Intercom Online......August 12, 1999

Faculty/Staff Alerts

Spanier radio show
to discuss the military

The U.S. military in the 21st century is the topic of the next edition of "To the Best of My Knowledge," President Graham B. Spanier's monthly radio call-in show airing at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 19, on WPSU-FM (91.5, 106.7, 95.1, 90.1, 100.9 and 104.7).

Joining Spanier to discuss the growing role of technology in warfare, the Pentagon's difficulties in attracting and keeping qualified military personnel, and other issues related to the nation's defense will be Adm. Paul Gaffney, chief of Naval research, and Col. Dennis B. Herbert, USMC (retired), assistant for program development at the Applied Research Laboratory.

Veterans, parents of children currently serving in the military and others with an interest in national defense issues are encouraged to join the discussion by calling (800) 543-8242 during the one-hour broadcast. Internet users can link to sound and pictures from the program at http://www.psu.edu/ur/tech/tech.html; and they will be able to contact the president during the program via e-mail to response@psu.edu.

"To the Best of My Knowledge" is designed to explore topics of local and national concern and to allow listeners a chance to communicate directly with Penn State's president.

Maps Collection moving

The University Libraries' Maps Collection at University Park will be closed through Sunday, Aug. 22, while it relocates to 1 Paterno Library. Staff will be unable to provide reference services and portions of the collection will be inaccessible during the move. Patrons needing maps materials may request them at the circulation desk in Pattee Library during this time.

The geographic information systems (GIS) computer lab that was located in this collection is no longer available. However, the ArcView and ArcInfo programs are available in the Ferguson Building computer lab (room 105) from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday.

For more information about the Maps Collection, check the Web at http://www.libraries.psu.edu/crsweb/docs/mapgeo.htm or call (814) 863-0094.

New instructor orientation

The Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) will offer a half-day new instructor orientation workshop, "Planning a Class that Facilitates Learning," Monday, Aug. 23, in 201 Thomas Building, University Park.

Those interested may choose to register for either the 8:30 a.m.-noon or the 1-4:30 p.m. session. This hands-on workshop provides an overview of some basic issues that often concern new faculty and teaching assistants.

Participants are asked to bring to the workshop as much information as possible about their assignment, the course materials and their instructional duties.

Preregistration is required by Aug. 19. Those interested may register online at http://www.psu.edu/celt/nio.html or by calling (814) 863-2599.

Volunteers sought

The Department of Nutrition's Metabolic Diet Study Center is currently recruiting study subjects for a controlled feeding study dealing with lowering cholesterol levels. The next study group will start on Aug. 24. Subjects must be between 50-67 years of age, male or female, be non-smokers and cannot be taking cholesterol-lowering drugs. All meals, lab work and monetary compensation will be provided. For more information, call (814) 863-3168 and leave your name and a phone number. Someone will get back to you.

Absence policy reminder

Faculty and students are reminded of Penn State's policy regarding students' requests for absence from class for the purpose of observing a religious holiday. The University Faculty Senate Policy on Class Attendance
(42-27) states that instructors should provide, within reason, opportunity to make up work for students who are obliged to miss classes for legitimate reasons.

As further clarification, the Academic and Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual (R-4) states that while the University makes every effort to avoid conflicts with religious holidays, when conflicts are unavoidable, the policy is to try to make special arrangements for the students affected.

The Faculty Handbook says that "Faculty members are encouraged to entertain requests for exemptions from class attendance for purposes of religious observances." A list of holy days of the major world religions that may require students to depart from their normal routine is published on the Web by the Center for Ethics
and Religious Affairs at http://www.sa.psu.edu/cera/relhol.html.

Call for golfers

The Centre County United Way and Penn State are seeking sponsors, prize donors, volunteers and golfers for the annual Centre County United Way Golf Tournament, Sept. 30 at the Elks Country Club in Boalsburg, Pa.

For information about participating in the tournament in any capacity, call John Dixon at (814) 863-3634 or Paul Peworchik at (814) 863-1511.

Tailgating recipes wanted

WPSX-TV, Penn State's public television station, wants to share Penn State football fans' tailgating recipes with its viewers. In an effort to share great tailgating recipes, WPSX-TV is seeking recipes from viewers for its latest cooking marathon, "T is for Tailgating" -- a longstanding Penn State tradition.

Some of the recipes received will be prepared during the program by the individuals who submitted them. Recipes can be sent to "T is for Tailgating," WPSX-TV, 205 Wagner Building, University Park, Pa. 16802-3899.

Curriculum changes

Faculty and students should carefully review the curriculum changes occurring in the general education program. The University Faculty Senate adopted new general education guidelines in December 1997 and over the next four years, all colleges and units must implement the new general education standards through a review of their general education offerings. Many new or revised course opportunities will be unfolding in the coming years and students and faculty should give special attention to these changes.

Accurate and up-to-date
information about course offerings and the newly revised general education program can be found at http://www.psu.edu/oue/gened/ or the Comprehensive Academic Advising and Information System (CAAIS) site at http://caais.psu.edu/.

For more information on the general education curriculum and degree requirements, contact the Office of Undergraduate Education, 417 Old Main, University Park, at (814) 863-1864 for a copy of the booklet General Education in the Curriculum, 1999-2000. The booklet -- like the Web site -- outlines components of general education, the structure of the general education program and general education course descriptions.

New copier cards ready

The old, pre-paid Vend-A-Card copier system has been completely phased out of University Park Libraries and replaced with the new id+ LionCash program. New departmental LionCash copier cards that can be used only for copying and printing can be purchased from the id+ office in 131 White Building on the University Park campus. The new cards also will be accepted in the new HUB/Robeson Document Center, scheduled to open later this month.

To purchase cards for your department, call the id+ office at (814) 865-7590. Cards may be purchased through IBIS, with the Interdepartmental Charges and Credits (IDCC) form submitted to &HID.

The amount of the IDCC must equal the total amount of value on all cards requested.

Funds remaining on old Vend-A-Card system cards can be transferred to new LionCash departmental cards in the id+ office. Because the cards were originally purchased from Nittany Office Supply at the discounted value of $80 for $100 of card value, any remaining balance will be transferred to the new cards at 80 percent of the current value.

Back to news index

Back to Intercom home page