Volume XXIII No. 39 • Oct. 8, 1999

  

Submit items to Campus Currents

The Campus Currents is distributed every Friday. If you would like to include an item in the newsletter send it to: Campus Currents, Unit 9512 or by e-mail to Campus Currents. Deadline is Thursday at 8 a.m.

Lech Walesa, former Polish president, spoke at Black Hills State University this week as the tenth speaker in the Madeline A. Young Speaker Series.

State supreme court holds October term at BHSU - Top

Black Hills State University will host the October term of the South Dakota Supreme Court on the 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st of this month.

Chief Justice Robert A. Miller announced recently the state's highest court will be in Spearfish at the David B. Miller Yellow Jacket Student Union.

Dr. Tom Hills, professor of political science at BHSU, said, “There are some of South Dakota's best attorneys presenting before the court this term. In addition, some of cases are of local interest. One involves the South Dakota Cement Plant, another the Belle Fourche Irrigation District, another involves a housing project in Rapid City, and yet another is the death penalty case of Richard Moeller.”

The court will hear oral arguments in three cases on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and in one case on Thursday. Court will open at 9 a.m., and cases will commence on the hour. Booklets containing a schedule of the cases to be heard and a short synopsis of each case, as well as biographical information on the justices and a short summary of appellate procedure will be available for persons attending any of the court's sessions.

In addition to the ten cases scheduled for oral argument during the October term, there are 25 cases on the court's non-oral calendar. As well as considering those cases in which argument is held, the court will consider several non-oral cases each day.

Chief Justice Miller extends a special invitation to the residents of Spearfish and area communities to attend any of the court's sessions.

Information regarding the court's appearance at BHSU is available by contacting Dorothy A. Smith, Clerk of the Court, Supreme Court of South Dakota, 500 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, S.D. 57501-5070.

Enrollment at BHSU is up for the fall semester - Top

“On-campus enrollment shot up 6 percent to 2,935 students, compared to 2,770 in the fall of 1998. That's the second highest on-campus enrollment in the school's history which topped out at 2,965 in 1994,” said President Thomas Flickema, as he reviewed the final count for the fall term. “The overall enrollment situation is very positive for Black Hills State University.”

Steve Ochsner, dean of enrollment services at BHSU, said the overall increase came from new students, transfer students and returning students. This was also the third consecutive year for gains in first-time freshmen enrollments which jumped from 459 in 1997 to 715 this fall, a 56 percent increase.

BHSU, the state's third largest university, reported an overall headcount of 3,747 students for a 2.97 percent increase over last fall's number at Spearfish and at the Ellsworth branch campus.

What pleased the president were the increased numbers of new students and returning students to the northern hills campus. This fall the campus is home to 1,230 new students, a 4 percent increase and 1,705 returning students, a 7.4 percent increase over the previous year.

Ochsner said, “The on-campus increase came about as a result of two things: a good marketing campaign and more scholarships. We're getting more students and better quality as shown by recent ACT scores.”

The enrollment dean was equally pleased with the resident student numbers at both on- and off-campus locations which were up this fall.

“It represents a nice balance,” he said. “It represents a positive growth plan for Black Hills State.”

 

Writing workshops scheduled - Top

Self-sustaining groups of writers will be meeting weekly. These meetings are dedicated to writing and sharing and revising.

The writing workshops are set for Wednesdays at noon at the Market Place, Wednesdays at 3 p.m. in Jonas 103 and Thursdays at 6 p.m. in Common Grounds.

Anyone is welcome to attend these workshops. If you are interested in attending and these times do not work for you, contact Jen Mueller – , Dr. Scott Simpson, Dr. Vincent King, or Dr. Dave Joplin.

Disc golfers compete in snow conditions - Top

Fifteen disc golfers, playing in 32 degrees and a constant snow fall, participated in the last South Dakota disc-golf event for the 1999 season at the 4th Annual "Octoberfling" which was held on the Black Hills State University disc-golf course Saturday, Oct. 2.

Due to the cold and dampness, the disc golfers were forced to wear gloves between throws and carried towels while trying to keep their discs dry. Several players cracked their plastic discs due to the contact with the frozen metal basket.

In the advanced division Don Altmyer birdied 4 of the last 5 holes to overtake defending champion Scott Caesar in a closely fought field. C.T. Kirkpatrick made a hole in one on the 303 foot Hole #7.

In the novice division Jason Thorman made a hole in one on the 249-foot first hole and ran away with the championship.

The results of the two round 38-hole tournament were as follows: (par is a score of 114)

Advanced division: first - Don Altmyer, Spearfish, 98; second - Scott Caesar, Rapid City, 100; third - C.T. Kirkpatrick, Aberdeen, 106; and fourth - Lane Prang, Rapid City, 111.

Novice division: first - Jason Thorman, Spearfish, 106; second - Ryan Heinis, Rapid City, 113 (won second place in a sudden death playoff); third - Richard Massman, Spearfish, 113; and fourth - Shawn Raivo, Spearfish, 114.

Flu shots offered for state employees - Top

Flu shots are available free of charge to all health-plan participants. This includes benefited employees and their participating dependents. It also includes participating retirees and those who have continued their health coverage through COBRA.

Shots will be given at Black Hills State University: Oct. 27 and 28 at 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., room 222 of the Donald E. Young Center. Call student health services at 642-6520 for an appointment.

Flu shots are also available Oct. 20 from 1-6 p.m., at the Health Fair at Black Hills Medical Center, (walk-in clinic) or call for an appointment at the Lawrence County CHS Office (578-2660).

Five new members appointed to the BHSU Alumni Board of Directors - Top

Five new board members have been appointed this year to the Black Hills State University Alumni Association board of directors.

Steve Meeker, director of institutional advancement at BHSU and executive secretary of the alumni association board, announced the following appointments to the board: Larry Vavruska, Class of `68; Myrle Hanson, Class of `53; Stan Triplett, Class of `95; Rebecca Sukstorf, Class of `83; and Donna Page, Class of `82. The five Spearfish residents will serve four-year terms on the board.

Presently, 24 members serve on the alumni board. The board meets several times a year and focuses on promoting the university. The organization recognizes alumni and friends of the university for their service, contributions and accomplishments. The alumni association and board also serve as social catalysts bringing alumni, faculty, students and administration together in support of the university and its mission.

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 Oct. 21.

Proposals are due Oct. 15. 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 unit 9550.

Grants opportunities announced - Top

Below are the program materials received Sept. 23-Oct. 6 in the grants office in Woodburn 220. 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.

  • Japan Foundation. Various levels of research through the exchange of persons; support of Japanese studies; support of Japanese-language instruction; and arts-related exchanges.
  • NSF. Grant proposal guide. NSF 00-2. NSF 003. These forms must be used Oct. 1.
  • EPA. Environmental education grants program. Fed. Reg. announcement Sept. 22. Due Nov. 22.
  • Dow Jones Newspaper Fund. Internship program for summer of 2000 for juniors, seniors and graduate students. Due Nov. 15.
  • NSF. Major research instrumentation (MRI) program. Instrument development and acquisition solicitation. Proposals due at NSF, Jan. 18, 2000.
  • American Mathematical Society. Centennial fellowships for mid-career mathematicians. Due Dec. 1.
  • National Environmental Education Training Program. Environmental Protection Agency. Applications must be postmarked no later than Dec. 15. Purpose: To build on existing efforts that deliver environmental education training and related support services to education professionals across the U.S.
  • Department of the Interior. The U.S. Geological Survey is announcing the availability of funds through the Species at Risk Program (SAR). The basic purpose of SAR is to fund short-term research and assessment projects to generate information that allows development of conservation agreements, action plans, and management alternatives that provide for the protection of flora and fauna and their habitats and thereby reduce the need for listing species as threatened or endangered. Information packages describing requirements for participation in this program will be available upon request until October 29, 1999. Pre-proposals are due by November 1, 1999.
  • The Eppley Foundation for Research. PURPOSE: To encourage and support advanced research in the physical and biological sciences. DEADLINE: 11-01-99, 2-01-00, 5-01-00, 9-01-00. The Foundation prefers to fund individuals rather than ongoing programs or equipment purchases. The Board often considers the most effective use of its funds to be research-initiation grants, with the understanding that sufficient work can be accomplished to enable the researcher to apply for greater sums from federal or other sources.

New Faculty Profile
by Dawn Taggart, media relations student intern

Dr. Richard T. Carter heads department of Indian studies

An interest in the Lakota language attracted Richard T. Carter to Black Hills State University because of its proximity to the reservations and the Native American culture.

Carter, originally from Lincoln, Neb., joined the faculty at BHSU this year to replace Stephanie Charging Eagle in the department of Indian studies. Carter is teaching a Lakota language class this fall, but says he will be working primarily on administrative duties such as grant writing, development of the department, and adding a new web site. For the spring of 2000 semester, he will be teaching a cultural anthropology class in addition to his Lakota language courses.

Carter came here from a visiting associate professor position at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and prior to that was employed at the very prestigious Deep Springs College in California. This college accepts only 26 students at a time, with average SAT scores of about 1450. Carter was one of only seven faculty members chosen to teach any given semester, and had the privilege of being one of very few professors who were awarded two semesters of employment. Most Deep Springs professors are hired for only one semester.

Carter received his bachelor's and master's degrees in anthropology from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1963 and 1966. He earned his Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of New Mexico in 1974.

During his academic career, Carter was the recipient of many awards including the Nebraska All-State Scholastic Team in 1959, a National Merit Finalist in 1959, a University of Nebraska Regents' Scholar from 1959-63, a National Science Foundation fellow in 1964, and the NDEA Title IV Fellow from 1968-70. He was offered the Woodrow Wilson Fellow in 1963, but he declined it because to accept would have required him to change schools.

As far as his experience at Black Hills State, Carter says, everybody is incredibly helpful. He is very impressed with the institution and has made friends with many of the faculty. Carter's leisure interests include amateur astronomy, collecting minerals and spiders, chess, and he hopes to begin a critical study of the ants found in the Black Hills.

This week at BHSU - Top

Friday-Saturday, Oct. 8-9

  • Legislative Audit Office scheduled interviews, contact Career Services

Monday, Oct. 11

  • Native American Day - No classes, CSA holiday

Tuesday, Oct. 12

  • Career development workshop, "Develop Your Major/Career: Advising, Mentoring, and Networking," 10 a.m., Student Union Multipurpose Room 4

Wednesday, Oct. 13

  • United Ministries noon forum series, “Prophecy”, Pangburn Hall,
  • Career development workshop, "Develop Your Major/Career: Advising, Mentoring, and Networking," 3 p.m., Student Union Multipurpose room 4
  • Shuck, Marso & Bennett CPA Firm scheduled interviews, contact Career Services at 642-6277

Thursday, Oct. 14

  • Green & Gold Luncheon, noon, Holiday Inn
  • Career development workshop, "Develop Your Major/Career: Advising, Mentoring, and Networking," 7 p.m., Student Assistant Center, Cook Gym
  • Theatre production - "The Importance of Being Earnest," 8 p.m., Woodburn Auditorium

Friday, Oct. 15

  • Travelogue Series: Lidan Lin on her trip to China, noon, Jonas 305, bring your lunch
  • Theatre production, “The Importance of Being Earnest," 8 p.m., Woodburn Auditorium

Campus calendar