The Office of University Communications is looking to hire qualified student candidates for internship positions for the summer and fall semesters.

Student interns in the Office of University Communications are responsible for writing articles for UT News, myUT and the UT Update; composing press releases about campus news and events for external distribution; assisting University Communications staff with press conferences and special events; shooting video and creating campus news packages; assisting with social media and marketing efforts, and performing other duties as assigned.

Office of University Communications interns need to be strong writers with solid communication, reporting and interviewing skills; familiar with AP style; have the ability to adhere to tight deadlines; the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and work well as a member of a team. The internship requires students who are able to professionally represent the University.

Students with prior professional experience and internships are preferred, though all who meet the criteria are encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and three news or public relations writing samples to jonathan.strunk@utoledo.edu. Those considered for the position will be requested to interview and complete a writing test.

Primary consideration will be given to candidates submitting materials prior to April 6.

Interns may work up to 20 hours per week during the fall semester and as many as 35 hours per week during the summer.

Direct questions to Jon Strunk, manager of media relations, at jonathan.strunk@utoledo.edu or 419.530.7832.

The UT Center for Religious Understanding, in collaboration with the Hindu Temple of Toledo, will hold a lecture on Jain traditions Tuesday, March 20, 7 p.m. in the Law Center Auditorium.

“This is the second lecture on Eastern religious traditions with collaboration, which is being organized as part of an effort for creation of endowed chair on Hinduism at The University of Toledo,” said Dr. Sudershan Pasupuleti, UT associate professor of social work and member of the advisory board of the UT Center for Religious Understanding, who also served as the past president of Hindu Temple of Toledo.

“The goal of the endowed chair on Hinduism is to add richness to diversity and create opportunities on Eastern faith traditions at our university and for our students and community at large,” Pasupuleti added.

“From Mahavir to Mahatma Gandhi: The Jain Traditions of India” will be delivered by Dr. Pankaj Jain, assistant professor of anthropology, philosophy and religion studies at the University of North Texas.

Jainism is an Indian religious tradition that strongly supports a path of nonviolence for all people and is separate from but similar to Hinduism. Pasupuleti added that Jain has done considerable academic work onJainism and Hinduism.

“There is a lot of religious diversity in our community with about 13 or 14 different religions represented in the area, so it’s important for the community to learn about different faith traditions.”

“The Jain Traditions of India” will be presented as the Annual Lecture on Eastern Religious Thought in the Center for Religious Understanding lecture series. The free, public lecture is co-sponsored by the Hindu Temple of Toledo.

Parenting styles are connected to kids being bullies or bullied in schools. Learn how to raise your children in a way that builds confidence and an anti-bullying attitude at the “Bulling and Anti-Bullying Behaviors: They Both Start at Home” parent night 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22 in Rocket Hall Room 1520.

“Parents who bully their children can result in them bullying their peers and a lack of parent involvement can lead your child to be a victim of bullying,” said Dr. Lisa Pescara-Kovach, UT associate professor of foundations of education and author of School Shootings and Suicides: Why We Must Stop the Bullies. “It’s important for parents to think about their style of raising children and how it can influence their child’s relationships. We hope this parent night will help raise awareness and increase a culture of anti-bullying in the home as we continue our efforts to erase the behavior in our schools.”

In addition to the discussion on parenting styles, Oregon Police Sgt. Tony Castillo will provide information on the new ALICE (Alert,Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) procedures to follow if an assailant enters a building or classroom.

The “Bulling and Anti-Bullying Behaviors: They Both Start at Home” parent night is a component of the Toledo-Lucas County Anti-Bullying Campaign to address bullying and harassment in our community. The campaign teams together UT, local government, school districts and law enforcement to raise awareness about the negative impacts of bullying and to create an anti-bullying culture in the area.

Last week the Lucas County Commissioners and Toledo City Council passed resolutions in support of the campaign, which also will include bullying prevention school assemblies, the signing of an Anti-Bullying Pledge by faculty, staff and students, and other events.

Staff at Ritter Planetarium hope the third time is the charm.

After canceling a special program to see Mars as it makes its closest approach to Earh over the weekend, Ritter Planetarium will hope for clear skies Monday, March 5.

Beginning at 8:30 p.m., guests will be shown a short presentation on the 40-foot dome in the newly renovated theater. Following that 6.5 million-pixel display, guests will be escorted up to Ritter’s 1-meter telescope.

“This alignment only occurs once every two and a half years, and guests will be able to make out mountains, clouds and the polar ice cap,” said Alex Mak, associate director of Ritter Planetarium. “There are really very few communities in the nation that have access to as large and advanced a telescope as UT’s, and we want to make sure the public has access to it.”

Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children 4 through 12, seniors, and UT students and employees. Children 3 and younger are admitted free.

For more information, call Ritter Planetarium at 419.530.2650 or its 24-hour information hotline at 419.530.4037, or click here.

The University of Toledo is partnering with AAA to help members show their Rocket pride with new UT Rockets AAA membership cards.

UT alumni, staff and students and Rocket fans can now receive the blue and gold membership cards complete with a UT Rockets logo from any AAA Northwest Ohio office.

UT mascots Rocky and Rocksy display the new UT Rockets AAA membership card

“The entire community is embracing the Toledo Rockets as a symbol of pride for Toledo and we are excited for this opportunity to partner with AAA Northwest Ohio as another way for people to take pride in The University of Toledo and the greater Toledo area,” said Lawrence Burns, vice president of external affairs.

The University and AAA Northwest Ohio will officially launch the new AAA/UT co-branded membership card during the men’s basketball game against Eastern Michigan 2 p.m. Saturday, March 3 in Savage Arena.

Any member of AAA in the northwest Ohio region, regardless of level, can switch to the UT Rockets AAA card and receive it at their next renewal. New AAA members also can get the branded membership cards, which will be available beginning March 5.

The University of Toledo is the first college to partner with AAA Northwest Ohio for co-branded membership cards.

“There is a lot of pride in the Toledo Rockets across the region and we are happy to partner with the University to support that pride and also reach the younger population with our membership plans that offer a lot of great benefits for college students,” said April Cochran, marketing operations manager for AAA Northwest Ohio.

AAA recently launched a student membership that includes the standard AAA benefits such as roadside assistance and travel agency services, but also includes specifically for students safe tow and safe ride services if you are unable to drive or are stranded for any reason, bike assistance, and e-coupon emails.

“Our Rocket fans are among the best college sports fans in the country and AAA has a long proud history of providing quality services to their customers in our area. This partnership was a natural fit to bring them together,” UT Vice President and Athletic Director Mike O’Brien said. “It is our hope that UT students and the entire community take advantage of the new membership cards to show their Rocket pride as they enjoy their AAA membership services.”

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 52 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

Download a photo of Rocky and Rocksy with the new UT Rockets AAA membership card at http://utole.do/card.