The annual International Bazaar, WIU's celebration of international unity, will be held Friday and Saturday, March 5 and 6 in the University Union Grand Ballroom on the WIU campus.
The event is open from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and will feature international pastries, entertainment and displays from various cultures. On Saturday, the bazaar is open from 3:30 to 10 p.m. and will feature a variety of international foods, entertainment, displays, special children's activities and an auction. The local auctioneers at Lowderman Brothers will conduct the auction, which will include genuine items from other countries, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
"The bazaar is an opportunity for WIU and the community to learn about the world," said Rhonda Grover, advisor, International Bazaar. "It's really about bringing the world to Macomb and making the world a smaller place; a place where we can all celebrate our uniqueness."
For the first time in the history of the bazaar, there will be a children's activity room for all ages. Parents and their children can enjoy specially-planned activities with an international flair (face painting, clowns, animal balloons, Origami, etc.) from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday in the gallery outside of the Union Grand Ballroom.
Friday evening admission is $3.50 for the public; $2.50 for students and admission for Saturday is $4.50 for the public; $3.50 for students. Children age 12 and under will be admitted free both days. Call the Union Box Office at 298-1254 for tickets.
For more information, contact the Office of International Education, 298-2426.
WIU students can take the bus as of Feb. 22, with the implementation of the Western Express Student Transportation System.
The Rocky run, or route 1, runs every 10 minutes from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and every 20 minutes from 4 to11 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Friday evening the bus runs from 4 to 9 p.m. at 20-minute intervals. Saturday and Sunday the bus schedule is from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 20-minute intervals.
Other routes will be available in early March, including a route through the Macomb community, according to Vice President for Student Services W. Garry Johnson.
Signs have been placed at 10 locations on and adjacent to campus designating bus stop locations for the route which will provide transportation seven days a week.
Bus stops are located at the north quad, the Charles-Elting intersection, East University Village, the Adams-Charles intersection, the Sherman Drive-Adams intersection, Corbin- Olson halls, the Library, Morgan Hall, Waggoner Hall and Western Hall.
"This is a student initiative that has come to fruition," Johnson said. "It is a great opportunity for the University to provide convenient affordable transportation for all students, and in the future for the Macomb community."
The University purchased five busses from a California transit system. Two of the busses are in service and three more will be added as soon as they arrive. All busses are accessible for individuals with disabilities.
Western has a contract with Laidlaw Transit to provide drivers and technical support for the bus system. Laidlaw currently is the transportation contractor for Macomb Unit 185.
"Dr. Frank Evans and the Macomb school district have been good partners along with the city in making our transportation system a reality," Johnson said. "I'd also like to personally thank Al Harris, director of the University Union, and Pete Hughes, director of purchasing at Western, for their outstanding efforts in making the transit system a reality."
A student transit fee was approved by the Western student body in a referendum vote in May 1998. The WIU Board of Trustees approved the student fee structure for students.
The fee to returning students carrying less than 12 hours will be $19.92 per semester or $1.66 per credit hour. New students will pay $1.33 per credit hour, effective fall 1999. The University also will apply for transportation grant funds to seek operating and capital funds from the federal and state government.
Riders will be able to get on the bus at no charge. Johnson said some type of student identification system may be instituted in the future. Residents in the community will also be allowed to use the bus transportation system, with a fee structure to be initiated in the near future, Johnson said.
For information on the Western Express Student Transportation system, call 298-3353.
Illinois Governor George Ryan has recommended a $137 million increase in funding for Illinois higher education in FY2000, which includes additional resources for Western Illinois University.
Ryan's FY2000 capital budget includes $3,707,900 in capital funds to continue utility tunnel improvements at Western.
The Governor's operating budget recommendation for higher education also includes $15 million more for the Illinois Challenge Initiative to enhance technology and interconnections in the state. The Ryan budget recommendations are slightly less than the $167 million increase recommended by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) and the governor asked IBHE to work on a revised budget for higher education.
"We appreciate the consideration the governor has afforded to higher education and we look forward to working with the IBHE in determining operating budget totals for Western based on the recommended funding level," said President Donald S. Spencer. "The budget levels supported by both IBHE and the governor confirm strongly their support for Western's efforts to confirm our special role in the state."
An FY2000 operating budget of $82,989,800 was initially recommended for WIU by IBHE, but the actual level of funding, based on the governor's budget message, will be finalized in the weeks ahead. The University's FY99 appropriated budget is $77,776,000. "The governor's support for capital funding for Western recognizes the need to upgrade the physical plant of the University so we can maintain a quality campus environment," said Vice President for Administrative Services Jackie Thompson.
The FY2000 capital recommendation includes $3,707,900 for utility tunnel and system improvements, phase three, a continuation of a project designed to upgrade the University's utility distribution system. The second phase of the utility tunnel project was approved for this fiscal year and is currently in design. The first phase work began with funds appropriated in 1991. The three-phase project includes installation of steam supply, condensate returns, electrical and fiber optic communication distribution systems within the entire length of the main tunnel beginning at the Heating Plant and connecting the main tunnel by shallow tunnels to major campus buildings.
Also recommended in the WIU capital budget is $625,200 for capital renewal projects at WIU.
Final action will be taken during the spring legislative session.
"The Jazz of Relating: A Dialogic Perspective on Communication in Personal Relationships" is the topic Dr. Leslie A. Baxter will present at the ninth annual Wayne N. Thompson Lecture at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 8 in the Western Illinois University Union Sandburg Theatre. The lecture, sponsored by WIU's College of Fine Arts and Communication and department of communication, is open free to the public.
Baxter, a professor of communication at the University of Iowa, has published nearly 80 articles, book chapters and books about interpersonal communication. She is past president of the Western States Communication Association and has served on the editorial boards of major scholarly journals.
The annual lecture and scholarships are in honor of Thompson, a 1936 graduate of WIU and a noted professor of speech communication.
Thompson's bequest to the University through the WIU Foundation has resulted in the annual lecture, scholarships to WIU undergraduate and graduate communication students, equipment purchases for WIU classrooms and the naming of a Thompson professor award which provides support for research and accompanying expenses.
The 39th annual meeting of the Western Illinois Credit Union will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 4 in the Union Lincoln Room.
The meeting will begin the institution's 40th year of service. A speaker from the Illinois Credit Union League will be present to make comments about upcoming legislation and the past, present and future of credit unions.
Make reservations by calling the Credit Union at 298-2986 by Tuesday, March 2.
The Physical Plant will shut the steam off to the north campus from 8 a.m. Sunday, May 16 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 1. A second steam outage to north campus is tentatively scheduled from 8 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13.
Buildings affected will include: Bayliss and Henninger halls; Brophy Hall; Commissary; Currens Hall; Greenhouse; Higgins and Thompson halls; Horrabin Hall; Knoblauch Hall; Morgan Hall; Physical Plant; Stipes Hall; Tanner and Wetzel halls; Library; University Union; Waggoner Hall; and Western Hall.
The shutdown is necessary to inspect and repair the large steam lines which serve the buildings on north campus and to insure a minimum amount of problems during extreme weather. If you have any questions or problems with these dates, contact Art McEwen, 298-1834.
The initial steam shutdown for south campus is scheduled for the two weeks after spring semester 2000.The second steam shutdown is tentatively scheduled for the two weeks after the 2000 summer school.
Although most persons in the higher education community can tell you that their school is regionally accredited, a much smaller constituency can tell you much about the self-study process.
As with many activities, the process begins with a Self-Study Plan. This plan needs to focus on the whole institution. The plan should enable wide involvement of constituencies from administrators to alumni, faculty, staff, students and trustees.The plan should incorporate ongoing programs for self evaluation and monitoring of institutional effectiveness and quality. The plan should promote institutional evaluation rather than institutional description. The goal of the plan should be a self-study report which clearly identifies institutional strengths and areas in need of improvement.
A well designed Self-Study Plan will:
(1) establish a clear self-study calendar;
(2) establish goals for the self-study process;
(3) identify responsibilities for the review and analysis of General
Institutional Requirements and to the NCA Criteria for Accreditation;
(4) establish guidelines for the review and report of progress
for concerns expressed by previous evaluation teams; and
(5) propose a preliminary outline.
The WIU Steering Committee has completed the preparation of the Self-Study Plan. Examination copies are available by contacting the Office of the Provost, 298-1066.
The State Universities Retirement System (SURS) will review the three retirement options at meetings on Wednesday, March 10.
Employees may attend a meeting from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Union Capitol Rooms or a meeting from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Horrabin Hall Room 53. The 1:30 meeting will be broadcast to the WIU Regional Center.
WIU employees who hold employment status as of April 1, 1998 have until March 31, 1999 to make their choice regarding the SURS retirement option that best fits their needs.
If SURS has not received your choice by March 31, you will automatically remain in the SURS Traditional Plan.
If you want to choose a new SURS option, mail your completed form to SURS. If you have lost your election form, you may request a form from Human Resources, 298-1853, or call SURS at 1-800-275-7877 (1-800-ASK SURS).
Employees who want additional information have several options: attend one of the march 10 meetings; review the "The Power of Choice" packet (also available for review at the WIU Library or Human Resources, Sherman Hall 105); review "The Power of Choice" at www.surs.com; or purchase a new packet from SURS for $13.
The University Research Council announces its Spring 1999 Competition. The deadline is noon, Thursday, April 8.
The original plus 10 copies of the completed application must be delivered to the Office of Sponsored Projects, Sherman Hall 320. Applications may be obtained from department chairs of the Office of Sponsored Projects.
Giri Raj Gupta, sociology and anthropology authored a review of Shifting Circles of Support: Contextualizing Kinship and Gender in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa edited by Rajni Palriwala and Carla Risseeuw published by AltaMira Press, Walnut Creek, CA, which appeared in Journal of Comparative Family Studies, vol. 29, no. 3, 1998.
Kathy Barclay, Cecelia Benelli, elementary education and reading, and Susan Schoon, Macomb Projects, published "Making the Connection! Science and LIteracy" in Childhood Education, Spring 1999, vol. 75, no. 3, pgs. 146-152.
Kathy Barclay, Cecelia Benelli, and Pamela Godt, elementary education and reading, co-authored "Impacting Emergent Literacy With Head Start's Project ELIPSS: Emergent Literacy Instructional Program and Support Services," published in The Utah Journal of Reading & Literacy, vol.111, no. 1: Winter, 1998, pgs. 4-12.
F. Gene Miller, Curriculum Publications Clearinghouse (CPC), exhibited materials distributed by the Curriculum Publications Clearinghouse at the Illinois Vocational Association Conference in Springfield.
Tim Kupka, theatre, designed the lighting for two pieces and was the production manager for the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble's recent production at the Macomb (County) Center for the Arts in Detroit. The program included Carmina Burana by Orff and included the Rackham Symphony Choir.
Harold Hart, physics, received $32,500 from the Illinois Board of Higher Education for "Secondary Physics Instrumentation Laboratory Year 7."
Jon Dugle, music, was named to the Illinois Bandmaster Hall of Fame by Phi Beta Mu, National Honorary Bandmaster Fraternity. Dugle, the 39th inductee, will be enshrined at Northwestern University's Regenstein Concert Hall.
Jazz Studio Orchestra to Play the Grand Theatre March 6
Public Radio for the tri states, WIUM/WIUW, invites you to the Grand Theatre in Keokuk, IA on Saturday, March 6 for an evening of swing jazz.
WIU's Jazz Studio Orchestra will perform at 7 p.m. in the historic theatre, located at 26 North Sixth St. in Keokuk. Admission is a donation ($5 suggested) at the door in support of public radio. For more information, call WIUM/WIUW at 298-1873 or 800/895-2912.
Women's Golf League
The Women's Golf League will hold an organizational meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 7 at the WIU clubhouse to discuss the 1999 schedule.
The meeting will be held rain or shine; refreshments will be available. Attendees may also participate in a putting contest. Dues are $10 for the year, payable at the meeting.
For more information, call Kathy Veroni, 837-2818.
University Theatre Presents "Marvin's Room"
The WIU University Theatre season continues with the production of Scott McPherson's "Marvin's Room" at 7:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, March 7-11 in the Horrabin Hall Theatre. This poignant yet humorous story is about two sisters who reunite after years of estrangement when the elder sister discovers she is ill.
In honor of Women's History Month, the WIU Women's Center will host an evening at "Marvin's Room" on Thursday, March 11.
Tickets for the play with this group will be $7 each (for 15 or more) and immediately following the play, there will be a short discussion held with director Lisa Reimler and several cast members. To be part of this group, contact the Women's Center by Monday, March 8 at 298-2242.
For individuals tickets, $10 for the public and $8 for students, contact the University Theatre Box Office at 298-2900 the week of the show.
Outdoor Trips Program
Bored with your usual weekend routine? Break out of the rut with WIU's recreation, park, and tourism administration (RPTA) department's Horn Field Campus Outdoor Trips Program (OTP).
According to Michael White, RPTA graduate student and OTP coordinator, the goals of the program, which is for both amateurs and pros, are to educate people about the outdoors and train others to become leaders for outdoor experiences such as hiking expeditions, rock climbing excursions and canoe trips. All OTP events are open to both WIU faculty, staff and students and Macomb area residents. Participants must be at least 12 years old, and persons ages 12 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult.
Trips and workshops planned for spring 1999 include: Monday, March 1 - "Caving Pre Trip Meeting." at 7 p.m. in the Currens Hall lobby. All participants in the March 5-6 caving trip are required to attend this meeting; Friday-Saturday, March 5-6 - "Caving at Illinois Caverns." Participants will learn basic caving skills, geology, ecology and teamwork while exploring a noncommercial cave. The registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 26. Cost is $28; Saturday-Monday, March 13-22 - "Wilderness First Responder Training." For more information contact Horn Field Campus at 833-5798; Saturday, April 11- "The Gear Head Convention." 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Horn Field Campus. Participants will learn about some of the newest innovations in outdoor equipment as well as learn about older equipment.
Opportunities to trade and sell equipment at organized swap meet. Cost is $2; Tuesday, March 30 - "Orienteering Workshop." 4-6 p.m. Horn Field Campus. Learn the basics of map and compass reading. Cost is $2; Friday-Saturday, April 9 -10 - "Wilderness Survival Workshop." Horn Field Campus. Learn the proper survival procedures and how to provide shelter, water and food. Cost is $12; Sunday, April 18 - "Canoeing Workshop." 8 a.m. Lake Argyle. Learn basic canoeing skills such as entry and launch, paddling and water safety. Cost is $5; Monday, April 17 - "Caving Pre-Trip Meeting." 7 p.m. In the Currens Hall lobby. This meeting is mandatory for those participating in the April 23-25 climbing trip; Friday-Sunday, April 23-25 - "Climbing Trip to the Palisades." Participants will learn the basics of rock climbing skills. Also camping, nature hikes, stargazing. Cost is $28.
For more information, contact White at 833-5798 or 837-5350, or e-mail HF-Campus @wiu.edu.
Cults Topic of March 3 Panel Discussion
Cults can be dangerous, but they also can be beneficial, says noted expert John Simmons, philosophy and religious studies professor.
Students, service providers and interested professionals are invited to a panel presentation and discussion about cults from 1 to 2:50 p.m. Wednesday, March 3 in WIU's Horrabin Hall 53 electronic classroom. The presentation also will be viewable in the Quad Cities at the WIU Regional Center's electronic classroom, room 111. The WIURC is located at 3561 60th Street in Moline.
The panel discussion will feature Simmons and Janet Lane, a former cult member. Lane, a WIU alumna, is a therapist at Catholic Social Services in Macomb.
"Cults are a necessary part of religious activity in a free society, and we'll take a look at how they can be beneficial, but our overall theme will be about destructive cults," Simmons said. "We will examine how to identify cults, their characteristics, and, most importantly, how to avoid and resist these groups when approached."
The panel discussion about cults is sponsored by the WIU Counseling Center. For more information, call the Counseling Center at 298-2543.
Debt Workshop
The three-hour workshop "How to Get Completely Out of Debt" will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 2 and repeated from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 12 in the WIU Center for Management and Professional Development, Stipes Hall 506.
The workshop is designed to help people regain ownership of their financial life, no matter what their income level, by applying the concepts of the "Debt-Fee and Prosperous Living" money management seminar, which is published by the INC 500 company Financial Independence Network Limited, Inc.
Registration fee is $39 per person. Married couples may attend for a discounted fee of $59.
For more information or to register, call 298-1555. Electronic registration is available at www.wiu.edu/ users/micmpd.
Support Meeting
The next meeting of the faculty, staff, gay, lesbian, bi, transgender and allies group will be at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 10 in the Union Fox Room. The main agenda item is to select a name for the group.
For more information call Martin Dupuis at 298-1261 or Beth Higgs at 298-1056.
SRC News
Water aerobics are offered five days a week in the Student Recreation Aquatics Center: Monday through Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m.
Massages are available Tuesdays from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m.; $2.50 for 15 minutes. Call 298-2797.
Personal fitness training packages are available for $45. Call 298-1228.
Spring Fling rollerblading in the SRC arena will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, March 26. $4 registration fee; instructors available.
New York City Opera to Perform Madama Butterfly March 4
The Bureau of Cultural Affairs and KHQA TV, Quincy, will present the New York City Opera National Company in a performance of Puccini's Madama Butterfly at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 4, in Western Hall.
The opera tells the story of a young girl trapped between two cultures. A Japanese geisha renounces family and religion to become the bride of an American naval lieutenant. The girl clings to her faith in him throughout his three-year absence, only to find that he has taken an American woman as his wife.
For tickets, call the Union Box Office at 298-1254.
WIU New Music Festival March 7-10
WIU's 12th annual New Music Festival, presented by the music department composition area, will be held Sunday through Wednesday, March 7-10.
The Festival brings together some of Western's performing faculty, guest artists and student composers and performers in a round of lectures, concerts and workshops that explore exciting facets of today's new music world, according to Paul Paccione, WIU music professor and festival coordinator.
This year's visiting featured artist is composer, author and publisher Larry Polansky, chairperson of the music department at Dartmouth College. In addition to Polansky, the Festival will host eight composers from across the country.
Festival concerts will be held at 8 p.m. Monday, March 8 and Tuesday, March 9 in the Browne Hall Hainline Theatre.
Clarinetist Molly Paccione will perform a 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 9 concert of 20th Century clarinet music. A pre-festival concert will be performed at 8 p.m. Sunday, March 7 by the Camerata Woodwind Quintet.
Lecture presentations and a panel discussion will be held in the University Art Gallery from 9 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, March 9. On Wednesday, March 10 a student composers workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to noon in the Hainline Theatre.
All events are free and open to the public. The New Music Festival is supported by Arts Midwest members and friends in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the WIU College of Fine Arts and Communication.
WIU's Macomb Culinary Center Announces Spring Courses
For those who crave an opportunity to learn creative food preparation and presentation, the Macomb Culinary Center will hold four cooking classes.
Introduction to Traditional German Cooking will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, March 29. La Dolce Vita! will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Mondays, April 9 and 12. Hors D'Oeuvres and Appetizers will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, April 26 and Bourgogne will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Mondays, May 3 and 10.
Registration fee for Introduction to Traditional German Cooking and Hors D'Oeuvres and Appetizers is $59 each. Registration fee for La Dolce Vita! and Bourgogne is $79 each.
All courses will be held in Knoblauch Hall 230. Enrollment is limited. Call non-credit programs at 298-1911 for more information or a registration form.
Conferences/Workshops
Beginning Adobe PhotoShop. From 1 to
3 p.m Friday, Feb. 26 in Knoblauch Hall B34. Call 298-2434.
CC:Mail for the Web. From 3:30 to
4:30 p.m. Monday, March 1 Horrabin
Hall 68. Call 298-2434.
Presentation Skills for Teachers: How to Help Students Learn More Effectively. From 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 3. Union Fox Room. Call 298-2434.
Psychology Dept. Colloquium Series. Jacqueline Conley will present "A Multidimensional Assessment of Violent and Nonviolent Female Offenders: An Examination of Personality Structure, Moral Judgement and Criminal Thinking Styles." At 2 p.m. Friday, March 5 in Waggoner Hall 121.
Beginning HTML for Windows. From 3 to 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 8. Horrabin Hall 68. Call 298-2434.
Teaching in Progress: Responding to Student Writing. From 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 9. Stipes Hall 501. Call 298-2434.
Advanced PowerPoint for Windows. From
3 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 10. Stipes Hall 309. Call 298-2434.
CC:Mail for the Web. From 3:30 to
4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 31 Horrabin
Hall 68. Call 298-2434.