For Your Information: 2-18-13

For Your Information shares announcements of events, public meetings, notices, classes and deadlines. The submission deadline is noon on Monday, one week before the next post.

The deadline for the March 4 posting is Monday, Feb. 25.

We strive to include all items submitted by deadline occurring until the next post. You can submit future items by emailing pubinfo@csun.edu, sending them to mail drop 8242 or faxing them to (818) 677-4909. Email is the preferred method of submission.

Events

Feb. 19
A Conversation with Governor Michael Dukakis
The Department of Political Science and College of Social and Behavioral Sciences will  sponsor a lecture by former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis on “The 2012 Election Results: What it Means for Governing in 2013 and Beyond,” in the Grand Salon of the University Student Union at 7 p.m. Reservations are requested.
For more information and to RSVP—call (818) 677-3488.

Feb. 20
Nonprofit Sector Management
Nonprofit and public-sector managers are invited to a free information session in downtown Los Angeles to learn about the Tseng College’s certificate in Nonprofit Sector Management, offered as part of the Master of Public Administration program.  The session meets from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, 244 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles.
For more information—visit the Tseng College website or email patricia.lyon@csun.edu.

Feb. 22
CSUN Black Alumni Association: Linkages Beyond the Classroom
Join the CSUN Black Alumni Association in reconnecting and relaxing with wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres in the Lamb’s Lounge of the Orange Grove Bistro at the University Club from 6:30 to 10 p.m. The event costs $40 per person, and all proceeds go towards the BAA scholarship fund. Reservations are required.
For more information—visit the Alumni Association event page or the Black Alumni Association website or email csunbaa@gmail.com.

Feb. 25
Second Annual Terry Piper Lecture
The Divisions of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs invite you to attend the Second Annual Lecture on Feb. 25, in the University Student Union’s Northridge Center. The featured guest speaker is Vincent Tinto, a professor at Syracuse University. The event is open to faculty, staff and graduate students. Please RSVP online by Feb. 20.

Feb. 27
Maurice Amado Foundation Lecture on Jewish Ethics: “The Ethics of Wealth and Work”
Jennifer Thompson, the Maurice Amado assistant professor of applied Jewish ethics and civic engagement at CSUN, will explore the issues associated with wealth and work when put into the conflicting context of American culture versus Jewish tradition. The event will take place at Valley Beth Shalom at 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino 91436 at 7:30 p.m.
For more information—admission is free, but reservations are preferred and can be made by calling the Jewish studies department at (818) 677-4724 or email jewish.studies@csun.edu.

March 7
Environmental and Occupational Exposure to Metal Nanoparticles
The Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, in conjunction with the EOH Alumni Association and Student Association, hosts its annual technical symposium. This year will focus on the impact of metallic nanoparticles used in manufacturing processes and consumer products. Experts will speak at various presentations from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Northridge Center Complex of the University Student Union. Pre-registration is $85 and $75 for EOH Alumni Chapter Members. Registration at the door is $100 and does not include parking ($6) or lunch. Register online or by phone at (818) 677-2137.
For more information—download a program of the 8th Annual EOH Technical Symposium (PDF).

March 14
STEM: Education Challenges and Career Opportunities
The Delmar T. Oviatt Library and the Bonita J. Campbell Endowment for Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) will host this event in the Ferman Presentation Room of the Oviatt Library from 4 to 6 p.m. Classes are welcome to attend.
For more informationcall (818) 677-2638 or visit the Oviatt Library’s Women in Science and Engineering page online.

March 22
What Really Works in Education Conference
The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) in the Michael D. Eisner College of Education at California State University, Northridge will host a full day education conference at the University Student Union’s Northridge Center on March 22, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participants will leave with practical tips, tricks and strategies among local teachers, parents, and administrators. Rebecca Mieliwocki, 2012 National Teacher of the Year, will be the keynote speaker.  The conference fee is $90, with discounted rates available for CSUN students, CTL Partnership Schools, and groups of 5 or more. Register online.
For more informationcall (818) 677-7494 or email ctl@csun.edu.

March 30
Chinese New Year Banquet
The China Institute and the Chinese Student Association at CSUN will host their annual banquet to celebrate the Year of the Snake in the University Student Union’s Grand Salon from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Recent China Council full-scholarship recipients will make presentations on their life-changing experiences and wonders in China, and the CSUN Chinese Student Association, in collaboration with UCLA Chinese Student Association, will showcase special talents in singing, dancing and playing traditional Chinese musical instruments. Contributions to the banquet start at $60 for two guests.
For more information—contact Justine Su, director of the China Institute, at (818) 677-3801 or email ctl@csun.edu.

Public Meetings

Foundation Board
Meets 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 20
Orange Grove Bistro
For more information—call (818) 677-4400.

General Education Council
Meets 2–4 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 20
University Hall 211

Faculty Senate Standing Committee on Extended Learning
Meets 3:15–5 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 20
Executive Conference Room, Bookstore Complex

Senate Executive Committee
Meets 1–4:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 21
University Hall 277

Educational Policies Committee
Meets 2–4 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 27
University Hall 211

Academic Technology Committee
Meets 1–3 p.m.
Friday, March 1
University Hall 211

Classes

Feb. 19
Brown Bag Spring 2013 – Research Seminar Series
The College of Engineering and Computer Science is hosting a research seminar series every Tuesday in Jacaranda Hall, conference room JD1568 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Each series will feature different faculty members who share their work. Bring your lunch and listen to colleagues speak about their research interests and projects that they’re currently working on.
For more informationdownload the Brown Bag Spring 2013 Research Seminar Series program (PDF).

Feb. 26
Human Resources Workshop
The Tseng College offers a Human Resources Management Overview and PHR/SPHR Exam Preparation Workshop at CSUN on Tuesdays. Classes will run Feb. 26 through April 30 from 6 to 9:55 p.m.  Topics include business management and strategy, workforce planning and employment, HR development, compensation and benefits, employee and labor relations, and risk management. Detailed information is posted aon the Tseng College website.
For more information―email angela.carpenter@csun.edu or call (818) 677-3332.

Department of Police Services Spring Safety Workshops:
For more information on workshops offered by the Department of Police Services,
call (818) 677-2111.

March 12 and 16
Building and Floor Marshal Training
The Building and Floor Marshal training is designed to provide CSUN employees who work in major buildings on campus training and assistance in the coordination of volunteers. The training will provide emergency response procedures for some of the most common or likely critical incident emergency situations that may occur on campus. Sign up for the training online.

Personal and Professional Development Programs:

Feb. 19
Preparing Your Savings for Retirement (Faculty and Staff)
Employees nearing retirement are encouraged to attend this workshop with Adrienne Hubbel of Fidelity Investments to better understand the importance of building an income plan, know the steps that can be taken to prepare for the transition of retirement saving to retirement spending and learn ways to help protect their retirement assets. The workshop will be held in the Delmar T. Oviatt Library 16 from 2 to 3 p.m. Register online.
For more information—download Human Resource’s Personal and Professional Development Program (PDF).

Exploring Your Financial Options (Faculty and Staff)
Join Kam Nassiri, a registered representative of ING Financial Partners, in the Delmar T. Oviatt Library 16 from 9 to 10 a.m. to review the advantages of tax-deferral, the importance of starting early and building adequate retirement savings. Register online.
For more information—download Human Resource’s Personal and Professional Development Program (PDF).

Feb. 21
Seven Steps to Fool Proof Documentation (Supervisory and Managerial Staff)
Learn documentation from the gurus of campus: Human Resources from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Delmar T. Oviatt Library 16 with associate director of employee relations Kristina de la Vega. Register online.
For more information—download Human Resource’s Personal and Professional Development Program (PDF).

Feb. 26
Coordination of Leave Programs (Supervisory and Managerial Staff)
Laurie Gold-Brubaker, manager of benefits administration, and Kari Dom, workers’ compensation specialist and leave of absence coordinator, explain leave programs from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Delmar T. Oviatt Library 16. The session will cover when the leave process is triggered, the types of programs available, your role in the coordination process and the accommodation process of the employee’s return. Register online.
For more information—download Human Resource’s Personal and Professional Development Program (PDF).

Feb. 27
Financial Planning and Investments (Faculty and Staff)
Join William Jennings, interim vice president of University Advancement, and Michael Phillips, faculty of finance, real estate and insurance, in the Delmar T. Oviatt Library 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. to discuss and explore annuities, mutual funds, stocks and other investment opportunities. Register here.
For more information—visit HR’s website.

Feb. 27 and 28
A Conversation About Career Paths (Faculty and Staff)
Please join Vice President, Information Technology Hilary Baker; Dean of the College of Health and Human Development Sylvia Alva, Ph.D.; and Vice Provost Cynthia Rawitch, Ph.D., in the Delmar T. Oviatt Library 16 from noon to 1:30 to discuss taking ownership of and managing a career. Topics to be covered include considering a next position or career move and deliberating a strategy to get to the next level. The session is intended to be an informative, lively and enjoyable conversation. Register for the seminar online.

March 5
Essentials of Public Speaking: Part I

Bridget Sampson, communication studies faculty, will host two workshops to help faculty and staff enhance their presentation skills. Part I of the workshop, taking place in the Delmar T. Oviatt Library 16 from 9 to 11 a.m., will emphasize basic strategies to improve skills and conquer anxiety associated with public speaking. Register here.

March 6
Understanding How the University Operates—Essentials for all Managers
CSUN supervisory and managerial staff are invited to attend this workshop presented by Diane Stephens, associate vice president of Academic Resources, and Debra Hammond, executive director of the University Student Union. The information-rich session, which takes place in the Delmar T. Oviatt Library 16 from 9 to 11 a.m., will provide information about more effective management in the CSU/CSUN environment. Sign up here.

HealthWorks by Kaiser Permanente:
Cal State Northridge and HealthWorks by Kaiser Permanente have teamed up for a third year to bring you a suite of health tools and wellness programming developed to meet your individual needs. The wellness offerings, which are open to all interested CSUN employees – whether you are a Kaiser Permanente member or not – consist of a variety of activities and resources and include onsite classes, health screenings, and an online health competition designed to help you stay on track with making healthy choices.

Mondays
Weight Management
Continuing its program in Oviatt 16 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., every Monday for eight weeks, HealthWorks will provide a weight management program that provides the tools necessary to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Participants will learn how healthy lifestyle choices, like good eating and physical activity, and a positive attiduce can help them lose weight and keep it off. The program will run through April 22 and is free to faculty and staff. Register here.

Feb. 21
Biometric Screenings
Kaiser Permanente will host two screening sessions from 1 to 4 p.m. in Oviatt 16. The screening is free and checks blood pressure, pulse rate and body mass index. Register here.

Book Club Meetings and Groups:
Grow Your Mind Book Club
, sponsored by the Office of Human Resources and Faculty Development, presents a series of book club meetings facilitated by Elizabeth T. Adams, senior director of undergraduate studies. All faculty and staff are welcome to join at any time. Meetings take place on the following Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m. in the Delmar T. Oviatt Library 16. Register here.

March 6
“White Bread: A Social History of the Store-Bought Loaf” by Andrew Boborw-Strain

April 3
“A History of the World in 100 Objects” by Neil MacGregor

The Jewish Studies Book Group will host two spring meetings in the Delmar T. Oviatt Library’s Jack and Florence Ferman Presentation Room. For more information, contact Jewish studies at (818) 677-3007 or email.

March 17
“Murder on a Kibbutz: A Communal Case” by Batya Gur
The event will be led by Rabbi Michele Paskow of the Jewish studies program starting at 2 p.m.

May 5
‘What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank: Stories” by Nathan Englander
The event will be led by Audrey Thacker of the English department.

Notices

Master of Public Administration
Applications are now accepted for the Fall 2013 Master of Public Administration program offered at CSUN and online.  The Tseng College administers this graduate degree program designed for those in the public or nonprofit sector.  Detailed information is posted at here.
For more information―email alice.lu@csun.edu or call (818) 677-5635.

Emergency Desk Reference for Staff Members
Be prepared and informed before an emergency or disaster occurs by referencing sources provided by the Emergency Desk. The Desk Reference is a quick guide for what to do in emergency situations that might occur on campus including medical emergencies, fires/explosions, involvement of hazardous materials, bomb threats, encounters with suspicious behaviors and objects and earthquakes. Access to the guide can be done from the home page by clicking the link “Emergency Information” at the bottom of the page. Updating personal contact information can also be done to enhance emergency contact on the myNorthridge portal in the “Emergency Information” section. Text messaging can also be managed through the system—check the box next to “Emergency Text Message” on the portal page.

Master of Public Administration Information Sessions: Feb. 26–March 19
The Tseng College hosts free information sessions for CSUN’s Master of Public Administration program held at off-campus sites.  Information sessions take place at Beverly Hills City Hall, third floor HR training room, 455 N. Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills, Feb. 26 and March 19, 12 noon-1 p.m.; at Pasadena City Hall, training room S018, 100 N. Garfield Avenue, Pasadena, March 6 and 13, 2-3 p.m.; and at the Los Angeles Unified School District headquarters, 333 S. Beaudry Drive, Los Angeles, March 5, 5:30-6:30 p.m.  For more information, email patti.burleson@csun.edu or visit the Tseng College website.

Summer Session
Currently enrolled CSUN students can make an appointment to register for Summer Session through the myNorthridge portal, from March 19 to 25. The student can self-appoint a time and date to register online.  The registration period runs from March 26 to April 2 for those with appointments. Registration is open to those without appointments starting April 3. Summer Session information is posted here.

Training for Dealing with Distressed Students
The Faculty Senate invites faculty and staff participation in two interactive online training programs, meant to enhance faculty/staff confidence and provide resources when dealing with students who are showing signs of emotional distress and/or adjustment issues. One training program is designed for the general student population and the other for student veterans. Each training takes between 45 and 75 minutes and can be done in the privacy of an office. The general student training can be accessed here and the veteran student training here. To log-on, use enrollment key “csun42,” create a password, answer the series of questions and complete the training. Other online resources for addressing student behavior that may be of concern can be found at the University Counseling Services website. For more information, contact Mark Stevens, director of our University Counseling Services at (818) 677-4069 or email mark.stevens@csun.edu. Counselors at UCS are also available to come to a department or staff meeting to facilitate a discussion about the Kognito trainings.

Kinesiology Department Chair Reassigned to Academic-Year Faculty Position
Konstantinos Vrongistinos concluded his duty as chair of the Department of Kinesiology on Jan. 15 and was reassigned to an academic year faculty position in the Department of Kinesiology. The university thanks him for his service in this important leadership role.

CSU Academic Senate Newsletter
The “Faculty to Faculty” newsletter produced by ASCSU, the official voice of faculty in the system and system-wide concerns, is a monthly publication that was recently released February 2013. To read stories and view the newsletter, visit http://www.calstate.edu/acadsen/Newsletter/feb2013/index.html.

Deadlines

Feb. 20
Spring 2013 Faculty Senate Elections
Any faculty member who wishes to run for a Faculty Senate position, but has not yet been nominated, may submit to the Faculty Senate Office a petition with 15 faculty signatures by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20.  Open for election are the posts for vice president (one-year term), secretary (one-year term), CSU statewide academic senator (three-year term), senators-at-large (two-year term, six positions).
For more information—call Heidi Wolfbauer at  (818) 677-3263.

Feb. 21
Faculty Early Retirement Program (FERP) Applications
Completed applications for faculty to participate in FERP during the 2013-2014 academic year must be submitted to the Office of Faculty Affairs with signatures from the faculty member, chair and dean. Applications are available on the Faculty Affairs website at http://www.csun.edu/facultyaffairs/forms/index.htm.
For more information—call the Office of Faculty Affairs at (818) 677-2962.

Feb. 22
2013 Faculty Awards
Nominations are being accepted for the 2013 faculty awards honoring outstanding faculty achievement. Nominations must be received in the Faculty Senate Office by Friday, Feb. 22.  Supporting materials must be received by Friday, March 22. Faculty awards include the Outstanding Faculty Award; the Distinguished Teaching, Counseling or Librarianship Award; the Scholarly Publication (s) Award; Creative Accomplishment(s) Award; Extraordinary Service Award; and the Visionary Service- Learning Award.   The criteria and nomination form are on the Faculty Senate website.
For more information—call the Faculty Senate office at (818) 677-3263.

March 4
CSUN China Institute Student Award
Faculty are encouraged to inform their students: undergraduate and graduate levels, of an opportunity to live in China for the entire 2013–2014 academic year to study. Students can apply for up to four awards from the China Scholarship Council in any selected subject. Awardees are granted tuition and living expenses, and they will be expected to make a formal presentation to the campus on their experiences as part of the Chia Institute Lecture Series.
For more information—contact either Harold Giedt, chair of the Review Committee, at harold.giedt@csun.edu or Justine Su, director of the China Institute, at zsu@csun.edu.

CSUN China Institute Faculty Grant Programs
Faculty interested in China are invited to apply for initial seed money from the China Institute to start a project in their discipline that advances the field of China Studies or promotes long-term exchange and collaboration for faculty and students. Applicants should submit a written proposal of no more than three double-spaced pages that covers the nature and purpose of their project, how they intend to carry it out, how it can help CSUN students or the collaborative relationship with Chinese institutions and how the funds will be spent related to their travel to China. Additionally, a one-page résumé highlighting relevant experiences must be included in the submission to the China Institute Review Committee via email at harold.giedt@csun.edu and zsu@csun.edu. Two grants of $1,000 each will be awarded to the grant recipients.
For more information—contact Harold Giedt at harold.giedt@csun.edu or Justine Su at zsu@csun.edu.