News and Events

Columbia and Challenger, Romeo and Juliet, and Bert and Ernie all have the same thing in common. They are duos who have stood the test of time. Now it is your turn to name the next great duo – the GSU Shuttles.

The GSU free shuttle service between the university, select locations in University Park, and the Metra station is a great success except for one minor detail. The GSU shuttles need monikers.

Submit your suggested names to Dean Sherilyn Poole (D 1409) on Thursday, November 13, by 5 p.m. Each submission must be submitted with your name and contact information. The winner will be announced on Friday, November 14.

If the winning entry is submitted by a student, he/she is eligible for a $100 gift card. Students, faculty, and staff can enter but only students are eligible for the prize. 

The GSU Intellectual Life Committee is initiating its first Intellectual Life Grant process. The mission of the Intellectual Life Committee is:

• To expand the intellectual opportunities available to the GSU community
• To contribute to the enhancement of intellectual pursuits
• To increase the growth of and participation in intellectual endeavors

The Intellectual Life Grants will be awarded for up to $500 for events taking place between January 15, 2009 and May 31, 2009 that promote and increase awareness of the arts, humanities, and other intellectual topics of universal interest. Possible events might include lecture series, faculty research salons, panel discussions, film screenings, exhibits, presentations in local communities, and field trips.

The primary audience for these events is GSU students, although all members of the GSU community and the region are welcome to attend. 

GSU staff and faculty, as well as enrolled GSU students with a faculty collaborator, are invited to apply using the Intellectual Life Grant Application. 

Selection criteria include:

• Comparative analysis between grant projects presented;
• Value to the GSU community in terms of intellectual life; and
• Likelihood that the project is feasible based on the support of this grant plus any other sources of funding.

Submissions are due November 3, 2008. Submissions may be made to either Diane Dates Casey (D-2419) or Jim Howley (E-2593). Award winners will be notified by November 14, 2008.

Don’t miss the Harvest Celebration Parade in the front atrium of the D building main entrance, on October 31, at 11:15 a.m. and again at 2:45 p.m. The children attending the Family Development Center are eager to show off their costumes and receive treats. There will be 75 children parading by in the morning and 50 children in the afternoon. 

The FDC students and staff wish to thank you all in advance for participating in our celebration!

The Civil Service Senate and Student Life invite students, staff, and faculty to the Second Annual Halloween Bash on Friday, October 31, from 1 to 3 p.m., in the Cafeteria Annex. The bash includes refreshments while they last. Come in costume, enter a decorated pumpkin in the contest, decipher the word scrambles, or be frightened by a ghost story or two. You might even win a prize.

Enjoy the Halloween decorations at the Center for Performing Arts and take in a show while you are at it.

David Crosby and Graham Nash will perform on Friday, October 31, at 8 p.m. Two for one full price ($72) tickets are available beginning at 10 a.m., on Friday, October 31, and ending at 7 p.m.

The Second City Touring Company will perform Deface the Nation on Saturday, November 1, at 8 p.m. Two for one mezzanine seats ($37) are available from Friday, October 31, at 10 a.m. to Saturday, November 1, at 7 p.m.

During the time of this offer only, you may call the box office at 708.235.2222 to reserve and pay for these tickets. Tickets must be paid for at the time of reservation.

The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park will be highlighted during early November in a three-minute production broadcast on the Comcast cable network. Producer Lee Denham and Community Connection Coordinator Nancy Bayless spent four hours with Park Director Geoff Bates shooting a variety of different works in the park on a perfect September afternoon.

The piece can be found in the On Demand section of the Comcast channel menu under the heading “Get Local.” Comcast distributes its signal to 1.7 million homes in the Chicagoland region.

Artist Marlene Gallagher will present her photographs of southern Africa at a Distinguished Lecture sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences on Wednesday, November 5, from 5 to 6:15 p.m., in Engbretson Hall.

Gallaher is an artist with the Union Street Gallery in Chicago Heights. Her photographs of Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, and South Africa capture the essence of the landscape, animals, and people of the region.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Sheree Sanderson at x3956.

The Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society (LPH) induction will be held Friday, November 7, at 6 p.m. in E-Lounge. LPH is the honor society for communications majors. The 17 new members will re-establish the GSU chapter of the society, which has been absent from campus since 1999.

The RIMI/HDR (Research Infrastructure for Minority Institutions/Health Disparities Research) Workshop series continues with Power Analysis featuring Dr. Sally Freels, of the Department of Biostatistics, University of Illinois at Chicago, on November 14, from 10 a.m. to noon, in the CHHS Dean’s Conference Room.

For more information or to register, contact Dr. Ralph Bell at x4029. 

The Teacher Quality Enhancement Recruitment (TQE-R) is offering full one-year scholarships to students entering the university’s secondary education programs in biology, chemistry, English, or math. This program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

This renewable scholarship pays for tuition, fees, books, and childcare through the Family Development Center at GSU for one full academic year. Applications for Winter 2009 must be submitted by December 1, 2008. Scholarship requirements and applications are available at www.govst.edu/tqe. For more information, contact Cheryl Hague at x4587.

While we may take a vitamin a day, try to eat a balanced meal, and get some exercise, taking care of our emotional health often takes a back seat to the demands of daily living.

To address this tendency, and in recognition of Emotional Wellness Month in October, the College of Arts and Sciences is sponsoring an Emotional Wellness Workshop on October 28, from 5 to 7 p.m., in E-Lounge at GSU. The workshop will be led by Dr. Sharon Hudson, adjunct faculty in communications.

Workshop topics include nurturing a positive attitude, reducing stress, balancing work and family life, and relaxation, laughter, and fun.

The workshop is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Sheree Sanderson at x3956.

A Community Forum on the 2008 Election will be held on Tuesday, October 28, from 2 to 4:30 p.m., in the Hall of Honors. The goal of the forum is to empower the community and provide an opportunity to voice concerns about the issues facing the country and to share. The focus will be issues and not candidates.

A panel of four faculty members will begin the event with brief overviews of the major issues of the election. The panelists include Prof. Larry Levinson (Political and Justice Studies), Prof. Donald Culverson (Political and Justice Studies), Prof. Chelsea Haring (Political and Justice Studies), and Prof. Anthony Andrews (Business and Health Administration).

An open microphone will be available for community members to participate in the discussion. Everyone is welcome.

The Civil Service Senate and Student Life invite students, staff, and faculty to the Second Annual Halloween Bash on Friday, October 31, from 1 to 3 p.m., in the Cafeteria Annex. The bash includes refreshments while they last. Come in costume, enter a decorated pumpkin in the contest, decipher the word scrambles, or be frightened by a ghost story or two. You might even win a prize.

According to a new ruling by the U.S. Department of Education, all institutions of higher education must report differently on student demographics, specifically race/ethnicity information, starting with students in the graduating class of Spring/Summer 2008. One of the primary reasons for this new ruling is to allow people to indicate that they belong to more than one racial or ethnic group. Another reason is to enable better identification of persons of Hispanic or Latino heritage.

To comply with this ruling, faculty will receive paper questionnaires to be completed by students currently enrolled in Fall 2008 courses. Faculty are asked to assist in the distribution and collection of these questionnaires before the end of the trimester.

This will be the only time faculty will be asked to assist in this process. In future, questionnaires will be presented to students electronically during registration.

For more information, contact Linda Buyer at x 4991.

NMSP director and curator Geoff Bates will present an informal, lively half-hour discussion comparing and contrasting two of the sculptures in the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, on November 4, at 12:30 p.m. and again at 3:45 p.m., in room D-1497.

The discussion of Clement Meadmore’s Spiral, and James Brenner’s Passage involves no walking or prior knowledge. Bring lunch or a snack, enjoy the conversation, and learn about the artwork that surrounds GSU.

The full schedule of Two for Tuesday topics and other sculpture park events can be found online.

The Taste of BSU embodies the essence of African American culture, struggle, and spirituality. The main ingredient is "soul," which is the most important characteristic of all dishes. Get ready to let your taste buds savor flavor enhanced with culture.

BSU caters to the soul experience with delicious sweets, slammin’ side dishes, and, of course, slowly cooked meats  - prepared with love. The Taste of BSU will be on Wednesday, November 12, from noon to 4 p.m., in the cafeteria annex. For more information, call x 3969.

Fresh off the success of the FY ‘09 planning process, the PBAC committee is preparing to look ahead to FY ’10. Dr. Maimon has named new committee members and co-chairs of the six standing subcommittees.

One of the most important projects currently in development is the creation of a submission process and specific awards criteria for the distribution of the $250,000 in the Strategic Opportunity Fund. The funds are to be distributed on a competitive basis to faculty, staff, and/or units for special projects which reflect at least one of the Strategic Plan’s goals. Once the guidelines are established, a call for proposals will be issued. 

Enjoy an evening of spooky fun and fall festivities at the Haunted Hayride and Harvest Fest on Friday, October 24. This free, fun, family event is open the entire GSU community: students, faculty, staff, and their families and friends.

Activities include the delightfully spooky haunted hayride, great food, a rockin’ D.J., lively karaoke, laser tag, and Rock Band competitions. The little monsters in attendance can bounce in pumpkin and ghost ship shaped moonwalks.

The fun takes place in the cafeteria annex and the gymnasium. It all begins at 6 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. Don’t get left in the dark. Show up early and have some fun.

The Haunted Hayride and Harvest Fest are sponsored by Student Life and the Student Senate. For more information, contact Sara Appel at x4550.

The course schedule for Winter 2009 is now available online. Printed schedules will also be available on campus in the near future.

As a reminder, touchtone registration is no longer available beginning with the Winter 2009 trimester.

Migration and Immigration, the artwork of Lenore Lopez of Blue Island, will be exhibited at the Visual Arts Gallery until November 5. The exhibit explores the complex issue of immigration and the subsequent problems related to border crossing through a combination of media, from traditional still life to installation pieces.

An opening reception will take place on October 23, from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.

The gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 708.534.4021.

Latino Center for Excellence will host a Day of the Dead Celebration and a Computer Lab Open House, October 27 to 30, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and October 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in room A2134. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to share the tradition, learn something new, and have some fun.

The Day of the Dead is traditionally celebrated to honor those who have died with special memorials, decorations, and refreshments. During the celebration and open house, visitors will have an opportunity to decorate paper “sugar skulls,” and enjoy authentic Mexican candy, as well as learn about the computer lab, scholarship board, reference materials, and specialized software.

For more information, call 708.254.2981.

The Friends of the GSU Library were thrilled and gratified by the overwhelming response they received from the GSU community to their recent bake sale, silent auction, and used book sale. The events were a great success and the funds raised will be used to enhance the library collection for everyone’s benefit. 

At the recent Board of Trustees meeting, the Higher Education Procurement thresholds for RFPs and bids were raised, as allowed by law, in two categories.

By definition, a bid/RFP threshold is the total cost of the purchase, contract, or completion of the defined scope of work.

The new bid/ RFP thresholds are as follows:
 

Category                                       Example        New Level

Professional & artistic services     consultants       $20,000 *

Tangible Commodity/equipment    furniture, etc.    $50,000

Construction POs/change orders   FDM projects     $70,000

* The change in the P&A RFP or bid threshold cannot be changed without additional legislative change in advance.
 

These bid thresholds are effective immediately. 

GSU Procurement can and will seek bids and competition at any dollar value needed. For more information, contact Tracy Sullivan, x 2179.

The Commencement Student Speaker Committee is currently accepting nominations for the student speaker for the Commencement ceremony to be held on Saturday, January 31, 2009. Both nomination forms must be competed and submitted to Sara Appel, Director of Student Involvement and Leadership, no later than Friday, October 31.

Nomination forms are available on the web or at the Welcome Center, D1429. To be eligible, the nominated student must be graduating at the ceremony. Please note that the student is also required to meet for an interview on Monday, November 10, 2008, between Noon and 5 p.m. 

On Nov. 6, President Maimon will participate in the Society for College and University Planning’s (SCUP’s) 2008 Southern Regional Conference. 

“I am honored by the invitation from the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) to serve on a luncheon panel on the topic, Higher Education’s Role in the Social and Economic Sustainability of Communities. The conference organizers read my article, The University as Public Square, and invited me to tell Governor State University’s story as a model twenty-first century university. In our strategic plan, sustainability has multiple meanings - stewardship of the natural environment, of course, but also leadership in creating sustainable communities in challenging economic times.”

Attended by presidents from across the country, the theme of this year’s conference is Regeneration: Planning Beyond Sustainability.

Lelia Deberry understands the value of a college education. Growing up in Tennessee in the thirties, her father made sure she knew that the ultimate goal was to earn her bachelor’s degree. As it happens to so many, however, that diploma proved elusive. Life, work, and family got in the way, until in 1998, at age 67, Deberry earned her Bachelor of Arts from GSU.

Now, years later, Deberry has returned to GSU, this time accompanied by a new GSU student, her granddaughter Aliscia Doriety. Doriety is studying for her Master or Arts in Communications.

Deberry’s tour of the campus led her to comment that much had changed in the past 10 years. Her impressions of GSU, however, have not changed. “This was the best school I ever attended.” She fondly recalled her favorite professors, Dr. Jagdish Dave and Vanleela Dave, and the wonderful students who attended class with her.

According to Deberry, the goal is always to get an education. The best advice she gives her seven children, 30 grand children, and 10 great grandchildren and anyone thinking of returning to school is “if success is at the end of the trail, why stop there? You must continue.”

The university’s Board of Trustees held their regularly scheduled meeting on Friday, October 17. Several integral decisions were made that will impact the university in the next year and for years to come.

Perhaps the most significant action taken at Friday’s meeting was the approval of the new Strategic Plan. The plan, entitled Strategy 2015: Inspire Hope, Realize Dreams, Strengthen Community, will guide GSU through the next six years. The final version of the Strategic Plan is available on the web.

As always, the budget was a hot topic. GSU’s FY 2009 Operating Budget was formally approved as was the framework for the FY 2010 request to the State.

During her report, Board Chair Lorine S. Samuels noted that the group recently completed their comprehensive assessment of President Maimon’s performance during her first year at GSU. “The Board is very pleased and satisfied with the management and direction that President Maimon has been providing to GSU. She has provided effective leadership for the institution’s realistic and manageable growth, both in its programs and in enrollment.”

The next Board of Trustees meeting will be held on Friday, December 12.

Curious about the large outdoor sculptures that dot the campus? Too busy for a full tour of the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park?

NMSP 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 October 21 and continuing through January 20.

The talks take place indoors and involve no walking or touring of the park, although the artwork is open for touring or viewing daily, from dawn to dusk. The talks, like the sculpture park, are free and open to the public. They are held in room D-1497, at 12:30 p.m. and again at 3:45 p.m.

The first Two for Tuesday will consider Bruce Nauman’s House Divided and Henri Etienne-Martin’s Lanleff – Demeure No. 4. The full schedule of Two for Tuesday topics and other sculpture park events can be found on the web.

Bring lunch or a snack, enjoy the conversation, and learn what influenced the artists and might inspire you.

A Community Forum on the 2008 Election will be held on Tuesday, October 28, from 2 to 4:30 p.m., in the Hall of Honors. The goal of the forum is to empower the community and provide an opportunity to voice concerns about the issues facing the country and to share. The focus will be issues and not candidates.

A panel of four faculty members will begin the event with brief overviews of the major issues of the election. The panelists include Prof. Larry Levinson (Political and Justice Studies), Prof. Donald Culverson (Political and Justice Studies), Prof. Chelsea Haring (Political and Justice Studies), and Prof. Anthony Andrews (Business and Health Administration).

An open microphone will be available for community members to participate in the discussion. Everyone is welcome.

While we may take a vitamin a day, try to eat a balanced meal, and get some exercise, taking care of our emotional health often takes a back seat to the demands of daily living.

To address this tendency, and in recognition of Emotional Wellness Month in October, the College of Arts and Sciences is sponsoring an Emotional Wellness Workshop on October 28, from 5 to 7 p.m., in E-Lounge at GSU. The workshop will be led by Dr. Sharon Hudson, adjunct faculty in communications.

Workshop topics include nurturing a positive attitude, reducing stress, balancing work and family life, and relaxation, laughter, and fun.

The workshop is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Sheree Sanderson at x3956.

The College of Health and Human Services is presenting a film screening and discussion with Dan Keplinger who suffers from cerebral palsy, yet is an acclaimed artist and both the on-screen subject and writer of King Gimp - an HBO film that won an Oscar for Best Documentary Short Subject in 2000.

The film’s title aptly describes Keplinger himself, who says, “Most people think gimp means someone with a lame walk. But gimp also means a fighting spirit.”

Keplinger will bring his remarkable tale of perseverance, determination and fighting spirit to Governors State University on Wednesday, October 22.

Keplinger’s award-winning documentary, King Gimp, will be screened at 3 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. in Sherman Recital Hall. At 5:30 p.m., Keplinger will host a meet-the-artist discussion entitled Keys to Success. For additional information, call 708.534.7290.

Parking Lot B is renovated and open for use, however, due to an underground utility line that requires relocation, the west end will remain under construction until after the first part of next year.

Lot C will be closed for construction and is anticipated to re-open in late December.

During the Lot B construction, the roadway between Lots C and D was temporarily a one-way street with allowable parking. That road will revert back to two-way traffic and parking will not be allowed. The carillon road, as well as the inner road between the main building entry and OTS building, will continue to be one-way only with parking allowed. 

The Department of Public Safety and volunteers will be on hand to assist with directions and traffic control. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Facilities Development and Management at x 4515 or Department of Public Safety at x 4900.

It is now even easier to get to GSU. Arriving via the Metra Electric rail line? Try GSU’s FREE shuttle service from the University Park Metra station directly to the university’s front door. The shuttle also makes stops at selected University Park apartment complexes. 

The 8^th Annual Haunted Hayride and Harvest Fest will take place on Friday, October 24, from 6 to 9 p.m. The Harvest Fest will be in the Cafeteria Annex with lots of food, a DJ, and karaoke. The line for the Haunted Hayride will be in the Gymnasium where there will also be laser tag, Rock Band, and moon walks in a pumpkin and on a ghost ship.

The event is sponsored by Student Life and is free and open to students, staff, and faculty and their guests. For more information, contact the Welcome Center, x 4550.

The CPA presents Mammoth Follies, a whimsical musical exploring the wonders of evolution through original songs, witty jokes, and earth-smashing dances performed by Giant dinosaur puppets, on Saturday, October 18, at 11 a.m.

Tickets are only $10.50 for adults and kids. GSU Community gets a 10% discount on reserved tickets. GSU Buy One Get One Free tickets will be available starting at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 17. The offer ends on Saturday, October 18, at 10 a.m.

Call the box office, 708.235.2222, in advance to reserve buy one get one free tickets or stop by.

The State Universities Annuitants Association will be hosting a presentation an information session, What Is Con/Con and How Will It Affect Me and My Family?, discussing the pros and cons of Illinois holding a constitutional convention on Thursday, October 23, from 2 to 4 p.m., in Sherman Hall.

For more information, contact Lynne Hostetter at x 8043.  

While there are many universally understood expressions, a genuine smile is perhaps the friendliest and most welcoming. The Office of International Services wants to showcase the smiles of GSU during International Education Week. The photos will be displayed on November 17 as part of the celebration of International Education and the belief that we all smile in the same language.

Please submit photographs of you, your family, and friends no later than November 7 to the Office of International Services (C3370). All photos will be returned. Please specify your name and return information on the back of the photograph.

Members of the Civil Service met with Dr. Maimon, Dr. Ejigu, and Dr. Hudak to discuss current issues and questions about GSU on Thursday, October 16. Topics discussed included budget concerns, personnel constraints, GSU relations with the state government, and capital improvements to campus facilities. Questions and ideas were also shared on how to better serve the students in difficult financial times.

The next Chat with the President will be on Tuesday, November 11, at 6 p.m., in the Cafeteria Annex. Students, as well as faculty and staff, are encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be served.

A degree program information session will be held on Wednesday, October 22, from noon to 2 p.m. and from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the GSU Kankakee Education Center. Prospective students are encouraged to attend these informal, walk-in sessions.

Advisors and administrators will be on hand to discuss the Master of Public Administration, undergraduate Business, Criminal Justice, and Nursing programs.

The free event is open to the public. KEC is located at 187 South Schuyler Avenue, Kankakee, Illinois. For more information, contact Julie Anderson-Muniz, x 3133.   

The College of Health and Human Services is presenting a film screening and discussion with Dan Keplinger who suffers from cerebral palsy, yet is an acclaimed artist and both the on-screen subject and writer of King Gimp - an HBO film that won an Oscar for Best Documentary Short Subject in 2000.

The film’s title aptly describes Keplinger himself, who says, “Most people think gimp means someone with a lame walk. But gimp also means a fighting spirit.”

Keplinger will bring his remarkable tale of perseverance, determination and fighting spirit to Governors State University on Wednesday, October 22.

Keplinger’s award-winning documentary, King Gimp, will be screened at 3 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. in Sherman Recital Hall. At 5:30 p.m., Keplinger will host a meet-the-artist discussion entitled “Keys to Success.” For additional information, call 708.534.7290.

Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University will open its seventh season at the Center for Performing Arts on Tuesday, October 14, at 7:30 p.m.

Jay Friedman, principal guest conductor, and the CCPA Symphony Orchestra will perform In Nature’s Realm, opus 9 by Antonin Dvorak, Lemminkainen and the Maidens of the Island, Opus 22, No 1 by Jean Sibelius, and Symphony No. 4, opus 29 (The Inextinguishable) by Carl Nielsen. A pre-concert talk with Associate Dean/Director Linda Berna begins at 7:15 p.m.

This concert is free and open to the public.

While we may take a vitamin a day, try to eat a balanced meal, and get some exercise, taking care of our emotional health often takes a back seat to the demands of daily living.

To address this tendency, and in recognition of Emotional Wellness Month in October, the College of Arts and Sciences is sponsoring an Emotional Wellness Workshop on October 28, from 5 to 7 p.m., in E-Lounge at GSU. The workshop will be led by Dr. Sharon Hudson, adjunct faculty in communications.

Workshop topics include nurturing a positive attitude, reducing stress, balancing work and family life, and relaxation, laughter, and fun.

The workshop is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Sheree Sanderson at x3956.

The Friends of the GSU Library is sponsoring several activities designed to delight the palette, entertain the mind, and please the bargain hunter. A chocolate themed bake sale will be held on October 14, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A silent auction featuring many wonderful items, from restaurant gift certificates and sports memorabilia to artwork and toys, will be on display on October 15, from noon to 7 p.m. And a used book sale will be held on October 16, from noon to 7 p.m. All events take place in the Hall of Governors.

For more information and a list of the items for sale in the silent auction, visit the Friends of the GSU Library website.

As part of the College of Arts and Science’s Distinguished Lecture Series, Kathleen Bankhead, Chief, Juvenile Justice Bureau for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, will discuss the need for restorative justice practices and peer mediation in resolving conflicts and related concerns in the courts, schools, homes, and communities on Wednesday, October 15, at 6 p.m., in Engbretson Hall. This event is free and open to the public.

Bankhead has long been dedicated to issues surrounding justice for children and families. In her current position, she is responsible for 85 lawyers, as well as the children, families, and citizens served in the Child Protection and Juvenile Justice (Delinquency) Divisions. She has worked in the State’s Attorney’s Office since 1990. Her work has included prosecution of both child protection and juvenile justice cases, prosecution of hundreds of felony trials, supervision of courts and staff handling allegations of child abuse, neglect, and delinquency. She is also actively involved in division-wide training.

Waiting for a Renaissance: The Southeast Side, an art exhibition by Alonso Balderas, will be on display from October 13 to 22, in the Visual Arts Gallery. A reception celebrating Balderas work will be held on October 17, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the gallery.

The photomontages and collages on exhibit consist of vintage black and white and contemporary color photographs pieced together to create a provoking, political commentary on Chicago’s southeast side.

Balderas is a native the southwest side who works to bring change to his former community. He is currently in the process of completing his Master’s of Fine Arts degree at GSU. Balderas teaches English and theater arts at J. Sterling Morton High School in Berwyn.

The Visual Arts Gallery is located in E-Wing and is open Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call x4021.

John Olson, the AIG retirement representative, will be on campus on to address questions and concerns on Wednesday, October 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Visitors’ Center, Room D1408. AIG Retirement is one of five vendors under GSU’s Tax Deferred Annuity 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan.

The Board of Trustees will consider a revision to the Board's by-laws at its next meeting on October 17, in the Hall of Honors. The proposed revised by-laws are available at the Reserve Desk in the library or on the web.

The meeting is open to the public.

The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Career Fair sponsored by the Office of Career Services will be held Thursday, October 9, from 3 to 6:30 p.m., in the Hall of Governors. The career fair is free to all GSU students, alumni, community members, and students from other colleges and universities. 

A limited number of buy one get one free seats are available to the GSU community for Last Comic Standing on Saturday, October 11, at 8 p.m. Mezzanine seats, which are normally $51 each, will be two for $51 during this offer.

The offer begins on Friday, October 10, from 10 a.m., to Saturday, October 11, at 7 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in person at the Center box office.

There are only a few days to enjoy the art of professors and educators of the region at the 2008 Regional College and University Art Faculty Exhibition at the Visual Arts Gallery. The exhibit closes on October 10 with a reception from 6 to 10 p.m. in E-Lounge, next to the Visual Arts Gallery.

The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. The gallery is open until 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 9.

The University Honors Program is now accepting nominations. Faculty are asked to nominate at least two undergraduate students. For more information, contact Dr. Larry Levinson x 7895.

Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University will open its seventh season at the  Center For Performing Arts on Tuesday, October 14, at 7:30 p.m.

Jay Friedman, principal guest conductor, and the CCPA Symphony Orchestra will perform In Nature’s Realm, opus 9 by Antonin Dvorak, Lemminkainen and the Maidens of the Island, Opus 22, No 1 by Jean Sibelius, and Symphony No. 4, opus 29 (The Inextinguishable) by Carl Nielsen. A pre-concert talk with Associate Dean/Director Linda Berna begins at 7:15 p.m.

This concert is free and open to the public.

The work of adjunct faculty member Jeff Stevenson will be showcased at the 11^th Annual Chicago Art Open through October 19, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the Merchandise Mart, 222 Merchandise Mart. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $5 per person.

Stevenson was awarded the Curator’s Choice Award from among 300 artists participating in the exhibit. The Chicago Art Open is produced by the Chicago Artists’ Coalition, the city’s largest visual arts service organization.

For more information about the Chicago Art Open, call 312.781.0040. 

On October 4, the Center for Online Teaching and Learning held a Lunch ‘n’ Learn event entitled Building a Learning Community: A Dialogue on Effective Teaching. This workshop will be repeated online using Wimba, GSU’s online live conferencing system, on Monday, October 13 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

This workshop is very interactive. In addition to exchanging thoughts with colleagues regarding effective teaching, the workshop will also offer an opportunity to use GSU’s Wimba Live online conferencing tool.

To participate in the workshop, Internet access is necessary. While a microphone will enable verbal exchanges with fellow participants, comments may be inserted in the text box on screen during the workshop.

Live access to this workshop is available:

http://gsulc.horizonwimba.com/launcher.cgi?room=_gsu_s_4174297191001_177651

• You will see a button on the page for “Participant Login” Click on that link, type your name in the box provided and then click on “Enter”
• The page that you see next will have a button for “Run Wizard.” Click on this button and then complete the very brief set-up process. (Just click “start” and follow the instructions). This wizard will make sure that your computer is ready to work properly with Wimba.

The workshop begins at 8:30 p.m. but connection to wizard beforehand is a simple process that will let you know if your computer is set up to do online conferencing.

If you have any questions about the workshop or Wimba, contact Jan Engle at x 3073.

Crewneck sweatshirts will be on sale at the GSU Bookstore for only two for $25, on Wednesday, October 15. The store opens at 10 a.m. and the sale will last as long as the sweatshirts are available on that day only. Individual sale sweatshirts will be $13.95 each. This sale may not be combined with other discounts or promotions and is available in store only.

The Prairie Trail Credit Union will be on campus Wednesday, October 22, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the Hall of Governors. The annual Christmas gift will be available for all existing and new Christmas Club members. Additional credit union services will also be available.

A Community Forum on the 2008 Election will be held on Tuesday, October 28, from 2 to 4:30 p.m., in the Hall of Honors. The goal of the forum is to empower the community and provide an opportunity to voice concerns about the issues facing the country and to share. The focus will be issues and not candidates.

A panel of four faculty members will begin the event with brief overviews of the major issues of the election. The panelists include Prof. Larry Levinson (Political and Justice Studies), Prof. Donald Culverson (Political and Justice Studies), Prof. Chelsea Haring (Political and Justice Studies), and Prof. Anthony Andrews (Business and Health Administration).

An open microphone will be available for community members to participate in the discussion. Everyone is welcome.

As part of National Depression Screening Week, the Academic Resource Center’s Counseling Center will host informal seminars, provide information, and offer free, confidential depression screening. All Depression Screening Week events and services are free and open to the public.
 

Free depression screening is available from October 6 through 9, in the Academic Resource Center, B1215. The screening involves completing a brief questionnaire and a conversation with a mental health professional. The questionnaire results are anonymous and confidential. The mental health professional will offer next step suggestions if they are warranted.
 

In addition, information about depression will be available on October 6 through 8, from noon to 4:30, in the Hall of Governors.
 

The Center will also offer seminars on mental health conditions, in room B1215. On October 6, from 6 to 7 p.m., the discussion will be on Bipolar Disorder. On October 7, from 6 to 7 p.m., the topic will be Generalized Anxiety Disorder. And on October 8, from 5 to 6 p.m., the seminar will be on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
 

For more information, contact Tamekia Scott at 773.235.2228.

As part of GSU’s continued faculty development, the first of several hands-on technology workshops, Teaching with Tech Workshop 1: Customizing Your Course, will be held on October 8, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, in room D2438.
 

The workshop is specifically designed for faculty new to the Blackboard CE-6 interface. This session will introduce the CE-6 tools available for use in your web-enhanced course. During this workshop you will learn how to customize the course home page and make your syllabus available online for your students.
 

To register contact Barbara Mandel at ext 4940. 
 

This workshop will be offered again on Thursday, November 6, from 1:30 to 3 p.m., in room D2438 and Friday, December 5, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., in room D2438.

Brother to Brother will meet on Thursday, October 9, from 2 to 4 p.m. in Engbretson Hall. The guest speaker is Dr. “Gebe” Ejigu, Executive Vice President of GSU. Everyone is welcome.

For more information about Brother to Brother, contact Dr. Rupert Evans at x 2131.  

Employees and retirees of GSU or the State of Illinois, who are enrolled in either the Quality Care Health Plan (QCHP) administered by Cigna or a managed care plan (HMO), are eligible to receive an annual free flu shot. Flu shots will be available on Tuesday, December 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Center for Performing Arts lobby. No appointment is needed.

Employees are required to show verification of employment (GSU or State ID Card) and their health (medical) insurance card from Cigna or the HMO. Retirees are required to show their health (medical) insurance card from Cigna or the HMO and another form of identification.

Dependents, spouses, students, and contractual workers (employed by an outside employer and not GSU) are not eligible for this annual free flu shot.

A three-day Conflict Mediation Workshop will be offered at GSU for everyone who works with youth in the home, at school, and in the community. The workshop will help develop the skills and strategies needed to implement and apply conflict mediation and restorative justice practices.

Workshop instructor, Dr. Jane Nicholson, presents the process of peaceful problem resolution to be applied in a variety of settings utilizing circle training and peer jury components.

The workshop is on Saturdays, October 25 and November 1 and 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch is included. There is a limit of 50 participants. The registration fee is $250 or GSU tuition and fees for two credit hours.

Sponsors of the workshop include the Metropolitan Institute for Leadership in Education (MILE), the College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Extended Learning. For more information or to register, call (800) 478-8478, ext. 6979.

With so many events, from a bake sale to a silent auction, the Friends of the GSU Library would like to direct everyone’s attention to the Friends' website (www.govst.edu/library/friends).  Information about future and past meetings, volunteer opportunities, and a list of items to be sold at the silent auction is available. The auction is scheduled for Wednesday, October 15 from noon to 7 p.m. in the Hall of Governors. Get a look at items early on the website so you are prepared to make the winning bid.  

The Civil Service Senate is sponsoring a Holiday Shopping Fair on November 19 and 20, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., in the Hall of Governors. All proceeds from this event are used for the Civil Service Senate Educational Assistance Fund. The event is free and open to the public.

Vendors are also needed for the fair. Fees are $33 for one table, $53 for two, and $73 for three. The selling of any and all goods suspected of copyright restriction violations are strictly prohibited.

For more information or to register, contact Blondia Jasper at 708.534.4360.        

Governors State University will undergo a planned power outage on Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5. The outage will last from 5 a.m. on Saturday to midnight on Sunday.

Regular university services will be unavailable during this two-day period. Faculty, staff, students, and community members are encouraged to refrain from visiting campus during the outage. However the university will not prohibit on campus visitors. All individuals visiting campus during the outing do so at their own risk and should not expect normal operations. Individuals visiting campus are required to check in with the Department of Public Safety on the first floor of C-wing, room C1375 (entrance near Department of Human Resources).

On campus courses, originally scheduled for Saturday, October 4, have been either relocated or cancelled depending upon each individual instructor’s preference. All students and faculty attending a regularly scheduled course should report directly to the new course location only.

The power outage will not affect off campus access to all online GSU computer systems including WebCT, Blackboard, GSU email, student email, the library’s online catalog and databases, and the GSU website.

A few important reminders:
Please empty refrigerators by Thursday, October 2. This will give Facilities Development and Management time to dispose of the trash prior to the outage.

Personnel are reminded to save all computer work before leaving campus on Friday, October 3. ITS recommends that all campus computers be powered off prior to the outage to prevent loss or damage to files and individual units.

For additional information, refer to the FAQ or contact the Department of Public Safety at 708.534.4900.

All faculty and staff are invited to attend a First Friday Social Hour on October 3, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., on the Library Balcony. The opportunity to mix and mingle, converse and laugh is sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the School of Extended Learning, and University Library.

The Recreation and Fitness Center swimming pool will reopen for normal operations on October 6. All existing six month and annual center memberships purchased prior to September 6, 2008 will be extended by one month in addition to the prior, pool-related extensions. All extensions much be processed through the Recreation and Fitness Centers sales office (A1106).

Today’s families face economic and social pressures as well communication difficulties that frequently disrupt family unity and the ability to cope. Frequently, one of the most important tools needed to understand and cope with these issues is family counseling. Unfortunately, families often do not know how to access counseling, believe they cannot afford it, or are embarrassed to seek it out.

It is especially important for individuals and families to know about the free, confidential counseling services available at GSU.

Counseling services are offered by the Division of Psychology and Counseling as part of its training program for advanced graduate counseling students. Students who are studying for their Master of Arts in Counseling, provide free confidential family, couples, individual, and vocational counseling. Faculty members, who are also licensed counselors, supervise the sessions.

For more information, call 708.534.4545.

The GSU Intellectual Life Committee is initiating its first Intellectual Life Grant process. Grants will be awarded for up to $500 for events taking place between January 15 and May 31, 2009 that promote and increase awareness of the arts, humanities, and other intellectual topics of universal interest. Possible events might include lecture series, faculty research salons, panel discussions, film screenings, exhibits, presentations in local communities, and field trips.

The primary audience for these events is GSU students, although all members of the GSU community and the region are welcome to attend. 

GSU staff and faculty, as well as enrolled GSU students with a faculty collaborator, are invited to apply using the Intellectual Life Grant Application. Submissions are due November 3, 2008. Award winners will be notified by November 14, 2008.

For more information and application forms, contact co-chairs Diane Dates Casey or Jim Howley.

Marsha Katz, Professor in the College of Business and Public Administration, is co-hosting the 16th International Meeting of the Association on Employment Practices and Principles. The conference, which takes place in Chicago on October 2 through 4, is co-hosted by DePaul University.

This year's conference theme is "Managing an Ethically and Socially Responsible Workplace." The Association focuses on organizational concepts and practices for the effective managing of organizations, people, and performance within the context of the higher levels of ethical principles and practices.

Learn how developing a Prior Learning Portfolio can help you earn credit toward a B.A. degree in Interdisciplinary Studies at a workshop on Saturday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to noon, in the Hall of Honors. The workshop includes an explanation of the process and what prospective students need to submit to earn credit.

The workshop is open to the public. To register, contact the SIDL office, x 4092.