Results of academic planning process announced

WSU Vancouver has received the final report on its academic planning process from Penson Associates, the consultancy contracted to guide us through the process. The report details the extensive process, consultations, data gathering and rationale for the final list of proposed programs. The full report is posted on the Academic Planning Sharepoint site.

Eight new programs were identified through the planning process. WSU Vancouver is also moving ahead with pre-existing plans to offer the BS in math and the BA in communication.

Three programs will be developed for implementation in the near-term, 2016 – 2017:

1. Master’s (MA and MS) in mental health and human services
2. MS in electrical engineering
3. Entrepreneurship major in the BA in business administration degree

Two degrees will be developed for implementation in the mid-term, 2018 – 2019:

1. BS in software engineering
2. BS in computer engineering

Three degrees will be developed for implementation in the long-term, 2020:

1. BA in operations and supply chain
2. BS and/or MS in data science
3. BS in environmental engineering

Renny Christopher, vice chancellor for academic affairs, would like to thank the entire campus community for your thoughtful and enthusiastic participation in the academic planning process, which brought the campus together for intensive and productive discussions. She extends a special thanks to the Academic Planning Advisory Committee under the chairship of Carolyn Long. The committee worked closely with Penson Associates on data collection, organization of town hall meetings, focused conversations and frequently updated the campus on its work which concluded last May.

Office of Finance and Operations welcomes facilities project manager

Jessie Steiger has joined the Office of Finance and Operations as facilities project manager. She is responsible for planning, managing and budgeting capital projects for WSU Vancouver and WSU North Puget Sound at Everett. Top on her list of projects are a new building in Everett and addressing parking challenges here in Vancouver. Jessie is a licensed engineer and brings with her experience in project management, scheduling and structural engineering. She previously managed the design and construction of new corporate headquarters for Bodybuilding.com in Meridian, Idaho. Jessie’s office is in Facilities Operations, Room 110K. She can be reached at 6-9237 or by email.

Come see “Professional Effects” in the Library

Through Dec. 23
Library

The "life of the mind" is often mistakenly cast as an internal intellectual pursuit only. But scholars have always used physical tools, and are sometimes even drawn to their respective fields because of these tools. These objects can have special bearing on how we perceive the world around us, or can be purely utilitarian instruments for executing research. In other cases, they are simply the way we communicate (teaching) to others about our fields of study. More broadly stated, they are our professional effects.  

These unique items, characterizing a broad range of scholarly activity, are currently on exhibit in the Library display cases.

Say “Not Me” to Type 2 diabetes

WSU Vancouver is hosting a free pre-diabetes testing event 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Dec. 4 in the Dengerink Administration Building, Room 129. The testing takes 15 – 30 minutes start to finish. Bring your health plan ID card.

Here is what you need to do in advance:

Step 1: Prior to attending the event, take the online quiz to see if you may be at risk.

Step 2: Book an appointment by typing: http://hca.uswappointment.com into your browser.

If you are not able to take these steps prior to attending the event, walk-ins are welcome. Family members may also participate if they are covered by your medical insurance, age 18 or over and don’t have Medicare as their primary insurance.

If the screening shows you are pre-diabetic, you will be given the opportunity to meet with a health coach and discuss next steps. Employees who are determined to be at risk of developing type 2 diabetes who have Uniform Medical coverage will be offered a 16-week series of classes covered by the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB). Kaiser Permanente participants who are at risk can enroll as a covered benefit through Kaiser. The classes will teach people at risk skills and techniques to help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes.

You’re invited to the December Graduation Celebration

4 – 5:30 p.m. Dec. 19
Firstenburg Student Commons
RSVP by Dec. 1

Faculty and staff are invited to join December 2014 graduates at a reception to celebrate their accomplishments. This is the first December graduation reception and it has been planned by students for students.

Karissa Kyser, a junior majoring in hospitality business management, is taking the lead on the celebration with support from staff and ASWSUV. She hopes the December Graduation Celebration will become a tradition. The event will feature refreshments, giveaways, speeches and representatives from each college/department.

Student newspaper wins award

The VanCougar student newspaper was recognized by the Associated Collegiate Press at its 2014 National College Media Convention in two separate categories. The VanCougar's website, TheVanCougar.com, won the Online Pacemaker Award for universities with 5,000 or fewer students. This is the second consecutive year the VanCougar has won this award. An infographic (PDF) illustrating the allocation of S&A fees to on-campus organizations received an honorable mention in a competition that included all college newspapers regardless of enrollment.

ACP is the oldest and largest national membership organization for college student journalists. The organization offers members resources to help their publications—newspapers, yearbooks, magazines, broadcast programs and online publications—improve.

In case you missed it

All travel reimbursements will be processed electronically beginning next year

As of Jan. 5, WSU will require all employee travel reimbursements to be processed electronically. Those departments that haven’t been participating in electronic forms processing will have several opportunities to receive e-forms training between now and Jan. 5. Training will continue to be offered by Procedures, Records, and Forms. Continue reading…