Campus Announcements

Campus state employees’ charitable campaign wraps with success
The Sacramento State campus community came together again this October to support the annual California State Employees’ Charitable Campaign (CSECC), commonly known as the “United Way Campaign.” The month-long fundraising effort was part of a state-wide program which provides $7 million yearly to state and local charities, as well as to global causes.

University employees directed their donations to over 675 local charities, social service organizations, educational institutions and more. This year’s chair, Dean Sanjay Varshney of the College of Business Administration, and vice chair Dean Emir Jose Macari of the College of Engineering & Computer Science, announced the campus donations total of $98,000.
Submitted by the College of Business Administration

Staff Employee Recognition recipients announced
Recipients for this quarter’s Staff Employee Recognition Program are Sherry Velte, ASI Children’s Center, and Gina Lombardo, Business Operations.

Velte’s nominators indicated that she “exemplifies professionalism and passion for quality child care.” Her nominators went on to say that "she has a wealth of child development knowledge” and she “was invited to participate in the internationally recognized Reggio Emilia Program in Italy, and contributed to her program’s recent National Accreditation through NAEYC.”

Lombardo’s nominator indicated that she “promotes teamwork while contributing to the Department of Business Operations, One Card Center, and to the Department of Photocopy & Technical Support.” Other comments noted that Lombardo “works on her department’s budget while contributing very creative ideas to save money, and is enthusiastic about promoting her ideas.” Her nominators went on to say that she is dedicated, hardworking, and friendly.

Campus employees are encouraged to nominate staff who are deserving of the award. For more information, visit www.csus.edu/president/staffrec/.
Submitted by the President’s Office

New CMS User Access Request Process for New Users
Effective Dec. 4, a new request process will be introduced to gain access to CMS. This new process involves four separate “Request for CMS User Access” forms; one for Finance users, one for Human Resources users, one for Student Administration users and one for Faculty members. The new forms and instructions are available at the CMS Website www.csus.edu/cms/security/cms_access.stm.

The changes include a separate form for each application and a mandatory completion of the “Information Security Program Training” on LearnerWeb. New users requesting access will need to complete their training in LearnerWeb and then print and sign the confidentiality agreement that will be presented at the end of the training. The completed CMS User Access Request form, along with the signed confidentiality agreement, should be sent to the CMS Project Office, AIRC 2008 (campus zip 6128) for processing.

For more information, contact the CMS Help Desk at 278-2670.
Submitted by Common Management Systems

Application available for scholarship program
The Serna Center is now accepting applications for one of their scholarship programs. Funded by a donation from Amador and Rosalie Bustos, the Bustos-Lopez Family Leadership Through Service Scholarship works to identify and support three students each semester who are completing internships at area agencies with a focus on service to the Latino community. For applications, visit www.csus.edu/sernacenter/scholarships/index.htm.
Submitted by the Serna Center

Construction update
The Infrastructure II utilities upgrade project continues in various locations. Work on the steam and chilled water pipe installation may at times disrupt pedestrian traffic on walkways between Tahoe Hall and AIRC building and between Parking Structure II and the University Union. Detours will be available.

Fire alarm system installation will occur in the Amador, Capistrano, Lassen, Sacramento, and Yosemite buildings this week. Work will mainly be conducted after hours. Work notices will be posted in the building.
Submitted by Facilities Services

Events

Memorial for Professor William Harris
A celebration of Professor William Harris’ life will be held on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the University Union Ballroom. Those interested in attending the event can contact Bernice Bass de Martinez at Educator@csus.edu. For more information, visit the College of Education website at http://edweb.csus.edu/events/20061209_harris/.
Submitted by Special Education, Rehabilitation and School Psychology

Athletics to host Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day
Intercollegiate Athletics invites campus faculty and staff to attend the Dec. 8 women’s basketball game against the University of Nevada free of charge.
Members of Sacramento State’s faculty and staff will gain entry into the game for themselves and a guest by showing a staff ID card at the door of the Hornet’s Nest for the 7 p.m. contest. In addition, the first 100 faculty and staff will receive free pizza and Pepsi products.

For more information, contact Sacramento State athletic ticket manager T-Ante Sims at 278-2222.
Submitted by Intercollegiate Athletics

Videocast on Preparing NIH Electronic Grant Applications
The Office of Research Administration and the Center for Health and Human Services Research in the College of Health and Human Services are hosting a National Institutes of Health (NIH) videocast on Tuesday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Modoc Hall, Room 2010. The purpose of the videocast is to prepare applicants for the upcoming transition of all grant applications to electronic submission in Feb. 2007. The focus will be on lessons learned and sharing advice on best practices for submitting applications online. Faculty and staff interested in applying to NIH or those with current NIH grants will benefit most from this workshop.

For more information call Marlene Franz in Research Administration at 278-5432 or marlenef@csus.edu. Beverages and snacks will be provided.
Submitted by Research Administration and Contract Administration

USA winter reception
The University Staff Assembly's Annual Winter Reception will be held Wednesday, Dec. 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. in University Union Ballroom I. The event will feature a dessert buffet, and participants may also enter a drawing for door prizes by submitted a business card or completing an entry form at the event. For more information, contact Candace McGee at 278-7207.
Submitted by the University Staff Assembly

New officer swearing-in ceremony
The University Police Department will have a swearing-in ceremony for new police officers and dispatchers hired or promoted after Sept. 6 on Friday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. in the University Union’s Hinde Auditorium. All members of the campus community are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Public Safety at 278-6851.
Submitted by Public Safety

Annual performance returns to campus
Sacramento State presents the fifth annual performance of “The Vagina Monologues” on Feb. 8 – 10, 2007, at 8 p.m. at the University Theatre, Shasta Hall. Tickets are $15 general, $10 students. Group ticket prices are available for 10 or more people at $10 each. Call 278-4323 or visit Tickets.com. ASL interpretation available with two weeks notice.

Proceeds benefit the Sacramento State Violence and Sexual Assault Support Services Program and the SHARE Institute. The performance is also co-sponsored by the Theatre and Dance Department. For more information, e-mail wrc@csus.edu or visit the Women’s Resource Center website at www.csus.edu/wrc
Submitted by the Women’s Resource Center

Anthropology Museum Exhibit
The exhibit “EOP Learning Community: A Celebration of Culture” will run from Nov. 29 through Dec. 15 in the Anthropology Museum, Mendocino Hall 1000. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 1 – 3 p.m. The exhibit features the culminating projects of first-generation college freshmen enrolled in Educational Opportunity Program Learning Communities across a range of disciplines. On display are traditional costuming and objects of family heritage, as well as pieces giving commentary on the Iraq War.

The exhibit is co-sponsored by the EOP and the Anthropology Museum. For more information, contact Professor Terri Castaneda at 278-6067.
Submitted by Anthropology

Photography lecture
Blake Simpson, a historian of modern and contemporary art, will present a free lecture on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. in Mariposa Hall 1000 titled, “The Photographic Comportment of Bernd and Hilla Becher.” The lecture is based on a chapter from his 2006 book The Pivot of the World: Photography and its Nation. For more information, contact Elaine O’Brien at 278-5704 or eobrien@csus.edu.
Submitted by Art

Food/Merchandise

Special holiday menu
The University Center Restaurant will host a Holiday Buffet, Wednesday through Friday, Dec. 13 to 15. The menu includes roast baron of beef, roast turkey, vegetarian napoleons, mashed potatoes and gravy, cornbread stuffing, sauteéd vegetables, pasta salad, potato salad and mixed green salad. Desserts include an assortment of pies, cakes, cookies and ice cream. The Holiday Buffet is $11.95 per person plus tax (beverages additional) and is available from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The University Center Restaurant is located at the west entrance of the University Union across from the Student Health Connection. For more information, visit www.enterprises.csus.edu/dining/area/ucr.html Reservations suggested for groups of 5 or more; call 278-6100.
Submitted by University Enterprises, Inc.

The perfect gift
Are you looking for the perfect gift for someone in your office, a way to show your appreciation for someone's help, hard work or friendship? It’s possible to deposit funds on a faculty, staff or student’s OneCard so they can use the funds to make purchases anywhere that accepts OneCard. Options include getting a manicure at "Mellow Me Out", having lunch at the University Center Restaurant or any of the other campus eateries, buying a Sac State sweatshirt at the Bookstore, and much more. Stop by the OneCard Center to make a gift deposit on a friend's/co-worker's or student's OneCard. After depositing funds on a OneCard as a gift, you will receive a decorative “A Gift for You” acknowledgment card that will inform the recipient of the gift. For more information, call the OneCard Center at 278-7878 or visit www.csus.edu/onecard.

Human Resources

New vision plan insurance carrier
The Chancellor’s Office recently completed a competitive bid process to select the insurance carrier for the employer-paid California State University (CSU) vision plan. As a result, the CSU has awarded a three-year contract to Vision Service Plan (VSP), replacing Medical Eye Services (MES/Blue Shield), effective Jan. 1, 2007. The CSU continues to pay the full monthly premium cost for the vision benefit for eligible employees and their dependents. For details regarding VSP and new benefit enhancements and/or co-payments under the plan, go to the Office of Human Resources Benefits website and click on “What’s New.” A benefit program announcement and a vision plan benefit summary are available for viewing. For more information regarding the VSP Select Network of providers, visit the VSP website at www.vsp.com. VSP’s Customer Service Center is available Monday – Friday, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. via their toll-free number: (800) 877-7195.
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:

Nabor Lopez, Facilities Management
Sharon Kelley, University Computing & Communications
Submitted by Human Resources