Update 02/14

Happy Friday, T-birds!

I hope you have had a great week and have found a little time to enjoy this unseasonably warm, but absolutely beautiful, Arizona winter. There is quite a bit of important information in today’s update, so let’s get right to it… Here is what you’ll find in this week’s update:

1.  Safety tips from Thunderbird Security: Unfortunately, there has been some vandalism around campus lately. We know this makes our students uneasy, and want to share steps you can take to help keep you safe on campus and anywhere you go. Please read these great ideas from Isaac Easley, our Head of Security:

How not to be a Victim:

• Be aware of your surroundings. When you leave or approach your vehicle, observe your surroundings.
• If you have keys, place them between your fingers. They make a great defensive weapon.
• Lock your vehicle, place items in the vehicle out of sight; under the seats, or in the trunk. What a thief doesn’t see, he won’t take. If your vehicle has an alarm, activate it before leaving.
• Buy an anti-theft device; i.e., The Club Steering Wheel Lock. Sure it cost a few dollars, but a thief will not take a vehicle he can access quickly. Thieves want a vehicle with easy access. When it comes to auto theft or the theft a car part, seconds count.
• Never leave your vehicle parked in the same place for an extended period of time. A vehicle that has not been moved or driven can be a target for vandalizing; i.e., broken glass, slashed tires, scratched paint.
• If you will be out of the country or away from campus for an extended period of time, please notify Safety and Security.
• Individuals who are pre-occupied make great victims. Restrict the use of your cellular telephones while walking, day or night time. Your lack of attention makes you a prime target for an assault or robbery.
• Lock your room doors and windows when you leave. It only takes a second for someone to enter and help themselves to your property.
• Be a good neighbor. If you see something that is strange with someone’s property, contact them. If you are unable to contact them, call Safety and Security 602-978-7233 (suggest adding number this to your contacts) and advise them of your observations. If the situation is urgent, call the Glendale Police Department, 623-936-3000, or 911 for emergencies.

Safety and Security Officers patrol the campus on a 24 hour/7 day basis. Unfortunately, the Officers cannot be in two places at the same time. As a member of the Thunderbird Community, you are the eyes and ears of the Campus. If you see something, say something. Make that call and you will get a response. Crime is not just a night event. It can happen at any time. Be vigilant, be aware, and be safe.

2.  Attend a presentation, “Uncover Your Passion & Chart Your Course Through Life with Ease” by alumnus Ben Pandya, February 20th: In a speaker session hosted by the Thunderbird Marketing Association & Thunderbird Entrepreneur Network, Thunderbird will host Ben Pandya, T-bird alum and the founder & CEO of JBR Global. He was formerly a Global Director with Astra Zeneca. Mr. Pandya is also the author of “Legacy Forward, Made Easy.” Come hear and interact with Mr. Pandya next Thursday:

Date: February 20, 2014
Time: 1.10pm
Location: Lecture Hall 54
RSVP & details at: https://www.facebook.com/events/476829282426861/

 

3.  Valentine’s Day Dinner at the Thunderbird Pub, Friday, February 14th: 

Join us for a delicious Valentine’s Day dinner from 6pm-9pm at the Pub!
Valentine’s Day Dinner Menu
Prime Rib and Shrimp Kebobs with a Potato Gratin
Pan Seared Baby Squash
Raspberry White Chocolate Cheesecake Heart for Two
Soft Drink
$13.00 for Single Serving
$23.00 for Two Servings
Limited Servings — First Come First Served

4.  International Students & US Tax Reporting Requirement: Tax time is here and, F-1 and J-1 international students are required to submit an annual tax return to the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to maintain their lawful visa status in the US. To help students comply with this federal requirement, the International Students & Scholars Office is setting up the Glacier Tax Prep program for international students who were present in the US during 2013 to submit their tax return to the IRS. Details regarding preparing your tax return will be sent the week of February 17th. Please check your emails.

5.  US Work Authorization Presentations: The International Student & Scholars Office is hosting US work authorization presentations on Thursday, February 20th & 27th at 1:30p to 2:30p in Snell 22. The presentations will cover:

Thunderbird’s Internship registration process
J-1 Academic Training (AT)
F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)

 6.  Apply to be a Foundations Leader: For those interested in being a Foundations Leader for the Fall 2014 incoming class – now is the time we start to build the team!

Those that are interested must meet the following criteria:

• Will be a full-time student in the Fall of 2014 term
• Must be available starting at 8 AM on August 11th, 2014 until the end of Foundations on August 29th
• Must be approved to work on campus (those who are international will have to go through a verification process)
• Must be active on campus with a positive and energetic demeanor

If you are interested in applying, please send your résumé and short answers via email to Jay Bryant (jay.bryant@thunderbird.edu). Deadline will be February 28th at 5 PM. No exceptions!

1. Why should you be selected as a Foundations leader — in 50 words or less. Yes, that is 50 (fifty) words or less
2. List the organizations in which you have been active on campus. Include any leadership roles or project leadership in each.
3. In a group project, name the one or two things for which your teammates always feel certain you will add to the group’s success. (i.e. “I’m the one that’s good at numbers”, “I’m known for my great time management skills”)

Process – once the deadline has arrived, a select group will be considered for team captains. After the selection of the captains all applicants will be contacted and evaluated both by Thunderbird staff and the student captains that have been selected for the Foundation Leaders

7.  Costco Is Coming To Thunderbird, February 18th: COSTCO Wholesale Club is coming to the Thunderbird Campus on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 to offer their discount cards to the entire Thunderbird Community. Costco will be on the Commons Patio from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Costco will be bringing refreshments! Please stop by and obtain a COSTCO CARD.

8.  Women International Club “Take the Lead Challenge Launch Event,” February 19th: Please join the Women International Club on Wednesday, February 19, 2014 at 6:00 pm in Yount DLC for the live streaming of the Take the Lead Challenge Launch Event featuring Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and other female executives. This event challenges women to take the reins of their own leadership path and forge new frontiers to reduce the gender disparities in the workplace and society.

9.  EthicsPoint – Confidential Reporting Hotline: Each member of the Thunderbird Community plays a role in ensuring that all resources entrusted to the school are handled ethically and honestly. Therefore, each of us has a responsibility to guard against and report any questionable or unethical business practices, academic misconduct, or harassment/bullying. Any employee, faculty member or student who observes, suspects or becomes aware of any questionable or unethical business practice, academic misconduct, or harassment/bullying must report that information immediately to the appropriate authority.

The preferred method of reporting and/or resolving any issue of concern is through established School channels whenever possible. We recognize that this is not always an option and for such circumstances, Thunderbird has contracted with an independent third party vendor, EthicsPoint, to provide a confidential reporting hotline, as an anonymous and confidential way to report these types of complaints. You may file an anonymous report through the EthicsPoint site by clicking on the link to “Make a Report” or by calling EthicsPoint toll-free at 866-ETHICSP. You’ll find the link “Confidential Reporting Hotline” on the upper right hand corner of your MTB homepage.

Reports submitted through the School’s Confidential Reporting Hotline will receive careful consideration with the intent of promptly investigating the report and addressing any improper conduct or violation of Thunderbird policy. https://secure.ethicspoint.com/domain/en/report_custom.asp?clientid=13509

10.  Excel Workshop, February 19th: Technology Business Club is hosting an Excel Workshop NEXT WEEK! We know that you’ve been waiting for this ever since we announced it during Club Day! The workshop will be hosted by our very own Tiago Ferraz next Wednesday, Feb. 19th from 5pm-6pm at Snell 28! Please come join us and learn to use technology to enrich your daily lives and enhance your business savvy-ness! Please visit the Excel Workshop Facebook Event page to RSVP! https://www.facebook.com/events/1406361109617828/. (If you can’t make it, it’s okay! We will have it recorded and posted on our MTB site and Facebook soon after the event ended!)

11.  Friends Week: “True friendship is when you walk into their house and your WIFI connects automatically”, Author Unknown

Next week, it will be Friends Week at Thunderbird. TSG will be selling friendship cards with candies in the commons during lunch hours, in which you can leave a message to your friends. The friendships cards will be delivered daily in the mail boxes. Let’s celebrate the best thing in the world – Friendship!
“Good Friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience, this is the ideal life”, Mark Twain

 12.  Africa Business Club presents the weekly Brown Bag Lunch series, February 18th, featuring Professor Robert Hisrich:

Topic: Entrepreneurship in Developing Countries
Location: Tower Conference Room
Date: Tuesday, February 18th, 2014
Time: 1-2:30 pm
RSVP: None- Seating on first come, first serve basis.
Contact: Peter Mayangi (peter.mayangi@global.t-bird.edu)

By the way, Happy Valentine’s Day! I did a little research and learned that Valentine’s Day is celebrated in numerous countries around the world (although it is illegal in some). I read a funny story about a Valentine’s Day prankster in China that I thought you might enjoy – here is the link if you want a little light reading — http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/feb/14/valentines-day-odd-numbered-cinema-seats-china. I wonder if this guy was a T-bird?

As always, do not hesitate to contact me with ideas, questions or concerns.
Enjoy a beautiful Arizona weekend!
Rebecca