News and Events

On Monday afternoon, Dr. David Curtis, Professor on Special Assignment, issued a university-wide memo detailing his recommendations to the President regarding the adoption of a new semester-based calendar. 

Former Provost Jane Hudak spearheaded the initial study last spring. Since then, members of both the Calendar Options and Implementation Task Forces, led by CCHS Dean and Interim Vice provost for Research and Graduate Studies, have explored the issues, weighed options, conducted surveys, and collected associated data.

The Calendar Implementation Task Force provided the Office of the Provost with a set of recommendations, including:

• If all the technical details can be worked out, the University will adopt a semester calendar for the Fall of 2010.
• The exact dates of beginning and ending of the semesters and summer sessions are yet to be determined, but each semester will remain as now, 15 weeks.
• The summer session will provide several options for instruction including 4-week sessions, 6-week sessions, 8-week sessions, and 12-week sessions. In fact you will have many options for scheduling your summer session classes; your choices will be limited only by your imagination and good academic practices.
• The Academic Deans, chairs, and most faculty who are familiar with the calendar proposal, believe that the new calendar should have no negative impact on academic quality. 

Dr. Curtis noted, “Change to a semester calendar system would enhance our vitality and make GSU more responsive to the educational needs of our region.”

The university’s Emergency Response Team is continuing to work with the administration and the Will County Department of Public Health to evaluate facts, respond appropriately, and communicate actions, as needed, to the university community.

Bottles of Purell hand sanitizer were delivered to each university office/department that handles mail. Departments requiring additional sanitizer may order more immediately using the Central Stores reorder form. The university has also received a stock of respiratory masks, should the need arise.

Please review Monday’s university-wide communication containing facts about swine flu and personal steps you can take to reduce your chances of contraction. Additional facts are available at www.cdc.gov/swineflu. 

President Maimon announced the creation of a Provost Search Committee on Wednesday. 

The committee, which will begin meeting on May 6, will spend the next several months identifying and interviewing candidates for the permanent Provost’s position. The group will receive their charge from Dr. Jamie Ferrare of Academic Search, Inc., who will provide guidance and consultation throughout the process.

Committee members include:
-          David Curtis, Professor, CBPA, Chair
-          Paul Blobaum, President of Faculty Senate
-          Jessica Bonner, Associate Professor, CHHS
-          Deborah Bordelon, Dean, COE
-          Karen Caesar-Smith, Director of Special Events
-          James Coldren, Associate Professor and Coordinator for Criminal Justice, CAS
-          Mary Carrington, Associate Professor, CAS
-          Lorenzo Flores, Assistant Professor, COE
-          Susan Gaffney, Associate Professor, CBPA
-          Sandy Gandy, Assistant Professor, COE
-          Carmin Garnica, President of Student Senate, or her designee
-          Gregory Johnson, Assistant Professor, University Library
-          Karen Kissel, Associate VP for Financial Services and Comptroller
-          Tony Labriola, Coordinator of Instructional Development, Division of Digital Learning and Media Design
-          Gary Lyon, Associate Professor, CAS
-          Donna Rutledge, Administrative Aide, Student Development, Civil Service Senate
-          Ann Vendrely, Associate Professor, CHHS
-          Joan Johns, Administrative Support
-          Pulchratia Kinney-Smith, HR Representative

Jean Johnson, Al Tuskenis, Glenna Howell, and Kim Jaroszewski will be presenting at the Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA) Annual Convention, on Thursday, April 30 through Saturday, May 2, at the Palmer House in Chicago. Their presentations are entitled Development and Assessment of a New Thinking and Writing Course in Psychology, and Assessing Outcomes in an APA Goals-Benchmarked Undergraduate Psychology Program.

The Kingston Trio will perform their trademark three-part harmony and clean, crisp sound on Sunday May 3, at 5 p.m., at the Center for Performing Arts.

GSU two-for-one tickets are available for this show from 10 a.m., on Friday, May 1, through 4 p.m., Sunday, May 3. Tickets may be purchased in person or via phone at 708.235.2222.

Welcome Days sponsored by Student Life will be held on May 4 and 5, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., in the Hall of Governors. ID validation will be available as will information about campus resources such as the University Library, the Department of Public Safety, the Writing Center, Career Services, the Recreation and Fitness Center, and the Academic Resource Center.

The Department of Human Resources is sponsoring a benefits fair for GSU employees on May 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Hall of Governors. Information will be available on health insurance, dental insurance, college savings plans, the credit union, vision insurance, life insurance, and retirement savings plans.

A seven-week Freedom From Smoking classes will be offered on Wednesdays, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., from May 13 through June 24, in F1603. The class will be taught by the Will County Health Department and is open to students, faculty, staff, and community members. 

For more information or to register, call 708.235.7468.

Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus have been identified in the United States. Like many institutions, GSU, is aware of the current increased risk of virus infection and is taking action to ensure public safety.

Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing by infected people. The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu in humans and may include fever of greater than 100 degrees F, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, chills, headache and body aches, and fatigue.

If you get sick, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Seek medical care if you are severely ill.

According to the CDC, there are additional actions people can take to avoid catching or spreading infections such as swine flu. The CDC advises:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people. 

For more information about disease prevention and the swine flu, visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu.

The sun was shining and the breeze was light for GSU’s Earth Week celebration and Permeable Paving parking lot dedication on Thursday, April 23. Member of the community joined the children from the Family Development Center and faculty and staff in Parking Lot B to learn ways to preserve and protect the environment.

Illinois Representative Lisa Dugan (D - 79th District) was also on hand to help dedicate the new environmentally friendly parking lots B and C.

Displays from a variety of vendors provided information about composting, wild animal rescue, and environmentally friendly products including hybrid vehicles and permeable paving. The Civil Service Senate served lunch.

Part of a whirlwind of activities on campus last Thursday, GSU’s 2009 Scholarship Luncheon brought together students, donors, community members, and faculty and staff. The annual event celebrates and recognizes the achievements of student scholarship winners and the generosity of donors.

GSU’s own Tony Labriola of Digital Learning and Media Design emceed the event. In addition to Tony’s recognition of the donors who attended, he introduced four students (Toure Peck, Hector Santiago, Marion Shalor, and Dawn Voss) who gave personal testimonials regarding how receiving scholarships personally affected them.

Two very special, non-scholarship related recognitions also took place. President Maimon joined Tony in celebrating Shakespeare’s birthday with appropriate quotes and a rousing rendition of Brush Up Your Shakespeare from the musical Kiss Me Kate. Illinois Representative Lisa Dugan also took to the lectern to issue a special proclamation in honor of GSU’s 40^th Anniversary.

All members of the university community are invited to visit the Governors State University HLC 2009 website which has been created to provide university participation and involvement in the reaccreditation process for the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

In preparation for the reaccreditation visit from November 16 through 18, the university must create a self-study document addressing five evaluation criteria.

In the coming weeks, drafts of each chapter will be available on the HLC website for public review. All members of the GSU community are encouraged to review the documents and provide feedback in several ways:

1. Online blog (under development)
2. At a series of university-wide meetings beginning on May 14
3. By sending an e-mail to hlc@govst.edu

Additional information regarding the HLC self-study, document review, and site visit processes will be available in future issues of the View and via direct communication from the HLC Committee.

Don’t miss today’s Earth Week Celebration activities, which are open to the public from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in the B parking lot.

President Maimon will dedicate our permeable paving parking lots at 2 p.m. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the displays, demonstrations, music, food, and fun.

The east side of the B Lot will be cordoned off for the Earth Week celebration. The west side of the lot will remain open.

Students receiving financial aid should check their student email accounts to see if they qualified for the Book Card Express program. Eligible students must register by midnight, April 23, to pick up their book cards a day early on April 29 from the cashier. Regular book card pick up dates are April 30 through May 8.

For more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid at ext. 4480.

The Department of Human Resources is hosting smoking cessation courses through the Will County Health Department. A minimum of 10 participants are needed in order for the course to be held on campus. All members of the GSU community, including employees, students, and retirees, are welcome to participate.

The cost for this seven-week class is only $20, which covers all materials and a nicotine patch valued at $60. As an added benefit to employees, the state of Illinois offers reimbursement for smoking cessation programs.

Contact Julia Jamison for more information and to register at ext. 7468.

After ten weeks of competition, the final rankings in the 2009 Recyclemania competition are in and GSU was named sixth in the Waste Minimization category. More than 500 colleges and universities representing 4.7 million students and 1.1 million faculty and staff recycled or composted over 69.4 million pounds of material during the competition.
 

“We were very pleased with GSU’s great showing and look forward to bettering our numbers in preparation for next year’s competition,.” said Peggy Schiesher, Supervisor of Housekeeping and coordinator of GSU’s participation in Recyclemania. 

Did you know…

Lowering the thermostat, even by 5 degrees in the winter, can reduce your energy bill by 10 percent.

GSU lowers the temperature at night and when buildings are closed.

Did you know…

Each year over 15 billion batteries are sent to landfills and leak toxic metals.

FDM recycles over 100 pounds of small batteries annually.

Did you know…

California is the largest solar producer in the world with 354MW of power.

GSU heats 170,000 gallons of hot water for the pool and 1/3 of the domestic hot water on campus with solar panels.

Effective July 1, 2009, the Village of University Park, including Governors State University, will change ZIP Codes.
 

As your department prepares its final budget for FY 2010, consider building in additional funds for the reprinting of all materials bearing the old ZIP Code (i.e. business cards, envelopes, stationery/masthead, forms, and marketing materials).

All departments doing business with outside entities are also responsible for informing those entities of the change for correspondence and billing purposes.

The facts:

• New ZIP Code: 60484  (Nine-Digit 60484-0975)
• The new ZIP code cannot be used and will not be recognized until July 1, 2009.
• The university must change the ZIP code on all materials between July 1, 2009 and
  July 1, 2010.
• GSU may continue to use mail materials bearing the current code (60484) through July 1, 2010. Outbound GSU mail bearing an obsolete ZIP code as part of the return address after July 1, 2010 and found to be undeliverable-as-addressed would be considered a dead letter and not be returned sender (GSU).

For more information, contact Paul Schwellenbach at ext. 7429.

The GSU eLearning system (WebCT) will be undergoing some system updates and maintenance on Friday, April 24 and will be offline briefly.

Winter 2009 was one of the most successful online terms for GSU yet with more faculty members offered more learning materials to students online than ever before.

Summer course shells are now available for every course offered at GSU. Visit the eLearning webpage  to add materials. Use your GSU username (first initial-dash-last name) and password to log in.

With the flip of a switch, GSU’s Information Technology Services will save the university a whole lot of money and a whole lot of energy. With the implementation of new power management settings, all on campus university computers will shift into sleep-mode after one hour of inactivity. With the press of a key, the computers will spring to life and be ready for use. The only effect users will see will be the deactivation of their current screen savers. No data will be lost when the computer goes to sleep.

The estimated energy cost savings of this initiative is conservatively $50,000 and optimistically as much as $100,000 per year. With this initiative, the university is preparing to apply for acceptance in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Low Carbon IT Pledge.

Contact the ITS Helpdesk at ext. 4357 with questions related to this change.

Don’t miss the fun at the campus-wide celebration of Earth Week on Thursday, April 23, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in B parking lot. The celebration will include displays, demonstrations, music, and activities focusing on environmental sustainability, including the dedication of GSU’s permeable paved parking lots at 2 p.m.

Enjoy the spring weather and eat lunch outside. The Civil Service Senate will be grilling and selling hotdogs, hamburgers, and cheeseburgers.

Also in the parking lot will be a Farmers Market featuring eco-friendly products, a display of hybrid vehicles from local Toyota, Chevrolet, Ford, and Saturn car dealers, and demonstrations on composting, sustainable dining practices, and solar powered garbage cans.

IDOT will be on hand with a display of fuel conservation driving tips. Bloom Township High School students will display their bio-diesel bus powered by fuels they make in the classroom. There will also be natural history tours of the GSU campus by the Science Department and art tours led by Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park Director Geoffrey Bates.

The GSU Earth Week Celebration is free and open to the public. In case of rain, some activities and demonstrations will be moved into the main atrium.

For more information, contact Karen Caesar-Smith at ext. 6360. 

The panel discussion on Middle East Peace Prospects scheduled for April 21, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., in the Hall of Honors has been cancelled. The event will be rescheduled.

Did you know…
Low flush toilets can save 2 gallons of water with every flush.
GSU has replaced most of its standard toilets with low-flush toilets.

Did you know…
Making recycled paper instead of new paper uses, on average, 64% less energy and 58% less water.
GSU uses recycled paper towels throughout bathrooms on campus.

VALIC Representative John Olson will be on campus Tuesday, April 21, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., in the Visitors’ Center, Room D1408. VALIC is one of four vendors authorized to sign up new accounts with our employees. The other three are Fidelity, TIAA-Cref, and The Legend Group.

Mark your calendars for the 5th Annual GSU Faculty Summer Institute on May 12 and 13. The Institute is a two-day extravaganza of workshops, speakers, discussions, and presentations on teaching strategies, learning research, and e-Learning practices and tools open to all GSU faculty.

The GSU Library is conducting a Library Website User Satisfaction survey to gain feedback from library users. Responses will help improve services offered through the website. The survey can be accessed at www.govst.edu/library/survey or through the GSU Library website. 

GSU faculty and staff are encouraged to attend Rally Day in support of university priorities. Rally Day will take place on April 22, beginning at 10:30 a.m., at the Capital Building, in Springfield, Illinois. For more information about attending or bus transportation, contact Marsha Katz.  

Everyone is eligible to enroll in GSU’s new six-week Vacation Education mini-term this summer.

Vacation Education courses run from June 1 through July 15 and require no prerequisites. The program is open everyone, age 17 and over, including non-Illinois residents, those who wish to continue their education, and those who have never taken a college course.

Application, submission of the $25 application fee, and registration for specific courses may be completed simultaneously. Transcripts are not required.

All four colleges will offer courses during the special summer session. Course topics range from Abnormal Psychology to Introduction to Health Professions and from Elementary Education to Business Concepts.

Students who are currently suspended from GSU and/or who have an unpaid balance on their tuition will not be allowed to enroll.

For more information or to enroll, visit the Vacation Education website.

This year’s Campus Community Campaign has come to an end with the distinction of being one of the most successful yet. All GSU employees are invited to celebrate this success at the Campus community Campaign Wrap-Up event on Thursday, April 16, at 4 p.m., in the Hall of Governors.

Festivities include a drawing for exceptional prizes including:

• 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
• Explore Chicago Package
• Tickets to a performance at The Center for Performing Arts

See you at the celebration!

A campus-wide celebration of the Earth Week will be held on Thursday, April 23, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The celebration will include refreshments, displays, demonstrations, music, and activities focusing on environmental sustainability. Many “green” innovations, which have been initiated by GSU, will be celebrated as well, including the dedication of the newly re-paved parking lots at 2 p.m.

Activities will take place in parking lot B. Parking lots B and C are both part of the Earth Week celebration as they were paved recently using permeable pavers, an environmentally friendly surface that protects the water table from harmful chemicals.

The celebration also includes a pre-season Farmers Market featuring eco-friendly products. Local Toyota, Chevrolet, Ford, and Saturn car dealers will display their hybrid vehicles. Additional demonstrations include how to compost, sustainable dining practices, and solar powered garbage cans. IDOT will be on hand with a display of fuel conservation driving tips.

Students from Bloom Township High Schools will display their bio-diesel bus powered by fuels they make themselves in the classroom using old cooking oil and corn. The GSU Science Department will conduct natural history tours of the GSU campus. Art tours will be led by Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park Director Geoffrey Bates. Children’s art and science activities will be led by students and educators from COE and CAS. 

The GSU Earth Week Celebration and Parking Lot Dedication is free and open to the public. In case of rain, some activities and demonstrations will be moved into the main  entry atrium. For more information, contact Karen Caesar-Smith at ext. 6360. 

The GSU Shuttle Service will not be in operation during the trimester break beginning on April 21. Service will resume on May 4. For more information contact DPS at ext 4900.

Each year, the Provost’s Office sponsors seed grants as a way to encourage research in and among our faculty, students, and staff. The funding is designed primarily to encourage scholarly activity. This year, the maximum grant is again $3500.

Completed applications are due to the Provost’s Office by 5 p.m., on Friday, May 1. All research and expenses must be incurred and completed and submitted during the 2010 fiscal year (July 2009-June 31, 2010) to be funded by these grants.

For more information, contact Margaret Neumann, Chair, URG committee, at ext. 4968.

There is still time to contribute your own GSU story to the 40^th Anniversary celebration. In honor of the event, we are collecting stories of the positive impact and enduring memories of community members, alumni, students, retirees, or employees of the university.

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 Family Development Center is offering summer childcare for kindergarten to 12 year olds. The program accepts children from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Weekly field trips and swimming for eligible students are included. Payroll deduction required for discount.

Discounts are available for children and grandchildren of GSU students, staff, and faculty. Call today for more information, 708.235.7300.

Alejandra De La Pena was named one of 19 finalists honored for the 2009 Kohl McCormick Early Childhood Teaching Awards. Finalists exemplify the best practices for quality early childhood teaching: dedication, innovation, leadership, respect for children and their families, and commitment to professional growth. In April, five of these finalists will be chosen to represent the best of the field.

Alejandra received her MA in education administration from the College of Education in 2006.

The Friends of the Library wish to express their appreciation to the many donors, bakers, shoppers, and bidders who made their recent fundraiser a great success. The more than $1000 raised through the sale of donated media materials and baked goods as well as the silent auction bidding on donated items will be used to support the University Library. 

This year’s Campus Community Campaign has come to an end with the distinction of being one of the most successful yet. All GSU employees are invited to celebrate this success at the Campus community Campaign Wrap-Up event on Thursday, April 16, at 4 p.m., in the Hall of Governors.

Festivities include a drawing for exceptional prizes including:

• 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
• Explore Chicago Package
• Tickets to a performance at The Center for Performing Arts

All employees are eligible to participate in the drawing, whether they contributed to the campaign or not. If you did not donate, but would like to pick up your ticket, please see Joan Vaughan, Rosemary Hulett, Christine Radtke, or Jackie Small before the end of business on Wednesday.

See you at the celebration!

GSU continues to be a leader in earth friendly projects and sustainability. With Earth Day fast approaching, Facilities Development and Management will share green facts over the next few weeks.

Did you know…

An aluminum can that is thrown into landfill will still be intact 500 years from now and paper products make up more than 40 percent of the composition of landfills?

GSU recycles more than 64 tons of paper, cans, and plastic annually.

Did you know…

Mulching your gardens will keep the soil moist longer, resulting in water conservation.

GSU uses mulch at trees and plantings throughout campus.

GSU’s 15th Annual Student Research Conference has extended the due date for registration and abstract submission to Friday, May 8. The conference will be held on Wednesday, May 20. Students will have the opportunity to present their research work before an audience of their peers as either an oral presentation or a poster presentation. It  will provide a forum to highlight research accomplishments of students at GSU and provide valuable experience. Conference forms are available online.

The Human Resource Management Organization (HRMC) is sponsoring a bake sale on April 14, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the Hall of Governors.

The next HRMC meeting will be on Thursday, April 17, from 5 to 5:45 p.m., in the CBPA conference room, (G262).

From Diapers to Diplomas, a display in honor of the Week of the Young Child is on view in the front atrium until April 30. The display was created by graduate and undergraduate students as part of their coursework for Children (With and Without Special Needs) and Family in the Community taught by Professor Evie Plofsky of COE.

The assignment was to create a community education display. While explaining the importance of early childhood education, the display also promotes the GSU Family Development Center for parents and Early Childhood Education programs for teachers.

The Hall of Governors doubled as a crime scene for the setting of the final exam for the Introduction to Forensics class. Students had to solve a double murder by interviewing witnesses, processing the crime scene, and analyzing evidence. Volunteers played the parts of witnesses and victims as the students asked their questions and gathered the evidence.

Adjunct professor, Sgt. Colin Reid of the River Grove Police Department and Forensics Investigator of the West Suburban Major Crime Task Force orchestrated the scenario. Reid is also a graduate of GSU.

The Family Development Center presented two hit performances of The Three Little Pigs last week at The Center for Performing Arts. The pre-kindergarteners were the stars of the production acting the various roles and serving as ticket sellers, ticket takers, ushers, and stagehands. The audiences at both shows were enthusiastic in their approval and support of the young stars.

The GSU chapter of the State Universities Annuitants Association (SUAA) will host a presentation entitled How Does Your State Health Insurance Coordinate with Medicare? on Thursday, April 16, from 1 to 3 p.m., in the Cafeteria Annex.

Presenters include Pat Rogers from the Social Security Office and Leslie Booth, Supervisor of the Medicare COB Unit for the State of Illinois.

Anyone interested in attending should RSVP to Lynne Hostetter at ext. 8043. 

What do a GSU alum and a high school senior have in common with a down-sized job seeker and a community college student seeking direction? They are all eligible to enroll in Governors State University’s new six-week Vacation Education mini-term this summer.

Vacation Education courses run from June 1 through July 15 and require no pre requisite educational experiences. The program is open everyone, age 17 and over, including non-Illinois residents, those who wish to continue their education and those who have never taken a college course.

Application, submission of the $25 application fee, and registration for specific courses may be completed simultaneously. Transcripts are not required.

All four colleges will offer courses during the special summer session. Course topics range from Abnormal Psychology to Introduction to Health Professions and from Elementary Education to Business Concepts.

Students who are currently suspended from GSU and/or who have an unpaid balance on their tuition will not be allowed to enroll.

For more information or to enroll, visit the Vacation Education website.

Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. hosted a town hall meeting at The Center for Performing Arts on Tuesday, April 7. Dr. Elaine Maimon welcomed Congressman Jackson and introduced him to the audience.

Congressman Jackson began his presentation with a PowerPoint explanation of current economic recovery plans. He then answered questions from the audience that ranged from concerns about accessing affordable college educations to the proposed tax cuts.

The Student Education Association (SEA) is sponsoring a Nintendo Wii Bowling Tournament on today, April 9, from noon to 3 p.m., in the Hall of Governors. The entry fee for students is $2. The fee for faculty and staff is $3.

Enjoy this fun, friendly, competition. Prizes for some and laughs for everyone.

The Civic and Community Engagement lecture series concludes with a presentation by the Honorable Abner Mikva, on April 15, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., in the Hall of Honors. The University Honors Program and the Political and Justice Studies Program are sponsors of the lecture series.

Mikva will speak on Promoting Civic and Community Engagement. As a former U.S. Congressman and Federal First District Court Judge, Mikva understands the importance of civic involvement and the need to promote it at all levels. He has also served as White House Counsel and on the faculty at the University of Chicago Law School – Mandel Clinic.

This presentation is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. Larry Levinson at ext. 4578.

Storytelling is not just for children. Adults get the opportunity to enjoy the lively art of storytelling at Governors State University. Jumping Jambalaya, a program of stories performed by professional storytellers Kucha and Baba Tony Brown, will be on April 9, from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m., in the Hall of Governors. The program includes call and response, dialect, stories of diversity, and folk tales.

The show is sponsored by a grant from the Intellectual Life Committee at GSU and organized by Lynne Clayton of the COE Dean’s Office. It is free and open to the public.

Carlos Cantu was named the Activity Director for the Title V Cooperative Grant with Morton College/Latino Center for Excellence effective April 1. Many GSU students, faculty, and staff know Mr. Cantu from his work as the Cohort Advisor for this Title V federal program. He will now continue his work in another capacity to meet the main goal of the program: to improve Hispanic student retention and degrees earned.

As the program is in its fourth year of a five-year cycle, Mr. Cantu will work with GSU/Morton College students and staff to monitor and direct the three parts of the grant: student cohorts, faculty development, and the tracking system.

GSU is sponsoring an informal and interactive panel discussion on Middle East Peace Prospects on April 21, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., in the Hall of Honors.

Panel participants include Dr. Stuart Fagan, President Emeritus of GSU and Professor of Public Administration; Dr. Larry Levinson, Coordinator of Political and Justice Studies; and Dr. Khalil Marrar, Visiting Assistant Professor of International Relations from DePaul University. The moderator is Dr. Ellen Foster Curtis, Dean of the College of Business and Public Administration.

The panel is uniquely qualified both by their areas expertise and experience to comment on the prospects of peace in the Middle East considering the 2008 conflict and the recent elections in Israel. Dr. Fagan has visited Israel approximately 25 times over the past 40 years. On his most recent visit, he took part in a symposium on the current prospects for a negotiated Israeli-Palestinian peace. Dr. Marrar is an expert on U.S. – Middle East relations and policy. He received his Ph.D. from Loyola University, Chicago in 2007 and his dissertation was on “Arab Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy.”

The Department of Student Life wishes to thank the students, faculty, staff, and the Village Door for their support of the 7^th Annual Cancer Awareness Silent Auction. The event raised $4500 to support the Jennifer S. Fallick Cancer Support Center.

On April 4, students in the Master of Science in Analytical Chemistry presented the results of their research at the Twentieth Annual Illinois Student Research Conference in Chicago.

Lakshmi Sudha Palloth’s research concerned the effect of zinc compounds on human skin cells that are exposed to sunlight. Her research has implications for skin cancer treatments.

Rahul A. Khanke, in collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration, presented his research on the effects of sunlight on scalp cells after the hair has been treated with yellow-based hair dye.

According to Dr. Patty Fu-Giles, their faculty advisor, “Presenting at a conference motivates students to complete good research and reinforces the validity of their findings. It is good for our students and shows off our programs.”

All GSU students will have an opportunity to present their research at the 15th Annual Student Research Conference on Wednesday, May 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at GSU. Students may give a 15-minute podium presentation of their work followed by a five-minute question and answer session or they may display their work as a poster presentation.

The registration and abstract submission deadline is Friday, April 11. There is no registration fee. For more information or for participation application forms, visit the SRC website.

This Monday’s Board of Trustees edition of the GSU View reported on approval of a resolution to eliminate the Certificate in Reading Specialist program. The College of Education wishes to clarify that the elimination of the certificate program does not affect the Master of Arts in Reading program, which leads to a separate ISBE certification as a Reading Specialist.

It is time for GSU to get flying. The Annual GSU Fly-In, sponsored by the Civil Service Senate, will be held on April 16, from 1:30 to 3 p.m., in the Hall of Governors. For one quarter, participants can enter their creations in two contests: longest distance flown and longest time in the air. For $1, teams can enter their airplanes to win the right to display the GSU Flyer for one year.

Individual plane construction is limited to one sheet or smaller of 20lb. weight paper. Scotch tape and one paperclip (supplied by the Civil Service Senate) are allowed. The team plane can be any size or type of paper with glue, tape, staples, and one paperclip allowed. All planes must have wings.

Dave Weinberger of the Financial Aid Department and his wife, Betty, recently co-authored Passover Next Door. The book was published by the Association of Messianic Home Educators, a non-profit organization.

“It is the story of a Passover in our home,” said Dave. “We wrote it because there are very few handsome children’s books out there. It is dedicated to our as yet to be born grandchildren.”

More information about the book is available by contacting Dave at dweinbe@gmail.com.  

Do you have an ever expanding collection of inter-office envelopes or do you have none at all? Either way, there’s an easy solution. Paul Schwellenbach in Mail Services will accept all extra inter-office envelopes and redistribute them to individuals/departments who need more. Extra envelopes can be sent to Paul who also accepts requests for additional copies at ext. 7429.

GSU will begin its annual equipment inventory process within the next couple months. To prepare, departments should contact Barb Lane at ext. 7426 to request replacement inventory tags, make arrangements to remove surplus equipment, or discuss other needs related to the property control.

Friday, April 3 was marked by the year’s second full GSU Board of Trustees meeting. The full board meeting was preceded by meetings of the Human Resources and Academic Affairs committees.

Board Chair Lorine Samuels commented on Provost’s Hudak’s departure from GSU, noting her significant achievements and the fact that she’ll still make a difference on campus as a professor of art. Samuels also welcomed Dr. David Curtis into his new role as Professor on Special Assignment. She added that Curtis’s significant experience as an HLC reviewer will allow him to be of particular assistance as the university prepares for its November reaccreditation site visit.

Samuels touched base on the current economic situation and how the State budget may affect the university. Stating confidently that she believes GSU remains fiscally sound, she warned that the university must “remain vigilant in making GSU as self-sustaining as possible. From energy saving initiatives to new degree programs and from community outreach to cautious fiscal planning, we are on the right path.”

President Maimon echoed Chair Samuels’ praise of Provost Hudak’s contributions and warm welcome of Dr. Curtis. Maimon noted that Jaime Ferrare of Academic Search, Inc. will be working with the administration and the search committee that will be coordinating the search for a permanent Provost. He will visit campus in May to prepare an updated profile of GSU that will be used in the recruitment process.

Dr. Maimon also reported on her recent legislative budget presentations in Springfield. She expressed guarded optimism in the general assembly’s advocacy for higher education and noted that many legislators share a special regard for GSU and the unique challenges we face as an upper division university. GSU’s aggressive initiatives -- including new baccalaureate completion centers, dual admission, and specialized community college outreach -- will attract additional students which may, in turn, help GSU overcome potential shortfalls in state support.

Several resolutions were approved at the meeting including the award of a construction contract for roadway and walkway reconstruction; award of Professor Emeritus status to Karen Peterson, Michael Purdy, and Beth Hansen Shaw; elimination of the Certificate in Reading Specialist program; and approval of a Venue Use Agreement which authorized President Maimon to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Chicago 2016 for the use of the GSU campus as a venue for shooting during the 2016 Summer Olympics.

The Board also elected the following officers and committee chairs for 2009-10: Trustee Lorine Samuels, Board Chair; Trustee Jack Beaupre, Board Vice Chair and Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee; Trustee Kristi DeLaurentiis, Board Secretary and Chair of the Human Resources Committee; Lois Mayer, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee; and Trustee Bruce Friefeld, Chair of Facilities Committee as well as the Committee on Trusteeship, Governance and Nominations.

Geoff Bates, Director and Curator of the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, made a presentation detailing the park’s renaissance through renewed focus in three components: organizational, professional, and educational. A new board of directors is providing visionary guidance as the park aims to meet the highest standards of museum curatorial expertise and enhance its participation in the Chicago and national art world. Educational programs and the establishment of a docent group have brought new groups of students, community members, and Midwestern visitors to the park.

Brief reports were also made by the faculty, student, and civil service senate presidents. Kathy Miller, President of the Civil Service Senate, recognized the success of recent Civil Service fundraisers. As a result, she believes that the senate will ask for a reduction in its budget for FY 2010. Faculty Senate President, Paul Blobaum, mentioned that faculty contract negotiations were progressing smoothly. And Carmin Garnica was introduced as the new president of the Student Senate. Garnica spoke cautiously, thanking those in attendance for the opportunity to represent the student body.

Governors State University will undergo a planned power outage on Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12. There will be no access to on campus facilities and university services, including food service, bookstore operations, the fitness center, library, and ACS lab.

On campus courses, originally scheduled for Saturday, April 11, 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.

All other 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, electricity, or heat. 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).

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, or the GSU website.

A few important reminders:

• Please empty refrigerators by Thursday, April 9. 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, April 10. ITS recommends that all campus computers be powered off prior to the outage to prevent loss or damage to files and individual units. 

If you have additional questions and concerns regarding this closure, please contact the Department of Public Safety at 708.534.4900.

It only takes an instant to open the door to a bright future at GSU. On Saturday, April 4, prospective students can discover GSU’s 25 undergraduate degree programs. Learn about financial aid opportunities, and get on-the-spot admission to most programs. Immediate review of resumes submitted during this special GSU open house sponsored by the Office of Admission enables prospective student to plan their future instantly.

GSU’s Instant Decision Day is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Hall of Governors. There will be plenty of food and giveaways as well as important information. To learn more, call 708.534.4490 or visit the Admission website. 

The Commencement Student Speaker Committee is currently accepting nominations for the Summer Commencement ceremony to be held on Saturday, June 6, 2009. Two separate nomination forms found on the Student Life web page under Applications, Documents, and Forms,  must be completed and submitted to Sara Appel, no later than Friday, April 17. The student applying to be speaker must be graduating at the ceremony.

The nominated student is required to meet for an interview on Monday, April 27, between noon and 5 p.m. For more information, contact Sara Appel at ext. 4552. 

World renowned mezzo-soprano, Frederica von Stade will perform with baritone Richard Stilwell and the Chicago College of Performing Arts Chamber Orchestra conducted by Stephen Squires on Sunday, April 5, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., at The Center for Performing Arts. This special concert is sponsored by Roosevelt University and is free and open to the public.

With winter hopefully over, the parking lot contractor will complete work on parking lots B and C. On Friday, April 3, 2009 parking lot C will be closed so the contractor can stripe the parking spaces. At about noon, half of the parking lot will be completed and re-opened. The lot will be fully open by 3:30 p.m.

During the week of April 6 and 13, the contractor will cordon off portions of parking lots B and C to sweep, replace damaged pavers, and install landscaping. Other portions of the lots will remain open.

Weather permitting, all work will be completed within two weeks. For more information, contact Facilities at ext. 4515. 

GSU alumni, friends, Drs. Elaine and Mort Maimon, and Vice President for Institutional Advancement Joan Vaughan enjoyed a beautiful day together under the Arizona sun recently. They shared a delicious brunch hosted by the Maimons and then watched as the Cubs trounced the White Sox in a game at the new Sox spring training facility in Glendale. While some did not enjoy the outcome of the game, everyone enjoyed making new friends and reconnecting with old ones.

Over the next few weeks, Performance Contractor ESG will be assessing GSU’s buildings as they inspect our utility systems, lighting, and mechanical infrastructure. They are careful and courteous, however, their activities may interfere with your operation. In this case, please notify Facilities so a more convenient time may be schedules for them to survey your area.

From the findings they observe on site, ESG will prepare an energy audit so GSU can determine the best conservation measures needed to become more energy efficient and sustainable.

For more information, call Facilities at ext. 4515.

Here is a great opportunity to show off your expertise in the lanes or just have good time looking a little foolish. Wii bowling is for everyone. Absolutely no skill is required, no bowling balls, and no special shoes. It is time to have some fun.

The GSU Student Education Association (SEA) is sponsoring a Wii Bowling competition on April 9, from noon to 3 p.m., in the hall of Governors. Students compete for $2 and faculty and staff compete for $3. Funds raised support the SEA.

For more information or to register, contact Katie Mayo or Joe Cardinal.

The Friends of the GSU Library are sponsoring a bargain hunters dream come true on April 15. In addition to the book sale and bake sale, there will also be a mini silent auction. Items open for bid include two certificates for a dental exam, which includes bitewing x-rays, dental cleaning, and consultation (valued at $250 each); a gift basket; and several handcrafted lazy Susan’s. More items are being added daily.

The mini silent auction will be held in conjunction with the bake sale and book sale from noon to 7 p.m., in the Hall of Governors. A preview of the books is open to members of the Friends from 11 a.m. to noon.

Approximately 50 Friends attended the Treasured Friends reception for Friends of the GSU Library on Wednesday, March 25. Invited guests included donors and members of the Friends of the Library.

Receiving the Treasured Friends honor this year for their service and contributions to the Friends were Susan Bell, Elizabeth Green, Alexis Kennedy, and Pam Taylor. Ralph Ginn was the only recipient of the Treasured Friends honor in 2007. Treasured Friends receive framed certificates and their names are engraved on a plaque on display in the library. Refreshments and door prizes were a part of the festivities.

The team of Jim Howley and Rosemary Johnsen won the first Women’s Challenge: Who Wants to be in the Know? on March 30. They each win a Breast Cancer Awareness t-shirt and $50 Visa gift card. Four teams competed in front of a lively audience. Questions covered a variety of categories and varied in difficulty. The event was sponsored by the Academic Resource Center and the College of Arts and Sciences. Plans are already in the works for next year’s competition.

As a two-time U.S. Olympic team member, Diana (Williams) Muhammad was a track and field star. In her autobiography, True to Me: An Olympian’s Victory Over Steroids, she tells the painfully candid account of the inner workings of the track and field establishment and her struggle to regain her dignity and form after her bout with steroids. For more information about her book, contact Diana Muhammad. 

Diana is a 2002 graduate of the Board of Governors Degree program at GSU.

In a recent, routine review of the archives stored within the University Library, archivist Nancy Shlaes made a startling discovery. GSU is not celebrating its 40th anniversary as was believed.

“Imagine my surprise when I found that it was not Governor Ogilvie who signed the decree establishing GSU in 1969. It was Governors Sam Shapiro in 1968,” said Shlaes.

According to indisputable records, it appears that Governor Shapiro signing his name to the decree was all he had time to do. Shapiro held the office for only a short while so his achievement in establishing another state university was lost in the transfer of gubernatorial power. 

When told that GSU is actually celebrating its 41^st Anniversary, Joan Vaughan, Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation and Vice President of Institutional Advancement, was characteristically upbeat. “That just means that we have an additional year of successfully educating students to celebrate. The plethora of 41^st Anniversary events will continue as planned.”

Few experiences define the university life like singing a school fight song at a Saturday afternoon football game or other university event. For more than 40 years, that joy has been missing at GSU, but not for long.

During the month of April, the Office of Public Affairs will be accepting submissions for a new GSU alma mater. Whether you’re interested in writing the music, the lyrics, or both, all types of submissions are welcome. Public Affairs is also willing to coordinate the pairing of composers and lyricists.

Alma maters have a long history as universities worldwide. The use of a school song can accurately be traced back to the 18th century, and legend has it the song's origins lie with 13th century German students, though solid evidence is lacking.

Please send submissions to publicaffairs@govst.edu. Additional information is available by calling ext. 4044. Submission deadline is the end of business on Thursday, April 30.

In addition to the satellite GSU campuses in Naperville (NEC) and Kankakee (KEC), the School of Extended Learning announced the establishment of the Governors State University Stateville Education Center (SEC). The new GSU SEC will serve a traditionally underserved population with a degree program in Criminal Justice and a certificate in Information Security. The GSU SEC will also pilot proposed degree programs in Crime Scene Forensics and Digital Forensics.

Cooperation at GSU has reached an all time high recently as colleges and departments are joining together to sponsor forums, symposia, and presentations. More courses are being cross listed and team teaching across curricula is becoming more popular.

One example of inter department cooperation, however, deserves special recognition. Until the E and F wing renovations actually occur, the biology and chemistry departments are in need of more refrigerator space to house the many “growing’ experiments conducted by students and faculty. The university community has stepped up and offered space in the many refrigerators housed in break rooms and offices around campus.

While many people just thought the gross green growth on that old ham sandwich was someone’s forgotten lunch, Dr. Karen D’Arcy assures the GSU community that it is not. “Decomposition is a process. Witnessing it first hand is a far more effective way to learn than reading it in a book. Until our labs our renovated, we must use any space we can find.”

CAS Dean Eric Martin commented, “I am sure HLC will be most impressed with our innovative approach and our cross department cooperation.”

The GSU community was disappointed recently when the university was not chosen to compete in the NCAA Basketball Championship. People gathered in the Hall of Governors to watch NCAA Selection Sunday. Fueled by pop and popcorn supplied by the Student Life, the crowd’s hopes and spirits dwindled as teams from other schools were chosen.

“I hoped we would get the Play In spot at the very least,” said one disappointed student whose face was painted in a Yin-yang symbol to show his team spirit. Another student led a few disappointed fans in singing “Na na na na / na na na na / hey hey hey / goodbye.” “Wait until next year,” added a disappointed professor.