WSU Vancouver, along with 36 other stand-alone libraries, will form one shared library system launching in January 2014. This change will improve the research experience for patrons and allow all libraries in the system to better manage resources.

All members of Orbis Cascade Alliance, a consortium of 37 academic libraries in Washington, Oregon and Idaho, will work toward unlocking opportunities that will help build a single collection, share services and resources, and exploit new technologies.

As part of the migration from 37 to one, a new user interface called SearchIt has been designed to make it easier to find materials at WSU Vancouver and throughout the alliance. It will take 18 months for the transition to be complete. In the meantime, a hybrid system, with many of the advantages of the new system and few remnants of the old, will be used. Learn more about SearchIt at the online Q and A.

WSU Vancouver will begin its year-long 25th anniversary celebration as early as summer 2014. This presents an opportunity to showcase our campus and its mission in our community and beyond. Chancellor Mel Netzhammer recently appointed a 25th Anniversary Committee to identify the ways WSU Vancouver will recognize its anniversary and work to carry out the plans. The 12-member committee is co-chaired by Brenda Alling, director of marketing and communications; and Jennifer Miltenberger, director of development and alumni relations.

Committee members include:

• Peter Collier, student ambassador
• Jane Cote, academic director, College of Business
• Kim Estes, event coordinator, Facilities and Operations
• Andrew Hallberg, program assistant, Office of Student Affairs
• Dena Keller, circulation and reserves supervisor, Library
• Maureen Keller, administrative assistant, Office of Marketing and Communications
• Jackie McReynolds, senior instructor, Department of Human Development
• Sarah Pimentel, administrative assistant, Department of Human Development
• Gay Selby, clinical professor, Department of Education
• Dale Strouse, fine arts tech, College of Arts and Sciences

If you have suggestions about how you think WSU Vancouver should celebrate its 25th anniversary, please share them in an email to Brenda Alling, Jennifer Miltenberger or any member of the committee.

The following schedule changes will occur Nov. 25 – 29.

Campus

• No classes Nov. 25 – 29
• Closed Nov. 28 – 29

Cafeteria

• Closed Nov. 25 – 29

Fitness Center

• Open 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Nov. 24 – 26
• Closed Nov. 27 – 29

Library

• Open 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Nov. 25 – 26 and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Nov. 27
• Closed Nov. 24 and Nov. 28 – 29

All Registered Student Organizations or clubs require a faculty or staff advisor. Clubs range from academic to special interest. An advisor assists in the development of both the club as a whole and each individual member. The advisor works with the club to ensure polices and laws are not violated in its activities. The time commitment varies per club but averages one hour per week. Currently the VanCoug Ball Club (basketball) and Video Gaming Club are looking for advisors. If you are interested in being a club advisor, please contact Nikki Hinshaw for more information.

If you want to find out what clubs are currently active at WSU Vancouver, create a CougSync account at wsuv.orgsync.com.

This fall’s Chancellor's Seminar Series focused on the hospitality industry. The seminar, held Nov. 1, featured discussions by George Schweitzer, hospitality industry executive, and Nancy Swanger, director and associate professor of the School of Hospitality Business Management in the WSU College of Business. Schweitzer discussed the driving forces behind regional growth in the hospitality industry and how this benefits the economy as a whole. Swanger offered perspectives on the expansion of the hospitality business management program to WSU Vancouver.

Watch a recording of the Chancellor's Seminar Series online.

Save March 7! That’s when the Chancellor's Seminar Series welcomes the Murrow Interview—an innovative series of conversations with influential figures and newsmakers. The next installment will feature Lawrence Pintak, founding dean and professor for The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at WSU Pullman, interviewing Dan Fletcher, former news chief for Facebook.

There’s still time to double the impact of your gift to support graduate students at WSU Vancouver. An anonymous donor is matching all gifts, dollar for dollar, up to $5,000 to the Dr. H.A. “Hal” and Joan Dengerink Graduate Endowed Fellowship. The deadline to double your impact is Dec. 2. Make your contribution online.

It is rare that WSU Vancouver modifies operations for ANY weather conditions. Closure or late opening announcements will be posted to major news and media outlets AND listed on the WSU Vancouver website home page and the ALERT web page.

If plowing and/or de-icing is in progress when you arrive on campus, certain parking lots and pathways may be closed. In that case, please park in open, plowed parking lots—regardless of parking permit type—and use pathways that are plowed and de-iced.

It is your responsibility to decide if you can safely commute to WSU Vancouver in the event of inclement weather while WSU Vancouver remains open for operations. Review FAQ: Inclement Weather for clarification on using leave during crummy weather.

Faculty members, if you cancel your class while WSU Vancouver remains open for operation, it is your responsibility to notify students of the cancellation.

The WSU Vancouver weather policy, along with instructional information and a list of closure notification websites can be found online.

Above all, be safe!