Dean of Education to Head School at Chico State

Dr. Phyllis Fernlund, Dean of the School of Education, is leaving Sonoma State University in July head the College of Communication and Education at CSU-Chico as Dean. She will be joining a large school with seven departments, 280 faculty and nearly 3,000 students.

Dr. Marty Ruddell will serve an interim Dean of the School of Education for the next year.

During her seven years as Dean of the School of Education at SSU, Dr. Fernlund led its faculty and staff in sweeping changes and improvements in the School, such as reorganization into three departments, new school offices, major growth in its grants and contracts, approval for a joint doctorate in educational leadership, and preparation for national accreditation review in March 2005.

"Dr. Fernlund is leaving the School of Education well positioned for
continued growth and enhancement in its next post-accreditation era.
Sonoma State University owes her a debt of gratitude for her outstanding
contributions," says SSU Provost Eduardo Ochoa.

Sign Up Student Assistants on Tuesdays, Fridays

Student Assistant Signups are being held on the second floor, Salazar Hall, Human Services, at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and 11 a.m. on Fridays. Bring the original Student Employment Form, Social Security card and photo identification to satisfy the I-9 eligibility requirement. For further information, contact Maria Countouriotis, 4-2715.

Free Tickets to passing thru by Dance Ensemble

Free tickets for faculty and staff to the SSU dance ensemble performance of "passing thru" are available for the performance of Thursday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. Guests of faculty and staff are $5. Faculty and guest artist choreography by Kristen Daley, Mark Haim, Nancy Lyons and Scott Wells is featured. Free student shows are scheduled on April 28 at 7:30 p.m. and May 2 at 2 p.m. Call the Center For Performing Arts Box Office for further information, 4-2353.

Earth Institute Groups on Voluntary Simplicity, Globalization and Deep Ecology

Volunteers from the Northern California Earth Institute will hold an informational meeting from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28, in Carson 20. NCEI is a non-profit organization on campus that supports self-directed discussion groups on topics related to ecological issues such as Voluntary Simplicity, Globalization and Deep Ecology.

Central to the program is the belief that there are no "right" answers to the complex issues addressed, says organizer and Hutchins provost Debra Hammond. A variety of perspectives are encouraged. Anyone interested in learning more about the organization's activities is welcome to attend.

The volunteers will assist the organization of faculty, staff, students and other individuals interested in forming and/or joining a group. For further information, contact Hammond at 4-3179.

Graduate Equity Fellowship Awards Are Available

Application packets for the 2004-2005 Graduate Equity Fellowship Awards are being distributed to school deans, chairs, and graduate program coordinators, and are available for students to pick up in the Graduate Studies Office in Stevenson 1041.

Faculty are invited to recommend promising graduate students who meet the eligibility criteria to apply for this award. The Graduate Equity Fellowship was established to increase participation in graduate degree programs by students who are economically or educationally disadvantaged.

Application materials are to be returned to the Graduate Studies Office no later than Friday, May 21. Following the deadline, the Graduate Equity Selection Committee will meet to review the applications and determine eligibility. For more information, contact the Graduate Studies Office at 4-2237.

CPR Health Care Provider Course Offered

CPR Certification Health Care Provider courses are being offered soon. The course can be take on Thursday, April 29 or Wednesday May 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. in Health Center Conference room 175. This basic CPR course meets or exceeds requirements for lifeguard, teacher, childcare provider, camp counselor, firefighter, EMT, nurse, etc. Pre-registration is required. Cost is $50 for the American Heart Association certified course and $13 for the AHA required book, which may be returned for refund after completion of course. Visit the Student Health Center reception desk or call 4-2921 to sign up.

WORLD'S RELIGION SCHOLAR - Huston Smith is coming to SSU at 7 p.m. on Saturday May 8 in Evert B. Person Theatre. Smith is an internationally recognized philosopher and scholar of religion. His book "The World's Religions" has been the most widely-used textbook on its subject for a third of a century. The event is free for all SSU students and $5 general admission. The event is sponsored by Associated Students Productions and the SSU Student Union. For more information or to buy tickets, phone 4-2382.

DANIEL ELLSBERG - "Vietnam and Iraq: Secrecy, Democracy and Presidential Lies" is the topic of Ellsberg's lecture sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 19 in Evert B. Person Theatre. No charge to LLI or SSU students. $8 general admission.

GAY AND LESBIAN ISSUES IN THE 21ST CENTURY - Carole Migden, Chairwoman of the Board of Equalization and the Democratic Nominee for State Senate to replace Senator John Burton, comes to campus from noon to 1 p.m. on April 27 in the Cooperage. Her topic is same-sex marriage and present and future issues for gays and lesbians in the 21st century. Migden is a former Assemblywoman and author of California's original domestic partnership laws. She is a graduate of Sonoma State with an M.A. in Clinical Psychology. Her appearance is sponsored by the School of Social Sciences, the Counseling Department and the Women's Resource Center.

GREG PALAST - The internationally-known journalist, discusses his latest book, " The Best Democracy Money Can Bu." at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 28, the Cooperage. General admission, $12; students, $7. Sponsored by Project Censored, 4-2500.

MATHEMATICS FESTIVAL - National Mathematics Awareness Month is celebrated in the Darwin Hall lobby on Wednesday, April 28. This year's festival speaker is Ron Graham, one of the country's foremost mathematicians. He will discuss "Searching for the Shortest Network" at 4 p.m. in Darwin 108. Graham's work has been the genesis of several important areas of research and he has been honored with numerous professional awards. He holds the Guinness World Record for the largest number ever used in a proof. He is also a master juggler. The Mathematics Department's annual awards and alumni dinner will be held in the evening at Cotati Veterans Memorial Hall.

CAMPUS AUTHOR READINGS - Faculty will present their written works in a series of lectures and author readings through April 29 in Schulz 3001. For more information and a schedule of dates and times, visit bookstore.sonoma.edu or phone 4-2259.