Ohh, the November Chill!
Don't you just love Springfield weather. Warm one day and cold the next. At least the sun has been out. I have to admit, the fall colors are beautiful, but for how much longer. Did anyone see that silly gorilla on campus Wednesday? Who does he think he is???
This post is chock full of general information, dates, and deadlines.
FACULTY MEETING, Wednesday, November 7, 3:00 in Craig 337.
1) Thank you for participating so enthusiastically in last week's brainstorming and buzzing session related to our program review response. I have been working on a draft of our response. Currently, the administrative team is reviewing the first draft. I plan to have the draft ready for your review first thing next week. I would like you to have it read, with comments, for the faculty meeting. It will again be one of our main discussion points for the meeting.
2) Another topic for discussion will be something I have been meaning to discuss with you for the last couple of faculty meetings, but other issues took priority. You've heard about it through that good ole grapevine I'm sure: BearCom Lab
Background: Back in August, Janis had mentioned at our first faculty meeting that some students were talking about resurrecting the idea of a speaking lab. Roughly two weeks later, Ryan Childress (one of our majors) approached me as a representative of SGA with an idea to develop a communication lab for all students at the university. His idea was that a communication/speech lab would function much like the Writing Center and provide assistance to students on their presentational speaking. My first response was both interest and reservation. One the one handd, I was glad to see that one of our students was interested in proposing this idea and that it would provide a visible service to all students. On the other hand, I had some serious concerns relative to staffing, money, and space. I told him that it was a good idea and that he could explore the idea, but that because such an idea would need significant support from faculty up to the Provost's office, he would have to do some investigating. I framed this as a good experience for him in garnering support for an idea and to work within the system to get that support. I also strongly encouraged him to meet with LPH and talk to them about being an initial group of people to provide the consulting services, since that group had done so previously. I also indicated that he should propose this idea as a pilot project in spring, providing he could get support from LPH and other areas (space, money, etc.). That was the extent of our conversation.
What next? Ryan has been working hard lately to get this BearCom Lab (his label) up and running in the spring semester. At this point, we need to talk about it as a faculty. So, I have invited Ryan to the faculty meeting next Wednesday to discuss his proposal with us. I have asked him to explain his reason for wanting such a service, where he's at now in the process, and to solicit feedback from the faculty. I would like you to think about how what recommendations we might make to him, in the spirit of suggestions for a spring pilot project only. I'm attaching Ryan's initial proposal BearCOM Center.doc here for you. Read it as a proposal.
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST for your perusal
Diversity Training
“In Their Shoes” is diversity training program intended to enhance basic knowledge, skills and comfort level in working with individuals with disabilities. This program focuses on students’ perspectives as they engage with faculty and staff through higher education and is designed to develop an improved understanding of what it is like to walk… in their shoes. The training program takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. It is important to read the directions to access and complete the training.
All Faculty, Administrators, Staff, and Student employees are required to complete this training NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2007. Go to this link and complete the training on your own.
PLEASE ANNOUNCE TO STUDENTS:
1) Extreme Networking for COM Students
FROM: the Association for Women in Communications- Springfield Chapter Members
Students are invited to an Extreme Networking event on Monday, November 5, 2007, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Reed Auditorium in the Trustee Science Center on the Drury University campus. If you are a member of AWC or join AWC by November 1 (annual student membership is $39), the event is free. For nonmembers, the dinner and networking is $5.00.
Students are strongly encouraged to wear business attire and be prepared to present your resume to Springfield-area communication professionals, who will give you career coaching and resume feedback. Each student will have 5 minutes with each professional for an extreme networking experience.Please contact Valerie Turner at 836-5636, email: valerieturner@missouristate.edu
2) COM 397: Special Events Planning, January Intersession added to the Spring 2008 class schedule.
FOR FACULTY
Grant Resource Workshop (I recommend this highly for those interested in grant opps)
Missouri State University will be hosting a workshop entitled Funding Opportunities for University Programs & Writing for Success that will be conducted by Dr. Richard Dunfee, Director, and Dr. Linda Anthony, Program Manager, of the Grant Resource Center on November 26th and 27th at the Plaster Student Union. Presentations will cover funding opportunities of federal and foundation sources, as well as key aspects of successful proposals.
On the office of Sponsored Research and Programs website, an agenda outlines the details of the sessions in the workshop and the topics to be covered. All interested participants must register for the workshop as some sessions will have limited capacity. See further information on the workshop agenda.
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU! 
Debate Team
Here's a sample of recent Debate Tournament action, and we got some action!
Kentucky (National) (3 teams)
Elims:
Clay Webb / Martin Osborn (Elite 8)
Michael Mapes / Meggie Mapes (Round of 32)
Speaker Awards:
Martin Osborn: 1st (of about 226)
Michael Mapes: 21st
KC Kansas Comm College (Regional) (4.5 teams)
Elims:
Jessica Johnson / Jordan Foley (Semis - Final 4)
Aaron Kruse / Kristen Stout (Sweet 16)
Ruben Alonzo / Swing Partner from K-State (Elite 8)
Speaker Awards:
Jordan Foley: 1st (of about 50)
Jessica Johnson: 2nd
Aaron Kruse: 6th
Big Picture:
1. Martin Osborn as 2nd/1st speaker is huge - we've not won top speaker at a major national since the CEDA/NDT Merger
2. Both Mapes/Mapes & Osborn/Webb are competitive for 1st round
at-large bids. It typically takes 8-12 wins against other applicants.
After 2 of 7 major nationals, Osborn/Webb have 4-6 and Mapes/Mapes have
2-3 (depending on who ends up applying).
3. Three of our freshmen (Jordan Foley, Aaron Kruse & Kristen Stout) are off to a great start!
There are still 4 remaining Fall Tournaments to go. GO DEBATE!
Gloria Galanes recently received notification that she has been awarded a Summer Faculty Fellowship for her research project interviewing community leaders regarding their strategies for success in leadership. YEAH GLORIA!
The CDR had a site visit of their own last month by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks for their grant work. Char is pleased to report that the site visit was a huge success and that the CDR is now in a much better position to request future grants from the CFO. GO CDR!
Jerri Lynn recently traveled to Dallas, TX. She reports, "As the faculty advisor for Relay For Life I had the opportunity to attend the High Plains Summit in Dallas, TX from Friday morning until last evening. It was a life changing experience for me in many ways. Learning new cancer treatments that are cutting edge and being a part of a new cancer research study are among the top two reasons, and I could go on all day about the rest...Missouri State University earned the top award for amount raised (for our size of school) in the 11 state division that makes up the high plains region, and placed 8th nationwide..." Thanks for representing us. YOU GO GIRL!
Randy Dillon spoke at an Advisor Forum on Friday, Nov 2 about how to make the best case possible for promoting one's advising activities. Did you know, a few years ago, Randy won the Advising Award on campus, and then went on to win a National Advising Award? He did! What does this mean? GO TO RANDY WITH YOU ADVISING QUESTIONS!