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Save the Date for Veteran's Recognition Program

You are invited to join in and honor America's veterans at this year's Veterans Day program, Honoring All Who Serve, on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 11 a.m. on the Student Green at Risman Plaza.

The outdoor program will include a flag-raising ceremony conducted by a joint color guard from the Army and Air Force ROTC programs, remarks from Kent State President Beverly Warren and guest speaker and alumnus retired Air Force Colonel Richard "Rex" Ray, '67. All are invited to come and pay tribute to America's veterans. A special invitation is extended to Kent State faculty, staff, students and community members who are veterans, active service members or who have family members in the military.

A reception in the Kent Student Center Kiva lobby will follow the brief program. In the event of inclement weather, the rain location will be the Kent Student Center Kiva.

Summit Street Improvement Project Update

If you travel East Summit Street on a regular basis, you have probably seen orange traffic signs and utility company workers in recent weeks. Preliminary utility work has begun and will continue intermittently for the remainder of the fall semester, as part of the Summit Street Improvement project. Flaggers will be directing traffic, and delays may occur at various times throughout the day. Motorists traveling Summit Street in the coming weeks may want to allow for extra time to get to their destination.

The Summit Street Improvement project will make enhancements to a one-mile stretch of East Summit that runs through the heart of the Kent Campus. Traffic and other updates will be posted on the Summit Street website throughout the project. Questions should be sent to summitst@kent.edu.

Mail Services Now Offers Comparison Shopping for Ground Shipping Rates

Mail Services has introduced a new program for Kent Campus departments that use ground shipping. FlashPac is accessible to employees through their desktop computer, tablet or mobile device.

The new software allows departments to comparison shop shipping services, costs and deliveries for university ground packages with several different carriers including FedEx, UPS, USPS and DHL. At this time, the service is not available for overnight mail.

FlashPac is accessible online at www.kent.edu/mailservices/flashpac. Users log in and follow the prompts to enter the shipping address and estimated weight of the package and then select the shipping vendor desired or Best Way to comparison shop. When the shipping vendor has been selected and submitted, the user prints the barcoded "traveler slip" and attaches it to the package. Mail Services will receive electronic notification that a package is waiting for pick-up.

More information on FlashPac and how it works, including a user guide, is available on the website. Questions should be directed to Steve Finley, Mail Services manager, at 330-672-8703 or sfinley7@kent.edu.

VITA Tax Preparation Program Seeking Volunteers

Please let faculty and staff in your area know that Kent State's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is looking for volunteers and interns to provide free income tax assistance to qualifying individuals during the upcoming tax season.

Kent State's VITA site at the Schwartz Center will be open for appointments and walk-ins on three dates: Feb. 6, March 5 and April 2. Volunteers are required to prepare returns for a minimum of 16 hours. Internships require additional hours and travel to an Akron VITA site for academic credit.

All tax preparers must be certified. Training will be available beginning in November and can be completed online or in-person. Volunteers and interns must be certified by Jan. 22, 2016.

Individuals interested in serving as a volunteer should call 330-673-8622 or email vita@kent.edu. More information is available at www.kent.edu/vitavolunteers.

Dates to Remember

Tell Us What You Think

This e-newsletter is designed to keep you, the managers and supervisors, informed. Please take a few minutes to let us know what you think of it, along with any comments or suggestions. You may contact us at managersfeedback@kent.edu. We look forward to hearing from you.