The “Nine Lives” Project Performed at Akron Festival
Created by KSU Jazz Studies Instructor Chris Coles, in collaboration with Gregory King, assistant professor at the School of Theatre and Dance, the “Nine Lives” project is a 40-minute interdisciplinary multi-movement music and dance project inspired by the Charleston, S.C. church massacre.
The artistic work was developed to heighten awareness of ongoing racial injustice in America, the project debuted last week at the Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival with a performance at the Akron Public Library Auditorium, followed by a panel discussion on race relations.
The piece is an alliance between trombonist Sam Blakeslee, animator Hannah Taddeo, choreographer Gregory King and emcee Jul Big Green.
On June 17, 2015, 21-year-old self-proclaimed white supremacist Dylann Roof murdered nine African Americans during a prayer service at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston.
Listen to a " View a at the KSU School of Music’s YouTube channel. For more information, visit the .
Kent State Researcher and Professor Elected to European Academy of Sciences
Senior Research Fellow Quan Li, one of 5X’s most prolific and renowned researchers, has been elected to the European Academy of Sciences. Learn more.
Visit SecureMyAccount.kent.edu to Enable Multi-Factor Authentication for Your Kent State Account
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is available for self-registration. Enabling this additional security only takes a few minutes and will prevent unauthorized access to your account.
How does it work?
Multi-factor authentication verifies your identity by using something you know (e.g., a username and password) in conjunction with something you have. You probably already have experience with using MFA when you insert your bank card into an ATM then enter your pin, or if you have ever had to enter your ZIP Code before pumping gas. This additional verification creates an increased level of security.
For your Kent State account, you manage the “something you have” for how you receive prompts:
- An app on your mobile device
- SMS text message
- A phone call on your office or cell phone
Will I be prompted every time I log in?
You will not likely be prompted often. The technology used at Kent State considers a multitude of factors, such as location, device and network, before asking you to verify your identity. If access to your account is determined to be low risk and nothing concerning the login is suspicious, you are unlikely to be prompted.
Sign me up!
To learn more about the enhanced security project and to apply multi-factor authentication to your Kent State account, .
School of Music Hosts Free Concert
On Mon., Sept. 23, at 5:30 p.m. the School of Music featuring one of Kent State’s faculty Ensembles-in-Residence, the Verve Chamber Players, in Kent State’s intimate Ludwig Recital Hall in the Center for the Performing Arts at 1325 Theatre Drive.
The players are comprised of five dynamic KSU faculty artists from The Cleveland Orchestra, the Miami String Quartet and Kent State’s piano program.
Verve will feature works by Martinu, Turina and Ravel. Find more information at www.kent.edu/music/upcoming-concerts.
HR Launches New Retirement in a Flash Website
Are you ready to retire? Whether you’re faculty or staff or just in the planning stages, Kent State has launched a new web site that walks you through the necessary steps of the retirement process.
Watch testimonial videos from retired faculty and staff, download a checklist of steps to take, access quick links to forms, and learn how to maintain your KSU connection, among other things.
Visit the Retirement in a Flash website to get started.
2019 20-Year Club Members
The 20-Year Club Service Awards Program is an annual event established in 1966 to honor classified and unclassified employees who have dedicated 20 years of continuous service to 5X.
The 20-Year Club dinner will be held Thurs., Oct. 24, at 5:30 p.m. in the Kent Student Center Ballroom. Family, friends and co-workers join in honoring inductees at the awards dinner. Upon reaching this milestone, employees may select from one of four items: a chair or lamp for home or office, or a bench or tree to be placed on campus in their honor.
This year, 55 staff members will have completed 20 years of continuous service at Kent State. . A comprehensive list of past inductees, along with other information including a link to register for the annual ceremony, is available on the .
Please email questions related to the 20-Year Club to hrweb@kent.edu.
KSU Homecoming 2019
Save the date! This year Homecoming is Sat., Sept. 21. A few of the featured events that day include:
- The 19th Annual Bowman Cup 5K Race, 8 a.m.
- Homecoming Parade, Route 59, 10 a.m.
- Kiss on the K. Join other couples at Risman Plaza at 12:30 p.m. and celebrate your relationship.
- Flash Nation Tailgate before the Flashes take on the Bowling Green State Falcons at 3:30 p.m.
Visit www.kent.edu/homecoming for a full list of events and activities. Use and follow #KentHC.
Oct. 22 Title IX Training
The Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action will be conducting on Tues., Oct. 22 from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. in Heer Hall room 107 on the Kent Campus.
It is highly recommended that this training be taken annually. Note that this workshop serves as one hour of Beyond Compliance training.
The session will consist of the following topics:
- What is Title IX? Defining sexual harassment/sexual misconduct;
- How and where to respond to matters related to Title IX;
- Reporting responsibilities;
- What happens after you report a Title IX concern; and
- Available support resources
Advanced registration is required for these facilitator-led workshops, and dates are subject to change or cancellation if an insufficient number of participants sign up.
For additional training dates, please visit www.kent.edu/hr/title-ix-workshops-faculty-staff-and-students to register. All trainings are in Heer Hall Rm. 107 on the Kent Campus, except when otherwise noted. Dates are subject to change or cancellation.
Reminder: FedEx Aeronautics Academic Center Grand Opening
Attend the grand opening of the new FedEx Aeronautics Academic Center on Fri., Sept. 6, from 5 – 6 p.m. at the 5X Airport. Building tour and refreshments will be available immediately following the program. Parking is available near the airport at Redemption Chapel, 3900 Kent Road, Stow. Please RSVP by Aug. 30.
Employee Health Coaching Supports Your Wellness Goals
Sessions Available Face-to-Face or Unlimited Telephonic Throughout the Year
Be Well Solutions can help you meet your personal wellness goals through health coaching, a program that is part of the employee wellness program for all full-time, benefits-eligible employees on all campuses.
Health coaching appointments are individualized, 25-minute sessions with a certified health coach with expertise in a variety of areas, including exercise, nutrition, diabetes management, stress management, tobacco cessation, and general health. Appointments are available face-to-face or telephonically to suite all schedules and are unlimited.
The next onsite health coaching dates are Sept. 4 and Sept. 17. All onsite sessions take place in 103 Heer Hall in the Employee Wellness Room.
To schedule an in-person session, simply:
- Login to your personal Health Portal at . If you have not yet set up a Be Well account, see instructions for first-time login here.
- Under My Appointments select Worksite Coaching. Choose the date and time that fits your schedule. Spaces are limited.
Sign Up for Telephonic Coaching and Get Started Immediately
If an on-site health coaching visit doesn't fit into your schedule, unlimited, telephonic health coaching is an option and is available Monday-Friday year round. To take advantage and schedule your session, login to Be Well at and select "My Appointments" and "Telephonic Coaching." You will be able to quickly set up your first session and you're on your way.
Each health coaching session held Jan. 1 through Oct. 15 is worth 10 Wellness Your Way incentive points toward your Tier 2 total for individuals participating in the Wellness Your Way incentive program.
For questions or assistance with registration or coaching, you may contact Be Well Solutions directly at 1-888-935-7378.
Financial Wellness: Long Term Care
On Tues., Sept. 10, from noon – 1 p.m., we will provide an in-depth look at the challenges of providing ongoing care to family members who are unable to care for themselves.
Our presenter will be Sean Deasy, senior financial advisor, VALIC Financial Advisors, Inc. This program is open to all full and part-time employees. A light lunch will be provided to participating attendees. Space is limited for this session and registration is required. .
For full-time, benefits-eligible employees participating in the Wellness Your Way program, this session will be worth 10 points towards your Tier 2 total. To see a complete list of financial wellness workshops, visit our financial wellness webpage.
For questions regarding this event, contact Employee Wellness at wellness@kent.edu or 330-672-0392.
Flexible Work Arrangement Training Underway
Training for 5X's new Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA) program is currently in progress and available on Blackboard or in-person training sessions across various Kent State campus locations.
Prior to making any FWA request, the employee/requester must attend an FWA training session, or view one in its entirety via Blackboard. Supervisors/approvers must also attend or view a training session. You may find links to Blackboard and in-person training sessions here.
Upcoming training will be held:
- Thurs. Sept. 5, from 2:30 – 4 p.m. – Blue and Gold Room, Kent Ashtabula
- Thurs., Sept. 12, from 2 - 3:30 p.m. - Heer Hall, Kent Campus
Registration is required for all in-person training. For more information regarding the new Flexible Work Arrangement Policy, including the policy itself and a list of frequently asked questions, visit our Flexible Work Arrangement information web page.
For questions please contact Employee Wellness at 330-672-7505 or 330-672-0392. You may also email wellness@kent.edu.
Please Leave a Message
Have something you want to buy or sell? Want to get the word out about a current or past KSU faculty or staff member, such as a birth, wedding, retirement or obituary? Visit our Message Boards website to complete and submit the form.
Dates to Remember
September is National Hispanic Heritage Month
Sept. 8
International Literacy Day
Sept. 11
Day of Remembrance