Student Updates
BUSM Mannequin Challenge
Dec. 5: The Health Consequences of Marijuana Use
Many states are moving toward legalizing and regulating adult use of marijuana in response to increasing public support. However, the public health implications of such decisions remain uncertain. The Schools of Medicine, Public Health, and the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine invite faculty, fellows, residents, students and staff to attend this seminar. The talks will cover the effects of marijuana use on primary care, child development, abuse potential, and health policy.
The Health Consequences of Marijuana Use
Monday, Dec. 5, 3-5 p.m.
Instructional Building, 14th Floor, Hiebert Lounge
Organized by Andrew W. Taylor, PhD, Associate Dean for Research, BUSM; Maria A. Kukuruzinska, PhD, Associate Dean of Research, GSDM; Michael D. McClean, ScD, Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Advancement, BUSPH.
2017 Parking Decals Available
The Parking Office, located at 710 Albany St., is now issuing 2017 parking permit decals to existing parkers. Staff can pick up their 2017 permits weekdays between 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
All 2017 parking permits must be picked up before Jan. 31. Those without 2017 permits will be denied access to their parking assignment. The “Permit Update Form”should be printed, completed and brought with you to obtain your permit.
Contact the Parking Office at 638-4915 with questions.
Nov. 1 Employee Wellness Fair
Commuting Survey: Help TranSComm Improve Services
Take the 2016 DEP Survey Oct. 31-Nov. 4! Access it at www.bumc.bu.edu/transcomm.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires this information on the commuting practices of faculty, staff, and students under the Massachusetts Ridesharing Regulation and the Federal Clean Air Act Amendments. As part of this online, anonymous, five-minute survey you indicate how you traveled to work during a specific time period.
As an added incentive, after completing this survey you may enter a drawing to win raffle prizes such as a $200 Amazon gift card! Increase your chances of winning and fill out the survey on Monday, Oct. 31 and you be entered in the daily raffle for the rest of the week!
Your participation is extremely important because the DEP requires a response rate of at least 90 percent.
The anonymous results will be reported to DEP, but more importantly they will be used by TranSComm, the BUMC transportation services office, to further improve transportation services to the Medical Campus.
TranSComm appreciates your help and thanks you for your participation with this important compliance activity for the Medical Campus. If you have any questions regarding the survey please contact TranSComm at 617-638-7473.
Save the Date Jan. 9, Provost Workshop: Smoking Cessation
Oct. 10 Columbus Day Parking and Transportation Information
Columbus Day will be observed on Monday, Oct. 10, please note:
Shuttles
All medical center and patient shuttles will be operating, except the BU shuttle, the daytime shuttle is not in service on Columbus Day, but the late night shuttle will operate according to the normal schedule.
MBTA
All buses will be operating on a Weekday schedule· Commuter rail trains will operate on regular weekday schedules. For additional information on routes, schedules, and fares, please call the MBTA Customer Service Center at (617) 222-3200 or www.mbta.com
Parking
All parking facilities will be open and regular rates apply. Monthly parkers should park in their assigned lot.
If you have any questions regarding this holiday schedule, please call the Office of Transportation Services at 638-7473 or the Parking Office at 638-4915.
Planning for an Emergency
A new academic year has begun, and with it new students, as well as faculty and staff on campus. In an emergency, everyone needs to be aware of basic emergency initial responses and actions to take, and whom to notify.
Please visit the Managing Emergencies training module on the Environmental Health & Safety website and take this interactive training course to ensure you're prepared in an emergency. Questions? Contact Aron Vinson at avinson@bu.edu or 617-638-8807 or Steve Morash at samorash@bu.edu or 617-358-1577.
Please view these short videos to ensure you're prepared in an emergency.
Public Safety is the responsibility of all members of our BUMC community. If you see something, say something. Please report any Medical Campus suspicious activity or behavior to Public Safety at 4-4444.
Campus-wide Resource for Postdocs Professional Development and Postdoctoral Affairs Celebrates First Year
The Professional Development & Postdoctoral Affairs Office (PDPA) recently celebrated its first full year of operations. During the 2016 fiscal year the office advised 116 postdoctoral fellows, responded to postdoctoral skill needs by offering ten in-person and three online professional development opportunities attended by 175 BU postdocs and 71 BU graduate students, awarded seven travel awards to support postdoctoral presentations at national and international conferences, supported postdoc networking by supplying 67 postdocs with business cards, actively participated in three University committees focused on the development of new policies and guidelines, and applied for four sponsored awards to fund new collaborative professional development programs.
With the goal of providing a supportive and competitive environment for postdoctoral fellows, PDPA offers professional development opportunities and advising services to postdocs and their faculty mentors. Upcoming events include a “Managing Research Staff” bootcamp for faculty members, and a “Writing a Teaching Philosophy Statement” workshop for postdoctoral fellows and graduate students. To learn about and RSVP for upcoming professional development events, please visit the PDPA website.
PDPA is led by Director Sarah Hokanson sch1@bu.edu, 617-358-2111 and in August Administrative Manager Kate Baker khbaker@bu.edu, 617-638-5229 joined the Office.
Hokanson oversees all services and programming PDPA provides for postdoctoral scholars at the University, as well as supporting the development of policies related to postdoctoral scholarship. Baker oversees the administrative infrastructure necessary to support postdoctoral fellows and manages day-to-day operations, including coordinating orientation sessions for incoming postdocs and synchronizing communications.
PDPA is housed in the Office of the Vice President and Associate Provost for Research on the Charles River Campus, and the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences on the Medical Campus. Baker and Hokanson can be reached on either campus by postdocs@bu.edu.
Medical Campus Flu Vaccination Clinics for Employees
The Occupational Health Center will be offering influenza (flu) vaccine at no cost to BU employees. Employees are encouraged to get the vaccine during one of the scheduled clinics to not only protect yourself, but also your colleagues and your family. For information regarding the 2016-2017 flu vaccine please refer to the Occupational Health Center's website at http://www.bu.edu/buohc/flu/. If you have any questions regarding the vaccine or clinic schedule, please email buohc@bu.edu.
Please note:
· To enable easier administration of the vaccine please wear a short sleeve shirt.
· Additional clinics will be held as needed.
· MA DPH recommends that all health care providers receive the influenza vaccine unless contraindicated
Please walk-in during the dates and times listed below that correspond with the first initial of your last name. If you are unable to come on your designated date, you may walk-in during one of the other scheduled clinics. Please note there will be clinics held on both the Medical and Charles River Campus.
Medical Campus
Location: Medical Campus Human Resources, Crosstown Building, 801 Mass. Ave., Suite 400
First Initial of Last Name: A – M
Tuesday, Oct. 18, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
First Initial of Last Name: N – Z
Friday, Oct. 21, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Contraindications:
· History of severe reaction to influenza vaccination
· Moderate-to-severe illness
· History of Guillain-Barre syndrome
· Allergy to neomycin/polymyxin