The Reporter, March 1998

The Reporter is a publication produced by Western Carolina University featuring news, events, and campus community updates for faculty and staff. The publication began in August of 1970 and continues digitally today. Click on the link in the “Related Materials” field to access recent issues.The Reporter News for the Faculty and Staff of Western Carolina University March 30, 1998 Cullowhee, North Carolina Building Momentum, Gaining New Ground uilding momentum" is clearly a favorite phrase with Claire Eldridge, Western's vice chancellor for advancement and external affairs and its highest ranking female administrator. The expression is peppered throughout the well-crafted paragraphs in which she describes the many fund-raising and "friend-raising" initiatives currently planned or under way in her division. And build in momentum is what those paragraphs do as she essays to explain how each of these initiatives will be essential in advancing Western's cause well into the twenty-first century. Eldridge hit the ground running last June, according to Chancellor John W. Bardo. He said, "Claire Eldridge brought with her tremendous experience in fund raising. And, when it came to configuring the new division she Claire Eldridge... On being appointed Western's first female vice chancellor: 7 didn't realize it when I came here, but I was delighted to discover it. I think it's great for Western and any institution, to say the least, to move more women into the upper administrative ranks. I'm hopeful that all of us in higher education administration serve as role models for those coming along. We want good people working in higher education on behalf of what it is we're here to do to develop and maintain academic opportunities." heads and defining its objectives, she has shown herself to be a quick study. She's making the right moves which will lead us over time to an increase in our fund-raising abilities." Eldridge is unquestionably apace with the chancellor as they outline the major funding priorities ahead for Western. Of the number one priority, a new fine and performing arts center, she says, "We certainly believe that's going to be in our future. There are several possible initiatives as far as the state legislature is concerned, and we are at this point working to build momentum with various groups across our region in support of the legislature's coming forward with funding." Helping to make an excellent case for the center is the recent information supplied by the College Entrance Exam Board, identifying the fine and performing arts as the second most favored choice of majors indicated by students considering Western. Perhaps because she has spent her professional life thus far in higher education, Eldridge speaks of the need to strive for balance in the collegiate university lifestyle of the students, "in the academic programming that they move through as well as in the cultural life that exists on campus and the athletic opportunities they have while here." To that end, she identifies another major funding priority as completing Western's football facility with a 4,000-seat addition and an accompanying concession area and restrooms. The stadium addition would provide WCU with an attractive facility comparable to other Division I programs. I t could also create an opportunity to expand the hospitality management program with a facility positioned nearby. "The idea is to promote an image of the institution as having truly fine athletics and related facilities, making it very attractive to young people interested in coming to college at Western as well as to the community at large," Eldridge says. Chancellor Bardo is quick to praise Eldridge's efforts thus far in building bridges into the community and surrounding region: "She has an outstanding record for mobilizing diverse groups and individuals in the communities she's served. That's due in no small part to her great understanding and apprecia­tion of southern Appalachian values and the heritage of this region." In the nine months following her arrival, Eldridge has made significant progress in facilitating internal advancement as well, fostering collaborative projects across her division. She empha­sizes that she was the beneficiary of a talented staff already in place. Saying the division has come a long way in nine months, she concedes, "We have a long way to go naturally, but we've got the talent, and the effort is being made, and I think it's just a matter of time before we discover other avenues of collaboration that make sense not only within the division, but across the university and out into the larger community. It's been a very interesting, chal­lenging, and good first ye ar. And I'm really looking forward to successive years because I think we can achieve more." —Rebecca Caldwell Novelist Rosellen Brown Reads from Works Novelist Rosellen Brown, whose writing centers on themes of "perpetual rootlessness," will read from her works Monday, March 30, at 7:30 p.m. in the recital hall of the Coulter Building. A reception and book signing will follow the reading. Brown's first book, Some Deaths in the Delta, published in 1970, is a collection of poems set in both the South during the civil rights movement and in Brooklyn. Street Games, a collection of short stories set in Brooklyn, followed in 1974. Brown's first novel, The Autobiogra­phy of My Mother, published in 1976, explores the painful and often paradoxical relationship between an estranged mother and daughter. Civil Wars, Brown's best known novel, published in 1984, depicts the daily existence and family life of a white couple who met and married while active in the civil rights movement. Her most recent novel, Before and After, was published in 1992. It makes use of the conventions of a murder mystery to delve into the darkness that belies the seemingly charmed existence of an upper middle class American family. Admission for the Lectures, Con­certs, and Exhibitions Series event is $5 for adults and $3 for children and non-WCU students. WCU students will be admitted free with a valid student identification card. For additional information, call 227-7206. Task Force on Part-Time Faculty Presents Findings to Senate A task force appointed to investigate the university's use of part-time instructors presented its findings and a set of recommendations to the Faculty Senate in a meeting held March 18. Karl Nicholas, chairman of the task force, said, "We knew that maintaining the status quo was no longer an option at Western with respect to bettering the working conditions for part-time faculty. And yet the task force needed to be guided in its deliberations by examining the impact of change on all levels of the university, from students and the quality of their education to administra­tion and the quality of programs and initiatives." Specifically, the committee offered five recommendations for consideration at the present time. Discussion of the recommendations will be taken up at the next meeting of the Faculty Senate, scheduled for April 16, at 3 p.m., in Killian 104. For additional information, contact Karl Nicholas at 227-7264 or e-mail nicholas@wcu.edu. 1. Increase the base pay for part-time faculty from $500 per semester hour to $700 per semester hour, or an increase of forty percent. 2. Move, as soon as feasible, from the current "part-time full timer" salary schedule (i.e., for those who work full time for part-time wages) to a multi-year, renewable contract system with sufficient compensation (something in the neighborhood of $30,000 per year) to provide individuals employed in these categories sufficient funds to purchase health and retirement benefits from an independent contractor. 3. Provide part-time faculty with the academic resources necessary to do their jobs (copying privileges, library services, technology, office space, and so on) and with the academic rights enjoyed by faculty, including, but not limited to, grievance protection. 4. Revie w non-tenure line employees other than those covered by the part-time/ graduate assistant (PT/GA) budget as a transition is made to renewable contract positions to ensure equitable and fair compensation. 5. Revie w annually the disposition of the PT/GA budget to monitor the financial feasibility of implementing these recommendations, particularly during the initial stages of the phased retirement program. \J U)CU .NOTES • Robert Caruso, vice chancellor (Student Development), was a co-presenter at the American College Personnel Association national convention in St. Louis, on "Inter- Institutional Cooperation: Promoting Graduate Student Understanding of Multiculturalism and Diversity" and "From Laissez Faire to Equity: Establishing an Adult Learner Program." • Norma Cook, retired member of the Clinical Laboratory Sciences program faculty (Health Sciences), coauthored a text, published by W.B. Saunders, titled Fundamentals of Medical Mycology. The book was released at the national educators conference in Minneapolis in March. • Charles Crisp (University Police) has been promoted to police officer III, filling a position vacated upon the retirement of Officer Joe Frigo. Previously with the Physical Plant, Crisp completed the state's Basic Law Enforcement Training and began as a university police officer in July of 1994. He attended the North Carolina Justice Academy's Police Law Institute. Officer Crisp will assume supervisory duties of the night shift beginning April 1. • Gloria Houston, author in residence (Elementary and Middle Grades Education) in the College of Education and Allied Professions, spoke in March at the North Carolina Reading Association Conference in Winston-Salem and at the Northern Illinois University Children's Literature Conference in DeKalb, 111. She also was the luncheon speaker for a meeting of the American Association of University Women at UNCA. Houston recently won the AAUWs Juvenile Literature Award for North Carolina for her young adult novel, Littlejim's Dreams. Houston presen­ted a lecture and writing workshop to 500 young authors at the Monte-vallo University Young Authors Conference in Montevallo, Ala. • Lester Laminack, department head/professor (Elementary and Middle Grades Education), published The Sunsets of Miss Olivia Wiggins, an illustrated book for children on the process of aging, through Peachtree Publishers. Laminack, according to a recent feature article in the Asheville Citizen-Times, wanted to "open the door to conversations with children" about how the elderly still retain rich, though locked-in, memories even if Alzheimer's may have robbed them of their abilities to communicate. A book signing is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva, from noon to 2 p.m. • Mylie Ramsey (Career Services) has been elected to serve as 1998-99 president-elect of the North Carolina Association of Educational Office Professionals, Inc. She was installed at the conference banquet on March 20 at the 47th Annual NCAEOP Conference in Greensboro. Ramsey will be installed as president of NCAEOP at the 48th annual conference in March of 1999. • Christine Stevens, associate professor, Clinical Laboratory Sciences program (Health Sciences), was named "Member of the Year" at the spring meetings of the North Carolina Society for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NCSCLS). The honor makes her an automatic nominee for "Member of the Year" on a national level, a distinction to be awarded at the national meeting scheduled for Chicago this August. • June Wytock, psychologist (Counseling and Psychological Services Center), the past ten years, and Mary Deck, associate professor (Counselor Education), the past eight years, were recognized as "Peak Performers" and admitted to the College of Education and Allied Professions' Honor Roll in March. Wytock was recognized for her campus and community service, counseling of students, supervision of graduate interns, and specialty work in eating disorders, sexual assault, diversity, and women's issues. Deck was recognized for her teaching, publications and presentations, professional organization leadership, student work, and academic and community service. March 30,1998 • The Reporter WCU Calendar African American Dance Ensemble March 30-April 12, 1998 Look for regular updates on the university's web site (www.wcu.edu/cal.html) Computer Center Help Client Services hours Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 6-9:30 p.m. Friday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday: 1-5 p.m., 6-9:30 p.m. Forsyth Building. (227-7284) Continuing Education Full range of classes, professional development opportunities, and educational enhancement programs offered spring/summer. For complete information, check WCU Calendar of Events on the web or call 227-7397. Fitness Center Hours Monday through Thursday: 6-8 a.m. and noon-11 p.m. Friday: 6-8 a.m. and noon-10 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday: 1-9 p.m. (227-7069) Wellness Program A variety of classes available include polarity body works and yoga, mini-massage, and advanced massage workshops. Call for sche­dules and information. (227-7018) Monday, March 30 Reading—Rosellen Brown, poet and novelist. Part of LCE series. Admis­sion $5 adults, $3 children and non- WCU students, free to WCU students. 7:30 p.m., RH. (227-7206) Tuesday, March 31 Concert—Lalitha Krishnan. Acclaimed performer of Indian classical music, accompanied by A.G.A. Gnanasundaram on violin and Ganapathy Raman on mridangam, a percussion instru­ment. Free. 8 p.m., RH. (227-7242) Women's Tennis—WCU vs. Davidson. 3 p.m., Tennis courts. (227-7338) Program—"Living the Legacy." Three Jackson County women share stories of growing up in the mountains during the 1930s. See WCU Newsfile. Free. 6:30 p.m., MHC. (227-7129) Wednesday, April 1 Workshop—Department Heads. All department heads encouraged to attend. 3-5 p.m., Hospitality Room, RRAC. (227-7495) Movie—Trainspotting. Part of "Against the Grain" series. Admission $1.9 p.m., Cherokee Room, UC. (227-7206) Men's Baseball—WCU vs. Furman (doubleheader). Noon, HS/CF. (227-7338) Thursday, April 2 Performance—Janet McLaughlin, acoustic solo artist. Part of "Up All Night" coffeehouse series sponsored by Last Minute Productions. Coffees and light snacks served. Admission $1 WCU students, $3 all others. 9 p.m., Cherokee Room, UC. (227-7206) Men's Baseball—WCU vs. Furman. 2:30 p.m., HS/CF. (227-7338) Friday, April 3 Performance—African American Dance Ensemble. Part of LCE series. See WCU Newsfile. Admission $10 adults, $8 senior citizens and WCU employees, $5 children and non-WCU students, WCU students free. 7:30 p.m., Hoey Auditorium. (227-7206) Concert—Western Carolina University Wind Ensemble and Concert Band. Free. 8 p.m., RH. (227-7242) Convocation—A Celebration of Teachers and Teaching. Daylong celebration activities include school displays, presentations, discussions, and entertainment. Convocation is free of charge. RRAC. For information, call Marilyn Feldmann. (227-7311) Saturday, April 4 Concert—Honors Band. Featuring visiting high school musicians participating in the WCU Honor Band Clinic. Free. 7:30 p.m., RH. (227-7242) Women's Tennis—WCU vs. North Carolina A&T. 2 p.m., Tennis courts. (227-7338) Festival—19th Annual International Festival. International foods, exhibits, entertainment, arts, and much more. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., UC lawn (rain location: Grandroom, UC). (227-7234) Monday, April 6 Concert—Clarinet Ensemble. Featuring WCU faculty and students playing music by Mozart, Mendels­sohn, Schumann, Joplin, and more. Free. 8 p.m., RH. (227-7242) Now showing Exhibitions: "Cherokee Masks," featuring wooden ceremonial and dance masks carved by western North Carolina artists. Through April 9. Chelsea Gallery, UC. (227-7206) "Migration of the Scotch-Irish People" and "Going Places," (permanent and rotating exhibitions); "Corn: Milling, Tilling, and Stilling" (slide presen­tation through April). Free. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, MHC. (227-7129) Tuesday, April 7 Film—When The Stars Meet The Sea. Part of "Against the Grain" series. Admission $1. 9 p.m., Cherokee Room, UC. (227-7206) Lecture—Naomi Tutu on "Social Healing and the Work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the New South Africa: The Women's Perspective." See WCU Newsfile. Free. 7:30 p.m., Grandroom, UC. (227-7206) Program—"Women's Health Night." Lisa Sheer of the Jackson County Health Department discusses issues affecting women's health. Free. 9 p.m., Forsyth Auditorium. (Connie Melchert, 293-5877) Thursday, April 9 Women's Tennis—WCU vs. Tennessee-Chattanooga. 3 p.m., Tennis courts. (227-7338) Friday, April 10 Easter holiday begins. Through Sunday, April 12. Classes resume 8 a.m. Monday, April 13. (227-7216) Saturday, April 11 Men's Baseball—WCU vs. Wofford (doubleheader). Noon, HS/CF. (227-7338) Sunday, April 12 Men's Baseball—WCU vs. Wofford. 1 p.m., HS/CF. (227-7338) Key: HFR - H.F. Robinson Administration Building; HS/CF - Hennon Stadium/Childress Field; MHC - Mountain Heritage Center; NSA - Natural Sciences Auditorium; RRAC - Ramsey Regional Ac tivity Center; RH - Recital Hall, Coulter Building; BB - Belk Building; UC - A.K. Hinds University Center. Submissions: Send news items and calendar notices to WCU Calendar, 1601 Ramsey Center, Western Carolina University, Cullo-whee, NC 28723 or e-mail to calendar.wcu.edu Submit items for the electronic bulletin board on campus (cable channel 39) and for the university's calendar on the World Wide Web at least one week prior to the event. The Reporter • March 30,1998 ' wcu EWSHLE • Three Jackson County women share stories of growing up in the mountains during the 1930s, wrapping up events in celebration of National Women's History Month at WCU. The free public program, spon­sored by the Jackson County Council for Women and the WCU League of Women Students, is scheduled for Tuesday, March 31, at 6:30 p.m. in the Mountain Heritage Center. The theme for this year's recogni­tion of Women's History Month is "Living the Legacy." The month celebrates how women have shaped their lives and the lives of those around them. Jackson County residents Mary Jane Queen, Nancy June Chastain, and Gladys Hooper will relate their tales of persevering through the hardships posed by life in the more remote western North Carolina mountains of the 1930s and 1940s. They recall trading eggs for cash, growing their own food and living off the land, and surviving the flood of 1940. • The African American Dance Ensemble brings an energetic blend of traditional and contemporary West African dance and music to WCU Friday, April 3. The Lectures, Concerts, and Exhibitions Series performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Hoey Auditorium. Led by founder and artistic director Chuck Davis, the ensemble draws its audiences into the experience of complex rhythms, innovative move­ment, and spirited singing. The repertoire of the group embraces a wide range of music and dance, combining dance styles from several African countries and cultures, including Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Zaire. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and employees of WCU, and $5 for children and non-WCU students; WCU students will be admit­ted free. For additional information, call 227-7206. • The Delta Zeta Chapter of the Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars will be inaugurated Monday, April 6, at WCU during a ceremony planned for 6 p.m. in the Hospitality Room of the Ramsey Regional Activity Center. Some fifty-five founding members, including eleven students, six staff, and thirty-eight faculty, will be inducted into the society, following approval by a membership commit­tee. Chapter officers are Lois Petrovich-Mwaniki, president; Nonso Okereafoezeke, president-elect; Phillip Kneller, secretary/treasurer; and Robert Gurevich, chapter coordi­nator. Two vice presidents from among the student inductees will be elected to serve during the first meeting. Currently 109 chartered chapters on campuses nationwide promote academic recognition for students, faculty, and staff who have a demon­strated interest in international studies. For more information on the chapter or on joining, contact Membership Committee Chairman David Dorondo at 227-7243 or e-mail kmoore@wcu.edu. • Naomi Tutu, program officer with the African Gender Institute, at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, will be on campus to speak Tuesday, April 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the Grandroom of the Hinds University Center. Tutu, the daughter of former Archbishop Desmond Tutu, will pre­sent "Social Healing and the Work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commis­sion in the New South Africa: The Women's Perspective." It is spon­sored by International Programs and Services, Phi Beta Delta, and the Department of Sociology/Anthropol­ogy, with fund-ing from the Visiting Scholars Program. For information, call 227-7494. • WCU's Industrial and Engineering Technology Program recently received a gift of $26,512 in cash and equipment from the Education Foundation of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. The grant includes an award of $14,012 toward the pur-chase of a vision system and supporting software, camera, lens, video and power cables, and lighting, plus a gift of a "mechanical desktop" software package with a value of $12,500. The award was part of over half a million dollars in cash and in-kind equipment and software grants recently awarded to ninety-two universities and technical institutions by the SME Education Foundation. In-kind gifts include CAD/CAM soft­ware, programmable logic controller lab systems, and training donated by companies that support the purpose and goals of the foundation. SME Education Foundation grants are awarded each year to spur new developments in manufacturing technology and productivity and to adv