Reminder!

As we get closer to the holidays, take a moment to think about your neighbors in our community who you might not know personally, but who could benefit from your generous contribution to United Way. Don’t know how the United Way can help them? Click here for the top fifteen questions and answers about the organization, how it operates and who it helps. If you have not received your pledge card in the mail, contact Frances Krydynski.

Sympathy is extended to:

Eric Jolly , SBAE, on the death of his brother Michael “Mattress Max” Jolly Sr. on November 3, 2006.

Steve Caldwell , SBAE, on the death of his mother Laurene Caldwell on October 28, 2006.

Lilly Lancaster , SBAE, on the death of her father John “Tuck” Lancaster on November 3, 2006.

Congratulations to Mary Lou Hightower on her selection as Vice Chair of the District Six School Board! Next stop, the State House.

Dr. Warren Carson (English) delivered a presentation on October 23 to the Tryon, N.C. branch of American Association of University Women (AAUW) entitled “Artists and Activists: Women Writers of the Harlem Renaissance.” His discussion focused on prominent participants in the Harlem Renaissance including Zora Neale Hurston, Alice Dunbar-Nelson, Jessie Redmon Fauset and Georgia Douglas Johnson.

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

STAFF/ADMINISTRATION POSITIONS:

Financial Aid Counselor (State Title: Student Services Program Coordinator I) Financial Aid Office
Requisition No. 042680
Online applications accepted through Monday, November 13, 2006

Administrative Specialist (State Title: Administrative Specialist II)
School of Nursing
Requisition No. 042681
Online applications accepted through Monday, November 13, 2006

Police Officer
(State Title: Law Enforcement Officer I)
University Police
Requisition No. 042682
Online applications accepted through Monday, November 13, 2006

Part-time Safety/Security Officers
University Police
Requisition No. 042699
Online applications accepted through Monday, November 20, 2006

Landscape Technician
(State Title: Building/Grounds Specialist II)
Facilities Management
Requisition No. 042695
Online applications accepted through Monday, November 20, 2006

Administrative Specialist (State Title: Administrative Specialist II)
Office of Housing and Residential Life
Requisition No. 042696
Online applications accepted through Monday, November 20, 2006

Chief of Police
(State Title: Law Enforcement Officer IV)
University Police
Requisition No. 042666
Online application accepted through Thursday, November 30, 2006

Holly Drummond
Publications Coordinator
Enrollment Services
Ext. 5246

Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities? Congratulations to this year's award recipients: Michael Berry, Kehinde Laaro, Shannon Trafton, Carolyn Turner, Thomas Varnadore, Marchella Stroud, Jessica Heidelberg, Marletha Booker

Important Register Change – Take Note!
This week, due to University Communications personnel schedules, all information for the November 20 Register is due to Claire Sachse by Wednesday, November 15 at noon.

The ETV Road Show is this week!
The ETV Road Show will broadcast from the USC Upstate campus on Wednesday, November 15. All faculty and staff are encouraged to stop by for the live broadcasts. Please encourage your students to attend as well. The ETV production truck will be on site and can be toured. All events are scheduled to take place on the lower quad. In the event of inclement weather, the HPAC lobby will be the location. Click here to see what’s going on.

New Minor Degree Program Offered in African American Studies
The University of South Carolina Upstate has offered courses in literature, culture and history with an African American focus over the years, but this fall marks the first year the university is offering a formal minor degree program in African American studies. An interdisciplinary approach to history, culture and experience of African Americans from the fifteenth century to the present, the minor program will attract students interested in the African American experience from either a heritage or intellectual perspective, or a combination of both, and it will serve as a foundation experience for students who wish to pursue post-graduate study of the African American experience. Read on for the full story …

Shoestring Players Perform “Picnic” November 16-19 at USC Upstate
The Shoestring Players at the University of South Carolina Upstate will perform Picnic November 16-18 at 8:15 p.m. and November 19 at 3:15 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center. Picnic, sometimes called a great American pastoral classic, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1953. The play explores life in a small town with a focus on family relationships and the loneliness that permeates most people's lives. Set in shared back yards on Labor Day weekend, the swarthy Hal upsets the lives of a group of women unaccustomed to the influence of his masculinity and struggling with the loneliness and lack of fulfillment in their own lives. The cast includes Betty Koester as Helen Potts, Will Patterson as Hal Carter, Britney Owen as Millie Owens, James Bond as Bomber, Christina Landrum as Madge Owens, Charisse Krieger as Flo Owens, Emily Kelly as Rosemary Sydney, Bryant Attaway as Alan Seymour, Elicia Bryant as Irma Kronkite, Ahsha Daniels as Christine Schoenwalder, and Joshua R. DeYoung as Howard Bevans. For the full story …

Cast members rehearse for the upcoming performance of Picnic. Pictured from left are: Britney Owen as Millie Owens, Charisse Krieger as  Flo Owens, and Christina Landrum as Madge Owens. Owen is a USC Upstate student from Pickens, Krieger is a USC Upstate employee who resides in Greer, and Landrum is a USC Upstate student from Boiling Springs.

Sing We Noel! USC Upstate University Singers and Chamber Choir Plan Fall Concert
The University Singers and Chamber Choir at USC Upstate will hold its annual fall concert on Thursday, November 30 at 8:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center Theatre on the campus of USC Upstate. The instrumental prelude will begin at 7:30 p.m. The choirs will perform a variety of Christmas and holiday selections centered around different themes such as “A Childhood Christmas,” “Songs of the Nativity,” “Favorites of the Season,” and many more. For the full story …

Faculty & Staff Tobacco Use & Attitude Survey
You are being invited to complete the Faculty & Staff Tobacco Use & Attitude Survey. This confidential health survey is aimed at collecting accurate information about your experiences and beliefs. It is being administered as a requirement of the Spartanburg Colleges Taskforce on Tobacco grant. Data from the survey will be used to assess needs and attitudes regarding tobacco use. Ultimately, it will help USC Upstate improve services to faculty, staff, students, and the community.  The survey will take about 5-15 minutes to complete. Your participation is important and appreciated. As an incentive, you will be given the opportunity at the end of the survey to print out the last page and turn it in to CLC 107 for a free raffle for a new MP3 player!

Please visit this important, confidential survey online.

THIS WEEK:

A “Preface” Event: Is Our History Our Destiny? Student Led Conference with Dinner
Monday, November 13 … 6:00 p.m. … Campus Life Center 3rd Floor
What kind of world do we want to create? The keynote address and student-led conference sessions will examine the history of the World War II era, the internment of Japanese Americans, and their relevance today. The conference will reflect the goal of the study of When the Emperor Was Divine and the entire PREFACE series: not to determine what is “right,” but rather to discuss how a deeper understanding of the events can inform the way we make personal decisions and influence public policy today. The event is free, but tickets are required. Tickets can be picked up in HPAC 222. Sponsored by Student Affairs.

Nourishing New Research
Monday, November 13 … 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. … Campus Life Center Ballroom
The Center for Women's Studies and Programs is pleased to announce a new program for faculty working on conference papers, articles, book chapters, or books on subjects related to Women's and Gender Studies. This program will provide opportunities for faculty to share in-progress academic work for feedback and support as part of an effort to enrich the intellectual environment at Upstate and to foster cross-disciplinary collegiality around a shared interest in Women's and Gender Studies. Seats are limited. Advance registration is required by calling ext. 5724 or by emailing Lisa Johnson.

Disability Services Training Opportunities: Disability Communication Savvy: How to Avoid Blunders and Bloopers
Tuesday, November 14 … 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. … CLC 309
Students will lead this humorous, yet relevant, presentation of what to do and what not to do when communicating with a person with disability. If you have ever wondered if it was appropriate to assist a person in a wheelchair with a door, or stumbled over saying “see you later” to a person who is blind, this presentation is for you. Be prepared to have your questions answered in an entertaining and informative way.

Study Abroad Fair
Tuesday, November 14 … 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. … CLC Second Floor Lobby across from Bookstore
Find out about summer, semester, and year abroad programs in many destinations around the world. Refreshments will be provided. Sponsored by Multicultural Affairs and the International Office. Contact April Moore for more information.

Self-Defense: A Guide to Personal Security
Tuesday, November 14 … 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. … Rampey Center
This workshop will give help you be aware of your personal security by examining, recognizing and avoiding danger. It includes precautionary measures to be taken in the home and car. You will get facts about rape prevention and common sense self-defense. Our goals will include:

• Exposing dangers and enhancing awareness
• Teaching nonphysical methods of self-defense
• Teaching easy to learn physical methods of self-defense
• Instilling confidence through knowledge and knowing what to protect, at what cost and against what odds
• Maintaining a realistic, safe class in a relaxed atmosphere

Please wear casual, comfortable clothes and no jewelry. E-Mail Jeanette Reeves to sign up! Limited seating!

He Said He Loved Me: Understanding the Effects of Emotional and Physical Abuse
Wednesday, November 15 … 7:00 p.m. … Sparty’s Den
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report, “Roughly 85 percent of all people who are the victims in an abusive relationships are women (October 2001).” Physical abuse typically is very evident; a bruised eye, a broken arm or a series of bruises that covers the extremities. Unfortunately, verbal abuse is not immediately identifiable and the mental impact is sometimes greater than the blows suffered from physical abuse. Nevertheless, both are equally devastating. Are you in an abusive relationship? Do you know the signs?

Housing and the Collegiate Women of the Upstate are sponsoring an event titled He Said He Loved Me: Understanding the Effects of Emotional and Physical Abuse. The guest speaker for the evening will be Brenda Voytek with SAFE Homes, Rape Crisis Coalition. She is a victim and legal advocate. This event is formatted for women. Additional services will be provided as needed.

For additional information, contact Lee Davis at 503-5968 ldavis@uscupstate.edu or Cassandra Chambers at 503-5421 cchambers@uscupstate.edu.

Angel Tree Adopt a Child Tree Lighting and Adoption
Wednesday, November 15 … 1:00 p.m. … CLC First Floor Lobby
Come and adopt an Angel Tree Child! This is the 12 th year USC Upstate has participated in the Angel Tree project providing a holiday for children who otherwise would not have one. Over the course of the twelve years, USC Upstate has sponsored approximately 1,500+ children. USC Upstate is one of the largest providers for the Department of Social Services in Spartanburg County. Sponsored by IMPACT and Student Life. For more information contact April Moore.

Lunch and All That Jazz
Wednesday, November 15 … 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. … Arboretum Ampitheatre The USC Upstate Alumni Association will host a lunch and jazz concert in the Susan Jacobs Arboretum Amphitheatre on Wednesday, November 15 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased in advance in the Alumni Office, Admin. 317.

Avoiding Retaliation Claims
Thursday, November 16 … 3:00 p.m. … Rampey Center
Whether an employer’s action is justified or illegal, retaliation is often in the eye of the beholder. What seems like the logical course of action for an employer may be interpreted by an employee – or worse, by a jury – as illegal retaliation. In this fast-paced session, hear a review of the many recent retaliation law developments that will significantly affect how you motivate, counsel and disciple your workforce. Hirschfield will examine the rising tide of retaliation claims; the dramatic implications of federal and state court decisions concerning the definition of “adverse employment action” and “protected activity” and practical steps you should take now to avoid whistleblower lawsuits and minimize retaliation claims. Presenter: Stephen Hirschfield, partner, Curiale Dellaverson Hirschfeld & Kraemer LLP, and board member, National Association of College University Attorneys. Email Jenette Reeves to sign up.

COMING UP…

USC Upstate Student Recital (Guitar and Percussion)
Tuesday, November 28 … 8:00 p.m. … HPAC
Upstate Guitar instructor Marty Fort and drum instructor Tim Blackwell present applied music students in recital. Students will perform jazz, blues, rock, folk and classical music. Admission is free but donations for the music scholarship fund will be accepted at the door.

"Women In" Lunch Series: Women in Chinese History: The Infamous Lady Yang
Thursday, November 30 … 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. … Campus Life Center 317
She was chief concubine to Emperor Ming Huang of the Han Dynasty, China. She is still heralded as the most beautiful woman to have ever lived. And, she was executed as a traitor. Kitty Rickert, Dept. of History, discusses gender, power, and a compelling moment in the history of China. For more information, contact Lisa Johnson.

Seven Hidden Reasons People Leave and Stay
Thursday, November 30 … 3:00 p.m. … Rampey Center
According to extensive studies, more than 85 percent of managers believe employees leave for “pull” reasons such as “more pay” or “better opportunity.” Yet, when objective third parties ask employees what caused them to think about leaving in the first place, more than 80 percent of employees cite “push” factors related to management practices or dysfunctional cultures. This Webinar identifies seven root causes of employee disengagement and turnover that are “hiding in plain sight” but go unnoticed by too many managers. Examine key factors in retention and learn how your institution can retain its best employees. Email Jeanette Reeves to sign up.