Master plan survey

North Carolina A&T State University’s new campus master plan will serve as the framework for the physical development of the campus. Your input is needed to determine what building, landscape, and development projects should be undertaken to improve services to students, faculty, staff, alumni and the general public. Please complete the appropriate survey at http://fac.ncat.edu/engineer/ue-masterplan.htm by Monday, Oct. 31.

Payroll deadlines

Personnel actions must be received in the Division of Human Resources by close of business on the 10th of each month to be included in that month’s payroll. Actions submitted after this deadline will result in the action being processed in the following month’s payroll.

All EPA actions must be submitted to EPA Salary and Budget Administration for review and approval prior to being forwarded to the Division of Human Resources for final processing. Time should be allotted for review and approval; hence, actions submitted to EPA Salary and Budget Administration on the 10th will result in that action being processed in the following month’s payroll.

Questions? Contact the Division of Human Resources at 336-334-7862

Need regalia?

Faculty and staff members who are planning to participate in the Dec. 10, 2011, graduation ceremony and need to rent regalia must place their orders with the University Bookstore by Monday, Oct. 31. Payment (tax included) is due at the time orders are placed: undergraduate, $48.04; masters, $53.38; and doctoral, $58.71.

Lunch and literature

Bluford Library will host its Lunch and Literature series Thursday, Nov. 10, in seminar room 258. The discussion begins at 12:30 p.m. and will focus on Valerie Nieman’s novel, Blood Clay. Nieman is an associate professor at A&T. More information is available online at www.library.ncat.edu/events/l-and-l-2011-11.html.

Bookstore advisory meeting

The University Bookstore’s 2011 Advisory Meeting will convene at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, in Williams Dining Hall’s faculty dining room. Students, faculty and staff are invited to give input on ways the bookstore can better serve customers. For more information, call 336-334-7593. Free food will be served.

Aggies diggin’ pink

Join the Aggies when they take on the NCCU Eagles Sunday, Oct. 30, at 2 p.m. in Corbett Sports Center for the “Dig Pink” volleyball game in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness. Fans can show their support by wearing pink. T-shirts will be given away while supplies last.

DORED workshop

The Division of Research and Economic Development will host its third Social and Behavioral Sciences Research Workshop, Tuesday, Nov. 8. Come learn what the major federal sponsor agencies are currently funding and the best strategies for obtaining funding. Special guests include Mark Weiss of the National Science Foundation and Bill Elwood of the National Institutes of Health.

For more information, visit www.ncat.edu/~divofres/services/training.php.

Flu season is here

Sebastian Health Center reminds students and employees that the flu season is here, and shares a few strategies from the Centers for Disease Control and Guilford County Health Department for staying healthy.

Individuals with flu-like symptoms should stay away from classes and limit interactions with other people (“self isolation”), except to seek medical care, for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines. They also should practice social distancing by avoiding crowds on and off campus (e.g., athletic events, large gatherings) until without fever and the use of fever-reducing medicines for 24 hours. Do not go to athletic facilities while ill, and keep in mind that exercising while ill can worsen illness.

If close contact with others cannot be avoided, sick individuals should be asked to wear a surgical mask during the period of contact. Examples of close contact include kissing, sharing eating or drinking utensils, or having any other contact between persons likely to result in exposure to respiratory droplets.

Rest and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and fruit juices, and avoid alcoholic beverages. Seek care at Sebastian Health Center or a local health care provider for assessment or treatment if needed.

Remember, the best protection against the flu is to practice good personal hygiene. Thoroughly wash hands with warm water and soap or alcohol based hand sanitizer; cover coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue or by coughing/sneezing into a bended elbow or sleeve; and get a flu shot (now available at Sebastian).

For more information, call Sebastian Health Center at 336-334-7880.

Aggie madness returns

N.C. A&T Aggies fans and students are invited to usher in the 2011-12 season for men's and women's basketball at the 2011 Aggie Madness Basketball Event in Corbett Sports Center on Friday, Oct. 28, beginning at 8:30 p.m. The Aggies swim team also will be introduced. For photos and more information, click here.