NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Veteran Appreciation

The Office of Veteran & Military Affairs (VMA) would like to wish all UM employees who are veterans a happy Veterans Day! Thank you so much for your service to our country. All veteran employees who are registered with VMA will be receiving a token of our appreciation to commemorate the day.

Moe’s and Smooth Sailing to Close Friday, Nov. 13

Moe’s Southwest Grill and Smooth Sailing in Farmer Hall will cease operations at closing time on Friday, Nov. 13, to begin construction of Pita Pit.

How to Submit a Maintenance Work Order

Have you ever spotted a maintenance issue, but didn’t know how to report it? Here’s how to submit a maintenance work order to the UM Physical Plant using SchoolDude.

1. Go to  montevallo.edu/workrequest. 
2. If you are a first-time user, create an account by clicking “Never Submitted a SchoolDude Request? Register Here!” toward the bottom of the page. (This account is separate from your UM account.)
3. If you are asked to provide an account number, it is 35248877.
4. If you are a returning user, log in with your username and password. If you forgot your password, click “Forgot Password?”
5. Follow the directions (your name, your building and what the issue is in detail). Take your best guess for the “problem type.” It is not crucial that you choose the right one.
6. The submittal password is “falcons.” (This is step six on the work order submission.)
7. Submit! The work order center will receive your request instantly and you will get email notifications with updates.

For questions, or to update, edit or cancel an existing work order, call 205-665-6130 or email  umwoc@montevallo.edu.

Instructional Technology Survey

The Malone Center for Excellence in Teaching invites you to complete the 2020-2021 Instructional Technology Survey. This anonymous survey is designed to provide us with a better understanding of how you are currently using instructional technology and how you plan to use instructional technology in the future. The results of this survey will guide us in developing resources and services to better support you in the use of instructional technologies as well as in advocating for access to important technology resources. The survey will be available Monday, Nov. 2, through Friday, Nov. 13. Complete the survey at this link.

Spring 2021 Re-entry Testing Details

Re-entry testing is a requirement for students who will be on campus during the spring 2021 semester. Students who choose to be completely online and who will not be living on campus or using campus facilities (dining, recreation, library, etc.) will not be tested.

This month, the University will distribute Everlywell self-administered COVID-19 test kits to all students who will be attending in-person classes or utilizing campus facilities during the spring 2021 semester. Students will be instructed on how to self-administer the test which will then need to be shipped to a certified lab through the method indicated seven days PRIOR to their intended date of return to campus. Tests MUST be taken and shipped on the same day. Everlywell results will automatically be submitted to the University. Students who misplace their free Everlywell test kits will be responsible for securing their own test at their expense prior to returning for spring semester AND will need to submit results to covid@montevallo.edu.

Re-entry test distribution dates:

• Nov. 16-20: Housing and Residence Life staff will distribute self-administer test kits to all students living in residence halls.
• Nov. 18-20: Self-administer test kits will be distributed to commuter students at Farmer Hall from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
• Nov. 23-24: Self-administer test kits will be distributed to commuter students at Farmer Hall from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
• Nov. 30-Dec. 4: Self-administer test kits will be available for pickup by all students at Farmer Hall from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
• Dec. 8: Spring 2021 new registrants will be mailed self-administer test kits.
• Jan. 4: Returning students who registered over the winter break will be mailed test kits.
• Jan. 6: Spring 2021 new registrants will be mailed self-administer test kits.
• Jan. 11-15: Self-administer test kits will be distributed to students who did not previously receive a test kit in Farmer Hall.

Questions about testing should be sent to covid@montevallo.edu.

Important Information for Students from the Cashier’s Office

Students can plan ahead now for spring 2021 by reviewing the Important Deadlines page regarding spring 2021 at montevallo.edu/important-deadlines.

• Interested students may enroll in a spring 2021 payment plan at zero percent down and $40 enrollment through the end of November.
• Students with no SSN on file must complete the W-9s form and submit it with proper identification to the Registrar’s Office. This will update the student’s account for tax reporting (1098-T).
• If students would like to receive their 1098-T electronically in 2021, they can opt-in or if students would like to withdraw their consent due to graduation or other reasons, they can opt-out. If students are receiving their tax form via paper mail, they should make sure their address is up-to-date in Banner Self-Service. To opt-in or opt-out, please visit montevallo.edu/cashier/1098-t-consent-information for further information.
• Any student interested in setting up direct deposit must provide their UM ID or a valid state ID with voided check or bank letterhead with account number and routing number IN PERSON to the Cashier’s Office. Due to security reasons this is not acceptable by email or fax.
• Students who have credit balances beginning Nov. 16, 2020, through Jan. 20, 2021, may charge books at UM’s Barnes & Noble Bookstore.
• Employee waivers, dependent waivers or third-party contract forms must be submitted by Monday, Dec. 14. for funds to reflect on student accounts in a timely manner.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Cashier’s Office at 205-665-6065 or visit montevallo.edu/cashier.

Financial Assistance for the Concert Lecture Series

The Concert Lecture Committee welcomes requests for financial assistance to bring in guests to give lectures, recitals, exhibitions, master classes and other fine arts events to campus. To receive an application, contact Dr. Lori Ardovino, chair of the Concert Lecture Committee.

ESC Collecting Donations for Shelby Emergency Assistance

The Exercise Science Club is requesting your support and donations for Shelby Emergency Assistance. SEA is in need of hygiene and toiletry items to provide to those in need. This includes toothpaste, deodorant, shaving cream, disposable razors, soap, shampoo, baby wipes, diapers, etc. Donation boxes will be located in each residence hall and in main office of Myrick Hall through Wednesday, Nov. 25. Let’s make a difference in our community!

EVENTS

Pandemic PD: Course Organization in Canvas

Looking ahead toward the spring semester, this week’s Pandemic PD session hosted by the Malone Center for Excellence in Teaching will discuss different ways of organizing your course content within Canvas. Register at this link to receive the login information for the session.

Faculty/Staff Highlights

The Faculty Development Advisory Committee would like to congratulate the following recipients of FDAC funding awards:

Pre-Tenured Summer Stipends:

• Dr. Emma Atwood — “English Paleography Workshop and Digital Scholarly Edition of 17th Century Cookbook”
• Dr. Andrea Eckelman — “From Invisible to Visible: How American Women Transformed Representation and Equity in the American States”
• Dr. Sandra Edwards — “Ensuring Instructional Access for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students”
• Dr. Bart Pitchford — “Reading Citizenship Across Syrian Diaspora Theatre”

Teaching and Scholarly Projects Grants:

• Dr. Alex Beringer — “American Antiquarian Society Seminar: ‘On Stage: Spectacle in Nineteenth-Century America’”
• Kyle Moore — “Upgrading and Fine Tuning our Large Format 3D printer”
• Dr. Ashley Wurzbacher — “Boldface Conference”

Student Highlights

The Theatre Department recently held a virtual workshop focusing on musical theatre audition technique. Students worked with Broadway performers Krystina Alabado (“Mean Girls”) and Desi Oakley (“Waitress” and “Chicago”) on using pop/rock song cuts for auditions.