April 24, 2006
The USC Upstate Faculty & Staff Newsletter • Register Archives • EBlast
Contest

This “woman” is a USC Upstate police officer. He recently represented University Police in the Buck-A-Cup Womanless Pageant. This is an annual event that law enforcement from all over the area participated in. There were representatives from Spartanburg County and City of Spartanburg as well. Who is this beauty? E-mail your answer to Claire Sachse. The first five correct responders will receive a Celebrate Community apron.

Extra! Extra!

This week, April 23 – 29, is National Volunteer week.

National Volunteer Week began in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing the week as an annual celebration of volunteering.

Since then, every U.S. President has signed a proclamation promoting National Volunteer Week. Additionally, governors, mayors and other elected officials make public statements and sign proclamations in support of National Volunteer Week .

“ Throughout our country, volunteers make America stronger and better by reaching out to help their neighbors in need. During National Volunteer Week, we recognize the millions of individuals who dedicate their time, talents, and energy to making a difference in the lives of others and reaffirm our commitment to supporting these soldiers in the armies of compassion,” says President George W. Bush in his National Volunteer Week Proclomation.

Faculty & Staff

Be sure to grab a copy of the LINK off news stands this week. Marius Valdes (graphic design) is one of the featured artists spotlighted in the "Up and Coming" section. Congratulations to Marius for a spectacular year of activity!

Athletics

SunCom Spartan of the Week: Diana Martinez
 Women's tennis player Diana Martinez has been named the SunCom Spartan of the Week after leading USC Upstate to a third-place finish in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament over the weekend.

The third-place finish in the tournament is the highest finish ever for USC Upstate since the conference went to a double elimination team tournament format in 2000.

Martinez had a lot to do with the success of the Spartans over the weekend, finishing 2-0 in singles and 3-0 in doubles. She began the tournament teaming with Susana Hernandez to claim an 8-0 victory at No. 2 doubles against Augusta State. Her singles match was not finished because USC Upstate claimed the number of points it needed to win the match. She and Maria Herrera won 8-1 at No. 3 doubles against Columbus State in the semifinals of the tournament, and claimed a 6-1, 6-4 victory at No. 3 singles. In the third-place match against Georgia College & State University Saturday, Martinez and Herrera won 9-7 at No. 3 doubles and she claimed 6-1, 6-4 victory at No. 4 singles to spur the Spartans to the third-place finish.

A sophomore from Medellin, Colombia, Martinez is 14-3 on the year in singles play and 12-6 on the season in doubles play.
In the Spotlight

Jessica Culbertson is a senior communications major who will be walking in May but graduating in August.

She will be the public relations intern at Lockheed/Martin’s Greenville office where she will be working with the director of communications.

Jessica’s focus will be creating employee awareness, interest, and participation in the many charitable events and community outreach programs that Lockheed/Martin does. 

Jessica will also work with the communications department in developing newsletters and internal press releases promoting an increase in employee ethics.
Employment Opportunities

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

Staff/Administration Positions:

Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach Ahletics Department
Requisition No. 041887
Online applications accepted through Monday, May 1, 2006

Assistant Women’s Softball Coach Athletics Department
Requisition No. 041886
Online applications accepted through Monday, May 1, 2006

Head Men and Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country Coach
Athletics Department
Requisition No. 041890
Online applications accepted through Wednesday, May 3, 2006
Dining Services Close-Down Schedule

Campus life Center will close after dinner on Tuesday, May 2 at 6:00 p.m.

Café a la Cart and Sub Connection will close after normal business hours on Friday, April 28 and will reopen in the fall.

Need to find someone?
Look them up in the
USC Upstate Faculty/Staff Directory.

 

Graduation is Right Around the Corner

Saturday, May 6, 7:00 p.m.
Quad (or G.B. Hodge Center Gym if severe weather)
The University’s Web site contains detailed information about the upcoming 2006 graduation with everything that faculty, students and staff need to know. From tassels to transcripts, final exams to family fun, commencement speaker to career advice, there’s an answer to all your questions.

Final Grades Due
Final grades for spring semester 2006 are due Friday, May 5 at 12:00 noon.  Instructions were sent to your department.  Please contact Katy Murphy at ext. 5641 if you have questions. 

Instructions for Faculty Participating in Commencement

IMPORTANT!  Please note new processional time and process: Due to the large volume of students and the time it takes to process in, the student processional will begin promptly at 6:40 p.m. following the announcing of the Class of 2006. The faculty will then be announced at 6:50 p.m. for the faculty processional. Once the faculty are in place, the platform party will be announced at 6:55 p.m. with the ceremony beginning at 7:00 p.m. 

Please be dressed in full academic regalia, including hats, and gather in the lobby of the Media Building no later than 6:30 p.m. Purses and other valuables should not be brought to the ceremony as there is no place to lock them up.

Traffic approaching campus will be very heavy during the hours prior to commencement, particularly due to the highway construction. Please arrive early to avoid any delays.

Heart Walk Team
Thanks to the 15 staff and student participants in the 2006 American Heart Association Heart Walk, the USC Upstate – Greenville Heart Walk team raised $1,527 in donations to the American Heart Association. The walk was held March 18 at the Reedy River Park in downtown Greenville. Many of our walkers had an opportunity to pay tribute to friends or family members that have been affected by our nation’s #1 and #3 killers, heart disease and stroke.

Tune In to Upstate! TV
Downtown revitalization will be the topic on the next installment of Upstate! TV hosted by broadcast veteran Julie Phillips. Her guests will include Richard Shirley, mayor of Anderson, and Nancy Whitworth, director of economic development for the city of Greenville. The show will air four times on cable TV.

Here’s your TV guide:  
Channel 14  Channel 10
  • Tuesday, April 25 at 12:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 30 at 7:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, May 9 at 10:00 p.m.

Compensatory Hours, Non-Exempt Employees
Compensatory hours may not be carried over from one fiscal year to the next.  Please be mindful of the fact that if these hours are not taken between now and June 10, 2006, the payroll department will have to calculate overtime pay for hours not taken, which will be charged against the appropriate departmental funds on the June 30, 2006, payroll. The above action is dictated by University Policy HR 1.84 Minimum Wage and Overtime Compensation.

 

Upstate Research Symposium

Business After Hours
USC Upstate hosted the Spartanburg Chamber's Business After Hours event

Visual Arts Print Sale
Wednesday, April 26 … 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. … HPAC Lobby
The spring printing class will hold the third annual Visual Arts Print Sale, featuring original works by Upstate visual arts students and faculty. For sale at reasonable prices, the works will include prints, drawings, photographs and illustrations. Fifteen percent of the sales will go to the Visual Arts Scholarship Fund. For more information contact Jane Nodine or call ext. 5838.

The German School of Spartanburg 10 th Anniversary
Saturday, April 29 … 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. … University Readiness Center
In 1996, Die Deutsche Schule Spartanburg (DDSS) opened its doors to children and adults who wished to learn the German language and the cultural heritage of German speaking countries. DDSS translates to the German School Spartanburg and was a result of the successful and continually growing business and cultural relationship of the Carolinas with German-speaking countries. The German School is a Saturday school that offers German for native speakers as well as German as a foreign language. Die Deutsche Schule Spartanburg is the only German School in South Carolina approved and supported by the German government. Ten years later, more than 500 students, ages four to adult, have attended the DDSS, which is housed on the campus of the University of South Carolina Upstate. The school will be celebrating this milestone with an anniversary party which will include a presentation of the students, lunch, used book sale, silent auction and raffle. For more info, see the full story …

Youth Fest 2006
Saturday, April 29 … 12:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Mount Moriah Baptist Church.
 More than 1,000 high school students from eight area high schools, the Boys and Girls Clubs and community youth groups from N.C., S.C. and Ga. are expected to attend Upward Bound’s Youth Fest 2006 event.

“Upward Bound is committed to education and helping high school students who will be first generation college students,” said Carolyn Frye, director of Upward Bound. “Youth Fest 2006 uses educational and motivational activities geared toward helping our youth set and reach their educational goals.”

Youth Fest 2006 will be hosted by actor and entertainer Christopher Martin, Play from Kid N Play and House Party movies. Other guests include Orrin Hudson, a motivational speaker from Be SomeOne; ABYSS, a poet from HBO and Live Poet Society; Akintude, a comedian; Dex Digzby, a poet, speaker, artist and founder of Diggum Out Foundation; The Gospel Prophets, a band ; former Pittsburgh Steelers player Levon Kirkland; Miss Black Spartanburg 2003 Laketa Jeter; and artist James Golding, a.k.a. Japhia Life.

The educational sessions include such topics as life skills through chess, staying on track, reaching your goals, you be you, discovering your talents, and student showcases. Speakers from Emory University, Spelman College, Art Institute of Atlanta, University of South Carolina Upstate, Clemson University and University of North Carolina Charlotte will also be in attendance. Cost: $10 per person, register by April 21 (there will be no on-site registration.) For more information, contact Carolyn Frye at (864) 503-9118 or (864) 503-8821.

Rhinestones & Boots Athletics Benefit Auction
Saturday, April 29 … 6:00 p.m. … Hodge Center
For the third straight year, the USC Upstate Athletics Department will hold its annual benefit auction as a standalone event with a country and western theme. All proceeds for the auction go directly into the athletic budgets of our 11 athletic programs and the athletic administration. In addition to spectacular auction items, food and drink will be provided. Tickets to the event are $30 in advance and $40 at the door. For the full story, auction details, menu and more …

USC Upstate Annual May Day Picnic
Thursday, May 4 … 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. … Quad
The annual May Day picnic honoring retirees and state service award recipients is coming up! Lunch will be served from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. The recognition ceremony will start at 1:00 p.m. Please make plans to join your colleagues to celebrate the academic year’s end and to honor the USC Upstate retirees and state service award recipients.

Conflict Resolution Workshop
Tuesday, May 9 … 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. … Rampey Center
Planning and Organizational Development is offering a workshop on c onflict resolution which will cover:

  • What is conflict and what causes it?
  • Five styles of dealing with conflict;
  • Process for confronting and resolving conflict; and
  • Conflict resolution exercise.

Please call Jeanette Reeves at ext. 5990 to reserve a seat.

Blackboard Academy
Monday – Thursday, May 8 - 11 … 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. and repeated 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. … Media 124
 The Information Technology and Services Division announces the first annual Blackboard Academy for faculty who want to learn to use Blackboard, explore new features or just improve their Blackboard skills. Sessions will be held in the mornings and then repeated in the afternoons. Faculty may attend all or as many of the sessions as they wish. We are not planning to offer a similar WebCT workshop because they recently merged with Blackboard and indications are that the two will be combined in the next couple of years.

Introduction to Blackboard … Monday, May 8
Learn the basics of using this course management system to support or deliver a course online. Topics will include options for personalizing your course, posting documents, sending messages to the class, posting grades and anything else the participants want to cover.

Managing Content … Tuesday, May 9
Files of various types and formats can be posted on Blackboard and there is a new content management system which lets users upload entire folders of material at one time and then share them among courses and with other instructors. There will also be a demonstration of the new Breeze for PowerPoint program that lets you add narration to a PowerPoint presentation and convert it into a flash file that plays easily over the Internet.

Using the Communication Tools … Wednesday, May 10
Blackboard offers a variety of tools for communication, to include e-mail, messaging, chat, discussion boards and journals. This session will give you a chance to experience each and consider how they might be used in your course.

Assignments and Assessment Tools … Thursday, May 11
You can use the gradebook to post course grades even if you do not use Blackboard to administer tests. You can also use the testing features for surveys, practice tests and actual assessments. There are several options for submitting assignments, including the Safe Assignment feature which checks written work for plagiarism.

E-mail Tom Davis or call ext. 5502 if you have questions or wish to register. If you are interested, but unable to attend, he will arrange to meet with you at your convenience.

Secrets of the Baroque
Summer I: Monday - Thursday … 10:30 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. … HP 101
 Students, have you ever wondered what is "between the lines" in your music, art or history textbooks?  Have you wondered what it would be like to be in a class where two professors, both passionate about their subjects, are willing to have a dialogue with each other and with their students about possible secrets that may have been hidden about artists, musicians, political figures and other people from the past that influence all of us today?

Janice Janiec and Aaron Cass have planned a very exciting course for Summer I in which we "humanize" the artists and musicians from the Baroque era. We will use high-tech presentations, new art and music videos and DVDs plus lots of conversation. Students will be free to express opinions, ask questions, and challenge us as "experts" in our fields. Earn three hours credit in a 300 level course.

The music listing is: 269456 SMUS W398 001 (3) Selected Topics in Music, MTWTH 10:30-12:50 HP 101: page 21 in the Summer 2006 Academic Catalog. Call Janice Janiec for more information at ext. 5253.      

Congratulations to Contest Winner Kitty Rickert
Last week’s contest seemed to stump the University community, except for Kitty Rickert. Hers was the only response received to answer this question: What do the colors of the T-shirts decorated for the Clothesline Project signify? Her answer is below.

  • Yellow or beige represents battered or assaulted women;
  • Red , pink , and orange are for survivors of rape and sexual assault;
  • Blue and green t-shirts represent survivors of incest and sexual abuse;
  • Purple or lavender represents women attacked because of their sexual orientation;
  • Black is for women attacked for political reasons.

 
Items for publication should be submitted to Claire Sachse in the Office of University Communications, Admin. 222, by 2:00 p.m. on or before Thursday of each week.