News and Events

Don’t forget – tomorrow the “Why Not?” suggestion winners for Fall 2007 will be announced. President . Maimon will announce the winners in the GSU cafeteria, on February 1, at 12:30 p.m. Joining her will be incoming provost, Dr. Jane Hudak. The first place winner will receive a $200 Visa gift card and the second place winner will receive a $100 Visa gift card.

The “Why Not?” suggestions from Fall 2007 generated real, positive changes at GSU. The entire GSU community benefitted from the wide variety and depth of the suggestions. The “Why Not?” program continues. Submit your suggestions to “Why Not?” Every constructive suggestion earns a prize.

Representatives from the Criminal Justice Department and the Dean of Student Affairs will begin a review of the current GSU Student Conduct Code in an attempt to improve the policy by considering the use of Restorative Justice principles and practices.

Restorative Justice courses are part of the Criminal Justice Curriculum. A fundamental principle of Restorative Justice suggests that any violation (minor or serious) is a violation of people and relationships, and not just the violation of a law, code, or policy  It aims to include victim, offender, and community as equal participants in responding to conflict and crime. Primarily, it seeks to repair the harms done to the victim, to generate offender responsibility, and to develop offender competencies.

A semester-long project to review the code and make recommendations that might provide the best possible responses to conflict and crime, which occurs here at GSU, will require continuous (weekly or bi-weekly) input, but it is definitely worth the time and effort.

The first meeting will be on Wednesday, February 6, from 3 to 4 p.m., in E2538. Interested faculty, students, and staff are asked to e-mail smarines@mail.govst.edu.

GSU thanks Sodexho for their successful grand opening this Winter term. The new food service provider has worked very hard to get the operation up and running in a short period of time.

They have also been learning the specific wants and needs of GSU during the past couple weeks by listening to comments, considering suggestions, and observing our unique dining patterns and schedules. Based on the feedback received and their own assessments, Sodexho is looking to make some immediate changes and will work toward implementing other enhancements in the future.

If you have any feedback regarding food service at GSU, please direct your comments to your department or group representative of the Auxiliary Service Advisory Committee. Or, if you are interested in becoming a member of the committee, contact Jerad Garrison at x7445.

For more details regarding ongoing changes in the cafeteria, please visit the Food Service page on the GSU website.

On February 16, more than 600 graduates of Governors State University will cross the stage at the Tinley Park Convention Center, flip their tassels, and begin their futures with new degrees. One of those students will be Tiffany McClarence of Frankfort, who will stop on the stage to speak to her fellow graduates.

McClarence is earning her Master of Arts in English. She is currently an adjunct faculty member at the Governors State University Writing Center where she assists the director, trains tutors, and assists students with writing assignments.

Curious about the artwork that dots GSU’s landscape? Too busy for a full tour of the sculpture park? Director and curator Geoff Bates will present a series of informal, lively half-hour presentations comparing and contrasting a different pair of works from the collection on the first and third Tuesday of the month beginning February 5 and continuing through June 3. The talks are free and take place in room D-1497, at 12:30 p.m. and again at 3:45 p.m.

The first Two for Tuesday will consider are the untitled sculpture by Joel Shapiro and John Henry’s monumental Illinois Landscape No. 5. Bring lunch or a snack, enjoy the conversation, and learn what influenced the artists and might inspire you.

For more information, call 708.534.4486 or email sculpture@govst.edu.

The GSU Civil Service Senate and Office of Student Affairs are celebrating the February 5 Primary Election but holding a grand prize raffle. All GSU students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to visit the Welcome Center in the Hall of Governors to fill out a prize entry. Entry forms will be available from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 5 only. The official prize drawing will take place on February 6, at noon, in the Hall of Governors. Winners need not be present.

On January 24, JJR, the university’s civil engineering consultant, presented four concepts for GSU’s site framework plan. Nearly 60 students, faculty, and staff attended the presentation and gave JJR valuable feedback. The presentation is available on the PBAC Facilities Committee section of the GSU website.

The administration welcomes all comments, thoughts, and impressions. Your feedback is important to the site planning process. Please send your comments to Susan Rakstang by February 4. They will be forwarded to our consultants for consideration.

The Secretary of State traveling multi-service center will be visiting Governors State University on February 5, and May 6. The center will be located in the Hall of Governors, from 2 to 7 p.m. each day.

Services available at the mobile service unit include driver’s license renewal, replacement, and corrections; State ID card renewal, replacement, and corrections; vehicle sticker sales; passenger and B-truck license plates; vehicle and title registration; parking placards for persons with disabilities; and organ/tissue donor information. No driving tests will be given. The services provided are available to all qualified Illinois residents.

For information, visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com.

Direct from TVs Emmy-nominated Whose Line Is It Anyway?, the comedy duo of Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood has teamed up to present an evening of extraordinary improv fun on Saturday, February 2. Using their quick wit, Colin and Brad will turn audience suggestions into hilarious and original scenes.

The Center if offering GSU two for one tickets ($55), for the balcony only, from 10 a.m. on Friday, February 1 through 7 p.m., January 2. Tickets must be purchased in person at the box office. Regular 10 percent discount tickets can be purchased by calling 708.235.2222. Seats are going fast.

Don’t be caught empty handed! The Civil Service Senate is again sponsoring a carnation sale on Valentine’s Day., February 14, from 8 to 9 a.m. and from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Hall of Governors. Carnation prices are one for $1, six for $5, and a dozen for $10.

Carnation supply is limited. Pre-orders are recommended, and accepted via email only to Rhonda Jackson. All proceeds support the civil Service Scholarship/Educational Assistance Fund.

The newly formed GSU chapter of the Phi Alpha National Honors Society, the Omicron Beta Chapter, will induct its first class of honorees in a ceremony on February 1. The purpose of the honor society is to recognize excellence in scholarship and achievement in social work and to foster high standards of education for social workers. GSU will honor 16 undergraduate and 15 graduate students in social work.

GSU begins a month-long celebration of African American culture and history with a series of cultural, musical, artistic, and educational events designed to entertain and inform. Each event is open to the public.

The celebration begins with the African American Read-In on February 4, from 6 to 8 p.m., in Sherman Hall. Guest readers share passages from their favorite African American authors. The hall will be filled with prose and poetry that inspires and entertains.

“Vanessa’s Touch of Jazz with Class” featuring Al Mac will fill Engbretson Hall with the lively sounds of traditional and innovative jazz on February 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. Entrance is free and open to the public. In addition to the music, “Sara’s In Treble Now Bar” will serve non-alcoholic beverages and hors d’ourvres.

“Men Cry in the Dark” a play depicting the life of African American men, will be produced on February 9, at 5 p.m., in Sherman Hall. Tickets are $5 and available at the door.

Who needs the next American Idol when Governors State University students and friends are dancing, singing, and performing their way through an evening of great talent and lots of fun? The Talent Show is on February 16, from 5 to 9 p.m., in Sherman Hall.

Black History Month continues with another GSU tradition. Teams of students, faculty, and staff will compete in the Black Heritage Challenge on February 20 and 21, in the Hall of Governors, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. While a winning team is always declared, every participant enjoys sharing their knowledge and good humor.

The Black Student Union again sponsors an evening to show off local talent at Open Mic Night, free to anyone with the courage to raise their voice in song or tell a joke. Open Mic is on February 23, from 5 to 9 p.m., in Sherman Hall.

The Black Student Union is sponsoring “A Taste of Soul,” on February 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the cafeteria annex. A delicious sampler platter is only $5.

For more information about GSU Black History Month activities, call 708.534.4552 or visit the GSU Student Life Calendar for a current list of university events.

Due to the major renovation of the GSU swimming pool, the Recreation and Fitness Center announced that, effective February 1, all Recreation and Fitness Center members will be able to use the swimming pool facility at the Holiday Inn Matteson.

The Holiday Inn Matteson is located off I-57 and Lincoln Highway at 500 Holiday Plaza Drive. Members will need to show a current Recreation and Fitness Center ID card or a current GSU student ID card at the Holiday Inn’s registration desk. Users will be asked to complete a facility usage form and sign a liability waiver. They will then receive a swipe key to gain access to the swimming pool area. This swipe key is valid through June 30, 2008.

For more information, call 708.534.4556, or email Vanessa Newby, Director of Recreation, Fitness, and Wellness.

It is a myth that the registered voter is called for jury duty. And it is a fact that the voter has a voice in who makes our laws and who leads us. When you register to vote, you do not have to declare a political party. You only pick a party if you vote in a primary election. In Illinois, you can pick a different party in each primary. And you do not declare a party in the general election.

According to the Secretary of State’s Office, to qualify to vote in Illinois, you must be a United States citizen, not be convicted of an offense and in jail, be at least age 18 on or before the next election, not claim the right to vote anywhere else, and live in your election precinct at least 30 days prior to the next election. You do not need to know which precinct you live in to register to vote. That information is sent to you with your voter registration card within 30 days.

The Illinois primary election is February 5, 2008. The general election is November 4, 2008. Don’t forget to register and don’t forget to vote!

Winter is a beautiful season to discover the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park at Governors State University. A free winter tour will be held on Sunday, February 3, at 2 p.m. Visitors are asked to gather on the patio off the Hall of Governors. Comfortable footwear is recommended and visitors should plan to spend one-and-a-half to two hours walking through the park.
 

For more information about the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, scheduling tours, or upcoming programs, call 708.534.4486, or email sculpture@govst.edu.

Platform guests will pick up their regalia on Commencement Day, Saturday, February 16, 2008, in their designated robing room at the Tinley Park Convention Center. Specific details will be sent to platform guests directly.
 

Faculty and marshals participating in the 2008 Winter Commencement are asked to pick-up up their rented regalia in the Visitors Center, Room D1408, on Wednesday, February 6, from 1 to 7 p.m., and on Thursday, February 7, from 1 to 7 p.m. If you are unable to pick up your regalia, you may designate someone you trust to do this for you.

For more information, call the Office of Institutional Advancement, 708.534.6360.

The business of protecting and preserving the environment begins with what you toss in the trash. Facilities Development and Management reminds you that when done correctly, recycling is very effective. Please remember to recycle only those items listed below and to place them in the designated receptacles.
 

GSU recycles newspaper and newspaper inserts, empty and flattened cardboard boxes, magazines, catalogs, computer paper, phone books, chipboard, and junk mail. We also recycle plastic bottles designated #1 or #2 on the bottom, and tin and aluminum cans. Please rinse out to avoid odor problem.
 

GSU does not recycle soiled paper, wax coated boxes, foil coated materials, packing material, hard cover book, styrofoam, plastic cafeteria containers, plastic bags, or glass. In addition, we do not recycle any aerosol cans, paint cans, unwashed cans, or clothes hangers.

The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park is expanding and the need for willing volunteers has grown.
 

Volunteer docents are being sought to participate in a six-week orientation course to learn art history, park history, and how to conduct tours of the park. They attend a morning-long tour of the park lead by the director. Training sessions are held in the evening, informal tests are given, and participants graduate with a working knowledge of the park and its artists. They will be asked to conduct at least one scheduled tour of the park during our May to October tour season and may also be asked to provide tours for school groups and community organizations.
 

In addition to docent volunteers, the park is also looking for volunteer Park Rangers to assist on special park clean up and maintenance days and volunteers to serve on committees, which focus on increasing membership; conserving, maintaining, and expanding the collection; organizing off site tours; and planning for the park’s future. General volunteers who are interested in assisting with special events and light office work are also needed.
                      

Docent training sessions begin on February 21, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Refreshments and materials are provided. Advance registration and a $25 fee are required. For more information park docent and volunteer opportunities, call 708.534.4486 or email sculpture@govst.edu.

The Fine Arts Department at Governors State University and the student organization, Art Forum, are hosting a fine art silent auction to benefit Faye’s Light, on February 8, from 6 to 9 p.m., in the GSU Visual Arts Gallery.

Faye’s Light is a non-profit organization that provides free spa services and other holistic therapies to people in treatment for cancer. These services include message, Reiki, facials, manicures, pedicures, therapeutic art, aromatherapy, guided meditation, and other energy work.

The fund raising event includes a gala reception, refreshments, a live jazz band, and extraordinary art. There is a suggested donation at the door of $20, ($15 for students with id.). All artwork has been donated and the proceeds benefit Faye’s Light. The silent auction will include paintings, photographic works, sculpture, textiles, and ceramics.

The Visual Arts Gallery is located in E-Wing. For more information, call 708.534.4017 or email Javier Chavira. 

The CenterPoint for Entrepreneurs at GSU recently passed the $100 million mark in loan assistance. Since 2000, the center has helped 275 local entrepreneurs to obtain more than $105 millions in loans to start or expand businesses throughout the Chicago Southland. In addition to their financial milestone, the center assisted local small business add over 1,300 new jobs and retain an additional 1,900 jobs in the region.

The CenterPoint for Entrepreneurs has provided over 15,000 hours of business consulting, training, and assistance to the Southland business community. Through its network of specialists’ centers CenterPoint makes available to its clients a wide variety of free or affordable services including the CenterPoint 504 Loan Program, entrepreneurship assistance, global trade, government contracting, small business development, and the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) technology commercialization program.

For more information about The CenterPoint for Entrepreneurs, call 708.534.4929 or visit www.centerpointgsu.com.

Faculty, marshals, and platform guests participating in the 2008 Winter Commencement are asked to pick-up up their rented regalia in the Visitors Center, Room D1408, on Wednesday, February 6, from 1 to 7 p.m., and on Thursday, February 7, from 1 to 7 p.m. If you are unable to pick up your regalia, you may designate someone you trust to do this for you.

For more information, call Karen Caesar-Smith, Director of Special Events – Office of Institutional Advancement, 708.534.6360.

CAS is sponsoring a free, special performance by China’s Zhejiang Butterfly Performing Troup on Friday, February 15, at 8 p.m., at The Center for Performing Arts.

The troupe, which hails from China’s Zhejiang province located to the south of Shanghai, is made up of the principle performers of the Zhejiang Provincial Singing and Dancing Theater, including 11 musicians, seven dancers, two acrobats, and one Kun Opera actress. The group will present programs featuring traditional Chinese instrumental and vocal music, folk dance, acrobatics, and excerpts from the classic Chinese opera The Peony Pavilion.

Seating for the event is general admission. Free tickets are available at www.centertickets.net or by calling The Center box office at 708.235.2222 or the Office of Public Affairs at 708.534.4044.

The GSU Votes campaign is underway and going strong. Many new voters were registered during both the Fall and Winter Welcome Days. In an effort to register more voters and make GSU 100 percent registered, the campaign is looking for certified voter registrars and individuals interested in becoming voter registrars.

If you are interested, please contact Sarah Appel, Lynne Clayton, or Kathy Miller. All qualified faculty, students, and staff members are invited to participate. Remember, voters have power!

Dr. Maimon will continue to listen, learn, and investigate this trimester as she continues to conduct roundtable discussions with faculty members. During the Fall Trimester, she hosted seven discussions on a wide variety of university, education, and research topics. Between five and 12 faculty members attended each session. While there is no fixed agenda, there is lots of good conversation and information exchanged.

Winter Trimester roundtable discussions will begin soon. E-mail invitations to faculty members will be sent soon. Faculty members are encouraged to join the conversation.

...Or at least a close facsimile.

Join "Paul McCartney," "John Lennon," "George Harrison," and "Ringo Starr" in this fun-loving tribute to the Beatles. With uncanny, note-for-note live renditions, the Fab Four will make you think you're watching the real deal as they represent every era of Beatles' hits. The show begins at 8 p.m., on Saturday, January 26, at The Center for Performing Arts.

Two for one tickets for the Fab Four are available for mezzanine seating. Tickets must be purchased in person at the box office, beginning at 10 a.m., Friday, January 25. This special offer ends on Saturday, January 26 at 7 p.m. Ten percent discount tickets can also be purchased. Call The Center box office at 708.235.2222.

What will GSU look like in 10 years? Will we expand classrooms and research facilities? Add student housing? Build a large conference venue? Establish stores and restaurants? Create new athletic and recreational facilities? Construct a parking garage or two?

To plan for the future, the university contracted with JJR, LLC of Chicago to prepare a Site Master Framework Plan for future campus development. The first phase of the project, which included a detailed site analysis and workshops with the PBAC Facilities Committee and stakeholder groups, is complete.

Now the Alternatives Phase begins. It’s the time for the GSU community -- students, staff, and faculty -- to review the four different visions of the future of GSU that have been created from all the information gathered.

The four Alternatives will be presented on Thursday, January 24, from 1 to 3 p.m., in Engbretson Hall.

Each vision of our future is based on our strengths, continues our traditions, and provides for our future and the future of the region. Each proposal, however, is different. We need your input now. We need your comments, observations, criticisms, and compliments. We need to know what you like and what you do not.

Join us for this important review of the vision for GSU. Make your contribution to GSU’s future.

The New Battle, a half hour documentary by Seth McClellan, GSU adjunct faculty member, concerning Dr. Martin Luther King and the Chicago Freedom Movement will be broadcast on Chicago’s public broadcasting station, WTTW 11, on January 21, at 10:30 p.m.

McClellan was interviewed by Richard Steele for Chicago Public Radio’s (91.5 FM) Eight Forty-Eight. The segment will air on Friday, January 18, between 9 and 10 a.m., and be rebroadcast at 9 p.m. that evening. It will also available at Chicago Public Radio’s website.

McClellan recently earned his Master of Fine Arts in Independent Film and Digital Imaging at GSU. His documentary, The New Battle, uses the comments and observations of participants in the Chicago Freedom Movement in the 1960s to describe what happened and illustrate its effects. McClellan weaves the words of Jesse Jackson, C.T. Vivien, Willie Barrow, and others in with photographs taken during the period and additional footage filmed for the documentary.

The “Why Not?” suggestions from Fall 2007 are all in and have been reviewed. Many have generated real, positive changes at GSU. The entire university community has benefitted from the wide variety and depth of the suggestions. From the music of the carillon to the value of book advance cards, suggestions reaped positive results.

On February 1, at 12:30 p.m., in the GSU cafeteria, Dr. Elaine P. Maimon will announce the winners for the best “Why Not?” suggestions from the Fall 2007 trimester. The winners will each receive a $100 Visa gift card.

The “Why Not?” program does not end with this first set of prize winners. Suggestions continue to be received and changes that benefit GSU are on going. Don’t let your good ideas gather dust. Submit them to “Why Not?” Every constructive suggestion earns a prize. And maybe your idea will add a $100 Visa card to your wallet.

The GSU voter registration drive was a fantastic success during Welcome Days. A grand total of 120 new voters were registered and many GSU Votes buttons were distributed. Everyone is reminded to vote in the Illinois Primary Election on February 5. Your vote is your voice. Let it be heard and counted!

The Registrar’s Office announced the availability of Student Self-Service, a new feature that is accessible when students log into their accounts using Student View. Student Self-Service provides students with the ability to access popular services of the Registrar’s Office 24/7.

Student Self-Service allows students to:

• Print enrollment verification certificates to send to health insurers, housing providers or other organizations requiring proof of enrollment
• Check deferment forms and electronic notifications sent to lenders
• Obtain a list of your student loan lenders and link to real-time loan information
• View enrollment history
• View enrollment verifications provided to student service providers at the student’s request

There is no charge to use Student Self-Service, which is provided by the National Student Clearinghouse, GSU’s authorized agent for providing enrollment verification. For assistance with Student Self-Service, contact the Clearinghouse at 703.742.4200, or, contact Michelle-Smith Williams in the Registrar’s Office at 708.534.4503.

At the Winter Commencement ceremony, GSU will bestow the honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa), on Juan Andrade, Jr. for his lifelong dedication to education, the successful voter registration drives he organized that changed the political structure in America, and his dedication to the nation’s Latino community.

The life and career of Juan Andrade, Jr. has been an inspiration. From his work as a youth in Brownwood, Texas delivering newspapers, picking cotton, hoeing cabbage, peanuts, watermelon, and later as a factory worker, he rose to become co-founder and president of the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute.

Dr. Andrade received the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Bill Clinton in 2001. He is a fervent believer in education and holds five university degrees. For several years, Dr. Andrade was a political commentator for ABC-7 in Chicago as well as WGN radio. He also wrote a weekly column for the Chicago Sun-Times.

Commencement will take place on Saturday, February 16, at 11 a.m., at the Tinley Park Convention Center.

Students can learn about many of the more than 40 student and university clubs and organizations at Governors State University on Tuesday, January 22, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., in the Hall of Governors.

Election days at GSU run from January 28 through January 31. Vote in the Student Senate Elections from noon to 2 p.m. and 4 to 7:30 p.m., in the Hall of Governors. Elections are for Student Senate, Board of Trustees Student Representative, and Illinois Board of Higher Education – Student Advisory Committee Representative.

Election packets for candidates are available until January 25 at the Recreation and Fitness Center, Welcome Center, Career Services, Academic Resource Center, and from Vanessa Newby (A2130) and Sara Appel (A2132).

Also on the ballot is Student Advisory Referendum concerning the proposed increases in the 2008 Student Activity Fee, Student Center Fee, the Career Services and Counseling Fee, and the Computer Technology Fee, and the establishment of the University Facilities Fee at GSU.

Note: The following information is an update from the article on January 10.

An expected bonus of Admissions Re-Engineering is information. For example, prospect information, including majors of interest, is captured via the GSU website and loaded into CARS nightly. The Office of Admission tracks when applicants have submitted all their materials, and when admission decisions are made. This information will help Admission and collegial recruitment and enrollment efforts. 

If you need information, all you have to do is ask. A new report request form is now located on the GSU intranet site under Departments: Admission Office: Report Request Form. Complete the form online, save it to your PC, and send it as an email attachment to Laura Brooke. Turnaround time will vary depending on the number of requests and other departmental priorities.

The search committee for the Director of the Department of Public Safety is bringing three candidates to campus for interview. The campus community is invited to attend the following public presentations:

Debra Boyd

Friday, January 18

1 p.m.

Sherman Music Recital Hall

Jacqueline Bumpas

Friday, January 25

1 p.m.

Sherman Music Recital Hall

The College of Arts and Sciences is interviewing applicants for Assistant Professor of Inorganic Chemistry. The university community is invited to attend the following public presentations:

Dr. Patty Fu

Photodynamic Therapy and Nanoparticulated Drug Delivery

Friday, January 18

1:15 p.m.

D2401A (library presentation room)

Dr. Sudha Chellamma

Chemistry of Diruthenium complexes with N- and O- donor ligands

Thursday, January 24

2:15 p.m.

D2401A (library presentation room)

Dr. Jun-Hyun Kim

Inorganic-Organic Nanocomposites

Friday, January 24

1:15 p.m.

D2401A (library presentation room)

As guest lecturer in the course “The Death Penalty in America,” former U.S. Attorney Thomas P. Sullivan will speak in Engbretson Hall, on Thursday, January 17, at 7:30 p.m. Sullivan’s discussion of the death penalty is free and open to both students and the public.

Sullivan served as co-chair of the Illinois Commission on the Death Penalty. The Commission’s 2002 report detailed injustices in the Illinois criminal justice system and recommended numerous reforms to the laws and procedures pertaining to death penalty-eligible cases.

The lecture is sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Lecture Series. For more information, call 708.534.4390.

Friends of Mysteries will discuss In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming, on Tuesday, January 15, at noon, in the Cafeteria Annex. The discussion is open to the entire GSU community.

The touring exhibit, “Mexicans in Chicago: Photographic Footprints,” will be on display in the Visual Arts Gallery from January 15 through February 6, 2008. A reception celebrating the exhibit will be held on Wednesday, January 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. The reception and exhibit are free and open to the public.

The exhibition consists of twenty-six black and white digital panels that tell stories of Mexican Chicago through a montage of old photographs and documents. The display is based on the book, “Images of America, Mexican Chicago,” by Rita Arias Jirasek and Carlos Tortolero. It utilizes many of the photographs and documents collected throughout the Mexican community in the Chicago metropolitan area.

The Visual Arts Gallery is open Monday, 2 to 7 p.m., Tuesday & Wednesday, 4 to 9 p.m., and Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 708.534.4017 or contact Javier Chavira.

Although GSU is closed on Monday, January 21 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the university will host an annual celebration that morning in the Center for Performing Arts. A pre-program documentary, The New Battle: Dr. King and the Chicago Freedom Movement, will be shown prior to the formal program. The New Battle, as seen on PBS, was produced and directed by GSU alumni and adjunct instructor Seth McClellan.

Guest speaker Reverend Otis Moss III, of Trinity United Church of Christ, will lead the formal program beginning at 10 a.m. The free event is open to the public and is sponsored by The Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee.

The library is looking for a new name for its digital institutional repository, currently referred to as DSpace. DSpace is a place to capture, store, index, preserve, and distribute documents for professional/scholarly use only. These documents are more than just text; they can also be video, audio, and data files. This exciting source of information needs an equally exciting, enticing, and inviting name.

If you wish to suggest a new name for the library’s DSpace, please send your recommendation to Lydia Morrow Ruetten by January 31. The winner will receive a $100 Borders gift card.

To see examples of other DSpace sites and to learn more about these repositories, visit the University of Wisconsin and the University of Illinois.

Faculty and staff interested in setting up a DSpace account (for professional/scholarly use only), should contact Michel Nguessan.

A recent “Why Not?” suggestion brought into focus the need to update the GSU cable channel. Due to technology related issues, the channel has been used primarily to air telecourses. The Division of Digital Learning and Media Design is currently developing the physical infrastructure and human resources to enable GSU to do several types of programming, from a regular program featuring President Maimon, to student produced programming highlighting GSU and surrounding communities. A partnership with South Suburban College will also provide greater diversity in programming. While these initiatives take time to develop and implement, results should be televised within the next six months. Stay tuned.

As Faculty Senate President, Paul Blobaum will represent the faculty at the Spring Commencement ceremony. Blobaum will also address the graduates and audience during the ceremony.

“I’m honored to represent the faculty at my first Commencement as Faculty President,” said Blobaum. “I would like to commend the graduates and the faculty for their hard work and success, and challenge our new alumni to find ways to help others achieve a bachelor's degree as well.” 

Commencement will take place on Saturday, February 16, at 11 a.m., at the Tinley Park Convention Center.

The GSU Alumni Association has a pocket calendar to help you keep organized. The 2008 calendars are available in the Office of Alumni Relations, in room D34200, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please take no more than two calendars.

An expected bonus of Admissions Re-Engineering is information. For example, prospect information, including majors of interest, is captured via the GSU website, and loaded into CARS nightly. Also, we now track when applicants have submitted all their materials, and when admission decisions are made. This information will help admission and college recruitment and enrollment efforts. 

For information, complete the new report request form online located on the GSU intranet site under Departments: Admission Office: Report Request Form (http://gsunet/admission/t_admission.aspx?id=411). It will be routed to the Office of Admission for consideration. Turnaround time will vary depending on the number of requests and departmental priorities.

Students with questions about their online accounts can now find the answers on the Online Student Account tutorial (http://www3/library/SView/SV.htm).

The interactive tutorial deals with frequently asked questions through short simulation videos. Topics addressed include financial aid, transcript records, advising, the online class schedule, and accessing grades.

Faculty and staff are also encouraged to become familiar with the tutorial so that they can answer students question about their accounts or direct them to the tutorial.

All GSU faculty, including adjunct faculty members, are invited and encouraged to participate in the Winter Commencement ceremony on Saturday, February 16. Commencement is an important event for students and faculty alike. It is the culmination of hours of study and preparation on the part of the graduates. Likewise, the ceremony celebrates the faculty’s dedicated service to the university community and to the students.

All faculty participants should complete and return the Commencement participation form and, if applicable, the Jostens regalia order form. All Jostens regalia order forms must be completed by Friday, January 11. Hard copies of the form are available from the Office of Student Life.

Sodexho is now GSU’s exclusive, on campus food service provider.

As of February 1, all catering on campus must be ordered using the new Sodexho online ordering software (https://gsucatering.catertrax.com). Training will be held on January 22 and February 5. Since seats in the computer lab are limited, please call Jerad Garrison at ext. 7445 to register for the training. Additional dates will be scheduled regularly.

The online ordering system allows users to view menu choices, prices, and options prior to order placement. The electronic workflow allows for user confirmation, order approval, and payment in a streamlined process.

In order to use the software, you must have previously completed training. During training additional catering rules and requirements will be discussed, as well as an opportunity to meet the new Sodexho staff.

The General Manager for Sodexho at GSU is Brian Stanley. Please contact Brian with any catering needs that are immediate, or that are scheduled prior to your training. Sodexho has already catered events on campus and looks forward to meeting all of your needs for a successful.

The GSU contact for any food service or vending matter is Jerad Garrison.

This weekend, the Center for Performing Arts welcomes the Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia with its collection of favorite stories by award-winning children’s book illustrator and author, Eric Carle. Retold on stage through black light puppetry are whimsical tales including The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Little Cloud and The Mixed-Up Chameleon.

GSU two-for-one tickets will be available from 10 a.m. on Friday, January 11 until 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 12. Tickets must be purchased in person at the Box Office. Other advance tickets can be purchased for a 10 percent discount. Call 708.235.2222 for information.

The Office of the Provost and the College of Health Professions are sponsoring a First Friday celebration on Friday, January 11. Join colleagues and friends to celebrate the new year and wind down after a busy first week of classes. The event will be held in the Faculty Office Center Atrium from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Today’s “Why Not?” suggestion involves the location of the reserved parking space for the Civil Service Employees of the Month. The entry reads, “Why not affix the pole to a base that can be moved?  Facilities could then move it to a location designated by DPS that would be advantageous to the winning employee."

In response, The Department of Public Safety and Facilities Management and Development have worked together to make the designated parking mobile. Based on the identification of several potential locations, the Employee of the Month parking spot will now be available closer to the building that the winner’s office is located in.

The Department of Student Involvement and Leadership presents, The Time is Always Right to Do the Right Thing, on Monday, January 14, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., in the Center for Performing Arts. Join students, faculty, and staff for a rousing celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as presented through words, music, and dance. The program will feature remarks by Dr. Maimon, performances by GSU staff and students, and inspirational words from Cortez Trotter.

As always, the success of GSU’s Open House relies heavily on the hard work and dedication of faculty, staff, and students who volunteer their time for the event. As the university’s premiere recruitment event, Open House provides a showcase for the university along with its programs, and services to prospective students.

The spring open house will be held on Saturday, March 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Individuals interested in volunteering for should contact Sharon Evans at ext. 4493 or Jennifer Finn at ext. 7059.

The College of Business and Public Administration at Governors State University is hosting an information session on Thursday, January 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. The free event is open to the public and will be held at the university’s Kankakee Education Center located at 187 South Schuyler Avenue, Kankakee, Illinois.

Advisors and administrators will be on hand to discuss undergraduate degree programs in accounting, business administration, business and applied sciences, accounting, and management information systems.

For more information and to RSVP, call 800.478.8478, extension 4099, or visit www.govst.edu/kec.

The Jenzabar CX system will be unavailable due to maintenance on Sunday, January 13. The system will be down from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. During this time, online Jenzabar services such as online registration, student and faculty view, online admission, the online schedule, and the online directory will also be unavailable.

The train or test database, accessed by some CARS users, will also be refreshed and will not be available at any time on Sunday. Contact the GSU Helpdesk, ext. 4357, if you have any questions.

Learn about GSU on Monday and Tuesday, January 7 and 8, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Validate your student ID and receive a $5 gift card to the recently renovated GSU cafeteria. Learn about the many support services available to students. Sign up for a tutor. Learn about the library and the Recreation and Fitness Center. Sign up for a locker. Answer the question, “Are you registered to vote?” and receive a gift card. Register to vote and gain a voice in our country’s future!

Join us in welcoming Sodexho to campus as GSU’s new, exclusive food service provider. You’ll notice several immediate changes including new vending machines and options. In addition, the cafeteria facilities have undergone renovation and an exciting new menu is now available. The new menu is available for download through GSU’s Intranet.

There are also several changes to the catering process, which will be discussed in Thursday’s issue of the View.

Many other exciting changes and additional renovations are planned for later this year. In the meantime, Auxiliary Services welcomes any comments from the GSU community regarding the cafeteria and vending. Please contact Jerad Garrison at j-garrison@govst.edu or extension 7445 with suggestions or ideas.

In addition, the Auxiliary Services Advisory Committee is always looking for members to provide feedback on everything from the cafeteria to the print shop. Contact Jerad to join today.

The next stage of the university's Strategic Planning involves the participation of members of the GSU community and the region in small focus groups. Eighteen focus groups will be created in January and February. Members of the faculty, staff, GSU governance, students, alumni, and GSU foundation will be invited to participate in these groups as well as regional employers, municipal government, health care representatives, and K to 12 education and regional higher education representatives. Dr. Maimon will be inviting participants to take part in this important process.

The Strategic Planning Committee believes that it is important that everyone’s voice be heard. The new strategic plan will guide decision-making and drive budget allocations at GSU for the next three to five years. Participants will represent GSU and the community we serve, not just specific interests groups.

Dr. James Howley, Chair of the Division of Liberal Arts will provide the small group facilitation. The strategic planning effort is fortunate to have Dr. Howley, a sociologist and experienced facilitator, to lead the events.

The second phase of strategic planning will include additional focus groups to reflect upon and refine the draft strategic plan.

The final step of the strategic plan will provide all stakeholders with an opportunity to reflect, respond, and comment on the proposed strategic plan using the method of “charrette.”

Several “Why Not? suggestions have been submitted concerning on campus parking. Recently, GSU engaged the services of architects and engineers to complete a site plan study, which will include an analysis of the campus. The study will specifically address parking, roadways, exterior lighting, storm water management, and future building sites. Their recommendations will be the basis for improvements slated for this summer.

With the beginning of the new trimester, students, faculty, and staff are reminded that food is not permitted in technology-enhanced classrooms.

International students are invited to learn about GSU, and the campus, programs, and services available to them at International Student Orientation. On January 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in Sherman Recital Hall, international students will learn about everything from GSU academic programs to driving in the winter and coping with culture shock. Lunch, information, and friendship will be served.

A memorial service honoring the life of William D. McGee will be held at 2 p.m., on Saturday, January 5, at Governors State University Center for Performing Arts. Speakers include Lorine Samuels, President of the Board of Trustees, and Dr. Elaine Maimon, President of Governors State University.

William McGee, 80, was a noted educator in greater Chicago for thirty-six years. He was a retired superintendent of School District 170 in Chicago Heights and served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Governors State University. He died on November 30, 2007. 

Following the memorial service, a reception will be held in the Hall of Governors.

Effective immediately, course locations will no longer be posted on the bulletin board across from the Welcome Center.

Classrooms have been assigned to all courses offered in Winter 2008. Prior to the beginning of class, students are encouraged to check the online schedule for room assignments.

The computers outside the Registrar's Office will be available to students who wish to view or print their schedule and check room assignments. Printed copies of the schedule will also be available from the Registrar's Office.

The winter trimester is just around the corner, but there’s still time to register for classes. Late registration is available through Saturday, January 12. Students can register online or via phone, by calling 708.235.8887. For additional information on late registration, visit the Registrar’s website.

Since the roll out of the “Why Not?” campaign last year, 585 suggestions have been received. Improvements in the review and response process and to the website are increasing efficiency and decreasing response times. The “Why Not?” team is busy addressing each legitimate suggestion. Many “Why Not?” ideas have been successfully implemented and improvements are visible (and audible) on campus. Some “Why Not?” suggestions will take more time to implement, but the right people are working on them.

As a reminder, “Why Not?” suggestions are ideas to make GSU a better place for students, the community, and employees. It is not a venue for complaints without offering solutions nor to discuss personnel matters, which require confidentiality.

The Fall 2007 trimester winner of the best “Why Not?” suggestion will be announced by February 1. Suggestions submitted after December 17 will be considered in the Winter 2008 trimester. Trimester winners will be featured on the “Why Not?” website and will receive a $100 gift card.

Learn about GSU on Monday and Tuesday, January 7 and 8, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Validate your ID and receive a $5 gift card to the recently renovated GSU cafeteria. Learn about the many support services available to students. Sign up for a tutor. Learn about the library and the Recreation and Fitness Center. Sign up for a locker. Answer the question, “Are you registered to vote?” and receive a gift card. Register to vote and gain a voice in our country’s future!

The Metropolitan Institute for Leadership in Education (MILE) and the School of Extended Learning is sponsoring a free Safe Zone Workshop on January 11, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Dr. Patrick Finessy, professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, will present a training program designed to help create safer, more civil schools and communities in which gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students feel supported, encouraged, and safe.

For more information or to register for the free workshop, call 708.534.4099.

The College of Health Professions is sponsoring Advancing Professional Practice: An Expert Discussion on the Professional Practice Doctorate, on Thursday, January 10, from 1 to 4 p.m., in Sherman Hall. Panelists, including Dr. Steven Crow, President of The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, will discuss the pros and cons of practice doctorates as compared to traditional Ph.D. programs. Read the full press release for additional details.

The college recently received approval to offer its first practice doctorate, the Doctor of Nursing Practice, and is currently developing a Doctor of Occupational Therapy program.

The Office of the Provost and the College of Health Professions are sponsoring the first First Friday of 2008 on Friday, January 11. Join colleagues and friends to celebrate the new year and wind down after a busy first week of classes. The event will be held in the Faculty Office Center Atrium from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The College of Health Professions will hold a Master of Occupational Therapy degree program information session on Saturday, January 12. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the formal program is from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Prospective students will learn about the degree program and have a chance to meet with current students, faculty, and advisors. For additional information or to RSVP, call 708.534.7270 or e-mail m-tracy@govst.edu.

Counseling faculty, staff, students, and guests are invited to join the fun at GALA 2008, sponsored by the GSU chapters of the Illinois Counseling Association and Chi Sigma Iota. Gala 2008 includes an Italian dinner, DJ, dancing, and a talent show on January 12, from 6 to 11 p.m., at the University Golf Club, 23520 Crawford Avenue, University Park.

Tickets are $10 for one or two for $15 and must be purchased by January 7. Tickets may be purchased in offices G304 and G306 daily or from organization representatives in counseling classes.

For more information, or to register for the Talent Show, call 708.372.6443 or email harrison1020@sbcglobal.net.

Looking for a good at a great price? Buy a book at the University Library used book sale now through January 11. For twenty-five cents, a great paperback book can be yours. Hardcover books are only fifty cents.