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The English Club will present the film Smoke Signals Feb 11 in Jonas 305 at 7 p.m. - Top

Produced, written, and directed by American Indians, Smoke Signals won the Audience Award and the Filmmaker's Trophy at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. The following quote was taken from the New York Times: "Here is a first feature from Chris Eyre, a 28-year old Cheyenne-Arapaho filmmaker that has an American Indian cast and outlook. And it needs no dispensation for novelty: it stands beautifully on its own merits."

Eyre presents an inviting, affectionate, and witty look at contemporary lives."

Smoke Signals is an important and terribly funny film. We hope that you will be able to attend and that you will encourage your students/friends to attend as well. As always, admission is free.

We are also proud to announce that the director of Smoke Signals, Chris Eyre, will be speaking on campus on February 16. His lecture will begin at 7 p.m. in the multi-purpose room in the Student Union. A reception will follow.

Minutes of the faculty senate meeting - Top

The faculty senate met Wednesday, Jan. 20, 1999, in Jonas 103.

Members attending: Nicholas Wallerstein, Rob Schurrer, Dan Peterson, Barb Chrisman, Randalei Ellis, Steve Babbitt, Tim Martinez, Charles Lamb, Ryan Maher, and Kristi Pearce.

Rob Schurrer moved to approve the meeting agenda. Barb Chrisman seconded the motion. The agenda was approved with the addition of textbook ordering process.

Rob Schurrer moved to approve the Dec. 2 minutes with the addendum prepared by Barb Chrisman regarding the library budget issue. Steve Babbitt seconded the motion. The minutes were approved and it was suggested to forward the minutes to Tom Anderson and Anita Haeder for their proofing as well before publishing them.

The first order of business included making final corrections to the senate constitution. Dan Peterson moved to delete Section 1. D of the Bylaws Article II. Tim Martinez seconded. The motion passed with one member abstaining from casting a vote. Barb Chrisman moved to bring Section 1.b of the Constitution's Article 2.03.1.3 to the vote of the faculty. Tim Martinez seconded the motion. Motion passed. Faculty senate president Tim Steckline will prepare the ballot and e-mail it to the faculty.

The next order of business involved an update regarding the revisions of the faculty handbook. The faculty senate representative, Barb Chrisman, reported that the draft remains with Dr. Cook's office and that she has not received a proposed description regarding the promotion and tenure guidelines for inclusion in the faculty handbook from Dr. Cook for the faculty senate's approval as of yet. She reminded the faculty senate that the faculty handbook should not contradict the COHE handbook; however, it should serve as a local guide for new faculty as well as employed faculty to effectively perform their duties at BHSU. It was also noted that the COHE contract booklets are only available via the BOR homepage.

The following order of business focused on general education. It was noted that the core classes were being approved at the BOR meeting in Vermillion this week and that the next phase is forthcoming. Phase two addresses the additional 15 credit hours specific to each institution's mission. It was suggested that the BHSU general education committee continue their work on determining these 15 credit hours. In addition, the faculty is encouraged to contact committee members with their concerns and suggestions. It was also noted that the general education committee would be asked to present their proposal in writing to the faculty and then to follow that process up with a forum for faculty discussion. The BOR is expecting to receive the institution-approved proposal by January 2000.

To begin the new business issues, Tim Martinez presented the COHE perspective on the merit pay process. He reported that Dr. Cook had explained that the Appendix F evaluation was used to determine merit pay appropriations during the previous year. Consequently, Martinez suggested that each department discuss with their chair and college dean the specific criteria used to determine merit, market, and compression factors when evaluating each faculty member's submitted Appendix F.

The last order of new business highlighted some faculty concerns about a shortage of books ordered for their spring classes, and that some book and software orders were not placed until after the semester began. It was noted that the faculty do understand the nature of the bookstore business; however, it was suggested that each department may wish to invite a university bookstore representative to attend a departmental meeting to work out the teaching and learning issues involved. It also should be noted that the faculty received several student complaints about the registration system this spring term. Many students were unable to attend the first class because they needed to stand in line for long periods of time to pay tuition and fees. In addition, the fall final week schedule created many problems for faculty and students alike. Faculty senators discussed the need to re-think the state-wide plan for next fall's finals week.

The meeting was adjourned at 5 p.m.

Presentation will focus on how to lower your risk of sexual assault - Top

The University Programming Team Lectures Committee will be presenting, Bill Nelson, author of "Your Weapon Within: How to Lower Your Risk of Sexual Assault" Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. in Jonas 305. Admission is free and the lecture will be open to the public.

The focus of this presentation is on education and prevention of sexual assault, with an emphasis on developing and awareness of your surroundings, learning to identify potentially dangerous situations, trusting your instincts, being creative, and able to think on your feet if ever involved in an attack, and how traditional gender roles, sexism and cultural conditioning can lead to sexual violence against women.

Bill Nelson has spoken to thousands of people across the country on the issues of sexual assault prevention and self defense. Nelson is currently chairman of the board and a volunteer advocate for the Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center and a volunteer advocate for Woman House, a battered women's shelter in central Minnesota. A fifth-degree black belt instructor in the art of Soo Bahk Do Karate, Nelson currently owns and operates a martial arts studio in central Minnesota. He earned his BA degree in psychology, with a minor in criminal justice from St. Cloud State University. Nelson has been a private investigator for the past 15 years and is a former police officer.

For more information please contact, Jay Beyer at 642-6418.

Obtain approval before beginning research projects with humans or animals - Top

Any faculty member or student utilizing human subjects in research projects or animals in research or teaching activities must obtain approval from the animal care and human subjects committee before beginning the project or activity.

For information and application forms, contact the committee chair, Doug Wessel, at USB 9032, phone 6514, or in SW210.

BOP offers driving and first-aid courses - Top

The South Dakota department of transportation through the bureau of personnel is offering the following courses at the Rapid City Howard Johnson.

Contact Becky Bruce at 6549 or Anita Haeder at 6545 to register. These courses are free. However, travel costs will be charged to the requesting department.

• March 16, 1999 - Defensive Driving - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• March 17, 1999 - First Aid with CPR - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• March 18, 1999 - Back Injury Prevention - 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• April 20, 1999 - CPR - 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Instructional improvement committee is receiving applications - Top

The instructional improvement committee is ready to receive applications for course releases for the 1999-2000 school year.

Course releases are available to any full-time faculty member with the approval of his/her dean and department chair. Course releases will be for one semester during the regular academic year. Consideration will be given for summer stipends for faculty unable to apply for a course release for the regular academic year because of documented departmental staffing problems.

Course releases may be granted to:

• design a new course which will be infused with technology or offered through the internet;
• redesign an existing course so that it is infused with technology or offered for internet delivery;
• design a new course or redesign an existing course to be presented collaboratively with other BHSU faculty;
• significantly redesign an existing course; or design a new course.

Proposals for course releases will be reviewed by the instructional improvement committee in February so that the recommendations may be made and approved by April. Proposals should be submitted to the grants and special projects office in Woodburn 220, by the last Friday in January, and will consist of a proposal following the specified format. A copy of the guidelines and proposal format are available from the grants office web page or by contacting your dean or department chair for a hard copy. Ten copies of the proposal are needed so that each member of the IIC can review it. Proposal writers may be requested to make an oral presentation to the committee in support of a proposal.

Faculty-research committee has funds available - Top

The faculty-research committee has funds available for the current fiscal year. Write a short (about three-page) proposal. Proposal forms are available at the academic affairs office. The faculty research committee will review applications March 11.

Proposals are due March 4. It is anticipated that successful applicants will request support for faculty release time, research equipment, travel to research sites, research support for the production of creative work. Education, social science and humanities proposals are encouraged. Funds for two three-hour release times are available for the spring and fall 1999 semesters. You can apply now. The research committee will not provide salary. The committee may approve payment to student or non-student research assistants. Mail ten copies of your proposal to USB 9550.

Grants opportunities announced - Top

Below are the program materials received February 5-12, 1999 in the grants office, 220 Woodburn. For copies of the information, contact our office at 642-6627 or e-mail requests to us at grants@mystic.bhsu.edu. Fellowship information will also be posted on the Student Union bulletin board near the information desk.

• American Philosophical Society. General Research Program. To support scholarly research in all areas of knowledge. The American Philosophical Society makes grants towards the cost of scholarly research in all areas of knowledge except those in which support by government or corporate enterprise is more appropriate. "Scholarly research," as the term is used here, covers most kinds of scholarly inquiry by individuals leading to publication. It does not include journalistic or other writing for general readership. Deadline: March 1 for a June decision, October 1 for a January decision, December 1 for a March decision.
• Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation. Grants Program to encourage projects that focus on cultivating a renewed, healthier, and more vigorous sense of citizenship among the American people, and among peoples of other nations, as well. Deadline: A letter of intent is to be submitted before the full proposal. Full proposals are due by March 1, July 1, September 1, and December 1 in order to meet Foundation Meeting deadlines.
• Chevron Corporation. Program focus is in two specific areas: Education and the Environment. Chevron Corporate Grants are awarded through the Chevron Corporate Center Office to U.S. programs in the following two focus areas: Education, with emphasis on efforts to promote excellence in math and science education, human resources development, equal access. Deadline: March 1 for May 31, July 1 for September 30.
• Karla Scherer Foundation Scholarships. To support women wishing to pursue business careers. The foundation was established to proved undergraduate and graduate scholarships for women wishing to pursue business careers. Particular emphasis is placed on individuals focusing on economics and finance in the manufacturing-based sector. Deadline: March 1, 1999.
• Learning Anytime Anywhere (ED). The Education Department is inviting applications under a major new Learning Anytime Anywhere Partnerships Program (LAAP) to enhance the delivery, quality and accountability of Postsecondary education and career-oriented lifelong learning through technology and related innovates. Deadline: April 2 for required preapplications; June 18 for applications. Funds: $10 million for 25 to 30 awards of $100,000 to $500,000 a year. The project period is 60 months.
• Aging Research Small Grants (NIA). The National Institute on Aging is inviting small grant applications for research in high priority areas that is likely to lead to a subsequent individual research project grant and/or significant advances in aging research in specific areas designated in the solicitation ranging from HIV and aging to tools for genetics research. Deadline: March 17; July 16 and Nov. 17. Applicants may request either $25,000 or $50,000 in direct costs for one year. http://www.nih.gov/grants/guide/index.html Refer to PA-99-049

This week at Black Hills State - Top

Feb. 12 • Senior Day, high school visitation

Feb. 13 • Alumni mile run, Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center fieldhouse, noon

Feb. 15 • President's Day, no classes, CSA holiday

Feb. 16 • Chris Eyre, director of "Smoke Signals" will speak, David B. Miller Yellow Jacket Student Union multipurpose room, 7 p.m.

Feb. 17 • Presentation by Bill Nelson, "How to Lower Your Risk of Sexual Assault," Jonas Hall room 305, 7 p.m.

Feb. 18 • Green and Gold meeting, Cedar House, noon

Feb. 19 • Women's basketball vs. Mt. Marty, Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center, 6 p.m.

• Men's basketball vs. Mt Marty, Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center, 8 p.m.

Feb. 20 • Yellow Jacket Foundation board of directors meetings, Young Center, 1:30 p.m.

• Pre-game tip off social, Stadium Sports Grill, 4-5:30 p.m.

• Women's basketball vs. Dakota Wesleyan, Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center, 6 p.m.

• Men's basketball vs. Dakota Wesleyan, Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center, 8 p.m.