To the Campus Community,

Several of you have inquired about the fate of PAPSS, the Performing Arts and Presidential Speaker Series, during these challenging economic times. I spent considerable time in thought and consultation about its relative cost and benefit and ultimately decided that such a series is part of what sets a university apart. In fact, when I questioned members of the President's Advisory Council about it, they were of one voice: "Keep it!" Even in the face of their enthusiastic support, they recommended that we economize by combining a limited number of external speakers and performers, supported exclusively by the series and its corporate sponsors, with co-sponsorship of external activities being planned by other units on campus. And, of course, we wanted to feature our own performing artists. So we selected a theme for the 2009-2010 series and, somewhat later than usual, began to plan in earnest. This year's theme is "Bridges and Beacons"–bridges, in the sense of bridging between and among cultures and genres, and beacons, in the sense of shining a light on important issues.

The result is a series of which we can be extraordinarily proud. One speaker and one performing group are scheduled under the exclusive auspices of the series. On October 11, we'll welcome Imani Winds (www.imaniwinds.com/main/). This Grammy-nominated wind quintet has set the classical music world on fire with its culturally diverse programming and, in their own words, "genre-blurring collaborations." The featured speaker for the series will be Edmonds, Washington's own Rick Steves. Many of you know Steves from his travelogues about Europe on PBS, but some of you may not know that he recently completed a series of programs on Iran. This project was meant to shine a light on this misunderstood country and to help Americans see it through the eyes of its people (ricksteves.com/about/pressroom/activism/iran.htm).
Steves says, "Travel writers love to help Americans understand other places. And if there's a place we don't understand, it's Iran." Steves' goal was to create a series in which Americans could "enjoy a rich and fascinating culture, get to know a nation that's a leader in its corner of the world, and has been for 2,500 years, and...better understand the 70 million people who call Iran home."

These two events will share the series spotlight with three co-sponsored events. Thomas King, a well-known writer of Cherokee, Greek, and German descent, whose writing addresses the marginalization and confronts stereotypes of American Indians (sponsored by the CWU Department of English Lion Rock Visiting Writers Series); Maya Lin, the Chinese-American architect who designed the national Vietnam War memorial in Washington D.C. (sponsored by the Symposium Without Borders); and Spectrum Dance, a Seattle-based company whose mission is to make dance accessible, without limitations, to the community (co-sponsored by the Diversity Education Center).

Six performances by CWU's own students and faculty will round out the series. A performance of Copland's opera, The Tender Land, will be directed by Dr. Gayla Blaisdell, assistant professor of music, and will feature the CWU orchestra; the Columbia Piano Trio, which includes CWU's Dr. John Pickett, internationally known pianist, is slated to perform; and music department faculty will collaborate in a recital featuring works by women composers as a part of the Suffrage Centennial Celebration. The Department of Music's performing ensembles will take the stage at Seattle's Benaroya Hall in May for a program that includes, among other pieces, Orff's Carmina Burana; and will reprise the Orff piece in Ellensburg in early June. Add to these performances Central Theatre Ensemble's production of A Christmas Carol and The Secret Garden, and it's easy to see that we're in for a real treat.

More details will be available soon, but I wanted to take this opportunity to give you a preview and to thank all of those who contribute to the cultural richness of life at CWU.

Sincerely,


Jim Gaudino
President

CWU TOP STORIES

CREDIT UNION MOVES TO FARRELL HALL

On August 12, the CWU Federal Credit Union will be relocating from its current location in Barge Hall to Farrell Hall 123. Their phone number, ext. 1995, and e-mail address, cwufcu@cwu.edu, will remain the same. The office will be closed on the day of the move, but will reopen on August 13.

FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN IS ON A ROLL

Faculty, students, and staff from CWU's College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) will be cycling around Washington State this summer from August 30 to September 4. CAH Dean Marji Morgan will lead a group of fellow cyclists on a 300-mile trip across the state, from the Oroville area back to Ellensburg, at roughly fifty miles per day. Participants will be cycling to raise money to support outstanding scholarship and creative work by arts and humanities students and faculty. The goal is to raise $15,000: ten student grants of $1,000 each, and two faculty grants of $2,500. These grants will assist with the travel, equipment, and materials essential for student and faculty artists, performers, directors, and scholars to do their very best work. If you would like to sponsor a student, faculty member, or the dean at $1 or more per mile for any number of miles up to 300, visit https://www.mycentral.cwu.edu/SSLPage.aspx?pid=382.

CWU EMPLOYEE GIFT CAMPAIGN CONTINUES TO RECEIVE STRONG SUPPORT

It's no secret that higher education, in general, and Central, in particular, are now facing budget challenges. In response, CWU employees stepped up during fiscal year 2009 and contributed more than $85,000 to the university. Chris Frankenfield, CWU's assistant director of annual giving, oversees the CWU Employee Gift Campaign. In her year-end report, she noted, "Thanks to our loyal faculty and staff, every college, athletics, the library, university programs, and uncountable students benefited from employee support."

Report highlights include:

• Wildcat Athletics benefited from $8,000 in employee contributions, with more than $5,100 directly supporting athletic scholarships;
• The College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) received more than $11,700 from Central staff, of which $4,900 directly supported CAH scholarships;
• The College of Education and Professional Studies received more than $2,600 from employee donations;
• The College of Business (CB) also received in excess of $2,600 from Central employees, with more than half directly supporting CB scholarships;
• The College of the Sciences benefited from more than $26,650 in contributions, with $8,280 funding scholarships in the college. Included in those valued gifts is a collection of professional journals and an inflatable canoe, donated as gifts-in-kind;
• The Brooks Library collected more than $1,050 in employee gifts;
• The CWU Foundation received $3,000 in contributions from faculty and staff;
• Program support funds at Central benefited from a combined $9,488 in gifts from employee contributions; and
• The general scholarship fund for Central collected in excess of $18,500 in support from CWU employees.

For more information about the Employee Gift Campaign, contact Frankenfield at ext. 2179 or via e-mail at frankenc@cwu.edu.

GERDES, DICARO CHOSEN AS EOMS FOR JUNE, JULY

The university's civil service employee council named Jason Gerdes, Information Technology Specialist 3, Information Technology Services; and Lynda di Caro, Secretary Senior, Residential Life, New Student Programs, and University Housing, as the Employees of the Month for June and July, respectively. At 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 Gerdes said:

• One of Jason's primary responsibilities is to oversee the operations, maintenance, and expansion of CWU's Residential Network (ResNet). Since Jason took over the supervision of these critical resources a couple of years ago, he has continually worked to improve overall performance, reliability, and service to the students living in university housing.
• Illegal P2P File Sharing is a huge issue on all campuses. Jason has developed online "exams" to assure that students understand the implications of P2P before connecting to the network. CWU's illegal P2P file sharing attempts have dropped dramatically, and Jason (along with his peers) recently won the NWACC Excellence Award related to this initiative.
• One student who nominated Jason wrote: As one of many students on campus, when I have an issue that impacts my daily life, it's sometimes a difficult process to find the right contact person or get any sort of response. Jason Gerdes has been a stellar exception. His customer service is excellent and I have appreciated his help throughout the year. Jason truly deserves to be Employee of the Month as he is a great example and representative of Central Washington University.
• He continually provides innovative deployment of technology to offset support demands where the ratio is four staff supporting 2,800 students.

Those nominating di Caro said:

• It is a privilege to recognize Lynda for outstanding service to the university, especially to University Housing and New Student Programs. For those who aren't aware, University Housing and New Student Programs has offices over the entire campus and when an opening came about in one of our main student-centered offices because of a staff member's health problems, Lynda stepped up to the task to operate that area.
• In the process of shifting offices, Lynda has picked up significant amounts of traffic from students, staff, and parents. During this time, Lynda has been instrumental with some of our programs often falling under someone else's responsibilities.
• She has helped streamline processes, communication, and built lasting relationships during a time of uncertainty. She has been a true model for all of us to follow.
• She helped coordinate our newly created Family Programs newsletter by sending it out to 500 parents that signed up for our program.

University students, faculty, and staff, as well as Ellensburg community members are encouraged to nominate civil service employees who are doing exceptional work for Employee of the Month recognition. A nomination form is available online at www.cwu.edu/~hr/forms/eotmnominate.html.

BULLETIN TO GET EXTREME MAKEOVER FOR SEPTEMBER

Your September issue of the University Bulletin will sport a fresh new look and an accelerated publication schedule. To make the Bulletin more accessible and easier to read, the new design will feature a four-page newsletter layout, larger photos and graphics, and a revised calendar section. The Bulletin will also begin publishing twice a month, on the first and third Monday of the month for nine months of the year; for July, August, and December, it will be published once a month. The Bulletin will be available online as an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant Web page, and in a printable PDF format. The Office of Publications also plans to make the Bulletin more available by providing a print version to each campus department at some time in the future.

NOTICE CORNER

IN MEMORIAM
Professor emeritus Wilbur Vance Johnson died July 4. Johnson was a member of the CWU physics faculty from 1965 to 1990. He also served as department chair. Known as both "Wil" and "Vance" to his friends and colleagues, Johnson, 78, joined the Peace Corps after retiring from Central and served as a secondary school teacher in Tanzania from 1992 to 1994. While in Ellensburg, Johnson was also the owner of the Mt. Stuart Wine Gallery, co-director of the Yakima-Kittitas chapter of "Les Amis du Vin" (Friends of Wine), and was the sommelier of McCullough's Restaurant. Johnson was born on January 14, 1931 in Bellingham to Rev. Gordon Vance Lothar and Mildred Christine (Holstrom) Johnson. One of his three brothers, Richard, was also a member of the Central English faculty. Johnson received his bachelor's degree from the University of Washington and his doctorate from Oregon State University. He was living at a retirement center in Bellingham at the time of his death. His wife of thirty-five years, Janice, died in 1984.

A Web site has been established in Johnson's honor. It's located at http://mastdog.com/WVJ/.

CELLULAR UPDATES AND REMINDERS
In an effort to reduce department costs, the Telecommunications Department is going through the process of auditing cellular usage, on individual lines, to determine if they are on the most cost effective plan. Reductions made in May showed a cost savings of approximately $3,000 per year on overall cellular costs. If you have a university cell phone and will be making calls from the U.S. to anywhere outside the country, it's advisable to have an international calling plan added to your service as it reduces the cost of long distance calls.

CHANGES IN PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS
Some Central employees will see a decrease in their deductions for their retirement plans. The legislature has made changes in the amounts deducted from employee paychecks for the PERS 2, LEOFF 2, and TRS 2 retirement plans.

For those in PERS 2, employee contribution rates will decrease from 5.45 percent to 3.89 percent, effective on the July 25 paycheck. For employees in LEOFF 2, employee contribution rates will decrease from 8.83 percent to 8.45 percent, also effective on the July 25 paycheck. For TRS 2 plan members, employee contribution rates will decrease from 4.26 percent to 3.36 percent. This change will be effective on the September 25 paycheck.

There are no changes to the contribution rates for PERS 1, PERS 3, TRS 1, or TRS 3 members. For more information, call Traci Klein, benefits administrator, at ext. 2212 or by e-mail at kleintr@cwu.edu.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR AUGUST TRIATHLONS
On the weekend of August 8-9, the Ellensburg community and the Ellensburg Endurance Sports Association are hosting two triathlon events: the Ellensburg Sprint Triathlon, on Saturday, and the annual Whisky Dick Triathlon, on Sunday.

Volunteers are needed to assist with traffic patrol at some intersections and to work as aid station attendants distributing water cups. The total time commitment for either day should not be more than about two hours, mostly in the morning.

If you are interested in helping, contact Vince Nethery, race director and coordinator of participant health and safety, via e-mail at netheryv@cwu.edu, or by calling ext. 1940.

PHISHING ALERT!
Many on campus have received an e-mail, supposedly from Brandeis University, stating: "We are contacting you in regards to an unusual activity that was identified in your mailbox. As a result, access to your mailbox has been limited. You are required to verify your mailbox by providing the following information before your mailbox will be reactivated. Click on . . ."

This is a phishing scam and, as always with these, you should not click on the link or reply to the e-mail.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM NOW ADMINISTERED THROUGH CWU
Donna Kramer, CWU ombudsperson, is now managing the university's Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which helps employees and their family members resolve personal or work-related problems. The program was originally administered through the state of Washington. The services, which are provided at no cost to employees, include assessment, short-term problem solving, and referral services for each management-referred or self-referred employee, or family member.

Kramer will also provide workshops and informational programs. On the EAP Web page, www.cwu.edu/~hr/eap/, you will also find frequently asked questions, resource information, and helpful links. If you have any questions or need any assistance, please contact Kramer at ext. 3690 or by e-mail at eap@cwu.edu.

GET INVOLVED! CWU COMMITTEES SEEK VOLUNTEERS
More than thirty CWU committees have opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to become involved in vital university operations. Depending on your interest and expertise, you can make a valuable contribution to Central in areas such as academic advising to art selection to the diversity council and more. To be appointed to a standing committee, classified staff should contact Vice President Bill Vertrees, business and financial affairs; exempt staff should contact President James Gaudino; and faculty should contact Provost Wayne Quirk through the Faculty Senate Office. For a full listing of standing committees, visit www.cwu.edu/~pres/policies/part2.html.

CARPOOL PARKING COMING TO ELLENSBURG CAMPUS
Parking Services is planning to issue carpool parking by special permit. Currently there are four carpool stalls in the L-8 staff parking lot by Dean Hall.

Parking Services would like input from those who are currently carpooling to CWU, or who wish to form a carpool, about the number of carpools possible and other lot locations on campus where carpool parking would be beneficial. This information will be used to determine the number and placement of carpool parking stalls. Those interested should complete the survey on the Parking Services Web page at www.cwu.edu./~parking. For more information, call ext. 2667.

PARKING LOT CLOSURES SLATED FOR AUGUST
Facilities Management will be closing the G15 and G16 parking lots on Monday, August 17, to re-stripe and paint. The paint crew will continue with lots H15, H18, and I15 on Tuesday, August 18, and Wednesday, August 19. Lots will be closed from 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. All of these lots are located on the east side of campus. The G15, G16, and H15 lots are behind Bouillon and Black halls. The I15 and H18 lots are located by the Health Center. All lots will be barricaded. If you have any questions, call ext. 1899 or ext. 3000.

CENTRALIGHTS

Four CWU student-athletes from the track and field team have been named to the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Team. Seniors Cameron BAILEY (Woodinville) and Marcie MULLEN (Lyman/Sedro-Woolley HS), junior Tyler FISCHER (Cashmere), and sophomore Victorria "Torie" SELF (Kent/Kent-Meridian HS) were all selected to the elite team. Three of the four-Bailey, Mullen, and Fischer-were named to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference academic all-conference team earlier this spring.

Richard DESHIELDS, senior director of Housing and New Student Programs, was recently appointed president of the Northwest Association of College and University Housing Officers.

Law and justice faculty members provided the following entries to the Encyclopedia of Race and Crime, 2009, published by Sage: Teresa FRANCIS, "George Jackson" and "The Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Bombing"; Krystal NOGA-STYRON, "Reformatories"; Mike OLIVERO, "The Indian Self-Determination Act"; and Chuck REASONS, "Opium Wars," "Anti-Semitism," and "War on Drugs."

Former CWU softball player and current assistant coach Mallory HOLTMAN was featured in the June 29 issue of Sports Illustrated. Last year, Holtman, and teammate Liz WALLACE, helped an injured opponent during a game, and were nationally honored for their selfless act of sportsmanship. The article can be found online at vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1157051/index.htm.

Joseph NELSON, a CWU sophomore in the Science Talent Expansion Program (STEP), has been awarded a prestigious Morris K. Udall Foundation Scholarship in the category of Native American health care. He is the first Central student ever to receive the national scholarship. Nelson is taking biology and pre-med courses in preparation for medical school and a career as a family physician for the Yakama Nation.

Law and justice professor Krystal NOGA-STYRON was appointed as a part-time pro tem judge for the summer in Lewis County, Washington, where she was once a prosecutor.

At the March national annual meeting of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences in Boston, the following Law and Justice faculty participated and/or made presentations: Mary Ellen REIMUND, Sarah BRITTO, Krystal NOGA-STYRON, Charles REASONS, and student Derrick PEACOCK.

CWU EMPLOYEES

Shared Leave Requests
The following individuals are in need of shared leave: Gini Silva, University Housing and New Student Programs; Melissa Anderson, Student Health and Counseling; Steven Mohr, KCWU Radio; Kitty Stoffle, Campus Life; Pam Buchholz, Linda Siller, and Gayle Mothershead, Facilities Management; Marilyn Lowe, Finance and OSC Department; and Troy Brenner, Center for Disability Services.

CWU employees may donate leave to a fellow employee. The shared leave donation form can be downloaded from the HR forms section of the Human Resources home page
(cwu.edu/~hr/forms/shared_leave_donation_form.doc) or requested from the HR office by calling 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.

Exempt New Hires
Rebecca Garate, Study Abroad Advisor, International Studies and Programs.

Exempt Job Changes
Lisa Garcia-Hanson, Director, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Assessment and Research, Student Affairs; Shelly Baird-Johnson, Assistant Vice President for Budget and Student Financial Services, Business & Financial Affairs; Ed Day, Assistant Vice President for Financial Services, Business & Financial Affairs.

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