United Way Campaign

The United Way’s annual campaign drive is underway. The USF St. Petersburg United Way Campaign Committee would like campus members to consider the advantages of giving through United Way.

• It makes a real impact. United Way combines your gift with thousands of others and then focuses your dollars on having a measurable impact on key issues that matter in our community:

• Strengthening Our Families
• Caring for Our Elderly
• Supporting Our Children and Youth
• Promoting Our Health and Independence
• Meeting Our Basic Needs

• It’s local. Funds raised in the bay area stay right here to address local problems.

• It’s accountable.  Volunteers decide which programs receive funds and ensure that services are high- quality and meet high priority community needs.

• It’s efficient. Volunteers help conduct the campaign, which help keep costs low.

• It’s easy. Payroll deduction makes giving simple and easy.

Please complete and return your pledge form.  If you need another form or additional information, contact Terri Johnson at 3-4480 or Frank Hohengarten at 3-4974.

Welcome to USF St. Petersburg

Extend a warm welcome to Errin Mills, coordinator of University Housing, who has been on campus for about four weeks. With a temporary office located in TER 200, Mills has embraced her new position and she said she looks forward to next fall when students will move in.

"Once the doors are open, we can focus on what we can do for students," Mills said.

Mills has an extensive background in student life and development. She received her bachelor's degree from Valparaiso University in Indiana and then continued on for a master's degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Virginia Tech. Her studies focused on the college experience and how to provide a nurturing environment for students during college.

As Area Director in Residential Life and Student Affairs at the College of William & Mary, Mills gained a broad range of experience in all levels of student affairs while managing about 650 students in a residence area of six buildings.

"Our main priority right now is to open a building that provides a safe community and enhances their educational experience," Mills said. "I am excited for the opportunity to start from scratch here at USF St. Petersburg. We really are building the future."

Slated to open in open Fall 2006, Residence Hall One will provide housing to 354 students in apartment-style accommodations. To view a virtual tour, visit the Web site.

To extend a welcome or to learn more about residence life, please contact Errin Mills at 553-4826 or stop by TER 200.

GIS Day Showcases Technology

More than 160 guests learned about an innovative computer mapping tool known as Geographic Information Systems at the annual celebration of GIS Day at USF St. Petersburg Wednesday, including high school students from HB Plant High in Tampa.

During this event sponsored by the Environmental Science, Policy and Geography Program of Distinction, area organizations displayed how they use GIS including The National Weather Service, the Pinellas County Sheriff's department and the US Geological Survey.

Throughout the day students from numerous courses joined in the festivities and heard lectures on topics ranging from ecological applications of GIS to crime mapping partnerships. Other events included software demonstrations, poster displays and event tours.

GIS Day is a grassroots event celebrated by professionals in more than 80 countries to showcase the important contributions GIS technology is making in the fields of science, technology and the humanities. For more information on the USFSP event, visit www.stpt.usf.edu/gisday/. For more information on global GIS Day, visit www.gisday.com.

Rescheduled Semi-Final Friday Event

Faculty and staff can celebrate Fall at the rescheduled Semi-Final Friday event Monday, Nov. 21 at noon in the Williams House. Enjoy a pre-holiday lunch of roast turkey with all the fixings. The Division of Advancement and Development, University Relations and the USF Alumni Association are sponsoring the event. For more information and to RSVP by Friday, Nov. 18, please contact Annette Hamon at 553-4256 or annette@spadmin.usf.edu.

New York Art Presentation

Erika Schneider, visiting assistant professor of Art, was invited to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, department of Contemporary Prints, to present the recent Fine Art Limited Edition prints she has published at her studio, Bleu Acier Inc.

The "Headline Series", eight hand painted photgravures by Paula Scher published by Bleu Acier Inc., was presented at the Maya Stendhal Gallery as part of Scher's solo show opening Nov. 3. For more information about the Stendhal Gallery, visit the Web site. Paula Scher is a principal of Pentagram Design, New York.

Feast Celebrates Diversity

Campus members celebrated diversity with the second annual multicultural feast this week.

As the line for food wrapped around the room, many guests enjoyed cuisine from all over the world, including France, Ireland, Israel, Greece, Italy, Spain and more.

The event also featured music and belly dancers from Hip Expressions.

Workshop on Career Options
The final workshop offering career options is Nov. 18 from 10 - 10:30 am in BAY 227. Led by Sara Leslie, this free workshop can help students to clarify their interests and to help establish career goals. For more information and to RSVP, please contact the Counseling and Career Center at 553-4422.

Tailgate This Weekend

The UnBULLievable Tailgate Party is this weekend. All are invited to cheer on the USF Bulls in a Big East game against the Cincinnati Bearcats Saturday, Nov. 19 at Raymond James Stadium.

Before the game, faculty and staff are invited to enjoy the UnBULLievable Tailgate Party, located in Lot 6 from  9:30 - 11:45 am. For this special event, guests will pay only $11 for a wristband for the game and tailgate party, which includes a full meal, beer, soda and pre-game activities with prizes and fun for all ages.

Tickets must be purchased in advance from the Athletics Ticket office at Entry 3 at the Sun Dome Monday - Friday from 9 am - 6 pm.  No tickets will be sold at the game.

Faculty and staff season ticket holders may pick up a free wristband from the Athletics Office. For more ticket information, please call 1-800-GoBulls. For more information on the tailgate party, please visit the USF HR Web site.

Professor Emeritus Discusses Ecological Ethics

Attend a lecture in ethics led by Frederick Ferre, PhD, professor emeritus from the University of Georgia. He will present "Ecological Ethics in the Age of Globalism," Nov. 21 at 4 pm in DAV130.

Ferre will discuss how environmentalism has evolved from a campaign to beautify America into a science involving ethics and theoretical issues often discussed in professional journals and classrooms. He will examine environmental thinking, capitalist economics and the relationship to the political forces that dominate the global system.

For more information on this event, please contact Hugh LaFollette at 553-4830. For more information on the Frederick Ferre, PhD, please visit his Web site.

2005 Harry Schaleman Lecture

A diverse audience of young and old, town and gown are expected at the 2005 Harry Schaleman Lecture. Sponsored by the USF St. Petersburg Honors Program and the Campus Lecture Series Alumni, the topic for the evening is "War & Memory: Gene Patterson and John Germany Reflect on World War II" and is Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 in the Campus Activities Center.

Gene Patterson is former editor of the Atlanta Constitution and was a leading figure in the civil rights movement. John Germany is a prominent Tampa judge and lawyer who was instrumental during desegregation in Florida. Both Patterson and Germany credit World War II with dramatic shifts in their own lives and in American society and culture as well.

Award for Excellence in Short Fiction

Calling all published and unpublished authors. The contest deadline for the Ruth and Frank Coleman Award for Excellence in Short Fiction Writing is Jan. 31, 2006 at noon.

Sponsored by the USF Tampa Library and through the support of Mrs. Ruth Coleman, the contest provides authors with the opportunity to have their stories printed in Library publication and offered to a broad audience.

Awards will be presented for the best unpublished fiction story and for first runner-up written by any degree-seeking USF student registered for the Fall and/or Spring semesters of the 2005 - 2006 academic year. Students may be either full-time or part-time.

First place will receive $350 and runner-up will receive $150. Both winners will be invited to attend an awards reception hosted by the USF Library in late spring. For more details on the contest rules, please visit the USF Library Web site.

Latest "Nessie" Sighting

Nessie was recently sighted giving a demonstration to the Campus Computing staff who were very interested in learning more about the upcoming 2006 administration of the NSSE at USF St. Petersburg. Nessie recommended that they visit the NSSE Web site.

For the latest information from HR, visit: USF SP HR Web site

Campus Flu Shot Clinic Canceled

The Flu shot clinic scheduled for Friday has been canceled because of vaccine shortages. For more information, please contact Regina Young Hyatt, director of Student Life, at 553-4180.

Blood Drive

In just a few minutes, you can save a life. Donate blood at the November Blood Drive on Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 8:30 am - 6 pm. Donations can be made at blood-mobiles located in front of Davis Hall and FWRI. For more information, please contact Barry McDowell at 553-4990 or mcdowell@stpt.usf.edu.

Send Holiday Cards to Our Troops

Last year campus members and friends helped send donations of holiday cards to our military overseas. This year, more volunteers are need to continue the tradition.

"This is a great opportunity for faculty, staff, students and their families to help boost the morale of our service men and women throughout the world," said Barry McDowell, coordinator of Volunteer & Student Disability Services.

Volunteer Services and Student Government are coordinating the effort and are asking for campus volunteers as well as family and friends to help sign cards for our troops. Project coordinators are also seeking donations of unused holiday cards.

Donations will be accepted until 5 pm Monday, Nov. 21. Interested volunteers should contact Barry McDowell at 553-4990 or mcdowell@stpt.usf.edu.

Operation Giving Tree

Operation Giving Tree is a new toy drive, sponsored by the USF Ambassadors, with donations benefiting local children's charities.

Collection points will be set up beginning Monday, Nov. 21 at the Poynter Library, the College of Business, the Campus Activities Center and the USFSP Barnes & Noble bookstore. The last day to donate toys is December 16. For more information, please contact Stephanie Handal at 813-716-1526 or shandal@mail.usf.edu.