Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day

In the Middle Ages, one Valentine’s Day custom was for young men and women to draw names from a bowl to see who their Valentine would be. They would then wear these names on their sleeves for one week. “To wear your heart on your sleeve” now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.

On Valentine’s Day…

…Come to a Healthy Relationships Information Table between11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. in the CLC lobby for all sorts of advice and help with your relationships. See the event flyer for details. And…

…Show that special someone that you care! The International Club will be selling roses from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in CLC 2 nd floor lobby. Single roses are only $2.50 each! Dozens are $25 and can be ordered in advance. You can place an order and pay in the Center for International Studies, Administration 101. The deadline for advance orders is February 13.

Photography by Robyn Allwright, art history, has been accepted in the Greenville Technical College Faculty Art Exhibit.  The official show opening is scheduled for February 10 through March 10.  The exhibit will be on display in the Visual Arts Gallery (second floor) at the Greer Campus.

The following paper that Jennifer Parker, psychology, co-authored has been accepted for publication in the North American Journal of Psychology. USC Upstate Psychology major Donna Jenkins assisted with the data collection on this project. McCutcheon, L. E., Aruguete, M., Scott, V., & Parker, J. S. (2006). Exploring the link between attachment and the inclination to obsess about or stalk celebrities. North American Journal of Psychology, 8(2) 289-300.

The University extends its condolences to Sharon Woods (Equal Opportunity Programs) on the death of her father, Timothy Mills, who passed away January 26.

Spartans Sweep Mars Hill

The eighth-ranked USC Upstate softball team opened the 2006 campaign with a sweep of Mars Hill Wednesday at Cyrill Stadium.  The Spartans claimed a 3-1 win in game one and a 6-1 victory in game two. USC Upstate improves to 2-0 on the year, having won its eighth straight season opener.  The Spartans will host Newberry on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at Cyrill Stadium.  Mars Hill falls to 1-3 on the year.  The Lions will travel to Milledgeville, GA, this weekend for Georgia College & State University’s tournament. In the first game, Jessica Jolly (1-0) tossed 6 1/3 innings to pick up the win for USC Upstate… Full Story…

Organizations involved with:
Upstate Deutschklub.

If you could meet one person in the world, who would it be?
I would love to meet James Stewart. I think he was a great actor.

Visit www.uscupstate.edu/employment.html for additional information and online application submission instructions.

Assistant Registrar
(State title: Student Services Program Coordinator I)
Office of Records & Registration
Requisition No. 041606
Online applications accepted through Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Human Resources Specialist
Human Resources Office
Requisition No. 041610
Online applications accepted through Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Upstate Mock Trial Team Earns National Championship Bid
The USC Upstate Mock Trial team earned a bid to the National Championship Tournament at the University of Iowa in April. The team received one of the three available bids by compiling a record of 5 wins, two losses, and one tie at last weekend’s Southeast Regional Tournament at Furman University. The team’s only losses were to the eventual tournament winning team from Furman. Upstate and Furman will be joined by the Duke University team to round out the three teams representing their region. Full story…

Pictured with Jim Wagoner, President of the American Mock Trial Association, From Left to Right: Ben Womick, Ali Atkins, Eric Von Kleist, Justin Pugh, Nathan Wilson, Michelle Alkafir, and Stephen Corby.

USC Upstate Library Receives First Named Book Collection
The Library at USC Upstate is the proud recipient of the Thomas Moore Craig Collection of Southern History and Literature. Tom Moore Craig, Jr. and his sister, Susan Craig Murphy, donated this collection to the University in honor of their father, for whom the collection is named. The collection consists of 228 books, most of which relate to South Carolina or Southern history. “I wanted the books to stay in Spartanburg,” said Craig. “USC Upstate is also anticipating building a new library which would include a rare books area. I felt this would be a good home for them. Many of these books are about local history, about local people . . .This would be an additional resource for local historians.” Full Story…

New Dean Named for School of Business Administration
Dr. Avery has announced the appointment of Dr. Darrell F. Parker as the new Dean of the School of Business Administration and Economics, effective July 3, 2006. Dr. Parker has an outstanding record of academic leadership, teaching, scholarship, and service, including his present position as Director of the School of Economic Development at Georgia Southern University. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Economic Policy from Purdue University, a Master of Science in Economics from Purdue University, and a B.A. in Math/Economics from the University of North Carolina-Asheville. Avery says that he is “convinced that Dr. Parker will provide the leadership necessary to advance the missions of the School of Business Administration and Economics and the University of South Carolina Upstate.”

REMINDER: New Student E-mail Policy
Please be reminded that in order to better utilize the current University assigned student e-mail system, as well as to create a trusted source of official University communication for students, a new policy was implemented on January 1, 2006 regarding the appropriate use of e-mail communication to students using the University assigned student e-mail accounts. The University began communicating official information to students through their University assigned e-mail accounts in accordance with the new policy on this date.   Students were told that as of January 1, 2006 they are responsible for regularly checking their University assigned e-mail account for important University information and announcements, including all communications from faculty or staff.  Please review this policy and note that the authority to utilize the “All Students” distribution list was limited on November 1, 2005 so that students will be able to prepare their mailboxes to receive approved, official University communications according to the policy.

To assist with this implementation, students were asked to login to their University assigned e-mail account and delete all unwanted messages by December 1, 2005.  If students have questions regarding how to access their University account or other frequently asked questions regarding student e-mail accounts, answers are available at www.uscupstate.edu/emailfaq.

Summer & Study in Costa Rica
Dr. Sharon Cherry is planning a summer study abroad program to Costa Rica, from June 30 – July 30. Stay with a Costa Rican family, study at the University of Costa Rica and explore the country! See the flyer for more information and contact Dr. Cherry at ext. 5692 to sign-up.

Staff Council Questionnaire Challenge Results
There were 33 staff members who took the recent Staff Council Questionnaire Challenge. The answers to the questions are below. Take a few moments to review the answers and the explanations…you never know when you may encounter a student who needs help in these areas!  

Q: A student needs to drop a class. Where do you send them?
A: Registrar’s Office but first… A drop slip has to signed by the faculty from the class they wish to drop and their academic advisor. They can get a drop slip from their discipline office or Registrar

Q: What office would you send a student that would like to change their campus dining plan?
A: Dining Services or Financial Services Dining Services can only upgrade their plan. If they want a refund they need to get this from Financial Services.

Q: Your student worker is injured on the job and is a non-emergency situation. Where is the first place you should send them?
A: Health Services   

Q: A parent calls to complain about their daughter’s Palmetto House roommate. Where do you transfer the call?
A: Housing

Q: A student who has already declared a major is thinking about changing to something else after they took a few courses and decided it is not what they thought it would be. Where do you send them to give them the tools to help them choose a different major?
A: Student Development. Once a major (career field) is chosen, the Career Center staff supports the career goal of the individual by providing career guidance toward pursuing viable a profession. In addition, the Career Center staff can assist by providing invaluable information regarding employment trends, internships, and other career related issues.

Peer Educator Recruitment Table
Peer educators who work to prevent sexual assault on campus will be sponsoring an information table today, February 13 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the CLC’s first floor lobby. Students interested in becoming peer educators will be given information concerning this program.

Black History Month Film Series: Something the Lord Made
Tonight, February 13 at 6:30 p.m., Multicultural Affairs will show the film “ Something the Lord Made” in the CLC Ballroom. This movie is the account of Vivien Thomas, a Black medical technician, and Dr. Alfred Blalock, of Johns Hopkins Hospital. Set in the 1940’s, these two men developed the first procedure for open heart surgery on “blue babies” with cognitive heart disease—despite the surrounding obstacles of race and class relations. This movie is a part of our Black History Month Film Series. We have invited Dr. G. B. Hodge to give remarks to open the film. He had the privilege of working with these men at Johns Hopkins. Please invite your students and fellow faculty/staff members to attend this event. We want to make sure we have a great crowd for Dr. Hodge!

Auditions for Children’s Opera Glue
The Department of Fine Arts & Communication Studies will hold auditions for “GLUE,” a children’s opera written by Carrie Leigh Page. Auditions are scheduled for February 14 at 7:00 p.m. and February 16 at 4:30 p.m. in HP101. For more information please call Brandi Icard at 503-5846.

“Women in… India” at Women’s Center Lunch
The USC Upstate Women’s Center is sponsoring a brown bag lunch series during the spring semester to draw attention to women’s roles around the world. The third lunch of the seven-part series will be held on Friday, February 17 at 11:00 a.m. in Hodge 155 and will focus on women in India. Dr. Veena Khandke, assistant professor of psychology, will lead the discussion. Full Story…

Bank of America: Excellence in Teaching and Advising Award
The Bank of America Excellence in Teaching and Advising Award at USC Upstate recognizes excellence in undergraduate instruction and academic advisement. The overriding criterion for selection is sustained excellence in undergraduate teaching and academic advisement. Eligibility is open to both full-time permanent tenure track faculty who have taught at least six credit hours in the semester prior to the selection and full-time instructors. Instructors must have taught for three consecutive years at the University and received above satisfactory evaluations by their immediate supervisor for three consecutive years preceding their nomination. The deadline for faculty and students to submit nominations to the Division of Student and Diversity Affairs (Karen Thomas) is Friday, February 17.

Spring 2006 Nurse Recruitment
Employers from North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia will be on campus to recruit spring 2006 nursing graduates on Monday, February 20 from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the University Readiness Center. Students should attend “interview-ready” with resumes in hand. E-mail Sherry McAdams or call her at the Career Center (ext. 5368) for more information.

Disability Services Brown Bag Lunch Series
Do you have a question about how to deal with students who have disabilities? Jim Gorske will be available to provide the answer during the Disability Services Brown Bag Lunch Series. Bring your questions and a bag lunch and join other faculty and staff members as they learn how to work more effectively with students who have disabilities. Each session will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in CLC 309. The topic on Tuesday,February 21 is “Disability Communication Savvy: How to Avoid Blunders and Bloopers,” and on Tuesday,March 21 “Psychiatric Impairments.”

Film and discussion: Tough Guise
On Wednesday, February 22 students, faculty and staff are invited to join us in viewing a documentary entitled “Tough Guise” which was written and produced by Jackson Katz. The film looks at how certain definitions of masculinity are perpetuated by western culture using archetypal images that seem to legitimize aspects of “masculinity” that are often tied directly to violent expression against other men and against women. The film does not bash men.  Instead, it challenges all of us to support life-affirming models of masculinity that simultaneously diminish the value of violence. The film will be shown at 6:00 p.m. in the Campus Life Center Ballroom.  A panel discussion will follow consisting of the following faculty, staff and students:  Dr. Reginald Avery, Dr. Pat Willis, Dr. Cliff Flynn, Anthony DeClue and David Calvin. Refreshments will be served.  

Colloquium: A Medley of Mathematics, Mechanics and Music
You are invited to attend the first in the spring 2006 series of the Guy Jacobsohn Memorial Mathematics Colloquium Presentation in the Richard E. Tukey Theater on Thursday, February 23 starting at 3:00 p.m. with a reception. The presentation will begin at 3:30 p.m. Professor Mike Hudak of the USC Upstate mathematics faculty will present the program entitled, “A Medley of Mathematics, Mechanics and Music.” Dr. Hudak is an exemplary and gifted teacher and his presentation is easily accessible to the general public.  Please mark your calendar, plan to attend, and help promote this exceptional program. Tukey Theatre has seating for 150, please help fill each seat. You will remember and talk about this program, which integrates music, physics, and mathematics. See event flyer…

An Evening of Great Conversations
The College of Arts and Sciences presents “An Evening of Great Conversations” on Thursday, February 23 starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Piedmont Club. Spend an evening engaged in lively conversation on a wide range of topics. The evening includes a reception and wonderful dinner. The conversation topics and all other details are available on the College of Arts and Sciences web site or call 503-5218 or 503-5700 for additional information.

Opportunity to Teach University 101 in Fall 2006
Faculty and eligible staff members are welcome to apply to teach University 101 this fall.  As noted by the Chancellor on University Day, this course is an integral component of initiatives sponsored by the Center for Student Success under the leadership of Louise Ericson.  Students who enroll in University 101 learn skills and strategies to equip them for success throughout their academic careers and are retained at the University at higher rates. In order to make this experience available to more of the incoming freshman class, new sections are being projected for fall. Please click here for the application information. Applications are due back to the Center for Student Success by February 24. For more information, please contact Louise Ericson at ext. 5070 or Cindy Jennings at ext. 5470.  

Showcase Classrooms
USC Upstate will show off its “Showcase Classrooms” on Friday, February 24. The University will also honor Mr. Tommy Young and his staff for making this project possible.  Please join us in the HPAC Lobby for heavy hors d’oeuvres starting at 1:00 p.m.  Mr. Young will be honored at 1:40 p.m., and tours and demonstrations in the classrooms will begin about 2:00 p.m. Call the College of Arts and Sciences Office at 503-5700 with any questions.

Tickets Available for “Batboy: The Musical”
"Bat Boy: The Musical" is a musical comedy/horror show about a half boy/half bat creature who is discovered in a cave near Hope Falls, West Virginia.  For lack of a better solution, the local sheriff brings the Bat Boy to the home of the town veterinarian, Dr. Parker, where he is eventually accepted as a member of the family and taught to act like a "normal" boy by the veterinarian's wife, Meredith, and teenage daughter, Shelley. 

Bat Boy is happy with his new life, but when he naively tries to fit in with the narrow-minded people of Hope Falls, they turn on him. In the end, a devastating secret is revealed and the entire town learns the shocking story of Bat Boy's unholy origin. Betrayal, comedy, forbidden love, and fitting in are explored in this very innovative comedy by Keythe Farley and Brian Fleming and Laurence O'Keefe. "Bat Boy: The Musical" is a dark musical comedy with some material inappropriate for children.

Performance times are February 23, 24 and 25 at 8:15 p.m. and February 26 at 3:15 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center Theater. Tickets are $5 for students, faculty and staff and $7 for general admission. The play is for mature audiences only and is not recommended for anyone under 18.

5K Fun Run Helps USC Upstate Students Raise Funds For Spring Break Trip
IMPACT, a community service organization at USC Upstate, will host a 5K Fun Run on Saturday, February 25 at 9:00 a.m. on the university campus. Since this event is a fun run and not a typical competitive run, runners of all skill levels are invited to participate. Registration for the event begins at 8:00 a.m. at the G.B. Hodge Center. The cost is $10 per runner and is payable the day of the race. There will be a raffle for all the contestants who participate in the run. IMPACT will use proceeds from this event to help fund their Alternative Spring Break trip to New York City and Boston. For more information call 503-5126 or 426-4116.

The Educator’s Life: The Challenges of Work in Higher Education
As part of the College Town Faculty Initiative, Dr. Joanne Ciulla, professor and Coston Family Chair in Leadership and Ethics at the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond, will speak on the distinctive moral challenges that educators face in their work and lives, on Monday, February 27 at 6:00 p.m. at the Tracey Gaines Learning Resource Center Auditorium at Spartanburg Technical College. See the event flyer for details…

Star from NBC’s “Apprentice” to Visit USC Upstate
“Apprentice” candidate Omarosa Stallworth will share her secrets to success in the business world during a visit to the University of South Carolina Upstate on Tuesday, February 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the CLC Ballroom.

“The event will be an interaction lecture and if there is time she will answer questions,” said Mandy Taylor, president of the Campus Activities Board (CAB).

One of many Black History Month events on campus, this lecture will give students the opportunity to learn from a truly successful businesswoman. According to her NBC biography reprinted at www.tv.com, her recipe for success is: "Study while others are sleeping, work while others are loafing, prepare while others are playing, dream while others are wishing." Stallworth has worked in a variety of settings, ranging from beauty pageants and entertainment journalism to politics. Full Story…

 FLUOR to Conduct Job Interviews
On February 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., representatives from FLUOR will be on campus at the University Readiness Center to interview SBAE students who have been recommended by SBAE faculty and screened by Betty Guzzo in the Career Center.