News and Events

Governors State will conduct a campus-wide, public tornado drill on Tuesday, June 30 at 10 a.m. The drill will involve all campus offices and buildings except the President’s Conference Center, the Biological Field Station, and the Wagner House.

The university community will be informed of the start of the drill at 10 a.m. via a recorded warning message broadcast through the IP phone system, hallway speakers, and the fire alarm public address system.

When the warning message is broadcast, all students, faculty, and staff are to move immediately to the designated public tornado shelter area closest to their location at that time.

Members of GSU’s Emergency Volunteer Team (in green and orange vests) will provide directions to shelter areas. Individuals should remain in the tornado shelters until an ‘all clear’ signal is given via the IP phone and fire alarm PA system. Shelters not reached by either of these systems will be visited by members of the Department of Public Safety to signify an ‘all clear.’

Campus maps indicating public tornado shelter areas are available online. Prior to the June 30 drill, please view the maps to familiarize yourself with the shelter locations.

If you have any questions prior to the drill, please call 708.235.7384.

GSU Foundation Board member Bea Tayui was recently featured on the cover of the May/June issue of Today’s African Lifestyles magazine. In the associated story, she remarked on her work with the university.

“I am pleased to be part of the wonderful initiatives at Governors State University. I was appointed as one of the [Foundation] Board Members, and I serve on the Development Committee as well. In this capacity, we support the President, Dr. Elaine Maimon, and the CEO of The Foundation, Joan Vaughan, in developing strategies that propel capital development as well as increased enrollment. This University is one of the silent jewels in the woods of the southern suburbs of Chicago. We are responsible for initiating strategies that bring visibility and corporate relations which will eventually support scholarship programs for deserving students. It is an excellent University for people who are returning to complete their undergraduate or graduate programs.”

Congratulations, Bea.

Growing up in Park Forest, Luke and Kathy Helm looked upon GSU as an extension of their neighborhood. They swam at the pool, which was then part of the Governors State YMCA, and participated in other youth activities. Their father, who was working on a doctoral degree, took them along when he went to the library to do research. Their mother received her first master’s degree from GSU.

Kathy and Luke come from a background in which education was always a top priority; their father was a school principal and their mother is a teacher. They are now using their talents to help a new generation of students complete their education. Luke is an external program manager in GSU’s School of Extended Learning and Kathy is an outreach counselor in the Academic Resource Center.

Luke first began working at the School of Extended Learning as a student. “That was in 1996,” he says. “I’ve been here ever since.” He serves as liaison with the College of Business and Public Administration ensuring that off-campus programming functions smoothly.

Kathy has been at GSU eight years. After receiving her doctorate in psychology, she learned from her brother that GSU was looking for persons to counsel students and signed on as a volunteer. Now, she is on campus two days a week, counseling students and supervising interns from other colleges and universities. Kathy also works as a full-time psychology professor at Lewis University.

“Students get the counseling assistance they need at GSU and interns gain the necessary clinical hours,” says Kathy.

Years after their childhood trips to GSU, Luke and Kathy see the university as a unique school of higher learning. “It was designed to serve an adult population long before that idea was popular,” Luke says.

The Student Senate will host a pre-game Patio Party at U.S. Cellular Field, as the Chicago White Sox take on the Baltimore Orioles, on Saturday, July18. The party begins at 2 p.m., which is one hour before the 3:10 p.m. game time. All GSU students are eligible to win passes to the event.

Students and their guests will be treated to an all-you-can-eat and drink menu, including BBQ ribs, fried chicken, Cajun chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, and soft drinks. The patio also provides an up-close chance to view of the playing field while watching batting practice from behind the outfield fence next to the visitor's bullpen.

The food and drink portion of the party lasts ½ hour into the game after which the group will relocate to reserved seats in the stadium to enjoy the game. As a bonus, Student Life is providing free transportation to and from the game via charter bus on a first-come-first served basis.

To enter, send an email to gsudsil@yahoo.com with MY WHITE SOX! as the subject. The body of the email must include the student’s name, Student ID number, and home address. Entries must be received by July 2, at 11:30a.m. to be included in the drawing.

The drawing will take place on Thursday, July 2, at noon. Ticket winners will be notified that day by email and winners must pick up their tickets (or request to have them mailed) no later than Thursday, July 9 at 4:30 p.m., at the Welcome Center. Play ball!

Bring the beauty of season into your office, decorate your yard, or season your food with a pot full of flowering impatiens or kitchen garden herbs. Each clay pot is only $4.

Contact Pam Taylor at 7527or Lydia Morrow-Ruetten at 4116. The funds raised will support the programs and projects of the Friends of the GSU Library. 

Governors State will conduct a campus-wide, public tornado drill on Tuesday, June 30 at 10 a.m. The drill will involve all campus offices and buildings except the President’s Conference Center, the Biological Field Station, and the Wagner House.

The university community will be informed of the start of the drill at 10 a.m. via a recorded warning message broadcast through the IP phone system, hallway speakers, and the fire alarm public address system.

When the warning message is broadcast, all students, faculty, and staff are to move immediately to the designated public tornado shelter area closest to their location at that time.

Members of GSU’s Emergency Volunteer Team (in green and orange vests) will provide directions to shelter areas. Individuals should remain in the tornado shelters until an ‘all clear’ signal is given via the IP phone and fire alarm PA system. Shelters not reached by either of these systems will be visited by members of the Department of Public Safety to signify an ‘all clear.’

Campus maps indicating public tornado shelter areas are available online. Prior to the June 30 drill, please view the maps to familiarize yourself with the shelter locations.

If you have any questions prior to the drill, please call 708.235.7384.

In its commitment to energy and environmental sustainability, Governors State University executed an $8.2 million dollar energy performance contract with Energy Systems Group (ESG) today.

The contract will allow ESG to implement energy conservation measures on campus saving the university hundreds of thousands of dollars in utility and energy costs annually. These savings, along with anticipated state and federal grants will go toward paying the debt service of the contract. The energy and operational savings from these projects will payback the costs of the project in less than ten years.

“Environmental responsibility is integral to GSU’s role as a leader in the community,” said President Maimon. “As a signer of the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, I am proud that our contract with the Energy Systems Group will promote the goals of Strategy 2015 in transforming GSU into a model twenty-first century university."

The energy conservation measures include installing energy efficient lamps and ballasts in selected light fixtures and installing occupancy sensors in classrooms and offices. GSU will also replace its existing steam boiler system with modulating hot water boilers and will retrofit all air handling units and other mechanical system components.

In observance of Independence Day, Governors State University will be closed from Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5. All university offices will be closed during this period and classes will not be in session.

Individuals in need of campus access during this closure are required to check in at the Department of Public Safety (C1375). To reach DPS by phone, dial 708.534.4900.

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

Please continue to review all materials (i.e. business cards, website, envelopes, stationery/masthead, forms, marketing materials) to ensure that they are changed to reflect the new ZIP code.

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.

GSU was recently recognized for its academic practices in a recent American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) publication.

Board of Trustees Chair Lorine Samuels commended GSU for the achievement. “GSU is featured in the American Council of Trustees and Alumni recent publication for taking action in Strategy 2015 to protect the free exchange of ideas by incorporating intellectual diversity in our strategic planning.”

The Student Senate will host a pre-game Patio Party at U.S. Cellular Field, as the Chicago White Sox take on the Baltimore Orioles, on Saturday, July18. The party begins at 2 p.m., which is one hour before the 3:10 p.m. game time. All GSU students are eligible to win passes to the event.

Students and their guests will be treated to an all-you-can-eat and drink menu, including BBQ ribs, fried chicken, Cajun chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, and soft drinks. The patio also provides an up-close chance to view of the playing field while watching batting practice from behind the outfield fence next to the visitor's bullpen.

The food and drink portion of the party lasts ½ hour into the game after which the group will relocate to reserved seats in the stadium to enjoy the game. As a bonus, Student Life is providing free transportation to and from the game via charter bus on a first-come-first served basis.

To enter, send an email to gsudsil@yahoo.com with MY WHITE SOX! as the subject. The body of the email must include the student’s name, Student ID number, and home address. Entries must be received by July 2, at 11:30a.m. to be included in the drawing.

The drawing will take place on Thursday, July 2, 2009, at noon. Ticket winners will be notified that day by email and winners must pick up their tickets (or request to have them mailed) no later than Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 4:30 p.m., at the Welcome Center. Play ball!

The Intellectual Life Committee is sponsoring One Book, One University in October featuring Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Team of Rivals. The book details Abraham Lincoln’s choice to bring together many of his greatest political competitors to help him lead the country through difficult times.

On October 21, Dr. Thomas F. Schwartz, Illinois State Historian and Lincoln expert from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, will lead a discussion on the themes found in the book.

Please save the date, read the book, and plan to join in the conversation.

This week, the Center for Performing Arts is hosting its annual summer camp for kids. Children ages eight to thirteen are working with musical theatre professionals from Evanston’s Light Opera Works. The company “provides a great experience for the kids, their families, and patrons of the show,” said Burt Dikelsky, director of The Center.

The camp culminates in a performance of the family classic Annie, on Friday, June 26, at 7 p.m., in The Center for Performing Arts. Tickets are still available. Call the box office at 708.235.2222 or visit www.centertickets.net.

Summertime is the ideal time to discover the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park. Free guided tours of the park will take place on the first and third Sundays of the month.

Tours on July 5 and August 16 highlight the sculptures on the north section of the park. Tours on July 19 and August 16 feature the artwork on the south section. Tours begin at 2 p.m. and last from one and a half to two hours.

Visitors are asked to gather on the patio outside the Hall of Governors. Comfortable footwear is recommended as there is extensive walking and occasionally the paths are uneven. 

Visit the NMSP website or call ext. 4486 for more information.

Just a few more days left in June to take advantage of the 20 percent sale on business card orders. Business cards ordered now will also include the new Zip Code, (60484-0975), which is effective as of July 1. Ordering using the GSU Intranet makes the process simple and convenient.

To create and order your business cards:

• Visit the GSU Intranet, http://gsunet/ which is accessible to faculty and staff logged onto campus computer terminals.
• Visit Departments and click on the Print Shop under Procurement.
• Click on the link Order Business Cards, and follow the prompts.
• You will need to enter the following GSU-specific account number and password to begin the ordering process:
  Account number: 40333494
  Password: gsu
• Complete and submit a hard copy Print Shop Job Request Form.

In addition to the client’s approval, all business card proofs will be referred to the Office of Public Affairs for approval before printing. Beginning June 4, all business cards should be ordered through this convenient, online process.

For more information, contact the Office of Public Affairs at ext. 4044.

Learn how to earn elementary teacher certification while receiving a salary and securing a teaching position through the Alternative Certification Program. An information session will be held on Monday, July 6, at 7 p.m., in the Hall of Honors.

This program is open to college graduates with five years work experience after receiving a bachelor’s degree. The application deadline for the Alternative Certification program, beginning Spring 2010, is December 15, 2009.

For more information, visit the Alternative Certification website or call ext. 4399.

Facilities will test all of its emergency generators on Friday, June 26, from 8 a.m. to approximately noon, A through G wings, OTS, and FDC buildings may be affected with two anticipated "blips" of power interruption as general commercial power switches to the generator. 

Tests will only affect circuits that are on emergency power (specific light fixtures and certain outlets). Since most wall outlets are on our standard power panel, computer work should not be affected, however, please save your work often to be on the safe side.

For more information, contact Facilities at ext. 4515.

The Family Development Center (FDC) is now accepting enrollment in its pre-kindergarten program for three, four, and five year olds for September 2009.

The FDC is a unique, state-of-the-art facility, which is full of color and light. Students experience a wide variety of meaningful literacy activities ranging from morning meetings to enjoying music and stories, drama, and movement activities.

Children also have gym or atrium time where large motor and social interaction skills are developed through sand and water play. Special activities vary from studio time to work with a variety of materials and on special projects. Children build things, color, draw, paint, sculpt with clay, solve puzzles, and use manipulatives.

Tuition adjustments are based on eligibility. For more information, visit the FDC website or call ext. 7300.

In conjunction with the university’s successful Let’s Get Fit program, the Recreation and Fitness Center is sponsoring an indoor mini-triathlon. Participants can take part in the event based on their own schedules between June 18 and 25.

All events must be completed indoors in the Recreation and Fitness Center. Event registration is $15. All proceeds benefit the Special Olympics. Prizes will be awarded in all categories.

For more information visit A1106 or call ext. 4556.

The Substitute Teacher Academy with Resources is a one-day workshop for those with a bachelor’s degree who are interested in learning what it takes to be a substitute teacher.

The workshop is on Saturday, July 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Hall of Honors The $50 registration fee includes lunch and materials. Registration is limited and ends on June 30. To register, call 708.534.4024.

The School Counseling faculty and the Division of Psychology and Counseling is sponsoring A Second Peeling of the Self-Directing Encouragement Group, a workshop on self-encouragement and how to educate one another on the processes of being supportive and encouraging. This workshop is especially helpful to students in practicum or who will be in practicum who must meet basic training requirements.

The workshop will be led by Dr. Al Milliren, Associate Professor of Psychology and Counseling at GSU. The workshop will be held on Tuesday, July 14, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., in room E1552.

Friday, June 12 marked GSU’s third full Board of Trustees meeting of the year.

The meeting began with approval of a consent agenda containing a number of new resolutions including contracts for the maintenance of the Jenzebar ERP system, training services under the DCFS contract, disability services, advertising and media services, state legislative consulting services, and marketing services for the Center for Performing Arts. Other resolutions involved contracts for construction of nursing labs, energy management services, architectural services, and engineering services.

The Ed.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision was approved as a new academic program for AY 2011-2012 and several professors were awarded tenure including Javier Chavira, Xiaoyong Chen, Beth Parin, and Rosemary Johnsen.

A special resolution recognized the dedication of Student Trustee Elizabeth Green, who has served in her position for two years. Green will be replaced by incoming Student Trustee Bryce Johnsen.

During her report, Board Chair Lorine Samuels commented on the success of the June commencement and honorary degree activities. She remarked on the still uncertain budget situation in Springfield but commended the GSU community for ongoing attention to cautious budgeting on campus. She also noted that the hiring of a State lobbyist would assist in advancing GSU’s budget in Illinois and Washington.

Samuels also noted the successful completion of President Maimon’s second year at GSU. Dr. Maimon’s evaluation consisted of a self-assessment prepared by Dr. Maimon, the review of the past year’s challenges and accomplishments, and the setting of new presidential goals for Academic Year 2010-2011.

In her report, President Maimon noted that despite the significant decline in the State of Illinois’ Moody’s rating, the university’s bond rating remained constant at A-. The consistent rating reaffirms the university’s positive position – economically and academically. She also reflected on the university’s growth in many ways over the past two years.

Dr. Maimon recalled the standing ovation student commencement speaker Edgar Casillas received a week prior, noting that his success was the kind that we strive for all GSU students to achieve.

Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Joan Vaughan, made a presentation regarding the status of FY 2009 fundraising. Vaughan was proud to report that the Institutional Advancement team exceeded its $430,000 goal this year despite the current state of the economy where a 13 percent drop in giving has been standard.

Brief reports we made by the Faculty and Student Senate Presidents. Paul Blobaum, President of the Faculty Senate, noted that the current administration’s hard work has allowed faculty to focus on academics rather than operational issues. Student Senate President Carmin Garnica announced that the senate would be awarding four $1,000 awards to GSU students to assist with childcare costs.

Student Trustee Elizabeth Green submitted comments on behalf of Civil Service Senate President Kathy Miller. She noted that the senate has proposed a Sick Bank program per successful programs at other state universities. The senate is also reconsidering its requirement for Civil Service Senate Scholarships.

Governors State University learned today that it has been named one of 2009’s Great Colleges to Work For by the Chronicle of Higher Education. The honor is a remarkable accomplishment given the competitive field of colleges and universities nationwide.

“This well-deserved honor proves GSU’s commitment to its employees and acknowledges their strength as a team,” said President Elaine P. Maimon. “By investing in and recognizing the accomplishments of our employees, we help ensure that they, in turn, provide the best service to our students and the community.”

GSU received this well deserved recognition after a confidential, random survey of employees from across the campus by the Great Colleges Team at Modern Think, LLC. As part of the honor, the university will get to use the Great Colleges logo on its materials during the coming academic year.

Full details of the survey will be announced online and in the print version of the Chronicle of Higher Education on July 10. At that time, GSU will learn the specific categories of its high scores and its comparison with peers. In addition, the university will receive a specialized report which will assist the university in understanding its strengths and challenges.

Congratulations GSU!

Beginning with the Fall 2009 trimester, the university will no longer produce a printed version of the on-campus course schedule. The decision was based on the fact that the information in the hard-copy document became quickly outdated, that all course registrations must be completed online, and per best industry practices.

Each trimester, students will receive a postcard in the mail reminding them about online registration and where to find information previously available in the printed document.

An electronic copy of the registration instructions and university information is still available for download on the main Registration page. 

Drafts of the self-study introduction and chapters 1 through 4 are available for review online at the GSU HLC 2009 website. The university community is encouraged to send any questions or comments to the HLC steering committee.

The Jenzabar application will be down for maintenance on Friday, June 12, from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. All Jenzabar related services will be unavailable: CX, CX 8.1, Student View, Faculty View, online admission application and status checking, online schedule, and online faculty/staff directory. Issues or concerns should be directed to the GSU Help Desk at ext. 4357.

Last week’s rollout of the new online business card ordering system yielded more than 100 orders. Please note that per Print Shop policy, all individuals ordering cards must still submit a standard print shop order form to accompany their online order.

During the month of June, all business card orders will be discounted 20 percent.

To create and order your business cards:

• Visit the GSU Intranet, http://gsunet/ which is accessible to faculty and staff logged onto campus computer terminals.
• Visit Departments and click on the Print Shop under Procurement.
• Click on the link Order Business Cards, and follow the prompts.
• You will need to enter the following GSU-specific account number and password to begin the ordering process:
  Account number: 40333494
  Password: gsu

In addition to the client’s approval, all business card proofs will be referred to the Office of Public Affairs for approval before printing.

The University Library catalog and all of the services that are linked to it (interlibrary loan, accessing your library account, and texting call numbers) will be temporarily frozen from June 14 through approximately June 17 for much needed upgrades. The call number texting service will not be working for an undetermined time while the proper functioning of the new library catalog is established.

During this short time period, all users of the library online catalog will continue to have access to search the library catalog and be able to check out materials, but library records will not be updated to show what books are available/unavailable. Those files will be updated when the upgrades are finished.

Requests for materials from other universities through interlibrary loan service electronically will be allowed. However, users will not be able to access library accounts through the online catalog, and there will be periods of slowness in the library catalog. During this time period, access to all of the library’s online academic journals will be available. 

Questions on the upgrade should be emailed to the Digital Library Services Department.

The Let’s Get Fit leaders remind the campus community about the importance of exercise and stretching, especially with the longer summer workdays. Remember to sit up straight and stretch at your desk – including your neck, chest and biceps, triceps, shoulders, and torso.

To qualify for Let’s Get Fit in June, participants must exercise on campus at least three times per week for 30 minutes.

Also, stop by the HR office and pick up a copy of the new Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park walking tour maps. Enjoy world class art and get in shape at the same time!

Addictions Studies lecturer Peter Palanca was recently elected vice chairman of the National Association of Children of Alcoholics. The association is a national membership organization with a mission is to advocate for all children and families affected by alcoholism and drug dependencies.

Palanca has had a distinguished career in the field of substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery. He currently serves as vice president of Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities, a nonprofit that provides services across Illinois for thousands of individuals with substance abuse problems who are referred by the criminal courts, prisons and the child welfare system.

Palanca also served as regional vice president with the Hazelden Foundation in Chicago and executive director of Parkside Behavioral Health Services.

Spring Commencement exercises on Saturday celebrated the achievements of more than 600 graduates. In addition to hearing from President Maimon, the students and their families and friends heard an inspiring speeches from student commencement speaker Edgar Casillas and presidential historian Michael Beschloss, who received an honorary degree.  

GSU was well represented by the many faculty and staff who participated in the ceremony and university personnel who volunteered to help coordinate the event.

Dr. Phyllis Bell, Assistant Professor of Social Work participated in a forum sponsored by Health Connect One in Chicago last week. The forum focuses on how community health workers can help communities become healthier. Dr. Bell served as a group facilitator discussing the pros and cons of professionalizing community health workers.

Dr. Bell serves on the Board of Directors of Health Connect One, a national organization dedicated to helping lower income women have healthy deliveries and healthy babies, train healthcare workers and expand the effectiveness of the doula. Doulas are specially trained to provide support, information, and coaching during pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

Photo courtesy of Flint Chaney.

The audience at the Distinguished Lecture given by presidential historian Michael Beschloss on Friday enjoyed a glimpse into the lives of American leaders as well as insight into the importance of research and primary sources.
 

“Presidential courage is based on the willingness to make unpopular decisions and the ability to work collaboratively with people with differing ideals,” said Beschloss, who illustrated his point with stories of great leadership and exemplary courage. “To fully understand a president, you need to know what goes on behind the scenes. You also need hindsight.”

He included tales that touched on his youth in Flossmoor, south suburban and Illinois history, and the Midwestern character. “Growing up in the south suburbs had a substantial effect on my career as a presidential historian,” he observed.

After his lecture, Beschloss answered questions from the audience and signed copies of his bestselling books on leadership and the American Presidency. He received an honorary degree at the 2009 Spring Commencement on Saturday.

Professor Marsha Katz was recently appointed to the 2009 Board of Examiners for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The Award, created by public law in 1987, is the highest level of national recognition for performance excellence that a U.S. organization can receive.

As an examiner, Dr. Katz is responsible for reviewing and evaluating applications submitted for the award. The board is composed of approximately 500 leading experts selected from industry, professional and trade organizations, education and healthcare organizations, and government. Those selected by the board to receive the award meet the highest standards of qualification and peer recognition. 

Dr. Katz has been a professor of management, marketing, and public administration in the College of Business and Public Administration since 1988.

As part of the Emergency Response Team’s ongoing training, volunteers across the campus are participating on CPR/AED courses throughout the summer.

The first session concluded last week with Sandi Kawanna of CAS, Terry Rickhoff of the Library, and Karen Sinwelski of CAS all earning their certifications.

The Emergency Response Team is always looking for additional volunteers to assist in the event of a campus emergency. Interested individuals should contact Colleen Rock at ext. 7384. 

The GSU Soccer Club is currently playing weekly games and is looking for new members. Men and women are welcome to join, regardless of skill.

Weekly games take place on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 4:45 p.m. The club also participates in soccer tournaments and trips to Chicago Fire and international games.

Members of the Soccer Club enjoy camaraderie and a unique chance to interact with individuals from a variety of cultures and backgrounds. Plus, playing soccer is a great cardiovascular workout.

For more information, contact Jose Reyes at ext. 4494.

Susan and Bob Rakstang originally met at their first mutual employer, a neighborhood department store in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood.

“Susan was 16,” Bob says. “She was the girl who worked in the office. I was a lowly stock boy.”

The Rakstangs this year celebrate their 39^th wedding anniversary.

At GSU, Susan is Associate Vice President for Facilities Development and Management. Bob is Assistant Director of CenterPoint Business Development Center. Before starting at GSU, the Rakstangs had already enjoyed long, productive careers. Susan, a licensed architect, had her own firm. Bob was president of a Chicago-based manufacturing company specializing in hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Susan came to the campus in 2001; Bob’s been at CenterPoint for two years.

At GSU, Susan oversees on-campus buildings and grounds. She estimates she’s visited just about every square inch of GSU’s facilities, pointing out, “This is a big place.” Governors State’s campus has 750 acres and 600,000 square feet of buildings. Susan is most proud of the university’s sustainability initiatives during her tenure. The facilities staff has been environmentally conscious for several years, she says, but that awareness is now spreading to GSU’s students, faculty, staff and administration.

Bob works with CenterPoint clients who are interested in starting their own businesses. He helps them with Small Business Administration loan applications and counsels them on every phase of the business start-up process, including the development of business plans, real estate matters, and securing financing.

The Rakstangs are parents of a grown daughter and son; they have one grandchild. Several years ago, they sold their home in the suburbs and moved to a condo in Chicago’s West Loop.

“It’s a great situation,” Susan says. “I love working at GSU and walking the campus grounds. But we love living in the city, too, and having access to everything up there. It’s really the best of both worlds.”

GSU will roll out its trial Summer Hours Program beginning next week. Full details are available in the original memo from HR and the program FAQ.

Basic details regarding GSU’s innovative new program are as follows:

• The program is a trial undertaken in the belief that many employees prefer to have a 4-day week during the summer. The outcome of this trial will help determine whether such a schedule is feasible in the future.
• The Summer Hours Program will begin on Monday, June 8 and continue through Friday, August 7.
• The university will be “open” on Fridays in the same sense that it is now “open” on Saturdays. Most offices will, in fact, be closed. However, the university is open for classes which will be conducted as scheduled. The Library, Academic Computing Center, and Office of Public Safety will maintain their usual Friday hours. Those three areas will arrange hours for employees to assure they meet the needs of students and others.
• Each participating employee will work 37.5 hours per week, Monday through Thursday, within the range of time between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. Units and Departments will determine the hours for specific units. All timesheet related questions should be directed to individual unit heads/supervisors.
• It is important that such schedules be designed and implemented  in such a way that support for and delivery of essential academic services are not diminished or compromised in any material way. As such, participation in the four-day work week Summer Hours Program will be determined by each department head based upon the operational and programmatic needs of that department. Summer hours may be suspended or modified by a unit head in order to accomplish a specific project. 
• Exception requests from employees due to hardship will be considered by supervisors and unit heads on a case-by-case basis. Supervisors are encouraged to exercise flexibility and address specific employee needs as appropriate.

The Illinois Board of Higher Education held its bi-monthly meeting at GSU this week. Attending the meeting were the presidents of Illinois colleges and universities. A reception on Monday evening included a visit to the Visual Arts Gallery, a tours of the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park and E and F wings.

Dr. Maimon welcomed the visitors from around the state. In her remarks, Dr. Maimon voiced the universal hope that a capital budget would be passed and implemented in Springfield for the benefit of all institutions of higher learning in Illinois.

While the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park boasts of one of the most remarkable groups of artwork in our region, other sites in the Midwest also offer significant displays of contemporary sculpture. The NMSP invites you to explore these showcases of artwork during a weekend sculpture tour to Michigan on September 12 and 13.

The trip includes a study guide of the sites to be visited prepared by Dr. Nina Corazzo, holder of the Walter E. Bauer Chair of History at Valparaiso University. She will lead a tour of the collection in the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Participants will also see a bronze pour demonstration at FireArts, the sculpture workshop established in South Bend, Indiana, by artist Tuck Langland.

Through special arrangement, a special pre-opening tour of the Frederick Meijer Sculpture Gardens will be lead by Joseph Becherer, Director of Sculpture and the Lena Meijer Professor of History at Aquinas College. The weekend trip concludes with a docent lead tour of the Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph, Michigan. 

Overnight accommodations at the Grand Amway Hotel in Grand Rapids include a cocktail reception and a presentation by Geoffrey Bates, Director and Curator of the NMSP.

The cost of the trip is only $265 until June 12 and $279 after. This fee covers bus transportation, breakfast and box lunch on Saturday, complimentary hors d’oeuvres at the cocktail reception, and all entry fees. A $100 deposit is required, which is refundable through August 1.

For more information or to register, visit the website, call ext. 4486, or email.

Don’t miss the distinguished lecture by presidential historian and best-selling author, Michael Beschloss on Friday, June 5, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., in Sherman Hall. The lecture is free and open to the public. Books by Michael Beschloss are also for sale in the GSU bookstore, which will remain open during and after the lecture.

On June 6, Beschloss will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the university at the graduation ceremony. Commencement will be held at 11 a.m., at the Holiday Inn Select and Convention Center in Tinley Park.

Business cards ordered during June come with a host of advantages. Most importantly, all June business card orders are discounted 20 percent. Business cards ordered now will also include the new Zip Code, (60484), which is effective as of July 1. And best of all, a new ordering system using the GSU Intranet makes the process simple and convenient.

To create and order your business cards:

• Visit the GSU Intranet, http://gsunet/ which is accessible to faculty and staff logged onto campus computer terminals.
• Visit Departments and click on the Print Shop under Procurement.
• Click on the link Order Business Cards, and follow the prompts.
• You will need to enter the following GSU-specific account number and password to begin the ordering process:
  Account number: 40333494
  Password: gsu

In addition to the client’s approval, all business card proofs will be referred to the Office of Public Affairs for approval before printing. Beginning June 4, all business cards should be ordered through this convenient, online process.

For more information, contact the Office of Public Affairs at ext. 4044.

Summertime is the ideal time to discover the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park. Free guided tours of the park will take place on the first and third Sundays of the month.
 

Tours on June 7, July 5, and August 16 highlight the sculptures on the north section of the park. Tours on June 21, July 19, and August 16 feature the artwork on the south section. Tours begin at 2 p.m. and last from one and a half to two hours.
 

Visitors are asked to gather on the patio outside the Hall of Governors. Comfortable footwear is recommended as there is extensive walking and occasionally the paths are uneven. 

Visit the NMSP website www.govst.edu/sculpture or call ext. 4486 for more information.

The first of three phases of summer construction work began today, June 1, and include reconfiguration and construction of the D-Main entry walkway, the adjacent circular round-about road, and the connecting roads on the east and west sides of the bell tower carillon.

These roads will be closed until approximately mid-August. D-Main entry will also be closed with anticipated completion of the walkways by mid-July. Alternate entries to the building and traffic flow directions will be designated with signage. Subsequent phases of work will be announced throughout the summer.

Also beginning today, Pace Bus pick-up and drop off will be temporarily relocated to the F-wing entry. The GSU Shuttle pick-up and drop off will be temporarily relocated to the north end “B” Parking Lot.

Additional summer construction projects roadway lighting, landscaping, site amenities, and a new parking lot for the Family Development Center. For more information, call ext. 4515.

Auditions for the GSU produced summer musical, Into the Woods, will be today and Tuesday, from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., in Engbretson Hall. Auditions are by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call ext 2244.

Presidential historian and best-selling author Michael Beschloss will provide insight and information as part of the CAS Distinguished Lecture Series on Friday, June 5, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., in Sherman Hall.

Beschloss is the author of eight books including Presidential Courage: Brave Leaders and How They Changed America and The Conquerors: Roosevelt, Truman, and the Destruction of Hitler’s Germany, 1941-1945. NBC recently appointed him NBC News’ Presidential Historian, the first such position at any major network.

The lecture is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. To RSVP, call 708.534.4497. Books by Michael Beschloss are also for sale in the GSU bookstore, which will remain open during and after the lecture.

On June 6, Beschloss will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the university at the graduation ceremony. Commencement will be held at 11 a.m., at the Holiday Inn Select and Convention Center in Tinley Park.

Learn about Panamanian culture, community, and art in a presentation by Professor Edgardo de Leon Madaiaga on Thursday, June 4, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., in Engbretson Hall.

This event is sponsored by the Latino Center for Excellence and is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Monica Teixeira at ext. 7609.

Faculty are asked to nominate at least two undergraduate students for the University Honors program. The University Honors program provides additional opportunity for students to learn and network. For more information, contact Dr. Larry Levinson. 

This summer, children and their parents will have the opportunity to sleep under the stars and under one of the monumental sculptures of the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park.

The overnight camping experience begins on Saturday, June 20, at 5:30 p.m. when campers meet to pitch their tents and concludes after breakfast on Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. Campers will enjoy pizza, stories around the campfire, tours of the park, swimming in the GSU pool, and breakfast overlooking the lake.

Participants need to supply their own tent, sleeping bags, and flashlights. All children must between eight and fifteen years old and accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. All participants must sign a waiver of liability.

The registration deadline is June 15. The fee is $45 per person. Registration and pre-payment is required. For more information, email or call ext. 4486.

Dr. Ellen Foster Curtis, CBPA Dean, recently welcomed more than 60 military veterans to GSU’s CenterPoint for Entrepreneurs third Veterans Entrepreneurial Boot Camp.

Participants, representing all branches of the military and their family members, learned from CenterPoint advisors and experienced entrepreneurs about the dos and don’ts of developing a business concept into a successful venture.

More than 175 veterans or family members have attended entrepreneurial boot camps at GSU. Many attendees continue to access the advising and educational services provided by CenterPoint.