 February marks African Peoples History Month
A speech by Malik Simba (History), singing by Fresno State students and stepping by members of Delta Sigma Theta sorority will mark the beginning of African Peoples History Month at noon Thursday, Feb. 1, at the Free Speech platform. Other events include Friday, Feb. 2’s, Cineculture presentation on racial profiling (5:15 p.m. IT 101), Africana Culture Night (Feb. 16), the Rosa Parks/Martin Luther King Jr. Awards banquet (Feb. 23) and a college gospel celebration at Saints Rest Missionary Baptist church in Fresno (Feb. 25). For more information call 278.2832 or 278.6946. Click here for details.
First Generation Stories Project
The First Generation Stories Project, a new undertaking designed to provide inspiration and role models for Fresno State’s first-generation students, seeks contributions from faculty and staff who were the first in their family to attend college. Stories, which should be about the entirety of the experience, will be compiled and used in student support programs, classrooms, blogs and other venues. Additional information is available by contacting ChrisTina Leimer (Institutional Research, Assessment and Planning) at cleimer@csufresno.edu, Albert Valencia (Mentoring Institute) albertv@csufresno.edu, Maxine McDonald (Student Success Services) maxine_mcdonald@csufresno.edu or Shirley Melikian Armbruster (University Communications) shirleya@csufresno.edu.
Veritas Forum considers significant questions
Dr. Francis J. Beckwith, associate director of the Institute of Church-State Studies at Baylor University, is one of the nationally known philosophers and authors from American universities participating Feb. 20-22 in Fresno State’s Veritas Forum. The forum explores significant life questions from the prespective that “Jesus Christ has something relevant to offer our modern university in its search for knowledge, truth and significance.” Beckwith will discuss “Can We Be Good without God?” at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 in the Satellite Student Union and “Why Be Tolerant?” at 3 p.m. Feb. 22 in the Wahlberg Recital Hall. Among the speakers is Fresno State Classics professor Dr. Honora Chapman, whose topic is “Mary Magdalene, the Holy Grail and Jesus in ‘The Da Vinci Code’” (3 p.m. Feb. 20, Alice Peters Auditorium). Click here for details.
 Upgraded audiology lab opens on campus
Fresno State’s Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Studies has opened a state-of-the-art audiology lab that offers free comprehensive hearing evaluations for people in the community. More than $200,000 was invested in upgrades and diagnostic equipment to train students as they help people who are uninsured, underinsured or need a neutral second opinion to obtain thorough examinations and recommendations. The audiology lab is funded by the College of Health and Human Services at Fresno State. To schedule an appointment, call Lynn Campbell at 278.2422.
Snowfest is Feb. 24 at Sierra Summit
 The 11th annual Snowfest for staff, faculty, their families and friends is planned Feb. 24 at Sierra Summit on Highway 168 near Huntington Lake. Preregistration is required for discounted skiing and snowboarding tickets (full price otherwise). There is a $1 per person charge to just play in the snow. Snacks will be provided. There will be drawings for gift certificates to restaurants and hotels, food gifts, a bicycle, an autographed San Francisco 49ers football, tickets to movies, the Fresno Philharmonic, Bulldogs basketball, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Fresno Grizzlies and Six Flags Magic Mountain and much more. For registration questions, contact Brad Barker 278.2763, Angel Langridge 278.5030 or Rhonda Velasquez 278.7235.
 Chestnut widening project advances
Trenching work has begun to install utilities under Chestnut Avenue on campus between Bullard and Barstow avenues, bringing the project back to activity after demolition work in summer to prepare the right of way. When the underground utility installation is complete, that portion of the Chestnut project will go forward, resulting in a four-lane thoroughfare that is scheduled to be open to traffic in late summer.
Fresno State's Solaré wins Double Gold
Fresno State Vineyards’ 2003 California Solaré, an ice-style wine released in December, won a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, symbolizing a unanimous decision by the judges. Four other student-produced vintages from the nation’s first commercial winery on a university campus also earned medals in the competition, one of the nation’s largest. The winery is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a series of events. Click here for details.
 International Agriculture Consortium launches Web site
The California State University Consortium for International Development has launched a Web site in response to increasing requests for information from federal funding agencies and development specialists. The site (www.csucid.com) provides a summary of current and past international development activities through the consortium, providing a resource for academics throughout the CSU system who want to participate in overseas projects. Fresno State is the lead campus in the consortium with Chico, Humboldt, Pomona and San Luis Obispo.
 New look for University Police patrol cars
University Police Chief David Huerta talks about the new look of his department’s vehicles, which are being phased in over the next several weeks. In addition to a new paint scheme and logo, the cars are equipped with flashing lights that are brighter and require less maintenance than the traditional rooftop light bars. At an open house, the Police Department also displayed a new mobile command center and changes that have been made recently to the headquarters building. Click here for details.
Nunna is Engineering's interim associate dean
Ram Nunna, chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has accepted an appointment as the interim associate dean for the College of Engineering through the end of the spring 2008 semester. Nunna joined the faculty in 1998.
Institute program trains future health policy leaders
The university-based Central Valley Health Policy Institute is seeking applicants for its new Health Policy Leadership Program that begins May 11. Applications are sought from people with experience in local government, health care, community organizations, advocacy groups, public health, education, business and the media. During the 10-month program, which is funded by The California Endowment, participants will meet monthly to learn about health policy analysis and regional approaches to improving health care and health. They’ll be taught how various disciplines can work together to develop solutions tailored to community needs. Contact Cheryl Paul at 228.2155 or cpaul@csufresno.edu. Click here for more details.
Faculty research award opportunities
The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs seeks applicants for several programs that support faculty research activities, emphasizing those leading external support through grants and contracts. Among the options are the Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities program provides 28 $5,000 competitive awards annually, primarily for release time or summer pay. The Provost’s Research Activity Awards for more ambitious proposals will provide up to $25,000. The deadline to apply for both programs is March 19.
 New health services director chosen
Joyce Harris, a registered nurse and student health services director at California State University, Sacramento, will become Fresno State’s new director of University Health and Psychological Services on March 1. She replaces Robert Paull, who is retiring after 20 years at Fresno State. Click here for details.
Water and technology incubator named for Claude Laval
 The soon-to-open business incubator within the water and energy technology center at Chestnut and Barstow avenues has been named to honor Fresno water technology industry leader Claude Laval. Fresno State’s International Center for Water Technology and the Central Valley Business Incubator, both chaired by Laval, are partners in the center, which will help develop new businesses specializing in water or energy technology. Click here for details.
State grant expands nursing program
Fresno State’s nurse practitioner training program received an $85,861 grant to improve the program’s responsiveness to needs of underserved communities in the San Joaquin Valley. Fourteen colleges and universities are sharing money from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development’s Song-Brown Family Physician Training Act. The grant will allow Fresno State to hire a clinical site coordinator to develop new community-based clinical training sites in Central California. Click here for details.
Graduate studies information available via listserv
Faculty and staff involved in graduate education are invited to join the GradInfo Listserv to receive a newsletter published by the Division of Graduate Studies. Included are key dates, news and information about workshops, events and award deadlines. To subscribe, contact Steve Nasse at 278.2418 or by e-mail at stephenn@csufresno.edu.
CSU online newsletter available
The Chancellor’s Office is making available weekly e-mail updates about key issues affecting staff and faculty within the California State University system. To subscribe, visit www.calstate.edu/CSULeader to sign up for the CSU Leader. Click here for details.
Travel reimbursements increased
New mileage and daily meal reimbursement amounts have been approved for staff and faculty traveling on university business. The mileage rate increased to 48.5 cents on Jan. 1. On the same date, daily meal reimbursement increased to $10 for breakfast, $15 for lunch and $25 for dinner. Questions about travel policies should be directed to Tamara Cochran at 278.4019 or to Esmeralda Ramirez at 278.2911.
| 
Vol. 10 
