On May 3, approximately 70 representatives from local businesses attended training at the Columbia College Auditorium in Rolla to learn how to improve their social media presence. The three-hour seminar focused on effective use of social media to facilitate business growth. It was co-sponsored by the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) at Missouri S&T and the Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce.

Rhonda Byers, senior human resources manager for the student and auxiliary services/Mizzou Rec Services‐MU, has been named HR director at Missouri S&T. Byers’ position takes effect Monday, May 23.

Help the employee assistance program (EAP) target real sources of stress by participating in the stress analysis questionnaire. The EAP supports faculty and staff by offering confidential, professional services to teach stress management, improve the quality of work life, combat substance abuse, solve family problems and address many other concerns both on and off campus. The questionnaire takes just 10 minutes to complete, but the feedback you provide will help the EAP design and implement future services that will benefit faculty, staff and the university in general.

Staff Council is seeking donations for the Staff Day food auction. Baked goods and dinner items (homemade, store bought or gift certificates) are welcome. Food donations will need to be dropped off between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. the morning of Staff Day, Wednesday, May 25, at the Havener Center loading dock. For more information about the food auction, email Jeannie Werner.

The 2016 Staff Appreciation Day is quickly approaching. A list of raffle prizes for the Wednesday, May 25, event is now available at the S&T Staff Council website. To purchase raffle tickets prior to Staff Day, contact Kathy Inman at 341-7677.

Missouri S&T’s new tobacco policy will take effect Aug. 1, 2016. For background about the policy and answers to frequently asked questions, visit the updated Tobacco-Free Campus FAQ site.

Beginning Monday, May 16, Leach Theatre will operate with summer box office hours. The summer box office hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For more information, contact the box office at 341-4219. Regular box office hours will resume in August.

The employee eConnection will move to its summer schedule starting Wednesday, May 25, through the start of the fall semester. During this period, the eConnection will be sent once a week, on Wednesdays. Continue to submit entries to the eConnection and remember to add your event notices to the campus calendar.

Faculty participation is vital when the university welcomes new students to campus during Opening Week. There will be more than 1,500 new students on campus for the 2016 Opening Week orientation. Interested faculty will eat lunch and meet with student mentor groups, each approximately 15-18 students, to discuss faculty expectations, classroom civility and any additional information they feel is important for incoming students. The goal is to encourage students to approach faculty during their careers and equip them with the tools necessary to succeed.

Missouri S&T Provost Robert Marley recently presented 16 S&T faculty members with the Faculty External Award for their efforts to raise the university’s visibility nationally and internationally.