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.

Resignation - Top

• Deb Wessler, staff assistant EAFB

Hesson attends physical education conference - Top

Dr. James Hesson, professor of physical education at Black Hills State University, recently attended the Western College Physical Education Society (WCPES) 46^th Annual Conference in Reno, Nev.

Hesson was invited to serve as a co-discussion leader for a focus group discussion of the topic, “Should we be offering students a background in Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance?”  He was also invited to serve on the Future Directions Committee of WCPES, which decides the future direction of the organization.

The theme for the 46^th Annual Conference was “Integrated Scholarship and Collaboration:  WCPES in the 21^st Century.”  WCPES, originally called the Western College Men’s Physical Education 

Society (WCMPES), met for the first time in the fall of 1956 at the University of Utah to discuss concerns with meeting locations of the College Physical Education Association.  Questionnaires distributed after that meeting led the group to decide to meet independently of the College Physical Education Association, to deal only with the topic of physical education, to use a round-table discussion format without presenters or panels, and to limit each program to discussion of two or three issues.

Hesson earned his Doctor of Education degree at Brigham Young University in 1980.  He has been a professor of biokinetics in the Division of Physical Education and Health at BHSU since 1990.  Since 1993 he has worked each summer at the U.S. Olympic Training Center with athletes and coaches.  He frequently serves as an author and textbook reviewer for several educational publishers.

Dakota Chamber Orchestra will perform at Matthews Opera House Nov. 4 - Top

Dr. Randy Royer, director of instrumental music at Black Hills State University, works with co-concert mistresses, center, Karena Huckins, a senior threatre major and music minor, and Mary Pochop, an adjunct music faculty member, in preparation for the Dakota Chamber Orchestra Fall Music Concert to be held Nov. 4 at 4 p.m. at the Matthew’s Opera House. The fall concert is open to the public at no cost. Concert information is available by contacting Royer at 642-6255.

Environmental authors will present slideshows - Top

Two nationally-known environmental speakers will make slide-show presentations at Black Hills State University Nov. 1 and 2.

Ann Vileisis will present “Discovering the Unknown Landscape,” Nov. 1. Tim Palmer will present “The Heart of America: our landscape, our future,” Nov. 2. Both presentations are at 7 p.m. at the Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center room 214.  The husband and wife team is being sponsored by the Center for the Advancement of Mathematics and Science Education (CAMSE) at Black Hills State University.  The sessions are open to the public at no charge.

Vileisis will present an informative slide show based on her award winning book, “Discovering the Unknown Landscape.” She uses beautiful and jarring images to bring the story of wetland history alive as she explains how Americans have used wetlands in the past and sought to conserve them in recent years. Her slide show reveals the history of America’s wetlands and reflects on some key lessons the past can teach us about protecting these important ecosystems today.

Palmer, author of 12 books and numerous magazine articles about the environment, will speak the following evening, Nov. 2. Palmer has been active in river conservation since 1971. He will show photos and talk about ecosystems in all regions of the country. While showing vivid photographs of the varied land of our nation, he will discuss the issues affecting each type of landscape and the activities of citizens who are engaged in working for better stewardship.

CAMSE administers a scholars program in mathematics and science education that is designed for exceptional students interested in mathematics and science who want to expand their intellectual horizons and be recognized for their abilities and efforts. The focus of this program is to promote excellence in math and science, and particularly in math and science education. Students selected as Center Scholars enter into contracts with faculty members to do additional learning activities such as working in a scientific laboratory, studying special topics, gaining field experience in a school classrooms, or studying special problems in teaching and learning math or science.

Students interested in the CAMSE scholars program should contact Dr. Ben Sayler, director of CAMSE, at 642-6874.

Career center to host career day - Top

Due to the recent tragic events in our country, and their effect on our economy, it is becoming increasingly difficult for individuals to find jobs. The staff at the career center at Black Hills State University is encouraging students to get a head start on their job search by attending a career education day workshop Saturday, Nov. 3 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the BHSU Career Center on the lower level of the Student Union.

 This workshop, which is also open to the general public, will address job search strategies, resume-writing techniques, and internet sites and library resources that will aid in the job search.  The workshop will conclude with a choice of a panel discussion on life after graduation or internship experiences. 

BHSU career counselors advise that new hiring by employers may be cut even more drastically here than in other regions of the country.  Companies that typically hire up to 20 new graduates each year stated they will likely be hiring only two to five this year. This situation will have a strong negative effect on all BHSU students.  All positions, whether they be full-time, part-time, or internships, will become fewer.  The remaining positions will go to those who start early and get to the employers first.  Now is the ideal time for students to begin the job search and to start networking with employers.       

 For further information on the workshop, contact the career center at 642-6277 or stop by on the lower level of the Student Union.  They will also find workshop information on the internet at www.bhsu.edu/careers.

BHSU student is finalist for national entrepreneur award  - Top

Titze was named the 2001 Northern Plains Collegiate Entrepreneur award winner and is one of 14 finalists for the national award which also includes winners from Canada and Mexico. Titze was nominated for the award by Verona Beguin, assistant professor of business, and Priscilla Romkema, assistant professor and director of the Center for Business and Entrepreneurial Studies. The awards are intended to recognize business owners for their exceptional entrepreneurial skill and creativity among undergraduate students enrolled in colleges and universities or technical schools.

Library coffee shop is open - Top  

Items available include espresso, cappuccino, latte`, mocha, house coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate, Italian soda, and assorted juices.

Minutes of the NCA self-study committee meeting  - Top

Minutes of North Central self-study committee Monday Oct. 15 at 3 p.m. in Jonas 110

Present:  Schurrer, Earley, Cook, A. Hemmingson, D. Wessel, Schamber, Fuqua, J. Johnson. Absent: Heidrich, Dar, K. Johnson, Babbitt.

 A discussion took place about the visit of Dr. Breslin.  Chair explained that she will not be a part of the visiting team but is our liaison with the NCA and will help us with our self-study.  In the spring we will be sent 

a list of potential visiting team members and will have input into their selection.

Discussed criterion 2- organization- looked at administration, faculty, and students.  Several suggestions were made as to corrections or changes in the document.  Also discussed the organizational chart.  Agreed that next time we will look at criterion 2 involving physical plant - animal care and safety. 

Minutes of the graduate council meeting Oct. 16 - Top

Minutes of Graduate Council Meeting of Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 3:30 p.m. in Jonas 308. 

Present:  Steckline, Sujithamrack, Thares, Alsup, Molseed, C. Johnston, R. Chrisman, Earley. Absent:  Cook, Erickson, Silva, Austin. 

Changes in curriculum- 

Dr. A. Gabel had proposed the following changes in curriculum

1. PHSI 791:  Special Problems in Physical Science 1-3 hours should be changed to PHSI 791:  Independent Study in Physical Science 1-3 hours

2.CHEM 791:  Special Problems in Chemistry 1-3 hours should be changed to CHEM 791:  Independent Study in Chemistry 1-3 hours

3. BIOL 692:  Special Problems in Biology 1-3 hours should be changed to BIOL 792:  Special Topics in Biology 1-3 hours.

Motion made and seconded to approve. Discussion of  a) PHSI 791 is listed as 1-7 is the 

intent to drop from 1-7 to 1-3 credit hours; and b) why SCI 79: Special Problems was not changed.  Chair said he would talk to Dr. Gabel.  Changes were approved.

Molseed reported that the College of Education was still working on how to handle the large number of graduate students in the current program. Currently there were three options: thesis, collaborative research/publication project, and portfolio.  The last was inactive at this point.  The college was proposing a fourth option: comprehensive exams.  He distributed the latest proposal to the council.  Discussion followed.  Moved and seconded to authorize further development.  Motion passed.

Molseed reported that he was traveling to Pierre and Eagle Butte in the near future to help establish online cohorts for the spring semester.

Thares stated that the graduate students in business were discussing forming a student club.

Instructional improvement grants available - Top

The Instructional Improvement Committee (IIC) encourages, through monetary grants, the application of existing knowledge to specific teaching situations to improve the quality of instruction at BHSU.

Any full- time faculty member, full- time adjunct faculty, or other full- time staff member engaged in student instruction may apply for grant funds administered by the committee.  Grant funding will normally be available up to a maximum of $1,000 per project. Priority will be given to projects that will have a broad-based, visible, continuing impact of instruction across faculty members and/or disciplines. Funds are available for development of materials and methods to improve teaching and learning, equipment to enhance teaching and learning, travel to conferences or workshops which enhance teaching and learning, and bringing consulting lecturers and teaching specialists to campus to offer presentations to and/or with faculty and teaching-support staff at BHSU. 

Faculty members who apply for grants to support travel to a conference or workshop are limited to receiving no more than one grant every three years.  In the other categories, priority will be given to those who have not received an IIC grant in the last academic year.  

Faculty research funds available - Top  

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 

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, Abdollah Farrokhi, chair; Jim Hess, Kathleen Parrow, Shane Sarver, and Rob Schurrer. 

Grant opportunities announced - Top

Below are the program materials received Oct. 11-17 in the grants office, 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.

• The National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance.  E-team course and program development grants.  The goal of the course and program grants is to generate and institutionalize high-quality E-team programs and support existing efforts to teach invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship at schools across the country.  Deadline is Dec. 15.