News and Events

Voting for the student advisory referendum on the proposed 2009-2010 increases in student fees will be conducted online. Online voting begins Monday, February 2 and continues through Thursday, February 5. To vote, students must go to https://eballot.votenet.com/GOVST. The username is the student’s last name and the password is his/her student id number.

Here is a great trick for everyone at GSU. Buy one ticket for the Mike Super Magic Show at The Center for Performing Arts and get one ticket free. This sleight of hand is good from 10 a.m. on January 30 to 7 pm., on January 31. The show begins at 8 p.m., on January 31.

Visit or call the Center box office at ext. 2222 to purchase tickets. Regular price tickets, which are available online, are Adults $37 and Students 16 and under $32.

In addition to the magical ticket deal, licensed drivers over the age of 18 are eligible to win a brand new Honda CR-V provided courtesy of Planet Honda. Neither GSU or Planet Honda employees or their families are eligible to win the car.

The Master’s in Occupational Therapy student organization and Heartland Blood Centers are hosting a blood drive on February 4, from 3 to 7 p.m., in Engbretson Hall, on the GSU campus. Students, staff, faculty, and community members are encouraged to donate blood. Appointments may be scheduled in the cafeteria during lunchtime, but walk-ins are always welcome. 

Donors are reminded to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water prior to donating. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weight at least 110 lbs, and be in good health. Sixteen year olds may donate with parental consent. A photo ID is required.

For more information, email Dianne.

The Center for Online Teaching and Learning will present a workshop demonstrating how to implement Learning Modules in online or web-enhanced courses on Friday, January 30, at 10 a.m., in D2438 (ACS lab). Learning Modules structure content into units, making weekly learning activities available to students in a one-click location. Organizing courses into modules enables students to navigate more easily and allows instructors to spend more time teaching. In this session, educators learn how to create a Learning Module, populate it with content and student activities, and how to move re-usable modules, such as orientation materials, from one course to another.

Space is limited, so contact Barbara Mandel to register. 

The Office of International Services is offering a series of information sessions to help and inform GSU students. International students can learn about employment in the U.S. and filing Federal and State taxes. American students can learn about how to gain international experience and volunteer or study abroad. All GSU students have the opportunity to learn from each other as both ambassadors for their community and mentors to help guide others in a new environment.

For a complete list of International Services information sessions check the events listings in the View or call ext 3087. 

The Civil Service Senate is sponsoring a carnation sale just in time for Valentine’s Day. The ordering deadline is February 6 or while supplies last. The payment deadline is February 9. All orders must be prepaid. Delivery is on February 11. Carnations are only $1.25 each, six for $6, and a dozen for $12. Contact Mary Rothenberg at ext. 2239, to order your bouquet.

The Student Senate in association with the Black History Committee is sponsoring a celebration set to music. Enjoy a Touch of Jazz on February 3, from 12:30 to 2 p.m., in the Cafeteria Annex. Music will be played, food will be served, and fun will be had. Bring your own lunch, if you wish. This event is free.

The GSU bookstore is celebrating February with a sale on select apparel and clearance items. Shop and save 20 percent. This offer is valid in store and online on select items only and may not be combined with any other offer.

For more information, contact the GSU bookstore at ext 4558.

Even small actions can reduce waste and reduce our negative impact on the environment. Here are some simple ways to minimize the amount of waste we generate at work:

• Reuse inter-office envelopes to mail things between departments
• Send a document electronically instead of printing it 
• Read and file electronic documents, rather than printing and filing hard copies
• Meeting organizers could require participants to bring their own copy of meeting notification attachments rather supplying often unused duplicate copies
• Copy using both sides of a sheet of paper
• Use your own mug or cup at Sodexho and get charged for a small size  
• Mail used HP Inkjet cartridges in return envelopes provided for recycling
• Implement a battery recycling program in your office 
• Use pens with refillable ink cartridges
• Install Green Print software on your computer. It’s free and helps reduce paper use 

And coming soon to GSU - A recycling bin for everyone will be installed at the Wagner House and E-parking lot, for paper recycling. If your community does not have a recycling program, you can still do your part in reducing landfill by dropping recyclable paper products in the campus bins.

Welcome to GSU's new employees. 

Deborah E. Bordelon
Dean
COE

Daniel Cortese
Assistant Professor
CAS

Lori Crawford Townsend
Administrative Clerk
Extended Learning

Gregory Johnson
Assistant Professor
University Library

Vincent R. Jones
Assistant Professor
CAS

Jun Zhao
Associate Professor
CBPA

The Family Development Center is currently in the planning process for summer and fall programs. New programs may include day camp for school age children this summer and childcare for infants and toddlers beginning in the fall. These programs would be offered to the GSU community first.

The FDC is interested in gauging community interest. If you are interested in either of these programs, please contact the Family Development Center at ext. 7300 or email Carol Morrison.

Alumni Lanee Walls was named the new superintendent for schools for the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice. Dr. Walls brings to the youth prison school district her experience, dedication,  compassion for children, and the necessary leadership skills to help the department reach its goal of providing the best education services possible. 

Dr. Walls received her master’s degree in Education Administration in 2002. Most recently, she was principal of Wilson School in Chicago Heights and previously was a school psychologist for the Illinois Department of Corrections. 

GSU employees continue to show their pride and support by donating to the Campus Community Campaign. Now there’s an added incentive to giving – besides that warm and fuzzy feeling you get.

All employees are eligible for fabulous prizes – whether they’ve donated or not. Prizes include a two night stay for two at the West Baden Springs Resort in French Lick, Indiana, with a choice of spa services or a round of golf; a two hour cruise of Lake Michigan from Chicago Charters; and four separate sets of tickets to a Center for Performing Arts show. Winners will be announced at a celebration on February 27.

Here’s how it works:
- Every employee can receive a chance to win simply by stopping in to see Joan Vaughan, Christine Radtke, Rosemary Hulett, or Jackie Small. No donation is necessary.
- Every employee who makes a donation receives one additional chance to win.
- Every employee who chooses payroll deduction as a means of donating receives two additional chances to win.

Those that have already given will be entered into the drawing appropriately.

In the meantime, visit the Campus Community Campaign website to learn why many of your co-workers have already given.

GSU celebrates the success of another class of graduates at the Winter 2009 Commencement Ceremony, on Saturday, January 31, at the Tinley Park Convention Center.

Only ticketed guests will be allowed into the ceremony. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. Guests are asked to arrive early to ensure seating. Entry into the auditorium will be suspended at 10:50 a.m. until the completion of the graduation procession.

There’s also plenty of time to lend a hand. Volunteers are essential to the success of many GSU events, especially Commencement. Opportunities include:

- Volunteers for Friday set-up from 9:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. If available after 1 p.m. please call Karen at x 6360.

- Five volunteers for coat check from noon until 1:30 p.m.

- Five ushers/greeters

To volunteer, contact Karen Caesar-Smith at ext. 6360 or Myisha Meeks at ext. 4105.

Join more than a million readers from all ethnic backgrounds in celebration of Black History Month. The African American Read In brings people together to celebrate literacy and enjoy the literature, poetry, and prose of African American authors.

Volunteers are asked to select and excerpt to read aloud during the Read In on Monday, February 16, from 6 to 8 p.m., in Sherman Hall.

This event is sponsored by the College of Arts And Sciences, the GSU English Department, the Black Caucus of NCTE and NCTE, and Student Life. To volunteer, contact Dr. Rashidah Muhammad at ext 6974 or Sheree Sanderson at ext 3956.

Are you down because your pants size is up? Or is it time to simply get back in shape? You’re not alone.

Join your colleagues on Wednesday, January 28 for Weight Watchers at Work. This preliminary informational meeting will take place from noon to 1 p.m., in room F1603. In order for the program to run, at least 20 participants are needed to commit to a 17 week session. So bring a friend or three. The cost of participation is $186, payable in three installments (or by payroll deduction) of $62.

For more information, contact Julia Jamison at ext. 7468.

On January 22, Mike Super - Magician and Illusionist mailed a sealed FedEx envelope to CBS 2 entertainment reporter Bill Zwecker containing a cassette tape with a recorded prediction of the Chicago Sun-Times lead headline on Friday, January 30. Live on CBS 2’s 11 a.m. News on Friday, January 30, Mike will meet with CBS 2 anchors Roseanne Tellez and Don Schwenneker, to open the envelope and play the tape. If Mike’s Sun-Times headline prediction is incorrect, he will personally refund the purchase price of tickets bought before January 30.

Get your tickets soon. Either way you win. You get to see a great show by a master magician and illusionist with the possibility that you get to see the show for free!

For more information, call (708) 235-2222 or visit the Center website.

February is full of activities commemorating Black History Month at GSU. From conversations to music, from dance to artistic expression, from literature to laughs, this month has it all. Student Life, the Student Senate, the Black Student Union, the College of Arts, and the Academic Resource Center and Sciences are among the sponsors of these events. Most events are free and all are open to the public.

For a complete calendar of events, see the events section of the View, or visit the GSU calendar of events.

The Friends of the GSU Library wish to remind everyone that meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month, at noon, in the Library Administrative Conference room. New members and old members are welcome.

Several discussion groups sponsored by the Friends and open to the entire GSU community meet monthly. They include GSU Writers Ink, Friends of the GSU Library Historical Society, and Friends of Mysteries.

Information about the Friends of the GSU Library is available online.

The Office of Career Services is sponsoring a Career Preparation Workshop to help students nearing graduation to get ready for the future. Topics covered during the workshop will include resume and cover letter preparation, job search strategies, interview and professional image tips, stress management skills, and activities to build self-confidence.

The workshop will be on January 26, from 4 to 5 p.m., in A1121. Reservations are encouraged. Contact Career Services at ext. 3974.

Voting for student senators and board representatives, as well as the student advisory referendum on the proposed 2009-2010 increases in student fees will be conducted online. Online voting begins Monday, January 26 and continues through Thursday, January 29. To vote, students must go to https://eballot.votenet.com/GOVST. The username is the student’s last name and the password is his/her student ID number.

GSU abounds with displays of outstanding student art. Currently, student art is displayed Research Gallery Twelve, the Upstairs Gallery at The Center, and the president’s conference room. Soon, new work will be added in the Atrium Gallery in the main entrance.

More information about art at GSU can be found on the Campus Art Forum website. Everyone is welcome to visit, browse, add an email address for special alerts, and share comments and observations. The site was created to help build bridges particularly with other schools and artists. Everyone is encouraged to share and help it grow.

Double your dedication to your New Year’s resolution by joining Weight Watchers at Work and the Department of Human Resources’ “Let’s Get Fit” program. The program runs from February 1 through April 30.

GSU employees are encouraged to work out on campus at least three times a week for 30 minutes a session.

How to Earn Points:
- Walk through GSU for 30 minutes
- Work out at the Recreation and Fitness Center
- Attend a weekly Weight Watchers at Work meeting

Sign up in Human Resources today to begin your program and become eligible for valuable incentives.

For more information, contact Julia Jamison at ext. 7468.

Impromptu lessons continue this trimester with an Impromptu Overview and use of the Graduate Assistants Query, on January 30, from 11 a.m. to noon, in the ACS lab. The Graduate Assistant Query allows users to check if graduate assistants have registered for enough hours in a particular trimester to be eligible for a contract and/or to determine whether a potential GA met his/her obligation in the previous trimester(s). Additional classes on other topics will follow.

The Friends of Mysteries have announced the schedule of mysteries they will enjoy unraveling. Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month, at noon, in the cafeteria annex. In February, I Shall Not Want by Julia Spencer-Fleming will be discussed. March’s book is The Private Patient by P.D. James. The selection for April is A Matter of Justice by Charles Todd. In May, An Incomplete Revenge by Jacqueline Winspear will be reviewed. And in June, the mystery on the table is The Ice House by Minette Walters.

More information about the Friends of the GSU Library is available online.

Since 1969, GSU has touched tens of thousands of lives. To commemorate and record the positive impact and enduring memories of GSU, community members, alumni, students, retirees, or employees are asked to put their fingers to keyboards and record their stories.

Share the positive impact GSU has had on your life in 750 words or less. Many of the stories will be featured on the 40th Anniversary website. The top submissions will be announced at the GSU Gala Celebration on November 7 and will be printed in IMPACT, a publication commemorating the best submissions.

All literary genres are accepted via electronic submission to writingcompetition@govst.edu. No graphics please. Entries should be submitted as Microsoft Word documents only. The submission deadline is April 30.

For more information, visit the Writing Competition FAQ or contact Sheree Sanderson at ext. 3956.

The GSU community gathered together to view the inauguration of President Barack Obama along with several billion of our closest friends around the world and on the mall in D.C. The large screen TV in the Hall of Governors served as a magnet, as many, including the children from the Family Development Center, were drawn to witness the ceremony and hear the speeches. Cheers, applause, laughter, even some tears flowed through the crowd of observers.

A reporter from the SouthtownStar was also on hand for the GSU observance. Her article, which includes descriptive imagery and wonderful quotes from members of the GSU community, appeared in the January 21 edition of the paper.

Election and petition packets are available at online for the positions of Student Senator, Student Representative to the Governors State University Board of Trustees, and Student Representative to the Illinois Board of Higher Education Student Advisory Committee.

Completed packets are due to Sara Appel, Director of Student Involvement and Leadership (A2132), by 5 p.m., on Thursday, January 22.

Voting for student senators and board representatives, as well as the student advisory referendum on the proposed 2009-2010 increases in student fees will be conducted online. Online voting begins Monday, January 26 and continues through Thursday, January 29. To vote, students must go to https://eballot.votenet.com/GOVST. The username is the student’s last name and the password is his/her student id number.

The Office of Career Services is sponsoring a Career Preparation Workshop to help students nearing graduation to get ready for the future. Topics covered during the workshop will include resume and cover letter preparation, job search strategies, interview and professional image tips, stress management skills, and activities to build self-confidence.

The workshop will be on January 26, from 4 to 5 p.m., in A1121. Reservations are encouraged. Contact Career Services at ext. 3974.

The Center for Online Teaching & Learning will offer a series of workshops on technologies that facilitate communication in education.

Each Technology Hands-on Workshop is conducted in the ACS lab, D 2438. Seating is limited. Reserve by emailing Barbara Mandel with the date of the workshop in the subject line.

Communication 

Using email, discussions, and notifications in WebCT

January 21, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Organizing your online course (part 1)

Build and organize content for courses in WebCT

January 23, 10 a.m. to noon

Organizing your online course (part 2)

Manage course content in WebCT

January 30, 10 a.m. to noon

Blogging: Using online blogging sites in teaching & learning

Basics of blogging

February 6, 10 a.m. to noon

The New York Theatre Ballet Company Presents Carnival of The Animals, and Sleeping Beauty at The Center for Performing Arts, on Sunday, January 25, at 4 p.m.

From the Once Upon a Ballet series, this nationally renowned company offers two story ballet classics that are perfect to share with your family. Two unsuspecting children are met by a charming assortment of animals when they wander in to the forest in Carnival of the Animals and the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty is brought to life through dance and the music of Tchaikovsky.

GSU buy one get one free tickets will be available in the Price 1 section. Tickets are regularly priced at $41 for adults and $36 for students, 16 and under.

The offer begins at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 23 and ends at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets may be purchased in person or by calling the Center box office at 708.235.2222.

Dr. Valentine James, a 1981 GSU graduate, with a Master of Arts in environmental science, has been named Clarion University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Previously, Dr. James was a dean of College and Humanities and Social Sciences at Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC. 

Dr. James began his career as a faculty graduate assistant at GSU from 1979-81. His wide-ranging career includes acting as a graduate research assistant for Texas A & M University;  research writer, mathematics and biology educator in Bryan, Texas; assistant professor at University of Southwestern Louisiana, Lafayette, La; assistant professor at University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA; director of African studies and associate professor at Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo Michigan; and director of the Ph.D. program in public policy, associate professor, interim chair of the Masters of Public Administration Department, and director of the Ph.D. program in public policy at Southern University and A & M College.

Dr. James has a special interest in the environment. He earned an Air Quality Specialist Certificate and an Environmental Assessment Specialist Certificate, and was awarded a certificate of training in Environmental Economics and Sustainable Development by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Drs. Jean Johnson, Al Tuskenis, and Glenna Howell and Professor Kim Jaroszewski of the GSU Psychology Department will present Development and Assessment of a New Thinking and Writing Course in Undergraduate Psychology at the 2009 Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA) Conference in May.

The presentation includes results from the development and assessment of a new undergraduate course: Thinking and Writing in Psychology. A summary of how the course was developed using the American Psychological Association's Learning Goals and results from a close analysis of the course’s effectiveness using a multifaceted approach will be discussed. This is the first presentation in a series of planned presentations and articles resulting from a GSU University Research Grant.

The Art of the Kuba exhibit at the Visual Arts Gallery brings the intricate artwork of the Kuba to GSU. The artwork on display is a combination of rich textiles, intricate beadwork, overpowering masks, and photographs.

A Distinguished Lecture sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences featuring Prince Ngoloshang Mbecky of the Kuba Royal family enhances the exhibit. The prince will present video recordings of Kuba art and ritual in the current social and political setting on February 6, at 6 p.m., in Sherman Music Recital Hall. A reception will follow immediately after the presentation. The exhibit will also be open for viewing that evening until 9 p.m.

The Distinguished Lecture, reception, and art exhibit are free and open to the public. The exhibit runs from January 20 through February 17. The Visual Arts Gallery is open Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call ext. 4021.

This event is part of a yearlong celebration of GSU's 40th anniversary. Community members are welcome to attend special events throughout 2009, which exemplify the university’s ongoing success.

The Family Development Center is currently in the planning process for summer and fall programs. New programs may include day camp for school age children this summer and child care for infants and toddlers beginning in the fall. These programs would be offered to the GSU community first. The FDC is interested in gauging community interest. If you are interested in either of these programs, please contact the Family Development Center at ext 7300 or email Carol Morrison.  

The university will be closed on Monday, January 19 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, but the day will be celebrated with a special observance at The Center for Performing Arts. A Day On – Not a Day Off will begin with a pre-program at 10:30 a.m., followed by a program at 11 a.m. The program includes welcoming remarks by President Maimon, guest speaker Apostle Carl White Jr., and musical guests Dr. Stirling Culp, the Rich Central Symphonic Band, and Dena Allen Spivey. The event is free and open to the public.

In celebration of the inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama on January 20, the Student Senate is sponsoring a social gathering between 9 and 10:30 a.m. with light refreshments that will afford students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to discuss the election, the new presidency, and future of the United States. Observance will continue during the swearing in ceremony at 11 a.m. Viewing will be possible on a large screen television installed in the Hall of Governors or on one of the many television monitors situated around campus.

At its Winter Commencement ceremony on January 31, GSU will grant more than 650 bachelor’s and master’s degrees to students who have worked diligently and with great success toward this goal. The university will also award an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa), to Dr. Blondean Davis, Superintendent of Matteson School District 162.

Under Davis’ leadership, the students of District 162 attained a 45 percent rise in achievement scores on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test. Schools in her district rank among the top elementary schools in the state. In 2008, Dr. Davis was named Illinois Superintendent of the Year.

A really big show needs a lot of helping hands. Volunteers are encouraged to join in making Winter Commencement a success for the university, our graduates, and their families.  Volunteers will assist with pre-ceremony setup, faculty and marshal robing, student check-in and check-out, ushering, and many other duties. 

GSU Commencement will take place on Saturday, January 31, at 11 a.m., at the Tinley Park Convention Center, Tinley Park, Illinois. Volunteers are asked to arrive at 8:30 a.m. A continental breakfast will be served.

Those interested are asked to contact Karen Caesar-Smith k-caesar-smith@govst.edu at ext 6360.

Election and petition packets are available at online for the positions of Student Senator, Student Representative to the Governors State University Board of Trustees, and Student Representative to the Illinois Board of Higher Education Student Advisory Committee. Completed packets are due to Sara Appel, Director of Student Involvement and Leadership (A2132), by 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2009.

The elections will be conducted online this year. Online voting begins Monday, January 26 and continues through Thursday, January 29. To vote, students must go to https://eballot.votenet.com/GOVST. The username is the student’s last name and the password is his/her student id number.

The Honorary Degree Nomination Review Committee will on Thursday, January 22. The committee meets at least once in each of fall and winter trimesters. According to the Board of Trustees Regulations Section III B, the committee recommends to the President proposed honorary degree recipients selected from nominations by the faculty, students, staff, alumni, and Trustees.

Current members of the review committee are:

Paul Blobaum, Associate Professor, Library, President of Faculty Senate, Chair
Chip Coldren, Associate Professor, Criminal Justice, CAS
Najma Adam, Associate Professor. Social Work, CHHS
Nancy Miller, Assistant Professor, Education, COE
Beth Cada, Full Professor, Occupational Therapy, CHHS
Kathy Miller, President, Civil Service Senate
Joan Vaughan, VP, Advancement
Jane Hudak, Provost
 

Letters of nomination should include authoritative vitae and/or biographical data, contact information (phone and mailing address), and other pertinent information. 

Please forward nominations by Wednesday, January 21 for consideration this month. Nominations may be sent to Paul Blobaum or Joan Vaughan.

Don’t just take a tour of the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park. Lead one. Now is your chance to gain insight and understanding of the 26 pieces of art through the NMSP docent program. Docents lead tours, host programs and receptions, and act as ambassadors of the park.

Docent orientation consists of seven evening sessions spread over a 12-week period and a morning tour of the sculpture park. Session topics include park history, an introduction to the history of sculpture, presentations on each piece in the collection, and pointers on how to conduct tours of the sculpture park.

Sessions are conducted Thursday, from February 26 through May 23, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at GSU. Refreshments and materials are provided. Advance registration and a $25 fee are required.

For more information on the park docent program and volunteer opportunities at the sculpture park, call ext 4486.

Are you down because your pants size is up? Or is it simply time to get back in shape? You’re not alone.

Join your colleagues on Wednesday, January 28 for Weight Watchers at Work. This preliminary informational meeting will take place from noon to 1 p.m., in room F1603.

In order for the program to run, at least 20 participants are needed to commit to a 17-week session. So bring a friend or three. The cost of participation is $186, payable in three installments (or by payroll deduction) of $62.
 

For more information, contact Julia Jamison at ext. 7468.

Sometimes your office is the worst place to be productive. If you want to get away to get things done, try the GSU Library. Library laptops are now available for checkout for use within the Library. 

In addition to Weight Watchers at Work, the Department of Human Resources is also offering a program to help you fulfill your New Year’s resolution. Let’s Get Fit runs from February 1 through April 30.

GSU employees are encouraged to work out on campus at least three times a week for 30 minutes a session to earn points and become eligible for valuable incentives. 

How to earn points:

- Walk through GSU for 30 minutes

- Work out at the Recreation and Fitness Center

- Attend a weekly Weight Watchers at Work meeting
 

Sign up in Human Resources today to begin your program. For more information, contact Julia Jamison at ext. 7468.

The GSU community generously donated $6,599.00 to the Annual State Employees Combined Appeal SECA 2008 Campaign.

As part of a Title V Cooperative Grant awarded to Morton College in partnership with GSU, the Latino Center for Excellence is striving to strengthen our capacity to serve Latino students. The Center is offering an invaluable faculty development opportunity to enable GSU educators to serve Latino students better. 

Faculty members will be trained on the following: 

·         Research-based teaching and learning methods

·         Best practices

·         Integrating content relevant information and materials

·         Classroom assessment techniques

A $2,000 stipend is provided to faculty members who participate in the training. For more information, contact Carlos Cantu,

Interim Activity Director at ext 4553.

On Thursday, January 15, at 10 a.m., in room D 2438 (ACS lab), the Center for Online Teaching and Learning will present a workshop to help faculty begin using the Blackboard CE-6 shell. Customizing Your Course will introduce Blackboard CE-6 tools, how to personalize a homepage, and an easy way to post a syllabus online.

Seating is limited. To register, contact Barbara Mandel.  

Social Work Student Organization (SWSO) is hosting several events in January. The first meeting of the New Year is on Tuesday, January 13, at 3 p.m., in the student commons. A Get-Together and Idea follows on January 16, at 6 p.m., in the student commons. Friday, January 23 is the last day to sign up for Lobby Day in Springfield. Participants are reminded to email SWSO president Diane Moler. A mandatory meeting for those attending Lobby Day is on Tuesday, January 27, at 3 p.m., in the Student Commons.

Precious Luster, Director of Logistics for Luster Products, Inc. will be the guest speaker at the next Brother-to-Brother meeting on Thursday, January 15, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Student Commons. Everyone is welcome.

For more information, contact Dr. Rupert Evans at ext 2131.  

The Latino Center for Excellence is sponsoring a Student Orientation on January 15, from 2 to 4 p.m., in room B 2203A. Students will learn about the Center’s mentoring program and many services in addition to hearing from representatives from Financial Aid, the Writing Center, Career Services, and Student Support Services. Students are introduced to some of the skills needed to succeed at GSU. Association of Latin American Students will also be present. New students wishing to learn what the Center has to offer and hear more about GSU are welcome.

For more information, contact Carlos Cantu or call ext. 4553.

The Center for Online Teaching and Learning is sponsoring a Lunch and Learn on new media technology on Friday, January 16, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Cafeteria Annex. Topics will include podcasts, blogs, and wikis. Lunch will be provided free to the first 20 faculty to register, but the event is open to all faculty and staff.

To register, email Eric Wignall with the subject line: Lunch and Learn.

The Latino Center for Excellence is seeking graduate students interested in helping an undergraduate student find academic success at GSU. Student mentors will serve as a resource, and listen, counsel, and motivate undergraduates. Mentors will attend an initial training session, work under the supervision of a faculty mentor, and complete a monthly report.

Mentors receive a $1,000 stipend and the opportunity to make a difference. For more information, contact Carlos Cantu, Interim Activity Director at ext 4553.

There is no mystery. The Friends of Mysteries meeting has been moved to January 21, at noon, in the cafeteria annex. The groups will discuss Cold Comfort by MD Lake. Everyone is welcome

Rosemary Hulett, Associate Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations, was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District Five. CASE strives to advance and support educational institutions around the world by enhancing the effectiveness of alumni relations, communications, marketing, fundraising and other advancement professions. 

The District Five Board is responsible for providing leadership and professional development programs for higher education institutions in the Great Lakes states of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

Hulett, who previously served on the board back in the 1980s, says she is honored at being selected again and looks forward to working with the other board members.

The Adult Learner Inventor (ALI) Project for 2008 has been completed and the results will help GSU assess performance in areas such as curriculum, tuition, life career planning, and student support services. Those students who completed a short online survey have helped the university learn what it is doing right and what it can do better.

The names of the students who completed the survey were entered in weekly random drawings to win one of fifteen $25 VISA gift cards and/or a grand prize of one of four $100 VISA gift cards.

The following students are among the winners: Nidaa Abdelhalim, Tiffany Abercorombie, Kristy Aronowitz, Stacy Balwiercz, Pamela Barbee, Valerie Barnes, Allyson Bartlett, Bill Biederman, Crystal Briney, Mary Busch, Rhonda Cohen, Ceola Coleman, Kristina Conway, Patti Debias, Nikolina  Dimovski, Mecca Eaves, Barbara Ferguson, Samantha Gabrys, Elizabeth Gorsline, Francesca Guntenspergen, Jeffrey Hanford, Linda Helton, Charissa Hurt, Joyce Jackson, Kim Johnson, Rose Martin, Kelli Merrick, Melissa Mielnicki, Nicole Neuhaus, Sherika Quarles, Fernando Rayas, Patty Schwartz, Judith Sparr, Nicole Spencer, Amy Stephens, Alyson Sullivan, Kim Teal-Brooks, Daphne Thornton, Bethany Treasure, Christina Voutiritsas, Cara Walker, Jenna Weglarz, Annette White, Felica Whitfield, and Dawn Wolf.

The holidays may be over, but it is still the season of giving if you have a great reason like the Campus Community Campaign. Donations help create educational opportunities for students, alumni, faculty, and staff and help the entire GSU community succeed. Remember, it’s your participation that counts, not the amount of your donation.

Visit the Campus Community Campaign website and learn why your GSU colleagues and friends have already made contributions. Then make yours today!

Dr. Greg Blevins, chair of the Department of Addictions Studies and Behavioral Health, has been appointed Interim Assistant Dean of the College of Health and Human Services. He will provide assistance to CHHS Dean Linda Samson, who was recently named Interim Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Studies.

“He’s a great choice to lead the day to management of the college,” said Provost Jane Hudak. “Dr. Samson will be engaged with the challenge of developing GSU’s infrastructure for the research, sponsored programs, and graduate education functions. It’s comforting to know that she’ll have the assistance of a GSU veteran at the collegiate level.”

Blevins has been with GSU for 27 years.

Come one, come all to the Student Involvement Fair on January 22, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., in the Hall of Governors. Learn about the more than 40 clubs and organizations working to learn more, contribute more, and have more fun at GSU.

Clubs and organizations wishing to have representation at the fair are asked to register by contacting Adam Taylor at ext. 7362. Sponsored by Student Life.

Student Life is sponsoring a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration on January 12. More than 550 students from area middle and junior high schools will attend a presentation at The Center for Performing Arts, which includes performances by Al Mack of Low Note Productions and Dave, The Piano Man. The key note speaker is Deborah J. Crable, Director of Marketing and Communications for Kennedy-King College, who will present We are not makers of history. We are made by history.

The program begins at 10 a.m. and everyone is welcome. For more information, call ext. 4550.

While GSU will not be closed for President’s Day, we do get to celebrate the birthday of Abraham Lincoln on February 12. According to State of Illinois statute, his actual birth date dictates the date for State facility closure, unless it occurs on a weekend at which time Friday or Monday will be designated. So GSU will be closed on Thursday, February 12. And don’t forget that the university is also closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on January 19.

Get warm with the help of the GSU Bookstore. Crewneck sweatshirts are on sale now for $9.99 while supplies last.

This article is the first in an occasional series focusing on families working at GSU.

Cindy Woodard provides the first voice heard by many callers to Governors State University. She’s one of two full-time telephone operators who field calls to the university.

Bob Woodard, her husband, is superintendent at GSU’s Print Shop, which is responsible for producing many on-campus posters, brochures, class lists, and materials for the bookstore and classrooms.

Bob has worked for GSU for 28 years and Cindy has been on campus 11 years. During that time, they’ve seen changes to their jobs, especially with the advent of new technology.

“When I first started, we actually answered the telephone,” says Cindy, who now sits behind two computer monitors. “Now I answer the computer.” Bob begin his career in the print shop working on presses that used metal plates. “These days, just about everything is digital,” he says.

The Woodards, who have been married 33 years, say there are some advantages to being a married couple at GSU. They live in Park Forest, just a couple miles from campus, and can go home for lunch. “And we only need to take one car to work,” she adds.

Cindy is a member of the Civil Service Senate, where she serves as corresponding secretary. Both she and Bob have volunteered at a number of GSU activities, including open houses and Harvest Fest.

When asked if they ever worked together before Governors State, Bob recalls a Northwest Indiana nightspot back in the 1970s. They both had part-time jobs. He was a bartender. She was a waitress. “That was where we met,” he says. “But after we got married, we stopped working there.”

The Leadership Dialogue series, sponsored by the Metropolitan Institute for Leadership in Education (MILE) at GSU, is designed to develop an understanding the meaning of courage and the strength of endurance. On January 24, Dr. Paul Craig will lead a thought-provoking discussion of leadership and courage as exemplified by Sir Ernest Shackleton, who led an expedition to traverse the Antarctic continent in 1914.

There is no charge to participate in this unique, enlightening conversation. Participants are asked to read The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition by Caroline Alexander, or be familiar with the topic.

This event takes place in the Hall of Governors from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch is provided. Pre-registration is required. Call ext. 4024.

Disorganization can lead to much more than just losing keys or the remote control. It can add stress that is both unhealthy and unnecessary.

Professional organizer, Karen McGregor believes applying organization skills can lead to more time, more space, and more energy for other activities. And increased organization leads to decreased stress. In her two-hour workshop, Disorganization and Stress: the Link and What to Do About It, McGregor helps participants identify the reasons for disorganization and learn the skills to become organized.

The workshop will be held on February 7, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the GSU Kankakee Education Center, 187 S. Schuyler Avenue, Kankakee, Illinois. The registration fee is $25. For information, contact Julie Anderson-Muniz ext. 3313.

Thelma T. Miller, BHS (’75) and MHS (’77), has excelled through the years. Recently she was recognized by the Illinois Nurses Association District 20 for Fifty Plus Years in Nursing and currently holds a position on the Board of Directors. She has also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chicago Chapter of the National Black Nurses Association.

Kudos to Thelma on her outstanding success.

Students are reminded that courses may be added any time during the registration period for Block 1, 2, and 3 courses. Courses may NOT be added after the registration period ends. For Winter 2009, the following registration deadlines apply:

The last day to add a Block 1 or 2 class is Saturday, January 10, 2009.

The last day to add a Block 3 class is March 4, 2009.

Classroom assignments are available online. Students can view and print their schedules and check room assignments using the computers outside of the Registrar’s Office during the first week of the Winter 2009 Trimester.

Welcome Days at GSU provides new and returning students, faculty, and staff access to important services and information. Information tables will be set up in the Hall of Governors on January 5 and 6, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Representatives of the American Cancer Society will be on campus providing information and enlisting volunteers. Information about university facilities and programs, including the Recreation and Fitness Center, will also be available.       

For more information, call ext. 4550.

The Secretary of State’s Mobile Service Unit will be at GSU on January 6, from 2 to 7 p.m., in the Hall of Governors. Services available at the Mobile Service Unit include driver’s license renewal, replacement, and corrections; State I.D. card renewal, replacement, and corrections; vehicle sticker sales; passenger and b-truck license plates; vehicle title and registration; parking placards for persons with disabilities; and organ/tissue donor information. In addition, vision tests and the written driver’s license exam can be taken. No driving tests will be given.

The services provided are available to all qualified Illinois residents. State law allows driver’s license renewal up to one year in advance. Proper identification is required for new and duplicate driver’s licenses and state ID cards.

For information, visit the Cyberdrive website.  

Student Life is sponsoring a student trip to the Chicago Bulls vs. San Antonio Spurs game, on Saturday, January 17, at 7:30 p.m. Students are eligible to win two tickets. Winners also receive transportation via charter bus to and from the game and a mini Chicago Bulls poster.

To enter, submit an email entry to gsudsil@yahoo.com. The subject line of the email should read “Let’s go Bulls!” Include your name, address, telephone number, and Student I.D. Number. All entries must be received by Thursday, January 8, by 11 p.m.

The drawing will occur on Friday, January 9, at noon. Winners will be notified via email the day of the drawing and tickets will be mailed to their home addresses.

On January 10, by the light of the full moon, visitors will be able to tour many of the sculptures in the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park. Curator and Director Geoffrey Bates will lead the tour, providing insight on the works and the artists who created them. The fee for the Full Moon Nighttime Tour is $5 and advanced registration is required.

The tour begins at Art Ark by Terry Karpowicz, in the Hall of Governors, at 6:30 p.m. Participants will also visit the giant Paul by Tony Tasset, the mysterious Flying Saucer by Jene Highstein, and many other favorite works in the park. The tour ends at 8 p.m., at Bruce Nauman’s House Divided, with a cup of hot chocolate and cookies.

Adventurers should bring a flashlight, dress warmly, and wear comfortable, waterproof shoes since some of the paths are uneven.

For more information or to register for the Full Moon Nighttime Tour, email or call ext. 4486.

GSU’s Center for Online Teaching and Learning will present a WebCT Orientation for students. Session are designed to provide an overview of GSU's eLearning system including how to access the system, basic navigation, directions on how to access tutorials for tools, and how to get help if a problem is encountered.

All students are invited and the orientation. All sessions will be held in the Cafeteria Annex.
 

Tuesday, January 13

12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

6 to 7 p.m.

Wednesday, January 14

12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

6 to 7 p.m.

Saturday, January 17

8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

GSU, Prairie State College, the Jane Addams Juvenile Court Foundation, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, and a coalition of other groups, will convene two free school and community safety events at Prairie State College in January.

These events will focus the public’s attention on restorative justice approaches to conflict resolution and violence reduction by demonstrating how these programs work in school and community settings, and explain how to implement them successfully.

The Administrators’ Forum on School and Community Safety is on Wednesday, January 14, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. This event is designed for school administrators, law enforcement executives, social service program administrators, and members of faith based organizations, the courts, and other agencies concerned with youth and community safety. 

A follow-up Public Summit on School and Community Safety will be held on Saturday, January 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This summit is designed for south suburban parents and children so they too can learn about restorative justice and the possibilities for promoting violence and delinquency prevention.

For more information or to register, call 312.433.7020.

The Art of the Kuba exhibit at Governors State University’s Visual Arts Gallery will bring the intricate artwork of the Kuba to the south suburbs. The Kuba Kingdom is currently part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo although it remains the sole surviving traditional court of the many that once flourished in equatorial Africa. The artwork on display is a combination of rich textiles, intricate beadwork, overpowering masks, and photographs.

A Distinguished Lecture sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences featuring Prince Ngoloshang Mbecky of the Kuba Royal family enhances the exhibit. The prince will present video recordings of Kuba art and ritual in the current social and political setting on February 6, at 6 p.m., in Sherman Music Recital Hall. A reception will follow immediately after the presentation. The exhibit will also be open for viewing that evening until 9 p.m.

The Distinguished Lecture, reception, and art exhibit are free and open to the public. The exhibit runs from January 20 through February 17. The Visual Arts Gallery is open Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call ext 4021.

This event is part of a yearlong celebration of GSU's 40th anniversary. Community members are welcome to attend special events throughout 2009, which exemplify the university’s ongoing success. 

We may not have sports teams to compete with other schools, but we are a “green” team ready for the big game and ready to vanquish the competition!

On January 18, Team GSU, which comprises the entire GSU community, will compete in RecycleMania – a challenge for colleges and universities to increase awareness of waste reduction and recycling initiatives. GSU’s efforts will focus on overall waste reduction instead of only recycling. This category is considered a “tangible action” under the Presidents Climate Commitment signed by President Maimon in April 2008.

While GSU’s recycling efforts are already well established, there are ways we can improve. GSU’s RecycleMania efforts for the 10-week long competition include:

• Promoting inter-office reusable envelopes for campus mail.
• Replacing paper documents with online alternatives wherever possible (e.g. telephone directories, course catalogs, room selection, bill payment, grade distribution, etc)
• Implementing campus printing initiatives, which prohibit or discourage unlimited printing in computer labs and copy rooms (e.g. pay per sheet pricing, etc.)

Our efforts will be measured by adding the weight of our recyclables plus the weight of our trash and dividing that number by the population of GSU. Weekly and final results will be posted in the View.

It is up to us to make this number the highest in the competition. Recycle more, reuse more, and toss out less. Go Team! 

The GSU Student Senate is sponsoring a social gathering, with light refreshments, between 9 and 10:30 a.m., on January 20, to celebrate the inauguration of the new president. Students, faculty, and staff will have the opportunity to discuss the election, the new presidency, and future of the United States. Viewing of the inauguration ceremony at 11 a.m. will be possible on a large screen television installed in the Hall of Governors or on one of the many television monitors tuned to the Inauguration situated around campus.