Vol. 17, No. 13	Dec. 4, 1997

1998 SSA earnings The Social Security Administration has announced the maximum taxable earnings and the rates for FICA and FICA Medicare for 1998. The maximum taxable earnings have increased, but the rates have remained the same.

During 1997, the maximum taxable earnings were $65,400 for FICA and no limit for FICA Medicare.

For 1998, the FICA rate is 6.2 percent on earnings up to $68,400 to a maximum employee tax of $4,240.80. The FICA Medicare rate is 1.45 percent, and there is no limit on earnings and no maximum total amount of employee taxes.

Questions about this information should be directed to the University Payroll Office at 831-2178.

WRA on campus The Water Resources Agency, directed by Bernard Dworsky, has relocated to the UD campus in the Delaware Geological Survey Annex, off Academy Street. The office phone number is 831-4925.

Housing changes Midyear room change request forms are available from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mondays-Fridays, through Friday, Dec. 12, at Housing Assignment Services, 5 Courtney St.

For information, call 831-2491.

Rental home A University-owned house, located at 337 South College Ave., is available for rent. The house has a living room, dining room, kitchen and full bath on the first floor and three bedrooms and a full bath upstairs. It is within walking distance to campus. Rent is $900 per month, plus utilities.

The lease arrangement is especially favorable for new faculty/staff who are moving into the area, as the lease can be terminated if the tenant purchases a home.

For more information, call Gary Stokes at 831-2971 or send e-mail to him at Gary.Stokes@mvs.udel.edu

Science nominees The Science Alliance is seeking nominations for the annual Excellence in Science Teaching Awards, sponsored by the alliance and the DuPont chapter of Sigma XI, the Scientific Research Society.

Teachers are sought who regularly stimulate their students' interest in science, math and technology or those from other disciplines who have integrated science, math and technology in their non-science curricula.

Several $500 awards will be presented to teachers in four different grade levels.

Applications are due Jan. 31. For information, call 764-4490.

Ceremony of lights An Interfaith Celebration of Lights, commemorating the religious and cultural traditions of Christianity, Judaism, Kwanzaa, Hinduism, Islam and Baha'i, will be held at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 10, in Multipurpose Room A of the Trabant University Center.

The free, public program is sponsored by the Religious Concerns Caucus of the Commission to Promote Racial and Cultural Diversity.

Check issue dates Accounts Payable will produce checks on Friday, Dec. 19. The cutoff for submitting BER Cash Advance and Request for Check forms for that check run will be noon on Wednesday, Dec. 17.

The next check production date will be Friday, Jan. 2. The cutoff for that check run will be noon on Thursday, Dec. 18.

Contact Accounts Payable at 831-2855 if you have any questions.

RED OUT today Today is Red Out Day, the fourth annual celebration of the official kickoff for Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month, observed during December. Red, the symbol for the day, represents life, community energy and the holiday spirit.

The Cooperative Extension Community Traffic Safety program and the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program are sponsoring a "mocktail" party from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in both the Trabant University Center, at Kiosk B, and in the Perkins Student Center alcove near the bookstore. There will be a free non-alcoholic beverage plus snacks, recipes, mugs, red ribbons and Red Out Day stickers.

In addition, the University Bookstore is offering 10 percent off to anyone who is wearing red. The bookstore has donated a UD sweatshirt to be raffled off at each store location.

For information, call Cindy Genau, Cooperative Extension, at 831-4973.

Library hours Morris Library examination hours through Dec. 18 are 8 a.m.-midnight, Mondays through Thursdays; 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Fridays; 9 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturdays; and 11 a.m.-midnight, Sundays. Special Collections and Exhibition Gallery hours through Dec. 18 are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays through Fridays; and 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Tuesdays.

Library hours are available by calling 831-BOOK and on the web at http://www.lib.udel.edu

Holiday visitors During the end-of-the-year holiday season, the Visitors Center will be open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 24; closed Thursday, Dec. 25; open 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday, Dec. 26, and from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 27; closed Sunday, Dec. 28; open 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday through Wednesday, Dec. 29-31; and closed on Thursday, Jan. 1.

For information, call 831-1557.

Transport research Proposals for transportation-related research to be conducted by the Delaware Transportation Institute during fiscal year 1999 are due by Jan. 29.

The institute was established in 1995 as a joint venture between UD and the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) to create a University-wide, multidisciplinary program of transportation-related research.

Proposal guidelines will be available Dec. 16, and they can be requested by calling 831-1446 or by e-mail at wtaylor@udel.edu

Other questions about the institute can be directed to Scott Sabol, director, at 831-0675 or by e-mail at ssabol@udel.edu

Open studio Area artisans will feature their work at the annual Open Studio from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6 and 7, at 257 West Main St. in Newark, across from First Presbyterian Church.

Jewelry, weaving, pottery, fabric sculpture, quilting, dolls, needlework and paper cutting are among the items to be featured. Many of the artisans are members of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, and all show their work in local galleries and at craft fairs.

For information, call 737-8376.

Yearbook photos Photographic sittings for seniors for the 1998 Blue Hen Yearbook are scheduled from 10 a.m., Monday, Dec. 8, through 4 p.m., Friday, Dec. 12, in the Blue and Gold Room of the Perkins Student Center.

Seniors must sign up in person one week in advance outside Room 305, Perkins Student Center. Cost is $5 per sitting.

For information and exact times, call Meghan Foster at 831-2428.

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