AskUM set to launch Football news Parenting group e-VERITAS DELIVERY AND DESIGN CHANGES Beginning Monday, August 25, e-Veritas will resume its twice per week delivery on Mondays and Thursdays. Also, the final touches are being applied for a new look and format of e-Veritas. Look for the newly designed e-Veritas in your e-mail box on Thursday, August 28.

HAVE QUESTIONS? AskUM

Did you ever wonder what percentage of students live on campus, or what happens if you forget your 'Cane Card when visiting the Wellness Center? Soon you'll be able to get answers to those and just about any other question on the University's Web site. Called AskUM, the site allows users to search for answers to commonly asked questions. If the question and answer is not listed, the user can submit their question and receive an e-mailed response. When a department or office answers a question, it can recommend that the question and answer be posted on the AskUM Web site. AskUM is scheduled to launch on Tuesday, September 2, for faculty and staff (all of the questions will be those commonly asked by employees). Each department and office should have designated someone to receive and answer questions sent via AskUM. AskUM training is scheduled for 2 to 5 p.m., Tuesday, August 19, in the first floor training room of the Orovitz building. Interested departments should call the Professional Development and Training Office at 305-284-5110. For questions about AskUM, visit www.miami.edu/rightnow or contact Bob Dale at 305-284-5136. To see AskUM in its development and testing phase, visit www.miami.edu/askum.


ORIENTATION FOR FACULTY AND TEACHING ASSISTANTS

The Instructional Advancement Center is hosting orientation sessions for new faculty and teaching assistants for the Coral Gables and Rosenstiel campuses (Law School not included). Orientation for new teaching assistants will be from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday, August 25, at Founders Hall. Orientation for new faculty is set for 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Tuesday, August 26, also at Founders Hall. Breakfast will be available from 9 to 9:30 a.m., and lunch from 12 to 1 p.m. on both days. RSVP to Peggy Nickerson at 305-284-2008.


PEP RALLY TO KICK OFF 2003 FOOTBALL SEASON

University of Miami employees, students, and fans are invited to the 2003 football season kickoff rally, 6 p.m., Thursday, August 21, at Sunset Place (on the corner of U.S. 1 and Red Road, across from the Coral Gables campus). Join head football coach Larry Coker, the Band of the Hour, cheerleaders, the Sunsations, and Sebastian the Ibis in this special celebration. For more information, call 1-800-GO-CANES or visit hurricanesports.com.


THINK YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A LEADER?

The 2003 Leadership Skills Development Program is accepting applications until Friday, August 29. Presented by the Professional Development and Training Office, the seven-part program covers topics such as leadership, continuous improvement, strategic planning, managing change, creativity, and ethics and values. For application criteria and schedule, visit the Web page.


NEW NURSING DEAN IS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

School of Nursing Dean Nilda Peragallo was recently profiled in Reflections on Nursing Leadership, the publication of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. Read the complete article here.


FILL THE BOWL WITH ORANGE AND GREEN AT UM EMPLOYEE DAY

UM Employee Day at the Orange Bowl is set for Saturday, September 13, when the 'Canes will take on East Carolina at 7 p.m. All full-time employees are eligible to receive one free admission ticket and can purchase up to an additional five tickets for $1 each with a valid University identification. Ticket sales representatives will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the dates listed below. Tickets also can be purchased at the Hurricane Ticket Office in the Hecht Athletic Center. Call 1-800-GO-CANES for additional information.

LOOKING TO LEND A HAND?

The Alumni Association has created the Volunteer Development Program, dedicated to connecting alumni, parents, and friends with volunteer roles throughout the University community. The Office of Alumni Relations will serve as the clearinghouse, matching volunteer opportunities to those willing to give their time to UM. If you have an opportunity in which volunteers can get involved, send an e-mail to umvolunteer.alumni@miami.edu or visit www.miami.edu/alumni/volunteer.


PROVE YOUR OFFICE SKILLS WITH CERTIFICATION

The UM Office Specialist, UMOS, is a certification course created by the University to establish a nationally recognized standard of business computer skills. UMOS is an intensive, hands-on computer training course that teaches, tests, and certifies all the core skills for Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook. This 40-hour course has been designed for people with some basic computer experience who want to become proficient in all these popular Microsoft Office applications. The first daytime class will run from 1 to 5 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, September 9 through October 9, at Allen Hall. Night and weekend classes also are available. A more detailed description can be found at www.miami.edu/umos.


NEW EAP PROGRAM HELPS PARENTS

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is offering Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (S.T.E.P.), an 8-week discussion group that offers parents of children ages 7 to 12 a realistic and practical approach to meeting the challenges of raising kids today. Parents will learn effective and enjoyable ways to communicate with their kids and how to raise responsible children who will grow into responsible adults. The group will meet from 12 to 1 p.m. every Tuesday, August 29 through October 14, on both the Coral Gables campus (EAP conference room in the Plumer building) and the Medical campus (fifth floor conference room of the McKnight Vision Research Building). Register online at www.miami.edu/development-training. Questions? Call the EAP at 305-284-6604.


SCHOOL OF NURSING IS SEEKING TOMORROW'S NURSES

The School of Nursing is hosting an informational session from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, August 20, and 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, August 23. Bring your transcripts for an unofficial evaluation by an advisor. Refreshments will be served. R.S.V.P. for either date at 305-284-4325.


UM AUTHOR TO DISCUSS HIS SOUTH FLORIDA INSPIRATIONS

Michael Carlebach, director of the American Studies program, will participate in a panel discussion of four Miami-based authors, Miami Voices and Stories, 6:30 to 7:15 p.m., Thursday, August 21, at the Miami Art Museum (101 W. Flagler Street). Each author will read brief passages from their works and participate in a moderated discussion on what makes life in South Florida such a rich source of literary inspiration. Admission is $5.


GET FINANCIAL ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS

Representatives from Fidelity Investments and TIAA-CREF will be at the Medical and Coral Gables campuses to conduct individual financial counseling sessions. To schedule an appointment with Fidelity, call 1-800-642-7131. For an appointment with TIAA-CREF, visit
http://www.tiaa-cref.org/moc or call toll-free 1-877-267-4510.

• TIAA-CREF: Tuesday, August 19, Coral Gables campus, Human Resources conference room, Orovitz building; Friday, August 22, Medical campus, Human Resources Benefits Office, 901 N.W. 17th Street, Suite D.
• Fidelity Investments: Monday, August 25, Medical campus, Human Resources Benefits Office, 901 NW 17th Street, Suite D; Tuesday, August 26, Coral Gables campus, Human Resources conference room, Orovitz building.
  

REMINDERS

• Learn to create, preserve, and transfer wealth with UM's Wealth Management Workshop, offered by the Professional Development and Training office, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Monday, August 25, and Wednesday, August 27. Call 305-937-7153 to register.
  
  
• The Human Subjects Research Seminar for August focuses on Research HIPAA Requirements, 12 p.m., Tuesday, August 26, in room 3023 of the Mailman Center. Advance registration is required by e-mail.