VCAA Newletter

Summer months evoke leisure and reading. Some of my fondest memories of boyhood are visits to the bookmobile. I eagerly awaited its arrival each Friday afternoon. There, as the bookmobile languidly rested in the clammy heat under a majestic magnolia, I browsed excitedly the cramped shelves for mysteries and biographies. Mrs. Rousseve, the librarian, in anticipation of my visit, often had several suggestions for me. I read with awe the adventures of Marco Polo, Joseph Smith, Davy Crockett, Abraham Lincoln, W.E. B. Dubois, George Washington Carver, Mark Twain, Betsy Ross, Joan of Arc and countless others. I devoured the suspenseful tales of Agatha Christie, Raymond Chandler, and Erle Stanley Gardner. Buried in my books, I escaped the inertia of sweltering summer heat and became oblivious to stealthy entrances and exits of torrential downpours that darkened the New Orleans skyline.

Over the years, I’ve developed the habit of reading several books at a time. I start one and then another, and the cycle is continuously repeated. I seldom fail to finish a book I start. I finished just recently Chris Hedges’ War Is A Force That Gives Us Meaning. I was struck by its powerful and poignant message about the state of humanity. And as a Vietnam veteran, I reflected in ways I hadn’t before about my own experiences with war. Thanks to the innovative work by Julie Elliott of our library faculty, Hedges’ book will serve as the inaugural book of “One Book, One Community,” that will frame the discussions of our thematic year, “Media and Democracy.” Throughout the academic year, our community of faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends, will engage in discussions centered around the book’s major themes and premises. As a community we will gather in informal and formal groups to debate the issues. There will be group activities, such as Table Talk, as well as planned classroom discussions. In the spring semester ’05, Chris Hedges will visit the campus to discuss his book and to present a major address.

The “One Book, One Community” strikes at the core of the educational values of an IU South Bend degree and dovetails the goals of our new general education curriculum. The habit of reading prepares our students for life-long success through which they learn to think broadly, critically and analytically as they form ideas and opinions. At each student orientation, I stress reading as a key element to academic and professional success. This summer I hope that you will find time for a favorite author or topic and that you get a deserved respite from the required reading that you must do for research and curriculum planning. In my Fall newsletter, I’d like to publish a list of the books that faculty and staff read during the summer. If you have a good book to recommend, please let me know. At any rate, happy reading to all.

Conflicts of Interest and Conflicts of Commitment Policies - We have received the following information from Dan Rives, Assoc. Vice President for University Human Resources:

“Indiana University encourages its employees to participate in external activities that enhance professional skills or constitute public service. Such activities provide an opportunity for employees to obtain and convey new knowledge, and to form alliances that enhance the University’s academic and research missions.

However, external activities can lead to conflicts that adversely impact University interests or interfere with how University responsibilities are carried out—serious issues for the entire University community, including the Board of Trustees and all other University officers. The manner in which business affairs are conducted is vital to the University’s integrity.

To articulate the seriousness of related expectations for Staff and Hourly employees, along with expectations for associated supervisors and department heads, the University has developed the two policies……..”

The complete policy provisions are at www.indiana.edu/~uhrs/policies/expect.html

The Library will be receiving the complete ERIC microfiche collection, from 1966-2001. This collection is worth over $100,000 and has been donated to us by the ERIC Clearinghouse for Social Studies and Social Science Education.

The IU South Bend Assessment Committee Web site is located at www.iusb.edu/~assess. This site is full of useful information. It includes information on applying for grants from the Assessment Committee, on annual reports which are required of all academic programs, and on the third year reviews and evaluation criteria. There are sample annual reports and third year reviews posted on the site. You will also be able to find information on updating assessment plans to bring them in alignment with the new standards of the Higher Learning Commission. The Assessment Committee updates and posts new material on this site regularly. Currently, the site is being updated to comply with the new Web site standards at IU South Bend. Rhonda Culbertson updates the committee’s Web site. If you have questions about the site, please call Rhonda at 520-5598.

FACET - We have been notified that FACET has recently redesigned its website. Please visit www.facet.iupui.edu for current FACET events, activities and member news.

IRB Update - There were 113 original files sent to Bloomington. Of those, 64 have been approved and 43 have been closed. This leaves 6 studies still under review. Our new IRB has been meeting regularly to review their by-laws, policies, and forms. A team from IU will be on campus on July 23rd to discuss the a timeline for bringing the IRB functions back to our campus.

I am happy to announce that Dr. Lawrence Garber, Professor of Chemistry, is the 2004 recipient of the Lillian Yeager Service Award. This award, from the IU School of Nursing, is given to an individual who has been supportive of nursing and nursing education. Please join me in congratulating Larry.