Announcements

The 2011 annual Brown School Toys for Tots drive is collecting new, unwrapped toys to be distributed to youth and families to in the St. Louis area. Last year the “Bear Brigade” collected four full boxes. This year’s theme is “Joining Forces” as the Brown School challenge all students, faculty and staff, as well as on and off campus partners, to help reach the 2011 goal of five full boxes. The drive runs through Friday, Dec. 16.

Washington University School of Medicine Occupational Health Services will be offering flu shots on a walk- in basis to employees of the medical school from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8 through Friday, Nov. 11. Employees must bring their ID badge to receive a flu shot.

An Apple mobile application called WUSTL Dining — which allows potential diners to check out menu items at each WUSTL Dining Services location — now is available at the Apple App Store. The new app is free and also allows users to find WUSTL Dining Services locations and view nutritional information on menu items on their iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad.

Due to increased employee interest in the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and the Health Savings Accounts (HSA), the WUSTL Benefits Department will host special informational sessions Nov. 17 and 18 about these health plan options.

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 Gephardt Institute for Public Service invites faculty to apply for grants to support their community-based teaching and learning (CBTL), also known as experiential education, engaged research, and most commonly, service learning. CBTL is a pedagogy that is used across the university. Distinguishing features include applied learning activities in service to an organization or community, faculty direction and oversight, and relevant course content and assignments.

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.