New manager joins The Bookie

Stacy Singh joined The Bookie as store manager last week. Stacy previously worked for Concordia University’s bookstore and Barnes & Noble. She can be reached at 360-573-0447 or by email.

After seven years with The Bookie, former manager Jeff Ehli relocated to Tacoma to be near his family.

Retirement: Plan early for the best results

PERS 2 and 3 members are invited to attend the following seminars offered July 24 in the Library, Room 260.

8 a.m.—Getting to Know Plan 3 Seminar: This is a review of Plan 3. This seminar will give you a step-by-step process to help you feel confident about making Plan 3 investment decisions. Get your questions answered regarding statements and recent changes to the Plan 3 investment lineup.

9 a.m.—Plan 3 Workshop: Learn how to calculate projected retirement estimates from Plan 3 using an online calculator. Bring your last quarterly statement if you would like the presenter to help you with your calculations. The presenter will use financial modeling software to help new employees calculate a comparison of Plan 2 and Plan 3.

10 a.m.—PERS 2/3 Plan Choice Seminar: New employees and transfer-eligible employees who can switch from Plan 2 to Plan 3 in January can get an overview of the differences between the plans. Many current PERS 2 and 3 members attend this seminar to learn about their plan even if they have no intention of switching.

11 a.m. - PERS 2/3 Withdrawing form Plan 3: If you are within five years of leaving service and want to learn about the decisions you’ll have to make in regards to Plan 3, this is a seminar that will help you understand your pay out options at separation and things to consider when approaching retirement.

Get your 2014/15 parking permit

Annual and semester parking permits for 2014/15 will go on pre-sale for staff and faculty only on July 28. Buy your permit online or visit Parking Services in the Physical Plant Building.

General sales begin Aug. 1.

Note August closures

The cafeteria will be closed Aug. 4 – 20. The Fitness Center will be closed Aug. 4 – 22. Plan accordingly.

Fire alarm and sprinkler testing scheduled

Aug. 4 – 8 fire alarms and sprinklers will be tested. See schedule below. Disruption should be minimal.

• Monday, Aug. 4—Fire alarm testing of elevators and door drops in all buildings
• Tuesday, Aug. 5—Fire alarm and sprinkler testing in the Science and Engineering Building
• Wednesday, Aug. 6—Fire alarm and sprinkler testing in the Undergraduate Building and Engineering and Computer Science Building
• Thursday, Aug. 7—Fire alarm and sprinkler testing in the McClaskey Building, Dengerink Administration Building, Classroom Building, and Multimedia Classroom Building
• Friday, Aug. 8—Fire alarm and sprinkler testing in the Library, Firstenburg Student Commons, Student Services Center, Clark College Building, Facilities Operations and Physical Plant

Make the café’s popular Thai Tomato Tofu soup at home

Ingredients—
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
1 tablespoon red curry paste
½ tablespoon chopped garlic
1 26-ounce can tomato soup
1 13.5-ounce can coconut milk
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon basil
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 pound diced firm tofu

In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium flame and sauté ginger, garlic and red curry paste until just sizzling. Add tomato soup and coconut milk, whisk until smooth. Add all spices and soy sauce, and heat. Do not boil! Add diced tofu when ready to serve. Garnish with fresh chives or spring onions.

In case you missed it

Winter Closure begins on Christmas Day this year

The December holiday closure will continue at WSU following a formal review. The closure—including three paid holidays—will be from Thursday, Dec. 25, through Friday, Jan. 2, 2015.

Of 2,100 employees who responded to a spring survey, 1,556 favored or felt neutral about the closure. Based on the survey and a review of pros and cons, a taskforce recommended continuing the policy.

Read more