Week of  November 3 - 9, 2008

Welcome to the Tower Topics E-newsletter for faculty, staff and students at Western. 

Missouri Western State University, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64507, 816-271- 4200

Click any link for these stories:

Western Undergoes Accreditation Checkup Visit

Winter Trout Fishery at Every Pond

'Science' Article Highlights Undergrad Research at Western, Other Universities

Western Offers Writer's Workshop

Tower Sports

News Briefs

Calendar

Ads

Archives

The deadline for all entries is 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, for the next week's issue. Tower Topics will be online weekly during the fall and spring semester.  For more information call 271-5651.

Western Undergoes Accreditation Checkup Visit

A two-member evaluation team visited Western last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for a quality checkup site visit as part of the university’s reaffirmation of accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

“The visit went well,” said Dr. Jeanie Crain, special assistant to the president. “We’ll get the team’s official report in a few weeks, but before they left they were very complimentary.”

In their wrap-up session with Western administrators, the evaluators reported several items they called "WOW statements" ... things they were really impressed with. Those included the integration of Western's strategic plan with the AQIP process; the collection and utilization of data by the office of student services; "robust" safety and security planning; "impressive" student recruitment; and faculty-driven and process-oriented changes in the tenure process.

Western has been accredited by the Commission since 1919. Its current accreditation is at the master’s degree level. Without the accreditation, Western students would not be eligible for federal financial aid.

Western participates in the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP), an alternative process to maintain accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. Through AQIP, Western demonstrates it meets accreditation standards by documenting efforts to improve performance.

Western was accepted into the program in 2003, and identified three AQIP action projects that year: applied learning, student engagement, and communicating quality. Last year, the university identified three new action projects: building graduate programs, enhancing academic affairs through critical thinking, and using measurement and assessment.

The evaluation team interviewed students, faculty, staff and administrators to affirm the accuracy of Western’s online systems portfolio, an overview of the ways Western accomplishes its missions and objectives. The team also reviewed the university’s progress on its actions projects.

“The checkup visit is a time of celebration as much as anything else,” Dr. Crain said. “It’s a time for us to demonstrate the good work that we’re doing and the progress that we’re making.”

The team will report its findings to Western and to the AQIP Review Panel on Reaffirmation of Accreditation within four to six weeks. The panel will forward the results of its review to the Institutional Actions Council, which will recommend to the Commission a continuing status for Western. The Commission’s final decision on reaffirmation of accreditation is expected in the 2009-2010 school year.

“Thanks to those who helped prepare for and make the checkup visit successful,” Dr. Crain said. “The evaluators were impressed with the professionalism and preparation of everyone they dealt with during their visit."

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Winter Trout Fishery at Everyday Pond

The Missouri Department of Conservation last week stocked Everyday Pond on James McCarthy Drive with 800 rainbow trout.

The trout range in size from one-half pound to four pounds, or from about 10 inches to 24 inches long.

The pond is open to public fishing for those that have a valid Missouri fishing license, or are exempted from the license requirement. However, all fishing in Everyday Pond is catch-and-release only until Feb. 1, 2009. After Feb. 1, trout may be kept by those with a valid Missouri trout license in addition to their fishing license. No other species may be kept—bluegill, largemouth bass, channel catfish or other types of fish caught in the pond must be released year-round.

There is also a limitation on the type of bait that may be used by anglers before Feb. 1. Only artificial lures, unscented plastic lures and flies may be used during the catch-and-release period. After Feb. 1, natural and scented plastic baits may also be used.

In addition, anglers are limited to dock and bank fishing only. Boats and wading are not allowed. Campus regulations also prohibit alcoholic beverages, firearms, fires and walking on ice.

This is the second year the pond has been stocked with trout, and it proved to be a popular fishing spot last year.

The trout fishery is a cooperative project between Western and the Missouri Department of Conservation. For more information, contact Conservation’s Northwest Regional Office on the Western campus at 3100.

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'Science' Article Highlights Undergrad Research

at Western, Other Universities

Dr. Todd Eckdahl, professor of biology, and Dr. Jeff Poet, professor of mathematics, are co-authors of an article published in the Oct. 31 issue of “Science” magazine.

The article, titled “Undergraduate Research: Genomics Education Partnership,” describes a consortium of colleges and universities that offers undergraduate students opportunities to work on cutting-edge analysis of DNA sequence data, contributing to an original research project.

“Western and the other universities in the consortium are providing undergraduate students the opportunity to do the kind of research usually reserved for graduate students at most universities,” said Dr. Eckdahl. “Our students are learning to think like scientists, better preparing them for post-graduate education and careers in the life sciences.”

The Genomics Education Partnership (GEP), led by Dr. Sarah Elgin of Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., provides opportunities for undergraduates to do original research as part of a course curriculum, and pools research results to advance the science of DNA sequencing. The article concludes that GEP students report learning and professional gains similar to those students who participated in a summer-long research project outside of the regular academic curriculum.

At Western, students of Eckdahl and Poet’s Bioinformatics course have participated in the project twice before. Another group of students will do so in spring, 2009.

“Opportunities like this traditionally have only been available to students who could spend a summer in the laboratory,” said Dr. Poet. “By making this project part of our regular curriculum, more students are able to engage in meaningful research.”

“Science” is the flagship journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. With a circulation of more than 1 million, it is widely considered the most prestigious science journal in the country.

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Western Offers Writer's Workshop

"Poetry, Prose, Plays and Pizza!"

Western will sponsor Wednesday Writer’s Workshops, “Poetry, Prose, Plays and Pizza!” free of charge for area teenagers and their teachers, grades 7-12, who are interested in submitting entries to this year’s Missouri Writing Region Scholastic Writing Awards Contest. Workshops meet from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Nov. 5, 12 and 19 in Murphy Hall, room 105.

“Our facilitators will workshop winning Scholastic contest pieces from prior years, introduce – and allow time for practicing – genre-specific writing strategies, and provide feedback on drafts being prepared for this year’s contest,” said Dr. Jane Frick, professor of English, Prairie Lands Writing Project (PLWP) director and Missouri Writing Region coordinator for this year’s Scholastic contest.

The writing award contest is part of the 2009 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. The awards, sponsored by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, offer early recognition for creative teenagers and writing scholarship opportunities for graduating high school seniors. Missouri teenagers entering the 2009 Scholastic Writing Awards Contest have until Dec. 10, 2008, to send their entries to Western, which sponsors the Missouri Writing Region with PLWP, the Missouri Association of Teachers of English and the Missouri Writing Projects Network.

The writings will be scored by a panel of Missouri educators and writers in early January. Missouri Region winners and their teachers will be honored at the 2009 Write to Learn Conference for Missouri’s language arts teachers Feb. 27 in Osage Beach, Mo. Winning entries will be published online, and Missouri’s Gold Key winners’ work will also be judged for national awards and scholarships. More than $3.25 million in scholarships will be made available to select national award recipients.

Students interested in participating may attend one, two or all three of the writer’s workshops, but must sign up at least 24 hours before the session they will attend by sending an email to scholastic@missouriwestern.edu. Include the names of students or teachers attending, grade, school, evening phone number and email address. Attendees will receive a notebook for journaling and Wednesday Writer’s Workshop Certificate of Completion, in addition to pizza.

For submission guidelines and contest entry forms, visit www.artandwriting.org; to learn about the state contest winners’ prizes, honors and publications, visit www.missouriwestern.edu/scholastic; and for more information about the writer’s workshop or the contest contact Dr. Frick at 4315 or frick@missouriwestern.edu.

The Wednesday Writer’s Workshops are sponsored by the department of English, foreign languages and journalism; the Student Affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English Club; and PLWP at Western.

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Tower Sports

Football

• Win vs. University of Central Missouri, 42-41, Nov. 1

• Nov. 8 vs. Truman State University at 1:30 p.m.

Soccer

• Loss vs. Emporia State, 0-1, Oct. 30

• Loss vs. Southwest Baptist, 3-0, Nov. 1

• Nov. 8 vs. Washburn at 7 p.m.

Volleyball

• Loss vs. Pittsburgh State, 0-3, Oct. 29

• Loss vs. Southwest Baptist, 1-3, Oct. 31

• Loss vs. Missouri Southern State, 2-3, Nov. 1

• Nov. 7 at University of Nebraska-Omaha in Omaha, Neb., at 7 p.m.

• Nov. 8 at University Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo., at 5 p.m.

First Thursday Noontime Concert Western will co-sponsor the First Thursday Downtown Noontime Concert Series at 12:10 p.m. Nov. 6 at the First Presbyterian Church, 301 N. 7th St. The concert series features Western’s Concert Chorale, conducted by Frank Thomas, associate professor of music.
The community is invited to bring lunch and eat while listening to the performance in the sanctuary of the church. The event will last approximately 35 minutes, and there will be an opportunity to meet the performers after the concert. A minimum donation of $3 per person is suggested in order to meet the expenses and provide continuation of the series. The Concert Chorale is an auditioned choral ensemble of 55 voices. It has been chosen to perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association convention and toured Europe on several occasions. Thomas, who is in his final year as director of the chorale, has selected some old favorites as well as new compositions and arrangements for the noontime concert series. For more information about the concert series, contact the First Presbyterian Church office at 232-3358; the Western music department at 4420; or Jerry Anderson, Noontime Concerts coordinator at 262-0800.

Nontrad Reception Western will hold a reception to recognize outstanding nontraditional students from 3-4 p.m. Nov. 5 in the Leah Spratt Hall Atrium. The reception is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. The National Association of Nontraditional Students in Higher Education declared Nov. 3-7 as “National Nontraditional Student Week,” a week for honoring nontraditional students nationwide for their academic achievement and outstanding service to their campus community. Thirty-six students were nominated for recognition and will receive certificates. The certificates, along with the supportive comments made for each student, will be on display during the reception. For more information about “National Nontraditional Student Week” or the reception, contact Ellen Kisker, director of nontraditional student services, at 4280 or kisker@missouriwestern.edu.

Books are Fun The MWSU-student organization for the International Reading Association is holding its fundraiser in the Eder Hall lobby from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Nov. 5 and 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Nov. 6. Great savings, as much as 70 percent off, on books and gifts. Bring your Christmas list and promote literacy by supporting the MWSU-IRA.

Vote or Shut-Up The Center for Multicultural Education has created “Vote or Shut-Up” for students and others who would like to participate, regarding election issues. Our purpose is three fold:

• to get students registered to vote

• to make them aware of issues that should concern them

• to get them to cast a vote in November

The following event is free and open to the public:

Vote or Shut-Up: Rides to the Polls - Nov. 4 - Election day rides to the Armory from campus. We will provide rides throughout the day. Vans will leave from Lot G of the Blum Union to the Armory on Faraon.

Pre-Registration News It's time to meet with your advisor. If you do not know who your advisor is please check on My Western self-service page under Student & Financial Aid, Student Records, View Student Information. Please contact this individual or the department concerning sign-up opportunities for advisement. When you meet with your advisor you will be given an Alternate PIN. You will use this 4-digit number to access Registration through My Western self-service page and enroll in classes. Beginning at 7 a.m. on each date, the schedule listed below will be followed (degree-seeking students only):

• Seniors (90+ hours) - begins 11/03/08

• Juniors (60-89 hours) - begins 11/06/08

• Sophomores (30-59 hours) - begins 11/10/08

• Freshmen (0-29 hours) - begins 11/12/08

To calculate your class you may add your cumulative earned hours and the current hours you are attempting this semester. Students who have a registration hold on their records will not be allowed to register. To check if you have this type of hold access My Western self-service page under Student & Financial Aid, Student Records, View Holds. Remember, a registration hold can be added to you account at any time. If you have any questions please call the Registrar's Office at 4211.

New Letterhead The Western letterhead has a new look. The new letterhead and accompanying envelope will be printed on a new, natural colored 60 pound sheet. The new stationery paper matches the new business cards that were revised in August 2008. Volume paper prices have been steadily increasing over the past several years since our paper and letterhead charges for campus customers were last set. The price for the new Western letterhead and envelopes will be slightly more than the price for the old letterhead. All departments should use up their current supply of letterhead and envelopes before ordering the new stationery. For questions regarding the new letterhead, please contact Campus Printing & Design Services at ext. 4236.  Thank you.

Prices effective Nov. 1, 2008:

Business cards - Minimum order is 250

On Royal Linen Natural card stock

• Black and Gold: 250/$16 500/$23 1000/$41

• Black ink only: 250/$9  500/$12 1000/$18

Letterhead - Minimum order is 1 Ream, 1 Ream=500 sheets

Personalized with department information on Exact Natural paper

• Black and Gold: $40/Ream

• Black ink only: $30/Ream        

• Blank ream for second sheets: $10/Ream

Envelopes- Minimum order is 1 Box, 1 Box=500

#10 envelopes personalized with department information on Exact Natural paper             

• Black and Gold: $60/Box

• Black ink only: $40/Box

Symphony Discount As a special thank you to our partners at Western please join us for a night at the Symphony for 20 percent off our regular ticket prices. Just go to the "Tickets" page of www.saintjosephsymphony.org. As you purchase your tickets, type mwsuf in the "promo code" box to receive your discount, or purchase them in person at our office at 120 South 8th Street downtown. Office hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. with your faculty ID card. The next concert, “Around the World in 90 Minutes,” is at 8 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Missouri Theatre. For more information call 233-7701.

Homecoming Shirts Homecoming shirts are still available in the Center for Student Engagement, Blum 207, and are now being sold at reduced rates until they're gone. Thanks again to everyone who participated in homecoming this year.

Toys for Tots Dr. DJ Champagne, adjunct instructor of sociology, is assisting the American Legion 359 of St. Joseph, Mo., in the ‘Toys for Tots’ donation drive. She is collecting donations of toys for all age groups, as well as monetary donations until the final exams at the end of the semester.  Take all donations to her office in Popplewell Hall, room 212M. For more information contact the department of government, social work and sociology at 4340.

Marketing Communications Survey The Public Relations and Marketing Office will send surveys to all faculty and staff asking for your feedback on our marketing communications efforts of the past year. The surveys will be conducted electronically using the Class Climate tool. The survey is short and should only take a few minutes. We hope everyone will take the time to respond. The surveys are anonymous, however, we will enter everyone who chooses to include their name in a drawing for $50 shopping sprees in the campus bookstore. (Note: only completed surveys will be eligible for the drawing.) Students, the local community, and the business community will also be included in our overall measurement effort. We would like to thank the marketing students and staff of the Craig School of Business for their help with this process. Thank you in advance for your assistance with this assessment process. We will be using information and suggestions gained from these surveys to make future marketing decisions.

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Monday, November 3

• Senate meeting at 5 p.m. in Blum 220

• Orchestra Rehearsal from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

• Griffon Luncheon from 12-1 p.m. in the upstairs banquet room at La Dolce Vita at 36th Street Restaurant

• Seniors may register for classes beginning at 7 a.m.

Tuesday, November 4

• Residence Council meeting at 7 p.m. in Commons Building

• Election Day!

• Vote or Shut-Up: Rides to the Polls - Election day rides to the Armory from campus

Wednesday, November 5

• WAC meeting at 4 p.m. in the Junior College Room

• Outstanding Nontraditional Student Reception rom 3- 4 p.m. in the Spratt Hall Atrium

Thursday, November 6

• Juniors may register for classes beginning at 7 a.m.

• First Thursday Downtown Noontime Concert Series at 12:10 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 301 N. 7th St.

Saturday, November 8

• St. Joseph Symphony's “Around the World in 90 Minutes,” is at 8 p.m. at the Missouri Theatre

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