NJIT this week-and next February 25, 1998

February 25, 1998

Contents

 

Quality Education For Minorities Honors NJIT

In response to the June 1997 Quality Education for Minorities (QEM) Network report entitled "Weaving the Web of MSE (Mathematics, Science and Engineering) Success for Minorities: Top Ten College and Universities Report," NJIT was recognized as the top institution in New Jersey for producing minority baccalaureate degree recipients in mathematics, the physical sciences and engineering. The university was recently honored for this outstanding achievement at QEM's 7th Annual Conference, Feb. 6-8, in Washington, D.C., where NJIT President Saul K. Fenster was invited to participate as a panelist for the plenary session entitled "The Importance of Institutional Climate."

The panel provided conference participants with information and insights from the presidents of institutions that lead their respective states in the production of minority baccalaureate degrees. Fenster provided an overview of the NJIT community, focusing on the university's successes with its Pre-College and Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) ventures, which involve strategic public and private alliances.

EOP executive director Tony Howell responded to the queries of educators, parents and students who frequented the NJIT display booth throughout the exhibition. Drawn to NJIT's minority recruitment and retention efforts, many attendees expressed interest in the university's pre-college programs, admissions policy, Honors College, and financial assistance information.

QEM is a non-profit, Washington D.C.-based organization dedicated to improving education for minorities throughout the nation. Its primary goal for the year 2000 is to ensure that minority students will start school prepared to learn.

HOST/SHPE Team Places 2nd At National Olympiad

The Hispanic Organization of Science and Technology/Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers won 2nd place at the National Science Olympiad, held Feb. 4-7 in Orlando, Fla. at the 20th Annual National Technical and Career Conference. NJIT was the defending national champion going into the competition.

The team of Priya Singh, Omar Rodriguez, Rene Yandun (team captain), and Edward Komenda competed against the five other regional winners, finishing second behind the Rice University team. University of California-Berkeley placed third.

At the conference, NJIT was awarded "Outstanding Chapter" in Region 4 for AY 1996-1997. Yandun was named the Dupont scholarship winner for Highest Academic Achievement for Region 4.

 

Mechanical Engineering To Conduct Career Day

The Department of Mechanical Engineering will conduct its Career Day on Tuesday, March 24. The event will include welcomes from NJIT President Saul K. Fenster and department chairperson Dennis Siginer.

Presentations by mechanical engineering faculty include Harry Kontouras on the mini-Baja car; Albert Narh on plastics processing; John Droughton on the wind tunnel; Herli Surjanhata on the engineering computing lab; and Ernest Geskin on water jet cutting technology.

Also included in Career Day are facility tours of the mini-Baja car and the Advanced Manufacturing Lab/factory floor; the wind tunnel; plastics processing; and engineering computing labs. For further information see the NJIT home page and the mechanical engineering department Web site at: http://www.njit.edu/Directory/Academic/ME/index.html

Benefits Calendar

Thursday, Feb. 26

Individual financial counseling sessions with a TIAA/CREF representative, Wilson Alumni Center Board Room, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. To make an appointment call,

1 (800) 842-8412.

Thursday, March 12

Travelers Tax Savings Seminar and Lunch, for staff and faculty, Hazell Center Ballroom, seatings at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., and 1 p.m.

Tuesday, March 17

Mid-Career Pre-Retirement Educational Seminar (for employees with a minimum of 10 years of pension membership credit in PERS and TPAF), hosted by the Division of Pensions and Benefits and Investment Professionals, 153 Halsey St., Newark, N.J. Third Floor Conference Room,

9 a.m.-4p.m.

Month of April

Health and Dental Benefits Open

Enrollment

Employees Have Choice Of Dental Plans

The Dental Plan is available to employees and their eligible dependents. No person, employee, or dependent can be covered under more than one dental plan. New employees must return the completed Dental Enrollment Application no later than the first month of employment. If the employee misses that enrollment period, the employee and eligible dependents must wait to enroll during the next annual open enrollment period- normally held in April- with coverage effective in July. Once enrolled, the employee must remain in the plan selected for a minimum period of 12 months before switching plans or dropping coverage.

Employees have a choice between two types of dental plans:

The State Dental Expense Plan

Dental Plan Organization (DPO)

The State Dental Expense Plan, administered by the Prudential Insurance Company, is a self-insured indemnity plan that allows the employee to choose any licensed dentist for dental care. It pays benefits at 80 percent of the reasonable and customary charge after paying a deductible. The plan covers cleanings, exams, fillings and crowns. Orthodontic benefits are available after 10 months of employment, but only for the employee's children under the age of 19, based on a limited fee schedule. Dentures are covered for repair only. There is no coverage for the treatment of gum disease. If dental treatment is expected to cost more than $300, a treatment plan must be submitted to Prudential before expenses are incurred, except in the case of required emergency care. The plan deductible is $25 per person each year; $75 per family. Once three covered members meet their individual deductibles, no further deductibles are due for the remainder of the calendar year.

The Dental Plan Organizations (DPOs) work just like the HMOs in the health program. There are presently more than a dozen DPOs in the Dental Program and employees must use providers belonging to the DPO selected to receive coverage. When an employee is using a DPO dentist, most dental care is covered in full. Some major services such as dentures, treatment of gum disease, braces, bridges and orthodontic care are eligible expenses, but require employees to share in the cost through a co-payment. In addition, DPOs cover orthodontic treatment for adults after a co-payment.

If a personal dentist drops out of the DPO, the employee must select another dentist from the DPO. If there are none available within 30 miles of home, the employee may switch plans. Should an employee move and the DPO cannot provide a dentist within 30 miles of the home, the employee may switch plans. The cost of coverage is shared equally between the university (50 percent) and the employee (50 percent). Dental plan applications are available in the Benefits Office.

Choosing a dental plan is a personal decision. Employees may want to consider the nature and amount of anticipated dental expenses for the upcoming year. Employees may decide whether or not to choose their own dentist. If choosing a DPO, the employee must select a dentist who belongs to that particular DPO and who can accept the employee and family as patients.

State Health Benefits Coverage At Retirement

The New Jersey State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) offers coverage into retirement to:

Employees and dependents already covered by the SHBP through NJIT.

Members and eligible dependents of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF), the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) and the Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS) who retire with 25 or more years of service credit in the pension fund.

Participants in the Alternate Benefit Program, (TIAA/CREF, Aetna, Lincoln, Metlife, Traveler's and VALIC), who retire with at least 25 years of credited service.

Members who retire on a disability retirement.

Enrollment

Generally, the university will continue individual coverage in the active employees group for one month beyond termination of employment. Continuation of your health benefits into retirement is not automatic.

When the Division of Pensions and Benefits receives a retirement application, a copy of that application is sent to the State Health Benefits Bureau.

Provided the Application for Retirement Allowance is submitted in a timely fashion, approximately one month before the retirement date, the employee will receive an application for enrollment in the retired group of the SHBP along with a chart showing the cost for each type of coverage. It must be completed and returned for enrollment. If the employee is not eligible for free health benefits coverage, the premiums will be deducted from the retirement check each month or the employee will be billed on a monthly basis if the amount of the retirement check is not enough to cover the premiums.

If the employee had dental, prescription or vision care coverage, he or she may enroll in COBRA to continue coverage up to 18 months after retirement at the employee's expense.

Changing Coverage

An employee may change the plan (Traditional, HMO, Medicare HMO* or NJ PLUS) at the time of retirement and no more than once in a 12-month period thereafter. If the employee is covered by an HMO or NJ PLUS and moves out of the area serviced by the HMO or NJ PLUS, the employee may select a different plan within 30 days of the move regardless of the date of the last change.

Medicare HMO plans are plans designed for Medicare eligible retirees/dependents that, due to special contractual arrangements between HMO plans and the federal government, offer more benefits and cost less than regular Medicare supplemental plans.

Termination Of SHBP

Coverage will terminate if the employee requests the termination in writing, the premiums lapse, or the employee and a covered spouse fail to enroll in both parts of Medicare when the employee and the spouse become eligible.

Eligible Dependents

An employee's eligible dependents include a spouse (unless legally separated) and unmarried children under age 23 who live with the employee. Coverage for the child normally ends on December 31 of the year in which the child turns 23. An enrolled child over the age of 23 who is incapable of self-support due to a mental or physical incapacity may remain covered by filing a continuance of coverage with the SHBP.

If the employee is divorced, children who do not live with the employee may be covered if there is proof that the employee is legally required to support them. Stepchildren, foster children and legal wards who are living with the employee may be included provided there is proof they are substantially dependent upon the employee for support and maintenance. An affidavit of dependency is available from the State Health Benefits Bureau.

Adding/Removing A Dependent

The employee may file an application to add members within 60 days of a change in family status (e.g. marriage, birth or adoption of a child, or a change in a spouse's employment that significantly affects the health benefits coverage provided by a spouse's employer).

The member will be enrolled retroactively to the date of eligibility. The employee may remove family members from coverage at any time. It is the employee's responsibility to notify the SHBP of any change in family status. If members are not properly enrolled, claims will not be paid.

Spouse's Coverage In The Event Of Employee's Death

A spouse's coverage under the employee's plan will end at the end of the month in which the employee dies. However, the spouse will be sent a letter and application offering continuation of the same SHBP coverage (s)he had prior to the death. The spouse will be re-enrolled for coverage under his/her own name and social security number, without a break in coverage, upon receipt of the completed and signed application.

If the spouse will be receiving a monthly pension check large enough to cover the premium, the premium will be deducted monthly. If the spouse will not receive a pension check or if the pension check is not large enough to cover the cost, your spouse will be billed monthly for the premiums.

General questions about the State's Health Benefits Plan should be directed to the Division of Pensions and Benefits, P.O. Box 295, Trenton, NJ 08625.

Sculptor Jackie Brookner To Present Seminar 
On Art And Ecology

World-renowned sculptor and scholar, Jackie Brookner, will present a seminar "Crossing Borders: Art and Ecology," Wednesday, March 4, 2:30-4 p.m., in Guttenberg Information Technologies Building 1400. The presentation, a part of NJIT's Women's History Month, includes a lecture, slide show, and video program about her work, which was aired on CBS' "Sunday Morning" show. The seminar is a 1998 Goldberg Lecture on Environmental Issues.

Brookner's sculptures and installations have been shown around the nation and world in solo and group exhibits and public projects. Brookner, who is on the faculties of both the University of Pennsylvania and the Parsons School of Design, has received numerous prizes as well as grants from agencies, including the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York Foundation for the Arts, and most recently, the Gaia Instate Trust of Mutual Understanding.

"From her life-long study of biology and ecology, Brookner explores the scientific and psychological history of land use.... Poetical and lyrical, yet irrefutably tragic, Brookner's potent use of landscape reinforces the urgent need for protection of all living resources," said curator Kathleen Monaghan of Brookner's installation, "Of Earth and Cotton" (1994).

White 'Painting The Light' At NJIT

Painter Wendy White will host an art reception/poetry reading as part of Women's History Month on Tuesday, March 3, 4:30-6 p.m., in the Hazell Center Gallery.

White has sold more than 150 canvases and had more than 65 exhibitions. A native of Rockaway Beach, N.Y., White was influenced early by the sea. As a child, she and her twin brother modeled for her father, a painter, who later became blind.

She earned a full academic scholarship to Barnard College of Columbia University where she fulfilled her medical school requirements hoping to find a cure for her father's blindness. Working with the abstract expressionist Milton Resnick she was able to fully develop the abstract impressionist style paramount in her work today.

Since graduating Columbia in 1981, White steadily exhibits in galleries in New York City; in the East Village, in SoHo, and in Midtown, in addition to galleries in Paris, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Finland, and Buenos Aires. White is currently the associate director of alumni affairs at NJIT.

Ranky Named Guest Editor

Paul G. Ranky, a professor in the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, has been invited to serve as the guest editor on engineering multimedia for a special issue of the International Journal of CIM (IJCIM).

The journal, ranked in the top 10 in its field, is published by Taylor & Francis of London. Ranky's topic area will cover theoretical as well as practical aspects of engineering multimedia. Ranky will also edit an additional book/CD-ROM on the subject. Interested potential authors should send e-mail to Ranky at ranky@admin.njit.edu.

Estrin Nominated For 'Who's Who'

Herman A. (Doc) Estrin, professor emeritus of humanities, has been nominated for inclusion in the 1998 edition of "Who's Who among Great Teachers," by his former Upward Bound student, Jimmy Lakes.

Estrin spoke about "The Power of Body Language" Feb. 11 at the Fanwood Women's Club.

Zhou To Serve As Guest Editor

MengChu Zhou, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, has been invited to serve as guest editor for a special issue of IEEE Transactions on Semiconductor Manufacturing. Zhou's topic is "Petri Nets in Semiconductor Manufacturing."

Geskin To Deliver Lecture Series In China

Ernest Geskin, a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, will give a series of lectures on water jet technology for the University of Petroleum in Dongying Shandon, the People's Republic of China. The trip is scheduled for May 16-June 6.

Men's Volleyball Team Scores Major Upset

The men's volleyball team (9-1) earned the biggest victory in the history of the program on Thursday, Feb. 19, when it defeated No. 14 Penn State in four games. It was the first time NJIT had ever beaten Penn State, which has appeared in the NCAA Final Four each of the past six years. Wycliffe Gordon, Harold Nazaire and A.J. Mihalic played inspired volleyball in the upset victory, according to coach Dave DeNure.

Travelers Invites Faculty, Staff To Lunch

The Travelers Educator's Retirement Series is inviting faculty and staff to lunch to learn about tax saving ideas for 1998. The program will be March 12 in the Hazell Center Ballroom, at sessions slated for 11 a.m., 12 p.m., and 1 p.m.

Travelers will educate attendees about the IRS announcement that increases retirement plan contribution limits beginning Jan. 1, 1998.

All attendees will receive a personalized Roth IRA analysis and a retirement benefit analysis including projections for Social Security, New Jersey State Pension, and personal savings.

ADMIN Account Maintenance

ADMIN users are reminded that there is a limited amount of disk space available for storing previously read e-mail. Users are asked to delete old e-mail files regularly, to prevent the account from exceeding disk-quota space and preventing use of the account.

If the user is unsure how to manage and delete e-mail on ADMIN, please read and print the ADMIN e-mail user manual on the web at: http://www.njit.edu/CSD/Academic Computing/Manuals/Admin/admin.html

Copies can be requested via interoffice mail by sending e-mail to: helpme@admin. Leave a name and department address to request a copy of the manual.

Psychologist Joins Counseling Center

The Counseling Center welcomes psychologist Dr. Richard Rogers, who served for six years in a variety of mental health settings. Rogers has worked with college students in counseling psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University. He is a credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselor in New York.

Rogers and other professional staff in the Counseling Center are available to help students with a wide range of personal, social, academic adjustment and/or psychological concerns. In addition, students who are concerned about alcohol or other substance use are encouraged to contact Rogers for information, confidential counseling, and/or assistance with preparing educational workshops about this issue for their campus organizations.

The Counseling Center coordinates accommodations and other services for students with disabilities. Students are welcome to call the Center at 596-3414 or stop by the office at Eberhardt Hall 37.

Aquatic Staff Offers 'Learn To Swim' Program

The aquatic staff is offering a spring session of swim classes to the university faculty and staff and their families at the NJIT pool.

Children's classes are offered on Saturdays for infants and toddlers: March 28, April 4, 18, and 25, and May 2 and 9. Classes are toddlers: 10-10:30 a.m.; Level I: 10-11:15 a.m.; Level II: 10:45-11:30 a.m.; Level III: 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.; and Level IV: 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The fee is $18 per child.

Adult beginner classes are scheduled for Tuesdays from 5-6 p.m. Register at the physical education building front desk.

INFO: Amy Milavsky, ext. 3638.

Haz-Mat Team Seeks Members

The university's Hazardous Materials Response Team, which is responsible for preventing and controlling emergency chemical situations on campus, is seeking new members.

The team consists of 25 members who have participated in more than 100 hours of training in handling emergency responses; fire fighting and rescues; incident command; cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid; and basic life support techniques. The university will provide training. Recertification training for current and new members will be March 18.

Based in the Specht Building, the team is on call 24 hours a day. Individual members are on call only during their working hours. If interested, contact Norman Van Houten, ext. 3059.

Library Features Civil, Environmental Engineering

The Robert W. Van Houten Library is exhibiting the published works of members of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. A pneumatic injector also is on display along with photographs of operations.

INFO: Doreen Mettle, ext. 8495.

Free Canoe, Kayak Paddling Instruction

The university community is invited to attend free informal introductory instruction on paddling canoes and kayaks every Tuesday during February and March, 7-9 p.m., at the Physical Education Building pool.

The instruction, provided by members of the New York/Northern New Jersey Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), will introduce various boats, gear, and paddling techniques. Participants will have the opportunity to try out different boats and practice strokes. Those who attend more than one session will be invited to join the several AMC outings held in late spring and early summer.

Participation is limited to the first eight who sign up for each session on the Monday of the prior week. Sign up by calling Vinnie Ann Costanza, ext. 3636. Participants should bring a swim suit, towel and lock.

Don Getzin, chemistry, chemical engineering and environmental science, and Charles Wilson, mechanical engineering, are the program coordinators.

INFO: Don Getzin, ext. 3576.

Classifieds

Notice: All ads run for two issues, unless advertiser contacts the editor to cancel or renew.

FOR SALE: South Orange home. Slate roof colonial; interior and exterior in excellent condition. 3 bedrooms, modern eat-in kitchen, FDR, den, recessed lighting in living room and fireplace, oak floors w/ mahogany inlaid borders. Great neighborhood, tree-lined street with grand historic homes. Walk to schools, trains, and stores. Large yard, deck and garage. $189,000. Call (973) 378-9460.

RESIDENCE WANTED: New NJIT employee (single male) is seeking a temporary residence. All suggestions will be welcomed. Call Kim Baxter, ext. 8498.

TUTOR WANTED: Graduate student preferred, Calculus I for individual on campus. Call before 10 a.m. (973) 359-0915.

BOAT WANTED: 12- to16-foot boat. Call Scott, Physical Plant, (973) 674-6476.

MANICURIST WANTED: Full- or part-time, experienced, bilingual a plus, for pleasant, well-established salon. Call 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Tuesdays-Fridays, (908) 273-4466.