WSU Spokane Campus Bulletin
Issue 2006-3 (February 15, 2006)


IN THIS ISSUE

Underline

Momentum in the Inland Northwest: The Long View

A message from Chancellor Brian Pitcher

Last month we discussed building momentum at WSU Spokane (see the Campus Bulletin of January 11), and the internal planning and infrastructure needed for continued and growing success.

Clearly, the elements outlined in that column are not things that happen overnight. They are all things each of us works on every day.

External and community factors also create momentum—and pressures. I want to outline some of the reasons for optimism, and at the same time encourage us to take the long view of what we are building together.

A Healthy Economy and Rapid Growth

Two weeks ago, Dave Black, CEO of Tomlinson Black (and a WSU alumnus), and Shaun O’L. Higgins, director of sales and marketing for the Spokesman Review, spoke at the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce’s annual Economic Outlook Conference. The conference previewed the Spokesman Review’s 2006 regional business forecast, which was published on the following Saturday.

Black and O’L. Higgins were absolutely bullish, predicting banner growth in population, jobs, and income over the next few years. O’L. Higgins used a metaphor of “the perfect anti-storm” to describe the confluence of economic forces accelerating current economic growth:

• a strong state economy
• development of signature North Idaho and Spokane projects
• strong immigration of young families for lifestyle interests
• growth in external firms focusing major investment on Spokane
• extensive, positive national media exposure for the region

O’L. Higgins argued that the list of major projects “is lengthy and they are big”—including the University District centered on our campus; Kendall Yards; and the condo market in downtown Spokane.

Positive 2005 national media exposure included high Spokane ratings in a range of national publications, reports on nationally competitive WSU Spokane research programs, and success stories of intercollegiate athletics at Gonzaga, WSU, and EWU.

Black emphasized that current regional growth is not a “bubble,” and that the real estate market is “hot” and here to stay. People have discovered the quality of life the region has to offer. The conference’s theme was that the Inland Northwest is morphing into a very dynamic, attractive region of the country.

This accelerating growth in the Inland Northwest will facilitate momentum at WSU Spokane, even as it creates community expectations that we must acknowledge and understand.

What a Research University Contributes: The Long View

I share their enthusiasm about the region and its potential and progress. I also see the need to emphasize a long-range view that encompasses realistic short-term expectations, and the need to remind the community of the broadest vision of what we have to contribute.

WSU and the Riverpoint Campus are in the cross-hairs of every local economic development strategy with high expectations for short-term impact. Since metropolitan research universities are economic and cultural engines for their communities, Washington and Spokane expect world-quality programs and services on this campus.

While we expect the same, and already have much to offer, the full vision the community seeks will not happen overnight. To borrow from the Beatles, the road from knowledge discovery to a product on the shelf, a new approach to treatment, or breakthroughs in urban design or education can be a long and winding one. And while the focus on economic development is both important and understandable, it does not represent the full scope of our mission and our presence here.

This is the right time for a strong WSU Pullman/Spokane partnership. Our challenge will be to implement this partnership to optimize value to each campus and community. We must grow programs and impact consistent with long-term values—with a focus on world-class education; access; innovation and discovery; and community engagement emphasizing sustainability, partnerships, and integration.

But our mission is not only economic impact. WSU’s responsibility is to be a knowledge foundation for systemic community health and growth. Your efforts serve to strengthen education from early childhood to college; improve neighborhoods; and enhance human services and government effectiveness.

Through our work, we not only help create jobs over the long run—we help create a stronger community. As the state’s land-grant research university, and with our campus’s focus on interdisciplinary approaches, we are uniquely positioned to serve and strengthen this region and the state on every front, from the careers we build to the neighborhoods we build.

These are indeed interesting times, and a great time for engaged conversation about our academic future and plans.

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WSU Lecture, Workshop, and Course Address Global Oil Depletion

Have you worried about energy prices lately? You’re not alone! In fact, about four years ago—well before gas prices topped $2 a gallon—associate professor Melissa Ahern, health policy and administration, started looking into global oil and natural gas depletion and its implications for community health and sustainability.

On February 22, Ahern will present “Global Oil Depletion and Implications for Community Health and Sustainability: A Research Synthesis,” from noon to 1 p.m. in the Phase I Classroom Building Auditorium on the Riverpoint campus.

During the lecture, which is open to the public, she will discuss the work of a growing number of researchers who estimate that the peak in world oil production will probably occur between 2010 and 2015, if not before. At the same time, demand for energy is rising rapidly due to the exponentially growing economies of countries such as China and India. In addition, the world population is expected to continue increasing. Experts have indicated that this short time frame raises serious mitigation challenges.

This is cause for concern for Ahern, an economist who studies both health care markets and global oil depletion. “Cheap oil and cheap natural gas are the engines that drive our economy. The national economy—which depends on the global economy—is responsible for the health or sickness of the health care economy. If we end up having a faltering economy, that could take a significant toll on health care reimbursements and uninsurance.”

Pointing to a report prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy in early 2005, Ahern stresses the importance of addressing the issue of global oil depletion now. She has been doing her share to raise awareness and start working towards solutions.

Ahern initiated the organization of WSU’s Conference on Global Oil Depletion and Implications for the Pacific Northwest, which was held in October at the Davenport Hotel. Attended by decision-makers from the worlds of business, government, and science, and leaders in the community, the conference featured some of the nation’s leading experts on oil production, global energy demand, and alternative energy strategies.

Ahern’s February 22 presentation will set the stage for a one-day workshop scheduled for mid-May. Participants from WSU’s health sciences community and the Spokane community will take a look at community sustainability from four distinct points of view: health and health care; housing and the built environment; transportation; and food production and distribution.

In addition, Ahern is offering a new course—Strategic Planning for Healthy Sustainable Communities in an Era of Global Oil Depletion and Rising Energy Costs—this spring. A health policy and administration elective, the course helps students identify the economic implications of global oil depletion and rising energy prices, as well as strategies for improving community sustainability and health.

For more information about Ahern's presentation, workshop, and course, contact her by e-mail.

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Regents Approve Plan for Spokane Nursing Building

The Board of Regents approved the schematic design on Friday, January 27, for a $34.6 million building to house the Washington State University Intercollegiate College of Nursing on the Riverpoint campus of WSU Spokane.

The 80,000-square-foot building will replace the school’s current facilities on Fort George Wright Drive. It will include a nursing practice lab, distance education classrooms, computer and research labs and administrative and faculty offices. It will be located on the corner of Riverpoint and Spokane Falls boulevards, just south of the Health Sciences Building.

Schematic design of the five-story structure was done by Integrus Architecture of Spokane in association with LMN Architects of Seattle. Groundbreaking for the construction, which is being funded by the state, is scheduled for this fall. Construction is expected to take about two years.

Plateau Native American Education Trust Honored as Laureate

The Plateau Native American Education Trust, through the generosity of Allan Smith, has become the Washington State University Intercollegiate College of Nursing’s first laureate donor. A laureate donor is a person or organization that has provided more than $1 million cumulative lifetime giving to the university.

Dr. and Mrs. Smith established the Plateau Native American Education Trust to provide scholarships and recruitment funds for the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing, WSU College of Liberal Arts and Lewis-Clark State College. The funds may also be used to address health care issues for Native American tribes in Eastern Washington.

The College of Nursing recognized the Laureate status at a Jan. 3 all campus retreat. Steve Masterson, vice president and senior trust administrator at the Coeur d’Alene Wells Fargo, accepted a recognition plaque on behalf of the Trust.

“This contribution is significant on a number of levels,” said Dorothy Detlor, dean and professor at the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing. “The funds will continue to assist with our Native American Recruitment and Retention Program, which is focused on increasing the number of baccalaureate-prepared Native American nurses. And, this is the college’s first $1 million legacy donor.”


Third Fridays Seminar Series—February 17

Hosted by the Office of Research and the Health Research and Education Center, WSU Spokane's Third Friday Seminar Series continues with a lecture on the "Success and Shortcomings of Total Knee Replacement Outcomes," by Ryan Mizner, assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Eastern Washington University. The event will take place on Friday, February 17, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in room 110C of the Health Sciences Building. Wine and cheese will be served.

Although knee replacement is highly successful as a treatment for knee osteoarthritis pain, it has often been touted as a ‘salvage’ procedure with limited expectations for patients’ functional outcome. There have been mounting efforts to enhance postoperative patient performance, and extensive work has been done to advance current prosthesis design, surgical intervention, and postoperative rehabilitation. Mizner will provide a state-of-the-science overview of the success and limitations of current knee replacement practices with suggestions for future areas of research.

Mizner's research interests have focused primarily on clinical outcomes related to total knee replacement and subsequent rehabilitation. He has authored more than twenty national and international research presentations and has been published in various rehabilitation and medical journals. His work has been financially supported by the National Institutes of Health and the Foundation for Physical Therapy.

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Calling All Computer Users: Data Security Presentation on February 28

If you NEVER do any of the following:

  • Put personally identifying data on a USB chip or flash drive and carry it home
  • Send files as attachments between work and home computers
  • Work with files that identify participants in a research project by name or other personal identification
  • Handle confidential or financial information on a computer
  • Use your home computer to access your work computer via remote connection
  • Store data on a shared drive accessed by others on or off campus

Then you don’t need to attend the February 28 presentation on Enterprise Data Security, beginning at 2 p.m. in the Phase I Classroom Building auditorium.

Kevin Imel, IT manager for administrative services, will provide an overview of the university’s efforts to comply with state law concerning data security. The presentation will run approximately 30 minutes, and he will be available for up to another 60 minutes for Q&A. Imel said, “WSU is at a point in time where the effective management of sensitive or critical information is vital to the operation of the university. The news is filled with stories about data losses due to hacking or loss/theft of laptops containing sensitive data. We must do our part to make sure that this doesn’t happen here.”

The presentation is open to the entire campus community, including faculty and staff from Eastern Washington University, the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing, and SIRTI.

Changes in Law

New state laws adopted in 2005 require the reporting of data security breaches where “personal information” may have been disclosed.

The costs of notification for each incident can be quite high; the costs in terms of civil lawsuits could be in the millions of dollars. The cost to the prestige of the university is inestimable.

Changes in Attitude

Unfortunately, effective data management cannot be fixed with the flip of a switch or implementation of a new piece of equipment. It needs to start with a change in attitude about how data is handled and managed.

It all begins with identifying the respect we need to have for data. It means classifying the data we all work with from day to day and identifying where they are and where we need to do more to protect them. User education and awareness are the lowest-cost and most effective means of protecting the data that are vital to our work, whether we work in research, teaching, outreach, or administration.

What WSU Is Doing

The University Data Policy is being rewritten with the assistance of the Attorney General’s office to take into account the new laws and the changes in technology that have come about since it was originally drafted.

Many other initiatives are underway to locate, classify and protect WSU data. Imel’s presentation is one of the first steps in helping us all understand and address the needs of our areas in verifying data is managed and handled appropriately.

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It’s Levy Time!

School districts throughout Spokane County will ask residents to vote on educational program maintenance and operations levies by returning mail-in ballots on or before Tuesday, March 14, 2006. Registered voters will receive their ballots at the end of February.

If you are not currently a registered voter, you can still register by going into the county courthouse. For more on voter registration, see the Spokane County Elections website.  

An educational program maintenance and operations replacement levy is a local property tax that supports educational programs for students, roughly 70,000 of whom attend Spokane County schools. It is not a new tax, but a renewal of an expiring levy.

The state does not fully fund basic education for students. So school districts across the state run levies to pay for everything the state doesn’t—things like textbooks and other instructional materials; music; art; drama; debate; athletics; smaller class sizes; and additional librarians, custodians and counselors. Good schools build strong communities, and the levy dollars are essential to funding good schools.

If you live within a school district located in Spokane County, please remember to vote by mailing in your ballot before the March 14 election deadline.

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Sleep Over for Science Keeps Area Kids Awake

Sixty-five fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade boys and girls merged onto the Riverpoint campus on Friday, January 27, to explore the health sciences programs offered by Washington State University and Eastern Washington University. The students arrived at 7:00 p.m. and were excited to be spending the night on a college campus. Throughout the evening they participated in a variety of hands-on activities, such as wheel chair races, BMI testing, tooth evaluation, and creating chemical reactions.

Organized by Bonnie Wagner from EWAHEC, the event was a perfect opportunity to introduce students to health careers while introducing their parents to the Riverpoint campus. It proved to be a wonderful, sleepless event—a great time was had by all.

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Who Does What in Communications & Development

A hearty welcome to the new face on the team: Becki Meehan joined us February 1 as communications & events manager.

Becki comes from WSU Pullman, where she served as the interim assistant director for new student programs and prior to that as campus visitation coordinator. She coordinated campus visitation programs for over 3,000 prospective students, and the Alive! Summer Orientation program for over 2,500 admitted students. She also brings media relations experience, and experience from positions at the Indiana University School of Health, Physical Education & Recreation, and the University of Montana-Missoula.

With two new faces now, one of them in a new position added as of last October, it’s a good time to provide an outline of staff responsibilities. This should help you know who to call when you have an idea, a question, or information that will help us increase the visibility of your program and awareness of how great your work is.

In particular, please note that Judith van Dongen has very ably been handling the majority of news release writing during the communications & events manager search process. Much of that will shift to Becki, with Judith continuing to handle research news.

If these brief thumbnail lists raise any questions, please contact Barb Chamberlain, 8-7527, chamberlain@wsu.edu. Contact information for each is listed below.

News releases & media relations:
Events & general campus news—Becki
Research news—Judith
Central/university news issues, emergency response communications—Barb

Events:
Planning & publicity for campuswide events—Becki
Weekly events notice—Laura
Involving elected officials or community partners—Barb
Involving donors—Lorna
Mailing lists & community contact information—Laura
Facilities use requests—Jane Rudd, Scheduling Coordinator, Student Services
Recruiting events—Katie Herzog & Jane Kinkel, Student Services

Web:
Technical issues—Sicco
Overall content management and site planning—Judith
Event content—Laura

Publications:
Recruitment materials (planning, creating & updating)—Judith
Recruiting materials inventory management—Student Services
Research-related publications—Judith
Event support materials—Becki

Photograph use:
Formal head/shoulders portraits—Laura
Campus, faculty, & student images—Judith

Giveaways:
Inventory management—Laura
Creating new ones—Becki

Internal communications:
Campus Bulletin—Judith
“Way to go!” items for Bulletin—Laura
Overall planning—Barb

Community relations:
External event sponsorship/participation—Barb
Opportunities, ideas & questions—Barb
Community Connections items for Bulletin—Laura

Government relations:
Requests from elected officials and staff (facilities use, info, anything)—Barb

Marketing & advertising:
Campus & department/unit plans—Judith
University Spokane/Pullman plans—Barb

Becki Meehan, Communications & Events Manager: Events planning, management, and publicity; media relations; production of giveaways and promotional items; alumni relations.
Email: rmeehan@wsu.edu
Phone: 358-7528

Judith van Dongen, Creative Services Manager: Marketing, advertising, publications, photo shoots, Web content direction, research communications, Campus Bulletin editor.
Email: jcvd@wsu.edu
Phone: 358-7524

Lorna Walsh, Associate Director of Development: Fundraising of all kinds on behalf of the campus: individual donors, private foundations, corporations, corporate foundations; community relations; alumni relations.
Email: lornawalsh@wsu.edu
Phone: 358-7565

Sicco Rood, Campus Webmaster: Web technical management; academic computer consulting and technical support for faculty, staff, & students.
Email: rood@wsu.edu
Phone: 358-7976

Denise Palmen, Graphic Designer: Print and Web design on behalf of College of Sciences Tech Services; WSU Spokane is a client. Design activities for campus materials coordinated through Judith or Becki, depending on the purpose.
Email: dpalmen@wsu.edu
Phone: 358-6666

Laura Scholtens, Administrative Assistant: Budget implementation, administrative support, data management, archives, scheduling, giveaway inventory.
Email: scholtens@wsu.edu
Phone: 358-7540

Barb Chamberlain, Director of Communications & Public Affairs: Spokane/Pullman (co-location) communications planning and strategy; government relations; community relations; internal communications; planning and budget oversight; incident command system communications.
Email: chamberlain@wsu.edu
Phone: 358-7527

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Campus Facilities Use

After thorough review by WSU Spokane and EWU administration, a revised Facilities Use Policy has been approved for use on the Riverpoint Campus. This is posted at the Web at www.spokane.wsu.edu/roomrequest, along with the new room reservation form.

Everyone on campus is asked to work with the WSU Spokane Office of Student Affairs to implement and follow the policy.

WSU Spokane Chancellor Brian Pitcher commented, "Unless we have been incredibly insightful, I expect to encounter questions and challenges with implementing this policy. Where we find inconsistencies, unexpected consequences, and situations that do not fit the policy, we will consider and amend the policy as needed."

For any questions or suggestions, please contact Joan Menzies at jmenzies@wsu.edu or 358-7526.
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Community Connections

  • Spread your school spirit, donate WSU apparel to Goodwill!
    Every spring, Goodwill puts on a fashion show, luncheon, and sale to benefit their programs for the disabled and disadvantaged. Slated for April 8 at the Davenport Hotel, this year’s event will include a new segment – a “school spirit” section. The plan is to have Spokane-area colleges and universities represented, including WSU Spokane, Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University, and Whitworth College. Alumni from each school will model that school’s apparel, and school apparel will also be included in the sale following the fashion show. If you have some “gently used” Cougar apparel/paraphernalia that you’d be willing to donate, please drop it off at the WSU Spokane Student Services Office (Health Sciences Building, room 125E) prior to March 8.

     
  • War, Reconciliation, and Human Rights Film Series Continues at Gonzaga
    The Gonzaga Institute for Action Against Hate and the Gonzaga Center for Law and Justice, is hosting the War, Reconciliation, and Human Rights Film Series at the Gonzaga University School of Law Barbieri Courtroom, at 721 N. Cincinnati Street. All movies in the series, which is free and open to the public, begin at 6:30 p.m. The February 21 film is “Liberia: An Uncivil War.” It provides an in-depth case study of one of the many brutal civil wars springing up in Africa. The film sets the current situation in a historical context stretching back nearly 200 years, and the filmmakers cover opposite sides of the conflict. Films planned for March and April are: “Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Romeo Dallaire” on March 28, and “Long Night’s Journey into Day” on April 18.
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  • Spokane Community College Professional Clothing Drive
    The Spokane Community College Student Ambassadors need your help in providing professional clothing to currently enrolled students who want to make a great first impression during their job search. They will be collecting clothes through March 17, 2006. The dropoff site is the Student Ambassadors office in room 102 of building 15 on the Spokane Community College campus. Professional clothing needed includes slacks, shirts, ties, shoes, and sport Jackets for men; and dresses, skirts, tops, sweaters, slacks, shoes, jewelry, and professional handbags for women.

     
  • Urgently Needed Supplies for the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery
    The Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery is in urgent need of the following supplies: infant formula, specifically Enfamil AR and Enfamil with Iron, and Prosebee large diapers (sizes 3, 4 & 5). The nursery provides a tremendous service to at-risk children in Spokane. If you wish to make a monetary donation, send it to: Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, Attn: Susan Brann, 1004 E. 8th Avenue, Spokane, WA 99202. Their phone number is 509-535-3155.

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  • 92.3 FM Film Night Features "Howard Zinn: You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train"
    The film will be shown on Saturday, February 25, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building,  35 West Main, Spokane. This 78-minute film from 2004 documents the life and times of the historian, activist, and author of the best selling classic "A People's History of the United States." Narrated by Matt Damon, it features rare archival materials: interviews with Howard Zinn, as well as colleagues and friends, including Noam Chomsky, Marian Wright Edelman, Daniel Ellsberg, Tom Hayden, and Alice Walker. "You Can't Be Neutral" captures the essence of this activist and thinker who has been a catalyst for progressive change for more than 60 years. Call 747-3012 or check their Web site for more information.

Personnel & Staffing Changes

Comings:

  • Rebecca (Becki) Meehan, Events Manager, Communications, effective 2/1/06
  • Brigitta Jozefowski, Principal Assistant, WSU-UW Policy Consensus Center, WSU Spokane Extension, effective 1/1/06
  • Co-located at WSU Spokane:  Megan Riebe, Director of Development, WSU Extension and Director, Washington State 4-H Foundation

Promotions:

  • Susan Pfeifer, promoted to Associate Director of Finance & Budget, effective 10/1/05
  • Linda Edwardson, promoted to Program Coordinator, Small Business Development Center Statewide Office, effective 1/1/06

Recruitments:

  • Patient Services Representative, People's Clinic, Intercollegiate College of Nursing, applications due by 2/20/06, apply at www.hrs.wsu.edu 

Searches:

  • Assistant/Associate Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, review of applications has begun
  • Assistant Professor, Pharmacotherapy, College of Pharmacy, review of applications has begun
  • Clinical Assistant Professor (three positions—two in Spokane, one in Yakima), Pharmacotherapy, College of Pharmacy, review of applications has begun
  • Assistant/Associate Professor, Architecture, review of applications has begun
  • Assistant/Associate Professor, WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing, review of applications has begun
  • Associate Professor/Associate Dean, WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing, review of applications has begun
  • Business Development Specialist, Small Business Development Center in Yakima, review of applications has begun
  • Finance Manager, Business Office, WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing, review of applications has begun Return to the Top of the Page

A Warm Welcome to...

...Cory Kittilstved, in our facilities operation department. Cory previously worked for Argus Janitorial, and we are happy to have him as part of the WSU Spokane family.

Way to Go!

A very sincere “Way to Go!” to Bettie Rundlett for her skill in organizing EWAHEC’s federal report – and getting it submitted ahead of the deadline! (from Charlotte Hardt)

Many thanks to Joan Menzies, Lisa Martin, Jane Rudd, Jon Schad and Larry Hoffman for their work on the Facilities Use Policy. They examined current patterns of use and issues needing clarification and recommended the update (above). (from Brian Pitcher)

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

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The Bulletin is usually published on Wednesday biweekly during the academic year, every three weeks during breaks and summer session. The exact publication date may shift due to holidays. If you have an item that you'd like us to include, send it to us by Friday in 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! Send an e-mail to Judith Van Dongen, jcvd@wsu.edu, to request the WSU Spokane Campus Bulletin.

Editorial staff