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News Digest

Annual picnic planned
The annual USA picnic will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Friday, June 2. This year’s event has a Western theme.

The members of the Picnic Committee are offering faculty and staff the opportunity to donate prizes for the raffle. To donate a special item or any prize others would enjoy, contact Evelyn Bradley-Owens at bradleyowensem@csus.edu.

State budget topic of colloquium
Periodic state budget crises and their impact on daily life at Sacramento State are the inspiration behind the Department of Public Policy and Administration colloquium entitled "Can We Get off the California Budget Roller Coaster?" from noon to 2 p.m., Thursday, May 4 in the University Union Lobby Suite.

Speakers will include Timothy Gage, former state director of finance and currently a public policy consultant, Daniel Weintraub, California columnist for the Sacramento Bee, and Public Policy and Administration Professor Rob Wassmer—all of whom have written and spoken extensively about the state's budget problems.

A background paper on the topic "The 'Roller Coaster' of California State Budgeting After Prop 13," written by Wassmer, can be found at www.csus.edu/indiv/w/wassmerr/rollercoaster.pdf.
Details: 278-6557

Classes emphasize humor, well-being
The College of Continuing Education’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is offering the following workshops in May:

• The Yin and Yang of Humor, 6 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays, May 3 and 10: An approach to health promoting the value of humor, but from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, with an emphasis on wellness and longevity. As a bonus, participants will learn how to use acupressure to enhance mood, immunity and pain control. Fee: $49
• Finding the Optimal Performance Zone in Work, Leisure and Life, 6 to 9 p.m., Wednesdays, May 17 and 24: This workshop examines optimal performance from a physiological and psychological perspective, offering strategies for developing Optimal Performance Zone behaviors with special attention to coping with distress, promoting health, and engaging in the discovery of life-enriching activities. Fee: $49

Both courses will be taught by Sacramento State Professor Ernie Olson and are open to anyone 50 years of age or older. To register or for more information, visit www.cce.csus.edu or call 278-4433.

President’s Award set
The 2005-06 President's Award for Research and Creative Activity will be presented to Ted Lascher, professor and chair of Public Policy and Administration, at 4 p.m., Monday, May 15 in the University Union Hinde Auditorium. Lascher will give a public lecture on "How California Became a 'Blue State:' Trends in Ethnicity, Ideology, and Political Party Identification." A reception in the Orchard Suite will follow.

The President's Award for Research and Creative Activity is given annually to honor a faculty colleague who has made significant contributions within the previous five years to a scholarly discipline through scholarly activity, research and publication or creative/artistic endeavors.

Details: 278-7381

Serna scholars-in-residence sought
The Serna Center is accepting proposals for its Scholar-in-Residence program for the 2006-07 academic year. The deadline for submitting proposals is 3:30 p.m., Monday, June 12.

In the newly redesigned program for faculty to receive support to conduct original research focused on issues that significantly impact the Latino community.

The scholar-in-residence will be provided a total of six units of release time to support original research to be allocated during fall and spring semesters of the 2006-07 academic year, with written approval from the faculty member’s college/department. Any full-time Sacramento State faculty member, especially those not yet tenured, is eligible. The names of past program scholars and the titles of their research project may be accessed online at www.csus.edu/sernacenter/research/pastscholars.htm.

For more information or to obtain an application packet, contact the Serna Center at 278- 4512.