The Diversity Faculty Fellowship Program has changed. Instead of a single, two-year guest faculty appointment, as in the past, current faculty members are appointed for one year each. Three fellows were named this year.

The Diversity Council wanted to find new ways to incorporate diversity into the daily culture of WSU Vancouver.

“What better way to achieve that than to turn to current faculty already engaged in diversity research?” Chair John Barber said.

Fellows were selected based on their research proposals. Following are the three fellows for 2013/2014.

Dana Baker, associate professor, School of Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs; associate director, College of Arts and Sciences
Project: Enhancing Neurodiversity at WSU Vancouver
Baker, with her students, is developing workshops, an online training module, and a report based on a survey of attitudes and practices on campus regarding neurodiversity. The project will focus attention on neuroethics—ethical dilemmas related to neurodiversity that come to light as awareness improves.

Steve Fountain, clinical assistant professor, department of history, College of Arts and Sciences
Project: Southwest Washington Native American Partnerships, Curriculum and Outreach
Fountain seeks to improve coordination and programming between WSU Vancouver and Native American partners. The long-term goal is to work toward a Native American Center focused on research, programming and formal partnerships.

Wendy Olson, assistant professor of English and director of composition, College of Arts and Sciences
Project: Implementing the Critical Literacies Achievement and Success Program on the WSU Vancouver Campus
CLASP was piloted at WSU Pullman to retain low-income, first-generation and students of color in particular. Olson plans to oversee its restructuring and implementation for WSU Vancouver, including workshops open to all faculty and an online database.

The Diversity Council 2012/2013 annual report is available online. The report shows WSU Vancouver’s diversity snapshot, discusses the Diversity Council and its membership, and outlines accomplishments from the last academic year.

Kudos to Debra Barnett, Diversity Council member and principal assistant in the College of Education, who volunteered to collect, organize and prepare the information in the report. Thanks also to the Office of Marketing and Communications for its help with editing, proofreading and design.

The Washington State University Board of Regents will hold their next regular meeting on campus the mornings of Oct. 3 and 4 in the Firstenburg Student Commons. The agenda is available online.

The WSU Board of Regents is the university’s governing body whose broad responsibilities are to supervise, coordinate, manage and regulate the WSU system. The Board of Regents consists of 10 members, one of whom is a student. 

Be sure to introduce yourself if you run into one of our Regents on campus.

WSU Vancouver issued a request for proposals for off-campus student housing within walking distance of campus last spring. The university received three proposals, two of which were further investigated. In the end, the necessary pieces did not fall into place, and there are currently no plans for off-campus student housing for fall 2014.

Win a chance to go to Hawaii by participating in the annual Wheel Options campaign. If you choose to use an alternative commute at least six times in October, and log your trips on www.wheeloptions.com, you may be eligible to win the trip to Hawaii, a weekend getaway, or one of several $100 gift cards.

Eligible alternative commute options include carpooling, riding your bike, riding the bus, vanpooling, walking or working from home.

Direct questions to Katrina Long, program support supervisor for Public Safety, at 6-9002.

Clark Public Utilities’ StreamTeam, in partnership with Washington State University Vancouver, invites volunteers to celebrate national Make a Difference Day by volunteering to plant native trees near Mill Creek.

StreamTeam is holding two events on campus:

• StreamTeam Leader Training, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Oct. 5, 10 – 30 volunteers needed
• Make a Difference Day, 8 a.m.  – 2 p.m. Oct. 26, 100 – 200 volunteers needed

Both events are free and open to the public and will be held rain or shine. Volunteers are encouraged to dress for the weather. All tools and trees will be provided by the SteamTeam. Registration is required. Interested volunteers should contact Ashley King at 360-992-8585 or via email. Participation is limited.

StreamTeam is dedicated to proactively addressing the problems facing the Salmon Creek Watershed. The program has planted more than 700,000 trees since its inception in 1992, restoring approximately 120 acres of land along 15 miles of stream length.

For more information about StreamTeam, visit www.streamteam.net.

Dale Strouse, fine arts tech in the College of Arts and Sciences, is exhibiting a collection of photographs in the Science and Engineering building gallery through Nov. 27. 

The photographs feature Pacific Northwest landscapes including the North Cascades, the Deschutes River and Whycus Creek. Strouse makes an effort to document places that have not been explored by the average photographer.

WSU has partnered with American Student Assistant to offer SALT, a free online financial education program dedicated to assisting current students and alumni with paying their college loans and managing their finances.

SALT provides numerous services, including explaining the details of student loans, teaching students about managing their finances, giving students a place to track all their federal and private student loans, providing loan advice, and helping students find jobs or internships.

Encourage students to take advantage of this free service. Click here for more information.

Flooding is the nation’s most common and costliest disaster. Ninety percent of all U.S. disasters involve some flooding. Clark County’s last big flood, in February 1996, damaged or destroyed nearly 300 homes and caused $25 million in property losses.

So far September has been unseasonable rainy. Clark County Public Works offers some sound advice on taking preventative measures to protect yourself from future flooding and its damaging effects. Read more about how to prepare for a flood.