October 2, 2006
The USC Upstate Faculty & Staff Newsletter • Register Archives • EBlast
Contest

What is the legal blood alcohol concentration limit in South Carolina?

a) .05

b) .08

c) .10

The first three correct responders to Claire Sachse will receive an assortment of blue and purple Celebrate Community ball point pens.

Extra Extra!

National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week is October 16 – 20. Here are some sobering facts about alcohol use among college students:

  • 1,700 college students die every year from alcohol-related problems or accidents
  • More than 70,000 college students are sexually assaulted each year as a result of alcohol.
  • 600,000 college students are assaulted each year by another student who has been drinking.

Here are some more important facts about alcohol affects on the body:

It takes the human body about an hour to metabolize ½ ounce of pure alcohol ( ½ ounce of pure alcohol equals 1 standard drink, i.e., 12 ounces of beer, 4 to 6 ounces of wine, and 1 ounce of 80 proof liquor)

The liver removes alcohol from the bloodstream at a constant rate of about one standard drink per hour.

Alcohol is a depressant drug that slows down the central nervous system.

Alcohol affects the drinker within minutes because it does not require digestion.  It is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the walls of the stomach and small intestine.

Signs of alcohol poisoning include:

  • Person cannot be awakened
  • Cold, clammy, or bluish skin
  • Breathing is slow or irregular
  • Person has vomited while unconscious
Faculty & Staff Briefs

Ray Merlock (Journalism) co-authored with Kathy Merlock Jackson, Virginia Wesleyan College, an article “Leaving Rosebud, Leaving the Valley:  Vestiges of Childhood in Two Classic Films from 1941,” The Journal of American Culture, Vol. 29, Number 3, September 2006, pps. 296-306.

David Coberly (Spanish) thinks that “one or two people” might be interested to know that he and his Georgia Tech partner tied for first in the pairs game this past weekend at the annual Spartanburg Bridge Tournament. Riding high on that win, Coberly is now thinking of bringing a tournament to campus… stay tuned.

Carmen Harris (History) presented “Out of the Shadows, Into the Struggle: Rural South Carolinians’ Clubs and Civil Rights“ at the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History meeting in Atlanta, Georgia on September 28.

Thomas McConnell (English) published a short story from a longer work-in-progress in the September issue of Arabesques Review, a journal published simultaneously in France and Algeria.
Athletics

Women’s Volleyball : Pacers Defeat Spartans in Five

Aiken , SC – USC Upstate went on the road again last Thursday night to take on USC Aiken in an important Peach Belt Conference match.  USC Aiken outlasted the Spartans winning game five to take a 3-2 victory.  USC Upstate falls to 15-6 on the season and 3-3 in the conference, while USC Aiken improves their record to 17-3 and 4-1 in conference play. Read more >>>
Employment Opportunities

APPLICATION PROCESS: Visit www.uscupstate.edu/jobs for additional information and online application submission instructions.

STAFF/ADMINISTRATION POSITIONS:

 

Director of Health Services
 (State Title: Nurse Administrator/Manager II)
Office of Health Services
Requisition No. 042463 SEARCH EXTENDED
Online application accepted through Monday, October 2, 2006

Counselor
(State title: Student Services Program Coordinator I)
Upward Bound Program (federally funded grant)
Requisition No. 042431 SEARCH EXTENDED
Online applications accepted through Friday, October 6, 2006
New Employees

Reg Avery pleased to announce the appointment of Amy Cantrell as the new Budget Manager for Academic Affairs effective October 2. Amy has a B.S. in accounting from Clemson as well as an MBA from Clemson. She comes to us from Spartanburg Community College where she worked as fiscal technician from 1995-2002 and as accounts payable coordinator, from 2002-present. Amy will report to me and occupy an office in the Academic Affairs central office.  Please join me in welcoming Amy to USC Upstate. She can be reached at Ext. 5553.

Greg Davis
 Help Desk Coordinator Information Technology & Services Ext. 5257
Reminders

Download Your Family Fund Pledge Card here.

Attention Researchers! Consider attending the University Writing Center’s upcoming classes:

Modern Language Association Style (MLA) on Tuesday, October 3 from 4:00 - 4:55 p.m. in ACAT 201.

American Psychological Association Style (APA) on Friday, October 13 from 1:00 – 1:55 p.m. in ACAt 201.

FAB FRIDAY
Be on the lookout for prospective students as they tour the campus this Friday, October 6.

 Upstate TV
 Health Disparities in the Upstate will be the next topic on Upstate TV, with veteran broadcast host Julie Phillips. Her guests will include USC Upstate nursing professor Glenda Sims, Orlando Gonzalez with AccuLingua Communications & Consulting Services, LLC. and Dr. Martin Lutz, an emergency room physician with the Greenville Hospital System.

Here’s your TV Guide:
Channel 10
10/3 at 7:00 pm

Channel 115
10/4 at 9:00 pm
10/5 at 1:00 am

 


Rate Reminder: Spartanburg Marriott at Renaissance Park
 The 2006 USC Upstate special trial corporate rate for individual visitors at the Spartanburg Marriott at Renaissance Park is still effect through December 31, 2006: $99.00 weekday(consists of Sunday- Thursday) and $84.00 weekend (consists of Friday and Saturday) . There are some important factors to keep in mind:

  • This rate is available for individual visitors, students, and staff of USC Upstate. In order to receive this rate guests must specify the USC Upstate Corporate Rate at the time the reservation is placed
  • This rate is based on availability
  • This rate applies to individual guest stays ONLY, Groups Do Not Apply and will be handled on an individual basis. For group inquiries please contact Melodie Fulbright (864)591-3110 or melodie.fulbright @marriott.com
  • This is a trial rate and will be reassessed at the end of 2006
Guests can make reservations by simply calling (800) 327-6465

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


SCC Turfgrass Students Tour Howell Athletic Complex
Last Wednesday, the Turfgrass students from Spartanburg Community College made their annual visit to USC Upstate.  Robert Easler and Bruce Suddeth of Landscape Services host the class each fall as part of their curriculum.  This is the third year the class has toured the Louis P. Howell Athletic Complex. Instructor Jason Bagwell of SCC wanted his students to hear first hand the techniques and challenges of athletic field management. Robert and Bruce, both graduates of the SCC Horticulture program, enjoyed speaking with the students about each field and the varying management of them. This is a great partnership and Bruce and Robert both want to give back to the Horticulture program as it is a valuable asset to landscape professionals.

October is Alcohol Awareness Month
While 66 percent of Upstate students choose to drink moderately or not at all*, the fact remains that alcohol is still the most common drug of abuse.  Although excessive drinking is considered a right of passage by many, the truth is that behavior that is considered acceptable for college students would be considered abuse or even dependence in the real world.  For this, and many other reasons, the office of Alcohol & Drug Education Programs has chosen to offer several events during the month of October.  Nationwide, National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness has been condensed to one week, October 16 – 20.  USC Upstate has decided to make it a month-long venture, beginning with the infamous “Don’t Tie One On – Tie Dye” event and culminating with a startling awareness exhibit and participation in the “Fatal Vision” goggles experience on Halloween.  Please join us in the awareness, educational, and fun programs while we create and celebrate our Healthy Upstate!  Click here for a calendar of events.  Contact Erin Morgan, Coordinator of Alcohol & Drug Education Programs, 503-5195 or CLC 107 for more information. *Taken from the CORE Alcohol & Other Drug Survey 2005

 

Healthy Upstate Carolina Steering Committee Starts Work
The Healthy Upstate Carolina Steering Committee met last Thursday and will begin work immediately on creating a campus inventory of wellness initiatives or programs that are already underway. They are also focusing on gathering ideas for both long and short term initiatives aimed at progressing USC Upstate to a truly “healthy” campus. Graphic elements were developed to support project identity for the Healthy Upstate Carolina project and may be used in a variety of ways to identify initiatives.

 

 

October Is Annual Enrollment Month The month of October is annual enrollment month for changes effective January 1, 2007.  T he Insurance Advantage which has all the information dealing with the changes for 2007 will be sent by intra-campus mail to all permanent employees as soon as the booklets are received by the human resources office.  Employees can go online to access The Insurance Advantage for 2007 before the booklet is mailed individually.

Also, included in your intra-campus envelope will be the benefits statement issued from the University and also the benefits statement from the State of SC Employee Insurance Program (EIP) Office.  Please note that the University benefits statement lists your premiums on a semi-monthly basis – in other words what comes out of your pay check/stub each time you get paid.  The Employee Insurance Program’s benefits statement lists your premiums on a monthly basis.  If your statements do not reflect some current information, i.e. you changed your address, dependent status, etc. it may be because the information was sent after the University or EIP printed the statements.  The last signed Notice of Election form, Universal/Name Address Form, etc. in our records will determine your correct information.

June Lewis, USC Assistant Director of Benefits, will be on campus for two informational sessions discussing these changes.  She will be in the Rampey Center on Tuesday, October 3, 2006, from 10:30 – 11:30 am and from 2:00 – 3:00 pm.  Ms. Lewis will talk about any changes for 2007 and other benefits information.

Once you have received and reviewed the appropriate literature and if you have determined changes are necessary, you have through Tuesday, October 31, 2006, to come to the human resources office and complete the necessary documents.  All changes will be effective January 1, 2007. 

Mobile Mammography Unit
The mobile mammography unit will not be coming to USC Upstate anymore.  Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System has said that the need for mammography technology has increased over the past few years and they can no longer meet this growing need without changing the way services are offered.  An eligible employee and/or the spouse of an eligible employee will need to call one of the three sites listed below to schedule their appointment.

The Village at Pelham in Greer off Hwy 14 – 864-849-9399
Regional Outpatient Center on N. Church Street – 864-560-7777
Woman’s Clinic on Heywood Avenue – 864-699-5020

For those employees who schedule their appointment at Regional Outpatient Center, you will have to have a physician’s authorization.  When you call Regional Outpatient Center to schedule your time, you will be given instructions on what to do. If these locations are not convenient, you need to contact your doctor’s office, but employees always need to follow the guidelines of their insurance carrier, i.e., is this a provider, etc. 

The College of Educational Enrichment
A group of Charles Lea Center students attended an orientation on September 26 which included a tour of the campus. Dr. Carol Gardner welcomed the students to campus and gave them a tour of the facilities.

SCAAD Fall Workshop
Alumni affairs/relations directors from 19 different colleges and universities were on campus last Tuesday for a special meeting of the South Carolina Association of Alumni Directors. The day-long event featured guest speaker John Laskowski, former director of Indiana University’s 400,000 member alumni association, who spoke about ways to improve alumni relations through alumni affinity programs. His address was followed by roundtable discussions about planning homecoming events, sponsorships, online communities, and collegiate and promotional items. The event was organized by Bea Smith, USC Upstate’s director of Alumni Services.

   

Club Art & Design
Stephanie Huskey organizes 4x6 and 8x10 photographs, taken by members of Club Art & Design, on a table in the Campus Life Center on Tuesday in preparation for their sale.

Chief Bobby Welborn’s Retirement Party

 

Regional 1 Helicopter lands on campus

 

 

Preface Faculty/Staff Reading Group
Thanks for your wonderful response to the Preface F/S Reading Groups for the Freshman novel, Julie Otsuka's When The Emperor was Divine. Please see the attached list. Warren Carson has divided those interested into a breakfast and a lunch group based on your preference. Some of you did not express a preference, so just choose the one you want to come to. The “Breakfast for Champions Group” will convene on Monday, October 2, 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. in CLC 317. Coffee and juice will be available. The “Lunch Bunch” will meet on Thursday, October 5, 12:15-1:15 p.m. in CLC 317. Assorted (soft) beverages will be available. Also, please note that there will be a faculty/staff reception with the author during her visit October 11-12.

 A “Preface”Event: Superman Goes to War: Truth, Justice and the American Way? Monday, October 2 … 5:00 p.m. … Sparty’s Den, Palmetto House
Propagandists love short-cuts – particularly those which short-circuit rational thought. By playing on emotions, exploiting insecurities, and bending the rules of logic, they can shape the way we think and act. As history shows, they can be quite successful. Dr. Canino’s analysis of World War II cartoons, posters, and images in film will expose the tricks that propagandists used and discuss their effects. Led by Dr. Cathy Canino, English faculty.

ScanSource Information Sessions
Monday, October 2 … 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. … CLC 309
ScanSource, the fastest growing public company in the Upstate, will be on campus providing students with information about their successful summer internship program. These sessions are scheduled during the morning and afternoon on October 2. For more information, contact Betty Guzzo.

Feminism Today: What’s the Point?
Tuesday, October 3 … 3:00 – 4:15 p.m. … Palmetto House, 4 th Fl.
Upstate Feminists (a student organization) will host an informal talk with Dr. Lisa Johnson, Director of the Center for Women's Studies and Programs, on the question on everyone's minds: “Feminism Today: What's the Point?” We will talk about the definition of feminism and what it has to offer today's college-age men and women. Please join us!  

Counseling Services Sponsors National Depression Screening Day Information Table Wednesday, October 4 … 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. … Campus Life Center 2 nd Fl. Lobby
Have you or someone you know ever experienced the following symptoms: feeling isolated, constantly fatigued, consistently sad, trouble sleeping, lack of appetite/ increased appetite, weight loss/gain, increased irritability, trouble concentrating? These are common symptoms of depression. Millions of people struggle with depression and most of us will either experience it in our life time or will know someone who struggles with depression. In an effort to normalize this struggle and increase awareness, Counseling Services is sponsoring the National Depression Screening Day Information Table. The event is open to all USC Upstate students, faculty and staff. Participants can learn more about depression by picking up brochures, completing a self assessment, get information about a free online survey, view an educational video and talk with an upstate counselor. If you have any questions, contact Counseling Services at extension 5195 or come by suite 107 in the Campus Life Center.

A “Preface Event:” Screening History: Documentary, News, Propaganda
Wednesday, October 4 … 6:00 p.m. … Sparty’s Den
Before television, the movie theater provided audiences not only with the feature, but with cartoons, newsreels and other short films as well. Many of these focused on the Japanese and German fronts during WWII, and we will watch an assortment of them: the U.S. government’s official documentary Why We Fight, directed by Frank Capra, who would later make It’s a Wonderful Life; a documentary of life for Japanese children in 1941; several defenses of Japanese internment; newsreel footage of the jungle war in Burma and the bombing of Japan; and more. Peter Caster and Rob McCormick will discuss how these short films “tell” history.

Southeast Meets Far East: An Artist Lecture and Reception with John and Margie Labadie
Thursday, October 5 … 4:00 p.m. … University Gallery
John and Margie Labadie, teachers at the University of North Carolina Pembroke who work in various forms of new media, will exhibit digital works they created in 2005-2006 during their Fulbright Fellowship to Taiwan from September 29 through October 27 at the University Gallery. There will be an artist lecture starting at 4:00 p.m., followed by a reception, in the Gallery on October 5. All are welcome to attend. For further information, contact Jane Nodine.

Shoestring Players Present Amadeus
October 5 – 7 at 8:15 p.m. and October 8 at 3:15 p.m.
Amadeus   tells Mozart's story from the point of view of the court composer Antonio Salieri who masquerades as Mozart's ally while at the same time doing his utmost to destroy the composer’s reputation and any success his compositions may have. Ticket prices are $4 for students and $6 for general admission. For more details, contact Jimm Cox at (864) 503-5697 or jcox@uscupstate.edu.

 Red Cross – Keeping Seniors Safer - Session 1
Friday, October 6 … 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. … Rampey
The Red Cross/Key to Independent Living will offer three sessions this semester to help men and women 60 years and older. The first session will focus on disaster preparedness and response. E-mail Jeanette Reeves to sign up. There is limited seating. If enough people reserve by Wednesday, October 4, pizza may be ordered. If not, you may bring your own lunch.

 

Flamenco Dancers to Perform
Friday, October 6 … 7:30 p.m. … Spartanburg Marriott
In conjunction with the Spartanburg International Festival, the International Festival Gala will take place at the Spartanburg Marriott on Friday, October 6. The reception begins at 7:30 p.m. and features international tastes, desserts and adult beverages. Following the reception, the flamenco dance group Arte y Compas de Jerez of Jerez de la Frontera, Spain will perform. This is a very special group and a unique opportunity to see them perform. Tickets are on sale for $40 each in the Center for International Studies, Admin. 101.

 

Spring 2007 Internship Seminar
Monday, October 9 … 1:00 p.m. … Campus Life Center 309
Dr. Ray Merlock, Director for the Center of Interdisciplinary Studies and John Montemayor, Career Center Coordinator for the College of Arts & Sciences, will conduct the Spring 2007 Internship Seminar for all students interested in participating in a communications related internship.  Dr. Merlock will inform all attendees the available internships for the upcoming semester as well as policies and procedures.  John Montemayor will briefly go over the benefits of an internship, what potential companies are looking for when hiring a student intern, and some recent internship success stories from USC Upstate students and alumni.  If you have any questions, please contact John Montemayor at 503-5124 or Dr. Merlock at 503-5646.  Please encourage any interested students to attend this valuable and informative workshop. Refreshments will be served.  

Auditions for the Shoestring Players Production of “Picnic”
Monday, October 9 … 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. … Performing Arts Center

The Shoestring Players at the University of South Carolina Upstate will be holding auditions for “Picnic .” Cast requirements are four men, seven women and one young boy. To learn more about the play, its guest director and performance dates, read the news release here.

Info Session: BA in Nonprofit Administration
Tuesday, October 10 … 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. … Rampey

Theresa Ricke-Kiely will lead an informational session for those interested in obtaining a BA in Nonprofit Administration. She is gearing the session specifically towards current employees of nonprofits. There will be course informaiton and brochures to pick up. Read on for more information, or contact Dr. Ricke-Kiely at ext. 5754.  

A “Preface” Event: Tunnel of Oppression
Tuesday, October 10 … Campus Life Center Third Floor
The Tunnel of Oppression presents the realities of oppression in an interactive, walk-through museum experience. Each room will present a multi-sensory view that will both educate and challenge us to think about our roles in various types of oppression. The experience attempts to break down a barrier that divides those who do not understand oppression and those who live it.

 Purchasing and DEV Training
Tuesday, October 10 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. and Thursday, October 12 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m…. Rampey Center
Our Purchasing Director, Denis Ellinger will bring us up to date on purchasing and DEV policies. This will be a great time to know what is new from Columbia’s Purchasing Department and how the Upstate Purchasing Department is handling the paperwork. This is your opportunity to have your questions answered. E-mail Jeanette Reeves to sign up! Limited Seating!

 

A “Preface” Event: Book Signing, Reception and Book Reading With Author Julie Otsuka
Wednesday, October 11 … 12:00 – 8:30 p.m. … Campus Life Center

October 11 will be a busy day for author Julie Otsuka, as she meets students, faculty and staff in a day-long series of events related to the Freshman “Preface” program and her novel When the Emperor Was Divine. Otsuka will have lunch with a lucky group of 30 freshmen contest winners from 12:00 – 1:15 in CLC 319. From 1:30-2:30 p.m. Otsuka will autograph copies of her book in the third floor lobby of CLC. The public is invited to attend. Faculty and staff are invited to attend a reception from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. with the author in CLC 309. And finally, Otsuka will read from her novel and answer your questions from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. in the ballroom.

National Coming Out Day
Wednesday, October 11 … 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. … The Quad
National Coming Out Day will feature music, literary readings, and informational displays on sexual identity and diversity. For more information, contact Lisa Johnson.

Artist Reception
Thursday, October 12 … 5:00 p.m. …FOCUS Educational Gallery
The USC Upstate Advanced Placement Institute in Art 2006 Participating Teachers of South Carolina will be on exhibit from October 9 through December 1. A reception will be held on October 12. The FOCUS Educational Gallery is located on the second floor of HPAC. For more information, contact Dr. Mary Lou Hightower.

“Friday Focus” Lunch Info Series for Upstate Nonprofits: “Words that Work”
October 13 … 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. … Rampey Center

“Words that Work” will be an informational and entertaining discussion around media and public relations. Discussion leader, Erika Spinelli, is the owner of “Words that Work” and she will discuss ways to foster positive and productive relationships with area media outlets. She will educate the audience about the differences in communication in a crisis versus general public relations. For more information, contact Dr. Theresa Ricke-Kiely.

Documentation Workshop
Tuesday, October 17 … 5:00-6:30 p.m. … University Writing Center

The University Writing Center is hosting a “Documentation Workshop” (for any documentation style). The limit is currently only ten students. Please bring a paper in progress to use during the workshop. Call the Writing Center at ext. 5688, or stop by, to sign up. The staff and tutors look forward to assisting you. If there is enough demand, we will schedule another session.

Disability Services Brown Bag Lunch Series Continues with “Psychiatric Impairments on College Campuses”
Tuesday, October 17 … 12:30-1:30 p.m. … Campus Life Center 309
The recent dramatic increase in students with psychiatric impairments attending post secondary institutions presents unique challenges and rewards for college campuses. We will discuss the factors that contribute to the rise in numbers of these “hidden” disabilities, as well as general informationon a broad range of psychiatric impairments. We will explore the necessary shift from post secondary barriers, such as stigmatization, to post secondary supports that encourage understanding and respect. For more information contact Jim Gorske.

Webinar: Computer Use Policies
Thursday, October 19 … 3:00 p.m. … Rampey Center
Presenter Beth Cate, associate university counsel and adjunct faculty member, Indiana University, and member of the National Association College and University Attorneys, will answer your questions about copyrighted materials and the Web. Learn helpful policy language and organizational practices that can help your institution respond quickly and effectively to computer misuse on campus, in an effort to prevent abuses along the way. She will use examples from Indiana University and comparable institutions, illustrating the response to computer misuses by employees and policy language the institutions relied upon. Please r.s.v.p. to Jeanette Reeves at ext. 5990.

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.