective networking and Web- “We want them to know right from the based job searches start that they have a lot of support,” • Networking/support says Kathy Lambert, who heads the group meetings with other department. “We’re going to help them get employees to share job-search through this. They will land on their feet.” tips and strategies The university offers a comprehensive Lambert says the staff in package of benefits when jobs are Employment Services is working eliminated, including severance pay, hard to provide valuable services extended insurance coverage, assistance and support in a difficult time. with employment searches, even She notes with pride that NC networking and support groups State offers far more support After the initial meeting, employees are than most private employers do. invited to sit down with an employment “It’s not easy for the consultant who helps them revise or employees facing a job loss and create a resume, practice their interview it’s not easy for our staff,” she Jennifer Lowther has a new job in microbiology. techniques and begin planning their job says. “But since we know we do so search. much good for them, that’s what Within weeks, she landed a job as a They also receive a detailed explanation helps us get through it.” research specialist in the Department of the benefits NC State provides Research Specialist Jennifer Lowther, of Microbiology. The new job is a good employees who have been laid off as a whose position in the genetics department fit for Lowther, who graduated with an result of a reduction in force: was eliminated in March, found another job undergraduate degree in microbiology from • Severance pay based on years of at the university shortly before the state of NC State in 2003. service and age North Carolina placed a hiring freeze on “This job definitely matches with my • Re-employment priority for 12 months many open positions through the end of background and I feel like I’m able to bring to state positions in agencies and the current fiscal year. a lot more to the table,” she says. universities Lowther took advantage of many of While the situation was stressful for • Health insurance continuation for 12 the services offered through Employment Lowther, she appreciates the assistance months (if currently covered) Services, including assistance with she received from the staff in Human • Counseling services through the her resume. And she attended several Resources. “I’m very thankful for how university’s employee assistance workshops, including classes on incredibly supportive they were,” she says. program interviewing tips and networking. “They were more than willing to help me.”

9 Bulletin | April 30, 2009