The Reporter, April 2000

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.ftpm lno£a. will finish the wid\ a presentation at 7:40p.m. Coulter )3uilding recital hall. Welcome '· Chaiicellor John Bardo 10:15 a.m. Mystic Vibrations Band 11:30a.m. Circle in the Round by the Ledbetcers 12:15 p.m, Salsa and Meringue by Voz Latina 12:45 p.m. Phi Beta Sigma lp.m. 1:30 p.m. 2p.m. 2:30p.m. 2:45p.m. 3:30p.m. Step Show Native American Dance Mystic Vibrations Band Gamelon Orchestra by Will Peebles and class Fashion Show Mystic Vibrations Band Awards For more information, contact Richard Cameron in the Office of Student Affairs at 227~7234 . News for the Faculty and Staff of Western Carolina University Human Rights Leader From India To Speak April II Henry Thiagaraj, human rights leader from India, will give a public address on campus Tuesday, Aprilll, to close the 1999~2000 Lectures, Concerts and Exhibition Series. The lecture, Human Rights for the Untouchables, will begin at 7:30p.m. in the Coulter Building recital hall. A reception will follow. The focus of the program is a culture of more than 200 million people in India, known as the Dalits. Society in India considers the Dalits to be outside or below the Hindu caste hierarchy and therefore "untouchable," said Chris Gunn, one of the organizers of Thiagaraj's visit. In India, they are the lowest paid laborers who historically have had all of the "unclean occupations," and today the Dalits continue to be landless, poorly educated and segregated throughout India. In 1985, Thiagaraj founded the Dalit Liberation Education Trust in Chennai, India. As current director of the DLET, he works locally, nation~ ally, and with the United Nations to better the conditions for the Dalit people. He is recognized in India and around the world as a leader in human rights. Thiagaraj's visit is sponsored by the LCE Series, Office of International Programs and Studies, Office of Student Affairs, and Visiting Scholars Program. He will be visiting on campus from April10~ 12, and will be speaking to sociology, history, religion and social work classes, and taking part in International Day activities, also on Tuesday. Tickets for the April 11 program are $5 for adults, $3 for children and non-WCU students. Western students are admitted free of charge with a valid university identification card. Tickets are available in advance or at the door. For more information or tickets, call 227-7206. Meeting with the Joint Select Committee , on Higher Education Facilities Needs on March 2 7 in Asheville were the heads of area universities. From left to right, Molly Brood, president of the UNC system, Jim Mullen, chancellor ofUNCA; John Bordo, chancellor of Western; and Fronk Borkowski, chancellor of Appalachian State. The committee is primarily comprised of legislators and government officials and is investigating the repair, renovation, and construction needs of North Carolina state universities. SPA Performance Appraisals Change Beginning April 1, Western converted to a new performance appraisal year for SPA employees. Also part of the change was an addition to the individual work plans. Originally matched to the July 1 fiscal year, the performance appraisals are now cycled starting April 1 and ending March 31. Because of this change, current performance appraisals will cover only the past nine months. evaluated that relate back to the key responsibilities of the position. These may include descriptions such as adaptability, attention to detail, initiative, integrity, judgment, teamwork, and decisiveness, to name a few. At the same time, Western also will convert to the State of North Carolina's work plan format. Evaluations will be based not just on the key responsibilities, or what an employee does, but also dimensions or behaviors in how an employee does his/her job. Supervisors have been given a Dictionary of Dimensions to help with determining appropriate use of terms. This dictionary is available from an employee's supervisor, the Office of Human Resources or OHR's web page at busafrs.wcu.edu/hr/policy.htm. "Currently, there are no other changes planned that will affect SPA employees. We've been working for nearly a year to make a smooth transition," said Kathy Wong, director of human resources. Employees and supervisors will agree on behaviors to be Workshop To Address Diversity and Citizenship The 21st Century: A Conference and Workshop on Cultural Diversity and Community Citizenship, an examination and discussion of cultural diversity, discrimination and community citizenship, will be held Thursday, April 6, in the auxiliary gym of the Ramsey Center. The conference will begin at noon with a display titled "Humans' Inhumanity to Humans," a literature project by students in an adolescent literature class taught by Gloria Houston, author-in-residence in WCU's department of elementary and middle grades education. The exhibit will examine the Cherokee Indians and the Trail of Tears, the Holocaust, and the American Civil Rights Movement. Kevin Wilson, assistant director of human resources and director of education and training for the City of Asheville, will serve as the primary workshop leader. Wilson has worked for the City of Asheville since 1996, developing and implementing a comprehensive ·training program for city employees. He also has led cultural diversity training sessions across Western North Carolina. Other speakers during the conference include Richard Collings, vice chancellor for academic affairs at Western, and Virgil Smith, publisher of the Asheville Citizen-Tzmes. Robert Edward Bushy head will provide Cherokee tribal flute music, and a Jewish Klezmer band from Asheville will perform. Participants also will divide up into groups to make recommendations on enhancing cultural diversity and community citizenship across the region. The conference and workshop are designed to be of interest to faculty, students and staff, as well as community groups and leaders. Registration fee for the conference is $5. The fee will be waived for all students, and for faculty and teachers who bring students to the event. Advance registration is requested. The conference is being sponsored by Western's Public Policy Institute, the Western Carolinian, and the Asheville Citizen-Times. For more information, contact Western's Public Policy Institute at 22 7-2086. MRCTo Host Open House April 12 Faculty and staff are invited to an open house on Wednesday, April12, from 10:30 a.m.-noon, and 1-2:30 p.m. at the Mountain Resource Center in the Bird Building .. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call the center at 227-7492. Cultural Tourism Expert To Visit April I 0-12 An expert in arts administration and cultural tourism will visit Western Carolina University for a discussion with hospitality management students and faculty, a meeting with several regional tourism officials, and a public program on the growing importance of cultural tourism. Robert F. Kelly, professor emeritus of commerce at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, will spend three days at Western Carolina from April10 through 12. A highlight of Kelly's visit will be a presentation on Trends in Tourism, with a special focus on cultural tourism. The program will begin at 3 p.m. Monday, AprillO, in the Mountain Heritage Center auditorium. It is free, open to the public, and will be followed by a reception. During his program, Kelly will discuss the types of decisions that all tourists must make-destina­tion choice, activities, time utilization, spending patterns and influence of peers on tourist choices. He will then address behaviors and tendencies that are peculiar to cultural tourism. While at WCU, Kelly also will share his ideas with members of the Mountain Heritage Center staff on several topics related to the university's museum of Southern Appalachian culture, including visible storage of artifacts, cultural tourism, and marketing of museums. A faculty research associate with the University of British Columbia's Museum of Anthropology, Kelly has researched and written extensively on the topics of museums, art and cultural tourism. Kelly's research indicates a growth in the interest of tourists in such factors as "cultural, historical or archaeological treasures" and a decrease in interest in such factors as "night life" and "expensive restaurants." A pril 3 , 2 00 0 • The Reporter Class Schedule Change Wednesday, April5, becomes a Monday. Faculty and students should follow their Monday schedule that day. w ~ u a en ar Arpil 3~ 16, 2000 Look for regular updates on the university's web site at www.wcu.edu/cal.html Monday, April 3 Presentation-"Caribbean Relations: The role of the United State and Cuba," by Sir Howard Cooke, Governor General of Jamaica. 3 p.m., auditorium, Coulter Building. (227-7100) Panel Di cu sion-First Amend­ment Rights, with ACLU pres1dent Nadine Strossen and columnist John Leo, 7:30 p.m., RH. $ (227-7206) Readmg-Leslie Marmon Silko, internationally acclaimed Native American wri ter. Book signing after readmg. 7:30p.m., Grandroom, UC. (227-3930) Tuesday, April 4 Training Tuesdays-Student Employment (for CatLinks). There is limited eating; enrollment is required: e-mail (lalltson@wpoff.wcu.edu) or call to reserve space. 9-11 a.m., Room 143, UOC. (227-7218) Baseball-Catamounts vs. Clemson. 7:15p.m., Clem on, C. (227-7338) Wednesday, AprilS peaker-Anthony "T any" Campolo, founder and pre ident of Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education, "Chn ·nan Untry." 7 p.m., RRAC. Also April 6, arne ttme and place. (293-92 14) Discussion-S. Lane Faison Jr., professor emeritu at Williams College in Massachusetts, describing his activities as an art critic in a small town. 7:30p.m., Room 104, BB. (227-7210) Thursday, April 6 Conference-"The Twenty-first Century: A Conference and Workshop on Cultural Diversity and Community Citizenship." Advance registration reque ted. Noon-4:30p.m., auxiliary gym, RRAC. $ (227-2086) Workshop--Assertiveness Training, Chri Gunn. 5-7 p.m., Catamount Room, UC. (227-7469) Debut Concert-Gabriel's Choir, a newly formed professional trumpet ensemble. 8 p.m., RH. (227-7242) Friday, April 7-Monday, ApriiiO Book Sale-Friends of Hunter Library. Friday, "Friends Only Night," 7-9 p.m. (member hip registration-$15, available at door) . Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m.; Monday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (227-7307) Friday, April 7-Saturday, AprilS Twentieth Annual Honor Band Weekend, hosted by WCU Music Department. (227-7242) Friday, April7 Baseball-Catamounts vs. College of Charleston. outhern Conference game, 3 p.m., H /CF. (227-7338) Concert- WCU Wind En emble and Concert Band for W U Honor Bands weekend. 8 p.m., RH. (227-7242) Saturday, AprilS Baseball-Catamounts vs. College of Charle ton. uthern Conference game, 1 p.m., H /CF. (227-7338) Concert-Honor Bands perfor­mance for WCU Honor Bands weekend. 7:30p.m., RH. (227-7242) Sunday, April 9 Baseball-Catamounts vs. College of Charleston. Southern Conference game. 1 p.m., HS/CF. (227-7338) Monday, April I 0 Symposium-Graduate Research Symposium, 9 a.m.-3 :30p.m., UC. (227-7398) Tuesday, April II Training Tuesdays-Financial Planning. Limited seating; enrollment required: e-mail (lallison@wpoff.wcu.edu) or call to reserve space. 9-11 a.m., Room 143, UOC. (227-7218) Festival-T wenry-fir t Annual International Fe rival, UC lawn, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (227-7234) Lecture-human rights acttvi t Henry Thiaga raj. 7:30 p.m., RH. Admission:$ (227-7206). Wednesday, April 12 Open Hou e-Mountain Resource Center, 10:30 a.m.-noon and 1-2:30 p.m., Conference Room, B1rd Buildmg. (227-7492) Key: $ - Admission fee; HA • Hoey Auditorium; HFR- H.F. Robinson Admimstration Butlding; HS/CF • Hennon Stadium/Childress Field; MHC - Mountain Heritage Center, NSA • Natural Sciences Auditorium; RRAC - Ramsey Reg1onal Act1v1ty Center. RH • Recital Hall, Coulter Build1ng; BB • Belk Building; UC • A.K. Hinds University Center. UOC - University Outreach Center, WS/BW • Whitm1re Stadium/Bob Waters Field April 3, 2 00 0 • The Reporter Recital- vocal tudents of Mary Kay Bauer. 8 p.m., RH. (227-7242) Thursday, April 13 Conte t- Thirtieth Annual High School Mathematic C nte t. pan red by the Department f Mathematics and Computer Science. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., RRA (227-7245) Friday, April 14-Sunday, April 16 Baseball-Catamounts vs. East Tennessee State. Conference game. Johnson City, Tenn. 7 p.m., Friday; 3 p.m., Saturday; and I p.m., Sunday. (227-7338) Saturday, April IS WCU Open House-For pro pective students and families. Registration 9 a.m., RRAC. (227-7317). River cleanup--16th annual Tuckaseigee River cleanup. Registration 11:30 a.m., uc. (227-7206) Seminar-South Ea tern Regional Seminar on African tudie , 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Catamount Room, UC. (227-7268) Last Chance Today 1 the deadline for contnbuttons to the Faculty and rnff Fund drive. Don't mi s th1 opportumty to upport your program, department or college. Pa ·roll deductton 1 avatlable. For more mformat ion, plea e contact Ton Elltson m Unlver-dvancement at 227 • 71 24. *** Now Showing *** Exhibitions: Exhibit- Cherokee Basketry. Through April 13. Chelsea Gallery, UC. (227 • 7206) Daniel Jocz: Uncommon Sense. Metalsmith. Through April14. Belk Gallery, BB. (227-3591) The Old Bam. April3 through June 30. Original quilts and bam photos. 8 a.m.-5 p.rn.,- weekdays, MHC. (227-7129) · !.\ Finely Crafted. Through December. Woodworking hand tools and furniture. 8 a.m.~5p.m., weekdays, MHC. (227-7129) Migration of the Scotch-Irish People (permanent exhibition), Information, illustrations, artifacts and murals. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., weekdays, MHC. (227-7129) 16th Annual River Clean-up Scheduled The 16th annual Tuckaseigee River clean­up, sponsored by Western's Last Minute Productions, is scheduled for Saturday, Aprill5. Volunteers are needed to help remove a year's accumulation of trash from a twenty­two mile section of the Tuckaseigee River in Jackson County. The cleanup will begin at East Laporte and end at Barker's Creek. Everyone who volunteers will be invited to a free cookout and will receive a com­memorative t-shirt. Registration will be at 11 :30 a.m. at the Hinds University Center. Transportation and equipment, including rafts, life jackets, paddles, and trash bags, will be provided. Volunteers will have the option of working from a raft or from the river bank. Participants are advised to wear old clothing and to bring gloves to protect their hands. The cookout will begin at the WCU picnic area on Cullowhee Creek following the clean-up. Drawings will be held for a variety of prizes donated by area merchants. Friends of Hunter LibraryTo Hold Sale The annual used book sale of the Friends of Western's Hunter Library will be held Friday, April 7, through Monday, AprillO, in the Ramsey Center auxiliary gym. More than 4,000 books will be for sale, including selections from two large exceptional collections that were given recently to the library, said university Librarian Bill Kirwan. The book sale begins April 7 with a "Friends Only Night," when it will be open 7 to 9 p.m. exclusively for members of the Friends of Hunter Library. Memberships will be available at the door, and new members can enter the sale. Annual membership is $15. The book sale will be open to the general public 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, AprilS; 1-5 p.m. Sunday, April9; and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, AprillO. For more information, contact Hunter Library at 22 7-7307. The Reporter Is published by the Office of Public Information, Deble Connelly, editor. Mail faculty/:;tatf notes, events, notices, and changes of addreu to The Reporter. 1601 Ramsey Center, or send them via e·mail td REPOI\Tel\@wpoFf'.WCU.EOV I ,800 <::opies of this pubUc document Wflf'e printed ata cost of $329 .IS or $0.18 per copy. Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Institution. [ ~Iteporter t Office of Public Information Publications Unit · 1601 Ramsey Center Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723 April 3, 2000 • The Reporter NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID CULLOWHEE, N.C. PERMIT N0.1 April 17, 2000 News for the Faculty and Staff of Western Carolina University Chancellor,s Award Finalists Vie forTopTeaching Honor Western Carolina University's top teaching award will be presented during the General Faculty Meeting and Awards Convocation at 3:30p.m., Thursday, April 27, in the Coulter Building recita l hall. A reception begins at 3 p.m. The award, established in 1976, is the univers ity's highest honor in recognition of superior teach ing. Winners are chosen through a two-stage process that includes nominations by students and fac ulty mem­bers and a review of teaching techniques and portfo lios by an awards committee. The Chancellor's Distin­guished Teaching Award recipient will receive a $1,000 honorarium and an engraved plaque. The six finalists are: Jim Busbin professor of marketing at Western for nine years, earned his doctorate at the University ofTennessee and his bachelor of science degree in business administration as well as his master's degree at the University of Alabama. Kathy lvey assistant professor of mathematics and computer science, began teaching at Western in 1994. She earned her master's from Oregon State University and her doctorate from Washington State University. Terry Nienhuis associate professor of English, began teaching at Western in 1972. He holds a doctorate in English from the University of Michigan, where he also earned his master's degree. Marsha Holmes assistant professor of English, started at Western in the fall of 1997. She received her master's and doctoral degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Julie Johnson assistant professor of marketing, is in her fourth year of teaching at Western. She received her doctoral and master's degrees in marketing at Georgia State University. Maurice Phipps assistant professor of health and human performance, has been at Western for eight years. His doctorate is from the University of Minnesota and his master's degree from Minnesota State University. WCU Named National Merit Sponsor We~tern arolina Univer ity has become only the fourth institution of higher education in North Carolina to be de tgnated an official college sponsor of National Merit cholars. The recent designation by the National Merit cholarship orporation place Western alongside Davidson ollege, the University of North arolina at hapcl Hill, and Wake Forest University as the only four-year institutions in the state, from a total of fifty-nine, authorized to offer National Merit holarships. Announcement of the National Merit Scholar sponsorship successfully concludes one chapter of an ambitious effort announced by hancellor John Bardo in 1996 to vaporize myth· about the quality of Western's academic programs and to "raise the bar" of the university's academic standards. Bardo's plan included earning designation as a National Merit sponsor­ing univer ity by the year 2001, which r quired enrolling at least three National Merit finalists annually for a minimum of four consecutive year . A total of twenty-one National Merit finalists have enrolled at Western since 1996, and six more have applied to We tern for the coming fall emester. "With Western' continued efforts to not only increa e our enrollment but al o to enhance the academic caliber of our student , National Merit sponsorship statu is yet another indicator for well­prepared students to identify We tern as the higher education institution at which to pursue their undergraduate studies," Bardo aid. Western's scholarship package for National Merit Scholars covers in-state tuition, mandatory fees, room, board, and a computer. The first three college­sponsored National Merit awards from WCU will be given to new freshmen in the fall 2000 semester. According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, finalists are Recruitment Materials Win Honors Western'· recent student recruitment efforts are winning awards from national higher education organizations. The Office of Admissions and Office of Public Information recently received word of two awards of excellence from the ouncil for Advancement and upport of Education ( ASE) and two top awards and two honorable mentions in a competition sponsored by the Admissions Marketing Report. The awards of excellence in theCA E competition came in the category of printed publications, for materials used in Western's 1999 student recruitment campaign "The Elusive Tour," and in the category of radio programs and announcements, for two radio adverti ement . CASE is the leading education association for prof< · ionals in the field of institutional advancement. "The Elusive Tour" materials also earned top honors in two categories-best poster and best imprinted design (T-shirt)-in the 15th annual Admissions Advertising Awards, sponsored by the Admissions Marketing Report. The total advertising campaign for "The Elusive Tour" and the radio spot "The Buzz" earned merit awards in the Admissions Marketing Report contest. The primary design element for "The Elusive Tour" is an image of a group of stu­dents, itting around a campfire, who seem to be peering deep into the wood·, looking for some mysterious presence. The concept behind the campaign revolves around tudent on a earch for the elusive an wer to one of life' great questions: Where should I go to college? April 17, 2000 • The Reporter the highest scorers on qualifying tests and represent less than one percent of each state's high school seniors. "National Merit finalists are the cream of the crop academica