WestConn News
FROM THE OFFICE OF PROVOST AND VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS, DR. LINDA RINKER
I am pleased to announce that Virginia Verhoff and Cindy Chuang have been granted tenure effective spring of 2008. Congratulations to both Professor Verhoff and Professor Chuang.
TUTORING RESOURCE CENTER WORKSHOPS
The WCSU Tutoring Resource Center will host the following workshops for students during the fall semester. Upcoming workshops include: "Off-Campus Programs: Scholarships, Internships and Graduate Study" on Tuesday, Sept. 23; "Multicultural Opportunities at WestConn: Literature, Language, Music, Art and Sciences” on Tuesday, Sept. 30; "Intricate Grammar" on Tuesday, Oct. 7. The hour-long workshops will be held at 1 p.m. in Room 104 of Berkshire Hall and are free and open to the public. For more information or to reserve a seat, call the center at x79245.
MEET AND GREET POLITICAL EVENT
On Wednesday, Sept. 24, the WCSU College Republicans, a student organization, will hold a "Meet and Greet" event from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Student Center. The event is intended to allow Republican candidates to interact with WestConn students. The event will be free and open to WestConn students, faculty and staff only. For more information, e-mail wcsu.republican@gmail.com.
INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE PANEL
On Wednesday, Sept. 24, multilingual professionals will discuss using their language skills in their work as part of “International Language Panel: The Importance of Knowing a Second Language in Today’s Job Market” at 3 p.m. in Room 103 of Warner Hall. Languages such as Spanish, Mandarin, Russian, French and Portuguese will be represented. Hosted by the Career Development Center, the department of world languages and the International Services Office, the event will be free and the public is invited. For more information, call x73270.
RESEARCH SEMINAR
On Wednesday, Sept. 24, Patricia Brennan, a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow affiliated with the department of ecology and evolutionary biology/animal and plant science at Yale University and the University of Sheffield, will discuss “The Evolution of Avian Genitalia: Form and Function” at 4 p.m. in Room 219 of the Science Building. Offered as part of the continuing "Research Seminar" series hosted by the department of biological and environmental sciences, the event will be free and the public is invited. For more information, call x78793.
PHI ALPHA HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTION
The national social work honor society's WestConn Chapter Chi Sigma, Phi Alpha Honor Society , will hold its annual induction on Thursday, Sept. 25, in the Student Center, Room 202, from 6 to7 p.m. New members from the Class of 2008 include: Lindsey M. Arcand, Amanda Calandro, Alicia I. Esposito, Hanslyn Farley, Shari Hull, and Jessica A. Niles and Class of 2009: Deanna Almonte, Barbara J. Bowers, Lisa S. George, Catherine E. Lombardo, Keith Mitchell, Rebecca N. Singer and Amanda Snook.
POLITICAL SCIENCE LECTURES
Adjunct Instructor Scott Benjamin will hold political sciences guest lectures during his political science classes. Upcoming lectures include: WCSU Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Walter Bernstein will distribute voter registration forms and discuss the services his office provides students on Thursday, Sept. 25; Dr. Anthony Ciarleglio, director of WestConn's cooperative education program, will discuss work-study and career development options on Thursday, Sept. 25; State Sen. David Cappiello will discuss integrated trade and energy reform and on Thursday, Oct. 9. All lectures will be held from 5:25 to 6:25 p.m. in Room 201 of White Hall. The discussions will be free and open to the public. For more information, contact Scott Benajmin (benjamins@wcsu.edu.) at (860) 210-2146, ext. 129.
STEVEN NEUWIRTH LECTURE
On Thursday, Sept. 25, WestConn will honor the life and scholarship of the late Professor of English Dr. Steven D. Neuwirth with a discussion in his memory at 7 p.m. in Room 125 of the Science Building. Reed College Professor of Political Science Dr. Darius Rejali will discuss his book, "Torture and Democracy." A reception and book signing will follow. Neuwirth was a specialist in Early American literature and American history, and made significant contributions to academic program development at WestConn from the 1980s until his retirement in 2003. The lecture will be free and the public is invited. For more information, call x78486.
LECTURE
On Monday, Sept. 29, Andrew Schneider, executive director of the Connecticut American Civil Liberties Union, will discuss "Banned and Beloved: How 'Huck Finn' Has Fueled One of the Most Enduring Battles with Censorship" at 3 p.m. in Warner Hall. The talk will be free and the public is invited. For more information, call x78869.
BANNED BOOKS WEEK
The Banned Books Readathon will take place in front of the student Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. Students, faculty and staff are invited to participate in the Banned Books Readathon. Individual readings are 10 minutes, and you can select your favorite banned or challenged book to share with the audience. We appreciate everyone who participated last year and brought such a vibrant selection of readings to campus. If you would like to read, please call or e-mail Dr. Kate Allocco at x78482 (alloccok@wcsu.edu) or Dr. Dan Barrett at x78869 (barrettd@wcsu.edu) or Dr. Don Gagnon at x79062 (gagnond@wcsu.edu). We can give you a list of the top 100 banned or challenged books from 1990-2004, or you may select a book that is not on this list but has been banned or challenged (it didn't make the "top 100" or was on the list before 1990). Please send your name, the day and a range of times when you are available to speak and the title of the book you would like to read. We look forward to hearing from you soon and listening to you read your favorite banned or challenged book.
ALUMNI GOLF OUTING
On Monday, Sept. 29, the WCSU Alumni Association will host a Golf Outing with a 10 a.m. shotgun start at the Richter Park Golf Club, 100 Aunt Hack Road in Danbury. Proceeds from the annual event will benefit the Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment. The cost is $700 per foursome or $175 per person. The public is invited; reservations are required. For more information, call x78290.
DEBATE
On Tuesday, Sept. 30, WestConn's Roger Sherman Debate Society will debate "Should Professors Be Allowed to Assign Books that Deny the Holocaust?" at 3:30 p.m. in Warner Hall. The debate will be free and the public is invited. For more information, call x78869.
FILM SCREENING
On Wednesday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m., there will be a screening followed by a discussion of "The World of Apu" in the Student Center Theater. This event is part of the “One Book, One Community" program that WestConn, the Danbury Public Library and the Danbury Schools have partnered to create " a series of events aimed at encouraging the entire community to read the same book ("The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri). The event will be free and the public is invited. For more information, call x78754 or visit www.onebookdanbury.org.
INDIAN SPICES LECTURE
On Saturday, Oct. 4, Suvir Saran will lecture about Indian spices at 1 p.m. at the Danbury Public Library, 170 Main St. in Danbury. This event is part of the “One Book, One Community" program that WestConn, the Danbury Public Library and the Danbury Schools have partnered to create " a series of events aimed at encouraging the entire community to read the same book ("The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri). The event will be free and the public is invited. For more information, call x78754 or visit www.onebookdanbury.org.
PLANETARIUM SHOW AND TELESCOPE VIEWING
On Saturday, Oct. 4, WestConn will host a planetarium show, "A Closer Look at Cygnus the Swan," at 4 and 7 p.m., followed by telescope viewing of the moon, Jupiter and the summer Milky Way from 8 to 10 p.m., at the Westside Observatory and Planetarium. The event will be free and open to the public. For more information, call x78672.
COMMUNITY UNITED AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WALK
On Sunday, Oct. 5, the Women's Center of Greater Danbury will hold "A Community United Against Domestic Violence Walk" on the Westside athletic practice field. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the 4K walk will begin at 10 a.m. Registration will cost $25 for a team of four and the public is invited. For more information, call the Women's Center at (203) 731-5200. Register online at www.womenscenterofgreaterdanbury.org.
INDIAN RESTAURANT TRIP AND LECTURE
On Sunday, Oct. 5, a bus will depart at 9 a.m. for Devi restaurant, 8 East 18th St. in New York City, where a three-course, traditional Indian celebratory meal will be served and the restaurant's owner and executive chef, Suvir Saran, will discuss "The Role of Spices in Indian Cuisine." The trip will cost $65 and the public is invited. This event is part of the “One Book, One Community" program that WestConn, the Danbury Public Library and the Danbury Schools have partnered to create " a series of events aimed at encouraging the entire community to read the same book ("The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri). The event will be free and the public is invited. For more information, call x78754 or visit www.onebookdanbury.org.
MARY EDGETT SCHOLARSHIP RECEPTION
On Wednesday, Oct. 8, in honor of Mary Edgett, WestConn's oldest living alumna, the university will host a reception to support and celebrate the Mary Edgett Scholarship at 5 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Westside Campus Center. The cost is $50 per person and the public is invited. For more information, call x78486.
JAZZ COMBOS CONCERT
On Friday, Oct. 10, the WCSU Jazz Combos will perform at 8 p.m. in Ives Concert Hall. The program will include a variety of original compositions and arrangements of jazz standards. The performance will be free and open to the public; donations to the music department will be accepted. For more information, call x78350.
WestConn Report is published online for the WestConn community by University Publications & Design (UP&D) biweekly during the academic year. The first issue of each semester is also printed and mailed to all members of the WCSU community. Each issue is archived on the WCSU Web site.
Editorial & Design Staff:
Irene Sherlock, associate director, UP&D
Jane Walsh, university assistant, UP&D
Deadlines:
Content deadline is Thursday at noon prior to the Monday publication date. All efforts are made to include content that is supplied, however, all submissions are subject to a strict editing process. Additionally, where and when available, photos and print/Web marketing materials created for an event will be available as either a link (in the case of a Web page) or download (in the case of print materials).
Contacting us:
The editorial content staff of the WestConn Report can be contacted most efficiently via e-mail. Please send to westconn_report@wcsu.edu. You may also send content via inter-campus mail addressed to “WestConn Report / UP&D – Old Main 202”. Please allow sufficient time. You may also fax your request to 837-8865. Please do not call the office and leave a voice message with your request.
At-A-Glance
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Mark Your Calendars
One Book, One Community |
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Oct8 |
Westcafe |
Oct13- |
Homecoming Alumni Art Show |
Oct16 |
Student/Donor Scholarship Reception and Ceremony |
Oct19 |
Campus-to-Campus 5K Road Race |
FYI
NEW PROGRAM AT WESTCONN TO HELP STUDENTS BECOME LEADERS
From learning fiscal and civic responsibility to mentoring and tutoring peers, students at WestConn are preparing to become leaders of tomorrow.
This year, through a specially created program, students have a unique opportunity to learn enhanced leadership skills. The Hancock Student Leadership Program (HSLP) is designed to acknowledge, promote and foster diverse student leadership on campus. At least 20 students will be selected each academic year to participate.
Starting this fall, students with a minimum of 30 undergraduate or six graduate credits will be nominated by members of the WCSU community, or self-nominated, based on their academic background, leadership potential and extracurricular involvement. No prior leadership experience is required.
If you are a WestConn student or know a WestConn student interested in participating in HSLP, contact Dr. Walter Bernstein at x78606 or Dr. R. Averell Manes at x78452. For an application, go to wcsu.edu/hslp. The deadline for nominations to the program is Oct. 1. In order to be considered for HSLP, students must complete an application form with essays, submit two letters of recommendation (one must be from someone off-campus), interview with the steering committee, and submit documents demonstrating academic excellence and accomplishments.
Through the program, students receive training before participating in applied-leadership projects and formally writing on the results of what they learned. At the end of the academic year, student leaders receive scholarships and certificates of achievement, among other things. But most importantly, students complete the program with a better-developed sense of self and more confidence. Students will be able to take on leadership roles in their careers and community.
The HSLP is a joint program offered by the Divisions of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs at WCSU and is partially funded by the Hancock Scholarship Fund.
INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD WORKSHOP
On Thursday, Oct. 2, in the Student Center, Room 202, from 1 to 2 p.m., a workshop regarding new procedures for the Institutional Review Board will be presented by Shane Murphy, Chair and Bill Petkanas. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Martha Palanzo at x78944 or palanzom@wcsu.edu.
COLUMBUS DAY HOLIDAY
Monday, Oct. 13 is the Columbus Day holiday for classified employees (clerical, maintenance, A&R, and protective services) as well as for administrative faculty (SUOAF) and management/confidential employees. However, because classes will be in session on that day, some departments will remain open and employees will be required to work. Any employee who is required to work will receive compensatory and/or overtime pay in accordance with their collective bargaining agreement.
FOR SENATE COMMITTEE CHAIRS
The Nominations and Elections Committee is in the process of preparing "willingness to serve forms" to send out to the faculty for senate committees. If you are a chair of a committee, please check your by-laws to see if you have a vacancy on your committee so we can work at getting the vacancy filled. Please alert Elizabeth Popiel, chair, Nominations and Elections Committee, by Friday, Sept. 26.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers are needed for the Morning Glory breakfast program, which feeds the homeless a healthy breakfast on Tuesday mornings from 6:45 to 9:45 a.m. For more information, contact
Kelly Sniffin (sniffin001@student.wcsu.edu).
CSU/AAUP UNIVERSITY RESEARCH GRANT RECIPIENTS 2007-08
A report describing the results of your CSU/AAUP University Research Grant-funded research, including a detailed accounting of the funds awarded, is due no later than Tuesday, Sept. 30. One copy should be sent to Dr. Linda Rinker, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs in University Hall 322; a second copy goes to Martha Palanzo, Office of Grant Programs in Warner Hall 321. Faculty members whose 2007-08 reports are outstanding will not be eligible to apply for the 2009-10 competition, Due Feb. 2, 2009.
HOSTING A STUDENT FOR THANKSGIVING
On campus, students from all over the world would like to experience Thanksgiving with a local family. If you’re interested in opening your home and hosting one or more students for dinner, please contact Missy Gluckmann at gluckmannm@wcsu.edu or at x73270.
APPLICATIONS FOR ACADEMIC LEAVE
Applications for Academic Leave are due by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 29. All applications should be sent to Esther Boriss, Administrative Services, UH 009. Please contact Esther Boriss at x78758 if you have any questions.
IRB FALL 2008 MEETINGS
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) will meet in the Student Center, Room 228 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on the following Wednesdays: Oct. 15, Nov. 19 and Dec. 10. If you would like to submit a proposal, please send the original proposal and 12 copies at least two weeks in advance to the Office of Grant Programs in Warner Hall 321. Forms and a link to the required online training programs for protection of human subjects can be found on the ERes page under “Institutional Review Board.” For questions, contact Dr. Shane Murphy at x79398.
DEADLINE FOR REASSIGNED TIME FOR RESEARCH AWARDS
The deadline for applications for Reassigned Time for Research Awards for the 2009-10 academic year is Nov. 6. Refer to the Faculty Handbook for further information. The Research and Development Committee reviews applications and makes recommendations to the provost/vice president for academic affairs.
ING RETIREMENT COUNSELING OPPORTUNITY
ING Financial Advisers will be on campus to conduct one-to-one retirement counseling sessions on the following dates: Sept. 23; Oct. 7; Oct. 14; Oct. 28; Nov. 4; Nov. 11; and Nov. 25. If you participate in the Alternate Retirement Plan, or any of the ING supplemental retirement plans (403(b), Roth 403(b) or 457 plans), this is an opportunity for you to talk with an ING representative regarding your portfolio. Perhaps it’s time to adjust your asset allocations or simply join a supplemental retirement plan. Join a supplement plan with as little as $20 deducted from each paycheck. To set an appointment with WestConn’s ING representative, Ms. Marilyn Timbers, CFP, please send her an email at Marilyn.Timbers@INGFA.COM or call her at 800-784-6386 Ext. 4003363. This program is sponsored by the Human Resources Department,; please contact Lisa Lengel at x78666 for more information.
Event Posters 
