Flag Lowering

The UNO flag will be lowered to half-staff today, Jan. 12, in honor of UNO retiree Betty Mayhew. She passed away Jan. 8 at 79.

Mayhew, an office supervisor for UNO's Center for Public Affairs and Research, retired from the university in 1999 after more than 29 years of service.

A 10 a.m. memorial service for Mayhew has been scheduled for today at Roeder Mortuary, 2727 N. 108th St. Read more.

UNO Women in Aviation to Show Tuskegee Documentary Today

The UNO Chapter of Women in Aviation will be showing a documentary about the famous Tuskeegee Airmen in preparation for the release of George Lucas' film, "Red Tails," which opens on Jan. 20.

The documentary, "Double Victory," tells the story of the Tuskegee program, an all-African American squadron of pilots during World War II. Lucas' film portrays a mission flown by the Tuskegee pilots near the end of the war. Read more.

NET Radio and KVNO Radio in Omaha Announce New Partnership

NET Radio and KVNO Radio in Omaha recently announced a new partnership that will increase efficiencies for both stations and enhance classical music broadcasting across the state.

"This joint venture is an exciting opportunity for both organizations as we work together to provide statewide public radio and save financial resources," added NET General Manager Rod Bates. The two stations have been collaborating since 2010, informally sharing news staff and news reporting.

KVNO Radio is part UNO's College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media (CFAM). NET Radio is licensed to the state of Nebraska through the Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Commission (NETC). Read more.

Safety Notice for On-campus Incidents

With the start of the spring semester this week, Campus Security staff would like to remind the campus community about emergency procedures at UNO. The following information outlines the university's safety and emergency procedures, along with other services provided by Campus Security.

Incident Reporting
Incidents requiring immediate action include fire, environmental spills, medical conditions, property damage, disruptive behavior and crimes in progress. Persons involved with or observing these types of incidents should call Campus Security at 402.554.2911. Campus Security will dispatch officers to the scene and, if required, contact 911.

Faculty and staff can call 911 directly, but also should notify Campus Security to help coordinate the response and expedite travel to the emergency scene. Emergency information provided by the caller should include the building, floor, room number, call back number and nature of the emergency.

Evacuations
Faculty and staff should assist with room and building evacuations, and be aware of those needing special assistance. All employees should become familiar with the designated rally points for their buildings, which are listed in the back of the telephone directory under "Emergency Procedures."

Personal Threats and Harassment
Disruptive behavior on campus will not be tolerated. Threats or acts of violence should be reported to Campus Security and to employee supervisors. If the act appears to represent an immediate threat or harm to the individual, it should be reported at once to Campus Security or 911.

Personal Escorts
The escort service is available 24/7 for individuals on campus. Contact Campus Security to arrange for an escort.

Personal Safety Checks
Individuals who may be working alone outside normal working hours are encouraged to contact Campus Security. Security officers will periodically check on individuals' safety while they are on campus.

Personal Property
The university is not responsible for personal property. Individuals are responsible for safeguarding their own property. Loss of personal property should be reported to Campus Security.

Alert System
An on-campus system to help facilitate emergency communications has been installed on the Dodge, Pacific and Center locations. Announcements are distributed from Campus Security to building public address systems or speakers located in building corridors. When announcements are made, strobe lights will flash to notify the hearing impaired to seek assistance.

The system is particularly helpful during tornado warnings. The announcement will alert building occupants to seek shelter and, again later, when the warning has ended. The alert system also can be used to announce university closings, confirm evacuations for fire or chemical release, or other emergency conditions.

Text Messaging System
An off-site text-messaging system provided by e2Campus is also available. The system sends instant alerts directly to registered subscribers' e-mail accounts and mobile phones via SMS text messages. Wireless personal digital assistants and BlackBerry devices can also be used.

The notification system is used to communicate any potential emergency, such as a snow delay or closing, other weather warnings, homeland security advisories, gas leak notifications and fire or crime watches.

This is a voluntary, opt-in capability that requires individual action to subscribe. For more information or to subscribe visit http://www.e2campus.com/my/unomaha/.

U-Tip for Anonymous Text Message
Have an anonymous tip? If so, use U-Tip to report suspicious activities or individuals on campus, such as theft or vandalism. Communication is anonymous, allowing uTipsters to send in tips without the fear or risk of retribution. The message will be sent directly to Campus Security and appropriate action will be taken immediately. All other emergency calls should be made to Campus Security at 402.554.2911 or Omaha Police and Fire at 911, so more information can be gathered from the caller. To use the system simply enter 79516 in the address box. In the text message type UNO911 (your message here).

More information on campus emergency procedures can be found online at http://emergency.unomaha.edu/ or in the UNO Employee Telephone Directory beginning on page 99. For more information about Campus Security procedures related to campus emergencies, contact Stan Schleifer at 402.554.3596 or Paul Kosel at 402.554.2648.

Construction Crane Notice at DSC

On Saturday Jan. 14, 2012 between 7 a.m. to noon, a construction crane will be positioned on the north side of Durham Science Center (DSC). This crane will be used for the purpose of lifting new mechanical equipment to the roof of DSC. Traffic along University Drive North will be restricted in the vicinity of the crane at DSC. The north doors exiting DCS will also be restricted for safety purposes. All parking lots in the area will remain open.

Please contact Larry Morgan at 402.554.3735 if you have any further questions.

UNO Honors MLK Day With Jan. 16 Day of Service

On Monday, Jan. 16, UNO will once again celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday with a day of community service. Students and volunteers from around the Omaha-Metro will gather at Omaha North High School, 4410 N 36th St., to remember the life and causes of the prominent civil rights leader by participating in community service projects.

Organized by UNO Student-Community Leadership and Service (SCLS), formerly American Humanics, participants will make fleece blankets for Project Harmony, create educational materials for Conservation Fusion to assist children in Madagascar, fill pantry boxes for Food Bank for the Heartland and help build homes in Council Bluffs alongside Habitat for Humanity. This year's event will also feature a short educational program and reflection on the importance of King's legacy. Read more.

Criss Library Schedule Changes for Martin Luther King Day

Criss Library hours for Sunday, Jan. 15, will be noon to 9 p.m. The Library will be closed Monday, Jan. 16, in observance of Martin Luther King Day.

Regular library hours will resume at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan.17, 2012.

For a complete schedule of library hours, visit http://library.unomaha.edu/information/hours.php.

HPER Building Closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

TThe HPER Building will be closed on Monday, Jan. 16, for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. 

For more information, visit: http://www.unomaha.edu/wwwocr/hours.php. 

Nominations Sought for Excellence in Teaching Award

The UNO Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes superior effort, dedication and exemplary conduct in the education of students. Nominations for the 2012 Excellence in Teaching Award (EIT) are due Friday, Jan. 20. The nomination form and criteria are available on the EIT website at http://www.unomaha.edu/aandsaffairs/inside/ceita.php.

Nomination forms should be sent to Charlotte Swank, EAB 201, or cswank@unomaha.edu. For questions, contact Swank at 402.554.2967.

Important EIT dates:
Friday, Jan. 20--Nomination deadline.
Friday, Feb. 10--Nominee documentation due in Chancellor's Office by 4 p.m.
Monday through Friday, Feb. 13-17--Review of documentation by EIT Committee.
Friday, Feb. 17--EIT committee submits names to the Chancellor.