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What Do You Think about eNews?
University Relations wants to know what you think about eNews, the official weekly e-newsletter of USF St. Petersburg. All faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in a readership survey that will help determine how to best serve your communication needs on campus.
All survey responses will remain anonymous and participation should only take five minutes. The survey can be taken from January 26 through Friday, Feb. 4. Please only submit your survey once. A summary of results will be in the Wednesday, Feb. 9 issue of eNews.
We appreciate your participation. If you have any questions, please contact Alyson Seligman, University Relations coordinator at alyson@spadmin.usf.edu or 553-4456.
>> Take Survey
Final Friday Kicks-off Black History Month
As the first month of spring semester wraps up, staff and faculty are invited to join Student Affairs and Regional Chancellor Karen A. White at Final Friday as they kick-off Black History Month this Friday, Jan. 28 at 5 pm in Davis Lobby.
During Final Friday, enjoy soulful entertainment and refreshments, find out about Black History Month events and socialize with other campus members.
Final Friday receptions are the last Friday of each month and are sponsored by different departments on campus.
>> See: Flier
Naomi Tutu Headlines Black History Month
 Nontombi “Naomi” Tutu, daughter of South African Archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu, will kick-off Black History Month at USF St. Petersburg's Opening Ceremonies Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 6:30 pm in the CAC.
Tutu, a race and gender activist, will present Striving for Justice: Searching for Common Ground based on her vision that there is still much to do to eradicate centuries of racial oppression in South Africa and around the world.
The event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the City of St. Petersburg Martin Luther King Jr. Endowment and USF St. Petersburg Multicultural Affairs.
>> Read More and see Black History Month Calendar of Events
Learn About Research and Professional Relationships
In order to continue to develop a positive ethical climate, three campus offices have invited nationally renowned speaker and facilitator Stephanie Bird, PhD, to present workshops about the importance of effective research as well as building positive relationships on campus.
“We wanted to kick-off spring ethics events with somebody who is dynamic and can help us engage people in a campus conversation as we work to maintain an ethical culture,” said Deni Elliott, D.Ed., Poynter Jamison Chair in Media Ethics and Press Policy. The workshops are also sponsored by the Regional Chancellors Office and the Regional Vice Chancellor for Research and Community Partnerships.
Bird’s first event, Values and Science for Everyday People, is open to the campus and community. She will focus her talk on the impact of science and research on all of us. “From prescription drugs being pulled off the market because of safety concerns to the effects of technology, this topic is important to all of us,” Elliott said. The lecture is Wednesday, Feb. 2 from 5:30 to 7 pm in DAV130.
The other two workshops are Thursday, Feb. 3 and are focused on how the campus community can promote effective relationships in an academic setting. Establishing Responsible Mentorships is 11:30 to 1 pm in DAV130 and The Use and Abuse of Power in the Workplace is 4 to 5:30 in DAV130.
“Bird’s more than 20 years of experience in ethics and academics should be an asset to our campus community,” Elliott said. Bird is the editor of the Science & Engineering Ethics Journal and is an internationally respected consultant to universities and professional societies on professional standards and responsibility and research ethics. She also served as a special assistant to the Provost and Vice President for Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Faculty and Staff Awarded for Campus Dedication
As faculty and staff gathered last week for the annual awards luncheon, President Genshaft and Regional Chancellor Karen A. White thanked everyone for their hard work and dedication that has made USF St. Petersburg a model for other regional campuses.
“This is a campus on the move, that’s for sure,” USF President Judy Genshaft said. “It’s really incredible what this campus does.”
Genshaft and White discussed the campus' continuing growth, its academic excellence and recognized this year’s Excellence in Teaching Award winners including education professor Brett Jones, PhD, who was awarded the USF St. Petersburg Teacher of the Year Award.
“This is one of my favorite times of the year because it’s a time to celebrate the special contributions and dedication of our people on campus,” Regional Chancellor Karen A. White said. “Every time I look at the accolades, acknowledgements and awards we have achieved, I am so proud of the talent we have on our teams.”
Another highlight was the announcement of the peer-reviewed 2005 staff recognitions for outstanding service and dedication to our campus. Each honoree was awarded $500.
>> See: Photo Gallery
>> See: Award Winners
>> See: Length of Service Recipients
Journalism Department Offers Premiere Internships
Students in the Journalism and Media Studies department are getting once in a lifetime college opportunities through the rapidly growing internship program. This semester, graduate student Anthony Salveggi was selected from a national pool for a paid internship with the Tampa Bay Business Journal, a premiere business publication in the area.
“Anthony really has a passion for writing and he is really enthusiastic about being a journalist,” Alexis Mueller, editor of the Tampa Bay Business Journal said. “He obviously cares about journalism. He is smart and analytical and doesn’t take everything at face value; important qualities for a journalist.”
Salveggi is the recipient of one of only 10 recipients throughout the 42 weekly business newspapers owned by Tampa Bay Business Journal’s parent company, American City Business Journals.
So far, this internship has been a success. “It is great to be working with USF St. Petersburg because of the high caliber of journalism students," Mueller said. "Hopefully this internship with Anthony can help to establish a tradition.”
During the internship, Salveggi will work on daily web briefs, edit their Strategies section and also do general assignment stories. Mueller said the goal is for Salveggi to get reporting and writing experience and have some of his work published.
Visit: Tampa Bay Business Journal Web site
Help Students Unlock the Secrets to Financial Aid
Regardless of which university a student plans on attending, campus financial advisors can help students complete FAFSA and scholarship forms at the Financial Aid FAFSA Frenzies this February.
 Jennifer Fraser, assistant director of financial aid said “The USF St. Petersburg Office of Financial Aid actively supports students seeking financial assistance during their college career and our financial advisors would like to help as many students as possible. We want to encourage the students to apply for financial aid early so they will be considered for both university and federal aid.”
The Financial Aid FAFSA Frenzies are the following days in Bayboro Hall:
Thurs., February 3 10 am to 6 pm
Wed., February 9 10 am to 6 pm
Tues., February 15 10 am to 7 pm
Mon., February 21 10 am to 7 pm
Financial advisors will help prospective students fill our financial aid forms online, will help current students update their information in Banner and teach them how to access their student file in Oasis.
For more information, please call USF St. Petersburg financial aid counselors at 553-4128 or visit the Financial Aid Web site at http://www.stpt.usf.edu/enrollment/finaid/index.htm.
>> See: Flier
Get Involved on Campus and in the Community
Last week's Campus Showcase on the Harborside Lawn gave hundreds of USF St. Petersburg students the opportunity to learn about student organizations and academic departments as well as campus programs and services.  Participating organizations included the Writing Center, Multicultural Affairs, Financial Aid Office, Lux Mundi, USF St. Petersburg Police Department and the USF Pinellas County Alumni Association.
The Volunteer Fair also provided students, faculty and staff opportunities to get involved in the community. Participating organizations included: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Hospice, St. Petersburg Free Clinic, Habitat for Humanity, St. Petersburg Museum of History and PARC. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Barry McDowell at 553-4990 or mcdowell@stpt.usf.edu.
>> See: Photo Gallery
UnBULLievable Thanks to USF Faculty and Staff
To thank university members for their contributions to the university, President Judy Genshaft, PhD, invites all faculty, staff, friends and family to an Appreciation Event at the USF Bulls vs. East Carolina basketball game Saturday, Feb. 19.
Purchase tickets
for $5 at:
USF St. Petersburg Thursday, Feb. 10
from 11 am to 1 pm
in front of the CAC.
USF Athletic Office located at Entry 3 of the Sundome
Monday through Friday 9 am to 6 pm. |
The Pre-Game Tip Off Party will be held at USF Tampa at the pavilion on Alumni Drive from 4:30 to 6:45 pm before the game at 7 pm. Guests will enjoy a full plate dinner, beer and soda, game ticket, pre-game activities with prizes for age group winners, a chance to win an autographed basketball and the opportunity to celebrate with the entire university community.
The cost is $5 per person and includes a wristband for admission to the Pre-Game Tip Off Party and Bulls basketball game. If you are a basketball season ticket holder, you must pick up a wristband at the Sun Dome Ticket Office. No one will be admitted without a wristband.
For more information, please call Human Resources at USF Tampa at 813-974-2970.
>> See: Flier
News from Human Resources
GEMS Training Sessions Filling Up Quickly
If you are new to GEMS or need a refresher course, Robin Jones, USF Tampa GEMS training coordinator, will offer training sessions at the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library in three modules:
- Module 1: GEMS Orientation & Navigation - Wednesday, Feb. 16, 9 am-12 pm
- Module 2: GEMS Position & Appointment Data - Wednesday, Feb. 16, 1 pm - 4 pm
- Module 3: GEMS Reporter Query (8.18 Web-based Query Tool) - Thursday, Feb. 17, 9 am to 12 pm
Space is limited to 19 spaces per session. If you are interested in attending any module, please contact Barbara Fleischer at fleische@stpt.usf.edu.
Major Changes Can Impact Benefits Coverage
While employed at USF St. Petersburg, please be aware of Qualifying Status Changes that can impact your benefits coverage. Events may include changes in:
Personal changes:
- Birth, or adoption of a child
- Marriage, divorce or legal separation
- Death of a spouse or dependent
Employment changes:
- Commencement or termination of employment
- Change from full-time to part-time or vice-versa
- Leave of absence or layoff
If you have a Qualifying Status Change, changes must be made to your benefits plan within 31 days of the event or you will have to wait until the next open enrollment. For more information, please contact Michele Holton at 553-4105.
Basic Term Life Insurance Information
Beginning January 7, employees signed up for the Basic Term Life Insurance with more than $50,000 in coverage will see Life PFT in the employer paid benefits section of your earnings statement. This value represents the taxable amount of your life insurance exceeding $50,000.
The Basic Term Life Insurance that all eligible employees can enroll in equals one and a half times their annual salary and is pre-tax. While employees can have up to one and a half time their annual salary in basic term life insurance, any amount over $50,000 is a taxable benefit while any amount under is still considered pre-tax.
Because the imputed value is taxable, employees with Life PFT will notice a small change in their net pay when comparing 2004 and 2005 earnings statements. If your Basic Term Life insurance is $50,000 or less, there is no taxable amount and Life PFT will not show on the paycheck.
If you have any questions, please contact the USF Tampa Benefits Office at 813-974-4105.
Forum Moves Beyond Just Teens
St. Petersburg Times
Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005
The Jan. 7 brawl at BayWalk drew about 80 residents to a quiet room Saturday morning to discuss whether the city has a dysfunctional relationship with its teenagers, and if so, what to do about it.
Over coffee and blueberry muffins, residents discussed the need for a possible entertainment complex specifically for teens, and also for a better understanding among adults that teens need to be welcome downtown, too.
"We need to remember in this discussion that we were, at some point, young people," said Theresa Jones, city resident and parent of a 14-year-old.
>> Read: Article
The Sultan of Plot
St. Petersburg Times
Friday, Jan. 21, 2005
A book launch party will be held for USF St. Petersburg master's graduate Lee Irby, author of 7,000 Clams, at Bayboro Books February 4 at 6 pm.
ST. PETERSBURG - When Lee Irby shows up for lunch on a downtown St. Petersburg patio, he looks every inch the laid-back Florida college professor. But the guy's got the jitters.
He arrives on a scuffed green bicycle. His hair curls over the collar of his dark-blue cotton shirt, short sleeves on a balmy January day. He stretches long legs under a table and picks at a salad.
He has been a nervous wreck for months, he says. "I liked myself better as an aspiring writer. But I like the bank balance now."
It's the publication day of Irby's first novel, 7,000 Clams. Well, not technically his first novel. He has been writing them for years; "three or four" never saw print.
>> Read: Article
Great Ways to Make a Difference
USF St. Petersburg has a multitude of ways to make a difference in the community this spring. A few upcoming events include:
Bowser Games – Join the Pinellas Animal Foundation for games and contests to bring awareness of adoptable animals on February 5 from 10 am to 3 pm at Highlander Park in Dunedin.
Valentines Day Dinner at the Ronald McDonald House – Bring your loved ones to help prepare and serve a Valentines Day dinner Monday, Feb. 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Ronald McDonald House.
Sojourn Bear Project – Make hand-made teddy bears with the Student Disability Services Office to give to cancer patients. Sewing skills are not necessary.
For more information on upcoming event or additional volunteer opportunities, please contact Barry McDowell, 3-4990 or mcdowell@stpt.usf.edu
The USF St. Petersburg Calendar of Events can advertise to faculty, staff, students and the general public. Events may include lectures, conferences, ceremonies, concerts, sporting events, scholarship events, fundraising events and exhibits.
Submit information at the central news form: http://www.stpt.usf.edu/news/submissions.htm.
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