WSU Spokane Campus Bulletin
Issue 2005-9 (April 27, 2005)


IN THIS ISSUE

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Olympia updates

  • Final 2005-2007 capital budget: Late surge for Biotech Life Sciences Building fails; WSU awarded Riverpoint nursing facility; Tri-Cities, Vancouver projects approved
     
  • 2005-2007 conference operating budget: House & Senate agree to WSU budget that adds 905 students with a dedicated tax; funds Vancouver & Tri-Cities freshmen, employee salaries; cuts $2.1 million in existing university programsReturn to the Top of the Page

School psychologists: Meeting a critical need

Steve Hirsch, instructor in Education at WSU Spokane, speaks with Shannon Duncan and Gavin HowellThe state faces shortages of school psychologists at a time when the need for mental health professionals in the schools has never been more obvious.

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction reported 167 school psychology vacancies in 2004—a 17% vacancy rate. An additional estimated 15% (148) will be eligible to retire over the next five years.

The post-master’s school psychologist certification program taught jointly by WSU Spokane and Eastern Washington University is one of only three such programs in the nation. The post-master’s design allows people with a master’s in counseling or education to make a career change into school psychology without earning a second master’s degree, as most programs require.

When students in the program attend education job fairs, they are not being asked to submit resumes and put their names on mailing list; they are being invited to interviews even though they have 1-2 months to go in the internship.

During the internship, they typically land a position. Of the 19 students who will graduate in June 2005, 9 have jobs lined up for next year, mostly in the districts in which they are doing their internships. School districts make a job offer and ask for a decision within two-three days so the student doesn’t get away.

There are five school psychology programs in the state and of the 50 new certificates granted in 2004 (which included those who move in from out of state), the post-master's program graduated 12—almost 25% of the total. This year the programs in the state hope to graduate 60 and 19 of them (30%) will be from this program.

Of the 12 students who graduated June 2004, 11 were offered employment in the schools (one in California) and the twelfth graduate is currently teaching psychology at Walla Walla State College. They’re working in school districts in College Place, Central Valley, Riverside, Selah, Pasco, Wapato, Sunnyside, Federal Way, and Santa Barbara, CA.

Program director Steve Hirsch says, “These are districts that have had a rough time finding psychologists over the years. Our program seems to be filling this niche, supplying psychologists to high-need rural districts.”

ASWSU Spokane hosts commencement brunch

Each year, ASWSU Spokane hosts a Commencement Awards and Achievement Brunch for WSU Spokane students and their families, to which they also invite faculty and staff who work closely with students. Students receiving honors from their programs are recognized, and the Students’ Choice Faculty Award is given.

This year’s brunch will be held Friday, May 6, from 9:30-11:00 a.m. in HSB Room 110ABCD.

For more information or to RSVP: email ASWSU Spokane, or call 358-7921. Return to the Top of the Page

Washington State University to honor graduates in Spokane ceremonies

Washington State University Spokane will celebrate its fifteenth class of graduates when diplomas are handed out Friday, May 6, at WSU's Spokane commencement ceremony. The program, which includes graduates of the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing and some programs of Eastern Washington University, begins at 2 p.m. at the Spokane Opera House.

The Rev. Stephaine (Stephy) Nobles Beans will serve as the Commencement speaker. The Rev. Beans is assistant pastor of the Church of Berachah, as well as a published writer, poet, and singer. She serves Whitworth College as the coordinator of ministry and multicultural affairs.

Ryan Rieger, who will be receiving his master of health policy and administration at the ceremony, will serve as student speaker. He serves as president of the Associated Students of Washington State University Spokane, and as a member of the Chancellor’s Student Advisory Council.

WSU Spokane will honor 268 students earning undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in architecture, construction management, criminal justice, exercise science, health policy and administration, human nutrition, interior design, landscape architecture, pharmacy, speech and hearing sciences, teaching, and technology management, including 19 receiving the post-graduate school psychology certification from WSU and EWU.

Walking at this commencement ceremony will be Douglas Orr, recipient of the first-ever doctor of philosophy in criminal justice from WSU. Established in 1941 as the Department of Police Science and Administration, the WSU Criminal Justice program is the second oldest in the country. Orr, who is a Spokane Police Department detective, received recognition as Officer of the Year in 2003.

The graduation honors 109 students receiving bachelor's degrees in nursing from the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing and its consortium partners EWU, Gonzaga University, and Whitworth College. All baccalaureate nursing graduates receive joint degrees from WSU and from the institution at which they did their first two years of study. 12 students will receive a master’s of nursing from WSU.

13 EWU students earning master's degrees in communication disorders who have studied in the joint WSU-EWU program will also be granted degrees at this commencement ceremony.

Scientist for a day May 13

On Friday, May 13, seven students from sixth, seventh and eighth grades from Eastern Washington and Idaho will come to the Riverpoint campus to be Scientists for a Day.

“It is programs like these that develop positive attitudes in students toward themselves through their relationships with science,” said event organizer Bonnie Wagner, health careers coordinator for the Eastern WA Area Health Education Center, WSU Extension.

Each of these seven students earned first, second, or third prize in the regional middle school essay and poster contest, “Biomedical Breakthroughs and My Life.” Sponsored by the Northwest Association for Biomedical Research (NWABR), the contest challenges students to present how biomedical research benefits their lives or the lives of someone they know.

“One incredibly valuable aspect of the contest and 'Scientist for a Day' awards ceremony is that they allow students to examine their preconceptions about science and scientists,” said Jeanne Chowning, education manager for NWABR.

“Students frequently comment in their essays how much their views about research have changed as a result of their participation in the contest. Once they realize that biomedical research has impacted their own life, as well as the lives of their family and friends, they reach a new understanding of its importance. These students are our future citizens, and they need to understand why research matters,” she said.

Student entries are reviewed by scientists from the research community. Students finishing in the top three places are asked to invite a parent and counselor to celebrate their achievement with them at the “Scientist for a Day” awards program and tour of the Health Sciences Building.

The day’s activities include:

"NWABR is thrilled that WSU Spokane will be hosting the first regional 'Biomedical Breakthroughs and My Life' awards day for students from the Inland Northwest,” added Chowning. “This partnership allows us to provide students from Eastern Washington and Idaho with opportunities to meet real scientists, participate in engaging hands-on activities, and tour world-class research labs.”

For more information about this event, contact Bonnie Wagner at 358-7644.

Social/behavioral sciences IRB Training Event June 6

The Northwest Association for Biomedical Research (NWABR) presents the 2005 Social/Behavioral Sciences IRB Training Event on June 6 at the WestCoast Ridpath Hotel in Spokane.

This one-day event is specifically tailored to address the needs of professionals working in social and behavioral sciences and features experts from around the Northwest discussing topics such as risk assessment in behavioral research, and pertinent studies in mental health, the use of minors and students in research and tribal/cultural issues.

Principal investigators and professionals working with the IRB including administrators, coordinators, members and chairs are encouraged to attend.

WSU is a member of the NWABR. Vice provost for research Jim Petersen and associate vice provost for research/WSU Spokane vice chancellor for research Dennis Dyck serve on the board of the NWABR; Sylvia Oliver, Barb Chamberlain, and Jan Eldredge serve on the Inland Northwest Regional Advisory Council.

Please contact NWABR Regional Manager Laurie Hassell by email or at (206) 465-4691 for any questions about the conference or how to register. The full agenda and online registration are available at their website. Return to the Top of the Page

On Stage! at the Met June 8

On June 8, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. On Stage! will present its musical theatre company Theatre Extraordinaire in its seventh annual production at the Metropolitan Center for the Performing Arts, 901 W. Sprague Ave., Spokane.

On Stage!, a recovery program serving mental health consumers, is housed in the Washington Institute for Mental Illness Research and Training at Washington State University Spokane.

Free and open to the public, the musical variety show “Fascinating Rhythms” highlights the talents of the cast in selections from “The Producers,” “Cabaret,” “Sweet Charity,” and “Chicago.”

Guest artists will include the Celtic Nots, a local folk music group; Annie O’Neill, jazz vocalist; the O’Neill Sisters; and children from the Columbia Ballet Theatre. For the first time family members will perform with the cast, joining their sons, daughters, siblings, and parents.

Admission is free with general seating. Reservations are available for groups of 12 or more. For information and group reservations call 509-358-7676. Donations to support the program will be accepted at the door.

The show is co-directed by Donna Douglass and Katherine Crow, produced by Douglass and choreographed by Crow. Return to the Top of the Page

News release

Road runners

Earlier this spring, the Bloomsday Road Runners Club honored one of our very own, Matt Nelson, maintenance custodian on the night shift, with the Runner of the Year Award in the Open Male category.

You can see Matt in action at the 29th annual Lilac Bloomsday Run on Sunday, May 1, where once again he is a key member of the WSU Spokane Corporate Cup team. “We are really lucky to have him on our team,” said Diane Davis, who has organized WSU Spokane corporate teams since 1992.

Davis reported that Nelson consistently finishes Bloomsday in the “44’s” – that is 44 minutes for 7.46 miles (12 km) to those who have not participated in the world’s largest timed road race. That means that Nelson is running 6-minute miles “which, given the hilly course, is incredible,” adds Davis.

A total of 10 runners from our campus make up two corporate cup teams, appropriately named the Crimson and Gray teams respectively. If you are running, walking, or watching Bloomsday, keep an eye out for the WSU Spokane team members: Kenny Bisagno, Bart Brazier, Diane Davis, Dennis Dyck, Brian Gates, Peter Huynh, Doug Menzies, Matt Nelson, Jeff Nye, and Doug Stephens. The Riverpoint Campus Wellness Collaborative salutes you!

Brought to you by the Riverpoint Campus Wellness Collaborative, working to foster a thriving culture of wellness. For more information on the Collaborative, contact Kelly LaGrutta.Return to the Top of the Page

Community connections

Those pennies really added up!

The Students Taking Action for Health Care in Rural and Underserved Areas (S.T.A.H.R.) Penny Drive for Spokane Guilds’ School raised $333.71 at the Riverpoint Campus.

Departmental totals were as follows:

  • EWU Occupational Therapy $81.51
  • EWU Physical Therapy $56.49
  • WSU Student Services $35.67
  • CALS Library $33.67
  • WSU AHEC $29.09
  • WSU Interdisciplinary Design Institute $25.66
  • WSU Administration Team $23.23
  • WSU College of Pharmacy $16.89
  • WSU Exercise Science and Nutrition/HREC $9.67
  • WSU Health Policy & Administration $7.15
  • Parking Services $6.16
  • EWU/WSU Speech and Hearing $3.45
  • EWU Business and Public Administration $2.50

Thanks to all who participated in the 2005 penny drive. This has been a great opportunity to support the unique services the Guilds’ School offers. If you would like to learn more about other community service options through the Guilds' School, please feel free to contact them directly at (509) 326-1651 or visit their website.Return to the Top of the Page

Love the Spokane River?

Former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt said on a recent riverside visit: “The Spokane River in the middle of this city is the best kept urban secret in the United States today." We are fortunate to have our campus situated right next to such a special feature of Spokane’s environment.

The I Love the Spokane River Campaign is open to all individuals and businesses who care about the river. The campaign will raise public awareness about the river and its many exceptional values.

Many important decisions concerning the health of the river will be made in the coming year. The goal is to help decision makers understand that the community cares deeply about the Spokane River and expects restoration of the river to the highest standards.

If you are interested in the campaign, check out the website.

Hoopfest could use your help!

Hoopfest is less than two months away, and once again we invite you to join other WSU Spokane employees and families in the celebration. Currently, Cougars participate as players, coaches, doting parents and sponsors, and serve on the Hoopfest Board and Operating Committee and in several other capacities as volunteers during the event.

Whether you are playing, watching or volunteering, there is no denying the quality of the event, which takes over the streets of Spokane each year during the last weekend of June.

This year will be no exception, and we could really use your help!

Over three thousand volunteers are needed each year to continue to produce the best outdoor 3-and-3 basketball tournament in the country.

There are several areas that could use your help, but Court Monitors are perhaps the most crucial event volunteer.  They supervise around 35 games on their court during the tournament, enforcing tournament rules and the time schedule while maintaining the Spirit of Hoopfest. 

Volunteer court monitors must attend specific training and complete a different volunteer application than other volunteers.  They are also asked to volunteer for the duration of the two-day tournament.  Court monitors receive Nike gear for volunteering their time, including shoes, shorts, T-shirts and hat.

If you would like to volunteer in any of several capacities, please go to the Hoopfest website and fill out an application.

The Spokane Hoopfest Association provides charitable support through distribution of profits to Special Olympics and basketball-related activities.

Personnel & staffing changes

Searches:
Assistant/Associate Professor, Construction Management, open until filled
Assistant/Associate Professor, Interior Design, open until filled
Assistant/Associate Professor, Pharmacotherapy, open until filled
Clinical Assistant Professor, Pharmacotherapy, 7 positions full- and part-time, open until filled
Research Associate/Research Scientist, Washington Institute for Mental Illness Research & Training, open until filled
Director of Finance & Budget, WSU Spokane, open until filled

Bulletin on summer publication schedule

The WSU Spokane Campus Bulletin moves to the summer publication following this issue. The next issue comes out Wednesday, May 18. It will publish every 3 weeks until the end of August, when we return to the academic year two-week schedule.

Way to go!

“Parking would like to thank the security officers for doing a great job at keeping the campus safe, for walking us to our cars, looking for suspicious persons and especially for helping us catch vehicles of those who neglect to follow the parking rules and regulations. Thanks!” (Barb King, Parking Operations)

“I've been meaning to thank all the custodial, maintenance and security staff for the help for our recent big 2 weekend events. Both were successful and everyone's help is so appreciated!” (Rebecca Stohlberg, EWU Dental Hygiene Department)

"A big thank-you to Jane Rudd, Lonny Waddle, and Kenny Bisagno for all their effort and responsiveness on the NEPA hearing held on campus Saturday, April 23."  (from the staff of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Resources)

"Way to go" is the place for you to recognize a co-worker's extra effort, outstanding contribution, or all-around good nature that makes your work day go a little more smoothly.

Send your “Way to Go!” comments to Laura Scholtens, scholtens@wsu.edu, and watch for your thanks to be published in an upcoming issue of the Campus Bulletin!Return to the Top of the Page

Find it on the Web

  • WSU Research News: The latest on research news from WSU.
  • News Releases: Recent news releases and links to news releases organized by subject for WSU Spokane.
  • WSU News Service: Breaking news from WSU, links to all news releases, and other information sources.
  • World Class Faculty: Check out the online profiles featured as links from our home page.
  • WSU Today online: Links to past print editions, plus breaking news briefs
  • Bulletin archives: Links to past issues of the Campus Bulletin from Oct. 2003 forward.
  • In the News: Media coverage of campus programs and people
  • Events Calendar: What's going on around here, anyway?Return to the Top of the Page

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The Bulletin is usually published on Wednesday biweekly during the academic year, every three weeks during breaks and summer session. Publication date may shift due to holidays. Deadline is Friday, the week before publication.
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The Bulletin covers news of interest to the faculty, staff, and friends of Washington State University Spokane, and associates on other WSU campuses and on the Riverpoint campus.

Regular columns cover personnel changes, upcoming events, professional accomplishments, opportunities for involvement in the campus community and the Spokane community, notices of new developments on campus, and other news.

The Bulletin also serves as a source of information for external communications directed to alumni, future and current students, and friends of Washington State University Spokane. You'll read it here first!

Subscribers welcome! Also available: WSU Spokane News & Events Update, an irregular email newsletter with brief excerpts from news releases and articles, and links to more information online (some duplication of Bulletin content). Send an email to Barb Chamberlain, chamberlain@wsu.edu, to request the WSU Spokane Campus Bulletin and/or the News & Events Update.

Editorial staff

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