--Open Enrollment for 2002 Benefits Begins this Week at "Your Benefits Link" On-Line
--CME Presents Dean's Lecture Series on Various Terrorism Topics, Beginning Tuesday
--View Holiday Schedules for Medical and Gables Campuses on UM Web Site
--2001-02 University of Miami Telephone Directories Distributed in Coming Weeks
--Attention Faculty: Were you Awarded a Distinguished Scholarship or Fellowship?
--Details on Graduate Tuition Remission Provided by Benefits Administration
--Visit Calder Race Track for Family Fun in Support of The Miami Project
--Bascom Palmer Clinic Announces Savings on Eyeglasses for UM Employees
--Upcoming Calendar Events

BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION BEGINS
ON-LINE OPEN ENROLLMENT THIS WEEK

Benefits Open Enrollment for 2002 will be held Monday, November 26, through Friday, December 7. You can review or make changes to your medical, dental, pre-tax, or non-smoking certification, and you also can enroll in Flexible Spending Accounts for 2002, when you access "Your Benefits Link," the online Open Enrollment system at http://www.benefits.miami.edu/. To access "Your Benefits Link," you will need your Personal Identification Number (PIN). Note that the PIN you use for the EASY system is the same PIN you will use for the benefits system. If you have never used your PIN, or have not received one, visit http://www.benefits.miami.edu to assign yourself one (you'll need your net pay from your most recent UM pay stub). Benefits representatives will be at various campus locations to assist faculty and staff in using the online enrollment system. For a calendar of Open Enrollment Assistance Sessions, visit http://www.miami.edu/benefits/pdf/sessions.htm. Changes to the medical benefits package offered to UM employees are outlined in an on-line letter from William Walsh, executive director of benefits administration, at http://www.miami.edu/benefits/pdf/letter.htm.

DEAN'S LECTURE SERIES OFFERS COMPLETE RANGE OF
PRESENTATIONS ON TERRORISM; CME CREDITS AVAILABLE

A special Dean's Lecture Series focusing on Terrorism: Weapons of Mass Destruction, sponsored by the Division of Continuing Medical Education, begins this week with "Faces of Terror" on Tuesday, November 27; and "The Terrorism Response System" on Wednesday, November 28. "Faces of Terror" will be presented by David V. Shatz, M.D., associate professor of surgery. Dr. Shatz also is medical director of the Miami-Dade County Urban Search and Rescue Team of FEMA, and traveled to New York City with the team to offer medical aid following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. He will speak on November 27, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., in the Rosenstiel Building, third floor auditorium. The lecture series will continue with Pablo Gonzalez, biological terrorism program manager of the Florida Department of Health, who will present "The Terrorism Response System," November 28, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., in the Rosenstiel Building, fifth floor auditorium. Gonzalez also serves as a member of the FBI Terrorism Task Force and chair of the planning committee of the Governor's Terrorism Working Group. AMA PRA Category 1 credit will be available for each live session. For faculty unable to attend a particular session, videotapes will be available at the Calder Library. For additional information and a full schedule of lectures, visit http://cme.med.miami.edu, or call 305-243-6716. Stay tuned to e-Update for details on upcoming presentations.

MEDICAL AND CORAL GABLES CAMPUS
HOLIDAY SCHEDULES POSTED ON-LINE

Visit http://www.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/1,1770,4074-1;11024-2,00.html for an announcement of the December 2001 holidays and work days, as well as the 2002 University holiday schedules. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these schedules. If Adobe Acrobat Reader is not already installed on your computer, you can download it for free at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.

NEW UM TELEPHONE BOOKS ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED;
CALL APRICOT OFFICE SUPPLIES TO PLACE AN ORDER

The 2001-02 University of Miami telephone directories are now being distributed. If your department placed an order, your copies should arrive soon. If you do not receive your order or would like to request additional directories, contact Apricot Office Supplies at 305-332-3231.

HONORS PROGRAM SEARCHES FOR FACULTY
WHO WERE PRESTIGIOUS SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

The Honors Program Office is creating a database of all UM faculty who have been recipients (as an undergraduate or graduate student) of the following scholarly awards: Rhodes Scholarship, Marshall Scholarship (formerly British Marshall), Truman Scholarship, Fulbright Scholarship, German Bundeskanzler Scholarship, Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, James Madison Memorial Fellowship, Mellon Fellowship, and Morris K. Udall Scholarship. The program will use the information it collects to better advise current and future applicants for these prestigious awards. Receptions also will be planned for students interested in applying for any of these awards, and past winners will be invited to meet with them and discuss the experience. If you were a recipient of any of the honors listed above, contact the Honors Program Office at 305-284-5384 or e-mail bwebb@miami.edu. Indicate which award you received, as well as the year in which you received it.

GRADUATE TUITION REMISSION AVAILABLE
FOR EMPLOYEES, SPOUSES, AND DEPENDENTS

Employees and eligible dependents are awarded tuition remission for graduate courses. All graduate tuition remission used by spouses and dependents is taxable to the employee. Graduate tuition remission used by an employee is taxable, unless it is determined to be directly related to current employment at the University. In this case, you must fill out a Determination of Tax Status form for each course taken, obtain your supervisor's approval, and include the course syllabus. Benefits Administration will review the form and determine if the course is directly work-related. Tuition remission that is not directly related to employment at UM must be taxed in the same calendar year that each course was taken, and taxes will be withheld from the employee's paycheck in equal installments for the remainder of the calendar year, covering federal income and Social Security taxes. You can notify Benefits Administration in writing regarding the amount of graduate courses an employee, spouse, or dependent will enroll in, in order to allocate taxes over a longer period. If there are additions or deletions to the initial courses you reported, contact Benefits Administration to make adjustments. For a Determination of Tax Status form, visit http://www.miami.edu/benefits/pdf/trform.pdf. For more details, call Sheri Goldberg, at 305-284-2728.

MIAMI PROJECT TAKES YOU TO THE
RACES FOR A DAY OF FREE FAMILY FUN

You're invited to the Calder Race Course for free admission to the Grand Slam II - Thoroughbred Racing event, December 29. For every free clubhouse admission ticket redeemed, the Calder Race Course will donate $5 to The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis in support of research on treatment of paralysis and spinal cord injury. Bring the family for a day of fun - free games, pony rides, and a petting zoo will be available for the kids. To pick up your free admission tickets, visit the Lois Pope LIFE Center, second floor reception, or call 305-243-6001.

NEED PRESCRIPTION GLASSES?
NOW IS THE TIME TO GET THEM

With the holiday season approaching, Optical Services is once again offering UM/Jackson employees and family members terrific eyewear savings. For only $49, select a frame from the "Great Looks" style collection, and your single vision or bifocal prescription lenses will be included at no cost. This offer includes UV and tint of choice. Bring an extra $30 and treat yourself to a second pair, such as sunglasses. If invisible, no-line progressive lenses are your style, pay only $95 for frames and lenses. This offer also includes UV and tint of choice. These specials begin immediately and will run through the end of the year. Optical Services is located on Bascom Palmer's first floor, or call 305-326-6092.

QUESTIONS ABOUT COMPLIANCE?
TWO UM HELPLINES CAN ASSIST YOU

Medicare and billing concerns? Address questions to Third Party Reimbursement/Office of Compliance at 305-243-HELP or 877-415-HELP. For information about this helpline or training programs offered by the compliance office, contact Gemma Romillo at 305-243-5842. Research integrity concerns? Report concerns regarding research integrity and adherence to federal or University regulations directly to the Office of the Vice Provost for Research at 305-243-6415, or you can call the University's toll-free compliance hotline at 866-YOURCALL.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

COURSE ON OCCUPATIONAL
THERAPY PRESENTED BY MAGEC

The Miami Area Geriatric Education Center (MAGEC) offers a course on occupational therapy for health professionals to earn continuing education credits (CEUs). The course consists of three sessions, and will be held November 27, December 4, and December 11. A total of 20 CEUs can be earned. The cost is $155, but UM/Jackson employees are eligible for reduced prices, and a group rate is offered for three or more participants. For time and location information and to register, call MAGEC at 305-243-6270 or visit http://www.miami.edu/magec.

UM/SYLVESTER HOSTS PRESENTATION BY
REPRESENTATIVE FROM VITAS HOSPICE CARE

Nurses can receive one contact hour at the UM/Sylvester course "Vitas Hospice Care Presents: The Clinically Appropriate Patient," November 27, 8 to 9 a.m., in Sylvester Conference Room 1301. You must register, so call Janice at 305-243-9192 if you plan on attending. Breakfast will be provided.

BIOTERRORISM 101 IS TOPIC OF TWO SYMPOSIA
OFFERED BY CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION

Continuing Medical Education presents a pair of seminars on bioterrorism this week. Eva Ritvo, M.D., professor and director of continuing professional education in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, will discuss "Health Care Providers' Overview on Coping with Terrorism," November 30, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. A second symposium, "Bioterrorism, What Do Health Care Providers Need to Know?" will be presented by Gordon M. Dickinson, professor and chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases, on the following day, December 1, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The courses will be held at the Radisson Mart, 711 NW 72nd Avenue, Miami. Both activities have been approved for AMA PRA credit, credit for Florida psychologists, and EMT, EMT-P credit. The November 30 course also is approved for social workers and mental health counselors. For more information or to register, call the Division of Continuing Medical Education at 305-243-6716.

EMPLOYER SUPPORT SOLUTIONS PRESENTS
INFORMATIONAL COURSE ON ESTATE PLANNING

Find out the latest developments in estate tax and the sunset provision at "Estate Planning Basics," a seminar presented by Employer Support Solutions (ESS), December 6, noon to 2 p.m., in the Dominion Parking Garage, Suite 155. In addition to helping you understand the new tax law, ESS representatives also will teach you timely information on bloodline, asset, divorce, and bankruptcy protection. The course will cover a range of topics, from the mechanics of basic legal documents to advanced planning techniques. For more information or to register, call Professional Development at 305-243-3090 or visit http://www.miami.edu/development-training.

CME SYMPOSIUM OFFERS LATEST IN ADVANCES
FOR TREATING NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS

The Division of Continuing Medical Education is now accepting registration for "Neurological Update 2002," an upcoming program designed to provide clinicians with the most recent developments in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders. The symposium will be held January 30 - February 2, at the Radisson Deauville Resort in Miami Beach. For more information or to register, call 305-243-6716, e-mail umcme@med.miami.edu, or visit http://cme.med.miami.edu.

MIAMI NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY WINTER SYMPOSIUM
ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS FOR FEBRUARY EVENT

Register now for the Miami Nature Biotechnology Winter Symposium. This year's conference will focus on "The Genome and Beyond - Genomics and Structural Biology for Medicine," and will be held February 2 - 6, 2002, at the Radisson Deauville Hotel Resort in Miami Beach. Late papers are being accepted for poster presentation, but will not be included in the abstract program. They will, however, be published on-line by The Scientific World. The cost for the event is discounted to $300 for UM employees, and tuition remission also is available. To find out if you qualify for tuition remission, send your name, department, address, and locator code to mnbws-biochem@miami.edu, or fax the information to 305-324-5665. For more information or to register, call 305-243-3597 or visit http://www.miami.edu/mnbws.