OXFORD, Miss. – Custodians, groundskeepers and other Physical Plant
employees are key to making the University of Mississippi’s Oxford campus
look beautiful and run smoothly for more than 17,000 students, faculty
and staff.
To show
appreciation for the Physical Plant staff’s work and dedication, UM’s
Black Faculty and Staff Organization is again collecting new teddy bears,
children’s books and toys for their children. Items donated to the 2009
Books and Bears drive will be distributed after a reception for Physical
Plant employees and friends at 10 a.m. Dec. 18 in the Student Union
Ballroom. The public is welcome.
“The
work of these employees can so easily be overlooked but plays a
significant role in creating a pleasant environment in which to work and
study,” said Senior Academic Adviser Jackie Certion, who is
coordinating this year’s Books and Bears program.
Donations
to the programs can be dropped off at several campus locations: Graduate
School in the old Public Relations Building; provost’s office in the
Lyceum; the Department of Mathematics in Hume Hall, Room 305; UM Box
Office in the Student Union; Martindale Hall, Room 350; second floor of
Vardaman Hall and third floor of Lamar Hall.
A book or
bear will also provide admission to Tuesday’s (Dec. 8) University After
Hours program for faculty and staff featuring UM’s first lady, Lydia
Jones, and a holiday feast. An RSVP to catering@olemiss.edu by Dec. 7 is
required for this 5:30 p.m. event in The Inn at Ole Miss Ballroom.
Toys and
books also may be brought to the Dec. 15 holiday party for UM staff,
which is from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in Bryant Hall’s Farrington Gallery.
“Our
service workers provide the fuel which powers the UM engine,” said
Donald Cole, associate provost and assistant to the chancellor for
multi-cultural affairs. “As members of the UM family, they reflect
the core values of diligent work, optimism and family dedication inherent
in our institution.”
For more
information, contact Jackie Certion at 662-915-1568 or
jcertion@olemiss.edu, Donald Cole at 662-915-1713 or dcole@olemiss.edu,
or Derek Horne at 662-915-7241 or dhorne@olemiss.edu.