Central News

Central News – Jan 20 – 24, 2025

NEWS THAT MATTERS TO YOU!

Got a news item you’d like to share? Email us at ucmthebeat@gmail.com or our News Director, Beth Del Vecchio, at emd39150@ucmo.edu.

STAY INFORMED

Any modifications to university operations will be announced through official UCM channels, including the UCM website, email, social media feeds and the TextCaster text messaging service. If you haven’t signed up for Textcaster, please visit ucmo.edu/textcaster. Notifications will be made to local and Kansas City area media, but the best source of information is always UCM’s official channels.

MLK Day of Service 2025

Join us as we create service projects, to share with our community, to honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This day of service will take place on Thursday, January 23, from 10-3 p.m. in the Elliott Student Union Ballrooms. Walk ins are welcomed, but if you pre-register for this event you will be given a FREE t-shirt. Pick a time that best works for you and stop in for service projects, snacks and meeting new people! For more information:  MLK Service 2025 Register NOW!.png
Contact Kristie Brinkley at kbrinkley@ucmo.edu

Student Recreation and Wellness Center

Who’s trying to get healthy or stay healthy in 2025? If that’s you, don’t sleep on the Rec!! The Student Rec and Wellness Center is here for all your physical fitness needs. They have group classes and personal training or if you’re a loner like me, tons of cardio and equipment that you can use on your own. You can visit ucmo.edu/rec or check in at the front desk for more info!

Blood Drive

Donors are needed for a blood drive Monday, Jan 27, and Tues, Jan 28, in the Elliot Student Union Ballrooms from 10 am to 4 pm. Come on out to donate and you can score a free shirt and pizza!

Job Fair 

There is a Department of Human Services Job Fair Feb 3 from 9 am to 3 pm in UU236. Local organizations and employers from the local and Kansas City area will be there scouting you for job opportunities in communication disorders, social work and human development. For further information, you can contact Elizabeth Smith via e-mail at elizabethasmith@ucmo.edu.

Education for Service Award

Education for Service is UCM’s long-standing motto. For approximately 100 years, this motto has embodied the essence of UCM and has informed all we do as we prepare our students to graduate and enter the world as global citizens. “Education for Service,” is a perfect partner to our values: Community, Diversity, Excellence, Learning, Opportunity, Service.  The notion of “Education for Service,” as a mindset and cultural way of life would not be possible, nor could it be sustained were it not for the shared vision and commitment of the UCM community. “Education for Service,” truly is the embodiment of the university’s values. Therefore, it is fitting that those who exemplify “Education for Service,” be recognized.

Each year, the Office of Student Experience and Engagement will create a committee to select one student award winner, Faculty Senate will create a committee to select the faculty award winner and Staff Council will create a committee to select the staff award winner. The award recipients will be presented with an award and formally recognized at a Board of Governors meeting in the spring.

Nominees will be evaluated and selected based on the nominator’s description of how they exemplify Education for Service and UCM’s values. Anyone may nominate more than one person, but please do not submit multiple applications for the same individual.

To nominate a faculty, staff member or a student, please fill out the form linked below with as much detail as possible. Selection of award recipients will be based solely upon the quality of information provided on this form.

E-Vehicle policy update

Currently, skateboards, roller skates, rollerblades, hoverboards, self-balancing scooters, two-wheeled scooters and Segways are prohibited on university property. Starting with the spring semester on January 12, electric scooters and bikes of any kind will also be prohibited in any university housing facility, including residence halls, apartments and dining areas. This means students must remove personal electric transportation including scooters, skateboards and motorized bikes from campus by the close of the fall semester. If you have questions, you can call the Department of Public Safety at 660-543-4123 or visit ucmo.edu/parkingservices for more information.

Come On, Get Healthy!

Looking for ways to be healthy? Body U is an online, evidence-based self-help, program with tools designed to help students stay fit and healthy, manage depression and anxiety, while improving relationships to food and exercise. Students complete a 5-minute questionnaire to be matched with a program that is right for them. It is free and confidential. For more information, you can contact the UCM liaison Liz Cassidy cassidy@ucmo.edu

Central Speaks

Have you heard of Central Speaks? Central Speaks is a UCM podcast that puts the spotlight on the dedicated individuals who propel the University forward. Each episode highlights stories of those who embody UCM’s spirit of innovation and service, showcasing the transformative work that redefines what’s possible on our campus and beyond. Central Speaks is all about hearing directly from UCM’s changemakers as they share how they push boundaries and inspire colleagues and students—redefining what’s possible, every day.

Subscribe to Central Speaks on your favorite podcast app, including Apple PodcastsSpotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

You can check it out at www.ucmo.edu/news/central-speaks/

UCM Crisis Support Line

The UCM Counseling Center (part of Campus Community Health) has a 24-hour Crisis and Counseling Support Line (660-543-8008) for students. Crisis line support is available for students who are in a crisis and want to talk with a trained professional any time of day or night (24/7/365). Students may also want to call if they are not in a crisis but want to talk to a professional after hours, on weekends, or during breaks. The UCM Crisis Support Line is an addition to the Counseling Center and Campus Community Health’s existing services.

The Crisis Support Line phone number does not replace the Counseling Center’s phone number, which is answered during business hours (660-543-4060). For more information, visit counselingcenter@ucmo.edu