News and Events

The university’s new “Why Not?” program continues to be a hit with students, faculty, and staff. After less than two weeks, “Why Not?” has received 175 questions. Administrators are also continuing to respond rapidly to the inquiries.

Examples of this week’s submissions and responses are:

1. Staff Submission: “Why not get a scrolling marquee at the front entrance to advertise what’s going on at GSU to passersby? And thanks for this great outlet for ideas!”

Why Not? Response: GSU is currently under contract with architects and engineers designing and surveying the north and east entrances for the appropriate sign design and locations. These signs will be installed at both entrances and will provide notice of current events and clearly designate the campus. These signs are expected to be installed early next year.

2. Faculty Submission: “Why not provide a “Why Not?” link off of the GSU  View because some of these wonderful updating announcements bring forth input ideas, thus one could link on right away!!!!” 

Why Not? Response: GSU View will continuously feature “Why Not?” suggestions and administrative responses. Each feature contains a “Why Not?” button image that acts as a link to the “Why Not?” website.

The University Curriculum Committee (UCC) is currently accepting submissions for the 2008-2009 catalog. Faculty and program staff are asked to review their current curriculums and course descriptions to make sure that they accurately reflect the content currently being offered.

The deadline for submissions requesting changes to course and/or program descriptions is October 26, 2007. Submissions received after October 26th may not appear in the 2008-2009 catalogs.

The UCC’s weekly agenda is based on submissions received by Thursday of the previous week. Exceptions may be made for reconsiderations of previously submitted items or special circumstances.

Please visit www.govst.edu/ucc for more information on the UCC.

Students, particularly minority males, who are striving to earn college degrees while working and supporting their families are finding a new source of support through GSU’s new Brother2Brother program.

In cooperation with other area colleges, the University has established Brother2Brother, which offers mentoring, tutoring, and counseling programs to help students overcome the pressures that might prevent them from completing their degree programs. The organization focuses on spiritual and social growth, financial management, academic support, and community involvement. Most importantly, Brother2Brother gives students a way to connect and offer one another encouragement and inspiration.

For more information, contact Vanessa Newby at 708.534.4551.

The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park will offer its two final tours for the season on October 7 and 21 at 2 p.m. Tours of the sculpture park are free and open to the public.

The tour includes an easy one mile walk around the 26 sculptures in the world-class collection. During the tour, guests have the opportunity to see most of the sculptures and learn about the artists and the history of the park.

Comfortable footwear is recommended. Tours are conducted rain or shine, however, thunderstorms will force a cancellation. Reservations are not required. Call 708.534.4486 for information.

Governors State University’s Physical Therapy Student Association (PTSA) is holding a Crocs footwear fundraiser sale to benefit the organization.

The Crocs footwear being sold by the PTSA are Crocs Rx Relief style specifically produced for the healthcare industry.

The sale will take place on October 8 and 22, in the university’s Hall of Governors, from 3 to 7 p.m. All proceeds will benefit PTSA events and continuing education programs. Shoes can also be purchased directly by contacting Mary Tracy at 708.534.7290.

In response to several submissions to the “Why Not?” website and to a student’s concern voiced at the recent “Chat with the President,” the textbook advance has been increased from $300 to as much as $700 per trimester for qualified students. This will enable students receiving an adequate amount of financial aid to purchase all the textbooks they need at the beginning of each trimester. The Business and Financial Aid offices are finalizing the details. The new card will be available for the Winter 2008 trimester.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to submit their ideas, concerns, and suggestions to “Why Not?” (www.govst.edu/whynot). Why not help make GSU a better place to learn, teach, and work?

Faculty Senate elections were held on Thursday, September 20. Members of the 2007-09 Executive Committee include President Paul Blobaum in the University Library, Vice President Barbara Winicki in the Division of Education in the College of Education, and Secretary Connie Mietlicki in the College of Arts and Sciences. Representatives from each college are John Simon from CBPA, Jeanine Klomes from COE, Pam Guimond from CAS, and Adelle Sanders from CHHS. There is currently no representative from UL/UC/SAS.

GSU’s Counseling Center, (formerly the Office of Student Development), serves all GSU students struggling with personal issues such as stress, anxiety, family problems, marital issues, and other concerns. The staff of two licensed clinical psychologists and two clinical psychology interns offers the counseling services to help cope with these concerns.

In addition to its counseling services, the Center is sponsoring informal conversations on various mental health topics. These Brown Bag Talks begin this week with “Could Virginia Tech happen at GSU? Coping with students in crisis.” The conversations are on Tuesday, from 3 to 4 p.m., in room B1241, and Thursday, from 6 to 7 p.m., in the Cafeteria Annex. Additional conversations on social and personal issues will be scheduled in October. These events are free and refreshments are provided.

The Counseling Center is located in B1215, opposite the cafeteria, on the other side of the Hall of Governors. Services are offered free of charge.

To set up an appointment with a mental health counselor, students can contact Katherine Helm, Ph.D., Supervisor of Clinical Training, and Licensed Clinical Psychologist at (708) 235-7334).

ITS (Information Technology Services) invites you to attend training for "Microsoft Office 2003 to Office 2007.” Training has been divided into individual Office-application sessions (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook) to make it easier for you to attend the specific training you need. A certified Microsoft trainer will instruct each one-hour class and explain the differences between the 2003 and 2007 versions.

As with all upgrades of MS Office, there are some feature enhancements. Unlike previous upgrades, however, Office 2007 has a new look and feel. For example, the menu bar has been replaced with what Microsoft calls a “ribbon” menu. Because of these changes, ITS recommends that all faculty and staff attend one or more of the sessions. All sessions will be held in ACS Lab D2438.

For class times and dates, view the recent email from gsunews. For more information or to register, contact Michael Horvath, ext. 3195 or m-horvath@govst.edu. Seating is limited for each class.

For the first time, Governors State University will host the Midwest Principals’ Center Workshops in October, February, and April. Topics covered at these workshops include: Dealing with the Data: Using Data Effectively, Twenty Ways to Encourage Professional Growth, and What it takes to Successfully Lead a Diverse School Community.

Participants may receive Administrators Academy Credit for full-day participation in any of these three workshops. For more information or to register, contact the Midwest Principals’ Center at 847.963.3123 or www.midwestprincipalscenter.org. 

President Maimon announced the formation of the GSU Planning and Budget Advisory Council (PBAC). Members of the council are drawn from the administration, staff, faculty, and students.

“The purpose of this important advisory council is to successfully design processes, systems, and structures for the strategic allocation of resources to achieve sustainable excellence in every thing we do,” said Dr. Maimon.

The council will help create effective relationships between planning, priority setting, and resource allocation processes. It will work to promote transparency and accountability in resource allocation decisions, and encourage participation in the process by appropriate governance groups of the university community.

PBAC will function through five deliberative committees, which will develop and submit recommendations in their assigned areas of responsibility for consideration and action. They include committees on strategic planning, budget and finance, information technology, enrollment management and student services, and facilities. These committees will replace any existing standing committees, which previously exercised responsibility for any of these five areas.

Interim Provost Peggy Woodard and Executive Vice President Gebe Ejigu will convene the Council’s first meeting on Friday, September 28, 2007, from 11:00 to 1:00 p.m., in the Hall of Honors. More information on PBAC is available on the GSU website.

The new “Why Not?” campaign is riding the email airwaves to great success. The online suggestion program announced by President Maimon at Convocation last Thursday asks the GSU community to think of ways to improve GSU. And the response has been fantastic.

Nearly 100 ideas have been submitted and more are arriving daily. The suggestions run the gamut from improving campus aesthetics to renovating our course delivery system. Submissions have come from students, faculty, and staff, and from many different departments, colleges, and units. Once an idea is submitted, it is referred to the appropriate department for consideration and possible action. The great thinker who came up with the constructive suggestion will not only get an email response, but also earn an award.

Some of the great ideas under consideration include:

• Schedule classes in the early morning to accommodate people before they begin the workday and when they might have access to childcare
• Create inter-departmental understanding and increase effectiveness through unit presentations and  cross-training
• Turn the empty wall space around the university into art gallery space. Display donated, student, and  faculty art. Sponsor a juried art show and use the sale of art to generate additional funds for programs and facilities
• “Welcome Week” t-shirts identifying staff and administrators
• Reusable, reloadable meal cards for use in the cafeteria
• Student discounts for the Center for Performing Arts tickets

The first “Chat with the President” was held on Wednesday evening, September 19. The more than 40 students who attended had the opportunity to ask questions, present problems, and discuss issues with Dr. Maimon, as they shared pizza and pop in the cafeteria annex. The informal nature of the event lent itself to frank and open discussions of student issues and concerns. Joining Dr. Maimon and also responding to student concerns were Gebe Ejigu, Executive Vice President; Peggy Woodard, Interim Provost; Sherilyn Poole, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students; and Karen Kissel, Associate Vice President for Financial Services and coordinator of the "Why Not?" campaign.

Dr. Maimon encouraged the students present to submit their ideas and concerns in writing to the “Why Not?” website. This ensures that their concerns will garner a timely response from the appropriate person or department as well as earn them a gift from GSU.

Additional, informal conversations with President Maimon are scheduled for Thursday, October 4, and Tuesday, October 9, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., in the cafeteria annex.

The faculty and staff of GSU are invited to meet, greet, mix, and mingle at the first First Friday of the fall trimester on Friday, October 5, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the University Library. The chance to enjoy a little conversation and camaraderie with colleagues is sponsored by the Provost and the University Library.

All GSU students are invited to attend the first of several open forum chats with President Maimon on Wednesday, September 19. The informal discussion will take place in the Cafeteria Annex from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Bring your good ideas!

Governors Sate University will begin its month long celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month today with the heart lifting, joyous sounds of a mariachi band and will continue with a full series of events. Activities this month include: more music, dancing, delicious foods, an art exhibit, informative discussions, and a family fun fiesta. The events are sponsored by the GSU Association of Latin American Students (ALAS). They are open to the public and designed to delight participants and celebrate Latino heritage. Event details are posted on the GSU View Calendar of Events. For more information, call 708.534.4494.

A Public Information Meeting will be hosted by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) concerning the planning for a proposed interchange for Interstate 57 at Stuenkel Road/University Parkway on Thursday, September 20, from 4 to 7 p.m., in the Hall of Honors. The project would consist of reconstruction of the Stuenkel Road/University Parkway bridge and new ramps to and from I-57. Exhibits illustrating the project will be on display and IDOT personnel will be available to answer questions.

Alnita Buchanan of YWCA South will facilitate an open discussion on Sexual Assault Awareness on Wednesday, September 26, from 1 to 3 p.m., in Engbretson Hall. This program, sponsored by Student Life, is free and open to students, staff, faculty, and the community. Refreshments will be served.

Buchanan will discuss the difference between assault and abuse, reveal the myths and the facts surrounding sexual assault, and provide information on date rape drugs and the special services offered at the YWCA Center, located at 320 West 202nd Street, Chicago Heights, IL  60411.

For more information, call 708.235.7362.

The College of Health Professions at Governors State University has announced a November 1, 2007 application deadline for its Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program. Admission to the DPT program is competitive and only a limited number of applicants are admitted. If all available spots are not filled after the deadline, applications will be received on a continual basis until all spots are filled. Courses for those accepted will begin during the Spring/Summer trimester of 2008.

For additional information regarding application to the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program, contact Dr. Russell Carter at 708.534.3147.

GSU has been awarded a $1 million Teacher Quality Enhancement Recruitment grant by the United States Department of Education to attract interested students to the teaching profession and provide mentoring programs to support new teachers in the first years of their career.

“This grant will enable us to attract talented individuals to the profession, offer effective teacher training, and train skilled mentors to help new teachers succeed,” explained Dr. Connie Mietlicki, Assistant Professor of English and Secondary Education at Governors State University and Director of the Teacher Quality Enhancement (TQE) Partnership grant.

The grant will also fund recruitment initiatives designed to attract more students to GSU’s secondary education programs. Qualified students entering the secondary education program in biology, chemistry, English, and math (pending Illinois Board of Education approval) at the university will receive scholarships for full tuition and fees.

For more information about TQE recruitment, scholarships, and mentoring programs at GSU, call 708.534.4374.

President Maimon delivered her first “State of the University” address as part of Convocation, on Tuesday, September 11, 2007. Dr. Maimon also presented the Gerald C. Baysore award to Ron McDavid, Graphics Supervisor in Digital Learning and Media Design.

During her presentation, Dr. Maimon highlighted the upcoming installation ceremony, capital funding, strategic thinking and planning, and the GSU Promise - a plan to provide a debt free university education to community college graduates at or below the poverty level. She also announced the “Why Not?” campaign, a program let faculty, staff, and students provide suggestions to help make GSU a better place.

Dr. Maimon’s presentation was preceded by remarks from the presidents of GSU Civil Service, Faculty, and Student Senates.

Full video from Convocation 2007 is available on the web.

As part of its Constitution Day observance, Governors State University will sponsor a community forum, “The Constitution, Citizenship, and Voting Rights,” on September 17, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., in Sherman Music Recital Hall.

Panel discussion participants include Colleen Connell, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Frank Watkins, policy advisor to Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., and Virginia Martinez, legislative attorney for the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF). Dr. Larry Levinson, professor of history and political science at Governors State University, will moderate the discussion.

This program is free and open to the public. For more information, call (708) 534-4578.

As part of the “Why Not?” campaign unveiled earlier this week, President Maimon will conduct several informal discussions with students. Suggestions, concerns, and issues will be heard and responded to. The chats will be held on Wednesday, September 19, Thursday, October 4, and Tuesday, October 9, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria annex.

The number of degrees conferred by Governors State University increased to 1,872 in 2007 as compared to 1,550 in 2006.

A brand new web area listing GSU’s degree offerings is now available. The revised pages contain a more user friendly menu system to navigate through the degree listings. In addition, a new page, which contains links to each of the certificate programs, has been added.

The degree lists can still be accessed by clicking on the “Degree Programs” link on the top navigation bar of the website or by using the url www.govst.edu/degree.

GSU admission staff, advisors, and faculty welcomed more than 350 visitors to the Fall 2007 Open House on September 8. Prospective students learned about our degree programs, application process, financial aid opportunities, and university services. Sharon Evans, Associate Director of Admission, reported that 49 applications were submitted during the morning event. She also thanked the many participants and volunteers who helped make it a success.

Help Make GSU a Better Place. Why Not?

At Convocation on September 11, President Elaine Maimon announced a new program to challenge the way GSU does business and suggest ways to make the university a better place. The program is called "Why Not?" - as in, "Why not replace all paper forms with electronic ones?" Or, "Why not have student housing?" Or, "Why not offer classes at different hours to increase enrollment?" Or, "Why not have an A&P Senate, just like the Faculty, Civil Service, and Student Senates?"

Fair questions all, and starting today they will be answered.

Submit your ideas to www.govst.edu/whynot. Your suggestion will be acknowledged and you will receive a response within 30 days.

Each person who submits a constructive suggestion will receive a prize. Each trimester, the person proposing the best idea will be rewarded with a special gift.

Make a Choice. Why Not?

President Maimon said at Convocation, "It's your choice. You can stand cynically on the side -- or you can become constructively engaged and participate in developing strategies for turning big GSU dreams into reality. Asking 'why' is the first step. It's a core value of the academy to question what we see. But please take the next step -- to think constructively, perhaps to dream. Ask why not?”

Why Why Not?

Look no farther than Robert F. Kennedy who said: 

Some Men see things as they are and ask "Why?" 
I dream of things as they never were and ask, "Why not?"


Why Not Visit Why Not?

Get started now by visiting the "Why Not?" website to submit your constructive suggestion. Contibute to the the conitnued growth and development of Governors State University today.

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend Convocation 2007 on Tuesday, September 11, at 2:30 p.m., in Sherman Music Recital Hall. President Maimon will discuss the state of the university and discuss new initiatives. Dessert will be offered preceding the event from 2 to 2:30 p.m.

During Fall Welcome Days, students, faculty, and staff not only gathered information, pens, and popcorn, they also had the opportunity to register to vote or learn how to update their voter registration information.

Student Life sponsored a highly successful voter registration drive. Seventy-seven new voters were registered with the help of registrars from the Homewood-Flossmoor League of Women Voters and the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute.

This successful effort is only the beginning of a voter registration, voter encouragement drive by Student Life with the slogan, “Say Yes! Say No! Say Something! Vote!”

The Illinois Primary Election is scheduled for February 5, 2008.

The Secretary of State’s traveling multi-service center will be visiting GSU on October 2, 2007, February 5, 2008, and May 6, 2008. The center will be located in the Hall of Governors, from 2 to 7 p.m. Services available include driver’s license renewal, replacement, and corrections; State I.D. card renewal, replacement, and corrections; vehicle sticker sales; and organ/tissue donor information. For information, visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com.

Committees can accomplish something. The Admissions Policies, Procedures, and Practices Task Force, co-chaired by Linda Buyer and Karen D’Arcy, proposed a dozen policy changes that were approved and will take effect for the Fall ‘07 Trimester.

At the graduate level, there are three changes to Policy 33. Undeclared Graduate Student Status was eliminated. Graduate students no longer have to submit transcripts from each institution they attended – they have only to submit official transcripts that demonstrate they meet admission requirements (which include being in good status at the last institution attended). No more than six hours, taken as a non-degree seeking student, can be applied to a degree program, and only if the dean and program faculty approve.

At the undergraduate level, there are four changes to Policy 33. Additional associate degrees that meet the standard admission criteria were added. Degree-seeking and undeclared students no longer have to submit transcripts from each institution they attended – they have only to submit official transcripts that they meet admission requirements (which include being in good status at the last institution attended).  Undeclared students must submit official transcripts. For students in an undeclared status, 18 hours is the limit they can complete – 12 hours for students seeking a certificate.  Once the limit is reached, undeclared students will be automatically converted to non-degree-seeking status, unless they have been accepted into a major.  

There is a domino effect because of the changes to Policy 33 – five changes to Policy 7. The policy’s name was changed to reflect that it now covers undeclared students.  When undeclared students seek to change to a major, they do not have to apply for readmission – instead, they will now petition for a transfer and complete a “Change in Status” form.  Non-degree seeking undergraduate students will not be able to apply any credits to a degree program. The modified policy also combines the “Change of College” and “Change of Major” forms, making it easier for students to find the correct form.

To implement the policy changes, there are four new forms: Add a Second Major, Change of Status, Add a Certificate to Current Enrollment Status, and Application for Award of Certificate.

The new forms are available on the Registrar's website.

Information Age Publishing just released Dispositions in Teacher Education. Former Dean of the College of Education, the late Dr. Larry Freeman, initiated this book. Governors State University’s work in the area of teacher dispositions is highlighted in several chapters by Dr. Freeman and in one by Dr. Karen Peterson of the COE. The forward reads, “Many people worked on this book to bring a nascent idea to fruition, but this is Larry Freeman’s book.”

A new GSU phone book has been produced. Copies will be distributed to each full-time faculty and staff member this week. If you need additional copies of the phone book, please contact the ITS helpdesk at x4357.

Please send GSU View announcements and news items directly to the Office of Public Affairs at e-matanyi@govst.edu or l-gladstone@govst.edu. All submissions must be GSU related.

I’m proud to announce that your university newsletter is back in business. Expect what the editorial staff has always delivered – straightforward reporting on developments affecting the university community; news on the achievements of faculty, staff, and students; reports on significant changes in policies and procedures.

The GSU View will attempt to publish twice a week, so the community will be up to date on current developments. And each newsletter will prominently feature the week's special events, including lectures, retirement parties, information sessions, open houses, training sessions, etc.

We also encourage faculty, staff, students, and all member of the GSU community to contact the Office of Public Affairs with newsworthy items. After all, you are the news.

As everyone comes to rely on The GSU View as the single source for current and accurate information, we expect to reduce significantly the plethora of mass e-mails sent to faculty and staff announcing events. In time, we also expect it will reduce the forest of tripods and large posters that populate the halls and open spaces.

Enjoy reading The GSU View - the newspaper you don’t have to recycle.

Elaine P. Maimon
President