Announcements

With the recent time change — daylight savings time ended at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 6 — it will get dark earlier in the evening. The Washington University Police Department offers some reminders as part of the “Don’t be in the Dark” campaign.

The Etiquette Dinner Program helps students prepare for interviews and life on the job with a quick primer on fine dining, professional dress and business protocol. The Nov. 16 program is open to all students, but pre-registration is required by Nov. 9.

Experts on communication will gather at Washington University in St. Louis at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 18, as part of the Woman’s Club of Washington University’s “Meet the Leaders” panel discussion series. The panel discussion, titled “Communication in the 21st Century: Bridging Cultures, Generations, and Genders,” will examine why some communication practices are acceptable to us and why the same practice might be taboo to others. Admission is free and an RSVP is required by Wednesday, Nov. 16. A light lunch will be included with the program. Please note any dietary restrictions in your RSVP.

The WUSTL Police Department is teaming up with the Kurt Warner First Things First Foundation and Operation Food Search for the 11th annual Warners’ Warm-up winter-coat drive. Through Monday, Nov. 14, the WUSTL police station will serve as a drop-off location for students, faculty, staff and others to donate new or gently used winter coats.

A university-wide blood drive will be held Wednesday, Nov. 9, at eight different locations and at a variety of times to accommodate busy schedules. In addition, collection will take place Thursday, Nov. 10, at the School of Medicine. All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in this effort to replenish the region’s blood supply. Appointments are strongly encouraged.

Larry J. Shapiro, MD, executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, will host the annual Dean’s Update for all employees Oct. 31 and Nov. 2.

Students are invited to submit proposals for grant money from the Women’s Society of Washington University (WSWU) to support projects or activities that benefit the university community. Each fall semester, WSWU awards grants that range from $300 to $2,000. The goal is to advance students’ educational and cultural experiences as well as to encourage service projects.

An Oct. 26 open forum will discuss issues of homelessness in St. Louis. “Tent City on the St. Louis Riverfront: A Fireside Chat About the Politics of Homelessness” will take place at 4 p.m. in the Danforth University Center Fun Room on the 2nd Floor.

“Remembering 9/11: International Scholars’ Perspectives,” is the focus of a roundtable discussion to be held at 7 p.m. Thursday Oct. 27 in the Mallinckrodt Multipurpose Room on the lower level of Mallinckrodt Center, 6445 Forsyth Boulevard, Danforth Campus of Washington University in St. Louis.

The annual health open enrollment period for the health/dental or dental-only plans, the health- and child-care flex spending plans, the Health Savings Account and the Retirement Medical Savings Account will be from Nov. 1-30. Enrollments and changes to these plans made during the open enrollment period and before the Nov. 30 deadline will be effective Jan. 1, 2012. During open enrollment, employees will be able to make changes and enroll through HRMS.