Campus Announcements

Conference analyzes 2006 election
A conference titled, “Shaping Public Opinion: What We Saw, What We Heard--News Coverage Analysis of the 2006 California Election,” will be held on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Alumni Center. The post-election discussion and analysis of news coverage and media issues of the 2006 California Election includes special guests such as Bill Bradley, L.A. Weekly columnist and New West Notes political blogger; Patrick Dorinson, communications director for the California Republican Party; Kathay Feng, executive director for Common Cause; Karen Hanretty, strategist for the California Republican Party; Steven Maviglio, deputy chief of staff for California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez; Sam Rodriguez, political director of the California Democratic Party; and Bob Waste, professor of Public Policy and Administration, Sacramento State.

Admission to the event is $20 Sacramento State Alumni Association members/ State Information Officers Council members/ ASPA, $23 general admission and $15 Sacramento State students. Box lunches are included. There is also a no-lunch option with seating in the back--$5 for students, $10 for all others. Proceeds benefit the SIOC Scholarship Fund.

Seating is limited. Reserve early and RSVP to Roni Java at rjava@scsa.ca.gov. For more information, call (916) 651-8957.
Submitted by the Center for Collaborative Policy

STEM scholars lecture
Sacramento State’s Center for STEM Excellence will be hosting its inaugural STEM Scholars Lecture on Tuesday Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the University Union Redwood Room. The STEM Scholars Lecture Series is the avenue for Sacramento State’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics faculty and student scholars to share their research with the Sacramento community.

The featured speaker will be Professor Lisa Hammersley from the Department of Geology. Her talk is titled, “Volcanoes in our backyard? A geochemical and geophysical study of the potential for future eruptions at Clear Lake, CA.” For more information, contact Sharon Puricelli at the Center for STEM Excellence at 278-2789 or puricelli@csus.edu.
Submitted by the Center for STEM Excellence

Serna Center talk on Latinos in higher education Nov. 9
Director of Chicano Studies David Leon will discuss his book Latinos in Higher Education during a lecture and book signing on Nov. 9 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the University Union. Professor Leon also will discuss his book, Lessons in Leadership: Executive Leadership Programs for Advancing Diversity in Higher Education.

For more information, call 278-4512.
Submitted by the Serna Center

Staff Recognition Award nominations due
The deadline for submission of a nomination for the Staff Employee Recognition Award is Thursday, Nov. 16. If you have considered submitting a nomination for a fellow employee, please take the opportunity to do so. Now is the chance for you to help a worthy employee get the extra credit they deserve.

Complete details regarding eligibility, criteria, and nomination procedures are available on the website link: www.csus.edu/president/staffrec.
Submitted by the President’s Office

Distinguished Service Award nominations being accepted
The Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for the Distinguished Service Award. The annual dinner will be held Thursday, April 12, 2007 during Alumni Month. Nominated alumni should be individuals who have achieved prominence in their chosen field and brought distinction to the University and/or their community through their accomplishments. Any Sacramento State constituent may nominate an alumnus/a and paperwork should be received by Nov. 20.

For more information and to receive a nomination form, contact Dawniela Hightower 278-3862 or email dawniela@csus.edu.
Submitted by Alumni Relations

Spooktacular reappears at Challenge Center
The fourth annual Pirate Ghost Ship Spooktacular, hosted by Peak Adventures, Recreational Sports, KSSU, Associated Students, and Student Activities is scheduled for Oct. 30 and 31 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Challenge Center (behind Yosemite Hall).

The Challenge Center (run by Peak Adventures) will be transformed into a pirate ghost ship, complete with a haunted house, carnival games, and climbing elements such as the barnacle wall, the plank, and cargo net. This event is open to Sac State students ($2), faculty/staff ($4), and the general public ($5). Tickets will be available at the door. The minimum age for this event is 5 years old. Free parking will be available both nights in Lot 1. For more information, contact Peak Adventures at 278-6321.
Submitted by Peak Adventures

Textbook Requisitions Due
Winter Session and Spring 2007 Textbook Requisitions are due into the Textbook Department. Both current students and future students benefit with timely submittal of this information. The Hornet Bookstore can buy back more books at higher prices with the knowledge of which ones to purchase. Early submittals also allow more time to search for used copies in the national wholesale market, increasing the selection even more for next semester. For more information, contact the Hornet Bookstore Textbook Department, 278-6448.
Submitted by University Enterprises, Inc.

Serna Center announces Scholar in Residence
The Serna Center has announced as its Scholar in Residence Dr. Julie Lopez Figueroa for the 06-07 academic year. Her research is entitled, “Building Capacity to Insure Academic Success: Identifying the Challenges and Responses of Latino Undergraduate Males in Higher Education." Figueroa is an assistant professor in the Department of Ethnic Studies at Sacramento State.
Submitted by the Serna Center

Staff vacancy in Transportation Advisory Committee
There is a staff vacancy on the Transportation Advisory Committee effective immediately due to a retirement. This committee addresses parking, traffic management, and campus shuttle service issues as well as alternative transportation matters. Anyone interested in serving on this committee must secure their supervisor's permission and forward their name and e-mail to Kem Albert, on behalf of Vice President Stephen G. Garcia, at kem@csus.edu by Nov. 9. For more information, call Albert at 278-5809.
Submitted by Administration and Business Affairs

Dining Services Satisfaction Survey
The campus community is invited to participate in a survey that will help Dining Services know how well they are serving the campus community. Pick up a survey card at any campus eatery that will allow you to log in to a 5-minute online survey to rate any or all of the campus dining facilities. Gifts are offered for the first 500 participants. The survey is being conducted from Oct. 27 through Nov. 22 in conjunction with the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS). For more information, contact Ada Lai at 278-5526.
Submitted by University Enterprises, Inc.

Special Halloween Menu
The University Center Restaurant will have a special Halloween menu on Oct. 30 and 31 that includes a Blue Moon-Light Plate Special (Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes & Graves, and Vegetables), Scary Macaroni & Cheese (with Sui-side Salad) along with other diner specialties. The menu is available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit www.enterprises.csus.edu/dining/area/ucr.html for more information. Reservations suggested for groups of five or more at 278-6100.
Submitted by University Enterprises, Inc.

Faculty Alert--Current Textbook Returns to Vendors
The Hornet Bookstore has started to return Fall 2006 textbooks to the vendors. Faculty are advised to announce to students that if they still need a textbook for class, it should be purchased immediately. The bookstore can hold books longer, if books will be assigned later in the term. Textbooks that are readopted for the upcoming term will not be returned. Faculty are also advised to confirm that their adoption information has been submitted. For more information, contact the Hornet Bookstore Textbook Department, 278-6448.
Submitted by University Enterprises, Inc.

Union outside dining area complete
The University Union's east walkway outdoor dining area is now complete. A total of 145 seats were added in two patio sections, making it much easier to find seating during crowded lunchtimes. One section features a wood trellis with wisteria vines, multiple power outlets and wireless connectivity for laptop users. The other side has a solid roof cover with ceiling fans for staying cool in the summer and overhead heaters for warmth in the winter. The area is set up for wireless users and is well-lit at night. It also features a new architectural feature and Sacramento State sign.
Submitted by the University Union

Human Resources

New My Sac State feature available now
Sacramento State employees may view their leave balances and usage for the past twelve months by logging into My Sac State (http://www.csus.edu) with their SacLink username and password and clicking on View Balances under Leave Accounting. In addition to accessing leave balances and monthly detail (Detail Transactions Tab), the self-service page displays current and projected accrual rates and maximum vacation carryovers. It also alerts employees who are approaching the maximum accrual for their classification. A link is provided which connects to an information page on accrual and use of vacation and personal holidays.

The annual Employee Statement of Leave Information will no longer be distributed to employees. Individuals who do not have computer access or who require a paper copy of the information may request a printout by contacting the HR Payroll Office at 278-6211.

In addition, the current Leave Accounting Balance (LAB) report that is distributed monthly by the Payroll Office will be replaced with a custom report available to departmental users from the HRSA system.

Exceptions to the CSU vacation carry-over policy must be approved by the President’s designee, David L. Wagner, Vice President for Human Resources, prior to the end of the calendar year. Employees seeking an exception must submit a written request, including the reasons for the exception, to their Program Center manger for a recommendation. The manager’s recommendation, if positive, must include a plan for using accrued vacation by Dec. 31, 2007. The request and recommendation should be forwarded to Vice President Wagner by Dec. 1, 2006 for his final approval. For more information, contact Human Resources at 278-6078.
Submitted by Human Resources

Catastrophic Leave Donation Program
Sacramento State employees may voluntarily donate to other employees up to a maximum of 16 hours of sick or vacation leave credits each fiscal year in one-hour increments. CSUEU, MPP, Unit 4, Unit 6 and Confidential employees may donate up to a maximum of 40 hours per fiscal year.

If employees are interested in donating time, a donation form can be obtained by going to www.csus.edu/hr/forms.stm#Disability, or by visiting the Human Resources, Disability Leaves Office in Sacramento Hall 162, or by calling extension 278-3522.

The following employees have been approved for the Catastrophic Leave Donation Program:
• Sharon Kelley, University Computing and Communications
• Randy Morgan, Associated Students
• Nabor Lopez, Facilities Management
• Jennifer O'Neal-Watts, Library
• *Christine Kellerman, College of Health & Human Services
* only vacation leave credits may be donated to this employee
Submitted by Human Resources