WSU Spokane Campus Bulletin
Issue 2005-16 (October 5, 2005)


IN THIS ISSUE

Underline

Weeklong symposium examines interaction of
health and the built environment

A weeklong symposium at Washington State University Spokane hosted by the Interdisciplinary Design Institute will examine models for thinking about the relationship between health and the built environment.

To be held Oct. 17-20, the week’s events will offer workshops for health care and design professionals, faculty and students, a student design competition involving both design and nursing students, and a showing of Fritz Lang’s classic film “Metropolis.”

A registration fee of $50 for the week includes continuing education units from the American Institute of Architects or Interior Design Educators Council and entrance to all events and activities. For a complete schedule of events and registration information, visit their website.

About the Symposium

The intersection of urban design, public health, sustainability, accessible design and other cultural factors provide opportunities for research and creative thinking about ways of making cities and structures more conducive to individual well-being, symposium organizers said.

Panels and presentations will address a wide range of topics that explore questions of diversity, design and health:

• Work conducted in Finland to create ceramic tactile guides for the visually impaired in the Kamppi Centre, a pedestrian area that combines public transportation, market areas and urban city life
• Implications of traditional building types and streetscapes for long-term prevention of unsheltered homelessness and associated health risks
• Planning and design to promote social activity in older adults, using a multidimensional approach rooted in an understanding of social capital
• New models in the design of health care settings
• “Fractal processing”—the idea that, as biological beings, humans have neurosensory systems attuned to the structures of nature and that designed settings can “act like” natural ones and thus produce psychological benefits

Nancy Blossom, director of the Interdisciplinary Design Institute, said of the symposium, “We are pleased to have such a great line-up of scholars here to interact with our faculty, students, Spokane citizens and professionals. We have internationally recognized presenters who are leaders in the effort to recognize, learn from and enhance interactions between the built environment and health.” Return to the Top of the Page

Crime control expert joins
WSU Spokane criminal justice program

Bryan Vila, Professor of Criminal JusticeBryan Vila, a nationally recognized expert on crime control and human performance issues and a former law enforcement officer, is joining the criminal justice faculty at WSU Spokane.

Vila most recently directed the Crime Control and Prevention Research Division of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) – the research arm of the U.S. Department of Justice. Prior to joining NIJ in 2002, he was an associate professor at the University of California, Irvine, and later at the University of Wyoming. Before becoming an academic, Vila worked for 17 years as a law enforcement officer in local, national and international settings.

Travis Pratt, director of the WSU criminal justice program, said, "We are proud to have Dr. Vila join our criminal justice faculty. His exceptional research skills and his national profile will be a tremendous asset to our university, to Spokane and to the Northwest region."

Vila’s research focuses on two crime-control issues. The first tries to develop crime control and prevention policies that balance short-term strategies for protecting people and property with longer-term efforts that attack crime at its roots. His other major line of research – on which he will work with WSU Spokane’s new Sleep and Performance Research Center – tries to understand the impact of work schedules and sleep disruption on police officer performance, health and safety. Vila also studies historical trends in American criminal justice.

Brian Pitcher, WSU Spokane chancellor, said, “The WSU Spokane campus provides unique opportunity for creative interdisciplinary cross-over for world-class faculty. Dr. Vila has a national reputation for scholarship in both criminal justice and police performance. At WSU he strengthens a nationally ranked criminal justice program with colleagues in Pullman and Spokane, and also enhances the highly successful new sleep and performance research program in Spokane. We are excited to recruit another scholar of his accomplishment.”

New faculty features

This fall, a number of outstanding scholars are joining WSU Spokane. Read their profiles in the Campus Bulletin:

Informatics bachelor’s degree
granted approval for WSU Spokane

Washington State University has received approval from the state Higher Education Coordinating Board for a Bachelor of Science in Informatics degree, with all upper-division course work offered at the Spokane campus.

WSU Spokane will begin accepting students into the new program spring semester 2006, and is currently advising students completing prerequisite course work at the Pullman campus and at area community colleges.

The informatics degree combines principles of business, computer science and decision science. The interdisciplinary program focuses on information science and its role in effective business decision-making, with practical experience and coursework in economics, marketing, finance, statistics, database management systems and data warehousing, optimization, decision science and software development.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects computer systems analysts, database administrators and computer scientists to be among the fastest-growing occupations through 2012, according to the 2004-05 Occupational Outlook Handbook. Paul Schimpf (left), Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Faculty who teach in the informatics program conduct research in a number of disciplines that utilize data analysis to inform decisions, including medical and healthcare informatics, biomedical engineering, information technology and computer modeling.

Paul Schimpf, associate professor, electrical engineering and computer science, focuses his research on applications of electromagnetics to biomedical systems, including such problems as determining neural activity in the brain from an electroencephalogram (EEG). Contact: schimpf@wsu.edu, (509) 358-7937.

Margaret Mortz, Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer ScienceMargaret Mortz, associate professor, electrical engineering and computer science, focuses her research on classroom captioning using computer speech recognition, text mining, speech enhancement, assistive technology, bridging the digital divide and digital hearing aids. Contact: mmortz@wsu.edu, (509) 358-7935. Kenn Daratha, (second from left), Assistant Professor, Technology Management

Kenn Daratha (second from left in the photo at left), assistant professor, technology management, conducts research in statistical analysis and data mining techniques, with applications for chronic diseases such as substance abuse, type 2 diabetes, persistent asthma and obesity. Contact: kdaratha@wsu.edu, (509) 358-7769.

Students interested in pursuing the degree are encouraged to contact program faculty for advising. Students may begin their studies at WSU Pullman, with the final two years at WSU Spokane, or may complete their freshman and sophomore years at another accredited university or community college and transfer to WSU Spokane. For more information, contact Jane Kinkel at (509) 358-7537.

Federal funding continues work of public safety institute at WSU Spokane

The Western Regional Institute for Community Oriented Public Safety (WRICOPS) has announced that it will receive $300,000 in federal funding from the U.S.Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services to provide training, technical assistance and applied research services to criminal justice agencies and the communities they serve through December 2006.

WRICOPS, headquartered at Washington State University Spokane, works with law enforcement agencies on a wide variety of initiatives.

This past year, WRICOPS provided counter-terrorism training to the Department of Interior security force at Grand Coulee Dam. To date, WRICOPS has conducted its counter-terrorism classes for more than 2,000 front-line police officers in Washington state alone. In addition, WRICOPS has initiated training on human trafficking, collaborative decision making, leadership, youth violence prevention and a host of community policing topics.

“The training we provide fills a gap that individual police, sheriff and tribal departments can’t fill on their own,” said WRICOPS director John Goldman. “Federal support is vital to our ongoing efforts to have well-trained and responsive law enforcement prepared to meet 21st century demands for public safety and security.”

WRICOPS has served the states of Washington, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota and Wyoming since 1997 as one of a national network of Regional Community Policing Institutes. This award came as part of $12 million in funds allocated to support RCPIs around the United States and is in addition to award of $585,000 received in 2004.

Students in graduate studies in criminal justice at WSU Spokane have the opportunity to work on WRICOPS projects to apply the research and analysis skills to community problem-solving.

WSU Spokane educator receives statewide award

The Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) gave one of its highest honors to Dennis Ray, associate professor of educational leadership at WSU Spokane and director of Leaders for Tomorrow’s Schools (at right, with a student in the superintendent's certification program).

Ray received the 2005 Service to WASA Award for his active support of the organization throughout his 30-year career in education. The award was announced at WASA’s annual conference in Spokane.

Ray, a former Washington state school superintendent, played a lead role in creating the two-year superintendent program offered by WSU through the Spokane campus. The program, launched in 1996, now prepares approximately two-thirds of the school superintendents receiving credentials in the state, helping to meet the state’s critical shortage of well-prepared administrators.

Upon learning of the award from WASA, Ray said, “It is a tremendous and humbling honor to receive this award. WASA has been a major part of my professional career and my personal life for the past 30 years. Any successes that I have achieved are due, in large part, to my WASA friends and colleagues. I admire and commend those educators who go to work each day in an effort to make life better for the kids in our schools.”

Joan Kingrey, director of education programs at WSU Spokane, said, "I can think of no one more deserving for this honor than Dennis Ray. He has been exemplary in his support of superintendents and administrators in the state of Washington. The field-based superintendent's program provides exceptional preparation for superintendents and has become a proud tradition at Washington State University.”

One-Stop grad school shopping October 13

Potential graduate school students will have the opportunity to peruse more than 50 booths on Thursday, Oct. 13, at WSU Spokane’s second annual Graduate School Fair. Representatives from private and public colleges and universities from across the region and nation will answer questions for prospective grad students. The event is from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in the Health Sciences Building, room 110.

The reasons for choosing to go back to school for a graduate degree are as varied as the applicant. If you ask yourself, “Should I pursue a graduate degree,” you are not alone.

"There’s no doubt that the pursuit of an advanced degree demands a major investment of time, money, and effort. It is also an investment in yourself," said Howard Grimes, dean of the WSU Graduate School.

"Consider the earning potential over your career. The Census Bureau has concluded that those with a bachelor's degree can expect to earn about $1.8 million over a lifetime, while those holding master's or Ph.D./professional degrees earn even more-about $2.2 million and $3.5 million, respectively," stated Grimes.

To find out more and to view the list of exhibitors, go to www.gradfair.spokane.wsu.edu, e-mail gradfair@wsu.edu or call Jane Kinkel at 358-7537.

Only two weeks until Healthy Fare

Just a reminder that the Healthy Fare and potluck/social will be on campus on October 19. For more details, see the September 21 Campus Bulletin. Return to the Top of the Page

WSU Spokane e-store coming soon to a computer near you!

The much anticipated WSU Spokane E-Store is opening soon! A wide-variety of WSU Spokane logo apparel will be available to you at the click of a button, from polos to button-down dress shirts to bags and beanies.

This is your source for approved WSU Spokane logo apparel. CUDA Apparel is a local, licensed vendor of WSU logo items and hosts the e-store. You will notice that most items are available at a discounted price. But don’t let that fool you, all items are high-quality and have been tested through other e-stores that CUDA offers.

Plus, 15* percent of every purchase goes back to support the Spokane campus! That’s right, a portion of each purchase will support WSU Spokane visibility and marketing efforts.

Watch your e-mail for the grand opening announcement of the WSU Spokane E-Store! An e-store link will be added to the WSU Spokane home page as well. Stay tuned for details!

*Minus 3% for credit card processing fees and $1 for stocking.Return to the Top of the Page

Community connections

  • Oct. 6 public forum: Should Spokane local governments establish an ethics commission?
    A free public forum on Thursday, October 6, will consider whether local governments in the greater Spokane area should establish an ethics commission. The forum will be held in the City Council Chambers in the lower level of Spokane City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., at 6 p.m. For more information, contact Mary Franklin at the City Council Office (509) 625-6255, mfranklin@spokanecity.org.
     

  • Riverpoint Campus Blood Drive Oct. 13
    The Inland Northwest Blood Center (INBC) Bloodmobile will be parked outside the Health Sciences Building on Thursday, October 13 from 3 – 6 p.m. Donors are strongly encouraged to make appointments in advance at the library or they can just show up to give blood. If you need further information, contact David Buxton at 358-7925.
     

  • Renowned social critic James Kunstler to discuss oil crisis, urban issues Oct. 12 and 13
    James Howard Kunstler, social critic of ill-conceived architecture and urban planning in America, has set his sights on "a different blight of international proportions: America's dependence on oil"--foreign oil, in particular. Kunstler, author of the book The Long Emergency: Surviving the End of the Oil Age, Climate Change, and Other Converging Catastrophes of the Twenty-first Century (Atlantic Monthly Press, 2005), will visit Spokane Oct. 12 and 13 to discuss what can be done about the oil crisis as well as other urban and environmental ills.

    Two lectures will be presented on October 12 and a lecture and panel discussion will take place on October 13 at various locations at SFCC, Whitworth, and Gonzaga. For more information about these events, please contact Paul Haeder at (509) 533-3614.
     
  • “Out of Harm’s Way: Preventing Toxic Threats to our Children’s Health” Oct. 15
     This conference will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2005 from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Phase I Building, Riverpoint Campus, 668 N. Riverpoint Blvd., Spokane. Registration by phone at (206) 547-2630 or online at their website. For more information, contact Nancy Dickeman at 206-354-2170.
     
  • Spokane Teachers Credit Union Grand Opening Oct. 18
    Join Spokane Teachers Credit Union as they celebrate the grand opening of their new University District Branch and new location of their Business Services Department. STCU is proud to be supporting the development and growth of Spokane’s University District by moving into the Schade Towers at 528 E. Spokane Falls Blvd (across from the Bookie). STCU will be the first tenant opening in the newly renovated Schade Towers. Join the festivities as STCU officially opens its doors to the University District and surrounding businesses at 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 18 with refreshments to follow. Click here for more information.Return to the Top of the Page
     
  • Support Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery through Santa Express
    Yes, it’s time again for Santa Express (Nov. 25 - Dec. 23, 2005), the special store where only children can shop. Children between the ages of 4 and 12 can find fun and inexpensive gifts for everyone on their holiday shopping list at "Santa Express," the store just for kids. Most gifts are $7 or less, and proceeds from the sales benefit the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. Since it began in 1991, Santa Express has donated more than $200,000 to the Crisis Nursery.

    Santa Express is staffed entirely by volunteer groups who want to participate in a fun and worthwhile holiday activity with children. You can help by organizing a group of 6 to 8 friends, family or co-workers to be "Santa's Helpers" at the store. Your group of volunteers will help children choose gift items for people on their shopping list, then help the children wrap the presents. We prefer that volunteers are at least 16 years old. Limited space is available for junior volunteers, who must be accompanied by an adult.

    For information about volunteering, please see their volunteer site. If anyone decides to organize a WSU Spokane volunteer night, please let us know so we can help publicize it!
     
  • Spokane Figure Skating Club seeks volunteers
    The Spokane Figure Skating Club is in search of a volunteer to fill a board position. They have a competition coming up in March and Nationals are rapidly approaching, so they are also in need of volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering or joining the board, please contact Jennifer Hentges during business hours at 922-6100.Return to the Top of the Page

Personnel & staffing changes

Coming:
 Katherine Peterson, Research Technologist I, Health Research & Education Center/Shaffer Lab, effective 09/12/05
Cindy Marshall, Program Assistant (Admissions), Student Affairs, effective 09/20/05
James Dalton, Director of Finance & Budget, Budget Office, effective 10/01/05
Hans Van Dongen, Assistant Director of Sleep & Performance Research Institute, Health Research & Education Center, effective 10/01/05
Judith Van Dongen, Creative Services Manager, Communications, effective 10/01/05
Vickie Parker-Clark, Northeast District Director, WSU Extension, effective 10/01/05
Jon Weisheit, Director, Applied Sciences Laboratory, Institute for Shock Physics, effective 10/01/05
Adrienne Tucker, Research Assistant, Sleep & Performance Research Institute, Health Research & Education Center, effective 10/01/05
Pat Griffin, Program Assistant, Program in Health Sciences, effective 10/01/05
De Martin, Academic Coordinator, Health Policy & Administration, effective 10/10/05

Going:
 Abhijit Biswas, Senior Research Associate, Institute for Shock Physics, effective 10/30/05

Searches:
Research Associate/Research Scientist, Washington Institute for Mental Illness Research & Training, review of applications has begun
Assistant/Associate Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, review of applications begins 10/15/05
Assistant to the Dean, College of Pharmacy, review of applications has begun
Clinic Services Manager, WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing People's Clinic, review of applications begins 10/21/05
Assistant Professor, Pharmacotherapy, College of Pharmacy, review of applications begins 01/17/06
Clinical Assistant Professor (3 positions, two in Spokane, one in Yakima), Pharmacotherapy, College of Pharmacy, review of applications begins 01/17/06Return to the Top of the Page

Way to go!

Here's where you make someone's day a little brighter by extending your thanks for a job well done. 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 professional accomplishments, opportunities for involvement in the campus community and the Spokane community, notices of new developments on campus, upcoming events, personnel changes, 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