Month: February 2017

By Brynn Streppa, Class of 2017

The place that once housed sheep and cows will now be home to student’s academic downtime.

The vacant red barn across from Hendrix known as The Sheep Barn has transformed into a student activity center. Construction began in early May 2016 and the new center opened its doors to students Feb. 18.

Students were impressed with the new space and what it will mean to them.

“The Barnes Center is a magnificent blend of old traditions with modern twists,” said Joey Wilson, Clemson’s undergraduate student body president. “The space contains beautiful elements of the old barn that are juxtaposed with new technologies that will enable students to socialize and have fun in completely new and exciting ways on campus.”

Built in 1915, the Sheep Barn was originally used to house sheep, cows, and other animals through the agricultural program at Clemson. Students would care for the animals at the barn as part of their curriculum. The barn’s architecture included many great modernisms of that time. In fact, the barn was featured in a book called The James Way, published in 1914. The book highlighted great innovations in effective barn construction. The sheep barn was featured because it offered operative windows for fresh air and sunlight, air circulation, and a trolley clean-up system. Because of the great architecture and significance of the barn, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Community members did not want to see this historical place remain vacant, unused, and deteriorating. So officials decided to renovate the space and thanks to a donation from the Barnes family, which boast four generations of Clemson alumni, the space was marked for renovation. The Barnes Family donation was part of the university’s Will to Lead campaign, which concluded last year.

Designed to be a student activity center, this area includes six televisions, a portable stage for potential karaoke nights or music group performances, comfortable seating and even a food service station offering coffee, soda, snacks and light meals. The lighting makes for a comfortable and relaxing setting, designed for students to relax, take study breaks and to enjoy time with their friends.

At this time, the activity center will only be open in the evenings. Everyone seems to agree that the Barnes Center is a great place to recommend to students who need a break from their academics.

“I believe that the Barnes Center will become a staple for all students, especially those on campus, giving them much more than just a new place to hang out,” said Wilson. “I wish that this space existed when I was a freshman. It definitely goes hand in hand with Clemson’s vision and mission moving forward to educate students and help them grow intellectually and socially.”

By Jackie Todd, Office of University Relations

Faculty, staff and students will be able to be a part of something long lasting and get something meaningful in return. As Clemson continues its Black History Month celebration, the 2017 Black History Month Planning Committee, in partnership with the Gantt Multicultural Center and the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences will host its Plant a Seed event, 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28 at the Life Sciences Facility atrium.

Participants don’t have to bring supplies. The Department of Plant and Environmental Science will provide materials needed for this event, under the direction of environmental landscape specialist and horticulture professor Ellen Vincent, and Clemson Greenhouse Complex staff member Taylor Martin.

The seeds chosen for the event will bloom into an African Daisy, Osteospermum. Organizers chose this resilient white, purple and crème flower, because they say the colors are symbolic to the narrative of African Americans as they represent struggle, bravery and new beginnings. Participants will be able to take their plants in pots provided at the event. The plants will come with instructions for proper care.

La’Portia Perkins, a junior wildlife and fisheries biology major and 2017 Black History Month programming sub-committee chair believes that personal development should take place during and well after Black History Month. She hopes that the event will combine the goal of positive outcomes with personal growth.

“I want faculty, staff and students to come away from this one event and have a new perspective on what it means to see personal growth,” she said. “Plants do not just pop out of the ground and give us fresh air. They have to work hard and obtain proper nutrients in order to provide us the great planet we live on today. The same goes for us on Clemson’s campus. Positive outcomes can only come from us watering our hopes, dreams and/or goals for the future. This event is important to understanding the potential for growth in many facets of our active world.”

Usually with retirement plans, before-tax dollars go into the account, and the funds are taxable upon distribution. Now faculty and staff can contribute to supplemental retirement 401(k) and/or 457 plans, pay the tax each time they contribute to the plan, and not be subject to income tax when the funds are distributed.

To learn more, register for a one-hour introduction here, and choose “HR Training – Online Registration” at the bottom of the page.

Journey to Retirement: Introduction to 401(k) and 457 Roth Accounts
Date: Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Times: 9 – 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. to noon
Place: Academic Success Center, Rm 118 (see map)

OHR benefits counselors are available to assist you with establishing 401(k) and/or 457 accounts and setting up payroll deductions. Contact OHR (Ask-HR/864-656-2000).

Additional Resources
·         Supplemental Retirement Programs: Plan Options

·         401(k) and 457 Plan Features and Highlights

·         401(k) and 457 Plan Overview Video

·         401(k) and 457 Plan Comparison

·         Roth 401(k) and Roth 457 Plan Comparison

By Maggie Masterson, Class of 2017

Clemson University Facilities is erecting a new water tower to serve the needs of Clemson’s expanding campus.

The new tank will allow the university to store and utilize one million gallons of water, which is the full capacity of the current standpipe storage. The existing water tower on Kite Hill can only utilize 150,000 gallons due to its design, so University Facilities determined that a new tank was necessary for the rapidly-growing campus.

Clemson University is responsible for providing 23,000 students with water for domestic use, sanitary purposes, and fire protection. The primary source for this water is the Anderson Regional Joint Water System.

“Our goals were to increase local university safe drinking water storage and reliability to support the growing needs of the campus population well beyond 2035. This new elevated water tank project accomplishes these goals and provides a significant landmark along a key gateway to Clemson University,” said Tony Putnam, Clemson’s director of Utility Services.

The water reserves in the new tank will be able to supply campus with water for two days in the case of a major water disruption. The old reserves stored less than eight hours of usable water. This water tower will also replace the one that was removed at the Dothuit Hills construction site.

An additional benefit to the university is that a large capacity tank will save money on water costs, due to the fact that water can be pumped at more cost effective times of the day.

The total project design and construction budget is $3.5 million, with completion of the tank this summer. Painting of the water tank will begin in May. Removal of the old Kite Hill tank is set for the end of the year.

Clemson announces two cybersecurity enhancements that will provide greater protections to the University and its faculty, staff and students. Read on to learn more about what to expect with the changes.

Details

Support for when you need it
Throughout the transition, CCIT will provide hands-on assistance. Users can expect to receive timely emails detailing specific technical support, when it is available and where. Additionally, users will be notified as campus systems begin to require two-factor authentication, beginning with the Virtual Private Network (VPN) on March 7, to be followed by PeopleSoft HR and additional enterprise systems.

Duo Security (2FA) Campus-wide Enrollment Schedule:

For assistance, contact your local area IT support or contact the CCIT Support Center (IThelp@clemson.edu, 864-656-3494, or or through the CCIT Website).

Clemson University provides an employee assistance program to University employees and their dependents/household members though Deer Oaks EAP, an outside resource for addressing work/life issues and living a happier, healthier, more balanced life. A variety of health and wellness, counseling, referral, and consultation services are available. Services are completely confidential, and there is no cost to faculty and staff for most services. Click here to access the February 2017 newsletter.

Deer Oaks EAP services and contact information can be accessed here.

By Maggie Masterson, Class of 2017

Wil Brasington, the executive director of the Clemson Alumni Association, recently received the Greenville Chamber of Commerce Chairman’s Award.

Brasington was selected for the award by the Chamber’s board chairman in recognition of his exceptional service to the Chamber and advancement of the business community.

Brasington serves as the chamber’s first vice chair of communications and community engagement. He has been instrumental in refocusing and rebranding the Chamber over the past two years.

“His dedication to bringing together the organization’s volunteer leadership and staff to help develop a unified vision and mission has been critical to the Chamber’s new direction and value proposition,” said Marion Mann, marketing and communications director of the Greenville Chamber.

Brasington also serves on the City of Greenville Planning Commission and the Greenville Revitalization Corporation board of directors.

“I am very honored and humbled to have received the Greenville Chamber of Commerce’s Chairman’s Award earlier this week at its annual meeting” said Brasington, who embodies the Chamber’s motto, “Let’s do something that matters today.”

The Office of Human Resources will host a Planning for the Future seminar on Friday, April 7, 2017. Lunch is not provided; a lunch period is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m.

-Morning Session – Part I – April 7, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., 118 Academic Success Center (campus map)

-Afternoon Session- Part II – April 7, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., 118 Academic Success Center (campus map)

The Planning for the Future seminar covers the following topics:

-Retirement benefits
-Social Security benefits
-Retirement income strategies
-Estate planning
-State Health Insurance beyond retirement

Click here to learn more.

How to register:
Visit here to access the training registration site. Click the HR Training – Online Registration button in the center of the page, and scroll to the Planning for the Future seminar scheduled for April 7.

People who make a difference should be recognized. Here’s your chance to make that happen. Nominations for Clemson’s 2017 University Spring Awards are now being accepted. The awards, given annually, recognize faculty, staff, students, administrators and community members who demonstrate significant leadership and dedication to the university community. The deadline for all nominations is Wednesday, March 15, 2017, 11:59 p.m.

 Click HERE to be directed to the University Spring Awards login page.

 Non-student awards:

• Frank A. Burtner Award for Excellence in Advising: This award includes an annual cash prize for the advisor of students (academic or non-academic) or student organizations who excels in developing students in the area of leadership, devotion to duty and service. Advisors must be employed by Clemson University on a part-time or full-time basis.
• Algernon Sydney Sullivan Non-Student Award: Given in recognition of the recipient’s influence for good, excellence in maintaining high ideals of living, and service before self. Recipient should have an interest in or be associated with Clemson University and live within the State of South Carolina. Nominations are open to local and state community members as well as current Clemson faculty and staff.

 Student awards:

• Norris Medal: Presented to the best all-around graduating senior at Clemson University (May 2017 or August/December 2016). The Norris Medal is considered the most prestigious award given to an undergraduate student. Minimum 3.000 cumulative GPA required.
• Matt Locke Award:Given to one student for outstanding leadership with regard to service and devotion to humankind and Clemson University. Minimum 2.500 cumulative GPA required.
• Frank A. Burtner Scholarship: Awarded to rising juniors and seniors at Clemson University who displays exemplary leadership qualities and an outstanding academic record. Scholarship awards vary and are contingent upon available funding and individual awardees financial aid eligibility.
• Algernon Sydney Sullivan Student Award: Presented to two seniors for outstanding service to Clemson University and the extended Clemson community. Minimum 2.500 cumulative GPA required.

Please direct questions or technical issues to Benardo J. Dargan at bdargan@clemson.edu or 656-9346.

Clemson continues its search for a new Dean of the College of Science. Toward that end, the university has engaged Parker Executive Search to assist in recruiting efforts. Officials encourage faculty, staff and students to help identify appropriate candidates for the position.

Please submit names as soon as possible to:

Porsha Williams, Vice President
Parker Executive Search
5 Concourse Parkway, Suite 2900
Atlanta, GA 30328
pwilliams@parkersearch.com
770-804-1996, ext. 109

Grant Higgison, Associate
Parker Executive Search
5 Concourse Parkway, Suite 2900
Atlanta, GA 30328
ghiggison@parkersearch.com
770-804-1996, ext. 118

Access the job description here.

Candidates will be recruited over the next couple of months and on-campus interviews will be conducted in late April.

*** When submitting referrals do not forget to also submit referrals to https://clemsonedu.employeereferrals.com in order to be eligible for the $500 award.***