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 Sept. 23 posting is Tuesday, Sept. 16.

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

Aug. 26–Oct. 12
The iconic imagery and graphic designs of legendary Los Angeles artist John Van Hamersveld will be in the spotlight this fall at the upcoming exhibition “Drawing Attention” at California State University, Northridge’s Art Galleries. For more information, call CSUN’s Art Galleries at (818) 677-2156.

Sept. 16
The Jewish Immigrant in World Cinema Presented by Lawrence Baron
The Jewish Studies Program invites you to hear professor Lawrence Baron, author of “The Wandering View: Modern Jewish Experiences in World Cinema and Contemporary Holocaust Cinema,” discuss the Jews extraordinary migration to distant lands over the centuries, illustrated with select movie clips. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in Sierra Hall 268.
For more information and to RSVP― call (818) 677-4724 or email jewish.studies@csun.edu

Sept.  17
“In Protest: The Shifting Paradigms of Collective Social Action” opens in the Oviatt Library’s C. K. and Teresa Tseng Exhibit Gallery on Sept. 17 and continues through July 25, 2014.
On display in the gallery are selections from the library’s special collections and archives that document dozens of distinct and significant social action movements over the course of the 20th century. For more information call (818) 677-2638.

Sept.  18
Discovering Israel: Past, Present and Future

Moshe Goldin, a licensed Israel tour guide and former geography teacher, will speak about archaeology in Israel today.
For more information― call (818) 677-4724 or email jewish.studies@csun.edu to reserve a seat.

Sept. 18
Grammy-winning Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club will kick off the 2013-2014 season at California State University, Northridge’s Valley Performing Arts Center with a night of diverse Cuban music on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 7:30 p.m.
For more information, contact CSUN’s Valley Performing Arts Center  or call the ticket office at (818) 677-3000.

Sept. 20
Bianchi Planetarium
Come and learn about stars and constellations and planets visible in the sky during late summer at the “Summer/Autumn Sky Show,” which takes place at 7:30 p.m. It is followed by “Search for Meteorites on union Glacier in Antarctica.” General admission tickets are $6 for one show, $10 for two shows; students are $4 for one show and $7 for two shows.
For more information―visit the Bianchi Planetarium website  or call (818) 677-2488.

Sept. 20
Family Fun Zone
Enjoy an evening of games, inflatables, crafts, food and music on the OST lawn (behind the Sol Center, USU) from 4 to 7 p.m. Do not miss the educational and entertaining presentation by The Reptile Family at 5 p.m.
For more information―call (818) 677-2491 or visit www.usu.csun.edu

Oct. 3
Grand Opening of the Learning Commons

The Oviatt Library invites you to come join the fun at the grand opening of the Learning Commons from 5:30 ti 7:30 p.m. in the library. Expect to see new, configurable, versatile furniture that allows students and faculty to create spaces in which their style of learning will be accommodated. Plenty of power outlets have been installed for students and faculty who bring their own devices. Sections of the main floor are being opened up to allow in more natural light and a new permanent installation of a Freudian Sip is in the lobby. To RSVP, see the Learning Commons Grand Opening Invitation.
For more information―visit the gallery and frequently asked questions (FAQ).

Oct. 4
Bianchi Planetarium

Come and learn about stars and constellations and planets visible in the sky during autumn at “Autumn Sky Show,” which takes place at 7:30 p.m. It is followed by “Light Years from Andromeda: A journey between two galaxies spans human history – and reveals the secrets of the cosmos.” General admission tickets are $6 for one show, $10 for two shows; students are $4 for one show and $7 for two shows.
For more information―visit the Bianchi Planetarium website  or call (818) 677-2488.

Public Meetings

University Student Union Board of Directors
Meets 12:30–2 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 16
University Student Union, Grand Salon

The Personal Planning and Review Committee
Meets 1:15–5 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 18
University Hall 277

Educational Policies Committee and GE Council
Meets 2–4 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 18
University Hall 277

General Education Council
Meets 2–4 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 25
University Hall 211

University Financial Assistants
Meets 9–10 a.m.
Thursday, Sept. 26
University Hall 277

Senate Executive Committee
Meets 1–4:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 26
University Hall 277

University Planning and Budget Group
Meets 12–2 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 27
University Hall 277

The Personal Planning and Review Committee
Meets 1:15–5 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 2
University Hall 277

Educational Policies Committee and GE Council
Meets 2–4 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 2
University Hall 277

Faculty Senate Library Committee
Meets 2–4 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 2
Oviatt Library 372

Academic Technology Committee
Meets 1–3 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 4
University Hall 277or 211

Graduate Studies Committee
Meets 2–4 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 8
University Hall 277

General Education Council
Meets 2–4 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 9
University Hall 211

Classes

Department of Police Services Community Workshops
Sept. 19
Tools and Tips for Your Safety, noon–1 p.m.
Tighten up your safety tool belt as we share with you the programs and services offered by CSUN Police Department. Learn about the resources that increase your awareness and personal safety such as street smarts, personal and vehicle safety tips. For more information, contact Daniel Foster  or register online  (click on “Safety Workshops Open to the Community).

Department of Police Services Community Workshops
Sept. 25
Building and Floor Marshal Training, noon–1:30 p.m.
the Building and Floor Marshal Program is designed to provide recruiting, training and coordination of volunteers in every major building on campus. The training will provide emergency response procedures for some of the most common or likely critical incident emergency situations that may occur on the campus.  For more information, contact Daniel Foster  or register online  (click on “Safety Workshops Open to the Community).

Book Club Meetings and Groups:

CSUN Jewish Studies Book Discussion Group
Oct. 6

“Natasha and Other Stories” by David Bezmozgis is the upcoming read that will be discussed on Oct. 6. From 2 to 4 p.m. Audrey Thacker, a professor in the English department, will host the informal discussion to take place at CSUN Hillel, 17729 Plummer Street, Northridge 91325. Please RSVP by emailing jewish.studies@csun or calling (818) 677-4724.

Notices

Emergency Desk Reference for Staff Members, Faculty and Students                                                

The Desk Reference provides general information on emergency preparedness and staff responsibilities. It is a quick guide for what to do during emergency situations that might occur on a university campus-medical emergency situations, fire/explosion, hazardous materials, bomb threats or suspicious objects, earthquakes and shooting situations.  You may access the desk reference by clicking the link “Emergency Desk Reference for STAFF” on the information bar near the top of the page. You may also reach the page referenced above from the “Emergency Information” link at the bottom of the Cal State Northridge home page, http://www.csun.edu. It is very important that you update your contact information in the myNorthridge portal so that the University may contact you in the event of an emergency.

Dependent Eligibility Verification (DEV) Project
The verification phase of the CalPERS Dependent Eligibility Verification (DEV) Project has begun. If you are a health plan subscriber with dependents enrolled under your CSUN employee health benefits, you have or will soon receive a letter from HMS Employer Solutions, an independent company contracted by CalPERS to complete the verification phase. We have been advised that this letter will list your covered dependents on the plan, the rules for eligibility, and the documentation you are required to submit directly to HMS. As part of the verification process, you will be required to provide copies of documents demonstrating your relationship. Please note that we have been directed not to provide any documents we may have on file to preserve the independent verification process of this system-wide audit, therefore you will be required to independently submit your documentation to the CalPERS designated company. Please consult the FAQ section within the letter from HMS for answers to the most common questions. To obtain additional information on the CalPERS Dependent Eligibility Verification (DEV) Project, please visit the CalPERS DEV Project FAQ website.

One-on-one Retirement Consultations
The Office of Human Resources has partnered with five CSU Tax Shelter Annuity Fund sponsors to have representatives visit campus and assist those approaching retirement achieve their goals. Please bring your questions and most recent statements from your retirement plan investment providers for a comprehensive analysis. For additional information, refer to the CSU TSA website.

Policy on Examinations and Religious Observations
Campus policy states that “in administering any test or examination, we will permit any student who is eligible to undergo the test of examination to do so, without penalty, at a time when the activity would not violate the student’s religious creed.” If a faculty member needs assistance in evaluating the request of a student for the re-scheduling of an examination for purposes of religious observation. For more information, review the policy on the Office of Faculty Affairs website or call (818) 677-2962.

Faculty and Staff Appointments and New Hires

Johnie Scott —Appointment                                                                                                                   

Johnie Scott has been appointed as acting chair of the Department of Pan African Studies for a one-year term, effective Aug. 21, 2013. His term as department chair will expire at the conclusion of the 2103-2014 academic year.

Policy on Peer Class Visit Reports
Section 612.5.2.c.(2)(a)(iii) and Section 706.3.1.c. of the Administrative Manual was reaffirmed on May 20, 2013 by the Faculty Senate and approved by President Dianne F. Harrison. The policy can be viewed on the Faculty Senate website.  All policies can be found under “resources” on the Faculty Senate website.
For more information—Heidi Wolfbauer at (818) 677-3263.

2013-14 Academic Year Calendar of Personnel Procedures
The 2013-14 Academic Year Calendar of Personnel Procedures was recently approved by the Senate Executive Committee and by President Dianne F. Harrison.  An index listing all policies approved by the Faculty Senate and links to recently approved and frequently requested policies is available on the Faculty Senate website  under Resources.
For more information—Heidi Wolfbauer at (818) 677-3263.

Spring 2013 Faculty Elections
Full elections results, including vote totals for each candidate, are available on request from the Faculty Senate Office in Oviatt 10 or at (818) 677-3263.

Faculty Officers
Vice President of the Faculty : Shane Frehlich, Kinesiology
Secretary of the Faculty : Terri Lisagor, Family and Consumer Sciences
CSU Academic Senator : Shane Frehlich, Kinesiology

For Standing and Advisory Committees (senate-elected positions only)
Academic Technology Committee (1 member):
Joel Krantz, Cinema and Television Arts

Educational Equity Committee (3 members):
Tracy Buenavista, Asian American Studies
Debra Malmberg, Psychology
Boris Ricks, Political Science

Educational Policies Committee (2 members):
Lawrence Becker, Political Science
Daisy Lemus, Communication Studies

Educational Resources Committee (2 members):
Linda Bowen, Journalism
Ward Thomas, Urban Studies and Planning

General Education Council (1 member):
Sharon Klein, English

Graduate Studies Committee (3 members):
Sloan Burke, Health Sciences
Richard Moore, Management
Merril Simon, Educational Psychology and Counseling

Library Committee (1 member):
Karen Carpenter, Cinema and Television Arts

Learning Resource Advisory Committee (1 member):
Marcia Henry, Library Reference and Instructional Services
Please note that elections for college representatives on Standing and Advisory Committees have not yet been conducted.

Catastrophic Leave Notices
The following employees are out on medical leave and have exhausted their leave credits:

Sandra Caesar (Universal Design Center)

To make voluntary donations, please forward a completed Catastrophic Leave Donation form to Payroll Administration, mail code 8228. You can access the form at OHRS Form 1-8.

Sept. 16
Distinguished Visiting Speakers Program
The deadline for all Distinguished Visiting Speakers Program applications is Sept. 16. This program aims to bring renowned speakers to California State University, Northridge. Category I applicants request classroom visits or department seminars by a guest lecturer. Category II applicants request for an individual or a small group of scholars to participate in performances, public lectures or topical conferences.
To download an application— visit the website of the Office of Research and Graduate Studies.

Sept. 20
Fee Waiver Deadline
The deadline for the spring 2014 semester is Sept. 20. Deadlines are strictly adhered to.  Fee waivers must be completed online. Staff members hired after the fee waiver enrollment deadline may have their application processed by contacting the Fee Waiver Coordinator at (818) 677-2173 or emailing feewaiver@csun.edu with their request.

FYI