Meetings/Events

Sympathy

We regret to inform the RCOE community that the mother of Doris Jenkins, RCOE associate dean, passed away this weekend. The funeral will be held Wednesday, November 28 at 10 a.m. at the Faith Chapel Funeral Home South, 100 Beverly Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32505. Dr. Jenkins will not be in her office this week. I know the RCOE community joins me in expressing our sympathy to Doris and her entire family during this difficult time.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Kristin Dickie, recipient of the 2008 Dr. Mary Thomas Burke student award (Graduate Student Recognition). This award is given by the NCCA’s division of the Association of Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC).This award recognizes an individual who shows the qualities of Dr. Mary Thomas Burke: selflessness, compassion, and a commitment to the profession of counseling. The student award (Graduate Student Recognition) is given to an individual who has shown an outstanding commitment to the counseling profession by a willingness to be involved in professional organizations and activities.

Congratulations also to Jackie Cetera (HPC) who was named Graduate Student of the Year at the North Carolina Housing Officer’s Conference recently and Annah Nesbitt and Jillian Pyatte, HPC graduate students, who placed second in the Case Study Competition at the annual meeting of the Southern Association of College Student Affairs in early November.

And kudos to Herb Brown (C&I) for the publication “Student Campus Technology Trends: 2001 Versus 2006) co-authored with T. Crews, S. Bray, E. Pringle; the article appears in Vol. 30, No. 4 edition of EDUCAUSE Quarterly Journal.

University Forum on New Education Building

Although unfortunately I had to be out of town on Nov. 19th when a public forum on the new education building was held, I appreciated the representation from the college; from all reports, no new information was provided in terms of any progress on the current site and no one appeared to be able to offer any timetable as to when there might be new developments; the issues remain the same—primarily zoning ones—and no apparent progress has been made there. One suggestion was made that perhaps two smaller buildings could be built—response to that would have to be that such a plan would destroy the real vision and purpose for the building as a signature one for the campus and community while creating additional costs. A summary of the forum appears in the Friday, Nov. 23 Watauga Democrat.

General Ed Information & Teacher Education

Just a reminder that two key representatives from the new General Ed program will be at this Thursday’s Teacher Education Council to present information about the new General Education program—now approved—and its implications for teacher education; although it is an official meeting of the Council, all faculty, staff, and interested students are invited to attend to ask questions and learn more about the new framework. Meeting will be held in 03 from 3:30-5.

General Education Opportunity

Provost Aeschleman has approved $60,000 for faculty grants to help departments develop ways to participate in the new general education curriculum scheduled for implementation in fall 2009.  Application guidelines and forms for 2008 Summer Faculty Grants for General Education Curriculum Development are now available - for information visit www.academicaffairs.appstate.edu.  The completed applications are due February 4, 2008 with decisions to be announced by February 29, 2008. Please discuss your proposal with your department chair prior to submission.

Please address questions to staff in the General Education office:  Michael Mayfield (mayfldmw@appstate.edu), Faculty Coordinator for General Education; Carter Hammett-McGarry (mcgarrych@appstate.edu), General Education Director, Lynn Moss Sanders (sanderslm@appstate.edu), Faculty Coordinator for the First Year Seminar.

First Year Seminar

Proposal forms for pilot sections of the new First Year Seminar for Fall 2008 are now available - see attached documents or visit www.academicaffairs.appstate.edu.  The intention form is due on Monday, December 10, 2007; cover sheet and complete proposals are due on Tuesday, January 15, 2008. If you are interested in submitting a proposal, please discuss your proposal with your department chair prior to submission.

In 2008-2009, US 1150, Freshman Seminar, will be taught to conform to the guidelines for the First Year Seminar (UCO 1200). Entering first-year students may take the course as an elective (under the current curriculum) or choose to have the course count as their first year seminar requirement under the new curriculum which will begin in Fall 2009. Beginning in Fall 2009, the First Year Seminar will carry the UCO 1200 course number.

Proposals for sections of US 1150 to be offered in Fall 2008 should adhere to the criteria for the new course. As the form indicates, linked courses are encouraged, as are innovative course designs. Please address questions to staff in the General Education office: Lynn Moss Sanders (sanderslm@appstate.edu), Faculty Coordinator for the First Year Seminar; Michael Mayfield (mayfldmw@appstate.edu), Faculty Coordinator for General Education; Carter Hammett-McGarry (mcgarrych@appstate.edu), General Education Director.

Diversity Display

As we have done for several years as a result of a recommendation from the RCOE Diversity Committee, we will be having a diversity display in the lobby area of Duncan Hall to provide information about the many ways this holiday season is celebrated. We hope you will take the time to view the displays and information and share with others. We particularly appreciate the assistance from the Duncan Hall custodial staff and HPC graduate assistant Shawn Collins.

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“Change is a Journey, not a Destination.”
—M. Fullan