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In the News
3.9.2010 EWU’s Hockey and Volleyball Club Teams off to Nationals
3.4.2010Get Lit! Programs Announces PRI’s Selected Shorts Performance: Fatherhood
3.2.2010EWU Theatre and Film Students Present Romeo and Juliet
2.23.2010Eastern’s We Need You Campaign to Support Scholarships
2.16.2010EWU Students Participate in Mock Trial Event
2.2.2010Get Lit! Headliners Announced
Announcements
EWU Unveils Display at Riverpark Square
 If you're going downtown to see a movie or do some shopping at Riverpark Square, check out Eastern's new interactive display in the mall's main atrium.
Featuring the new marketing line, "Your ________ Went to Eastern," the new display holds thousands of removable small round magnets with occupations that complete the tag line.
The magnets are meant to be taken away by alumni, students and friends, and placed on metallic surfaces, such as refrigerators, cars, lockers, etc.
The new display follows up the very successful "One Day I'll _________" display in Riverpark Square that featured removable magnets two years ago.
The new display will remain up throughout March. Faculty Members Recognized for Outstanding Performance
Beginning in academic year 2006-07, an expanded merit award program has been used to recognize and reward outstanding contributions made by Eastern Washington University faculty in teaching, scholarship, creative endeavors and service.
Nominated by their respective college personnel committees, faculty candidates are selected as merit award winners by the Merit Committee, composed of faculty representatives throughout Eastern's academic areas and JFK Library.
Congratulations to this year's merit award winners, whose work within their academic disciplines and with Eastern's students make a vital contribution to academic rigor and excellence at EWU.
Outstanding Faculty Awards
In Teaching: Damon Aiken, Management; Vincent Aleccia, Education; Jonathan Anderson, Psychology; Daniel Canada, Mathematics; Kimberly Cleary, Physical Therapy; Terrance MacMullan, Philosophy; Kevin Pirch, Government; Robert Sauders, Anthropology/History; Matthew Silvers, PEHR; Nanette Wichman, English.
In Scholarship/Creative Activity: Vandana Asthana, Government; Daniel Canada, Mathematics; Dana Elder, Honors; Christopher Howell, Creative Writing; Igor Klyukanov, Communication Studies; Samuel Ligon, Creative Writing; Terrance MacMullan, Philosophy; Robert Sauders, Anthropology/History; Rachel Toor, Creative Writing; Duanning Zhou, Accounting and Information Systems.
In Service: Vincent Aleccia, Education; Terrance MacMullan, Philosophy; Mary Marinucci, Philosophy; David May, Government; LaVona Reeves, English; Robert Sauders, Anthropology/History; Matthew Silvers, PEHR; Grant Smith, English; Christina Valeo, English; Dick Winchell, Urban and Regional Planning
Distinguished Faculty Awards
In Teaching: Terrance MacMullan, Philosophy
In Scholarship/Creative Activity" Daniel Canada, Mathematics
In Service: Terrance MacMullan, Philosophy
Professors of the Year
Vincent Aleccia, Education; Daniel Canada, Mathematics; Terrance MacMullan, Philosophy; Robert Sauders, Anthropology/History; Matthew Silvers, PEHR
President's Award: Terrance MacMullan, Philosophy EWU Faculty Take Learning to Rural School Districts
 Wind and solar power may be two of the main ways we generate energy in the future, so it makes sense that EWU education professor Rodger Hauge is taking the elementary concepts behind the two sources into elementary schools around the region, where the scientists and engineers of the future can experiment.
For the past three years, Hauge and engineering professor Jeff Donnerberg have visited rural schools in places like Davenport, Reardan, Deer Park, Wellpinit and Chewelah, helping elementary and middle schoolers discover the basics of renewable energy.
The effort comes under the umbrella of a three-year state math and science partnership grant focused on building science learning capacity in youngsters. Eastern partnered with Washington State University and Educational Service District 101 to serve 27 Spokane-area rural schools.
"The idea is to bring engineering and educational science expertise from the university level to assist with the needs of the school districts," Hauge explained. "We do this in a supportive capacity."
The grant program isn't just to expose students to ideas, it is also to help train their teachers how to deliver engaging and relevant science curriculum to the students. Hauge and the other university educators in the program hold workshops and training events for the teachers.
The teacher training effort is an important component, as the grant itself ran out on March 1, meaning that major funding for the continuation of this effort will have to come from another grant. The teachers that have been trained will be forwarding the mission outlined by the original grant.
Last week, Hauge went to Deer Park to teach fifth graders how to construct their own small wind machines and solar energy water heaters. Because it wasn't sunny on Friday, when Hauge was at the school, the kids had to wait until Monday to test their solar water heaters, which worked fine.
"They were able to do that without us because we trained the teachers," Hauge said.
Even though the original grant has finished, Hauge will continue to go to the school districts to work with the kids and teachers. He will visit Reardan and Davenport later this month.
"We have built the capacity at the university to continue to do this," he said. "The thought of not sustaining this thing as long as we can is unthinkable -- it's a really cool thing for us to do."
Hauge said he has started to write a grant proposal to continue the program.
The program also dovetails nicely into the university's quest to turn its students into tomorrow's teachers. Several EWU student-teachers and students have participated in the program over the past couple years. It also fits in well with the education department's goal of getting more of its students experiences in rural school districts.
"This is the wave of the future," Hauge said.
(Photo: EWU education professor Rodger Hauge helps Deer Park fifth graders learn about renewable power sources.) New Legislation Limits Travel, Hiring and Spending
Dear Campus Community:
Governor Gregoire signed legislation on Monday, February 15, which freezes hiring and some other activities at all state agencies, including Eastern Washington University. The legislation is effective March 17, 2010, through June 30, 2011.
Section 601 prohibits establishing new staff positions or filling vacant existing staff positions except:
* positions directly related to academic programs;
* positions not funded from state funds or tuition;
* positions that are filled by enrolled students at their own institution as student workers;
* positions in campus police and security;
* positions related to emergency management and response;
* activities that are necessary to receive or maintain federal funds by the state; and
* positions related to student heath care and counseling.
Note the university still has limits on total staffing levels (FTE) through the end of the current biennium (which ends June 30, 2011), so all requests to fill vacant positions will continue to need presidential approval.
Section 602 prohibits entering into contracts or other agreements for personal services not related to an emergency or other catastrophic event that requires government action to protect life or public safety except:
* costs funded exclusively from private or federal grants;
* costs not funded by state funds or tuition;
* costs for revenue generation or auditing activities;
* costs necessary to receive or maintain federal funds for the state; and
* information technology contracts related to an information services board approved information technology project.
Section 603 prohibits entering into contracts or other agreements for the acquisition of any item of equipment that exceeds $5,000 that is not related to an emergency or other catastrophic event that requires government action to protect life or public safety except:
* costs funded exclusively from private or federal grants;
* costs for revenue generation or auditing activities;
* costs necessary to receive or maintain federal funds for the state;
* costs not funded by state funds or tuition;
* equipment necessary to complete a project funded in the capital appropriation acts; and
* costs related to the continuation, renewal, or establishment of maintenance for existing computer software licensing and existing computer hardware.
Section 604 prohibits expenditures for out-of-state travel or out-of-state training not related to an emergency or other catastrophic event that requires government action to protect life or public safety except:
* costs not funded by state funds or tuition;
* costs for revenue generation or auditing activities;
* costs funded exclusively from private or federal grants;
* costs associated with receiving or maintaining federal funds by the state; and
* costs for motor vehicle and parking costs for single day travel to a contiguous state or B.C., Canada.
A provision in the United Faculty of Eastern collective bargaining agreement regarding faculty development funds states that half of the funds are subject to any limitations on use of state money and that "if such a state-imposed limitation would prevent a faculty member from satisfying the terms of his/her faculty activity plan (FAP), the faculty member and Dean will either find an alternative source of funds or the Dean will work with the faculty member and personnel committee to revise the faculty member's FAP." Section 8.11.2(a). Please work with the appropriate dean and with the Provost's Office regarding questions related to professional leave.
Other exemptions may be granted for critically necessary work if approved by the director of the Office of Financial Management (OFM). Requests for exemptions will first need the approval of the appropriate vice president/division head. Vice presidents will forward approved exemptions to the budget office. The budget office will compile exemption requests for presidential approval prior to formal submittal to OFM.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during these challenging budgetary times. I will continue to keep you informed of the latest budget developments and Eastern's response to them.
Sincerely,
Rodolfo Arévalo, Ph.D.
President Bricks Fund EWU Reid Lab School Meditation Garden
 Red, cinnamon and ivory bricks, engraved with five decades of memories, will soon be a focal point of the EWU Reid Lab School Meditation Garden on Eastern Washington University's Cheney campus.
"A Great Place to Teach" is the sentiment long-time Reid teacher Pat Cogley decided to have engraved on the brick she purchased in the fundraiser to build the meditation garden. "Reid had a 'home-like' atmosphere where parents, siblings and teachers knew each other very well," Cogley recently said about Reid.
"I enjoyed working at Campus School," said Eloise Goodwin, who served as the school's secretary 1960-1979. "I knew all the students, their families and EWU faculty."
"There truly was an educational intimacy among college students, faculty and Reid students," said Jack Martin, RSRC member, Eastern alumnus, former Reid principal and EWU professor emeritus of education. "I liken it to the one-room school. There was a precious aspect of intimacy and trust. Parents sent their children there because they wanted them to be there."
"Educational intimacy" and "family home atmosphere" are phrases often used to fondly describe Robert Reid Elementary School. It was built in 1959 on Eastern Washington College's Cheney campus to serve as a laboratory school, where the college's future teachers could watch progressive teaching in action through windows on the observation deck.
Originally called Campus School, it was later renamed after the school's first principal, Robert Reid.
For the past 23 years, the school was a collaborative effort, with Cheney Public Schools providing staff and curriculum, and Eastern paying the facility's operating costs. It closed in June 2009, a victim of budgetary cutbacks and the need for costly repairs.
As a tight-knit community mourned Reid's closing, Cogley proposed to her friends an idea for a remembrance of Reid Elementary. From her notion grew the meditation garden. The 29-by-20-foot garden, with three colors of pavers, basalt rock fountain, lights and iron seating, will be constructed on the Eastern Washington University campus.
The Reid Lab School Remembrance Committee (RSRC) is planning a June 2010 dedication ceremony.
The committee is selling an unlimited number of personalized bricks to fund the $12,000-$15,000 project, which will be installed near the historic Cheney Normal School Heritage Center one-room schoolhouse.
"All funds go toward building the meditation garden, a place where students, faculty and public can sit, study, meditate and look at the one-room schoolhouse," Martin said, "So donors are not restricted to a Reid connection -- anyone who wants to support the garden can buy a brick."
Red bricks are $100 each, cinnamon are $500, and ivory bricks can be purchased for $1,000. Special messages on bricks are limited to three lines maximum, with no more than 20 characters per line (allow one character for a space between words). Donors must order bricks by March 10, 2010.
To purchase a brick, mail your name, address, phone number and e-mail address, along with your special message as you want it engraved on your brick, and a check payable to Reid School Remembrance Fund, to Pat Cogley, Treasurer, 15206 S. Clear Lake Rd., Cheney, WA 99004. A thank-you card and receipt will be sent to donors for their IRS tax-deductible contribution records. For more information, contact Jack Martin at 509.235.4241.
Pictured are Eloise Goodwin and Jack Martin, showing what the commemorative bricks will look like.
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