This week’s Hotline! includes the following articles:

• Open enrollment for benefit programs begins today
• Participate in VCSU clothing swap
• Yamauchi to speak on karaoke history at museum Thursday
• Dakota Festival of Singing to present ‘Night on Broadway’ Saturday
• Bookmark This! Notes from Allen Memorial Library
• Viking sports update
• What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…

The VCSU Hotline! online newsletter is published every Monday during the academic year. Deadline to submit articles (photos encouraged) is 4 p.m. the Friday before publication.

Open enrollment for benefit programs begins today

Employees may enroll, cancel, add or remove dependents, or change coverage levels for health, dental, long-term care, vision, and life insurance plans during Open Enrollment beginning today, Monday, Oct. 17, through Friday, Nov. 4.

Changes will go into effect Jan. 1, 2017, except for life insurance, which needs to be approved by underwriting if requesting more than a $5,000 increase. Please watch for emails with further information and instructions from Jennifer Larson, director for human resources.

Participate in VCSU clothing swap

In past years Staff Senate has had professional clothing sales and Viking Pride clothing sales. This year we have decided to try something different. Whether your closet is packed with Viking gear or it’s in need of some additional VCSU items, this clothing swap is for you!

The week of Oct. 17–21 you can drop off any VCSU gear, accessories or clothing at the Student Center Info Desk or at Kelli Heath’s office (McFarland 208).

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 25–26 we will have it all displayed in the Alumni Room for staff and faculty to “shop” for items they like!

We don’t care if you bring 10 items and take 2 or if you don’t bring anything and take 5—the idea is to help share our Viking Pride and give some of our gear a new life across campus!

If you have questions or thoughts, please talk to Kelli or Brooke.

Yamauchi to speak on karaoke history at museum Thursday

Takayuki Yamauchi, VCSU assistant professor of mathematics, will speak on the “History of Karaoke and Its Current State of Development” at the Barnes County Museum at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 20.

The presentation will include a history of karaoke from its 1971 invention in Japan to the present, including information on the karaoke grading machines used in Japan (but not marketed in the United States), and video clips of karaoke championships.

Yamauchi holds a doctorate in mathematics from Johns Hopkins University, along with master’s degrees from Johns Hopkins, Western Michigan University and Michigan Technological University.

The lecture, part of season 19 of the Barnes County Historical Society Lecture Series, is open to the public free of charge.

Dakota Festival of Singing to present ‘Night on Broadway’ Saturday

The Dakota Festival of Singing will present “A Night on Broadway” this Saturday, Oct. 22, at 7:30 p.m. at The Vault (223 Central Ave. N.) in Valley City.

“A Night on Broadway” will feature some of Broadway’s most well known songs performed in a cabaret setting by regional singers and VCSU students, faculty and alumni.

Robin Allebach, VCSU instructor and Dakota Festival of Singing artistic director, will host the event, which will include performances by vocalists Brandi Aranda, Brock Bortnem, Hannah Gress, Christopher Redfearn, Jennifer Riemann, Kirci Wagner and Joseph Wright, with Farren Rowan, pianist.

The event is generously supported in part by a grant from Bridges Arts Council. Suggested donation at the door is $5 for adults and $3 for students.

Dakota Festival of Singing is a nonprofit organization dedicated to concerts and events that celebrate the art of singing, from classical to Broadway, featuring local, regional, university and professional talent on the Northern Plains.

Bookmark This! Notes from Allen Memorial Library

Database trials on demand
In a change from previous years, the library will not be conducting our regular October and March trials of electronic resources. Instead, we will be offering database trials on demand. If you are interested in requesting trial access to any database or e-resource, please contact Tuya Dutton, electronic resources librarian at library.office@vcsu.edu.

Cable TV and DVR now available
The library now has cable TV with DVR available on four TVs located throughout the building. Interested in recording a current program or event to watch with your class or organization? Let us know and we will arrange the DVR recording, which will then be accessible from any of our library TVs. For recording requests, please contact us at library@vcsu.edu.

Viking sports update

Football
Saturday: VCSU 41, No. 19 Dakota State 22
The Viking football team earned a huge road win Saturday, defeating No. 19-ranked Dakota State 41-22 in Madison, S.D. VCSU improves to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in conference play, keeping its shot at a conference title alive. The Vikings host Presentation College on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the final home game of the season.

Volleyball
Friday: Morningside College 3, VCSU 2
Saturday: Dakota Wesleyan 3, VCSU 0; Grace University 3, VCSU 1
The Viking volleyball team went 0-3 last week in nonconference play. VCSU is now 7-17 overall and 3-5 in conference play. VCSU begins the second half of conference play Friday at Bellevue University.

Men’s Basketball
Saturday: VCSU 85, Brandon University 71
Sunday: Brandon University 69, VCSU 67
The VCSU men’s basketball team opened the season this week by splitting a pair of games with Brandon University. The Vikings (1-1) host Minot State on Monday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m.

Upcoming Events
Friday: Women’s Basketball vs. Brandon University, 7 p.m.
Friday: Volleyball @ Bellevue University, 7 p.m.
Saturday: Cross Country @ Mt. Marty Invite
Saturday: Football vs. Presentation College, 1 p.m.
Saturday: Volleyball @ Dakota State, 3 p.m.
Saturday: Women’s Basketball vs. Brandon University, 5 p.m.

What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…

Monday, October 17

Tuesday, October 18

11 a.m. General Student Recital, Froemke Auditorium
12:05–1:05 p.m. Valley City Rotary Club, VFW

Wednesday, October 19

noon–1 p.m. Kiwanis Meeting, Valley City Town & Country Club

Thursday, October 20

7 a.m. Optimists Club Meeting, Vickie’s Viking Room

Friday, October 21

2 p.m. Viking volleyball @ Bellevue University, Omaha, Neb.

Saturday, October 22

MTNA State Competitions at VCSU, Froemke Auditorium, Foss Hall
1 p.m. Viking football vs. Presentation College, Shelley Ellig Field at Lokken Stadium
3 p.m. Viking volleyball @ Dakota State University, Madison, S.D.
7:30 p.m. “A Night on Broadway,” The Vault, 223 Central Ave. N., Valley City

Sunday, October 23

Monday, October 24

Tuesday, October 25

12:05-1:05 p.m. Valley City Rotary Club, VFW

Wednesday, October 26

noon–1 p.m. Kiwanis Meeting, Valley City Town & Country Club
7 p.m. Viking volleyball @ Presentation College, Aberdeen, S.D.

Thursday, October 27

7 a.m. Optimists Club Meeting, Vickie’s Viking Room

Friday, October 28

7 p.m. Viking volleyball vs. Viterbo University, Graichen Gymnasium
7:30 p.m. Instrumental Concert, Vangstad Auditorium

Saturday, October 29

1 p.m. Viking football @ University of Jamestown, Jamestown, N.D.
3 p.m. Viking volleyball vs. Waldorf University, Graichen Gymnasium

Sunday, October 30