Briefly..

It’s almost spring

The Gorham and Portland events boards have teamed up to begin planning The Spring Fling to be held on April 19 from noon to midnight on the Gorham campus. “The Spring Fling is its tentative name,” said Jon Taylor, Portland Events Board chair. According to Taylor there will be two stages set up during the day. One stage will house WMPG with hip-hop, techno and rap music, while the other stage will be dedicated to local bands. There will be inflatable games and vendors. “Currently, we are trying to book MTV Campus Invasion Tour, which headlines the band Nickelback,” said Taylor. Taylor has $17,000 in funds so far, which has come from the Gorham and Portland events boards. Yet he is currently searching for sponsorships from student groups as well as the Greater Portland community. “It is a great way to have students do something meaningful and make a change in the university, so this (Spring Fling) can be done every year,” said Taylor.

An event of this nature has never been done at USM. Taylor encourages all to get involved. Anyone interested in getting involved with the Spring Fling can contact Christina Applebee, volunteer recruitment chair.

Let’s party ’til all the computers crash

“It’s my party..” but you’ll be the one crying if you open this. Yet another computer virus is making its way through the university’s system. The virus appears as an incoming email with the subject: new photos from my party. The body reads Hello! with an attachment, www.myparty.yahoo.com also included. USM’s HelpDesk warns that once the email is opened a “back door Trojan” is dropped so hackers can remotely connect to and access a user’s computer. Although the virus does not destroy files on a computer it does cause quite a nuisance, Carl Helms, director of Software Services said. This type of virus is called a “mass mailing worm” because it accesses a users address book and re-sends itself to all email addresses listed in the account. The virus originated in Russia and was first detected at USM on Jan. 27. USM sees over two dozen viruses each week. Users can protect their computers by purchasing virus protection software and updating it weekly, Helms said. For questions and concerns about viruses call the HelpDesk at 780-4029 or visit www.mcafee.com

Eating disorder event

The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) will host a panel discussion on the medical complications of eating disorders next Wednesday, February 13. Dr. Vicki Hayes and Marianne Russo, R.N., both from USM Health Services, will speak on the physical effects of eating disorders from 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. in 301 A Payson Smith Hall, Portland. A question and answer session will follow the presentation. The WRC will host a number of events in February in honor of Eating Disorder Awareness Month. Collage materials will be available in the campus center for those who wish to make artwork on the subject of “What Does It Mean To Have An Eating Disorder?” WRC also has a new feature on their website that allows students to light a virtual candle in honor of someone who has struggled with an eating disorder. To light a candle visit www.usm.maine.edu/womenctr and for more information call 780-4463.

Athletic blood drive

The Student Athletic Advisory Committee and the Athletic Department will sponsor a blood drive on Wednesday, February 6, 2002 at the Brooks Student Center in Gorham.

The Student Athletic Advisory Committee holds a blood drive each semester in November and February. They organize and sponsor the blood drive as part of their community service commitment to the university. “We encourage as many people to sign up as possible, said Tina West, a senior communication major and co-chair of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee. Their goal is donate 50 units to the Red Cross, however each time they sponsor a blood drive they manage to raise more. “We sponsor blood drives as much as we can to help the Red Cross,” said West. According to West, there will be a sign-up sheet to donate blood during lunch and dinner hours in Gorham until February 6.

Please call 228-8224 or the American Red Cross 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to sign up.

Commuter Appreciation Day take two

Due to ill weather, commuters were not able to attend the Commuter Appreciation Day “Lite Bite” gathering that was canceled last week. The event has been rescheduled for Thursday, Feb. 7 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Woodbury Campus Center Dining Hall. For more information call Commuter Life at 780-4090.