Through Thursday, Nov. 12, Western Washington University Dining Services invites all students, faculty, staff and alumni at WWU to take part in a nationwide event called Helping Hands Across America, with the primary goal of providing as much non-perishable food as possible to local food banks. This effort is in conjunction with the Sodexo Foundation and the STOP Hunger initiative, which has a national objective of setting the Guinness World Record on Nov. 12 for The Largest Food Drive by a Non-Charitable Organization in a 24-hour Period in Multiple Locations.

The deadline is Nov. 30 for sending dependent verification documents to the Public Employees Benefits Board.

For more information about this requirement, read the Dependents Eligibility Verification document on the benefits Web site. PEBB  started sending letters to subscribers on Oct. 5 informing them about the status of their dependent verification documents.

According to Western Washington University Police Chief Randy Stegmeier, the second supect in last week's alleged robbery in the Sehome Arboretum has been arrested.

Stegmeier made the announcement in an e-mail Thursday evening to all WWU students, faculty and staff:

The second robbery suspect, SEAN HEIEN, was arrested by University Police this afternoon on campus.  HEIEN was arrested without incident and has been booked into the Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of robbery in the first degree and trafficking in stolen property.

The fall quarter competition for International Seed Grants is now open.

The Center for International Studies offers the seed grants to assist Western Washington University faculty members in developing a new course or in revising an existing course that will feature international and/or comparative material and perspectives.

Two grants of $1,500 each will be awarded fall quarter for projects to be conducted during the winter or spring quarters of 2010. Funded project reports will be due 60 days after completion of project.

Proposals are due Nov. 20.