Dr. Dixon to Retire After 20 Years of Service

"William Dixon is retiring from the University after more than 20 years of service to students and the Student Health Center. In doing this he will be surrendering his long-standing role as the "Joker." No, not the one of comic book and movie fame, but the one who could almost always be counted on to handle the first item on the agenda of our general staff meetings by deadpanning a wrand hopefully politically correct story or joke. Since laughter is the best medicine, it's a little hard to contemplate how remaining SHC staff will survive our meetings once Bill leaves for trips to Hawaii, sailboarding, and the like. Besides the jokes, we will also miss Bill's roasted mushrooms topped with cheese, strange doodles on the exam table paper that he claims are complex medical drawings, and the faint smile that tugs at each side of his mouth as he contemplates the leisure time ahead." Members of the campus community are invited to come by the SSU University Club between 4:30 and 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26 to bid him a wonderful and relaxing retirement. - Georgie Schwartz, Medical Director

Memorial for Elaine Hamann

The University Library will host a brief remembrance of former library staffer Elaine Hamann at the Alumni Grove by the Lakes at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 26. Friends and colleagues will dedicate a memorial brick in Hamann name. Afterwards, guests will return the library for punch and cookies.

Open Enrollment Period Starts Sept. 15

This year, the health care plan open enrollment period is Sept. 15. through Oct. 24. Enrollment and changes become effective January 1, 2009. Use this period to enroll and/or cancel enrollment in health, dental or flex cash; change plans; or add eligible family members to health, dental and vision plans. Annual Health Plan Statements were sent to all members in August. Order open enrollment materials by using the pre-paid postcard sent to your home from CalPERS, online at www.calpers.ca.gov or by contacting the CalPERS customer contact center at (888) 225-7377.The 2009 Health Benefit Fair is set from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2 in Schulz 1121. For further information, contact the Payroll and Benefits office at 4-2973.

Bluebook No More. Bookstore Goes Green.

In an effort to help the environment, the Green Book is now available for purchase on-campus at the bookstore. The Green Book is identical to the everyday Blue Book, however is composed of 100% recycled paper and 30% post-consumer waste.

Bookstore manager Jim Morgan informs faculty,"While we will still carry Blue Books please be aware that some of your students may be using the Green Book for their tests this semester."

Babula's Cartoon Caption Almost Makes the Cut

Arts and Humanities Dean Bill Babula was a runner up in the New Yorker cartoon contest #156 recently with his entry for the magazine's Aug. 11 cartoon captioning challenge. See the winnng entry at Caption Contest. His entry read: "I am working up to a sex change operation." Babula is a regular contributor to the magazine in the contest and we may see his winning entry yet.