Spring Enrollment of 18,178 Sets Another State Record; Graduate Enrollment Rises 14 Percent

Boise State's spring 2007 enrollment has set a another record: 18,178 students — 147 more students than last spring. It is the largest spring enrollment in state history and marks the second consecutive time the university has exceeded 18,000 students in a spring semester.

The university’s Graduate College continues to grow, with a 14 percent increase in full-time graduate students and a 9 percent increase in graduate credit hours over last spring.

In addition, the number of full-time equivalent, or FTE, students at Boise State rose to 12,945, an increase of .9 percent over last spring’s enrollment. FTE is based on the number of credit hours students are taking. read more

Energy Policy Institute Survey Reflects Public's Opinion on Energy Plan

A survey conducted by the Energy Policy Institute (EPI) shows that more than 69 percent of Idahoans believe decisions regarding the siting of large power plants should be shared between both state and local officials, while only 22 percent said that the decision should remain with local officials either with no state involvement or with only state technical assistance. This reflects a difference of opinion with the Interim Committee on Energy, Environment and Technology’s recently released Draft Idaho Energy Plan. That plan recommends that siting authority should remain a local decision. read more

The total sponsored project funding in research at Boise State has increased from $8.4 million in 1996 to $23.9 million in 2006.

click here for a campus calendar of events

EVENTS ON OUR CAMPUS

Boise State Hosts Annual International Food, Song and Dance Festival Feb. 24

Boise State invites the community to discover the “Treasures of the World” at the International Food, Song and Dance Festival at 6 p.m. Feb. 24 in the Student Union Jordan Ballroom. Tickets are $18 general, $12 Boise State students and children through Select-a-Seat outlets, or by calling ext. 6-1494. Children under the age of 6 will be admitted for free. Tables for eight may be purchased for $125 by calling the International Programs Office, ext. 6-3652. read more

Careers in Aging Mix 'n Mingle

The Center for the Study of Aging at Boise State will host a Careers in Aging panel discussion and mix n’ mingle from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Feb. 28 in the Student Union Lookout Room. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.

Those 65 years and older make up the fastest growing segment of the population, affecting almost every aspect of the job market and the economy. Because of this, six of the fastest growing professions are either in or related to the field of aging, and the need for long-term care workers will more than double over the next 20 years. read more

Author, activist Christian Parenti to Speak March 1

The Idaho Peace Coalition and Boise State’s Department of Sociology will present Christian Parenti, correspondent for The Nation, at 7 p.m. March 1 in the Student Union Jordan A/B Ballroom. His talk is titled “Defeated — Understanding U.S. Failure in Afghanistan and Iraq.”

Parenti, who has traveled to Afghanistan three times since 2004, will present an on-the-ground report from his recent Afghan travels as well as insight into the ongoing U.S. occupation of Iraq. The event is free and open to the public. A book signing will follow his presentation.

Parenti received a Ph.D. in sociology from the London School of Economics in 2000. He is the author of “The Freedom: Shadows and Hallucinations in Occupied Iraq” (the New Press, 2004), “The Soft Cage: Surveillance in America from Slavery to the War on Terror” (Basic Books, 2003), and “Lockdown America: Police and Prisons in the Age of Crisis” (Verso, 2000). He has been a Soros Senior Justice fellow and a Ford Foundation City fellow at the City University of New York graduate school’s Center for Place, Culture and Politics.

The presentation is sponsored by the Idaho Peace Coalition as well as several Boise State groups, including the departments of Sociology, Anthropology, Criminal Justice Administration, History, Political Science, Public Policy and Administration, the School of Social Work, the College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs, the Cultural Center, and the Cultural and Ethnic Diversity Board. For more information, call ext. 6-4056.

ALBERTSONS LIBRARY

Albertsons Library Hosts Faculty and University Author Recognition Reception

The Albertsons Library will host the second annual Faculty and University Author Recognition reception from 3:30-5 p.m. Feb. 7 in the library’s McCain Room.

The Albertson Library will honor Boise State authors who have published a book, article, or creative work between Sept. 1, 2005, and Aug. 31, 2006.

A display featuring the books, articles, chapters and creative works published by Boise State authors is available for viewing on the first floor of the library through mid-February. The bibliography and author list are available online at: http://library.boisestate.edu/faculty/.

PARKING THIS WEEKEND & SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS SOON TO COME

The following parking regulations will be enforced by Parking and Transportation Services today, Friday and Saturday.

• The women’s basketball team will play in Taco Bell Arena starting at 7 p.m. tonight. Parking will be free to the public in the following lots starting at 5:30 p.m.: west stadium, Bronco Circle, east stadium, the ES lot (located off Euclid and University), Manitou and the REC Center lot.  The west stadium has limited parking, and a portion will be reserved for handicap accessible parking only. No shuttle service will be provided.
• On Friday the west side of the Towers general lot will be closed for a Morrison Center children’s event in the morning and early to mid-afternoon. The lot should open to permit holders at 2 p.m. after the last performance. The University Inn general permit parking will be available throughout the day. Motorists are urged to arrive early and park in another location.
• On Saturday a larger than normal crowd is expected for the women’s basketball game because of the team’s success and reduced ticket prices. Parking will be free to the public in the following lots starting at 5:30 p.m.: west stadium, Bronco Circle, east stadium, the ES lot (located off Euclid and University), Manitou and the REC Center lot.  The west stadium has limited parking, and a portion will be reserved for accessible parking only.  No shuttle service will be provided.

West Stadium Parking Lot Changes Scheduled Due to Stadium Construction (PDF of map available here)

Construction activities for the Bronco Stadium expansion project will begin around Feb. 11. The project will replace the press box on the west side of the stadium and include the building of skyboxes and luxury suites. 

In meetings with the contractor, the university has expressed a strong desire to minimize the amount of parking spaces lost due to construction activities, while ensuring there is enough room for the project to proceed safely. Further meetings with the contractor may alter parking plans, but as of now the following dates and steps are planned:

Currently there are 273 general parking spaces in the west stadium lot in addition to student housing resident parking for RH1 and RH2.

On or around Feb. 11, a construction fence will be set up near the stadium. This will reduce the number of general parking spaces in the west stadium lot to 166. Parking and Transportation has designated this as Phase 1 of the project.

On or around April 11, construction fencing will expand, reducing the number of general spaces to 95. This will be Phase 2.

Only 95 general spaces will be available beginning April 11 in the west stadium lot, and the restricted parking will continue until August 2008.  This will make general parking in the west stadium lot very limited. Parking and Transportation Services encourages general permit holders to arrive early on weekdays and look for parking in the east stadium and south campus lots.

No changes are planned for RH1, Taco Bell Arena or ROTC parking areas. RH1 permit holders are encouraged to use Caesar Chavez Lane to avoid construction traffic.

RH2 parking will be displaced to the west side of the stadium and move toward the center of the lot.

Parking and Transportation Services will also send e-mail reminders, place notices on vehicles, and display signs in the parking lot to help inform motorists about the changes. Questions about parking can be directed to Parking at ext. 6-7275.

Parking and Transportation Services encourages motorists to consider the use of alternative and mass transportation, such as free city bus rides, bicycling, carpool and vanpool. In addition, to help offset the displacement of general parking spaces, Parking and Transportation recently opened approximately 120 general spaces at the University Inn and an additional 80 spaces are being developed at Lincoln Ave and Belmont Street. Parking will continue to look for additional general parking opportunities. 

HEALTH & WELLNESS

In addition to the Passport to Health Program, Health, Wellness and Counseling Services is excited to announce its spring 2007 series of employee wellness opportunities. Offerings include screenings, events/classes/groups, wellness services and online resources. For a complete list of programs in pdf form, click here, or visit http://www.boisestate.edu/healthservices/index.asp.

SERVICE LEARNING WORKSHOPS

Service-Learning at Boise State will offer a series of faculty workshops, beginning tonight, to allow faculty to share strategies, get new ideas and enjoy the community of other faculty engaged in Service-Learning.

For more information, call Kara Brascia, Service-Learning director, at ext. 6-2380 or karabrascia@boisestate.edu, or visit the Service-Learning Web site at http://servicelearning.boisestate.edu

The spring semester schedule is as follows:

Service-Learning Faculty Fellows Seminar 4-5:30 p.m. Thursdays, tonight-March 8. $500 stipend, for beginning-intermediate SL faculty. Begins with a dinner and workshop with a facilitator from the University of San Francisco from 4-7 p.m. tonight. Library 201C.

SL course models and how to integrate SL with course assignments, workshop, 4-6 p.m. tonight. Presenter is Julie Reed, University of San Francisco. Library 201C

Common pitfalls and students’ concerns: Lessons learned from experienced faculty, students, and SL staff, roundtable discussion, noon-1 p.m. Feb. 21. Facilitator Kara Brascia is Service-Learning director. History Department conference room, L-194.

SL Research opportunities, SL scholarship, and tenure, conversation with an expert, 4-5:30 p.m. March 1. Presenter Barbara Holland is director of the National SL Clearinghouse. Library 201C.

Finding and building community partnerships, roundtable discussion, noon-1 p.m. March 21. Facilitator Kara Brascia is Service-Learning director. History Department conference room, L-194.

Service-Learning: Assessment, evaluation and recognition, roundtable discussion, noon-1 p.m. April 18. Facilitator Kara Brascia is Service-Learning director. History department conference room, L-194.

HUMAN RESOURCE SERVICES

Workshops Offered During February

Human Resources Services will offer the following sessions and workshops for employees in February:

• Do you have trouble falling asleep? Trouble staying asleep? Learn what may be causing your sleep troubles and how to overcome them with a session from 11 a.m.-noon Feb. 7 in Room 210 of the Simplot/Micron Building. The session will explore information on nutrition, exercise, stress reduction, medication and simple techniques to help you get the sleep you need. The presenter is Jodi Brawley, a health educator with the Health and Wellness Center.
• A training session on “effort reporting” and who is responsible for certifying effort reports will be held from from 11 a.m.-noon Feb. 14 in Room 210 of the Simplot/Micron Building. The workshop will close with a question-and-answer session. The presenter is Venie Eastman, manager of sponsored projects accounting. 
• Most Boise State students rely on federal financial aid to offset the cost of attending college. Despite our best efforts, many students learn about satisfactory academic progress standards after they have lost their eligibility for federal financial aid. A workshop on satisfactory academic progress requirements will be held from 11 a.m.-noon Feb. 13 in Room 210 of the Simplot/Micron Building. The presenters are Kelcey Stewart and Maureen Sigler of the Financial Aid Office. This session is especially important for faculty and staff members who provide academic advising or those who hire work‑study students. If you understand the financial implications of withdrawing from classes, you can help students make more informed decisions.
• From 9-11 a.m. Feb. 13 in Room 209 of the Simplot/Micron Building, staff members from the Budget Office and Administrative Accounting will be on site at this workshop to help participants with subjects such as basic budget research, budget transfer requests, how to run reports, voucher research, fringe calculations and related issues.
• A class to teach BSU employees to defend and protect their Windows computers from a multitude of threats will be offered from 9 a.m.-noon Feb. 15 in Room 210 of the Simplot/Micron Building. The presenter is Heather Nielsen of Computing Services. She will cover topics such as how to prevent and remove viruses and spyware, how to recognize dangers lurking in e‑mail and instant messaging software, how to deal with junk mail, and how to keep your Windows computer secure.

To register for any of the above offerings, e‑mail Training and Development at HRTrainingDevelopment@boisestate.edu or online at:  http://cedar.boisestate. edu/hrs/workshops/.

The Boise State Vocal Jazz Ensemble, along with its director, Jim Jirak (far right, second row), is gearing up for the Vocal Jazz Festival on Feb. 8-9. This annual event will feature the ensemble as well as guest artists Kristin Korb and the Kristin Trio, as well as Boise's own jazz vocalist Jeff Baker. The main concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 in the Jordan Ballroom. Admission is $5 general, $3 seniors, free to students of all ages and Boise State faculty and staff. Friday events, which will run from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., will include performances by area junior high and high school jazz choirs in the Jordan and Hatch ballrooms. The Friday events are free and open to the public. photo John Kelly

Hy Kloc Named Associate General Manager for Boise State Radio

Hy Kloc (right) has been promoted to the position of associate general manager and director of development and marketing for Boise State Radio.

Kloc has extensive experience in development, corporate sponsorship and marketing, working for public television and public radio stations in Detroit before joining Boise State Radio in 2001. Before working in Detroit he served as the executive director of the Chicago chapter of the Recording Academy where he was responsible for all events, such as the Grammy in the Schools program at DePaul University, Chicago’s Multi-Ethnic Concert at the Cultural Center and Chicago’s Street Musician Festival. Kloc also served in various marketing and fund-raising positions for the City Colleges of Chicago during his 10-year tenure there.

Kloc has been very involved in the Treasure Valley community since moving here in 2001. He served as executive director of the Gene Harris Jazz Festival for two years and on the board of directors of the Anne Frank Memorial Human Rights Center. He is currently president of the board for the Idaho Humane Society.

Doug Lincoln, business, was featured in an Arbiter story on his use of clickers in the classroom. The story can be viewed online here.

Kinesiology professor and two-time Olympian Werner Hoeger (left) has qualified for the Luge World Championships and will compete in Austria this weekend. Hoeger, at age 53, is the oldest luger ever to qualify for the Luge World Championships. The oldest male athlete to do so before him was 38. Hoeger has been training mostly on the Park City, Utah luge track.

While training in Austria, Hoeger has taken the time to visit a small school in the village of St. Jodok in the Austrian Alps, where he was able to introduce the sport of luge to the children.

The latest issue of Rolling Stone magazine features a story on Al Gore's possible run for president. The story notes that Gore can pack a house, "even in red-state America: in January, tickets for a Gore speech at a 10,000-seat stadium in Boise, Idaho, sold out in less than twenty-four hours." Gore spoke on global warming at the Taco Bell Arena Jan. 22.

other news sources:
The Idaho Statesman - The Idaho Press Tribune - The Boise Weekly - The Arbiter - Boise State Radio