During the most recent legislative session, the Indiana General Assembly passed House Bill 1075, which affects the Public Employees' Retirement Fund (PERF) annuity savings account (ASA). Clerical, service, and operations/technical staff hired before Sept. 9, 2013, participate in PERF, and this change affects those who retire after Aug. 31, 2014.
      After Sept. 30, 2014, PERF will change the interest rate used to calculate the monthly benefit for those who choose to annuitize their ASA funds from the current 7.5 percent to 5.75 percent. The interest rate will change again in October 2015 to the greater of 4.5 percent or the interest rate of similar annuities purchased in the private market.
      A PERF representative will be at IPFW on Monday, May 12, to conduct a PERF retirement meeting from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 2 to 3 p.m. The location will be announced closer to the date. For more information, contact Tina Grady at 481-6684. Read the details

Last week the Purdue Police Department began investigating more than a dozen cases of identity theft involving Purdue employees. In these incidents, when individuals submit their taxes,they receive an error message or a letter informing them that someone has already filed a tax form in their name.

      There is no evidence that the personal information used in these cases of identity theft was obtained through a computer breach at Purdue or originated from Purdue in any way. Purdue discontinued using Social Security numbers to identify employees in 2005.

      If this form of identity theft happens to you, there are several steps you are encouraged to take.

Student research and creative endeavor was highlighted at the March 28 symposium sponsored by the Office of Research, Engagement, and Sponsored Programs, the Walter E. Helmke Library, the Honors Program, and the Office of Graduate Studies. The largest symposium to date showcased 69 posters by 86 students, representing all six IPFW colleges.
      J Albayyari, associate vice chancellor for research, engagement, and sponsored programs, said the symposium reflects, "...one of the exemplary aspects of an IPFW education----the chance to be engaged in research even as an undergraduate student." Student winners and faculty mentors [PDF]

Perkins Student Success Mini Conference

Several workshops will be offered next week during the Perkins Student Success Mini Conference at IPFW, April 15, 16, and 17:

• SILMA (Success in Learning Math Approach), presented by Mary Johnson, Ph.D., president and founder of SILMA, and Arlene Maclin, Ph.D., executive director, MAC-CAE Program and adjunct professor of physics, Morgan State University View the flier [PDF]
• "Student Success Poker," presented by Monieca West, federal programs manager, Arkansas Department of Higher Education View the flier [PDF] 
• "Acclimating Transfer and Returning Students: Using Data to Develop a Model for Student Success," presented by Darrell Ray, Ph.D., assistant vice chancellor for student life, Louisiana State University. View the flier [PDF] 

Are you left with a pile of old clothing after spring cleaning? Twenty-first Century Scholars is collecting gently used children's clothing and unused products and toys for the Women's Care Center of Fort Wayne through Friday, April 11. The collection is part of the program's statewide day of service, "Keep Calm and Lend a Hand." Collection bins are located in Kettler and Neff halls, the Liberal Arts and Science buildings, and in the Diversity and Multicultural Affairs office in Walb Union, Room 118. For more information, contact Cicelle Beemon at 260-481-6438 or beemcd01@ipfw.edu.  

• No. 14 Men's Volleyball vs. Quincy, Friday, April 11, 7 p.m.
• No. 14 Men's Volleyball vs. Lindenwood, Saturday, April 12, 7 p.m.