Greetings,
In this installment of our "Here's Where We Stand" series, I'd like to highlight some of the outstanding work of our facilities management department (FMD). And even though FMD has also been intimately involved in the construction of our university centers buildings, I'd like to focus on more recent activity taking place on our residential campus in Ellensburg. The majority of these projects have been financed through the state capital budget.
In mid-June, Courson and Muzzall Halls were "deconstructed." Built in 1966, these nine-story residence halls were closed two years ago, when maintenance and upkeep costs began to exceed revenue the buildings generated. The halls, which had served as a home for students and conferees for nearly forty years, had become obsolete. The deconstruction was a community event and was completed several weeks earlier than expected. A new park will be established on the site along the banks of Wilson Creek and will include landscaping and a variety of trees and shrubbery. Two structural steel remnants of the former high-rise buildings will be converted into shelters and interpretive kiosks and will serve as seating and picnic areas. Full site development is expected to be completed in summer 2009.
With funding received from the legislature in the 2007-2009 biennium, renovation of Dean Hall began in November 2007. The building is slated for completion in mid-October with occupancy scheduled for later in fall quarter. Classes will begin in winter quarter. The renovation is being done from the top down, with the third floor now closest to completion. The exterior of Dean Hall is getting a facelift as well, including new brick and entrance additions on the east and west sides of the building. The renovated Dean Hall, which will be CWU's first certified (silver) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building, will house the offices of the dean of the Colleges of the Sciences, the Departments of Anthropology and Museum Studies and Geography and Land Studies, the graduate program in resource management, and the anthropology museum.
Phase III of the Nicholson Pavilion renovation includes a new hardwood gymnasium floor, bleachers, scoreboards, sound system, a fully remodeled entrance lobby, and a restroom addition. (The new floor replaces the original court where the CWU Wildcats won 81.3 percent of their men's basketball games. We look forward to equally good results on the new court!) The south entrance lobby will house new athletic offices, a concession stand, and ticket area, as well as an updated entrance to the pavilion and gymnasium. The new gym floor is completed, the scoreboards are installed, the bleachers will be completed by the end of July, and the sound system will be fully installed by the end of August, all to be ready for the volleyball home opener on Sept. 4.
You may also have noticed that ground has been broken on the northwest corner of Alder Street and Dean Nicholson Boulevard for a new residence hall. The hall's two buildings will house 477 students, replacing the beds lost when Courson and Muzzall were closed, and is slated for occupancy in fall quarter of 2009. The bonds to finance this project will be retired by revenue from room and board contracts with students who will occupy the residence hall over the next thirty years.
Even with so much to celebrate, we know we need to look to the future as well. A number of proposals already before the legislature will bring the next wave of construction and renovation.
CWU is seeking $47 million from the state building construction account during the 2009-11 biennium for the construction of a new addition to and renovation of the existing Hogue Hall. This project will consolidate the Industrial and Engineering Technology (IET) programs now spread across campus by providing additional classroom space, technical laboratories, industrial shops, and faculty offices and by expanding the capacity in the high-demand IET programs.
In addition, we are requesting funding in the 2009-11 biennium to begin pre-design for Science Phase II. Initially proposed more than fifteen years ago as a large, single project, the construction of a new science building was split into two phases in 1992 at the direction of the Office of Financial Management. The first phase, substantially completed in 1997, represents two thirds of the original project. Phase II, which will unify science programs now distributed across the Ellensburg campus, will house the Departments of Geological Sciences and Physics. These programs will join a "neighborhood" of natural science and math programs located in the vicinity of the proposed Science II project.
We'll also be asking the legislature to support renovations to the Student Health and Counseling Center and to complete the fourth phase of our combined utilities project. All of these projects extend educational opportunity and increase our campus capacity to serve students. We are grateful to the legislature and the governor for their support of our capital projects and to our own staff and the contractors who do the actual work to bring them to completion. I especially want to recognize Joanne Hillemann, Eric Fraley, Bill Yarwood, Pat Nahan, Bob Tosch, Greg Poe, and Calvin Lang, the entire FMD, under the direction of Bill Vertrees, and the many individuals on campus who serve on building committees and in other ways support these efforts. It's because of them that we have a beautiful campus that is such a justifiable source of pride for all of us.
Sincerely,
Jerilyn S. McIntyre
President
CWU TOP STORIES
2008-09 PAPSS FALL SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED
Tickets are now on sale for the 2008-09 Performing Arts and Presidential Speaker Series. Reflecting the theme "Life in the Balance," it will feature an intriguing array of performers and personalities. During Fall quarter the line up will include: author, naturalist, and environmental activist Terry Tempest Williams, who will discuss Finding Beauty in a Broken World; the Arctic Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Eduard Zilberkant; the Grammy award-winning mariachi ensemble, Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano; actor, mime, and arts educator Bill Bowers, who will present It Goes Without Saying; and the CWU Chamber Orchestra and Jazz Band I in two performances of the Nutcracker: Two Faces.
For more information on the series, sponsored by the CWU Office of the President and Departments of Music and Theatre Arts, call ext. 1301.
CWU SOFTBALL PLAYERS WIN ESPY AWARD
A simple act of good sportsmanship offered by Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace has now earned the CWU softball players an ESPY award for the year's best sports moment. They, along with Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon, were honored July 16 at the taping of the 16th annual ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, which was then broadcast on ESPN. Holtman and Wallace were honored for helping Tucholsky around the bases after she tore a knee ligament rounding first base following hitting her first collegiate home run. Since the event occurred, they have also appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, SportsCenter, CBS' the Early Show, and ESPN2's First Take. They've also made appearances at the Women's College World Series, the AT&T National Sportsmanship Awards, the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium in New York, and they've thrown out the first pitch at a Mariners game at Safeco Field in Seattle.
HUBBARD NAMED JUNE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
The university’s Civil Service Employee Council has named Mari Hubbard, graphic designer, Public Relations and Marketing, June’s Civil Service Employee of the Month. At a recent surprise ceremony, she received a certificate and $125 from the president’s discretionary fund, through the CWU civil service employee recognition program. Those nominating Hubbard noted:
- "Mari's sense of pride and detail to her work goes above and beyond."
- "She is gracious and accommodating when you are requesting something to be done overnight or in a hurry."
- "Mari is someone that other employees can look up to; her work ethic is excellent, and she provides outstanding customer service to faculty, staff and students."
- She has expanded her skills by always learning new ways to do her job better. Mari is accurate and efficient. She takes her job seriously and is recognized for her creative ideas, hard work and her can-do attitude.
- "Mari knows and understands that the quality of work done for my department is a reflection not only of her work or the work of Graphics Production, but also the University. She has a flair for creativity with a business sense for the details of accomplishing a job."
University students, faculty, and staff, along with Ellensburg community members, are encouraged to nominate civil service employees, who are doing exceptional work, for Employee of the Month recognition. A new, streamlined nomination form is now online at www.cwu.edu/~hr/forms/eotmnominate.html.
CWU STUDENTS CREATE SALMON DISCOVERY TRAIL SIGNAGE
Five students from the Don and Verna Duncan Civic Engagement Center's "Central Civic Marketing," or, C2M, worked with U.S. Forest Service (USFS) personnel to develop trail signage for an important salmon spawning region on the Yakima River. The team consisted of layout and design students Tami Sawyer, Kathryn Model and Andrew Larson; English/technical writing major Katee James; and communication student Bailey Marsh.
Larson created the logo for the initiative and was predominately responsible for the trail sign designs. Sawyer was responsible for the kiosk layout and was the lead consultant for the overall project. She was also the liaison amongst the USFS individuals, the C2M cohort and the printers. James and Marsh wrote the text for all of the signs, taking into consideration that the trail would be utilized predominately by third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students who view the spawning salmon each year as an important part of their curriculum.
The best time to see salmon spawn in Kittitas County on the Yakima is mid‑September to early October. To get to the trailhead, go north on State Route 903 through Roslyn and Ronald; then, approximately one-mile north of Ronald, turn left on the Cle Elum Dam Road and continue on it for four-tenths of a mile, then turn left on the dirt road and follow it to the trail.
CARNIVAL NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
The Third Annual Non-Traditional Student Welcome Carnival at CWU needs enthusiastic people to staff an activity station such as the ring toss, fishing game, cakewalk, or a game of your choice. You may sign up individually, with a friend, or with a group or organization. You can also volunteer to be a face painter, make balloon animals, ride a unicycle, juggle, mime or be a clown. This is a great opportunity for anyone who loves working with children, or any CWU department that wants to reach out to non-traditional students. The carnival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the East Science Lawn. Sponsored by the Center for Student Empowerment, the event not only features carnival-style games, but professional entertainment, music, and food. To call ext. 2127 or e-mail ecenter@cwu.edu. The deadline to volunteer is Sept. 12.
DEDUCTION AMOUNT CHANGES FOR PERS 2, LEOFF 2, AND TRS 2 MEMBERS
The legislature has made a change in the amount that will be deducted from employee paychecks for the PERS 2, LEOFF 2, and TRS 2 retirement plans. Beginning with July 25 paycheck, employee contribution rates for PERS 2 members increased from 4.15 to 5.45 percent and employee contribution rates for LEOFF 2 members increased from 8.64 to 8.83 percent. Effective with the September 25 paycheck, employee contribution rates for TRS 2 members will increase from 2.90 to 4.26 percent. There are no changes to the contribution rates for PERS 1, PERS 3, TRS 1, or TRS 3 members.
GRANTS AND CONTRACTS HANDBOOK NOW ONLINE
A Grants and Contracts Handbook is now available from the Graduate Studies and Research Web site (http://www.cwu.edu/~masters). It can be viewed online or downloaded to your computer. The handbook can be accessed from the home page under "Sponsored Research" in the left hand menu column. Suggestions for additions or clarifications are welcome. For more information, call ext. 3101.
CHANGES MADE TO REIMBURSEMENT AND TRAVEL REGULATIONS
The Office of Financial Management has made changes to the State Administrative and Accounting Manual (SAAM) regulations that Central employees must adhere to follow regarding reimbursements and travel.
- Meals at Meetings - now requires reimbursement at actual cost up to the applicable per diem meal limits. A detailed receipt is now required for reimbursement along with the pre-approved memo and completed A-19 form
- Mileage Rate Change - the privately owned vehicle mileage rate has been increased to $.585/mile. The mileage rate calculator has been updated to reflect this change. Travelers are reimbursed the lesser of the State mileage rate or Motor Pool rate that the calculator displays.
- Miscellaneous Charges - the reimbursement for checked baggage is allowed as a miscellaneous expense, up to the first two bags on domestic flights and three bags on international flights. Additional checked baggage may be approved for reimbursement on both domestic and international flights if the additional items are justified as work related (books, field supplies, equipment). Overweight charges are not an allowable reimbursement.
The Accounts Payable and Travel Web sites will reflect these changes.
UPDATED FORMS NOW AVAILABLE
The Accounts Payable and Travel Web sites have updated forms to request the new nine-digit speedtype (eight-digit project identification numbers and one-digit operating unit) that are now required. If you have forms saved on your computer, you’re asked to download and save the new forms. Invoices or travel forms submitted without the complete nine digits will be returned for correction. If you submit invoices or travel for activities that occurred prior to July 1, you are still required to submit those items with the new project ID and operating unit. For those who did not attend the FMS Chartfield change training in June, the following links offer handout that explain and provides examples for determining the operating unit. http://www.cwu.edu/~pmits/FMSCOAProject/CFCBusinessGuidelines.doc.
The following is a link to help identify new project identification numbers. http://www.cwu.edu/~pmits/FMSCOAProject/ProjectIDListing04-30-08.xls
NEW SIGNS FOR BUTTERFLY GARDEN
The Leah Polacek Butterfly Garden just east of Mitchell Hall has new signage. Purchased by Leah's Uncle Jim Doolittle, the signs were made by Fossil Industries, the company that makes signs for the national parks and the U.S. Forest Service.
Former Wildcat punter Joe SMITH, who played for four seasons between 2000 and 2003 with the Central football team, has signed a free agent contract with the New York Jets. Smith earned first team NCAA Division II All-American honors from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) following his senior season. A two-time first team all-Great Northwest Athletic Conference punter, Smith led the entire nation (Division II) in punting average in his final campaign and earned a selection to the Cactus Bowl all-star game following the season.
Travis PETERSEN, senior physics major, has received a $2,000 Leadership Scholarship from the national office of the Society of Physics Students in College Park, Md. Petersen has served as president of the CWU chapter of SPS.
Lisa GARCIA-HANSON, director of admissions, has been accepted into the Harvard Graduate School of Education for the Class of 2009. She will earn a MEd in Higher Education from Harvard during the 2008-09 academic year. She is taking a one-year leave of absence to pursue her degree.
Larry LAFFREY has joined the Office of International Study Programs as the new Director of Study Abroad and Exchange Programs. Laffrey comes to CWU from Edgewood College in Madison, Wisc. He has a BA in history and an MA in Asian studies from the University of Michigan. His professional experience includes working in international education positions at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, University of Alberta, and Ball State University. He also spent three years on staff at the National Association for Foreign Student Affairs in Washington, D.C.
CWU EMPLOYEES
The following individuals are in need of shared leave: Connie Bennett, Frank Metz, and Gayle Mothershead, all from 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 eighty 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.
The shared leave donation form can be downloaded from the HR forms section of the Human Resources home page (http://www.cwu.edu/~hr/forms/shared_leave_donation_form.doc) or requested from the HR office by calling extension 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.
Civil service new hires: Ashlie Crawford, Office Assistant 3, University Relations; Leah Irwin, Community Outreach and Environmental Education Specialist 2, Science Education; Steven Lipsky, Office Assistant 2, International Studies and Programs; Kara Moug, Administrative Assistant 2, Business and Financial Services; Ravae Rossmaier, Office Assistant 3, College of Business; Margaret E. Smith, Building Coordinator 2, Student Union Operations; Jameson Strocsher, Research Analyst 2, Budget Planning and Institutional Research; Patrice Wallace, Office Assistant 2, International Studies and Programs.
Civil service job changes: Barbara Bisson, Information Technology Specialist 3, ITS Project Management and IT Services; Judy Drexler, Human Resource Consultant Assistant 1, Human Resources; Lori LaFleur, Cashier 2, Student Financial Services.
Exempt new hires: Larry Laffrey, Director, Study Abroad and Exchange Programs, International Studies and Programs; Michael Smith, Assistant Director, Advancement Services, University Relations; Joseph Sweet, Study Abroad Advisor, International Studies and Programs.
Exempt job changes: David Darda, Associate Dean, College of the Sciences, College of the Sciences.
To view current job openings at CWU, go to www.cwu.edu/~hr/jobs/index.html.