Bulletins

FICA wage base

The social security (FICA) tax rate for 2001 remains at 7.65 percent – 6.2 percent for OASDI and 1.45 percent for Medicare. The 2001 OASDI wage base has increased to $80,400. With the 6.2 percent tax rate, the maximum OASDI tax payable by the employer and the employee in 2001 is $4,984.80 each. There is no limit on the wages subject to the Medicare tax. Employers match their employees' contributions.

Withholding exemptions

Any employee who qualifies and wishes to take advantage of exempt status from federal and/or state withholding for 2001 must sign a new Form W-4 (Employees Withholding Allowance Certificate) before Feb. 7. To qualify for exemption from federal withholding for 2001, an employee must have had no federal Income tax liability last year and expect to have no federal income tax liability this year. Employees cannot claim exemption from federal withholding if their income exceeds $750 and includes more than $250 of unearned income and they can be claimed as a dependent on another person's tax return. For 2001, the federal personal exemption is $2,900. Employees may claim exemption from Michigan income tax withholding only if they do not anticipate a Michigan income tax liability for 2001 because employment is less than full time and exemption allowances are greater than annual compensation. The exemption allowance for the state of Michigan for 2001 is $2,900. The number of exemptions claimed for state withholding may not exceed the number of personal exemptions to which an employee is entitled when filing a federal income tax return. Federal and state W-4 forms and W-4 instructions are available in the Payroll Office, 350 Hannah Administration Building. Forms are also available on the Web at:
www.ctlr.msu.edu

Sports Skills Program

The Sports Skills Program is offering activities for children with disabilities on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from Jan. 30 through April 26. Activities include swimming, basketball, bowling, developmental sports, softball/tee-ball and track. Enrollment is limited. Call 353-3866.

Evening College

Registration is under way for the MSU Alumni Association's Alumni Lifelong Education Evening College. Non-credit courses, open to all adults, begin the week of Feb. 19. For a catalog or to register, call 355-4562 or visit the Web at:
www.msualum.com

Garden workshops

Hidden Lake Gardens in Tipton is offering two workshops on Feb. 10. "Valentine Flower Arranging" with Judy Ackley of the Lenawee vo-tech horticulture program will be from 10 a.m to noon. Participants should bring a sharp knife, ribbon scissors and wire cutters. The cost is $20; $18 for Friends of Hidden Lake Gardens. "Winter Bench Grafting" with Andrew Duvall, owner of Duvall Nursery Inc., will be from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $12; $10 for Friends of Hidden Lake Gardens. To register, call (517) 431-2060.

Botanical club meeting

The next meeting of the Red Cedar Chapter of the Michigan Botanical Club is at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 in 168 Plant Biology Building. Irene McDonnell Cahill of the city of Lansing will present "Trees are Terrific for Shelter and Shade."

Yoga class

Healthy U is sponsoring a free "Yoga Movements and Relaxation" class with Jo Martinie from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. Thursdays through March 1 in the Purdue Room, MSU Union. To register, call 353-2596.

Stretching class

Healthy U is sponsoring a free "Limber Up at Stretching" class with Deb Popp from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. Wednesdays through Feb. 28 in the Purdue Room, MSU Union. The Feb. 7 class will be held in the Iowa Room. To register, call 353-2596.

Anthony celebration

The 23rd annual Susan B. Anthony Celebration, featuring E. Sharon Banks, superintendent of Lansing Public Schools, is set for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Michigan Athletic Club, 2900 Hannah Blvd., East Lansing. The event is co-sponsored by the Tri-County Women's Coalition, which includes MSU's Women's Resource Center. The cost is $25 and reservations due by Feb. 5. For reservations, call 353-1635.

Colorful Choices

Healthy U is sponsoring "Colorful Choices," a free 20-day, self-paced eating plan to increase energy and improve well-being. The program runs Feb. 5 to 24. Registration is required. To request materials, call 353-2596.

MSU-CIBER session

MSU's Center for International Business Education and Research is offering "Cross-Cultural Business Negotiations: Some Guidelines" at 11:45 a.m. Feb. 6 at the Michigan Athletic Club, 2900 Hannah Blvd., East Lansing. The presenter is Pervez Ghauri of the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The $20 fee includes lunch. Call 353-4336

Retirement reception

Carolyn Falsetta of Admissions and Scholarships is retiring after 23 years of service. A retirement reception in her honor will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Feb. 5 in the Board Room, Hannah Administration Building.

FPWA nominations

Faculty-Professional Women's Associa-tion is seeking nominations for its annual Outstanding Woman Faculty Member, Outstanding Woman Professional Staff and Outstanding Woman Graduate Student awards. The awards ceremony will take place April 24 at the Harley Hotel, Lansing. The nomination deadline is Feb. 23. For more information, call Christine Kaye at 353-9392 or Debra Peterson at 432-4340. Nomination materials are available at the Web at:
www.msu.edu/unit/fpwa/awards.htm

Epidemiology research day

The Department of Epidemiology will hold its first research day, "Science in the Field," from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Michigan Athletic Club, 2900 Hannah Blvd., East Lansing. Nigel Paneth, department chairperson, will give a keynote address, and faculty, staff and students will present talks and posters on a range of epidemiologic research. For more, call 353-8623.

Library exhibit

The exhibit "History Through the Eyes of Congress: Soldiers of the Revolution-ary War" is on display on the fourth floor west of the Main Library through Feb. 28. The exhibit, which tells the story of the problems faced by the troops and leaders of the Continental Army, was produced by Becky Fox and Laura Dickson of the library's Government Documents Department. An online exhibit provides links to additional information:
www.lib.msu.edu/foxre/revsoldispl.html