Greetings,

The beginning of the 2007-2008 academic year is upon us and with it many exciting opportunities and initiatives. I'd like to highlight three.

First, this year's Performing Arts and Presidential Speaker Series (PAPSS) offers another outstanding lineup of visiting speakers and artists and local talent. Building on the theme, "Lessons from History," we have invited three well known talents for the speaker series. We begin in October with Patricia Limerick, a noted historian of the American West and a MacArthur Genius Grant Award winner. She'll be followed in January by Dr. Joseph Esherick, a modern China specialist and winner of the American Historical Association's John K. Fairbanks Prize. Our last speaker for the year is Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns.

Equally impressive are our guest artists. We begin in October with the Pacific Baroque Orchestra program of Handel's music. In winter quarter, we welcome Alasdair Fraser, master fiddler, and Natalie Haas, cellist, who will bring us some of the great music of Scotland, past and present. Sweet Honey in the Rock, an African American women's a cappella gospel group is slated to be on campus in April.

Added to this impressive list of guest artists and speakers are talented representatives of our own Departments of Music and Theatre Arts. Central Theatre Ensemble will stage two plays, Vietnam 101: The War on Campus and Peter Pan. We are bringing back CWU Jazz Band I to perform the Jazz Nutcracker at the beginning of the winter holiday and, for the first time, the series will feature CWU's Percussion Ensemble. We end the year with the CWU Symphony Orchestra and Choirs performing Ralph Vaughan Williams's Serenade to Music and Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

I encourage you to learn more about the series at www.cwu.edu/president/series. There you can read more about each of the performances and find out how to buy tickets and how to save money on season tickets.

I also want to commend the One Book/One Campus initiative which has selected another thought-provoking book to reinforce the PAPSS theme. Timothy Egan's The Worst Hard Time is an engrossing story of the great dust bowl that will set the stage for other activities throughout the year. I want to thank the members of the selection and implementation committee for their outstanding work to weave the One Book/One Campus initiative into the fabric of the university.

Finally, you may remember previous publicity announcing that I was one of the first university presidents who signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment pledge. By this act, I committed CWU to find means and standards in the pursuit of climate neutrality. Signing the pledge was only the first step, and I am pleased to announce that an interdisciplinary, interdivisional team of faculty and staff has put together a proposal to help us move in the right direction. I have selected the proposal as one of this year's Spheres of Distinction. They have proposed five primary activities the university will undertake in the next two years as we create a plan for the future. This includes monitoring of CO2 (carbon dioxide), CO (carbon monoxide), incompletely combusted hydrocarbons, and other major pollutants; conducting research and determining the feasibility of using alternative fuels and methods of heating and cooling the campus; providing training for team members and the entire campus to ensure we have a common vision and common understanding of what it means to move toward carbon neutrality; revitalizing energy and environmental studies courses in our general education curriculum as well as our energy studies program; and developing a plan for progressively increasing carbon neutrality for the campus. I especially want to thank Karen Bicchieri, Bill Vertrees, Pat Nahan, Anne Johansen, Carey Gazis, Bill Bender, Roger Beardsley, and Jim Huckabay for their support of this important initiative.

I hope you've all had a restful summer and are eager to begin a new year together.

Sincerely,

Jerilyn S. McIntyre
President

CWU TOP STORIES

ANNUAL UNIVERSITY COMBINED FUND DRIVE SET TO BEGIN

Two things happen each fall on Central's campus;
classes beginning and the Combined Fund Drive (CFD) takes place. For those new to CWU, the CFD is the state-sponsored campaign "to enable Washington State employees to improve their world, their state, and their communities by making it easier for them to support charitable organizations."

The 2007 campus CFD will kick-off on Tuesday, September 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Union and Recreation Center. It will offer members of the CWU community a chance to visit with representatives from several local charities and non-profits, including Central's Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute and the university-supported Retired Senior Volunteer Program.

The CFD supports a wide range of charitable agencies dealing with animals and the environment, arts and humanities, disaster and recovery relief, health and social concerns, and human services. The 2007 Charitable Giving guide, which includes the entire list of supported charities, is available online at www.cfd.wa.gov/CharityGuide/2007CharityGuide(web).pdf.

Through the CFD, even small, tax-deductible donations can have significant impacts. For example, $5 a month:

• supports a victim of domestic violence with one day's shelter, food, and services;
• buys 188 pounds of food for the needy;
• provides one and a half days of adult day care;
• plants one hundred cedar trees for habitat restoration; and
• supports 21.7 hours of trained volunteers to teach an illiterate adult to read, write, and compute.

At the kickoff event, door prizes will the awarded and those attending will also be able to preview a cookbook being put together by the CWU Human Resources Office as a fund raiser.

This year, the CWU President's Cabinet has set two goals--a fifteen percent contribution rate and total donations of $30,000, which is equivalent to approximately $24 per person per year.

For more information, contact Central's CFD campaign coordinator Karla Shugart at ext. 2270 or via e-mail at shugartk@cwu.edu.

SPURGEON GALLERY TO FEATURE "BENEATH THE CANOPY OF HEAVEN"

A new series of paintings by CWU alumna and Ellensburg artist Jane Orleman will be featured as the first 2007-08 exhibition at the university's Sarah Spurgeon Gallery in Randall Hall. "Beneath the Canopy of Heaven" will be on display from September 29 to October 28, following a public, opening reception Friday, September 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the gallery.

Orleman's newest works feature vibrant dreamscapes filled with goddesses, potent symbols of the feminine and masculine, and Asian religious icons.

Dreams have always been an important source of inspiration for her. She has actually kept a dream journal since she was an art student at Central during her late twenties. Her dream imagery provides a jumping-off point for the transformations that take place in her artwork when mortals become gods, waking reality seeps into the unconscious, and domestic relationships take on universal qualities. These transformations also serve as a metaphor for the artist's own creative process.

The title piece for the exhibition depicts a veritable garden paradise that Orleman inhabits in numerous mortal and mythical guises. As the characters unfold across the long canvas, collecting or repelling rain, fire, and stars with their umbrellas, or simply enjoying a nice day out, the landscape adopts the timeless feel of a beloved place visited over and over again.

Orleman's work has been exhibited widely throughout the Pacific Northwest since the 1970s. Back in February and March, her thirty-year retrospective exhibition was also held at the Spurgeon Gallery.

For more information about Orleman's upcoming exhibition, or the gallery's opening reception, call ext. 2665.

"EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH" FOR JULY, AUGUST RECOGNIZED

Kristi Gladen, information technology services IT trainer,
for July, and Judy Drexler, human resources receptionist, for August, have been honored as the university's civil service "Employee of the Month." During recent surprise ceremonies, each received a certificate and $125 from the president's discretionary fund, through the CWU civil service employee recognition program.

Those nominating Gladen said:

• "Kristi always goes above and beyond the call of duty, and provides exemplary support in her training duties, and other responsibilities; providing the highest level of customer support to her customers. Kristi is always looking for ways to increase her skills."
• "She is constantly learning more and more about applications she teaches. She writes her own training materials and is exceptional in putting together concise, clear, and helpful booklets for her classes."
• "Without a doubt, the ITS department and more importantly CWU look better because of the actions of Kristi."

Those nominating Drexler pointed out:

• "After serving several years as the main HR receptionist, Judy has probably encountered every question or issue imaginable. If she cannot fully address the issue herself, she knows to whom the inquiries should be directed. And she does it with a smile in her voice and on her face."
• "One of Judy's most valuable qualities is her understanding of what it means to work as a team, with shared goals. Every day she works to improve communication and build relationships based on trust."
• "Judy can always be depended upon to meet deadlines and to help others meet their deadlines. She never stops doing for all of us in HR and she does it in the most cheerful manner imaginable. We are lucky to have her."

University students, faculty and staff, and members of the Ellensburg community, are encouraged to make nominations for the Employee of the Month award. Nomination forms are available at the CWU human resources office, employee council representatives, and online at: www.cwu.edu/~hr/ec.

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT AGAIN RANKS CWU AMONG BEST IN THE WEST

For the fifth straight year, Central has been ranked among the top public master's degree-granting institutions in the west, according to the new U.S. News & World Report. Overall, the magazine ranked 574 public and private colleges and universities, 116 in the Western region in the "Best Universities--Master's" category.

The report evaluated data from fifteen areas that magazine editors consider to be indicators of academic excellence. The universities are then ranked against their peers, based on composite scores. The western region includes colleges and universities in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

MENTAL HEALTH AND COUNSELING PROGRAM GETS TOP ACCREDITATION

Central's mental health and counseling program has received national accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), making it one of only three CACREP accredited mental health counseling training programs at a public university in Washington. A corporate affiliate of the American Counseling Association, CACREP is a national organization based in Virginia that accredits master's degree programs in counseling.

The master's of mental health and counseling, within Central's psychology department, has been accredited through October 2009. Accreditation is expected to be extended for an additional six years as CACREP recommendations are incorporated into the CWU program.

NOTICE CORNER

CWU EMPLOYEES TO BE TREATED TO FREE ICE CREAM SOCIAL
To show their appreciation for the support of all Central employees for the university, Dr. McIntyre and the CWU Foundation will host a Ice Cream Social on Thursday, September 6. The free event is scheduled for 4 p.m. on the Grupe Center lawn. Winegar's has donated the ice cream for the event.

"MOVERS AND SHAKERS" NEEDED ON CAMPUS
CWU residence halls will open on Friday, September 14, at 9 a.m. In conjunction with the opening, University Housing and New Student Programs is again seeking volunteer "Movers and Shakers" to assist students moving into their homes away from home.

It's a very exciting day for Central students and their families as they come back or arrive for the first time in Ellensburg, and "Movers and Shakers" is an excellent opportunity for members of the CWU community to experience and contribute to that enthusiasm.

Call ext. 1831 to volunteer or for additional information.

FAMILY PASS AVAILABLE FOR CWU ATHLETIC EVENTS
Wildcat Athletics has announced it will offer a "Family Pass" for the 2007-2008 sports seasons. For just $130, purchasers can bring all members of their immediate family to any and all CWU home football (excluding the "Battle in Seattle"), volleyball, and men's and women's basketball games.

In addition, football season tickets (excluding the "Battle in Seattle") are available for $30, as are individual game tickets priced at $12 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, and $2 for those under 12. Volleyball season tickets are also on sale for $24, while individual game tickets $8 are for adults, $4 for seniors and students, and $2 for those under 12. Admission to all women's soccer games is free.

Tickets packages and individual tickets are available through the CWU Athletic Department in the Physical Education Building or by calling ext. 1914. VISA and MasterCard are accepted.

"BATTLE IN SEATTLE" TICKETS NOW ON SALE
The CWU football team will take on arch-rival Western Washington in the 2007 Wells Fargo Battle in Seattle, presented by Comcast, Saturday, October 20, at 6 p.m. at Qwest Field in Seattle. CWU will be looking for its third straight win and fourth in five years in the series.

Tickets for the game are $35, $25, and $15 ($20 at the gate) and are now available at the Wildcat Shop in the Student Union and Recreation Center, and through TicketMaster on-line (www.ticketmaster.com) or by phone at 206-628-0888.

DON'T FORGET TO RENEW YOUR PARKING PERMIT
New parking permits for the 2007-08 will be required in CWU parking lots beginning Friday, September 21. For faculty and staff, a quarterly vehicle parking pass costs $80, while it's $155 for the academic year, and $170 for the calendar year. For motorcycles, the cost is $20 for the quarter, $50 for the academic year, and $60 for the calendar year.

Discount parking permits are $85 for the calendar year but are valid only for lots C-1, on the corner of University Way and Pearl Street, and X-12, at the southeast corner of 18th and Walnut.

CWU also offers two free lots: V-7, on the corner of 18th and D Street, and X-22, on the corner of 18th and Alder. However, parking is not allowed from 2 to 6 a.m. any day in V-7. In addition, daily permits are available for $3 each.

For more information about parking on the Ellensburg campus, call ext. 2667.

NEW PAYROLL PROCEDURE GOES INTO EFFECT
A new payroll procedure will take effect on September 1, which will affect only employees who currently pick up their paychecks at the Cashiers Office. By the end of September, those employees will need to choose to have their paychecks deposited directly in their bank account or mailed to their home address.

By contract, classified union employees who currently pick up their paychecks at the Cashiers Office will be permitted to continue that practice. If you have any questions concerning this new procedure, please contact the Payroll Office. The new pay option procedure and forms are also available online at www.cwu.edu/~payroll

U.S. BANK OPEN FOR BUSINESS IN THE SURC
A full-service U.S. Bank branch inside the Student Union and Recreation Center (SURC) opened for business on August 27.

The branch is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additionally, a U.S. Bank ATM is located outside the branch, on the first floor of the SURC, and is accessible during the building's hours of operation for customer convenience and after-hours banking.

FIRE ALARM TESTING WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 10
Facilities Management personnel will be conducting fire alarm testing the week of September 10 in several academic buildings. Each building's audio/visual devices will need to sound and/or flash for several one-to-two-minute periods during the testing to verify proof of operation. Building enunciators may sound as well.

Following is a schedule for the tests:

Monday, September 10
8 a.m. to noon--Brooks Library
1 to 5 p.m.--Farrell Hall, Hogue Technology, and Language and Literature

Wednesday, September 12
7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.--Science Building

Thursday, September 13
8 a.m. to noon--Michaelsen Hall, and Randall Hall

WILDERNESS FIRST AID TRAINING INSTITUTE COMING UP
University students, faculty, staff, and alumni who are interested in increases their knowledge of wilderness first aid are invited to participate in the Wilderness Medicine Training Institute at Mazama, Washington. It will be held Friday, September 28 through Monday, October 1. CWU Outdoor Pursuits and Rentals will provide transportation to and from campus for the weekend training at the base of the North Cascades. Participants will be responsible for their own camping gear, snacks, and food.

The cost is $150 for CWU students and university recreation center members, and $180 for non-students and those who are not recreation center members. The sign-up deadline is Tuesday, September 25. For more information, call ext. 3536.

SHARED LEAVE DONATIONS ARE NEEDED
The following individuals are in need of shared leave: Don Allen, Information Technology Services; Randy Parks, Business Auxiliary Custodial Services; Paul Johnson, Facilities Management; Nancy Paquette, Dining Services; Valerie Farrell, Registrar Services; Kerry Green, Information Technology Services; and Tycy Hughes, Facilities Management.

CWU employees may donate leave to a fellow employee: 1) who is suffering from or has a relative or household member who is suffering from an extraordinary or severe illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition; or, 2) who has been called to service in the uniformed services; and, where the fact of either 1) or 2) has caused or is likely to cause the employee to take leave without pay or terminate his or her employment.

You may donate annual (vacation) and sick leave in eight-hour blocks. A minimum balance of 80 hours of annual leave must be maintained. Excess annual leave (that over 240 hours) that will otherwise be lost may not be donated. A minimum balance of 176 hours of sick leave must be maintained. All or a portion of your personal holiday may also be donated.

Shared leave donation forms can be downloaded from the forms section of the Human Resources home page at www.cwu.edu/~hr/forms/shared_leave_donation_form.doc. Forms may also be requested from the HR office at ext. 1202. Requests to donate leave must be approved by your supervisor before forwarding to HR and are subject to approval by your department head and Human Resources.

CENTRALIGHTS

A translation from the Russian by Dinara GEORGEOLIANI, foreign languages, and Mark HALPERIN, English, emeritus, of the story "Zaporozhets," by Maria Arbatova, was published in the August 2007 issue of the online literary journal "Words Without Borders" (www.wordswithoutborders.org/?lab=ArbatovaZaporozhets). The issue's theme is "Dreams of My Russian Summer." Georgeoliani and Halperin have also collaborated on another translation of another story, by a different Russian author, which will appear in a forthcoming issue of the same journal.

Former CWU men's basketball head coach, the late Gil COLEMAN has been inducted into the Washington State Coaches Hall of Fame. After a standout high school career at Onalaska and Juanita high schools, he replaced the legendary Dean Nicholson and coached the Wildcats for five seasons. He died March 6, 1995--at just 38 years old. Gil's son, G.E., 25, was recently hired as the lead assistant coach for the Central men's basketball team.

Governor Chris Gregoire has appointed Rebecca NEIGHBORS as the student representative to the CWU Board of Trustees for 2007-08. A senior biology major, Neighbors, 21, is a 2004 graduate of Marysville-Pilchuck High School. The state Legislature authorized a student seat on the governing bodies of the state's six public universities and college. Each student trustee serves a one-year term and is a full-voting members on all issues, with the exception of personnel matters.

Sharon ROSELL, physics, attended the national summer meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers in Greensboro, North Carolina between July 28 and August 1. At the conference, Rosell presented the paper "Using BlackBoard in an Introductory Algebra-based Physics Course."

CWU EMPLOYEES

Civil Service new hires: Kay Kenison, Secretary, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management; Edith Fowler, Office Support Supervisor 1, Health, Human Performance, and Nutrition; Greg Halsen, Custodian 1, Facilities Management; Marcie Brown, Office Assistant 2, Music; Eric Scott, Recreation and Athletics Specialist 4, University Recreation; Christina Thew, Program Assistant, Study Abroad and Exchange Programs.

Civil Service job changes: Jason Ringer, Information Technology Specialist 3, Information Technology Services; Rhonda Schmidt, Administrative Assistant 4, College of Business.

Exempt new hires: Christine Blocozynski, Assistant Director, Civic Engagement; Selmah Goldberg, Study Abroad Advisor, Study Abroad and Exchange Program; Jesse Nelson, Director, David Wain Coon Center for Excellence in Leadership; Brandi Lindberg-Lund, Resident Hall Coordinator, University Housing and New Student Programs; Laura Milner, Associate Dean, College of Business.

Exempt job changes: Katherine Gaer-Carlton, Associate Director, Admissions; Julie Cloninger, Assistant Vice President for Development, University Relations; Mandy Hanousek, Development Officer, College of Education and Professional Studies, Office of Development.

To view current job openings at CWU, go to www.cwu.edu/~hr/jobs/index.html.