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FAST Online - home http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php en-US http://backend.userland.com/rss092 From Tim Wynn: 'Desk Notes, Vol. 6' regarding summer construction <p>This is the sixth edition of my “Desk Notes.” For those of you who have not been here this summer, the original concept of the “Desk Notes” was to give a little more insight to staff and faculty on the ongoing construction during the summer. I am uncertain whether I should continue through the academic year as I am acutely aware of the competition for the time and attention of the staff and faculty. On the other hand, I guess you can just hit “delete.” Let me know your thoughts.</p><a href="http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&p=1354&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more1354">[...] Read more!</a> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&title=from_tim_wynn_desk_notes_vol_6_regarding&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Shared leave donation needs - Sept. 17, 2009 <p>Human Resources has added the following names to the list of employees who are eligible to receive shared leave in accordance with RCW 41.04.650:</p><ul><li>Armstrong, Brenda</li><li>Cleveland, Paul</li><li>Delarosa, Juanito</li><li>Muska, Georgie</li><li>Perigo, Ashley</li></ul><p>Employees may donate vacation leave, accrued sick leave and personal holiday leave as long as the donations don’t cause them to fall below the minimum balances. Leave donation forms are available online.</p> <p>Questions regarding shared leave may be directed to Human Resources at ext. 3774.</p> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=2&title=shared_leave_donation_needs_sept_17_2009&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Faculty members may apply for professional leave <p>Section 10 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between WWU and United Faculty of Western Washington University provides the following information about faculty professional leave:</p><blockquote><p>Professional leave is granted for the purpose of affording faculty members an opportunity to carry forward research, to improve teaching techniques or methods or to participate in other creative endeavors which by their nature and scope enable individuals to enhance their contributions to the programs of the university.</p></blockquote><p>Faculty professional leave application forms are available from the dean of each college and from the Provost Office's Web site at <a href="http://www.wwu.edu/provost/faculty/documents/plform-091208.doc">http://www.wwu.edu/provost/faculty/documents/plform-091208.doc</a>. Completed applications must be submitted by department chairs to the appropriate dean by Oct. 15.</p><p>Decisions to approve professional leave applications will be made by Provost Catherine Riordan and President Bruce Shepard by Jan. 15, 2010.<br /> <br /> Additional information about the professional leave process is located in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. </p> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=2&title=faculty_members_may_apply_for_profession&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Business and Financial Affairs launches new internal controls Web site <p>The Business and Financial Affairs division at WWU has launched its Internal Controls Office Web site, which can be accessed at <a href="http://www.wwu.edu/depts/fs/InternalControls/index.shtml" title="http://www.wwu.edu/depts/fs/InternalControls/index.shtml">http://www.wwu.edu/depts/fs/InternalControls/index.shtml</a>.</p> <p>The site spotlights information about internal controls, internal control red flags (unrelated to identity theft red flags), the internal control officer, recommendations for safeguarding confidential information, and helpful links.</p> <p>A featured item of merit is the Internal Control Vulnerability Risk Assessment. This tool can help offices improve operational efficiencies. It can be completed at office staff members' convenience; they would simply need to call the Internal Control Office and ask about taking the assessment.</p> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&title=business_and_financial_affairs_launches_&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Parking lots to be reserved for upcoming events <p>Thirty spaces will be reserved in Parking Lot 12A at 10 a.m. Sept. 22 for the Old Main Society lunch.</p> <p>Parking Lot 14G will be reserved at 4:15 p.m. Sept. 22 for the president's convocation reception.</p> <p>The parking office will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19 and 20, for move-in weekend.</p> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&title=parking_lots_to_be_reserved_for_upcoming&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Fall coursepacks should be submitted asap <p>Reminder to faculty members: If you have a coursepack (student class manual) for fall quarter, please submit it to the Copyright Office as soon as possible. Aug. 24 was the due date for submitting coursepacks for fall quarter 2009.</p><p>Coursepack Request Forms and a list of due dates for academic year 2009-2010 are available at <a href="http://west.wwu.edu/atus/copyright">http://west.wwu.edu/atus/copyright</a>. If you have questions contact the Copyright Office, Wilson Library Room 562, ext. 7435, e-mail <a href="mailto:wwu.copyright@wwu.edu">wwu.copyright@wwu.edu</a>.</p> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=2&title=fall_coursepacks_should_be_submitted_asa&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Sheila Webb (Journalism) <p><strong>Sheila Webb</strong> (Journalism) received the First Place Faculty Paper Award in the Magazine Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication at the annual convention in August in Boston. The award was for Webb's paper "The Creation of Community in Reiman Magazines–A Reader Reception Study." The paper is part of a continuing study on the Reiman Co. magazines.</p><a href="http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=26&p=1348&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more1348">[...] Read more!</a> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=26&title=sheila_webb_journalism&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 From Tim Wynn: 'Desk Notes, Vol. 5' regarding summer construction <p>This is the fifth edition of my "Desk Notes." One of the best parts of doing this bi-weekly memo is the feedback that I am getting from all over campus. Sometimes the feedback is not necessarily something that I like to hear, but it definitely is something that I need to hear. I try to make sure that each question gets answered by either me or my staff. If I have missed replying, please try again, as I may have missed some because of the amount of message traffic or a random spam filter that seems to be functioning in my computer with the sole purpose of driving me nuts.</p><p>We are working very hard to complete all the summer projects prior to start of class. We are prioritizing the residence hall work and the classroom work. The annual steam shutdown was completed on Tuesday, Sept. 8, and we are fully operational as of today. The plumbers, steam engineers, insulators and electricians have done a fantastic job during this period to take maximum opportunity of the system downtime to perform critical maintenance and repair.</p><a href="http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&p=1347&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more1347">[...] Read more!</a> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&title=from_tim_wynn_desk_notes_vol_5_regarding&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Faculty and staff breakfast and convocation is Sept. 16 <p><em>RSVP deadline is Sept. 11</em></p><p>All WWU faculty and staff are welcome to join President Bruce Shepard for breakfast and opening convocation on Wednesday, Sept. 16.</p><p>Breakfast will be served in the Viking Commons from 7:30 to 8:25 a.m., and the president's address on the Performing Arts Center Mainstage will take palce from 8:40 to 9:30 a.m.</p><a href="http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&p=1346&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more1346">[...] Read more!</a> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&title=faculty_and_staff_breakfast_and_convocat_16&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Admissions office announces new hires <div class="image_block" style="width: 408px"><img src="/v4/media/blogs/pubs/new-staff.png" alt="" width="400" /><div class="image_legend">Left to right: Jessica Shasserre, Jose Rodriguez, Kayle Walls and Erin Jensen.<br /><div align="right"><strong>Image courtesy of WWU Admissions</strong></div></div></div><p></p> <p>Western Washington University’s Office of Admissions has some new faces joining the team this fall to welcome prospective students and their families to learn more about Western.</p><p>Kayle Walls (spring 2009 WWU grad) and Erin Jensen (spring 2008 WWU grad) were hired as full-time admissions counselors this summer. Aside from general counselor duties and program planning, Walls will focus on building a network of faculty, student and alumni volunteers to help support recruitment efforts and will oversee the Student Admissions Representative program. Jensen, who has been working as a temporary advisor for the past year, will play an important role on the communication team working on publications about Western going out to the community.</p><a href="http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=2&p=1345&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more1345">[...] Read more!</a> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=2&title=admissions_office_announces_new_hires&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Changes made to equipment tagging policy: 'Small and attractive' items must be tagged <p>The following items are considered "small and attractive" costing between $300.00 and $4,999.99 must be tagged:</p><ul><li>Firearms and accessories (1005)</li><li>Chemical weapons & equipment (1040)</li><li>Weapons, Misc. signal guns, etc. (1095) </li><li>Cameras, Motion picture (6710) </li><li>Cameras, still pictures (6720)</li><li>Photographic projection equipment (6730)</li><li>Portable Microcomputer systems, laptops, notebooks, and mini note books (7013)</li></ul><a href="http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&p=1344&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more1344">[...] Read more!</a> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&title=changes_made_to_equipment_tagging_policy&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Registrar’s Office extends thanks to volunteers <p>The Registrar’s Office would like to thank the following people who volunteered as marshals at the Summer Commencement Ceremony:</p><ul><li>David Brunnemer</li><li>Willy Hart</li><li>Warren Howe</li><li>John Purdie</li></ul><p>Please know that your help was very much appreciated.<br /></p> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=14&title=registrar_s_office_extends_thanks_to_vol_4&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Shared leave donation needs - Sept. 4, 2009 <p>Human Resources has added the following names to the list of employees who are eligible to receive shared leave in accordance with RCW 41.04.650:</p><ul><li>Armstrong, Brenda</li><li>Bisconer, Mike</li><li>Cleveland, Paul</li><li>Delarosa, Juanito</li><li>Muska, Georgie</li><li>Koenig, Robin</li><li>Perigo, Ashley</li></ul><a href="http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=2&p=1342&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more1342">[...] Read more!</a> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=2&title=shared_leave_donation_needs_sept_4_2009&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Charles J. "Jerry" Flora (Biology, emeritus) <p><strong>Charles J. "Jerry" Flor</strong>a (Biology, emeritus), with Philip S. Ely and Amelia R. (Rosemary) Flora, has published "Microatoll Edge to Enso Annulus Growth Suggests Sea Level Change." It is No. 571 in the Atoll Research Bulletin of the Smithsonian Institution. The ARB Web site is <a href="#mce_temp_url#">http://www.sil.si.edu/digitalcollections/atollresearchbulletin/</a>.</p> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=26&title=charles_j_jerry_flora_biology_emeritus&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 From Tim Wynn: 'Desk Notes, Vol. 4' regarding summer construction <p>This is the fourth edition of my “Desk Notes.” Again, thanks to all for your questions and comments. Your input helps Facilities Management do a better job serving the university. I would particularly like to thank everyone who responded to the proposed reductions in the custodial service. These budget-driven reductions were not welcomed by anyone. Your comments were, for the most part, extremely thoughtful and provided a basis to reduce the impact of the reductions.</p><p>Right after commencement on Aug. 22, we will begin the annual steam shutdown. This is an annual event that allows us to provide critical maintenance to the utility systems on campus. These systems, with the exception of this annual shutdown, run 24/7 all year long. That being the case, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to perform maintenance on these systems during the regular year without causing severe disruption in campus facilities. The annual shutdown allows us to operate the steam and electrical systems at a very high level of reliability. Thanks for your continued understanding and accommodation for this very necessary annual event.</p><a href="http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&p=1340&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more1340">[...] Read more!</a> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&title=from_tim_wynn_desk_notes_regarding_summe_4&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Work continues on bicycle and pedestrian paths in south campus <div class="image_block"><img src="/v4/media/blogs/pubs/717V8473.png" alt="" width="450" height="254" /><div class="image_legend" align="right"><strong>Photo by Adam Cochran | WWU intern</strong></div></div><p></p> <p>Work is continuing on the new pedestrian and bicycle walkways in the southern portion of campus.</p> <p>The project is scheduled for completion in early September.</p> <p>For more information, check out "<a href="http://www.wwu.edu/depts/fm/Services/FDCA/Publications/pdf/SOT-Spring09.pdf" target="_blank">The Shape of Things to Come</a>" from Western's Facilities Management.</p> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&title=title_28&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Special parking rules in place for summer break <p>During break (Aug. 23 to Sept. 20), vehicles displaying a valid summer or annual WWU permit or WWU bus pass may be parked in any lot, with the exception of 6V, 8G, 10G, 11G, 23V, 24G, 25G, 29G, AIC, CBS and ET. Permits/passes are not valid in metered spaces.</p><a href="http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&p=1338&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more1338">[...] Read more!</a> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&title=special_parking_rules_in_place_for_summe&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Parking lot reservations, Aug. 22 <p>The following parking lots will be reserved for commencement beginning at 7 a.m. Aug. 22: 8G for president's platform party; 10G for elderly, disabled and media; 14G for staff and faculty.</p> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&title=parking_lot_reservations_aug_22&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Miller Market will be only dining venue open during steam shutdown <p>The annual steam shutdown will occur on campus Sunday, Aug. 30 to Thursday, Sept. 10. The Whatcom County Health Department requires accessibility to hot running water in restrooms for our customers in order for us to prepare and serve made-to-order food and beverages. During the steam shutdown, all hot running water on campus is turned off.</p><p>Miller Market, located on Red Square in its temporary location, will be the only University Dining venue open during this time:</p><a href="http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&p=1336&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more1336">[...] Read more!</a> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&title=miller_market_will_be_only_dining_venue_&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Board to verify eligibility of family members of WWU employees to receive health benefits <p>The Public Employees Benefits Board program provides health benefits to WWU employees and their eligible dependents. Under PEBB rules, officials also must ensure that people who do not qualify for PEBB benefits are not receiving them.</p><p>This fall, PEBB will verify eligibility for all family members (except extended dependents and dependents with disabilities) enrolled on an employee’s account. PEBB will mail a letter to subscribers in September providing information on PEBB eligibility rules and including directions for subscribers to either:</p><ol><li>Remove their ineligible dependents, or</li><a href="http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&p=1335&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more1335">[...] Read more!</a> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&title=board_to_verify_eligibility_of_wwu_emplo&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Intensive English Program looking for homestay placements <p>The Intensive English Program is looking for a few homestay placements for international students arriving for fall quarter. If interested, contact Maddie Mallahan at ext. 3755 or <a href="mailto:IEP@wwu.edu">IEP@wwu.edu</a>.</p> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&title=intensive_english_program_looking_for_ho&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 From Tim Wynn: Info regarding reductions in custodial services <p>To the campus community:</p> <p>As you know, everyone on campus is facing budget reductions. Academic Custodial Services also has been affected and must reduce annual custodial expenses by 8 percent, or $165,000, for the 2009-10 fiscal year.</p> <p>Because of that, starting Sept. 1, Academic Custodial Services will be reducing state-funded custodial services within academic buildings on campus. These reductions are intended to maximize available resources and also to align with university sustainability goals.</p> <p>We appreciate your patience and understanding as we make these changes, which include:</p> <a href="http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&p=1333&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more1333">[...] Read more!</a> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&title=from_tim_wynn_info_regarding_reductions_&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Paul Piper (Library) <p><strong>Paul Piper</strong> (Library) had his poem "Art in America" published in "Off the Coast," Vol XV, No. 2 (Summer 2009).</p> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=26&title=paul_piper_library_1&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Joseph Trimble (Psychology, Assessment, WCE) <p><strong>Joseph E. Trimble</strong> (Psychology, Assessment, WCE) presented the keynote lecture at the biennial 5th Critical Multicultural and Diversity Counselling and Psychotherapy Conference sponsored by the University of Toronto's Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. The address was titled "Bear Spends Time in Our Dreams Now: Magical Thinking, Ritual, and Spiritual Considerations in Counselling Theory and Practice." In addition, he participated in a personal "In the Therapist Chair" interview with one of the senior conference coordinators.</p><p>Also, The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education presented him with their Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award for Multicultural and Diversity Counselling. While in Toronto he also attended the 117th annual convention of the American Psychological Association, where he presented a keynote lecture titled "Ethics and the Responsible Conduct of Research with Ethnocultural Populations" and three symposia presentations titled "Establishing Culturally Affirmative Counseling Environments: North American Indians and Natives," "Working Culturally and Competently with Persons of North American Indian and Alaska Native Descent: The Culturally Adaptive Model of Counseling" and "Joining the Publication Pipeline: How to Review a Manuscript."</p><p>Additionally, at the convention, he received the Henry Tomes Award for Distinguished Contributions to the Advancement of Ethnic Minority Psychology awarded by the Council of National Psychological Associations for the Advancement of Ethnic Minority Interests and the American Psychological Association's Society for the Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues.</p> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=26&title=joseph_trimble_psychology_assessment_wce&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Shared leave donation needs - Aug. 12, 2009 <p>Human Resources has added the following names to the list of employees who are eligible to receive shared leave in accordance with RCW 41.04.650:</p><a href="http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=2&p=1330&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more1330">[...] Read more!</a> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=2&title=shared_leave_donation_needs_aug_12_2009&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Faculty attending summer commencement <p>The following faculty members should have received a memo from Jana Schueler of the Registrar's Office confirming their attendance at summer commencement: Elizabeth Boland, Bob Keiper, Don Larsen, Sherry Mallory, Louis Lap Nguyen, Christine Schaefer, Daniel Warner, and Peggy Watt.</p><a href="http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&p=1329&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more1329">[...] Read more!</a> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&title=faculty_attending_summer_commencement&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Avoid traffic and noise during summer commencement <p>Commencement activities begin at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, in Carver Gym, Red Square and the SMATE Building.</p><p>The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. and is followed by the Memory Walk to Old Main, which concludes at approximately noon.</p><p>All academic and administrative units are asked to avoid activity that would conflict with commencement.</p> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&title=title_27&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 From Tim Wynn: 'Desk Notes, Vol. 3' regarding summer construction <p>This is the third edition of my "Desk Notes." I would, again, like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to my second message. I would even like to thank the many individuals who responded to the 'thongs' typo. The comments were all in good humor and were much enjoyed by me and my staff.</p> <p>We managed to make it through the heat wave, although many of the building air-handling systems struggled, and a few even failed. The good news is that we are back to a more typical summer weather pattern. Thanks to everyone for your patience and perseverance during that period.</p> <p>Many of you may have noticed some intense activity in and around the entrance of Carver Gymnasium starting at the beginning of last week (Aug. 3). We have found that the sewer line leading from the bathrooms in the PEHR wing has failed and, apparently, has been in that condition for some time. We have had to cut a hole through the structural slab and will be pumping and excavating a large amount of material from under Carver in order to assess the extent of repair/replacement necessary for the sewer line. This work will, unfortunately, take an extended period of time. We will do everything we can to mitigate the impact of the work to the remaining occupants of Carver. I will keep you updated as we figure out how to deal with this breathtaking mess. By the way, if you see any of our great plumbers, please thank them profusely. They have earned that and more for their professionalism and good humor during the work on this job (No, I will not repeat their more interesting 'non sequiturs').</p> <a href="http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&p=1327&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more1327">[...] Read more!</a> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&title=from_tim_wynn_desk_notes_vol_3_regarding&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Shared leave donation needs - Aug. 10, 2009 <p>Human Resources has added the following names to the list of employees who are eligible to receive shared leave in accordance with RCW 41.04.650:</p><a href="http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=2&p=1326&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more1326">[...] Read more!</a> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=2&title=shared_leave_donation_needs_aug_10_2009&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Have extra fruit or vegetables? Small Potatoes Gleaning Project will harvest it for you <p><em>Plant too much this year? Donate your excess to food banks</em> </p><p>Visits to Whatcom County food banks have increased by close to 40 percent in the past two years. The Small Potatoes Gleaning Project is helping to meet the growing need by rescuing or gleaning vegetables and fruit from local farms and home owners' fruit trees.</p><p>Small Potatoes, now in its ninth season, works with local farmers and homeowners to harvest produce that would otherwise rot or be plowed back into the ground. Small Potatoes delivers the harvested food to more than two dozen food banks or feeding programs around Whatcom County.</p><a href="http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&p=1325&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more1325">[...] Read more!</a> http://onlinefast.org/v4/index.php?blog=18&title=have_extra_fruit_or_vegetables_small_pot&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1