WSU Vancouver announces new Initiative for Public Deliberation

Chancellor Mel Netzhammer and Associate Professor Carolyn Long each took a turn at the podium last Thursday evening to announce WSU Vancouver’s Initiative for Public Deliberation. The IPD, which is part of the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service, will enhance local democracy through improved public communications and community problem solving.

Long said the mission of the IPD is to promote the development of a vibrant, deliberative democracy in Southwest Washington. “We hope to make civility part of our public practice,” she said.

Chancellor Netzhammer said WSU Vancouver will be an impartial, apolitical partner in this work.

Long has students involved in the IPD already through her “Civil discourse in a time of incivility” course. The students are learning to facilitate meetings and will practice their skills at community forums on affordable housing in the coming weeks.

The IPD is a follow on to the community values survey 500,000 Voices conducted last fall.

Do you survey students?

In order to determine what information is collected about the student body, the Office of Academic Affairs asks for your help tallying student surveys on campus. By recording which campus groups are surveying students, information sharing can be better facilitated. Efforts are underway to create a more inclusive campus survey, incorporating questions from multiple interested parties. By encouraging cooperation, survey fatigue on campus and overlap can be alleviated while simultaneously boosting response rates. If you are involved with a student survey, please send a short description of the survey tool and its timing to Elias Cohen, research specialist for campus effectiveness. Academic Affairs is also interested in hearing from faculty and staff who feel their organization would benefit from better student information.

Change the way your name displays in email

The display names for many staff and faculty WSU email accounts were unexpectedly reset Feb. 22. If you would like to use a nickname with your last name (you can’t change your last name) instead of your full name (the reset default), make the change online. It may take up to three days for the change to be reflected.

Celebrate International Women’s Day

4 p.m. March 4
Live stream from Pullman

Celebrate International Women’s Day with former Miss Universe from Botswana and social activist Mpule Kwelagobe. She will give a speech on gender issues and her experiences with social justice in Africa. This event will be streamed live from Pullman. To access the live stream visit this link. Learn more on the International Women’s Day page.

Women’s Studies offers lecture

12 – 1:15 p.m. March 5
Multimedia Classroom Building, Room 22

The Women’s Studies program will present Maryann Bylander, professor of sociology at Lewis & Clark College on Thursday. She will give a talk titled, “Migration, Development, Gender and Credit/Debt.”

You’re invited to the next Campus Conversation: Ask Me Anything!

4 – 5 p.m. March 9
Dengerink Administration Building, Room 129

Come to a Campus Conversation that’s about you and what you most want to know. What’s on your mind? Chancellor Mel Netzhammer invites you to bring your questions. Wondering about WSU’s efforts to start a medical school? Bring it on. Curious about planned new programs as a result of the Academic Planning process? Ask away. Interested in the new parking lot that’s going to be built? Inquire within!

Discuss the importance of children’s literature

12 p.m. March 11
Library, Reading Room 101

Join Deanna Day, associate professor in the College of Education, and Cheryl Johnson, program coordinator for the Child Development Program, in discussing why integrating diverse books into classrooms challenges students to understand and accept those different from themselves. As students read diverse books, they come to recognize the common feelings and needs they share with children around the world.

Learn about your brain on (legal) drugs

7 p.m. March 11
Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main Street, Vancouver
$8 in advance/$10 at the door

At this Science on Tap, have a beer and stimulate both sides of your brain as WSU Vancouver neuroscientist Bill Griesar, and artist Jeff Leake from NW Noggin discuss both the science and art of alcohol and marijuana. Find out how these drugs affect the chemistry our brains and how they change our behavior. And learn how some well-known artists have approached (and sometimes used) these drugs in the creation of works of art. Doors open at 6 p.m. Beer, wine, pizza slices, popcorn and snacks available.

Request Services & Activities funds now

Services & Activities funds are used to support non-academic student activities, programs and projects on campus such as student government, performances, speakers, services, and facilities and equipment. Groups, organizations or individuals may request S&A funds by completing the online form. Requests are due to Helen Gregory by 5 p.m. March 13.

Nominations for the annual President’s Award for Leadership are open

The President’s Award for Leadership is an honor bestowed annually to students and others who advance leadership and engagement at WSU and beyond. Recipients of this award demonstrate exceptional leadership and service to the university and the community as well as to those who support leadership development in WSU students. The 2015 award categories are student, student group, faculty or staff, and community organization.

The award winners will be selected by a committee of faculty, staff and students. Nominees will be reviewed by considering each within the framework of the Social Change Model of Leadership Development, specifically with respect to these qualities: consciousness of self, congruence, commitment, collaboration, common purpose, controversy with civility, citizenship and change. 

Student nominations are due March 8. Student applications and all other nominations are due March 22. Go online to learn more and complete a nomination.