NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin State University will be closed and eligible employees furloughed for four days in the coming months to help meet an immediate required state budget reduction of more than $1 million. The Board of Regents on Tuesday approved closing the university April 21-22, May 27 and July 1.

Staff members classified as "exempt" will be allowed to expend accrued vacation time for the required furlough days or take leave without pay. "Non-exempt" staff members may choose to expend accrued vacation and/or compensatory time or take leave without pay.

The Stephen F. Austin State University Repertory Dance Company will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4, and Saturday, Feb. 5, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.

The concert features works by dance program faculty and guest artists. Dance majors Kathleen Higgins and Marka Wood also have been invited to have their senior choreographic projects produced.

Professor Stan Bobo choreographed "Bailero," a lyrical solo that premiered in 1994 and has been restaged for second-year company member Erika Marschke.

SFA Associate Professor Deb Scott will present a faculty trombone recital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Dr. Deb Scott, associate professor of trombone at Stephen F. Austin State University, will present a faculty recital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, in Cole Concert Hall as part of the SFA School of Music's Cole Performing Arts Series.

SFA professor Dr. Leon Young collects a soil sample core from a landscape for soil testing at the SFASU Soil Plant & Water Analysis Lab. Dr. Young will present a program on soil testing and using limestone and fertilizers in gardens and lawns. Emphasis will be on liming materials.

A successful garden begins with good soil. SFA agriculture professor Dr.

The East Texas Research Center at Stephen F. Austin State University is sponsoring an "I Found it in the Archives" essay and video contest to showcase how archived materials positively impact people's lives.

"We're seeking entrants who have found something special in our collections - records, documents, photos, recordings, a meaningful item or treasure," said ETRC Director Linda Reynolds. "If it has meaning to you, it has meaning to us and is a wonderful basis for your entry."

The SFA Gardens at Stephen F. Austin State University will host its monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, in Room 110 of the Agriculture Building located at 1924 Wilson Dr. Naturalist Keith Kridler of Mt. Pleasant will present "Bluebirds Chase My Blues Away."