Library hours extended
The David L. Rice Library will offer extended hours to accommodate students preparing for finals week.

Here’s the schedule:

• Wednesday, December 7 – 7:45 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday, December 8.
• Thursday, December 8 – 7:40 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, December 9.
• Friday, December 9 – Regular hours: 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, December 10 – Regular hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday, December 11 – noon to 2 a.m. Monday, December 12.
• Monday, December 12 – 7:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday, December 13.
• Tuesday, December 13 – 7:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesday, December 14.
• Wednesday, December 14 – 7:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday, December 15.
• Thursday, December 15 – Regular hours: 7:45 a.m. to midnight.
• Friday, December 16 – Regular hours: 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, call the library at 812/465-7127.

Christmas in New Harmony
The 21st annual Christmas in New Harmony festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, December 3-4, in New Harmony, Indiana.

The event will include family-friendly activities such as breakfast and photos with Santa, the Main Street Christmas Parade, an artisan craft fair, the Festival of Trees, ice sculpting, the Children’s Nutcracker Ballet, a Signature School concert, a live Nativity, carriage rides, a children’s carnival, an antique show, and much more.

Christmas in New Harmony is sponsored by New Harmony Business Associates. For a complete schedule of events and more information, go to www.newharmony.biz or call 800/231-2168.

Deadline approaching
Monday, December 12 is the deadline to register for the Spain and Morocco trip during spring break. Contact Eric vonFuhrmann, associate professor of English at 812/464-1749 for more information.

Tech Tuesday: Learn about RSS feeds
Chad Tew, assistant professor of online journalism, will moderate a panel on RSS feeds, “RSS: Funny Name, Powerful Results,” during a Tech Tuesday event at the Evansville Courier & Press Community Events Room on Tuesday, December 6. RSS stands for Rich Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication, and is a method for syndicating site content by creating a document which summarizes specific site content such as news, blog posts or comments and forum threads. A recent study showed that most people using RSS do not know they are using it. Attendees will learn how RSS could change the way the Internet works, including communications strategies and the profitability of syndicated content. The panel will include Jim Michels of the Courier & Press online; John Bailey of Bailey Software and Consulting; and Steve Burger of WFIE Channel 14. Networking begins at 5 p.m. and the program is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tech Tuesdays are sponsored by USI, Vision-e, the Evansville-Vanderburgh Public Library, TechPoint, and Evansville Tech Tuesday, formed to advance greater Evansville's technology and business community by providing regular networking and educational events, facilitating communications, and developing resources for that community.

Conflicts of Interest
Under the Indiana “conflicts of interest” law, University employees are required to file disclosure statements stating any financial interest which the individual may have in any University contract or purchase. The responsibility of filing disclosure statements rests on the person with the potential conflict of interest. Copies of Conflicts of Interest: Compliance Disclosure Requirements and the disclosure statements are available in the Office of the Vice President for Business Affairs, and may be downloaded from MyUSI under Indiana “conflicts of interest” law, found in the Personal Announcements Section. If you have questions concerning conflicts of interest and statutory requirements, contact Mark Rozewski, vice president for business affairs, at 812/464-1849.

Employee Holiday Reception
The Employee Holiday Reception, a luncheon with sandwiches, beverages, and cake, will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, December 8, in Carter Hall in the University Center. There will be no formal program during the reception, and employees are free to come and go as schedules allow. Make reservations by calling Special Events at 812/464-1930 by December 2.

Relaxation sessions offered Finals Week
Academic Skills is offering “Mood Soothers and Spirit Enhancers” during finals week. The 30-minute relaxation sessions, offered from 11:30 a.m. to noon December 12 to December 15, are designed for students, but stressed-out faculty, administrators, and staff are welcome. Participants will be nourished with music, meditation, and relaxation with this lighten-up and learn program during finals. Bring a towel or blanket. The calming sessions are spirit soothers and mind enhancers, and they will be held in ED 1102 in the Education Center. Attend one or all of the sessions.

Joan DeVillez, advisor in University Division, is presenting the sessions. She said, “We know that students who are relaxed remember more and do better on exams.”

The best technique for good results on exams is being prepared. Research shows memory and concentration are more acute in a relaxed person. Deep breathing and other relaxing activities just before a test can go a long way toward better recall on exams.

Volunteers needed for Midnight Breakfast
The Student Housing Association needs volunteers for its Midnight Breakfast on Thursday, December 8, in the Loft.

The Activities Programming Board and the Student Housing Association are sponsoring the annual Chill Out/Midnight Breakfast from 9 p.m. to midnight in the University Center.

APB will have games in Carter Hall and SHA will offer breakfast in the Loft. Admission is one canned food item for Archibald Eagle's Food Closet, and students must present an Eagle Access Card.

SHA needs volunteers to help serve food, clean tables, and collect food donations. Anyone who would be willing to help would be appreciated.

Volunteers will work for an hour and 15 minutes with shifts starting at 8:45 p.m. Free T-shirts and breakfast will be given to volunteers.

If you can help, email SHA's advisor, Tracy Shadowens. Include what shifts you are available to work and your T-shirt size.

The first shift starts at 8:45 p.m., the second at 9:45 p.m., and the last one at 10:45 p.m.