News and Events

All eyes will be on the International Olympic Committee this Friday as they announce who will host the 2016 Summer Olympics. Show your support for the Chicago bid by joining fellow students, employees, and community members to watch the live results on the cafeteria TV monitors.

Coverage will begin mid-morning and continue through the final announcement at approximately noon.

For more information on Chicago's Olympic bid visit the Chicago 2016 website.

President Maimon participated in a leadership conference on September 30 entitled 2009 Education Imperative, Focus on Solving Critical Issues in Education.

Participants also included Sarita E. Brown, president of Excelencia in Education; Linda Darling-Hammond, a professor of education at Stanford University; and Joseph S. Renzulli, a professor of educational psychology at the University of Connecticut at Storrs. All three are recent winners of the prestigious 2009 Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education.

A selection of key issues facing education today were discussed, including the Future of Assessment in Higher Education and Government Funding Outlook.

The Campus Community Campaign is off to a great start. Participants are choosing which funds they want to designate for their donation. Popular choices this year are the GSU Promise and the President’s Excellence Fund. Scholarship funds continue to garner a great deal of attention – especially after several scholarship winners shared their stores both at the recent kickoff celebration and on the CCC website.

The campus community is reminded that great thank you prizes will be raffled off at the GSU annual holiday party. While everyone is eligible for one ticket, campaign donors are able to increase their odds of winning with more tickets. To get a ticket, see Rosemary Hulett, Christine Radtke, Jackie Small, or Joan Vaughan.

Also, Viola Gray is volunteering on behalf of SAAS. Employees from SAAS departments are encouraged to discuss giving options directly with Viola.

For more information on the Campus Community Campaign, visit the campaign website.

Question and answer sessions regarding the HLC Self-Study and upcoming site visit will be held on Tuesday, October 6, from 10 to 11 a.m. and Wednesday, October 7, from 3 to 4 p.m., in the Hall of Honors. Everyone is welcome.

The HLC Self-Study is available for review and feedback via the GSU HLC 2009 website. As a reminder, feedback may also be submitted via e-mail to hlc@govst.edu.

Whether you are looking for breakfast or lunch catering, boxed lunches, meetings or special events, FSI is the exclusive caterer on the GSU campus.

FSI has brought a new catering standard to GSU and has received positive feedback. Satisfied customer Sheree Sanderson recently noted, “FSI catered the CAS all college meeting and it was fabulous! The meeting attendees actually thought that we utilized a restaurant off campus, they continued to praise the restaurant, so we decided it was time to tell them it was our campus caterers, FSI!”

To order catering services, contact Becky at ext. 4496 or go to Food Service on the GSU website for menu options, pricing, and the order form. Other questions should be directed to Jerad Garrison.

Evening childcare for the children of students who receive Pell Grants is now being offered at the Family Development Center for a 75 percent discount. This grant funded discount enables children of qualified GSU students, who are 3 to 12 years, to enjoy the safe and enriching environment of the Family Development Center while their parents concentrate on their educations. Childcare is available Monday through Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m.

To take advantage of this discount, a copy of the student’s financial aid award letter is required. For more information, contact the Family Development Center at 708.235.7300.

Additional bottles of hand sanitizer were recently delivered to each departmental mail stop.

FDM has also installed wall dispensers in hallways and prime locations as well.

Departments requiring additional sanitizer (or similar products) can order supplies using the Central Stores reorder form. Lemon scented disinfecting wipes have been added to the order form. Place your order with Barb Lane today.

As part of the Distinguished Lecture Series, Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez will speak to students, faculty, staff, and the community at a free and public presentation on October 1, at 6 p.m., in The Center for Performing Arts. A question and answer period will follow.

Alvarez is Cook County’s first female and first Latina State’s Attorney. Her presentation is part of the university’s observance of Hispanic Heritage Month and is sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences and the Title V/Latino Center for Excellence.

For more information, contact Sheree Sanderson at ext. 3956.

The Campus Community Campaign is in full swing, with donations steadily being received by the GSU Foundation. Much of the campaign’s ongoing success can be attributed to the hard work of the volunteer fundraisers around campus.

It’s easy to make your donation by talking with one of the following volunteers, who will discuss the benefits of giving back and help you select a donation level that is right for you.

COE-Division of Education
Mary Hession
Nancy Miller

CAS
Lana Bilyk (SIDL)
Tracy Paynes
Sheree Sanderson

CHHS
Kyusuk Chung

Library
Carol Machura

CBPA
Margaret Neuman

Administration
Sonja Anderson - SXL
Gail Bradshaw - HR
Lisa Carra - Business Office
Judy Ferneau - ITS
Danella Soeka - DLMD

FDM

Scott Smith - Maintenance Laborers
Kevin Graves - Trades
John Naughton - Engineers
Nicole Harrison - Administration
BSW (Housekeeping) - Keith Briggs

For more information, visit the Campus Community Campaign website.

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

Information about depression will be available from October 5 through 8, from noon to 4 p.m., in the Hall of Governors. Seminars on mental health conditions will be also be offered in room B1215. On October 5, from 6 to 7 p.m., the discussion will be on Bipolar Disorder. On October 6, from 6 to 7 p.m., the topic will be Generalized Anxiety Disorder. And on October 7, from 5 to 6 p.m., the seminar will be on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Free depression screening is available on October 8, from noon to 6 p.m., in the Academic Resource Center, B1215. The screening involves completing a brief questionnaire and a conversation with a mental health professional. The questionnaire results are anonymous and confidential. The mental health professional will offer next step suggestions if they are warranted.

The Academic Resource Center provides ongoing counseling services to GSU students. The Counseling Lab at Governors State University provides free, confidential counseling services to families and adults. For more information, contact Tamekia Scott at ext. 2228.

For over 15 years, GSU has offered free dial-up Internet services to alumni, students, faculty, and staff. This service, which once had over 16,000 active accounts, now maintains only about 70 users.

As a result of declining utilization, the wide availability of high-speed services, and high maintenance costs, the university will discontinue its free dial-up service on October 31.

The university will also discontinue the maintenance of web space for GSU students to host websites on. Students are encouraged to move all information stored on GSU servers to an external host prior to October 31.

The GSU Information Technology Services Helpdesk is available to assist current dial-up users in the transition to external Internet services. Please contact the GSU Helpdesk at 708.534.3257.

The Student Education Association (SEA) of GSU is sponsoring the second annual SEA Wii Bowling Competition, on October 8, from noon to 7 p.m., in the Cafeteria Annex. Prizes will be awarded to the first, second, and third place competitors. Popcorn is for everyone. Entry fees are $2 for students, and $3 for everyone else.

Dr. Jacque Elder of the College of Health and Human Services was recently elected as Chairperson for the Advisory Council to the Department of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (DASA) for the State of Illinois. She has served on this council for 10 years, and was appointed by Senator Christine Radagno.

Recipients of 2009 Excellence Awards were recognized at a luncheon on Wednesday, September 23. Dr. Elaine Maimon complimented the honorees who represent excellence in education, service, and research at GSU.

Dianna Galante, Timothy Gsell, Pamela Guimond, Rosemary Johnsen, Daniel Nearing, Winifred Rudloff, and Marilyn Yirku were honored from the College of Arts and Sciences.

David Green, Ting Wang, and William Wilkerson were honored form the College of Business and Public Administration.

Thomas Bierdz, Jon Carlson, Sandra Gandy, Bonnie Gregg, Marian Marion, Patricia Robey, and Catherine Sori were honored from the College of Education.

Susan McCoy from Student Affairs and Services and Paul Blobaum from the University Library were also recognized.

Celebrating the Past, Charting the Future, the Campus Community Campaign celebrating 40 years of GSU began Tuesday with much fanfare. The audience enjoyed an historical slide show review set to music from the past four decades. The Center for Performing Arts’ Burt Dikelksy wove the GSU story into a recounting of the main historical events of the past 40 years. President Elaine Maimon expressed the need for the GSU community to join the campaign and help ensure the success of the GSU mission. Institutional Advancement’s Joan Vaughan discussed the different ways contributions can be made to the future of GSU and our dedication to serving our students. The audience also heard from current GSU students and alumni who received scholarships financed by contributions to the GSU Foundation and whose lives were enriched by the educations they were able to earn as a result.

Visit to Campus Community Campaign website for more information.

A question and answer sessions on the HLC Self-Study and upcoming visit will be held on Tuesday, October 6, from 10 to 11 a.m. and Wednesday, October 7, from 3 to 4 p.m., in the McGee Hall of Honors. Everyone is welcome.

The HLC Self-Study is available for review and feedback via the GSU HLC 2009 website. As a reminder, feedback may also be submitted via e-mail to hlc@govst.edu.

The following individuals joined GSU as full-time employees during the months of August and September 2009. Please welcome them to the university.

Lee Annes
Coordinator
DCFS

Jennifer Beebe
Instructor
Psychology and Counseling

Jamie Bourdreau
University Lecturer
COE - Psychology and Counseling

Walter Henne
Assistant Professor
CAS - Science

Lori Horgan
Special Projects Manager
DCFS

Kelly Jager
Teacher
Family Development Center

Diane Jamison
Assistant Professor
CHHS - Nursing

Martha Menninger
Special Projects Manager
DCFS

Donald Olund
University Lecturer
COE - Psychology and Counseling

Jennifer Taylor
Clerk
Student Life

Feng Tian
Assistant Professor
CBPA – MMPA

Christopher White
Assistant Professor
CAS – Liberal Arts

The University Advisors Group unveiled a new webpage to serve as an invaluable and useful tool to prospective students, current students, faculty, and staff. The webpage provides a comprehensive list of every program and certificate at GSU with links to the program advisor, with full contact information, for each one.

This useful new tool can be found online.

The Title V-Latino Center for Excellence is sponsoring a special presentation by journalist Vicente Serrano of his documentary exposé, A Forgotten Injustice, on October 8, at 4:30 p.m., in The Center for Performing Arts.

This documentary film uncovers the true story of the almost two million Mexican Americans and U.S. citizens who were forced to leave the United States during the Great Depression in the 1930s. A Forgotten Injustice is the result of an extensive investigation. Serrano traveled across the country and Mexico to capture the experiences of these men and women, many who are still living in extreme poverty in rural areas in Mexico. The documentary includes interviews with historians, politicians, and survivors.

Serrano will answer questions and discuss his research after the film. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call ext. 4553.

Lisa Aponte-Soto was one of the Prominent Alumni Speakers recently at the 30^th anniversary dinner for UIC’s Urban Health Program. Lisa earned her MHA degree from GSU, and she is now a Ph.D. candidate in UIC’s Behavioral Science and Health Promotion program in the Community Health Sciences Division (School of Public Health).

Dr. Sandra Mayfield, Assistant Provost, will be honored by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association at the ASHA convention in November. She will be recognized for her work to advance multicultural infusion in Speech-Language Pathology and ASHA, for serving as an advocate or championed in the cause of multicultural issues, demonstrating respect and value for differing backgrounds and points of view, and for having highlighted the impact of culture and/or language on speech-language pathology, audiology, or speech-language or hearing science.

Time-Saving Strategies: Setting Up Quizzes and Exams in Blackboard CE-8 will be covered in workshops on Tuesday, September 29 and October 3, from 10 a.m. to noon, in D2438 –ACS lab.

The workshop will present the advantages of online quizzes, surveys, and self-tests, using Blackboard to generate statistical reports, and uploading complete quizzes or exams using Respondus.

Seating is limited. To register, contact Barbara Mandel.

See, hear, and experience the power of change as the Campus Community Campaign begins with a celebration of GSU’s 40 years of changing lives. Through scholarships, programs, and special events the contributions made by the university community have supported GSU’s students and mission.

The CCC kickoff event is on Tuesday, September 22, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., in The Center for Performing Arts. Refreshments will be served in the CPA lobby.

As part of the Distinguished Lecture Series, Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez will speak to students, faculty, staff, and the community at a free and public presentation on October 1, at 6 p.m., in The Center for Performing Arts. A question and answer period will follow.

Anita Alvarez is Cook County’s first female and first Latina State’s Attorney. Her presentation is part of the university’s observance of Hispanic Heritage Month and is sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences and the Title V/Latino Center for Excellence. 

For more information, contact Sheree Sanderson at ext. 3956. 

The second of a series of faculty development workshops around the theme of assessment will be held on Wednesday, September 23, from noon to 2 p.m., in D 34170. Attendees need not have attended the first workshop.

These luncheon workshops are free to GSU faculty, administrators and teaching staff as part of a wider campus conversation about teaching and learning. The luncheons are supported in part by the Provost's Office, the Division of Digital Learning, and the GSU Faculty Development Committee. To register, contact Eric Wignall.

The Alumni Association is hosting the 2009 Alumni Awards, which honors graduates who have made significant contributions to society and whose accomplishments and careers have brought credit to the university. The Outstanding Community Service Award and the Distinguished Professional Achievement Award will both be presented at the 40^th Anniversary Celebration on November 7, 2009.

Nominating deadline is September 30, 2009. For more information and a nomination form, visit our website. 

The Student Education Association (SEA) of GSU is sponsoring the second annual SEA Wii Bowling Competition, on October 8, from noon to 7 p.m., in the Cafeteria Annex. Prizes will be awarded to the first, second, and third place competitors. Popcorn is for everyone. Entry fees are $2 for students, and $3 for everyone else.

Applied Psychology Club for undergraduate and graduate psychology students is currently forming. In its first year, the club plans to sponsor have a Instructor/Student Luncheon, an end of the semester social, and a speaker night. Dr Albert Tuskenis is the faculty advisor for the club. Students interested in learning more, networking, and having some fun are encouraged to contact Dr. Tuskenis or Katie Moler. 

The Friends of Mysteries are celebrating Governors State University’s 40^th anniversary reading and talking about mysteries that were published in 1969. Join the conversation on October 28, at noon, in the cafeteria.

The group will discuss Halloween Party by Agatha Christie. Halloween Party is a Hercule Poirot mystery, published near the end of Dame Christie’s career.

On November 19, at noon, in the library, the discussion is on The Best Man to Die by Ruth Rendall. On December 16, at noon, in the cafeteria, the group will solve Death of a Dude by Rex Stout.

Dr. Maimon recently surprised students, faculty, and staff in the cafeteria when she announced the Fall 2009 “Why Not?” winner.

The winner, Mary Rothenberg, suggested that volunteer teams made up students, faculty, staff, and community members be created. The teams would assist the university in a specific area, such as decorations or commencement. Mary also volunteered to help coordinate the volunteer teams.

She was awarded $100 for her suggestion and was treated to lunch with President Maimon, Joan Vaughan, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and CEO of the Foundation, and friend Kathleen Brennan.

Mary is Administrative Coordinator for The Center for Performing Arts.

GSU, is aware of the current increased risk posed by the H1N1 Virus and is taking action to ensure public safety.

Bottles of Purell hand sanitizer were delivered again 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 a stock of respiratory masks, should the need arise.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends four key ways to help protect you from getting the flu:

1. Wash your hands often with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand cleaners. 

2. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder--not into your hands.

3. Know the symptoms of flu. Do not go to class or work if you have symptoms. Symptoms include fever or chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting. Stay home if you are sick for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever. If flu conditions become MORE severe, stay home for at least seven days, even if you feel better sooner. 

4. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions and to find out if you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu and/or 2009 H1N1 flu. 
 

Information about seasonal flu vaccine can be found at www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm. For more information, visit www.flu.gov.

With new degree audit software, GSU’s Admissions office can significantly streamline the transfer process for community college students who wish to attend the university.

“We now have a process in place and systems that support the scanning of undergraduate applicant transcripts, the evaluation of the coursework listed on the transcripts, and the application of transfer credit to any undergraduate program offered at GSU,” said Dr. Carol Cortilet-Albrecht, Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Services and Registrar.

With the installation of the software, Dr. Cortilet-Albrecht reported this week, the full degree audit process was successfully tested “from start to finish” last Friday. The Degree Audit Committee has been working for a year on a process to speed up the transfer of credits and other information. Last week’s test represented “an important milestone.”

GSU President Elaine Maimon praised the Degree Audit Committee’s work. “I want to express sincere thanks to the Degree Audit Team for accomplishing significant strategic goals on time – in fact, earlier than scheduled – and under budget. This achievement is an important example of excellent teamwork, creative problem solving, and service to our students.”

Because the new degree audit system went into production earlier than expected, the university has already begun processing the transfer coursework of students who have applied for admission to GSU in Winter 2010. Templates for transcripts from 15 college feeder schools have been built into the system, and requirements for all GSU undergraduate programs have been developed into program shells. General education requirements and core course equivalents for more than 40 transfer college feeder schools have been entered into the degree audit system.

“In the coming weeks, the new system will be demonstrated to faculty, staff, and other members of the campus community,” said Dr. Cortilet-Albrecht.

Hillary Burkinshaw, Director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at GSU, will be honored by the Business Ledger as a recipient of the 2009 Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards for her Outstanding Service to Entrepreneurs. She will receive the award at the Annual Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards reception on September 24.

As the Director for the last 12 years, Hilary has been the Chicago southland region’s most proactive ”helping hand”  supporting individual business growth, development, financing and improvement leading to significant business growth and retention in the GSU region. Over the last 10 years, Hilary has worked directly with well over 1,000 clients that have created 37 new businesses, invested $10 million in their existing businesses, created or retained over 1,200 jobs, bought 14 businesses at an investment value over $7,000,000, and has helped over 200 clients obtain over $80 million in financing.

Through Hilary’s vision and leadership at the Illinois SBDC, three Veterans Entrepreneurial Boot Camps have been hosted at GSU with attendance exceeding 175 veterans over the last year-and-a-half. This program was recognized in 2008 by the Illinois Entrepreneurship and Small Business Growth Association for its “outstanding, innovative, and best practices in the programs and services offered by member Illinois centers and the impact the program has had on the community, region, and state.” 

The Governors State University Second Annual Latino Film Festival will showcase films that highlight the Latino art, culture, and society from Spanish-speaking countries.

Silent Love, a film from Mexico and Canada, will be screened on September 14 and 24, at 4:45 p.m. It is rated PG 13.

Bienvenido a Casa, a film from Spain, will be shown on September 22, at 4:45 p.m. It is rated PG 13.

El Brindis, from Mexico and Chile, will be screened on September 23, at 4:45 p.m. It is rated PG 13. 

La Mirada de Clara, a film from Argentina, will be shown on September 21 And October 13, at 4:45 p.m. It is rated R.

Sonar no Cuesta Nada, is from Argentina and Columbia. It will be shown on October 12, at 4:45 p.m. It is rated R.

All the films will be shown in Engbretson Hall The films are subtitled in English. They are the property of the International Latino Center of Chicago and were shown during the past Chicago Latino Film Festivals.

The film festival is co-sponsored by the Spanish Reading Club and Title V/Latino Center for Excellence in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month. All the screenings are free and open to the public. For more information, call ext. 4553.

UNBOUND by Stacye V. Clark, a hilarious theatrical dramedy dealing with abandoning unrewarding relationships, will be presented on September 18 and 19, at 8 p.m., and September 20, at 3 p.m., at The Center for Performing Arts.

Buy one get one free tickets to all GSU faculty, staff, and students is available for the Friday evening show only. Visit the box office or call ext. 2222 for tickets.

The Writing Center provides assistance to undergraduate and graduate students with one-on-one tutoring sessions and beginning research and documentation help in the library. The Writing Center also offers online services at www.govst.edu/OWL.

In an effort to make us all a bit safer, the GSU Department of Public Safety is providing safety tips.

DPS advises installation of smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement. 

• Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home so if one sounds, they all sound. Visit www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/Research/Smoke for additional information.
• For the best protection, two types of alarms should be installed in the home, photoelectric for smoldering fires and ionization for flaming fires. 
• Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button. Replace batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year. If an alarm “chirps,” replace the battery right away.

Smoke alarms are available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These devices use strobe lights and vibration devices.

The Academic Resource Center is offering a free LSAT preparation class on Mondays, beginning September 21 and ending on May 24. The class is from 7:30 to 10:20 p.m., in room A2202.

University tutor David Sparks of the Academic Resource Center will teach the preparation class for the Law School Admissions Test. Class work will focus on the three main areas of the test: reading comprehension, logic reasoning, and analytical reasoning.

Advance registration is required and seats are limited. For more information or to register, contact David Sparks at 708.235.3963.

The Honorary Degree Nomination Review Committee is accepting nominations for candidates for an honorary doctorate degree from GSU. Letters of nomination should include authoritative vitae and/or biographical data, contact information (phone and mailing address), and other pertinent information.

The committee meets at least once in the fall and winter trimesters. According to the GSU Board of Trustees Regulations Section III B, the committee makes recommendations to the President selected from honorary degree nominations submitted by faculty, students, staff, alumni, and Trustees.

Please forward nominations as soon as possible for consideration at the end of September. Nominations may be sent to Paul Blobaum or Myisha Meeks.

Geoffrey Bates, director and curator of the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, recently curated and wrote a catalogue essay for an exhibit featuring works by Chicago painter, sculptor, and printmaker John Himmelfarb at the H.F. Johnson Gallery of Art at Carthage College, Wisconsin. A Circulating Library: John Himmelfarb, Selected Recent Works opened September 15 and continues through October 17.

Pedus Eweama recently published his second book entitled Nursing Stories: Ordinary People, Extra-Ordinary Journey. Eweama’s background spans the disciplines of nursing, occupational safety and health, and liberal arts. He has travelled widely and has special interest in the health of culturally and linguistically diverse populations, and is a keen medical missionary.

Eweama is the founder of Child Aid Survival and Development International (CASDI), a human rights organization dedicated to the rights of children in Sub-Saharan Africa. He graduated from the Board of Governors program in 2002. He lives in Perth, Western Australia, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Medicine degree with particular interest in rural, regional, and remote medical practice.

Following a year of severe challenges at home and abroad, Governors State University remains strong, and poised to become a great 21^st century university, President Elaine Maimon said at Thursday’s annual Convocation.

“As I enter my third academic year as your president, I am happy to report that at GSU, the state of the university is very good,” Dr. Maimon said at the start of her address to the university community. Enrollment is up at the start of the 2009-2010 school year, long-awaited maintenance projects have been completed, and the university will graduate its first doctoral students next June. However, she reminded audience members that, to fully realize its potential, GSU needs the proper strategic plan. That plan – Strategy 2015 – is already in place and will be GSU’s blueprint for growth and success in the next six years.

During the Convocation, Dr. Maimon presented the Baysore Award, the university’s highest honor, to Dr. Karen D’Arcy, professor of analytic chemistry and Division of Science chair. The award is presented each year to the university employee who best demonstrates the qualities exemplified by Dr. Gerald Baysore, GSU’s former vice President of Academic affairs: absolute integrity, total competence, generous dedication, and unfailing civility. Dr. D’Arcy is a true exemplar, Dr. Maimon said: “a gifted teacher, a respected scientist, and a model campus and community citizen.”

In her State of the University address, Dr. Maimon asked faculty and staff members to reconsider the words of GSU’s mission statement. GSU remains committed to providing quality, accessible education to underserved and minority students. But the university needs to change the way it delivers knowledge to students. Rather than being hunters and gatherers of information, educators need to be guides to “thinking about information, assessing its worth, and creating new knowledge.” Faculty members need to set high expectations for their students so they can better succeed, she said.

Dr. Maimon also reported positive enrollment numbers for the new school year. Overall enrollment is up more than 5 percent, undergraduate credit hours are up 11.81 percent, and full-time undergraduate students have increased 20.55 percent.

See, hear, and experience the power of change as the Campus Community Campaign begins with a celebration of GSU’s 40 years of changing lives. Through scholarships, programs, and special events the contributions made by the university community have supported GSU’s students and mission.

The CCC kickoff event is on Tuesday, September 22, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., in The Center for Performing Arts. Refreshments will be served in the CPA lobby.

Join the celebration recognizing GSU's 40^th Anniversary. The 40th Anniversary Celebration embraces the theme of Celebrating the Past and Charting the Future.

On Friday, November 6, at 3 p.m., in Engbretson Hall, past and current GSU presidents and staff will discuss the birth, growth, and future of the university. Following the discussion, the new history wall, commemorating 40 years of educational excellence, will be unveiled in the D Main Entrance Atrium. A reception will follow.

Students, alumni, employees, and the community are also invited to attend an evening of celebration that promises to bring the music, style, and fun of the '60s back to GSU. The celebration begins on Saturday, November 7, with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by A Tribute to the Motown Greats at The Center for Performing Arts. After the show, the celebration continues with a DJ and dancing.

Tickets are only $50 and include the reception, A Tribute to the Motown Greats show, and post-show DJ/dancing. There will be a cash bar before and after the show.

Renew acquaintances and make new friends. Let your hair down and dance the night away. And be sure to don your finest 1960s attire. Seating for this once in a lifetime event is limited. Visit the 40th Anniversary website for more information and to reserve your tickets to the celebration.

Learn how to better use Blackboard CE-8 during an important, timesaving workshop. Instead of making additional copies of the course syllabus, lecture notes, PowerPoint presentations, and other content materials, educators can make them available to students online through Blackboard CE-8.

The Center for Online Teaching and Learning is offering Time-Saving Strategies to Organize Online Content. This hands-on workshop will discuss best formats to save, publish, and organize materials online for students.

The workshop will be held on Tuesday, September 15, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., in Room D2438 of the ACS lab. It will be repeated on Saturday, September 19, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., in Room D2438 of the ACS lab.

To attend register for this workshop, contact Barb Mandel, and indicate which session you will attend.

As part of the Distinguished Lecture Series, Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez will speak to students, faculty, staff, and the community at a free and public presentation on October 1, at 6 p.m. Alvarez is Cook County’s first female and first Latina State’s Attorney. Her presentation is part of the university’s observance of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Alvarez’ comments will offer perspective from her 22-year career serving in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. At the time of her historic election on November 4, 2008, Alvarez held the rank of Chief Deputy State’s Attorney, the third ranking post in the nation’s second largest prosecutor’s office. During her career, she has handled hundreds of felony cases dealing with homicide, narcotics, armed robbery, criminal sexual assaults, and domestic violence. She has argued before the Illinois Appellate Court and tried more than 50 felony jury trials.

Alvarez’ presentation will be held in The Center for Performing Arts. A question and answer period will follow. The Distinguished Lecture Series is free, open to the public, and sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences. For more information, call ext. 3956. 

The Title V-Latino Center for Excellence is sponsoring a special presentation by journalist Vicente Serrano of his documentary exposé, A Forgotten Injustice, on October 8, at 4:30 p.m., in The Center for Performing Arts.

This is the first documentary film to uncover the true story of the almost two million Mexican Americans and U.S. citizens who were forced to leave the United States during the Great Depression in the 1930s. A Forgotten Injustice is the result of an extensive investigation. Serrano traveled across the country and Mexico to capture the experiences of these men and women, many who are still living in extreme poverty in rural areas in Mexico. The documentary includes interviews with historians, politicians, and survivors.

Serrano will be answer questions and discuss his research after the film. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Carlos Cantu. 

Tutoring services are offered to all students free of charge. The following subjects are tutored:  math, accounting, economics, management information systems, finance, statistics, and some science courses, depending on tutor availability. Both onsite and online formats are offered.

To learn more about the services offered by the Academic Resource Center, visit the ARC website or call 708-534-4508. 

President Maimon will present her annual State of the University address during Convocation 2009 on Thursday, September 10, at 2:30 p.m., in Sherman Hall. The entire GSU community is invited. In addition to the President’s address, the winner of the Baysore Award will also be announced.

Auxiliary Services will find a home for any unused toners or coordinate return/recycle of empty printer cartridges. Place unused or empty cartridge boxes in or near an outgoing mail bin for pick-up. For larger amounts, contact Barb Lane at ext. 7426 to make arrangements for pick-up.

Extra inter-office envelopes should be sent to Paul Schwellenbach in Mail Services for redistribution to individuals and departments who need more. While supplies last, more envelopes are available. Contact Paul Schwellenbach at ext. 7429.

The Honorary Degree Nomination Review Committee is accepting nominations for candidates for an honorary doctorate degree from GSU at its September meeting (date to be announced). Letters of nomination should include authoritative vitae and/or biographical data, contact information (phone and mailing address), and other pertinent information.

The committee meets at least once in the fall and winter trimesters. According to the GSU Board of Trustees Regulations Section III B, the committee makes recommendations to the President selected from honorary degree nominations submitted by faculty, students, staff, alumni, and Trustees.

Please forward nominations as soon as possible for consideration at the end of September. Nominations may be sent to Paul Blobaum or Myisha Meeks.

Conveying Awareness through Referral and Education (CARE) is a series of free workshops sponsored by Academic Resource Center and Student Life to help the GSU community understand and cope with mental health issues that affect daily life.

National Suicide Prevention Day is observed with an open forum to discuss the facts, myths, warning signs, and appropriate actions to take to prevent suicide. The forum is on Thursday, September 10, from 5 to 7 p.m., in the Hall of Governors.

Dealing with College Stress is a forum on stress and stress management techniques on Tuesday, September 22, from noon to 1 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m., in the Student Lounge.

National Depression Screening Week is observed with a series of seminars from October 5 through October 7, from 6 to 7 p.m. Seminar topics include Bipolar Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Free depression screening is available on Thursday, October 8, from noon to 6 p.m.

Refreshments will be served at all events. For more information email Tamekia Scott or call ext. 2228.

Faculty Senate meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month, at 1 p.m., in Hall of Honors. Guests are welcome.

The Student Involvement Fair provides a great opportunity to showcase your group or services to people who are interested and to recruit new and rejuvenate current memberships. The event will be held on Monday, September 28, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., in the Hall of Governors. To reserve a table for a student club or campus organization, contact Adam Taylor at ext.7362.

GSU is hosting a series of faculty development workshops concerning assessment and reflecting new research and trends in ongoing faculty development efforts across higher education. The workshops address assessment, particularly in regards to the upcoming HLC visit.

The luncheon workshops are free to GSU faculty, administrators, and teaching staff as part of a wider campus conversation about teaching and learning. The luncheons are supported in part by the Provost’s Office and the Division of Digital Learning. Contact Eric Wignall for more information.

How Good Is Good Enough? Setting Benchmarks or Standards
Luncheon Workshop
September 16
Noon - 2 p.m.
Hall of Honors

Principles and Profiles of Good Practice in Assessment
Luncheon Workshop
September 23
Noon – 2 p.m.
D34170

Summarizing and Using Assessment Results
Luncheon Workshop
October 7
Noon – 2 p.m.
Hall of Honors

Counselors offer career, academic, and personal counseling services to all students. The counselors at GSU facilitate academic progress and help students achieve their personal and career goals. A counseling relationship allows students to discuss confidentially their personal thoughts and feelings in order to improve problematic life situations and enhance personal potential.

To learn more about the services offered by the Academic Resource Center, visit the ARC website or call 708-534-4508. 

Each year an outstanding senior from each of the four-year, degree-granting institutions of higher learning in Illinois is awarded the Student Lincoln Academy Medallion and named a Student Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. Student Laureates are honored for their overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities.

The 2009 recipient will receive the Student Laureate Medallion, a certificate of achievement, and a check for $150. Award recipients will participate in a processional of state, civic, and academic leaders at the award ceremony held in Springfield on Saturday, November 7, 2009, in the Old State Capitol. A luncheon will be held in recognition of the recipients following the ceremony in the Executive Mansion.

GSU is accepting nominations for the Student Laureate Award from the 2010 graduating class (baccalaureate degree). The Student Laureate Nomination Form is located on the Student Life web page under Applications, Documents, and Forms. Please complete the Student Laureate Nomination Form and return it to Sara Appel by Wednesday, September 30. For more information, contact Sara Appel at 708.534.4552.

The 6^th Edition of the APA Handbook was released in July. Visit the Writing Center online for a quick update about the changes in style.

Student Life is sponsoring, Budgeting for a Better Life, a seminar presented by Citibank, to help students, faculty, and staff take control of their finances. The seminar is on Tuesday, September 15, from 3 to 3:45 p.m., in Engbretson Hall. It is free and everyone is welcome.

For more information, contact Chayla Wilson at ext.7653.

The Pusan International Film Festival to be held this October in Pusan, South Korea, officially announced that its 2009 line-up will include Chicago Heights, a quirky, experimental, micro-budgeted film shot last summer by a small army of GSU students and faculty. Chicago Heights will compete for a $20,000 prize with ten other films in the Flash Forward section. The Pusan Festival is the largest film festival in Asia.

Chicago Heights was shot and edited locally, outside of class hours, with no formal financing or budget apart from the equipment support kindly provided to the MFA program on an annual basis by the Division of Liberal Arts in the College of Arts & Sciences. All services were provided by an unpaid cast and crew, some of whom received production internship credit for their efforts.

Local screenings will be held at a later date. For information about the film and to view the trailer and list of GSU personnel involved in the production, visit the website. 

The State Universities Retirement System (SURS) is offering two retirement seminars for employees who have opted to participate in the Self Managed Plan (SMP). 

These retirement seminars will be held at 1901 Fox Drive, Champaign, Illinois, and are being offered at no charge to the employee, spouse, or significant other. The workshop dates are Wednesday, September 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Thursday, November 19, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Call SURS, at 800.275.7877, to make a reservation and confirm the starting time.

The Connections interactive service enhancement training program will begin on September 15, on the GSU Campus. The first session will train about half the A&P and Civil Service staff in September (about 200 employees) divided into twelve small groups. The remaining 200 staff will be similarly trained in the small group format in October.

As President Maimon stated at the Civil Service Town Hall Meeting held earlier this week, employees will participate in training sessions that “promote exceptional service, that keep students first, and that will continue to raise the bar on our tradition of quality service in our everyday dealings within and between University departments.”

The upcoming sessions will be highly interactive and led by a group of GSU employees who have been trained by Noel-Levitz Inc., the developer of the Connections program.

Employees will be scheduled to attend a two-and-a-half hour small group session on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday every week for three consecutive weeks to complete the workshop series. Individual group training assignments with times, dates, and room numbers for the entire program will be e-mailed to participants the week of September 7. Unit administrators will be provided a master list of their employees Connections schedules. It is necessary that participants attend all three small group sessions as assigned. Supervisors are urged to make all appropriate arrangements to ensure effective participation of all employees in their unit.

President Maimon will present her annual State of the University address during Convocation 2009 on Thursday, September 10, at 2:30 p.m., in Sherman Hall. The entire GSU community is invited. In addition to the President’s address, the winner of the Baysore Award will also be announced.

Nominations for the Dr. Gerald C. Baysore Award will be accepted through Friday, September 4. The award is presented to the GSU employee who most fully demonstrates the qualities of absolute integrity, total competence, generous dedication, and unfailing civility exhibited by Dr. Baysore during his eighteen-year service to the university. 

Nominations must be submitted to Penny Perdue, in room G334 by September 4 and should explain how the employee includes the above four qualities in their day-to-day work.

The faculty and staff Exchange email system will undergo necessary maintenance that will affect those whose last name starts with the letters J-Z.

The work will begin this Saturday, September 5, at 9 p.m. Estimated time for work to be completed is a minimum of 12 hours. During this period, the server will be completely off line. Those affected will be unable to send or receive email.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the GSU Helpdesk at 534-4357.

Let’s Get Fit begins the new trimester with an informative meeting on September 8, at noon, in the Hall of Honors. Participants, new and old, are invited to attend, hear news of upcoming events, and support co-workers.

Participants in the program are reminded to put their good health first and exercise on campus three times per week for a minimum of thirty minutes. Fitness Record Cards can be authorized in Human Resources for walking the indoor or outdoor Sculpture Park path. Staff at the Recreation and Fitness Center will authorize cards for workouts at the facility. Instructors of any fitness class such as yoga, pilates, aerobics, water exercise, or dance class. Additional credit is earned for participation in Educational Outreach sessions or receipt of an annual checkup. Fitness Record Cards must be authorized to qualify for prizes.

New members in Let’s Get Fit! May register in Human Resources and get a Fitness Record Card.

GSU’s Family Development Center (FDC) is holding a fundraiser in conjunction with Culver’s restaurant in Matteson on Tuesday, September 8.

Simply stop in for a bite or cool down with some delicious ice cream and 10 percent of your sale will go towards the FDC.

Culver’s Matteson is located at 20716 S. Cicero Avenue, next to the Home Depot.

Student Life and the American Red Cross will host a blood drive on September 8, from 1 to 7 p.m., in Engbretson Hall. Students, staff, faculty, and the community are encouraged to donate blood.

While appointments can be scheduled, walk-ins are always welcome. The Red Cross reminds donors to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water prior to donating. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weight at least 110 lbs, and be in good health. Sixteen year olds may donate with parental consent. A photo ID is required.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 708.235.7362.

The Office of Student Involvement and Leadership will host an orientation for student club and organization advisors and officers on Friday, September 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Cafeteria Annex.

This session will provide attendees with important information about policies, procedures, roles, and responsibilities. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions and share their experiences and ideas.

For more information or to R.S.V. P., by Wednesday, September 9, contact Adam Taylor at ext 7362.

The GSU cafeteria is now open, under the management of new vendor FSI.  New vending machines are available for use and the weekly menu is available online. 

Shannon Lauridsen, the new Food Services Director, is anxious to serve the GSU community. “The reason I’m excited to be the Food Service Director at GSU is the people. This school has a great history of hard working and dedicated staff and students. I am glad to be a part of this campus community.  I know everyone will enjoy their dining experience with FSI.”

Contact Shannon at ext. 7433 to order catering or go to Food Service on the GSU Website. Other questions should be directed to Jerad Garrison.

Students with disabilities may use a variety of services or reasonable accommodations intended to reduce the effects that a disability may have on their performance in a traditional academic setting. Services do not lower course standards or alter degree requirements, but instead, provide students with an equal chance to demonstrate their academic abilities. Any student may initiate a request for services by registering with ASSD. After providing information that documents the specific disability, students are provided assistance in selecting services that are an appropriate accommodation for their disability.

To learn more about the services offered by the Academic Resource Center, visit the ARC website or call 708.534.4508.

The Anita M. Stone JCC, with the cooperation of GSU, will offer T.A.L.E. (The Adult Learning Exchange) enrichment classes for adults on campus this fall. The eight-weeks of classes are held on Fridays from September 25 through November 13. Morning sessions are from 10 a.m. to noon and afternoon sessions are from 1 to 3 p.m.

Morning classes include 8 Countries, 8 Films; Geography of the Twenty-First Century; The Twenty-First Century Library; and Topics in Science. Afternoon classes Socrates Café and America at the Crossroads.

For more information, call 708.794.1021. Registration is available online.

The Student Social Work Organization (SWS0) will hold its first meeting of the trimester on Thursday, September 17, at 3 p.m., in the student lounge. The meeting includes planning for the year’s events and will last approximately one hour. All social work students are encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be served.

Contact Diane Moler for more information.