With the summer months, many of us are taking vacations. This is a gentle reminder to update your phone’s voice mail message and e-mail out-of-office-auto-reply, so that fellow employees will know your whereabouts. Thanks!

Last week’s Dad-ism Contest results are in! We polled the faculty and staff for their favorite things their dads used to say. Here’s what you said:

This one was from Pat Moss…

Her dad used to say…..”Stop complaining. When I was your age I had to walk five miles to school every day, barefoot in the summer because we only got shoes in the winter, and uphill both ways…”

Shirley Parton says that her dad liked to say…

“This is going to hurt me more than you! You are walking on my heart!”

Mary Willis’ dad said something similar as he was about to spank her,

“Now you know this is going to hurt me a lot worse than it’s going to hurt you.”

Sarah Thomas wrote in with a dad-ism her dad still uses…

“The squeaky wheel gets the grease,” meaning that anytime you want your opinion/voice to be heard, you have to make some noise, or “squeak.”

David Marlow also chimed in with his dad’s very sage advice:

“If you shoot for the stars, you may land on the moon, but if you shoot for the barn door, you’ll likely wind up in the manure pile.”

Bill Cosby as Bill Huxtable was a favorite on-screen dad for Nancy Callicott. She says that her favorite line was when he told his son Theo, “I brought you into this world and I can take you out!” Nancy’s real dad passed away last November, so this Father’s Day was her first without him. She remembers fondly playing gin rummy with the “Master,” as he was known. At the end, when he was in the hospital and not having a good day, she offered to get a deck of cards so they could play, and he told her “Honey, no matter how I feel you can’t beat the Master!”

And as we all know, Sicilian men have the best dad-isms we’ve ever heard. Charisse Krieger’s Sicilian grandfather had a classic response for whenever someone asked him for something, like money, advice, or even a snack…

USC Upstate head volleyball coach Jennifer Calloway announces the signing of five players for the spring signing class. Signing to play volleyball for USC Upstate beginning this fall are Jesicah Ambrisco, Morgan Bucciferro, Katie Downey, Christina McLean, and Rachel Olds.  They join Dani Collins (Fr., OH, 5-10, Freeburg, IL) and Katie Rodgers (Fr., MH, 6-1, Charleston, SC), who signed during the early period in the fall, to make up a seven-freshman recruiting class. “We fell very fortunate to have an impressive freshman class,” said Calloway.  “Several will have to come in ready to make an immediate impact.  This class has the ability to be the strongest class we have had in a while.  Their team dynamics will be key to our success this fall.  They are also strong students in the classroom, one of our strongest classes ever, and we expect them to carry on our strong academic tradition.  I can’t wait to get started this August.” For the full story …

Volunteers Needed for International Goalball Championships

The International Goalball Championships are being held at USC Upstate on June 26-30 and the organizers of the event are in serious need of volunteers. Goalball is a sport for vision impaired individuals. Teams from all over the world will be coming to Spartanburg and USC Upstate to attend the championships. The game is played with all players on their hands and knees moving a ball (that makes sounds) around to attempt to score goals in the opposing team’s goal. If you have not seen the amazing athletes you are in for a special treat.

The Spartanburg Lions Club is assisting with the volunteer portion of the event and needs help. If you are interested in volunteering for the event, please contact Bert Rolandes at 585-1310.

Jim Cox to Direct Opening Ceremonies for World Goalball Championships

Theater professor Jim Cox is no stranger to directing big, impressive events. His latest challenge is pulling together the opening ceremonies for the International Goalball Championships which are hosted by USC Upstate, from June 26 through July 2.

Staged in the Campus Life Center Ballroom, the opening ceremonies will have an original musical theme, composed by Joy Finch, and performed by an orchestra. Each athlete will be given a souvenir copy of the music. There will be a parade of flags from all 20 nations represented. Cox is also planning a power point presentation of photos of the athletes and coaches as they arrive in America, attend practice sessions, sight-see around Spartanburg, and relax in campus housing. Dr. Stockwell and other dignitaries will attend and welcome the competitors; the president of the International Blind Athletics Association will declare the games open. The event begins with dinner at 7:00 p.m. and Opening Ceremonies at 8:00 p.m. on June 27.

Make plans to visit the competition which will be held in the Hodge gym and Lone Oak Elementary between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. For a complete schedule of events, check out www.worldgoalball.com.

Fire Safety Inspection: Are You Ready?
All this week, Lt. Rick Jones with the campus fire department, will be poking around offices, peeking behind doors and looking from attic to basement for any and all violations of fire safety requirements. He calls it a “preemptive strike” before the official visit from the state’s new fire marshal, who he says, is a “real stickler” for the rules.

So, how can you comply and make sure your office or area meets code? He advises the use of surge protectors instead of extension cords. He says the storage of combustibles in places like boiler rooms is inappropriate. Of course, he’ll be checking hallways to make sure they are not blocked by tables and chairs, and he asks all fire doors to be kept closed. Additionally, electric panels must not have anything within 36 inches of them.

Jones says that “general good housekeeping” is a key to safety. In last year’s inspection, there were some professors’ offices (they will remain unidentified) that he could barely enter because the doors were blocked by stacks and piles of papers and books.

If you have questions about the inspection, please contact Lt. Rick Jones at ext. 5267 or by cell 809-6959.

CD Seminars on the Go!
Planning and Organizational Development reminds you that there is an extensive CD collection of motivational and inspirational skill development books available for the borrowing. Titles include: Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus; Positive Conflict Skills; First Things First; The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People; The Ultimate Weight Solution; The Purpose Driven Life and Who Moved MY Cheese? The authors include Zig Ziggler, Rick Warren, Stephen Covey, Dr. Spencer Johnson and many others. Contact Sheryl Turner-Watts (ext. 5490) or Jeanette Reeves (ext. 5990) to borrow a title.

Campus Weddings Keep Special Events Staff Busy
It doesn’t really seem to matter what month of the year it is, the special events wedding planning staff stays busy at the USC Upstate. Traditionally, June is the most popular month for weddings. But according to Judy Srock, director of special events and facilities scheduling, her staff stays busy year round preparing for weddings and receptions at various locations on the USC Upstate campus. For the full story …

Human Resources announces important new state health plan insurance-related information
The update from HR includes:

• State Health Plan Announces New Retail Pharmacy Network for Long-Term Prescription Needs
• Notification when a certified student leaves high school
• Savings advisor helps state health plan subscribers find lower cost prescription alternatives
• New web site for MoneyPlu$ participants

View the entire update here.

 Tune In!
Jack Turner and Carol Broadus of the Watershed Ecology Center will be on the “Speaking of Schools” show on SC Public Radio 90.1 FM on Monday, June 19 at 7 p.m. Tune in to hear all about what’s going on at the Center.

Kathryn McLaughlin will be a guest on the Bill Drake Show (103.3) on Wednesday, June 21 at 9:00 a.m. She’ll be giving an update on international activities at the USC Upstate and in the community.

Teaching Excellence Committee: Policies and TAPS Deadlines
The Teaching Excellence Committee (TEC) is calling for applications for TAPS funding for the year 2006-2007. The guidelines for TAPS submissions can be found under the USC Upstate home page under Faculty Governance. Please submit the original and 10 copies of your application to the TEC chair, Dr. June C. D. Carter, Languages, Literature and Composition, HPAC 222. All applicants must submit a final report to the chair and an electronic copy to Happy Montgomery within 30 days of the recipient’s return from a trip. Any recipient of TAPS grants who fails to do so or fails to notify the committee of cancellations of a trip within 30 days of the scheduled trip will NOT be eligible for another TAPS award during that particular fiscal year. The final report forms are available online. Summer and fall deadlines for TAPS are as follows:

Wednesday, June 21 at 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 19 at 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 23 at 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 20 at 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 18 at 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 15 at 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 13 at 4:00 p.m.