Submit items to Campus Currents - Top

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.

Welcome to Black Hills State University - Top

• Lanny Williamson, custodial worker, facilities services

Transfer - Top

• Karen Cook, from library associate to librarian, E.Y. Berry Library Learning Center

Christmas concert is Sunday - Top

The BHSU Choirs and Community/Concert band will perform a Christmas Concert on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 2:30 p.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Spearfish. There is no admission charge.

Farrokhi presents at national media convention - Top

Dr. Abdollah Farrokhi, professor of mass communication, presented a research session entitled “A Comparison of Survey & Other Scientific Research Methods of Social Science” at the recent National College Media Convention (CMA) in Washington, D.C.

Farrokhi, who chairs the research committee at College Media Advisers Inc., also presented and moderated a research presentation forum at the convention. A number of college professors participated and presented research papers in this panel presentation.  Both quantitative as well as qualitative research papers on various issues of contemporary mass media were presented.

Farrokhi also attended the CMA board of directors’ conference to plan and discuss research presentations for the spring  national convention. This convention will be held in New York City in February. 

The committee chairs will be responsible for planning, organizing and presenting sessions, workshops, lectures, meetings and special events at the national convention.

The Washington, D.C., convention offered over 350 educational sessions to more than 2,700 college journalists in the areas of print, broadcast, public relations and advertising.  The Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) co-sponsors this convention. ACP is the largest and oldest membership association for college-student media in the United States.  College Media Advisers represent faculty and staff advisers from the nation’s collegiate newspapers, yearbooks, magazines, broadcast and online media.

Farrokhi has been a member of the BHSU faculty since 1986. He earned his Ph.D. in mass communications from Florida State University in 1985.

Offensive line coach finds college kids easier to teach, coach - Top

By Dawn Taggart, media relations student intern

Black Hills State University’s offensive line coach, Darin Hahne, finds college teaching a little easier than high school teaching. He said, “I have a lot more time to work one-on-one [with the offensive linemen], and it’s nicer at the college level because they’re paying to be there. They’re more willing to listen, [and] they’re not required to be there by the state as they are in high school.”

Hahne said he enjoys “the fact that I get forty minutes of one-on-one time a day versus about ten at the high school level. [It] is so much more appealing to me.”

Now that the football season is over, Hahne will be trying to contact high school coaches for tapes of potential recruits.

He said, “we have some real needs as far as depth-wise at the running-back spot and the offensive-line spot, and at the receiver spot. Basically, offensive line-wise, we need depth across the board. Defensive-wise we’re pretty solid; we’re a young defense. If anything, we’re just looking for depth in positions such as cornerback, linebacker, and 

maybe defensive tackle, but they’re not specific needs per se—we don’t have to have them, but it’s a nice thing to have depth.”

If there’s any conflict between teaching and recruiting, Hahne doesn’t know yet.

He said, “this is my first college job, so right now I haven’t had any problems, but I haven’t been on the road yet. I’ve just been making phone calls. It will be interesting in the next couple of weeks when we start getting out on the road how it’s going to work out as far as getting classes covered and making sure the material is taught and then being there to evaluate student learning. I’m looking forward to the challenge of balancing [teaching and recruiting], and the excitement of recruiting because I think we can get some good kids here.”

Hahne will be teaching weight training and also a course titled health in the elementary school this semester, and next semester he will teach wellness labs, first aid, tennis, and health in the elementary school.

Hahne’s goal is to “stick around as long as they’ll have me.” He replaced Mike Chavez on the Black Hills State football coaching staff this fall.

Retired BHSU professor appointed to national task force - Top

Dr. Charles Schad, retired professor emeritus at Black Hills State University, was named to the National Task Force on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects. Senator Tom Daschle announced recently that Health and Human Service Secretary Donna Shalala had appointed Schad to the task force.

 In a prepared release, Daschle said, “Schad is a respected expert in the field of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effect (FAE) who has conducted national presentations and developed and taught a graduate-level courses on FAS/FAE. He will work with 12 other board members to advise and coordinate federal, state and local programs on FAS/SAE that help foster public awareness.”

Daschle said, “Charles Schad has proven his commitment and expertise in the field of 

FAS/FAE and will add depth to this board, which is doing important work to prevent and treat FAS/FAE. These conditions are one hundred percent preventable and his work will help ensure that all children have a chance for happy and healthy life.”

Schad has an Ed.D degree in education from the University of South Dakota and has worked in various administrative and teaching capacities at Black Hills State University for over 36 years. He retired as professor emeritus from the BHSU College of Education in 1996. He continues to remain actively involved with education and civic issues at the local, state, and national levels.

Daschle, a long-time advocate and author of legislation for individuals suffering from FAS/FAE, recommended Schad for appointment to the task force.

Western Research Alliance meets at BHSU - Top

The Western Research Alliance (WRA) recently held a symposium on the Black Hills State University campus to learn about research developments from the private and public sectors as well as from local universities. It is the goal of the alliance to provide administrative and financial support to encourage research projects into viable enterprises.

Dr. Paul Gnirk, president of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology alumni association, facilitated the symposium. Welcoming the symposium participants were Dr. Holly Downing, dean of the BHSU College of Arts and Sciences; Bob DeMersseman, president of the Rapid City Area Economic Development Partnership, and Dr. Dan Farrington, BHSU grants and special projects director.

 Presentations from representatives of the private sector and public entities were made by Susan Longhofer, DVM, MS, director, product development, Heska Corporation; Claude Piche, DVM, MSc, managing director, Wildlife Pharmaceuticals; Mike Barnes, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks; and representatives from Black Hills Regional Eye Institute and Inter Tribal Bison Cooperative.  

Representing local universities and making presentations were Dr. Kerri Vierling, assistant professor of biology at SDSM&T; Dr. Shane Sarver, assistant professor of biology at BHSU; and Dr. Michael Zehfus, assistant professor of chemistry at BHSU.

Bob DeMersseman, president of the Rapid City Area Economic Development Partnership, addressed a recent symposium meeting of the Western Research Alliance at Black Hills State University. The alliance seeks to provide administrative and financial support to current research projects with commercial potential.

Following the presentations the symposium broke into idea generation and implementation sessions. The participants were to prepare a list of potential research projects in life sciences and to develop specific plans for future action.

Dr. Sherry Farwell, dean of graduate education and research at SDSM&T, summarized the information and identified action items and goals for WRA.

Bureau of personnel offers training opportunities - Top  

The bureau of personnel has openings in the following courses. If anyone is interested in attending any of the below courses, please contact Becky Bruce at 6549 or Anita Haeder at 6545 to register. Both classes are scheduled for 9 a.m.– 4 p.m. at the Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn on the dates indicated.

• The Legal Arena - Nov. 29-30
• The Leadership Challenge - Dec. 13-14

Minutes of the graduate council meeting - Top  

The graduate council met Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 3:30 p.m. in Jonas 309. 

Present were Earley, Steckline, Austin, Alsup, and Silva. Absent were R. Chrisman, Cook, Erickson, Molseed, and Meek. Visitor: Farrokhi.

There was a motion and second to approve the following graduate courses:

•  ED 630 - change name from ED 730 to ED 630 and description

• MKT  572 - delete

• HRM 564 - change prefix and description

• THM 520 - delete

• THM 502 - delete

• THM 501 - delete

Motion passed.

Austin report - There was considerable discussion and the council agreed that the ideas should be presented to the graduate faculty in the colleges of education and business and technology before a final vote.

The next meeting will be on Dec.12 at 3:30 p.m. in Jonas 309.

Minutes of the NCA self-study committee - Top  

Minutes of NCA self-study committee meeting Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 3:30 p.m. in Woodburn Conference Room 1.

Present were  Earley, Downing, D. Wessel, Cook, Heidrich, Haislett, Koppel, Keller, K. Johnson, Silva, Lin, Card, Schamber, A. Hemmingson,           

Absent were Godsell, Lefler and J. Johnson

The chair reported that the committee should have available to it several sources of data - the BOR website and factbook, the BHSU databook, and in the near future the BID (Basic Institutional Data) required by the North Central Association.  The committee discussed ways to avoid the different taskforces requesting the same information from the same people.  The issue was also raised on how and why to find data on qualitative, not quantitative, data and decisions.  While nothing was resolved, the committee agreed to try and use each report and drawn on the data included in that report.

The issue was raised of how to review Ellsworth.  The discussion was about whether to consider it as a separate unit or integrate it into the whole.  The issue was not resolved but the general conclusion appeared to be that Ellsworth should be a part of the totality, like evening and weekend programs at other institutions.  If necessary, it could be described in a stand-alone context.

The chair announced that soon the NCA Self-Study would be on line and as soon as that was done the url would be sent to the members of the committee.  The chair warned that the url should be confidential until the report was done.

The chair asked each of the taskforces to report on their status-  

Taskforce 1 - Downing reported that the taskforce had written a rough draft which had been submitted to all committee members.  She then reviewed the draft.  Committee members were to read the draft and send their comments ASAP.

Taskforce 2 - Wessel reported that the taskforce had added Tom Lefler from Ellsworth to the committee and also had met weekly to collect information and begin the draft of their report.

Taskforce 3 - Cook reported that the taskforce was meeting and would be ready with a draft in the spring.

Taskforce 4 - Heidrich reported that the taskforce was waiting until the first three had rough drafts into the committee so they could respond.

Taskforce 5 - Haislett reported that the taskforce was meeting and she would meet with DSU NCA- the discussion would be about whether taskforce 5 should split into two groups - one to deal with integrity and the other to deal with compliance with federal regulations.

The committee agreed to review the draft of taskforce 1- send the comments and corrections to Downing. The committee members will send the time next semester they can meet to Earley ASAP.

The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 16 at 3:30 in Woodburn Conference Room 1.

Faculty research 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 grants office or can be printed out from their webpage.

It is anticipated that successful applicants will request support for faculty release time, research equipment, travel to research sites or research support for the production of creative work. Preference is given to new applicants, particularly in the areas of education, business, social sciences and humanities. A three-hour release time is available for fall of 2001. You can apply now

The applicants are encouraged to contact the committee members for advice prior to completing their proposals. The members are John Alsup, Steve Anderson, Lyle Cook, Tom Cox, Daniel Farrington, Abdollah Farrokhi, chair; Jim Hess, Kathleen Parrow, Shane Sarver and Rob Schurrer.

Grants opportunities announced - Top

Below are the program materials received Nov. 16-29 in the grants office in Woodburn 218. For copies of the information, contact our office at 642-6627 or e-mail requests to us at grants@bhsu.edu. Fellowship information will also be posted on the Student Union bulletin board near the information desk.

• RGK Foundation.  Seeking innovative projects, without geographical limitations, in the areas of health, education, human services and community affairs, the foundation strives to advance knowledge, improve society and help realize human potential at home and abroad.  There is no application deadline for grant requests under $50,000; these requests will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.  The RGK Foundation Grants Committee meets four times a year to consider grants over $50,000.  In 2001 the dates are: Feb. 5, May 7, Aug. 6, and Nov. 5; projects must be submitted six weeks prior to the deadline.

• W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.  The Upjohn Institute invites submission of proposals to conduct policy-relevant research on employment issues.  Submission deadlines and notification dates: Feb. 2, 2001-deadline for three-page summaries and mini-grant proposals; March 2, 2001-finalists invited to prepare a full 15-page proposal; April 10, 2001-full proposals due.

• Chiesman Endowment for Promoting Democracy.  The Black Hills State University’s Chiesman Endowment for Promoting Democracy is seeking applications from BHSU and other university faculty members interested in pursuing research in the areas of democracy, civic education, law-related education, or the promotion of democratic principles and ideals.  The endowment will award three stipends of $4,000 each to individuals who meet certain criteria.  Deadline Jan. 29, 2001; announcement of awards will be Feb. 28, 2001.