On Mon., Nov. 2, from 6-10 p.m., Phi Kappa Tau will be hosting the "Hole in the Wall Dodgeball Tournament." The Hole in the Wall Foundation will receive all proceeds from this event. Cost is $3 per person, $15 per team. Five people to a team. You do not have to have a team set up before hand. The event will be taking place in the Beaman Rec Gym. For more information or questions, please contact Bryce Cockerill (Joshua.cockerill@pop.belmont.edu) or 401.932.5161.

Posted by April Hefner at 03:44 PM on October 30, 2009 | Permalink

The holiday season is quickly approaching, and you can help out children in the local community by donating your new and gently used books, or by entering a contest to win a $10,000 prize for a literacy organization.

You can enter the Improving Life Sweepstakes for a chance to win a $250 Dollar General gift card for yourself, as well as enter to win one of three $10,000 prizes to help literacy programs in the local community. If you win a $10,000 prize, you can select Book’em, a local literacy organization that gave out more than 7,500 books to children last holiday season to receive the donation. Visit Dollar General Improving Lives Sweepstakes to enter the contest. You can enter once every day until Nov. 13.

You can also donate new or very gently used books directly to Book’em. For more information, visit www.Bookem-kids.org.

Posted by April Hefner at 09:31 AM on October 30, 2009 | Permalink

Come join us for a screening of Dear Francis, an award-winning documentary about the experiences of two college students in the midst of one of the world's most dramatically AIDS-impacted places—Swaziland, where 40 percent of the population is HIV/AIDS positive. After the screening, there will be a discussion time with Dave Mahanes, founder of The Chronicle Project, Deidox, and producer of the movie. Screening starts at 7 p.m. in the Neely Dining Hall. Christian Faith Development convocation credit is available.

Posted by April Hefner at 02:15 PM on October 28, 2009 | Permalink

Take the Walk Tour with Hanson
Tues., Oct. 27 at 1 (Registration at noon)
Beaman Student Life Center Lobby
One Hour Personal/Professional Growth Convo Credit Available to Presentation and Walk Participants
Walk starts at Belmont’s Beaman Student Life Center and ends at the Vanderbilt University Bookstore.
Sponsored by Belmont University, Vanderbilt University and United: For Change.

Belmont students are invited to join the band Hanson for its ‘Take the Walk’ tour, a barefoot optional, one-mile walk to raise awareness of poverty and AIDS in Africa. Participants will start at Belmont University with a presentation by Hanson and then walk from the center of Belmont’s campus to the Vanderbilt bookstore where Hanson will sign their book, Take the Walk, and perform three acoustic songs. The book will be available for purchase at the Beaman Student Life Center prior to the walk. Students can charge the book to their Belmont accounts.

The walk will raise funds to support one of five causes, with one dollar donated by the ‘Take the Walk’ campaign for each walker. The band will educate students on the issues surrounding the walk and help connect them with existing efforts on the Belmont and Vanderbilt campuses and the Nashville community. Personal/Professional Growth convocation offered for participating in presentation and walk. Visit http://www.takethewalk.net/ for more information, or to view a similar event, held in Tulsa, OK, visit http://www.hanson.net/site/postings/6899.

Posted by Jennifer Wetzel at 03:39 PM on October 26, 2009 | Permalink

Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms will speak tonight at 7 p.m. in the Curb Event Center. His work is featured prominently in this year’s common book The Omnivore's Dilemma, by Michael Pollan. There will be a question and answer session following the lecture. Convo credit will be offered.

Posted by April Hefner at 09:54 AM on October 26, 2009 | Permalink

H.U.G.G.S. Inc. is a non-profit organization that helps ex-offenders become productive citizens. We seek to improve a better quality of life for the socio-economically disadvantaged families we serve. We are currently solely supported by donations and fundraisers and are setting our 2009-2010 FUNDRAISER CALENDARS and request your support. In November, we will have our “First Annual Giving and Receiving Benefit Banquet,” and in December we will have our “Holiday Blessings” fundraiser. In January we will have “All Things New," and in February we will have our “Celebrating Life” fundraisers. Each of these fundraisers is held to support our goal and mission to help ex-offenders become productive citizens.

HUGGS needs volunteers in the areas of:
Resume writing
Microsoft skills
Events Volunteers (10)
Psychology majors for counselors
Job skills training

For additional information, please contact Sherri Jackson at 615-727-6030 (office) or 615-977-0422 (cell).

Posted by April Hefner at 04:36 PM on October 23, 2009 | Permalink

Plan to attend Belmont's annual Career Day on Wed., Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in Neely and the Black and White Dining Rooms in Massey Business Center. Representatives from more than 40 regional companies and organizations and 12 graduate and professional schools will provide information about career paths and opportunities. Personal Growth convocation will be offered.

To view companies:
http://belmont.experience.com/stu/cf_details?fhnd=4133

To view graduate and professional schools:
http://belmont.experience.com/stu/cf_details?fhnd=4148

Posted by April Hefner at 03:03 PM on October 23, 2009 | Permalink

Zipcar will give away one free iPod touch every week between now and Nov. 15. All you need to do is sign up online to reserve a car and enter to win. Also, the new Zipcar iphone application is now available to download on iTunes. To sign up for Zipcar and reserve you car today, visit: http://www.zipcar.com/belmont/.

Posted by Jennifer Wetzel at 01:30 PM on October 23, 2009 | Permalink

Starting Oct. 26, join double world champion breakdancer Djamel Toubrinet as he shares his 10 years of experience with you. Learn the basics of breakdancing with other beginners. No dance experience is needed to learn this knew skill. And you will get a great cardio workout as well. Class will meet every week from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Group Fitness room from Oct. 26 until Nov. 23. If you would like more information about this class, please contact groupfit@belmont.edu. We look forward to seeing you there!

Posted by April Hefner at 09:31 AM on October 23, 2009 | Permalink

We are meeting in the Beaman Center Lobby at 7 a.m. and departing at 7:30 a.m. to Radnor Lake. Bring warm clothes that can get dirty as it is predicted to be a bit cold (old hats and gloves would be a good idea). Water and tools will be provided, just come ready to have fun. Convocation credits will be given on an "hour per hour" basis so you will probably receive between 4 and 5 credits.

If you wish to meet us there, directions are as follows:

Leave Belmont going South on Belmont Blvd.
After passing Lipscomb’s athletic facilities, turn left onto Shackleford Rd.
Take your first right onto Granny White Pike and travel about 2.5 miles.
Turn left at Otter Creek Rd to enter Park. We will be meeting at the visitor center at 8 a.m.

Any other questions? Please e-mail outdoorpursuits@belmont.edu.

Posted by April Hefner at 09:26 AM on October 23, 2009 | Permalink

To all Belmont University Student Groups and Organizations:
Last fall in honor of Belmont's outstanding Athletic programs, the Second Annual President's Spirit Award was held during the first home game of the men's basketball season. Though the competition was incredibly close, ATO took home the President's Spirit Award trophy for the second year in a row. Still, all of the student organizations who participated were able to enjoy great food and company and, more importantly, support Belmont's fine student athletes.

Now it’s time once again to show your Bruin pride! The Third Annual President’s Spirit Award competition will be held on Fri., Oct. 23 in conjunction with a Belmont home Volleyball game. Belmont Volleyball is one of just 22 NCAA Division I programs to have five straight 20-win seasons, and the Bruins won the A-Sun Championship in 2008 and 2006, advancing to the NCAA Tournament each time. The program boasted nine Academic All Conference players last year as well as the winningest coach in Belmont Volleyball history.

On Fri., Oct. 23, the cafeteria will be closed for dinner, and dining will be available in the Maddox Grand Atrium from 5-6:30 p.m. Tables will be available for registered teams in the Curb Event Center mezzanine concourse that can be used for showing team spirit. Judging for the contest will begin at 5 p.m. as my Spirit committee and I examine the decorations and spirit shown during dinner, at the concourse tables and throughout the game.

The President’s Spirit Award will be presented at Center Court at the game’s conclusion. The contest will be based on several criteria, including level of participation, the visible support shown through decorations, signage, attire, creativity, and, of course, volume. Team signup sheets will be available in the cafeteria and the Massey courtyard on Tues., Oct. 13, and Wed., Oct. 21, or pre-register via e-mail at presidentspiritaward@belmont.edu. All teams must pre-register to participate.

Join a team. Win the trophy. Be a Bruin!
Bob Fisher

Posted by April Hefner at 02:20 PM on October 22, 2009 | Permalink

Join us this Friday at 10 a.m. in Beaman A&B as SEC Football Referee Lane Thomas gives a speech titled "First down and Faith." It is going to be a great event! You will recieve Faith and Development Convocation credit for attending. See you Friday!

Posted by April Hefner at 03:59 PM on October 21, 2009 | Permalink

This Friday (Oct. 23) and next Friday (Oct. 30) there will be a new release on YouTube of the 2009 Fall Follies promotional videos. Make sure to check out the videos by typing in: "FALL FOLLIES 2009" into the YouTube search bar. See you in MPAC on Sat., Oct. 31 at 3-5 p.m. (first show) and 8-10 p.m. (second show) for Fall Follies 2009!

Posted by April Hefner at 09:52 AM on October 21, 2009 | Permalink

As a reminder, the Office of Campus Security posts an event parking notice on its Web site any time 10 or more spaces are reserved for an event on campus.

Go to http://www.belmont.edu/ocs/EVENT%20PARKING%20NOTICE/index.html for more information.

Posted by April Hefner at 03:39 PM on October 19, 2009 | Permalink

The Gap at the Mall at Green Hills is offering a student discount this weekend, Oct. 23-25. Upon presenting a valid student ID, Belmont students can receive a discount of 25 percent off full-priced merchandise. Offer is valid only at the Green Hills location. Offer is for The Gap, not Gap Kids.

Posted by April Hefner at 02:39 PM on October 19, 2009 | Permalink

Now that we are past the half-way point for the fall semester, it is time to add a group fitness class to your schedule. We have made a few changes to the schedule in an effort to provide a great Group Fitness Experience! Grab a friend and bring them along to sample your favorite class or check the schedule and find a new class. Contact Kelly Tuttle at kelly.tuttle@belmont.edu with any questions. The group fitness staff can’t wait to see you in your favorite classes!

Visit the B Fit BU blog (http://forum.belmont.edu/bfitbu) to download your copy of the new Group Fitness Schedule. This schedule goes into effect on Mon., Oct. 26!

Posted by April Hefner at 12:39 PM on October 19, 2009 | Permalink

Bunch Library has received a gift collection of 100 Books for Understanding Contemporary Japan from the Nippon Foundation. Rachel Scott, Reference Librarian, has set up a display on the first floor of the library that highlights the collection. The books are ready to be checked out to any Belmont student, faculty, or staff. Topics covered include arts, culture, history, literature, society, business, economics, politics and international relations. The Nippon Foundation hopes these books will provide “a clearer and more comprehensive understanding of contemporary Japan that transcends stereotypes and out-dated ideas.” We hope you will stop by and take a look at the display.

Posted by April Hefner at 03:02 PM on October 15, 2009 | Permalink

The Beaman Center will have an altered schedule for Fall Break. Please see below for hours of operation. In addition, the Climbing Wall will be closed Thursday – Sunday, and there will be no Group Fitness classes during Fall Break. The Group Fitness Classes will resume on Monday. For more information on future changes in the Hours of Operation for the Beaman Center, click here.

Wednesday
6 a.m.-7 p.m., Climbing Wall 1-5 p.m.

Thursday and Friday
6 a.m.-7 p.m.,

Saturday
9 a.m.-5 p.m.,

Sunday
1-5 p.m.

Posted by April Hefner at 12:33 PM on October 14, 2009 | Permalink

Beginning Wed., Oct. 14, passage between the Massey Business Center and Heron Hall will be prohibited due to construction on the new residence hall. For safety reasons, pedestrians will not be able to use this service road for approximately three months and are asked to seek an alternate route effective immediately. This thoroughfare is often used to access Inman from interior campus. Pedestrians needing access to Inman from the back of Massey or interior campus must use the walking bridge between Massey and Inman (access from first floor of Massey or second floor of Inman) or the front entrances of Inman and Massey. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Posted by Jennifer Wetzel at 03:27 PM on October 12, 2009 | Permalink

Administrative Computing will be performing a mandatory upgrade to Banner beginning Wednesday, October 14th at 4:30pm and lasting through Tuesday, October 20th at 8:00am. This upgrade has been carefully planned to reduce the impact on students, faculty and staff. All Banner systems (Banner forms, BannerWeb or self-service, Banner imaging – WebX and application xtender,) will be unavailable during this time. Any systems that interface with Banner will not be able to send or receive data during this time, but will otherwise remain available with the exception of Course Evaluations and DARS.

Blackboard will be available.

Posted by admin at 11:59 AM on October 12, 2009 | Permalink

Are you the next pop star? Are you looking for valuable feedback from industry professionals? Don't forget to fill out an Urban/Pop Showcase Packet! For more information and to fill out an application, visit www.belmontshowcaseseries.com/urbanpop.

Posted by April Hefner at 12:42 PM on October 08, 2009 | Permalink

Wallyball is coming up soon for Intramurals. Rosters are due Oct. 9, and the Information meeting for team captains will be on Oct. 12. The tournament will start on Oct. 19. Come out and have a good time! To register online, visit http://www.belmont.edu/beamanslc/intramural_sports/index.html. For more information or to get your questions answered, email intramurals@belmont.edu or call 460-6245.

Posted by April Hefner at 12:41 PM on October 08, 2009 | Permalink

It's that time of year again! Disco is here. This Fri., Oct. 9, Alpha Tau Omega presents the 16th Annual Disco is Dead? Party. Come dressed in the craziest, gaudiest '70s disco attire, and get down at what is consistently one of the largest on campus parties. There will be free drinks, raffle prizes and unadulterated fun mixed with the tunes from the '70s and today. The event is in the curb café from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Bring $1 for donation, which ideally will go towards improvement of security in the Bruin Hills Apartments. Come have fun and improve Belmont at the same time. Everybody wins!

Posted by April Hefner at 03:51 PM on October 07, 2009 | Permalink

Students, We need your help and support! On Mon., Oct. 12, Belmont is going to perform a "Freeze" in Hillsboro village to launch the Belmont Basketball Season. This is something that has never been done in Nashville, and in order for it to be successful, we need participation from the Belmont Student Body. We hope to have newspapers and television crews there to cover the story for the evening news and morning papers. We will also be putting this on Youtube for more exposure.

We are looking for 200 volunteers to meet at noon on the Monday in the Fidelity parking lot. Lunch will be provided. We will then walk over to Hillsboro Village and perform the "Freeze." What is a freeze? Please see the videos below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geKE6WdwJ7s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwMj3PJDxuo

To reserve your freeze spot or get more information, contact Sean Sawyer at sean.sawyer@belmont.edu.

Posted by April Hefner at 02:50 PM on October 07, 2009 | Permalink

The application deadline for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Junior Fellows Program is December 1, 2009. The Endowment offers 8-10 one-year fellowships to uniquely qualified graduating seniors and individuals who have graduated during the past academic year. Carnegie Junior Fellows work as research assistants to the Endowment's senior associates. The Endowment is unable to consider anyone who has started graduate studies. After reviewing the applications, Belmont will nominate up to two students or recent graduates. Contact either Patricia Jacobs in the Office of Career Services at patricia.jacobs@belmont.edu or Dr. Susan Jellissen at susan.jellissen@belmont.edu if you have any questions about applying for this program.

If you’re interested in applying for other nationally competitive awards, click here.

Posted by April Hefner at 02:37 PM on October 07, 2009 | Permalink

Staff and Faculty, Belmont Outdoor Pursuits and the Beaman Center are proud to announce that Kids Cimb is back. Every Saturday bring yourself and your little ones to the climbing wall (as long as they are between the ages of 6 and 15) and enjoy a little time learning to climb. Hours of operation for Kids Climb are Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oh, and did we mention that it's free? Don't let this opportunity pass you by. We will be at the climbing wall every Saturday, minus the holidays, waiting to climb with you and your kids! Feel free to contact Belmont Outdoor Pursuits with any question at 460-6143 or e-mail us at outdoorpursuits@belmont.edu.

Posted by April Hefner at 01:56 PM on October 07, 2009 | Permalink

The Office of Campus Security just posted the "News from HQ" Security Newsletter for October. This publication offers monthly safety tips pertaining to the campus, city and sometimes even state or national concerns. The newsletter also features notices of upcoming events sponsored by the Crime Prevention Unit as well as important numbers for Campus Security and Metro Police. Click here to read the current issue.

Posted by April Hefner at 01:38 PM on October 07, 2009 | Permalink

The Office of General Education is now accepting nominations for the 2010-2011 First Year Seminar Common Book. As you know, each year at Belmont all entering students read a book in common as part of their First Year Seminar experience. Since 2004, students have read a variety of books that fall under the broad theme of FYS, “Ways of Knowing.” Among these have been titles such as:

Eva Hoffman, After Such Knowledge
Yann Martel, Life of Pi
Anne Fadiman, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down
Mark Haddon, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
James Loewen, Lies My Teacher Told Me
Michael Pollan, The Omnivore’s Dilemma (the common book for the current academic year)

Beginning last year, the FYS Common Book, while focused on the theme “Ways of Knowing,” also has been connected to the annual theme of our campus-wide conversation, Belmont Questions. This year’s common book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, fits well with the campus theme, “A Paradise Lost?”

The Belmont Questions theme for 2010-2011 will be “Invention and Creativity.” Click here to download a brief description that should yield for you, well, Invention and Creativity! Much more information and conversation regarding next year’s theme will take place later this year.

In the meantime, however, we are ready to begin the selection process for the 2010-2011 common book. We ask that your nominations fit the “Ways of Knowing” theme of FYS and also, preferably, tie in to the campus theme of “Invention and Creativity.” Click here to download nomination form.

All members of the Belmont community—faculty, staff and students—are encouraged to submit nominations for the FYS common book. Your nominations are very important, as we view the selection of a common book each year as very much a campus-wide effort.

The deadline for submitting nominations is Wed., Oct. 21. You should submit your nominations electronically to Jennifer Wells, in the Office of the Provost: jennifer.wells@belmont.edu.

The FYS common book selection committee will then begin reviewing nominations with the goal of announcing a decision in January. Faculty members, please encourage your students to participate in the process.

Posted by April Hefner at 01:21 PM on October 07, 2009 | Permalink

Due to the intense rain yesterday and the current condition of the soccer field, the Flag Football games scheduled for tonight (10/7) have been cancelled. Sorry for the inconvenience, and we will be in contact with the team captains to reschedule these games. Thanks for your cooperation.

Posted by April Hefner at 01:19 PM on October 07, 2009 | Permalink

Dear Belmont community,
On Monday, October 5, Belmont's Board of Trustees gave final approval for the University to open a College of Law. This will be the first new law school in Middle Tennessee in nearly 100 years and represents the university’s seventh college and fourth doctoral program. The College's first classes will begin in fall 2011. Please join us in celebrating this announcement at a press conference on Wednesday, October 7 at 10 a.m. in the first floor lobby of the Inman Center.

Bob Fisher

Posted by April Hefner at 10:23 PM on October 06, 2009 | Permalink

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is adding train service from Lakewood to downtown Nashville beginning Tues., Oct. 13. Anyone can ride free from the Lakewood station on Oct. 13, and temporary service will operate until Oct. 23. Tickets will be required after Oct. 13, but as with all bus and train transportation, this benefit is free to Belmont students, faculty and staff. BIC will be updated when tickets are available for the Lakewood station.

A free Zipcar App is now available that makes it easier to reserve Zipcars from your iPhone or iPod touch. Download the free app from the App Store.

Continue reading "Update to Commuter Benefits for Train, Zipcar" ...

Posted by Jennifer Wetzel at 02:12 PM on October 02, 2009 | Permalink

Next summer's Spanish study abroad program is to Buenos Aires, Argentina to take six credit hours of Spanish language and Argentine culture at any level. The trip runs from May 29 - July 1, 2010, and includes Spanish courses in Buenos Aires plus a home stay immersion, weekend trips to Uruguay and the waterfalls of Iguazu on the border of Brasil, cultural activities as well as a Tango Show!

Program Co-Directors, Dr. David Julseth and Dr. Natalia Pelaz, will explain program details at the information session Wed., Oct. 7 in WHB #212 at 10 a.m. (the deadline for application is Dec. 1).

Posted by April Hefner at 01:30 PM on October 02, 2009 | Permalink

Forgot to turn in your application for a CCSA Winter Study Abroad Program? It may not be too late… if you call Dr. Maggie Monteverde or CCSA IMMEDIATELY at 460-6575 or email maggie.monteverde@belmont.edu!

Posted by April Hefner at 10:33 AM on October 02, 2009 | Permalink

Stone Soup Friday Night is a regularly scheduled respite on Friday Night for children and young adults with special needs and their siblings. We call them "Campers." Parents or care-givers may have a night out or join in the fun! Campers enjoy activities which include gym games, circle games, crafts, drama, music, and talking with friends.

Stone Soup on Sunday is a weekly activity-centered Bible discovery time with games, crafts, music, an illustrated Bible lesson and much more.

Volunteering to become a Friend in Stone Soup is one of life's most rewarding experiences! Students, children, singles, parents, seniors are amazed at the joy they find being a part of Stone Soup. Friends can volunteer weekly, monthly, or at special events, like Holiday Camp at Christmas. If interested in volunteering contact Melissa Davis at stonesoup@thompsonstationchurch.org 615-221-9974.

Posted by April Hefner at 08:53 AM on October 02, 2009 | Permalink

Join the new Belmont University Concert Band Fri., Oct. 2 from noon-12:30 p.m. for its inaugural brown bag lunch concert in the Wilson Music Building atrium. The 30-minute program features music by Charles Carter, Pierre Leemans, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Frank Ticheli. The Concert Band is Belmont's newest large instrumental ensemble and offers all university students the opportunity to perform outstanding literature for band. In the event of rain, the concert will take place in the sanctuary of Belmont Heights Baptist Church. All students and faculty are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Dr. Barry Kraus (barry.kraus@belmont.edu).

Posted by April Hefner at 05:15 PM on October 01, 2009 | Permalink

Belmont Health Services is now out of the seasonal flu vaccine. Interested individuals may still obtain flu vaccines at neighborhood pharmacies and grocery stores. CVS, Walgreens, Wal-Mart and Kroger all are offering flu shots for about $25-30 per vaccination.

Please continue to monitor BIC and the H1N1 page on Belmont's Web site for additional information.

Posted by April Hefner at 01:28 PM on October 01, 2009 | Permalink