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                        JeffNEWS, January 10, 1995
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                              NewsBRIEFS



CAMPUS SAFETY EFFORTS CONTINUE WITH NEW OUTSIDE LIGHTING PROJECT
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In keeping with Jefferson's commitment to make our campus safer and more
inviting for everyone whose path crosses the University's, a multiphase
project to enhance the campus's exterior lighting gets under way this
month. During Phase I, lighting along the pedestrian access on Sansom
Street from 9th Street to 11th Street will be upgraded. Phase II will
improve the lighting along 10th and 11th streets from the Jefferson
Parking Garage to the Gibbon Building entrances. Completion is expected
by mid-February.

Although the areas to be upgraded are currently illuminated by either
street lights or other light sources, adding extra lighting will give a
greater sense of security by eliminating shadows and dark areas near
University buildings, according to John Mahony, an engineer and project
manager with the department of facilities design and construction.

As part of Phase I, energy-efficient lights will be placed on the side
of the Pavilion, Thompson, Main and Edison buildings that face Sansom
Street. Lights will be positioned to reflect downward, brightening the
sidewalk below.

Phase II includes strategically placing lighting within the shrubbery
and flower beds of buildings that line 10th and 11th streets between
Locust and Chestnut. This will help illuminate the sidewalks and
highlight the buildings' lower facade, improving their appearance and
discouraging loitering in these areas. Lights will also be installed on
the side of and on top of buildings lining this key corridor.

"The campus exterior lighting project is a direct result of employee
comments from hospital roundtable meetings for added safety around
campus," explains Richard C. Alberto, assistant executive director for
support services, "and we will continue to pursue measures that meet our
goal of providing a safe, secure campus."


PAYROLL TAX CHANGES 1995
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The Social Security Administration has announced an increase for the
Social Security portion of the FICA tax.  The maximum annual earnings
taxable for the Social Security portion has increased from $60,600 to
$61,200.  There is no limit on the wages subject to the Medicare portion
of the FICA tax.  The FICA tax rates of 6.20 percent for Social Security
and l.45 percent for Medicare (7.65 percent combined) will remain the
same in 1995.

In addition, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry has
announced that the Unemployment Compensation Tax (Withholding) has
decreased from .15 percent to .11 percent, effective January 1, 1995.


AISR OFFERS NEW JEFFLINE WORKSHOPS
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Start your new year off right by getting on the information superhighway
and learning how to access the new features of Academic information
Services and Research's JEFFLINE. Throughout the month of January, the
Scott Memorial Library will sponsor workshops at various times on the
following topics:

   o "OVID Upgrade," a demonstration of the new database search engine for
     MEDLINE plus other databases

   o "Literature Searching," using JEFFLINE's core databases

   o "Focus on Current Contents," the most up-to-date database from the
     Institute for Scientific Information

   o "Reference Manager," using personal bibliographic management software
     packages

   o "Internet Overview and Tools for Macintosh Users"

Space is limited, and an interdepartmental charge code number is
required to reserve your place. Call 6391 for workshop times, dates and
to register, or stop by the Scott Library Information Desk on the second
floor.


SEPTA FARE HIKE LOOMING
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You will soon be paying commuter fares averaging 7 percent higher than
now if a proposal by SEPTA is approved, reports Thomas J. D'Alessandro
Jr., manager, commuter services office (CSO).

Public hearings for the fare hike proposal began in late December and
were to be held through early January. After the hearings, if SEPTA's
16-member board approves the proposal, higher fares will begin January
22.

Mr. D'Alessandro reminds all employees that you can always purchase
SEPTA tokens and passes at discount prices at the CSO. Call 4254 for
more information.


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Information provided by:  Editor, JeffNEWS
                          (215) 955-6204
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