February 16, 2004

Vol. VIII, No. 10

FYI

For Your Information publishes announcements of public meetings, notices, classes and courses of interest to the university community. The deadline for submitting items generally is noon on Monday, one week before the issue appears.

The deadline for the March 1 issue is Monday, Feb. 23. We strive to include all items submitted by deadline occurring during the two-week period until the next issue. Items further in advance will be run on a space-available basis. Submit future items by e-mailing them to pubinfo@csun.edu, sending them to mail drop 8242 or faxing them to (818) 677-4909. E-mail is the preferred method of submitting.

Note: fmi-means for more information.

Events Monday, Feb. 23 to Thursday, Feb. 26

Mind, Body & Spirit Fair

Cal State Northridge's University Counseling Services and the Joint Advocates on Disordered Eating (JADE) will sponsor the ninth annual Mind, Body & Spirit Fair in conjunction with National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. The theme of the fair, open to the CSUN community and the public, is "Get Real," encouraging people to accept themselves as they are. Awareness Week events include a kick-off fair, lectures, question and answer sessions, films and a multi-media finale featuring comedienne/actress Michelle Garb. All events are free. fmiÐEllen Mayer, x2366, or jade@csun.edu.

Friday, Feb. 20

Linguistics Lecture

The Linguistics/TESL Program will sponsor a free lecture titled "Learning Styles, Learner Strategies, and Motivation in Second Language Learning" from 3Ð5 p.m. in Sierra Hall's Whitsett Room. Of special interest to teachers, foreign language students and writing instructors, the lecture is funded in part by the Office of Graduate Studies Distinguished Visitors Speakers Program. Andrew Cohen, professor of English as a second language and director of the National Language Resource Center at the University of Minnesota, is the guest speaker. fmiÐBarbara Kroll, x0905.

Friday, Feb. 20 and Tuesday, Feb. 24

Faculty CELT Program

The Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching is offering the following programs to faculty members:

CELT's Big Event-"Improving Student Writing: Ideas for Faculty in Any Discipline"
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fri., Feb. 20, Sierra Center's Special Events Room.
"Debate Across the Curriculum" Faculty Panel
12:30Ð2 p.m. Tue., Feb. 24, Sierra Hall's Whitsett Room 451.

RSVP with Kelly Kroeker, x6536, or kelly.kroeker@csun.edu.

Saturday, Feb. 28

China Institute Banquet

The China Institute's annual Chinese New Year's Banquet will welcome the Year of the Monkey and celebrate the Chinese National Commission on the Teaching of Chinese's donation of reference books and instructional materials to CSUN's Chinese language and culture study programs, as well as to local schools. Institute members who make donations or pay 2004 membership fees qualify for two complimentary banquet seats and may invite additional guests for $25 per person. Membership and banquet forms are due before Tue., Feb. 24. President Jolene Koester will join guests at the 6 p.m. event in the University Student Union's Grand Salon. fmiÐJustine Su, x2138 or z.su@csun.edu.

Public Meetings

Personnel Planning and Review Committee

Meets 1:15Ð5 p.m. Wed., Feb. 18 and Mar. 3
University Hall 277

Educational Policies Committee

Meets 2Ð4 p.m. Wed., Feb. 18 and Mar. 3
University Hall 211

Faculty Senate Meeting

Meets 2Ð4:30 p.m. Thu., Feb. 19
Oviatt Library Presentation Room

Educational Equity Committee

Meets 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mon., Feb. 23
University Hall 211

Foundation Board Meeting

Meets at 6 p.m. Wed., Feb. 25
UH 250

Senate Executive Committee

Meets 1Ð5 p.m. Thu., March 4
University Hall 277

Academic Technology Committee

Meets 2Ð4 p.m. Fri., March 5
University Hall 211

Notices

Department Chair Reappointment

Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Linda Bain announced the reappointment of Bonita Campbell as chair of the Department of Manufacturing Systems Engineering and Management for a three-year term effective August 18, 2004. The reappointment was based on the recommendation of her colleagues and S.T. Mau, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Examinations and Religious Observances

Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Linda Bain reminds faculty members that in administering any test or examination, campus policy states that any student who is eligible to undergo the test or examination will be permitted to do so without penalty, at a time when the activity would not violate the student's religious creed.

The policy requires that faculty provide accommodation to students when exams conflict with religious observances. Faculty are asked to be sensitive to this matter and refrain from scheduling examinations on days that would affect many students' religious observances. For assistance with evaluating students' requests to re-schedule examinations for the purpose of religious observances, contact the Office of Faculty Affairs at x2962.

Free Tax Help

Through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, trained Cal State Northridge business students will provide free federal and state income tax form preparation for low income families and individuals at VITA centers in the Valley and throughout Los Angeles. fmiÐwww.csun.edu/vita.

Early Retirement Applications

Faculty Early Retirement Program (FERP) applications are due at least six months before the start of the academic year in which FERP participation will begin. Application forms, available at the Office of Faculty Affairs, should be returned to that office, University Hall 225, mail drop 8220.The application deadline for the 2004/05 academic year is Fri., Feb. 20. fmiÐx2962.

CSU Doctoral Forgivable Loan Program

The Forgivable Loan Program, offered through the Office of Graduate Studies, provides financial assistance to doctoral students who show promise of becoming strong candidates for CSU instructional faculty positions. The competitive program, directed by the California State University, is open to doctoral students across the country. The deadline to apply is Fri., Feb. 27. fmiÐHedy Carpenter, x2138.

Research and Grants Awards Competition

The Research and Grants Committee announces the 2004Ð2005 Competition for Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Awards, providing faculty with the opportunity to receive up to $5,000 for scholarly and creative pursuits. Faculty may apply for three units of released time and/or funds for project expenses. The application deadline is 5 p.m. Fri., Feb. 27. Applications are available in college and department offices or in Research and Sponsored Projects, University Hall 265. Faculty may download applications from www.csun.edu/research/1Research/Competition.htm. fmiÐx2901.

Judge Julian Beck Project Grants

All faculty and staff are eligible for the Judge Julian Beck Project Grants, which award up to $5,000 for projects that enhance instruction and improve student learning at CSUN. Application guidelines and proposal forms are available at the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT), Sierra Hall 438, or at www.csun.edu/~celtact/grant.html. Proposals are due at the center by Mon., March 8 at 4 p.m. fmiÐx6536.

Faculty Senate Spring 2004 Elections

Faculty members who want to run for an office in the Faculty Senate and who have not yet been nominated may submit a petition, signed by 15 faculty members, to the Faculty Senate Office by Fri., Mar. 5, at 5 p.m. The following offices are open for the election: president (two-year term), vice president (one-year term), secretary/treasurer (one-year term), statewide academic senator (three-year term), senators-at-large (two-year terms, six positions). fmiÐSandy Horwitz, x3263.

2004 Faculty Awards

Nominations for the 2004 faculty awards saluting outstanding achievement must be submitted to the Faculty Senate Office by Friday, Feb. 20. Supporting materials must be submitted by Friday, March 19. Award nomination forms should be returned to the Faculty Senate Office, Faculty Office Building, room 106, or to mail drop 8221.

Faculty awards include the Distinguished Teaching, Counseling or Librarianship Award; the Preeminent Scholarly Publication(s) Award; the Exceptional Creative Accomplishment(s) Award; the Extraordinary Service Award; the Outstanding Faculty Award and the Visionary Community Service-Learning Award. Criteria for each award may be obtained from the Faculty Senate Office. fmiÐSandy Horwitz, x3263.

2004 Graduate Student Awards

Nominations are sought for:

President's Associates Outstanding Graduate Student Award 2004, an annual $1,000 award. Criteria are a 3.5 GPA and two faculty member letters of recommendation. The student must be completing a master's degree by May 31.
Robert H. Schiffman Memorial Award, a $250 award to an outstanding classified graduate student, full time, who has completed at least one semester of graduate work at CSUN. Criteria are a 3.5 undergraduate and graduate GPA, and two faculty letters of recommendation.
Association of Retired Faculty (ARF) Memorial Award, a $1,000 scholarship for an exceptional graduate student. Student's project must be part of a master's program completed or to be completed in the current academic year. Criteria include a project description, two faculty letters of recommendation and a brief presentation of the project at the ARF annual banquet on May 16.

Nominations are due by Mon., March 15. Forms are available at www.csun.edu/graduatestudies. fmiÐx2138.

2004Ð2005 California Pre-Doctoral Program

The California Pre-Doctoral Program is designed to increase the pool of potential faculty by supporting California State University students who have experienced economic and educational disadvantages. CSUN faculty sponsors will help students develop plans leading to enrollment in doctoral programs. The program also provides travel funds and the opportunity for summer research internships. Applicants must be upper division or master's degree students enrolled in a CSU institution as of spring 2003, and who will be enrolled at a CSU campus for at least one semester of the academic year 2004/05. Obtain an application at www.calstate.edu/predoc/. fmiÐHedy Carpenter, x2138.

Tseng Family Collection Research Opportunities

Research opportunities for faculty are available in connection with the Tseng Family Collection of Chinese antiquities, recently donated to Cal State Northridge. A total of $50,000 will be awarded for 2004Ð05, to increase knowledge of the materials, culture, history, artistry, language, and times of the collection. The proposal deadline is Fri., Feb. 20. Guidelines and applications are available at www.csun.edu/research/1Research/ Competition.htm fmiÐx2901.

Literacy Volunteer Program

Koreh LA, the Jewish Coalition for Literacy, will train literacy volunteers from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sun., Feb. 29 in Cal State Northridge's Noski Auditorium. Volunteers will work once a week in an LAUSD elementary school. Call (323) 761-8153 for training session reservations. fmiÐLynn Gordon, x7894, or lynn.gordon@csun.edu.

Classes

Information Technology Resources (ITR) Workshops

Information Technology Resources (ITR) offers free training workshops to Cal State Northridge faculty and staff. Training labs are located on the garden level, Oviatt Library (OV30) unless otherwise specified. Enrollment required.

Visio for Beginners:
1:30Ð3:30 p.m. Tue., Feb. 17
Access for Beginners:
2Ð4:30 p.m. Wed., Feb. 18, OV33
Publisher for Beginners:
9Ð11 a.m. Fri., Feb. 20
FrontPage for Beginners:
1:15Ð4:45 p.m. Wed., Feb. 25
Excel for Beginners:
9Ð11:30 a.m. Thu., Feb. 26,

fmiÐx2204, or e-mail at training@csun.edu. Course descriptions at www.csun.edu/itr/training/desc/.

Online Instruction Workshops

The Office of Undergraduate Studies and Online Instruction is sponsoring faculty computer workshops to facilitate online teaching and learning. Registration is required and space is limited. All workshops are in the Sierra Hall, Faculty Lab 422. Sign up at www.csun.edu/~webteach/workshops.html. The workshops are as follows:
WebCT Series I

WebCT Discussion and Chat
2Ð3 p.m. Wed., Feb. 18
WebCT Quizzes and Grading
2Ð3 p.m. Wed., Feb. 25
WebCT Content and Files
2Ð3 p.m. Wed., March 3

Web Page Making

Create and Upload a Web Page
2Ð3 p.m. Mon., Feb. 23

fmiÐCathy Cheal, x6558, or catheryn.cheal@csun.edu.

Deadlines

Human Subjects Research Approval

Faculty and students performing research with human subjects must complete Human Subjects Protocol Approval form. Original forms and nine copies must be submitted to Research Office for review by the Standing Advisory Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects. Next committee meeting: Tue., Feb. 10. Next deadline: Tue., Feb. 24. Protocol submission forms in the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects, University Hall 265, or downloaded from www.csun.edu/research. fmiÐx2901.