By order of U.S. President Barack Obama, all flags at all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the federal government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its territories and possessions until sunset, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015, to honor the victims of the tragedy in Roseburg, Oregon.

An open forum for all students, faculty and staff to discuss the university’s intent to become a tobacco-free campus will be held at noon Thursday, Oct. 15, in the Meramec-Gasconade Room of the Havener Center.

Dr. Massimmo Ruzzene, professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology, will present two lectures as part of the “Distinguished Lecture Series” organized by the System and Process Assessment Research (SPAR) Laboratory in the civil, architectural and environmental engineering department at Missouri S&T. The lectures are free and open to the campus community.

World leaders and ocean advocates will gather Oct. 5-6 in Valparaiso, Chile, to share in a common commitment to protect the oceans. As part of the United States delegation, Dr. Daniel Oerther, the John A. and Susan Mathes Chair of Environmental Engineering at Missouri S&T, will help launch the Caribbean Ocean Assets Sustainability faciliTy (COAST).

By July 1, 2016, Missouri S&T intends to join more than 1,000 other colleges and universities in the U.S. by becoming a tobacco-free campus. “The research is clear that tobacco use constitutes a significant health hazard,” says Dr. Cheryl B. Schrader, Missouri S&T’s chancellor. “As a university, we recognize our responsibility to promote a healthy environment to protect the current and future health of our students, faculty, staff and visitors. We also recognize the need for a smooth transition to a tobacco-free environment, which is why we are waiting until next July to fully implement the change.”

With the new academic year under way, Faculty First Fridays will resume on Friday, Sept. 4. These informal lunches provide an opportunity to network and share ideas with your faculty colleagues and university administration. The brown-bag lunch will be held noon-1 p.m. in the Kinyon-Koeppel Grand Hall of Hasselmann Alumni House, located at 1100 N. Pine St. Participants should bring their own lunch, and the chancellor’s office will provide drinks (iced tea, water, coffee) and desserts.

Custodians are the workers in the background or behind the scenes who strive to provide a safe, healthy, clean and wholesome educational environment for the students, faculty and staff of Missouri S&T. On Friday, Oct. 2, please take a moment to let them know their efforts are appreciated. If you are a custodial worker, happy Custodial Workers Day.