2012sept10journaldraft1.qxp_03-24-08 CAL U JOURNAL.qxd 9/5/12 11:35 AM Page 1 California University VOLUME 14, NUMBER 21 SEPT. 10, 2012 READ THE JOURNAL ONLINE: www.calu.edu/news/the-journal At Convocation, President Seeks Unity, Collaboration cting University President Geraldine M. Jones delivered her first State of the University address Aug. 28, emphasizing collaboration and unity at a combined convocation for both faculty and staff. “I want to communicate with you and rely on your help to move this university forward,” she said. “Cal U must respond to the challenges of a changing world. Those challenges are real, but not insurmountable. “I will try hard not to disappoint.” Dr. Bruce Barnhart, newly appointed as acting provost, welcomed the a crowd of nearly 1,000 on the second day of classes for the 2012-2013 academic year, then introduced the President. She thanked the faculty and staff members for their support since she assumed her current role in May, and said Cal U’s most valuable asset is “our human resources.” “Looking out at you today reminds me of what a great university Cal U is,” President Jones said. “The best way to improve our finances and our enrollment is for each of us to do our job, and do it well.” She announced three primary goals for the upcoming year: to focus on the core mission of educating students, to stabilize enrollment, and to A restore the University to sound financial footing by “instituting financial solvency principles.” Although figures will not be finalized later in the semester, Cal U reported a first-day enrollment decrease of about 9 percent compared to last year, she reported. The graduate school showed a slight gain in enrollment, offset by a decrease in undergraduates. President Jones also outlined measures taken to improve the University’s financial status. Spending cuts during the 2011-2012 fiscal year reduced a projected year-end deficit from $9.7 million to just $1.1 million by the close of the fiscal year. Salaries, benefits and other fixed expenses account for 80 percent of Cal U’s $120 million budget, the President said, making it difficult to achieve savings. And a decline in enrollment means the University will have less revenue from tuition and fees in the coming year. Consequently, the original budget projection for 2012-2013 anticipated an $11.8 million deficit, she reported. But across-the-board cuts in discretionary allocations, plus manager furloughs, reductions in athletic spending and other measures, trimmed the projected deficit to $4.2 million. “We recognize that we did not get here overnight — Continued on page 2 Acting President Geraldine M. Jones updates both faculty and staff at a combined convocation on Aug. 28. Students Describe Conventions on Constitution Day ine Cal U students who attended the Republican and Democratic national conventions will share their story as part of Cal U’s annual Constitution Day celebration. The students rubbed elbows with media figures and political luminaries while serving as behind-the-scenes volunteers in Tampa, Fla., and Charlotte, N.C. They will share anecdotes about the people they met and the backstage workings of the conventions during an informal panel discussion at noon Sept. 17 in the Performance Center. “Conventional Wisdom” caps off a series of panel presentations on topical issues. Cal U faculty and students, plus several special guests, will speak at these Constitution Day talks: 9 a.m. — “Diversity in Politics: Race, Gender, and Religion,” Room 215, Watkins Hall –“Private Sector v. Public Sector: Jobs, Jobs, Jobs,” N Room 313, Duda Hall 10 a.m. — “You Can’t Lead If You Don’t Vote,” Room 303, Duda Hall 11 a.m. —“Incivility in Politics: Meaner than Joe Greene,” Room 312, Duda Hall –“Health Care: It’s Serious Business,” Performance Center, Natali Student Center Noon — “Conventional Wisdom: Two Candidates, Nine Students at the National Political Conventions,” Performance Center All Constitution Day presentations are free and open to the public, as well as the campus community. Beginning at noon, students will conduct a voter registration drive in the Natali Student Center. They also will be reminding potential voters about the requirements of Pennsylvania’s new voter identification law. An annual event mandated at all schools that receive federal funds, Constitution Day commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution. The American Democracy Project at Cal U has organized this year’s program in partnership with the Linda and Harry Serene Leadership Institute. Co-sponsors are the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost/Academic Affairs, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Education and Human Services, and the Eberly College of Science and Technology. To see photos from the conventions and read firsthand accounts reported by Cal U students, visit www.calu.edu . Art Students Pitch in for ‘Blast’ tudents in the Department of Art and Design got an early jump on community service by taking an active role in the seventh annual “Art Blast on the Mon” in Greensboro, Pa. The town’s biggest annual event, “Art Blast” typically attracts nearly 2,000 people. This year, the family-oriented art, music and entertainment festival, held Sept. 1-2, included “Everyone’s Art Show” in the Greensboro Fire Hall. Coordinator for the show was Cal U senior Valerie Herrero, who served as artist-inresidence for Greensboro this summer under the tutelage of associate professor Maggy Aston. “Valerie and the art club really put in a lot S Grant for Water Quality From left to right: Cal U students Brian Nicholson, Nathan Polen and Andrew Jinkens take water quality samples from Pike Run. A second grant from the Dominion Foundation will enable Cal U geology students to continue environmental monitoring of Pike Run. See story on page 3. of community service hours, and the ‘Art Blast’ organizers really appreciate all the help they have had from these students,” Aston said. In all, 15 Cal U students exhibited artwork, assisted Herrero with setup or gave demonstrations during the festival. Among them were Jordan Wong, who created the “Art Blast” poster, and Andrew Tishler, Herrero’s primary setup assistant. Aston and colleague Todd Pinkham submitted artworks. Both department chair Greg Harrison and faculty member Spencer Norman checked in at the festival, and alumni from the Art and Design Department staffed booths, gave demonstrations or served as judges. — Continued on page 3 2012sept10journaldraft1.qxp_03-24-08 CAL U JOURNAL.qxd 9/5/12 11:35 AM Page 2 President: Collaboration, Unity Are Key — Continued from page 1 Dr. Bruce Barnhart, acting provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, introduces Cal U administrators at Faculty­Staff Convocation. New Roles for New Semester t the Faculty-Staff Convocation, Acting President Geraldine M. Jones announced that a number of faculty members and administrators will hold new positions in the 2012-2013 academic year. Among those in new roles are: • Dr. Bruce Barnhart, acting provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. He had served as the associate provost/associate vice president for Academic Affairs since 2008. • Dr. Nancy Pinardi, interim vice president for Student Affairs. She replaces Dr. Lenora Angelone, who retired. Pinardi most recently served as associate vice president for Student Affairs and the University’s liaison to the Student Association Inc. • Dr. Stanley Komacek, associate provost and dean of the School of Graduate Education and Research. He takes over for Dr. John Cencich, who returns to teaching in the Department of Justice, Law and Society. • Dr. Daniel Engstrom, associate provost/associate vice president for student retention and success. Before A moving to this position, he was the associate dean in the College of Education and Human Services. • Dr. Caryl Sheffield, interim associate provost/acting associate vice president for Academic Affairs. • Dr. Stephen Whitehead, interim associate provost/acting associate vice president for Academic Affairs. • Dr. John Kallis, interim dean of the Eberly College of Science and Technology. He succeeds Dr. Leonard Colelli, who now is the provost at Potomac State College in West Virginia. • Dr. Joseph Schickel, chair of the Department of Applied Engineering and Technology. • Dr. Yugo Ikach, chair of the Department of Music. • Dr. Richard LaRosa, chair of the Department of Business and Economics. • Joseph Schickel, chair of the Department of Applied Engineering and Technology. and that we will not remedy our financial situation overnight,” President Jones said. “We are working hard to identify additional saving opportunities within our discretionary budgets before considering reductions in our fixed expenses. We are committed to finding these additional savings without any negative impact to the core mission of the University — educating our students.” Every faculty and staff member can play a role in recruiting new students and encouraging retention, she added, and all employees have ownership in the University and its future. “It is this collectiveness and cohesiveness that will get us through these difficult times. We will be stronger and better, I have no doubt about that. I believe we can do great things together — and we will.” Before President Jones’ update, Dr. Michael Slavin, president of APSCUF, urged the faculty to remain optimistic and to focus on Cal U’s mission as an academic institution. Pledging his allegiance to the acting president, he recognized her appointment as Cal U’s first female and first African-American leader as a “historic moment” for the University. Slavin called for “true shared governance that looks for a diversity of thought between faculty and staff,” and offered to serve as the President’s “jester” — not a fool, but the one person, in a medieval court, who could speak truth to power without fear of repercussions. “The faculty and staff are here to help the administration, and we all must be open and forthright as we work through these great challenges,” he said. President Jones concluded the convocation by announcing a series of budget workshops and stating that Mission Day, set for Oct. 24, will focus on the new strategic plan and enrollment initiatives. Campus BRIEFS Women’s Conference Begins Friday Award­winning poet Katie Wirsing will perform at 9 p.m. Thursday in the Convocation Center courtyard as part of the Underground Café. Underground Café Season Opens he Underground Café begins the fall semester Thursday with a performance by poet Katie Wirsing at 9 p.m. Weather permitting, the café will be held outdoors, in the Convocation Center courtyard. Wirsing’s team won the National Poetry Slam in 2006, and she was Denver’s city slam champ in 2007. She has represented the city at the Women of the World Poetry Competition and appeared twice at the Individual World Poetry Slam Competition. Wirsing has appeared on Dyke TV, NPR, Femme Fatale magazine, the BBC and countless local radio stations. She is the poetic voice on a national commercial for Kasassa Banking. The Commuter Center, located next to the Vulcan Theatre in the Natali Student Center, is transformed into the Underground Café on Thursday evenings from 9 p.m. until midnight during the fall and spring semesters. Students and members of the Cal U community are welcome to attend, or to showcase their own talents during 15-minute slots each week. T 2 This Friday and Saturday the PASSHE Women’s Consortium and the Audrey-Beth Fitch Women’s Studies Conference will present Women: Finding a Voice and Leading for Change. The conference at Cal U will address the need for female leaders and explore women’s leadership in the home, the workplace, the media, the political arena and the community. Keynote sessions will be held in the Convocation Center. Speakers include Ellen Bravo, author of Taking on the Big Boys, who will discuss workplace issues; Ayana Ledford, of Carnegie Mellon University’s Progress Center, who will teach about negotiation and gender awareness; and Annie Holmes, of Penn State University, who will discuss the campus climate for women. A wide variety of breakout sessions also are planned on topics such as women in academia, workplace support for women, sex education, women’s issues in the U.S. presidential election, and women in media and professional sports. The conference is open to public. A link to online registration and the full conference schedule is available on the Cal U homepage, www.calu.edu . Cost is $60 for members of the PASSHE Women’s Consortium, $75 for non-members. The registration fee includes dinner on Friday, plus a continental breakfast and lunch on Saturday. Students with a valid ID pay $20 for conference sessions plus meals; without meals, they may attend the conference at no charge. Health Fair Set Wednesday The 25th annual Health Fair is set for 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday in the Convocation Center’s south conference wing. More than 30 representatives of the health care industry will staff booths addressing health and wellness topics such as diabetes, smoking cessation, orthopedics and more. Blood pressure and blood glucose screenings will be offered, as well as screenings for skin, dental and foot problems. Attendees can learn their body-mass index or, for a fee, receive a flu shot administered by staff from Centerville Clinics. The first 1,000 attendees will receive a soft backpack, and T-shirts will be distributed randomly throughout the day. Music and a variety of entertainment events will take place in the Convocation Center courtyard For more information, contact nurse practitioner Fran Fayish at 724-938-5922 or e-mail fayish@calu.edu . Football on TV Four Vulcan football games will be shown live on Pittsburgh’s CW this fall. The first telecast will be Cal U’s PSAC-West opening game at Edinboro University this Saturday at 6 p.m. Both of Cal U’s 3:30 p.m. home games the following two weeks will be broadcast live. The Vulcans will play host to IUP on Sept. 22 and West Chester on Sept. 29 at Adamson Stadium’s Hepner-Bailey Field. The final game on CW will be a 3:30 p.m. home game against Slippery Rock on Oct. 27. 2012sept10journaldraft1.qxp_03-24-08 CAL U JOURNAL.qxd 9/5/12 11:35 AM Page 3 Dominion Grant Supports Project at Pike Run $25,000 grant from the Dominion Foundation will provide more active, real-world learning opportunities for students in Cal U’s geology program. The grant is part of the Dominion Foundation’s Higher Education Partnership Program, which has awarded a total of $1 million in grants to 15 college and post-secondary schools across 10 states to help projects in renewable energy, environmental studies, engineering and workforce development. The grant to Cal U will enable geology students to continue environmental monitoring of Pike Run, a small waterway near campus. Students will conduct real-time monitoring of stream flow and water quality; extend an existing Geographic Information database to manage the resulting data; implement a plan for regular monitoring in the 29-squaremile Pike Run watershed; and experiment with small-scale remediation methods to improve water quality. The project also will reconfigure the Pike Run Watershed Association as a permanent, active membership organization within the Cal U Geology Club. The grant will facilitate ongoing research by Cal U undergraduates by providing instrumentation for monitoring the stream and analyzing water quality. “This project will help with careerbuilding by exposing students to field work and real-world data-gathering techniques,” said Dr. Kyle Fredrick, an associate professor in Cal U’s Department of Earth Science. “It will help students develop the analytical, higher-order thinking that is prized in the workforce. At the same time, it will provide both a database and a forum for connecting science with the broader community.” The project builds on data-gathering at Pike Run that began with the support of a 2011 grant, also awarded by the Dominion Foundation. Dominion is one of the nation’s largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 28,000 megawatts of generation. Dominion operates the nation’s largest natural gas storage system and serves retail energy customers in 15 states. A What’s Next? Biology majors Roger King and Jessica Dominiczak look over a schedule out­ side of Frich Hall on the first day of the fall semester. Prior Learning Credit Now Easier to Obtain he Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) has formed an innovative collaboration with LearningCounts.org and the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) that will ensure prospective students receive credit for college-level learning they have gained through their work, military or other prior learning experiences. PASSHE universities for years have recognized prior college-level learning as demonstrated through assessments such as the College Board’s College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses and exams. This new collaboration will broaden the opportunities for prospective students to have prior learning assessed through a standardized process. And it will help prospective students become more aware of avenues that make earning a college degree more affordable, efficient and possible. “The PASSHE-LearningCounts. org and CAEL partnership represents a major step forward in the State System’s efforts to make it easier for returning adult students to have options for obtaining credit for their prior learning,” said PASSHE Chancellor Dr. John C. Cavanaugh. “This partnership is based on PASSHE having the ability to make options known and available to students to determine whether they are T eligible and can obtain credit for that learning. It is additional evidence that PASSHE is serious about making more options available for returning adult students to complete their degrees.” Chari Leader Kelly, vice president of LearningCounts.org, said this collaboration with PASSHE is ground breaking on many levels. “This approach means a bettereducated workforce, a higher degree completion rate and a more affordable degree for the thousands of adults who are just starting their degrees, or have some college, but need to complete. This better-educated workforce has the potential to attract new employers to the state.” Through this collaboration, prospective students will be able to create portfolios that demonstrate prior learning outcomes obtained through specific work, military or other training programs, as well as the many forms of online content such as Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Prospective students’ portfolios will have to provide evidence that the learning outcomes achieved are comparable to those of a student who passed the same course in a regular academic setting. The LearningCounts.org collaboration is part of a broader strategy to make it easier for adults to complete their college degrees at PASSHE universities. Law Enforcement Experts Speak Sept. 18 wo law enforcement experts will share their experiences Sept. 18 as part of the new Justice, Law and Society speaker series. Kevin Grippo is chief of the South Connellsville (Pa.) Police Department. A 15-year veteran of law enforcement, he has been a member of the Fayette County Drug Task Force since 2000. Grippo is a task force officer with the FBI through the Pittsburgh High- T Tech Crimes Task Force. Special Agent Patrick J. Howley, of the Pittsburgh Division, Mon Valley Resident Agency, has been with the FBI for 16 years. His investigative experiences include financial, public corruption and bank robberies, and he currently concentrates on crimes against children. The presentations will take place at 11 a.m. in Eberly Hall, Room 110. Cal U’s active involvement with the seventh annual ‘Art Blast on the Mon’ festival included an event poster created by senior Jordan Wong. Students Pitch in for Greensboro ‘Art Blast’ — Continued from page 1 Associated Artists of Cal U sponsored “Everyone’s Art Show” and offer prizes in the “everyone” category, as well as preschool, elementary, middle school and high school awards. Viewers paid a dollar per vote to select the winner of the People’s Choice Award. Cal U students were heard, as well as seen, at the festival. Musicians Seamus Hutchens, Nick Conti and Rosanna Paterra all performed. “We want to be active in promoting the arts in both the Cal U community and outside in our regional communities,” said Herrero. “This was a perfect opportunity, because the ‘Art Blast’ needed help, and we had the resources to pitch in and make the show better. “These are the types of things I believe artists should be involved in,” added Herrero, who also serves as a children’s teaching assistant at the Carnegie Museum of Art. “The ‘Art Blast’ was an opportunity to get Cal U involved, and it’s important that we continue to do more.” 3 2012sept10journaldraft1.qxp_03-24-08 CAL U JOURNAL.qxd 9/5/12 11:36 AM Page 4 Cal U Announces Hall of Fame Class ive individuals will comprise California University of Pennsylvania’s 18th Athletic Hall of Fame class. The 2012 inductees are Katie BarkerCollins, Class of 2006 (women’s volleyball); Lori Burkholder (softball); Thomas “Shot” Jackson, Class of 1977 (football, wrestling, track and field); the late President Emeritus Dr. George H. Roadman, Class of 1941; and Derrick Scott, Class of 1997 (men’s basketball). These former Vulcan standouts will be inducted officially at the 2012 Cal U Athletic Hall of Fame dinner, set for 5:30 p.m. Oct. 12 in the Performance Center inside the Elmo Natali Student Center on Cal U’s main campus. The inductees also will be featured on the scoreboard during the Vulcans’ Homecoming football game against Lock Haven University the following afternoon. Tickets for the Hall of Fame dinner are $30 each. The public may attend. For reservations, contact Montean Dean in the Office of Alumni Relations, 724-9384418. Proceeds from the dinner will be used to establish a Hall of Fame athletic scholarship. Each inductee will be profiled in the Journal. Here are their Hall of Fame credentials. Katie Barker-Collins ’06 (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin HS) was an outside hitter for the women’s volleyball team from 20022005. She finished her career as the program’s all-time career leader in kills (1,895) and digs (1,821), both the secondhighest totals in school history. Her 149 career service aces and 464 games played currently rank third and fifth, respectively. In 2004, Barker-Collins’ 641 kills led the PSAC and ranked ninth in the NCAA’s Division II. She was a three-time AVCA All-Region selection, earning first-team honors her junior and senior seasons. Also a three-time all-conference and two-time time CoSIDA Academic All-District selection, Barker-Collins was named to the 2004 NCAA Atlantic Regional AllTournament team. Cal U competed in the NCAA post-season each year that she played for the Vulcans, and she led the team to its first PSAC title in 13 years during her 2005 senior season. Lori Burkholder (Carmichaels, Pa./Carmichaels HS) was a four-year starting centerfielder for the softball team from 1990-1993. She remains the program’s career leader in triples (22) and stolen bases (73); including a single-season school record 27 in 1990. Burkholder also finished with a .385 career batting average, which still ranks sixth in program history. She scored a record-breaking 56 runs in 1993. A three-time NFCA All-Region and allconference selection, Burkholder was a second-team All-American in 1993. She helped the Vulcans make the program’s first four NCAA tourney appearances and win F the first Cal U women’s team PSAC championship in 1991. Cal U’s cumulative record during the Burkholder years was 148-40-1, with a 36-4 PSAC-West mark. Thomas “Shot” Jackson ’77 (Houston, Pa./Chartiers-Houston HS) was a threesport star for the Vulcans from 1973-1977, starring in football, wrestling and track and field. During his 1976 senior season in football, the defensive lineman served as cocaptain and was named MVP after compiling a team-high 139 tackles. He also received the Andrew Kuzemka Memorial Award for commendable athletic and academic success. Jackson compiled a 52-15 career wrestling record at 177 pounds and was a four-time NAIA Tournament qualifier. He earned second place at the 1977 PSAC Wrestling Championships after third and fourth place showings the previous two years. He also competed in pole vault and earned four letters on the track and field team. Dr. George H. Roadman ’41 (Merrittstown, Pa./Redstone HS) was Cal U’s fourth president, serving from 19681977. He previously had been a professor and then an administrator at California, his alma mater, for 23 years. He was the school’s Dean of Academic Affairs from 1957 until being named President. During Roadman’s presidency, Cal enjoyed considerable athletic success. The men’s basketball team won the program’s first of eight PSAC titles in 1970, and the men’s tennis team won consecutive conference crowns in 1971-1972. The school also expanded its athletic facilities during Roadman’s tenure, including the 1970 opening of Adamson Stadium. In recognition of Roadman’s contribution to the Cal U community and to Vulcan athletics, the College Farm sports and recreation complex on the south campus was named the George H. Roadman Recreational Park. Derrick Scott ’97 (Duquesne, Pa./Duquesne HS) was a four-year starting post-player for the men’s basketball team from 1993-1997. He finished with 1,661 career points and 808 career rebounds, while shooting over 60 percent from the floor. He still ranks sixth in career scoring and fourth in career rebounding. A three-time all-conference selection, Scott was named to the 1994 NCAA East Regional All-Tournament Team. He helped the Vulcans make three consecutive NCAA tourney appearances, NCAA Regional title games and PSAC finals, plus two PSAC championships. In addition, the team reached the 1996 NCAA Division II National Final Four. Over his first three seasons, the Vulcans compiled a 75-18 cumulative record and 315 PSAC-West mark. The Vulcans made a fourth straight PSAC Final Four showing Scott’s final season. Register Now for Teaching and Learning Conference egistration is under way for the Berger Fellowship Conference, Celebrating Excellence in Teaching and Learning, set for 9 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Oct. 6 in the Convocation Center. Designed for classroom teachers, reading specialists, preservice teachers and other educators, this affordable conference focuses on achieving excellence in education. Keynote speaker is Dr. Richard L. Allington, a professor of education at the University of Tennessee and an internationally recognized literacy researcher. A past president of the National Reading Conference and the International Reading Association, he is the author of more than 100 articles, chapters, monographs and books, many dealing with effective instruction and teaching reading to students with learning disabilities. Allington will hold a book signing after his keynote address, which will address “raising the bar” in teaching. For an additional $20 fee, a limited number of attendees may register to join him at an informal, interactive luncheon. In addition to the keynote talk, educators from southwestern Pennsylvania will present 15 workshop sessions at the conference. Attendees can choose among topics such as “Enrichment R and Intervention,” “Class-wide Peer Tutoring,” “Motivating Students Through Authentic Learning Experiences” and teaching 21stcentury learners using iPads, archival photographs or graphic novels. The conference is affordably priced at just $30, thanks to generous support from the Jeff and Beverly Berger Faculty Fellowship in Education at Cal U. To promote their participation in this substantive learning experience, undergraduate students at California University will be admitted free of charge. The registration fee includes a continental breakfast and light refreshments. Act 48 credits are available for education professionals. Online registration closes Oct. 1. Seating is limited; if the conference is filled, no onsite registration will be available. To register with a check or money order, make checks payable to the Foundation for California University of Pennsylvania, and write “Berger Fellowship Conference” on the memo line. Send payment to the Foundation at P.O. Box 668, California, PA 15419. For a complete conference schedule, keynote speaker’s biography and other details, visit www.calu.edu . Read All About It Taking advantage of the shade provided by nearly 500 trees on Cal U’s 96­acre main campus, geology major Andrew Dieffenbach catches up on his reading in between classed during the first week of the semester. The California Journal is published weekly by California University of Pennsylvania, a member of The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Geraldine M. Jones Acting University President Robert Thorn Vice President for Administration and Finance Dr. Nancy Pinardi Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Bruce Barnhart Acting Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs Craig Butzine Vice President for Marketing and University Relations Christine Kindl Editor Dr. Charles Mance Vice President for University Technology Services Sharon Navoney Interim Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Bruce Wald, Wendy Mackall, Jeff Bender Writers Office of Communications and Public Relations 250 University Avenue California, PA 15419 724-938-4195 wald@calu.edu