Greetings,

It has been a whirlwind during my first weeks as your president. I suspect it may have been the case in any event, but it has certainly been made more so because my arrival coincided with the beginning of a legislative session in a particularly bad and worsening economic climate. Still, I've enjoyed meeting so many of you, and our conversations have affirmed what I discovered during the interview process: that faculty, staff, and administrators are committed to our mission and most especially to our students.

It was particularly encouraging to see how many of you attended the first of several budget forums, which we held on January 15 in Hertz Hall Auditorium. The occasion forced me to get up to speed quickly about our current budget and the likely impact of anticipated additional cuts. The thoughtful questions and comments of those in attendance spawned conversations with members of the President's Cabinet and the President's Advisory Committee and clarified for me other areas about which I needed additional briefings. If you were unable to attend the forum, you can access the PowerPoint slides at www.cwu.edu/president/budget.ppt.

Your wise counsel also provided a foundation for my first visit to Olympia last week where I had the opportunity to meet key legislators and legislative staff. They were very cordial and made it clear to me that CWU commands a great deal of respect in Olympia. Their hospitality, however, didn't alter the bottom line: The cuts we've thus far been asked to absorb are likely to be only the first in a series; and the cuts could be of such size that we will need to rethink how we do business.

Legislators are already recommending reinstituting the hiring, travel, and contracting freezes that the governor had instituted last fall and later rescinded. We would always prefer to be told how much we have to spend rather than how to spend the funds we're given, and we will advocate strenuously for that approach. I have to tell you very honestly, however, that it is not the most likely scenario.

It is likely the worst of the cuts will come in the 09-11 biennium. The House budget is out for FY09, our current operating year, and it mirrors the governor's cuts-approximately $2.5 million. While we are still waiting for the Senate's FY09 cuts, they have asked us to prepare a budget for 09-11 that would cut 50 percent more than the governor asked us to cut. Clearly, we have much work to do on several fronts.

That's why I want to encourage each of you to forward your cost-cutting and revenue-generating ideas to the executive team. We have already received 219 separate entries, some with multiple suggestions, on the e-mail or Web site. Summaries for your review and to stimulate your thinking are posted at www.cwu.edu/~web/recap.html. At the same time, our division heads are busy reviewing each idea for its feasibility and potential for cost cutting or revenue generation.

Division heads are also preparing spreadsheets that show how they are already saving money in the current year. As soon as they are ready, a summary will also be posted for your review. With all of the budget hubbub, it would be easy to be distracted from our primary purpose: providing access and opportunity for higher education to the citizens of the state, mentoring and educating current students, and providing research and service in the public interest. I see evidence at every turn that faculty, staff, and administrative exempt employees are maintaining their focus on these important outcomes, and I thank you for your good work.

We are planning another budget forum on Friday, February 13, from 10 a.m. to noon in Shaw-Smyser 115. This forum will be broadcast to our university centers. If there are particular questions you'd like to have addressed in that forum, please forward them to Dr. Libby Street at streetl@cwu.edu.

I would be remiss if I did not say how impressed I have been with the earnest efforts of all of our employees-faculty, staff and administrators-to do their part to bring the University through this budget difficulty. I am confident that we have a university-wide team with the creativity, the talent, and the personal commitment to bring us through this financial crisis as a stronger, more effective, and more dynamic institution. I truly look forward to hearing more of your ideas and working alongside you to achieve our goals and to set new ones!

Thank you for your support and for your commitment to CWU.

Jim Gaudino
President

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Editor's note: Beginning with this month's University Bulletin, a "Legislative Update" will be published each month to keep all Bulletin readers up-to-date on the 2009 state legislative session.

The 2009 session of the Legislature convened on January 12 with new faces and a new policy set-up this year. The legislature welcomed nineteen new members, including Representative Norm Johnson (Yakima). The House Ways and Means (formerly Appropriations) Committee has a new chair: Bellingham native Representative Kelli Linville. CWU alumna Representative Deb Wallace (Vancouver) will again chair the House Higher Education Committee.

In the Senate, the Higher Education Committee has a new name to reflect new priorities: the Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee. The committee's new chair is Senator Derek Kilmer. He received a doctoral degree from the University of Oxford in England, where he studied economic development policy, and his bachelor's degree in public policy from Princeton. He is one of two members with experience on the Higher Education Committee.

"Team CWU" is representing Central before the Legislature. Central alumna Ann Anderson, CWU's government relations director, is a former member of the state House and Senate. Steve DuPont, the Associated Students of CWU's former representative to the Washington Student Lobby, is helping to cover legislative hearings and track legislation. CWU's representative in the Washington Student Lobby is Logan Bahr. And Dr. Jim Pappas, CWU education professor, is putting his many years of Olympia experience to work for Central as its faculty legislative representative.

Recently, President Gaudino and Anderson met with scores of legislators and key policy staff to talk about Central's priorities in the operating and construction budgets. In addition to Team CWU, several campus representatives already have presented before legislative committees: Provost Wayne Quirk; Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs Bill Vertrees; and Assistant Vice President for Business Auxiliaries and Public Safety Steve Rittereiser.

Legislative attention so far has focused on the state's massive budget deficit, which is expected to exceed $6 billion when the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council issues its next forecast in March. Legislators and the governor must write two operating budgets: one addressing the rest of this fiscal year, which ends June 30, and the other addressing the 2009-2011 budget period. Lawmakers already have proposed bills that would reduce higher education budgets by passing into law the governor's August and November budget cuts.

Some of the many other issue areas attracting legislative interest include the following:

• Addressing climate change,
• Promoting "green" jobs,
• Increasing the production of baccalaureate degrees in math and science, and
• Reviving the economy and creating jobs.

On February 25, bills must move out of policy committees to remain viable. The 105-day regular session is slated to conclude on April 26.

CWU TOP STORIES

CWU HR DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES NEW MENTORING PROGRAM

Following several months of preparation, the Human Resources Department is now initiating the new CWU Mentoring Program, designed to promote employee development and increase retention. Through the program, which is open to all CWU employees, people with knowledge, skills, and experience can serve as mentors to employees ("mentees") seeking professional development.

"A mentor provides support, leadership, reinforcement, and a constructive example," said Michael Horne, training and development administrator. "They're good listeners, people who care, people who want to help others bring out strengths that are already there."

Mentors and mentees are now being sought for the program, which "promotes cross-divisional and cross-level communication, provides for the sharing of general and institutional knowledge, and assists in preparing employees to accept greater responsibilities," added Horne. "The desired outcome is to develop a stronger workforce and foster a continuous learning culture at CWU."

The typical time commitment for participants is four hours per month, during work hours, on a six-month cycle. Prospective participants should discuss the mentor/mentee time commitments with their supervisors prior to establishing the relationship to ensure that participation and activities won't disrupt regular work responsibilities and functions. "Supervisor support is essential to participant success," Horne stated.

A structured program will assist with pairing interested mentors and mentees and will be available as a resource.

Brief informational meetings are being scheduled for individual departments that want to learn more about the Mentoring Program and to sign up prospective mentors and mentees. To schedule an informational meeting for your department, or to sign up as a mentor or mentee, call ext. 2196 or visit www.cwu.edu/~hr/workforce/mentoring.html.

WILDCAT BATTALION RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD

The CWU Wildcat Battalion was recently named the top Army ROTC program in the nation by the United States Army Cadet Command. As the best program in the country, the Wildcat Battalion will receive the annual Order of the Founders and Patriots of America (OFPA) Award for Excellence in a special ceremony later this year.

The award is based on performance evaluations conducted at the National Leadership Development Assessment Course at Fort Lewis. The ranking are also based on a program's ability to meet and exceed its contracting, retention, and commissioning missions. Central came out on top of the 276 other colleges and universities with Army ROTC programs.

CWU CELEBRATES DARWIN'S 200th BIRTHDAY

For its eighth annual celebration of Darwin Week, CWU will promote public understanding of science in general, and evolution in particular, with a series of Ellensburg events. This year, in honor of Darwin's 200th birthday and 150 years since the publication of Origin of the Species, the opening event will be a one-act play, Blue Lias, or the Fish Lizard's Whore. The play is about the Victorian England fossil hunter Mary Anning. Blue Lias will open on Monday, February 9, at 7 p.m. in the Student Union and Recreation Center (SURC) Ballroom.

On Thursday, February 12, at 6:30 p.m., in the SURC Theatre, Dr. David Barash, an author and scientist, will make the week's keynote presentation on "Evolutionary Hangovers, or the Tortoise and the Hare Updated." According to Barash, "in Homo sapiens, biological evolution (the tortoise) is uniquely paired with cultural evolution (the hare), and that the tension between the two generates not only much of the glory of being human, but many of the disasters as well."

On Friday, February 13, Barash will also lecture on "Redirected Aggression Revisited: Exploring the Roots of Animal and Human Violence," at noon in Science Building 216.

In addition, Darwin Week will feature a lecture by Professor David Darda, biological sciences, titled "Andy Rooney's Eyebrows and the Fountain of Youth." It's slated for Thursday, February 12, at noon in Science Building 216. At 3 p.m. on Thursday, in Science Building 147, CWU faculty and students will present "The Lighter Side of Evolution."

All events are free and open to the public. For more information call ext. 2807.

BOTTCHER, NEY RECEIVE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH HONORS

The university's civil service employee council named, respectively, Mary Bottcher, instructional and classroom support technician for the Biological Sciences Department; and Loretta Ney, secretary for the Community Counseling and Psychological Assessment Center, as the November and December "Employee of the Month." At recent surprise ceremonies, they each received a certificate and $125 from the president's discretionary fund, through the CWU civil service employee recognition program.

Those nominating Bottcher, who has served in her department for the past twenty-one years, said that:

• "Mary played a key role in the planning and implementation of the Science Building. She served as a member of the New Science Facility Steering Committee along with other university staff, faculty, and administrators, took the organizational lead within the Biology Department for many aspects of building design and planning, and was a primary person in charge of equipment selection and purchase."
• "Mary is a wonderful colleague to all and a friend to many. She is friendly, positive, and one of the most pleasant people to deal with here at CWU."
• "Perhaps most importantly, Mary really cares about our students, and . . . this is what motivates much of her good work."

Those nominating Ney said:

• "Loretta has an uncanny knack to forge relationships, keep students focused on the work before them, and maintain relationships years after students leave the program."
• "When Loretta heard that a counselor in Ellensburg was planning on leaving the state, she instantly thought of three alumni who lived in the area where he was moving. Because of her involvement, the counselor was able to find a job in weeks. She finds jobs for graduates, comforts students in need, helps students meet the demands of the program, and keeps the clinic running impeccably."
• "Loretta is the pulse of our program, and a source of great pride."

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.

CHANTICLEER HITS ALL THE RIGHT NOTES

The New Yorker magazine calls the a cappella group, Chanticleer, "the world's reigning male chorus." The Grammy Award-winning ensemble is known for its original interpretations of vocal literature, from Renaissance to jazz, and from gospel to pop.

As the next feature in the 2008-09 Performing Arts and Presidential Speaker Series, Chanticleer will perform on Tuesday, February 24, at 7:30 p.m., in the Music Building Concert Hall. Reserved seating tickets are $35, general admission tickets are $25, and admission for CWU students is $10. To order tickets, go to www.cwu.edu/president/series/chanticleer.html, visit the Ticket Box Office in the Student Union and Recreation Center, or call ext. 1301.

STUDENT HEALTH CENTER AGAIN RECEIVES AMBULATORY ACCREDITATION

The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care recently re-accredited Central Washington University's Student Health Center for three years. The center was first accredited by the AAAHC in 2001.

"Our status as an AAAHC-accredited organization signifies that we have continuously met the rigorous standards of a nationally recognized third party since 2001," says Bob Trumpy, senior director of Student Health and Counseling Services, "and allows us to provide an extra measure of confidence to our campus community."

About 58 percent of the Ellensburg campus student body visited the Student Health and Counseling Center last academic year.

The non-profit AAAHC aids ambulatory health care organizations in improving the quality of care provided to patients. Serving more than 3,800 organizations, it is considered a leader in ambulatory health care accreditation. Through a peer-based survey process of ambulatory practices, its national standards are recognized by medical societies along with state and government agencies.

NOTICE CORNER

COMBINED FUND DRIVE ENDS
Despite a challenging economic climate, CWU donors made a significant contribution to the Combined Fund Drive. The final numbers for the 2008 Washington State Combined Fund Drive for CWU reflect that 104 donors contributed $18,844.08. This was only slightly down from 2007, in which 109 donors contributed $21,392.58. Overall, 129 state institutions, agencies, and offices participated in the 2008 campaign, and total donations reached $5.74 million, exceeding 2007 by $200,000.

ITS INTRODUCES WILDCAT CHAT
The Information and Technology Services (ITS) Help Desk is now available via a live chat link on the Help Desk webpage from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. By clicking on this live link you can "chat" directly to any of the available technicians. Check it out at www.cwu.edu/~helpdesk/.

ITS TAKES A BYTE OUT OF SPAM
ITS is launching two new initiatives to help reduce spam. For external spam, a new feature on CWU's enterprise spam filter (PreciseMail) will allow each employee to tailor his or her own spam tolerance, set quarantine levels, set "white lists" for e-mail senders/domains they always want delivered, and "black lists" for e-mail senders/domains they always want blocked. Previously, enterprise level spam filtering was identical for all employees. Users will also receive a daily e-mail informing them of e-mails that have been quarantined. All quarantined and discarded e-mails will be viewable on the Web for fourteen days. For internal spam, ITS is establishing subscription listservs so that individuals who do not wish to receive certain bulk e-mails can "opt-out." More information will be available about these services when these services are launched in the coming weeks.

CWU GREENHOUSE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
The Biological Sciences Department greenhouse is now open to the public on Thursdays from 2:30 to 4 p.m. The facility is actually composed of four separate greenhouses, each incorporating a different environment. Plants housed in the greenhouse come from around the globe. The facility is used for faculty and student projects, classroom visits, and tour groups.

For more information visit www.cwu.edu/~biology/facilities/greenhouse/index3.html.

THURSDAYS IN BLACK HIGHLIGHT SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS
Throughout February, the Wildcat Wellness Center will promote awareness of sexual assault and violence through Thursdays in Black (TIB). TIB is an international campaign that began as a grassroots response to rape and violence against women in Argentina in the 1970s. More recently, college campuses throughout the United States adopted TIB in order to organize local efforts to end sexual violence. The wearing of black is intended to signify campus unity against sexual violence. CWU has participated in TIB since 2006.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TRAINING FEBRUARY 5
Steve Rittereiser, assistant vice president for business auxiliaries and public safety, will present a seminar for faculty and staff, titled "Emergency Preparedness: Responding to the Hostile Intruder on Campus," on Thursday, February 5, at 1 p.m. in Student Union and Recreation Center Theatre. The two-hour professional development program will demonstrate how to stay safe in such a situation.

Participants will learn about Central's response capabilities and be introduced to Central's newest emergency communication systems, including CWU Alert! and Desktop Alert! The program will also cover general information about safety on campus, emergency preparedness, and other important information. Preregistration is required at www.cwu.edu/~training/registration/21.html. For more information, call ext. 2196.

"CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PRESIDENT" NOW ONLINE
Student radio station KCWU, 88.1 FM, is featuring "Conversations with the President," a monthly radio interview series conducted by Megan O'Malley, the station's public affairs director, with President Jim Gaudino. The live broadcast is scheduled to air at 12:15 p.m. on the third Friday of each month. You may also listen to rebroadcast online at www.881theburg.com/index.php?loadPage=downloads.

SPURGEON GALLERY FEATURES CWU ART FACULTY
Recent work by current and emeritus faculty members of Art Department is on display in the Sarah Spurgeon Gallery through March 8. The show, "CWU Department of Art Faculty Exhibition," features the works of eighteen faculty members and includes painting, sculpture, drawing, wood design, jewelry, graphic design, fiber arts, photography, and printmaking.

For more information about the free, public exhibition in the Randall Hall gallery, call ext. 3153, or visit http://www.cwu.edu/~art.

BELT-TIGHTENING RESTRICTS TRAVEL
Due to budget constraints effective January 1, the Office of Graduate Studies and Research will only be able to provide matching monies for one trip during the 2009 calendar year. Matching funds will remain at up to $300 to support a scholarly presentation at one event. For more information, call ext. 3101.

GRANTS AVAILABLE THROUGH CWU FOUNDATION
Applications are now being accepted for the CWU Foundation's Len Thayer Small Grants and the American Association of University Professors Grant. Forms are available at www.cwu.edu/~smgrants/. Completed applications need to be returned to the CWU Foundation, either to mail stop 7508, or the office in Barge 402. The deadline is Wednesday, February 25, at 5 p.m. For more information, call ext. 2764.

CWU TO BEGIN POSITIVE TIME REPORTING
To comply with a recent directive by the governor, most classified staff will need to record and report the hours they work each payroll period. The governor issued this directive based on recent clarification of federal regulations. In the past, CWU employees have used "exception time reporting," where they reported any time that they did not work their regular schedule, such as taking leave or working overtime.

The Human Resources Department is drafting forms and procedures that meet the federal requirements, while taking into consideration the needs of departments and time keeping systems already in place. HR staff will be contacting affected employees, their supervisors and department leave record keepers about the new procedures. If you have any questions regarding positive time reporting, call ext. 2279.

HAVE LUNCH AT WELLINGTON'S
In January, Wellington's, described as an exclusive faculty and staff dining experience, opened in the Lombard Room. Through the academic year, lunch will be available there from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Reservations can be made at ext. 1569. Menus and additional information are available at www.cwu.edu/~catering/items.php?view=wellingtons_dining_room.

MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT RATE DECREASED IN JANUARY
Effective this past January 1, the mileage reimbursement rate decreased to $0.55. The travel page and mileage calculator has been updated. For more information, contact Shelley Spencer at ext. 1986 or visit the travel desk Web site at www.cwu.edu/~acctng/travel_index.html.

CENTRALIGHTS

Jim ARMSTRONG, director of alumni relations, received the 2009 President's Award from the Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce. Armstrong was selected for the honor based on his service to the chamber and community over the last few years, including his help with strategic planning and in facilitating the Leadership Ellensburg program.

Junior Tegan COWARD was named the 2009 Ellensburg Rodeo Queen at the annual Ellensburg Royal Court coronation banquet. Coward, who is studying music education and psychology at CWU, plans to become a junior high band director.

Lila HARPER, English and graduate studies, was awarded a Certificate of Achievement by the Modern Language Association (MLA) during the annual MLA convention December 27-30 in San Francisco. Her award was based on "distinguished contributions made as a Fellow for The Modern Language Association International Bibliography 2005-08." Fellowships recognize the efforts of scholars who index materials on behalf of the MLA International Bibliography. Six fellowships are awarded nationally each year. During the convention, Harper also presented a paper, "G. H. Lewes, George Eliot, and the Medusa at the Seaside," at a Victorian Studies division panel and chaired a panel for the Part-Time Faculty Discussion Group.

Steve JEFFERIES, physical education, had an article, titled "School Boarding 101: Winning Friends and Influencing People," published in Strategies, a monthly journal of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education.

Anne JOHANSEN, chemistry, received $135,000 from the National Science Foundation for her two-year study "RUI: Do DMS and Isoprene Control Iron Bioavailability in Marine Aerosols?" In December, Johansen and alumna Lindsey SHANK made a platform presentation at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) meeting in San Francisco. It was titled "Evidence of DMS and Other Biogenic Gases Affecting Iron Bioavailability In Remote Marine Aerosols."

Linda MARRA, music, attended the 4th International Conference on the Physiology and Acoustics of Singing in San Antonio, Texas from January 6-10. Her presentation, titled, "Techniques of Teaching Used in the Doscher Studio," involved a discussion of the use of vocal exercises with specific pedagogical intent that incorporated vowel formation for optimum vocal resonance. Presenters from numerous different countries shared knowledge and ideas with fellow teachers, researchers, performers, and students. The next conference will be in Sweden.

Sharon ROSELL, physics, and member of the CWU student chapter of the Society of Physics Students, held a hands-on physics workshop on January 21 for fifteen children from the St. Andrew's Catholic Church pre-school.

Carin THOMAS, chemistry, and four undergraduate chemistry students attended the seventeenth Regional Conference on Undergraduate Research of the Murdock College Science Research Program. It was held November 7 and 8 at the University of Puget Sound. Two posters were presented by senior chemistry science honors students. Heather DURKEE, who mentored by Dion RIVERA, chemistry, presented "Kinetic Studies of the Formation of Zinc Based Quantum Dot Materials with Green Fluorescence." Sara ROSARIO, mentored by Thomas, presented "The Effects of Buckminster Fullerenes on Mitochondrial Function."

At the conclusion of a six-day competition in Oklahoma City, the International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) named CWU senior Jamie VIRDEN as Miss Rodeo USA 2009. Virden, a communications major, is the first contestant from Washington State to receive the honor. She was also crowned the Ellensburg Rodeo Queen in 2006, and was a contestant in the Miss Rodeo Washington pageants in 2008 and 2009. During her reign as Miss Rodeo USA, Virden will represent the IPRA, and travel approximately 100,000 miles across the United States promoting the sport of rodeo.

Bill YARWOOD and Robert TOSCH will serve successive terms as interim assistant vice president for facilities management. Yarwood, currently the director of capital planning and construction, is serving through April 30. Tosch, now the director of plant operations and maintenance, will assume the responsibilities from May 1 through August 30.

CWU EMPLOYEES

Shared Leave Requests
Gini Silva, University Housing and New Student Programs; Kerrie Overland and Connie Bennett, Facilities Management; Troy Brenner, Center for Disability Services; and Davida Stafford, Academic Advising, are in need of shared leave.

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 (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 (www.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.

Civil Service New Hires
Patricia Carlson, Office Assistant 3, CWU-Lynnwood; Jennifer Crosson, Retail Clerk 2, Wildcat Shop; Kara Hoisington, Fiscal Technician 3, Financial Aid; Linda Hall, Office Assistant 2, International Studies and Programs; William Mather, Custodian 1, Facilities Management; Brian McKean, IT Technician 2, Wildcat Shop; Amy Meyers, Office Assistant 3, CWU-Pierce County; Lana Wray, Early Childhood Program Specialist 2, Early Childhood Learning Center

Exempt New Hires
Bill Vertrees, Interim Vice President, BFA; Bill Yarwood, Interim Assistant Vice President, Facilities Management

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