Joining Karen White, USFSP vice president/CEO, and Gary Olson, interim associate vice president for Academic Affairs, on the platform were USF President Judy Genshaft and Paige Mulhollan, president emeritus, Wright State College.

Convocations have roots deeply embedded in the ivy-covered annals of academia. Reviving this long-cherished ceremony provided the perfect venue to rally academicians and mark the beginning of a new era for USFSP

USFSP scholars gathered to reaffirm university goals and mission, encourage intellectual curiosity, acknowledge academic excellence, and honor academic achievements.

Among those recognized for academic excellence and achievements were:

% Thomas Smith, College of Arts and Sciences, Teaching Excellence Award, $1,000 and a plaque. In addition, Smith received the USFSP Teaching Excellence Award, $4,000 and his name engraved on a perpetual plaque.

% Deanna Michael, College of Education, Teaching Excellence Award, $1,000 and a plaque

% Scott Geiger, College of Business, Teaching Excellence Award, $1,000 and a plaque

Recognition Awards for their efforts in their college were presented to:

% Darryl Paulson, Collage of Arts and Sciences

% Sonia Helton, College of Education

% Mark Wilson, College of Business

% Vice Provost Ralph Wilcox, former interim vice president and CEO of USFSP, received the award for Outstanding Contribution to the Growth and Advancement of the USF St. Petersburg.

SARBANES-OXLEY: “What is it and why should I care?”

By Dave Walker

Program Director

Social Responsibility and Corporate Reporting

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been called the most sweeping securities and corporate legislation passed by Congress since the Securities Acts of 1933 and 1934.   It was quickly signed into law last year to try to address the corporate failures and frauds which have recently occurred and cost investors (including anyone that has an insurance policy or a retirement plan) billions of dollars.

The law primarily targets publicly-traded corporations, and establishes strict new corporate governance standards and reporting requirements.   It also created a new Board to oversee the accounting industry, and set much steeper penalties (fines and jail sentences) for those corporate officers that violate the law and fail to uphold their fiduciary responsibilities.

Although Sarbanes-Oxley directly affects public companies, its impact is likely to be felt in private companies, not-for-profit entities and public institutions in the near future.   Many of these entities are adopting several of the new governance standards and reporting requirements set forth by the law for public companies.   In addition, stakeholders of non-public entities (including employees, customers, suppliers, supporters, grantors and the community at large) are increasingly setting higher expectations of non-public entities, and are demanding many of the Sarbanes-Oxley reforms that public companies are implementing today.

Ron Hill, founding dean of the College of Business, said, “The Sarbanes-Oxley Act set in motion a revolution in corporate governance.   It created new expectations for social responsibility and reporting for entities of all types.   We are seeing keen interest in this area by students as well as members of the community.   I’m very excited about the new courses and MBA concentrations we will be offering in 2004 that will address these topics and prepare our students to be effective and socially responsible managers and leaders.”

USFSP Science Lab Not Receiving Requested Funding

A Message from the President

Dear Faculty & Staff:

The Board of Governors yesterday approved its 2004 legislative budget request for capital construction at Florida's universities. Nearly all projects, which included USF, were for utilities, infrastructure and capital renewal - the most basic maintenance necessary to keep universities operating.

Unfortunately, the Board of Governors did not include any of USF's priority construction projects on its request. We had asked for funding for two new projects: the music building and the USF St. Petersburg science building. We also requested funding for two continuing projects - the USF Sarasota/Manatee campus expansion and the Health Care and Education facility - that must be funded before we can get funding for new projects. It was disappointing that none of our projects was included on the list.

However, this does not lessen our resolve. We will fight for funding. Now, all of us must work together to persuade the governor and the legislature to increase funding for capital construction, so that our critical projects are not further delayed. I hope I can count on your support.

If you have any questions or comments about our legislative requests, please feel free to contact me or Associate Vice President for Government Relations Jeff Muir at (813) 974-2660.

Sincerely,

Judy Genshaft

USF President

Paddle-a-Thon Logo Contest Underway

The Oasis Program is offering a prize for the most creative and expressive logo for the upcoming Feb. 28, 2004 Oasis Paddle-a-thon Fundraiser. The logo for the event would be displayed on T-shirts, fliers, the Oasis website, and print advertisements. The artistic logo needs to convey the Oasis Program mission with youth, parents, and the community, and keeping the environment in mind. Contact Debbie McFarlane with questions at 553-3135 or email drice@stpt.usf.edu .

The Oasis Mission & Vision is:

Through the challenge and adventure of outdoor learning experiences, Oasis provides the tools for academic success through problem solving, self motivation, and responsibility to self, community, and the environment.

Through respect, love and encouragement from staff and volunteers, Oasis students and their families establish self-confidence, learn interpersonal skills and develop respect for themselves and others.

Imagine if a school day consisted of a coral reef, or paddling down river, or digging fossils out of a riverbed…Oasis Program does just that.  Eighth graders who demonstrate average to above average potential have the opportunity to spark their interest and expand their creativity with hands-on and experiential learning in the USFSP Oasis Alternative classroom.

Historic African American Exhibit Scheduled for Campus Library

The Diversity Committee of the St. Petersburg Bar Association has developed an outstanding exhibit on the history of African American lawyers in Pinellas County. The exhibit is now on display at the Holocaust Museum , but its next stop will be USFSP’s Poynter Library, Oct. 21 through Nov. 30.  

Ray Arsenault was a consultant on the project and the Humanities Council assisted with a grant. For more information, contact committee co-chairs Jeannine Williams or Tamara Felton Dudley.

Jeannine S. Williams
City of St. Petersburg
P.O. Box 2842
St. Petersburg FL 33731-2842
Voice: 727-893-7011
Fax: 727-892-5262

Tamara Felton Dudley
3110 1st Ave. N., Suite 5-W
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Voice: 727-322-2777
Fax: 727-322-2778

Classes Starting SOON!

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