Greetings,

Thank you to those of you who have forwarded questions for me to address in this monthly column. This month, I am responding to questions about transforming the university, centers of excellence (areas of distinction), planning and the faculty salary base.

Since I arrived in 2000, I have encouraged you to work with me to transform our university on a number of fronts, including:

• To become an active rather than a reactive campus.
• To improve our visibility.
• To promote the good work we do, including our centers of excellence.
• To improve the number, diversity and academic quality of students who are attracted to our institution.
• To use our financial resources more wisely, including rewarding programs and units that meet specific goals.

Despite several years of state budget woes, we've made amazing progress as we reported most recently in our fifth year accreditation report. Among the advances that are most noteworthy are a unified marketing plan that has greatly improved the visibility of our campus; extraordinary increases in number, diversity and academic quality of applicants and enrollees; and re-institution of an academic program review process. Central has been particularly aggressive and successful in garnering additional support from the legislature, both to fund transfer and high-demand programs and to recoup lost enrollment funding triggered by the temporary enrollment downturn in 2000.

It has proven somewhat difficult for us to identify our centers of excellence - those areas in which we have particularly distinguished ourselves. In fact, the provost and deans have suggested that we call them areas of distinction. At the most recent faculty development day, faculty reviewed criteria the provost and deans have developed to identify areas of distinction and then reviewed several areas to determine their compliance with the criteria. I have also asked the other divisions of the university and different employee groups to sponsor similar conversations so that we can come to agreement on a short list of areas in which CWU is truly distinctive. At some point in the near future, the cabinet and I will distill the recommendations of all of these bodies for your review and comment.

Recently, we've focused our attention on achieving a more integrated planning process. As you know, the university adopted a strategic plan in 2001. Corresponding to the goals and objectives that were outlined in that plan was a set of management objectives and performance indicators. In the fifth year accreditation report and accompanying documents, we summarized our progress on these measures. However, we also have become aware that our planning process is somewhat fragmented. In addition to the strategic plan, the university is in the process of updating the campus master site and development plan and developing both an academic plan and an enrollment management plan. We'll be working this next year to more fully integrate these planning documents so that we all know the direction we're going for the near future and so that our various planning documents all head in that same direction.

A somewhat tangential question concerns changes to the faculty salary base in the current year's budget. As most of you know, $631,000 was set aside to fund the Salary Administration Board's proposal that was adopted by the Senate in 2000 and subsequently supported by the CWU Board of Trustees. That money became available to increase salaries that varied most from CUPA (College and University Professional Association) means for rank and discipline and to achieve equity within rank and discipline. An additional $400,000 was distributed to the colleges to respond to their requests for additional faculty positions. This year, much of that money was used as one-time funding to hire adjuncts. At the same time, however, departments most in need are recruiting for new tenure-track positions, which these funds will support in subsequent years.

Thank you again for your questions. Stay tuned to this column for updates on our legislative agenda as the new legislative session approaches. Hopefully by the time you read this, we'll know who our new governor will be!

Jerilyn McIntyre
President

When you consider the cost of higher education, the utility bill for buildings can consume a significant portion of the annual budget. At CWU, that cost is estimated to be $4 million annually.

"Minimizing that annual cost, while maintaining the comfort level on campus during the heating and cooling seasons, is a major goal of facilities management," Pat Nahan, CWU manager of resources and engineering, says.

For it's energy conservation efforts, CWU received the Governor's Award for Excellence in Energy Management. CWU was one of only two higher education institutions to receive the prestigious award.

During a Tuesday (Dec. 21) ceremony in Olympia, Gov. Gary Locke recognized eight state agencies, colleges and school districts that achieved the most significant and measurable energy efficiency improvements.

"I value and deeply appreciate your hard work, your leadership and your long-term commitment to greater efficiency, economic savings, and environmental stewardship," Locke said. "The challenges we face in moving toward a more sustainable Washington are significant. But you, every one of you, and the programs you stand behind inspire hope. You make me proud to live in Washington state."

CWU was recognized for conservation achievements including:

• A 1998 partnership with a private energy service company to audit the campus for conservation opportunities.
• Nearly $25 million in energy efficiency upgrades to date completed through a combination of State Treasurer loans, Bonneville Power (BPA) incentives and capital dollars.
• A reduction in natural gas consumption of 18 percent, electrical consumption by 14 percent and water savings of nearly five million gallons per year.
• Nearly $4 million in savings as a result of university conservation efforts.

The university projects an additional $22.9 million in utility savings over the next 20 years, and even more if electric and gas rates continue to increase.

To continue to improve the university's operational and utility efficiencies a Performance Operations Task Force has been established and charged with coordinating and implementing current and future conservation measures. Task force members include Nahan, Gordon Althauser, systems operator; Ed Castaneda, computer maintenance technician; Rob Husband, high-voltage electrician; Dave Kopezynski, control technician; Dave Mataya, lead custodian; Marv Sterkel, mechanical insulation; Bob Tosch, facilities management director; and Mark Winterer, plumber, pipefitter and steamfitter.

Gayle Mothershead, Black Hall custodian, and Linda Mahaney, academic facilities planning space analyst, have been named the university's civil service "Employee of the Month" for November and December, respectively.

During surprise ceremonies, Mothershead and Mahaney each received certificates and $100 from the president's discretionary fund, through the CWU civil service employee recognition program.

Those nominating Mothershead said:

• Gayle is a very fast learner and she is always looking for ways to make her job more challenging by doing all of the little extras that really show up to the building clients.
• Gayle volunteered to be reassigned to Black Hall because she wanted the challenge.
• Gayle routinely takes care of those little details that make the difference to the customer.

Those nominating Mahaney said:

• Linda has made outstanding efforts to provide effective solutions to department and unit needs for space, furnishings and equipment.
• Even in the most difficult and challenging circumstances she maintains poise, composure and a sense of humor.
• Linda maintains a list of faculty and staff with unmet computer needs and works with ITS to match up used computers with specific needs. Taking on this task was beyond the call of duty, yet Linda has done this cheerfully.

Initiated by the CWU civil service employee council, recognition goes to employees who foster a personalized environment that supports members of the university community as well as the mission of Central.

University students, faculty and staff, along with Ellensburg community members, are encouraged to make signed or anonymous nominations for employees of the month. Nomination forms are available from the CWU human resources office, employee council representatives and on-line at: www.cwu.edu/~hr/ec/.

Sara BRITTO and Charles REASONS, law and justice, recently presented papers at the annual American Society of Criminology Meetings in Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 17-20. Britto coauthored two papers, "Secondary Victimization Among Homicide Co-Victims: A Comparison of Capital and Non-Capital Cases," with M. Reed and B. Blackwell, and "Fear of Crime and Punitive Attitudes Toward Juveniles," with T. Chiricos. Reasons' paper was "Bowling for Columbine: Murder In Canada and the United States."

R.D. Van Remortel, R.W. Maichlea, and Robert HICKEY, geography and land studies, published a paper entitled "Computing the LS factor for the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation through array-based slope processing of digital elevation data using a C++ executable" in Computers and Geosciences 2004, V. 30, no. 9-10, pp. 1043-1053. Van Remortel and Maichlea work for Lockheed Martin Environmental Services, Las Vegas, Nev.

The CWU chapter of the Society of Physics Students (SPS) has been awarded an Outstanding Chapter Award for the 2003-2004 academic year. Only 30 of the 660 chapters nationwide received the award. Senior Bronnie TINSLEY, Naches, was president of the Central SPS chapter last year. Sharon ROSELL, physics, is the chapter advisor.

CWU EMPLOYEES

Civil Service new hires: Julie Johnson, Office Assistant III, Admissions; Traci Seely, Office Assistant III, University Housing & New Student Programs; Susan Bentley, Office Assistant III, Career Services; James Ellinger, Custodian, Campus Life.

Civil Service job changes: Kerrie Nelson, Program Support Supervisor I, Campus Life; Paul Schell, Purchasing Manager B, Business Services and Contracts; Mary Varner, Stage Manager, Music.

Exempt new hires: Edward Day, Student Funds Financial Manager, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

LEARN TO SKI OR SNOWBOARD THIS WINTER

The CWU physical education program is offering faulty and staff the opportunity to participate in four Sunday trips to Mission Ridge during winter quarter. Ride in safety and comfort on a luxury bus directly to the slopes. Discounted lift tickets will be available to program participants.

For more information call extension 1911 or pick up a flyer at the health, human performance and recreation department. Since space is limited, if you're interested, you're encouraged to register soon.

WOMEN'S SELF DEFENSE CLASS SLATED

The CWU wildcat wellness center will sponsor a free women's self defense class Tuesday through Thursday, Jan. 25-27, at 4 p.m. in the SUB Ballroom. The program will include realistic self-defense tactics and techniques for women, students, faculty and staff members, using the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) system.

RAD, which is not a martial arts program, was created by a police officer who found that his training would be beneficial to women who lack the knowledge and skills to defend themselves in a violent situation.

A maximum of 20 people will be accepted into the course. To register, or for more information, call extension 3213.

EMERGENCY UNIVERSITY CLOSURE INFORMATION

When an emergency closure of CWU becomes necessary, the president, on the advice of the vice president for business and financial affairs and the CWU police chief, will choose one of the following to describe the nature of the closure. The president (or her designee) will notify all division heads and the public relations office. Division heads will notify employees as possible through each division's emergency phone tree.

The public relations office will post a message that is updated daily to the university Web site and will broadcast the same message through appropriate media outlets. The Web site will have a link to the referenced policy and to the definition of essential personnel. However, it is the responsibility of each employee to become familiar with the policy and with the definition of essential personnel. The four different levels are:

"Classes and Campus -- Opening Delayed." Essential employees are to report to work at their regular times. The university's "good judgment policy" is in effect for all other employees, unless otherwise notified by their supervisors.

"Classes Cancelled -- Staff Report to Work." All staff are expected to report for work.

"Classes Cancelled -- Essential Employees Report." The university's "good judgment policy" is in effect for all other employees unless otherwise notified by their supervisors.

"Campus Closed and Classes Cancelled." Essential employees are to report to work at their regular times. Staff that have not been identified as essential under these circumstances are not to report for work under the provisions of the suspended operations (emergency closure) policy, unless otherwise notified by their supervisors. Staff who are not to report for work will be asked to compensate for time lost due to suspended operations.

Tuesday, January 4
Winter quarter begins
Classic Film Series: "Super Size Me," (USA, 2004, 96 minutes, documentary) 7 p.m., McConnell Auditorium, $3, $12 bargain pass

Thursday, January 6
Basketball: CWU men vs. Seattle Pacific, 7 p.m., Nicholson Pavilion, $8 general admission, $5 students and seniors

Friday, January 7
Campus Activities: "I Love the 80's UP ALL NITE," 9 p.m., Samuelson Union Building, $5

Saturday, January 8
Basketball: CWU men vs. Western Washington, 7 p.m., Nicholson Pavilion, $8 general admission, $5 students and seniors

Sunday, January 9
Music: Faculty Chamber Series 2 (duet performances), 4 p.m., Music Education Building Concert Hall, $5

Tuesday, January 11
Classic Film Series: "Touching the Void," (UK, 2003, 106 minutes, documentary) 7 p.m., McConnell Auditorium, $3, $12 bargain pass

Thursday, January 13
Basketball: CWU women vs. Saint Martin's, 7 p.m., Nicholson Pavilion, $8 general admission, $5 students and seniors
Music: Flute Studio Recital, 7 p.m., Music Education Building Recital Hall

Saturday, January 15
Basketball: CWU women vs. Northwest Nazarene, 7 p.m., Nicholson Pavilion, $8 general admission, $5 students and seniors

Tuesday, January 18
Classic Film Series: "Triplets of Belleville," (France, 2003, 80 minutes, animation/comedy) 7 p.m., McConnell Auditorium, $3, $12 bargain pass

Thursday, January 20
Music: Annual Music Department Open House
Basketball: CWU women vs. Seattle Pacific, 5 p.m., Nicholson Pavilion, $8 general admission, $5 students and seniors
Basketball: CWU men vs. Western Oregon, 7 p.m., Nicholson Pavilion, $8 general admission, $5 students and seniors
Music: Faculty "Collage" Concert, 7 p.m., Music Education Building Concert Hall

Friday, January 21
Music: Annual Music Department Open House

Saturday, January 22
Music: John Moawad Invitational Jazz Festival, all day, Music Education Building Concert Hall
Basketball: CWU women vs. Montana State-Billings, 5 p.m., Nicholson Pavilion, $8 general admission, $5 students and seniors
Basketball: CWU men vs. Humboldt State, 7 p.m., Nicholson Pavilion, $8 general admission, $5 students and seniors

Monday, January 24
Presidential Speaker Series: Mark Trahant, editorial pages editor, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 7 p.m., Music Education Building Concert Hall

Tuesday, January 25
Classic Film Series: "Barbarian Invasions," (Canada/France, 2003, 99 minutes, drama/comedy) 7 p.m., McConnell Auditorium, $3, $12 bargain pass

Sunday, January 30
Music: John Pickett Faculty Piano Recital, 7 p.m., Music Education Building Recital Hall, $5

Monday, January 31
A presentation of the critically acclaimed film "OT: Our Town." A documentary about the production of the play "Our Town" at a high school in Compton, California in which the ethnically diverse student actors' and actresses' daily lives juxtapose with Thornton Wilder's classic play in revealing and, eventually, uplifting ways. Both the film's producer/director, Scott Kennedy, and 'the teacher who started the drama program (also, a subject of the documentary), Catherine Borek will be at this presentation. It will be from 6:30 to 9:00PM at the SUB theater on January 31 and is free to the community.