Telling the Story of Big Bangs and Black Holes, SSU's EPO Waits for the Swift Launch

They tell the stories of the biggest explosions in the Universe. At least once a day, somewhere in the sky, something goes "bang" releasing huge floods of gamma rays, and signaling the birth of a black hole.

Explaining all this to students, teachers and the public is the mission of a small staff in the NASA education program at Sonoma State University who will watch with rapt attention on Nov. 17 as the Swift Observatory goes into space, following its launch from Cape Canaveral.

Swift has been designed to scan the sky for powerful
explosions called gamma-ray bursts. Physics and astronomy professor Lynn Cominsky and her NASA Educational and Public Outreach Group have spent years developing many curricular materials that use Swift science to get kids excited by science and math. Full story

International Week Offers
Smorgasbord of Events

The campus community is invited to celebrate International Education Week to broaden awareness of the presence of international students at SSU and to increase the awareness of study overseas opportunities for American students. Jan Beaulyn, Associate Director International Services and study abroad programs says staff, faculty, alumni and students are invited.

The schedule of events includes :

Monday - European, Chinese, and Peruvian lunch, 11:30 a.m. -1 p.m.; international music, noon - 1 p.m., Stevenson/Darwin Quad; film, Gen-X Cops (Hong Kong), 7:30 p.m., Schulz 2015B

Tuesday - Information tables, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Salazar walkway, live jazz, Stevenson/Darwin Quad; film, Monsoon Wedding (India), 7:30 p.m., Library 2015A

Wednesday - Lunch with International Student Association, Tea Hour, Multi-Purpose Room, Student Union; international music, noon-1 p.m., Stevenson/Darwin Quad; film, El Norte (Mexico), 4 p.m., Stevenson 3030

Thursday - French, Japanese, and Spanish lunch, 11:30 a.m. -1 p.m., live jazz, Stevenson/Darwin Quad; film, Lost in Translation, 7:30 p.m., Schulz 2015B

Friday - Film, Amelie (France), 2:30 p.m., Schulz 2015B

Nominate a Speaker for Commencement 2005

Faculty, staff and students are invited to nominate candidates for speakers for the 2005 Commencement ceremonies. Nominations should be submitted in writing to Anne Handley by Friday, Dec. 10, either by campus mail to Stevenson 1066, or by e-mail to anne.handley@sonoma.edu.

This is a call only for nominations for the primary commencement speaker. The call for nominations for student speakers for Commencement will be issued at the beginning of Spring Semester 2005.

Fee Waivers Accepted for Spring 2005

Human Services is now accepting applications for the fee waiver program for the Spring 2005 semester.

The fee waiver program is a benefit that the CSU provides to eligible faculty and staff and their dependents, spouses or domestic partners to take undergraduate or post baccalaureate courses at any of the 23 CSU campuses at significantly reduced rates.

Fee waiver can be used for courses to improve or enhance job related skills, or it can be used for career development such as the pursuit of a degree.

There are some limitations to the program. Only courses in regular academic programs may be taken under the fee waiver program. Extended Education courses are not allowed for reduced rates using fee waiver. It is a waiver program only, not a reimbursement or refund program for fees already paid.

Information and forms for the program can be found at http://www.sonoma.edu/hs/erc/feewaiver.html. For further information, contact Carol Ingerman, 4-3100.

WebCT Faculty Showcase on Nov. 18

Wondering how WebCT might work with your teaching? Come see how some faculty are using WebCT and other technology with their classes at a special workshop from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 18 in Schulz 1121.

Sponsored by Instructional Technology Services and the Professional Development Subcommittee, the showcase presenters include Brett Christie (Education), Tori Truss (Theater Arts), Melissa Vandeveer (Nursing), Jennifer Whiles-Lillig (Chemistry) and Erin Bower (University Library). Topics will include:

• Using flash-based tutorials created with Macromedia Captivate
• Managing a jumbo GE class using WebCT's student tracking, management and discussion tools
• Learning modules with audio track lectures created with Powerpoint and Impatica
• Using the Quiz tool to prepare students for timed testing,
• Incorporating publisher-created digital content and applications in WebCT
• Integrating library resources and information literacy concepts in WebCT

More information can be found at http://www.sonoma.edu/it/its/webct_showcase.pdf

Giant Steps Seeks Board
Members from Campus

The therapeutic riding program, Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center, is seeking potential board members from the SSU campus community. The Center improves the quality of life of individuals with physical, emotional and developmental disabilities by providing them with the opportunity to experience and ride horses in a safe, secure environment.

Board members are expected to attend board meetings six times a year. In addition, board members also sit on one of the following sub-committees: fund development, finance, program, board development, strategic planning, or public relations.

To find out more about Giant Steps, check out www.giantstepsriding.org. For more information on how to become a board member, contact Nancy Lilly, a current board member, at tallgranch@aol.com or 935-1572.

An article co-written by Sam Brannen and Ben Ford, Mathematics, has appeared in the November 2004 edition of the College Mathematics Journal. The article is titled "Logarithmic Differentiation: Two Wrongs Make a Right."

Cathy Kroll, English and ILE Program, was the recipient of a Fulbright Award to South Africa during the months of June and July 2004. Fifteen CSU faculty and teachers from northern California traveled widely in the country, studying cultural diversity and economic development ten years into the new democracy. Participants met with national leaders in politics, health, the arts, and education and had numerous opportunities to meet with their academic counterparts while there. An SSU African Studies Week coinciding with Black History Month 2005 will provide a forum for participants' research, as well as that of SSU faculty working in African Studies.

Elizabeth C. Martínez, Modern Languages and Literature, published a chapter in the book "The Nueva Novela Historica in Hispanic Literature," the historical novel being the theme in the ongoing series of annual books published by Monographic Review at Texas Tech University. Her article is titled "The Subversive Role of Women in the Making of History: Pre-Revolution Mexico and Teresa Urrea."

Clarice Stasz, History, published "Jack London's Days as an Oyster Pirate and Fish Patrolman" in the latest issue of Sea Letter, the journal of the San Francisco Maritime Park Association.  In this essay, she offers evidence that London had little activity as an oyster pirate and was not on the Fish Patrol, as he claimed.  The entire issue is devoted to "Celebrating Jack London."

Dr. John M. Steiner (emeritus, Sociology) was a keynote speaker at the California State University, Sacramento where the Second International Conference on Genocide was held. The title of his address was "Power Without Morality: How to Better Understand Perpetrators." The conference took place from October 14-16. During that time he also participated as panel speaker.

What's the Buzz? Do you have questions about an issue on campus? Send them to University Affairs. We will research the topic and respond. Submit material to NewsBytes at newsbytes@sonoma.edu. Deadline is Monday for the next Monday's publication NewsBytes Archives Jean Wasp, Editor, 4-2057

Looking Way Ahead: Planning a Non-Violent Future in Dark Times, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 4-5:15 p.m., Darwin 108 - Dr. Michael Nagler, who has devoted his life to exploring nonviolence as an alternative to war, comes to speak at the War and Peace lecture series. Professor emeritus of Languages at the UC Berkeley, and founder and former chairperson of the University's Peace and Conflict Studies program, Nagler has become one of the world's most widely respected peace scholars and activists. Nagler is the author of several books, including "America Without Violence" and " Is There No Other Way: The Search for a Nonviolent Future." No charge.

“Wolf” Pack the Gym Nights, at 7 p.m., Nov. 12 and 13, Main Gym - Seawolves Women’s Volleyball Team hosts nationally-ranked Cal State San Bernardino (#7) and UC San Diego (#2) in two crucial CCAA matches. Students, faculty and staff with a valid SSU student or employee ID card admitted free for these two matches only. Pick up free tickets in advance for family members and friends from Athletics, PE 14, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. 4-2521. Same-Sex Marriage, Noon, Tuesday, Nov. 16, Stevenson 2011 - Nan Alamilla Boyd of Women's and Gender Studies presents a lecture on “Sex and Tourism: The Economic Interests of Same-Sex Marriage in San Francisco.” Social Science Brown Bag Lecture Series. 4-2112. Citizen Activism and Conflict Resolution, 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, Darwin 108 - Lecture by Georgia Kelly, founder and director of Praxis Peace Institute, an SSU alumna and social activist. War and Peace Lecture Series. 4-2543. Bush's Brain, 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, Art 102 - Two psychiatrists whose book examined every public record, statement, press release and interview of President George W. Bush come to some conclusions about the man and his psychological makeup. Filmmakers Respond to War series. 4-2364. Cineforum Spanish Film Series, 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, Stevenson 3030 - Film series exploring the Spanish-speaking world and Latino culture. This week’s film is El Norte (The North). 4-2351. A Different Mirror, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, The Cooperage - Multiculturalism pioneer Ronald Takaki presents a lecture and hosts discussions about his book "A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America." Lecture is free for SSU students, $5 for non-SSU students, $10 general admission. 4-2815. Voting Technology, Noon, Thursday, Nov. 18, Darwin 108 - Sonia Arrison of the Pacific Research Foundation, San Francisco discusses how touch-screen and other technological innovations are changing the way voters cast their ballots. Computer Science Colloquium, 4-2667. Public Viewing Night, 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, SSU Observatory - Explore the night sky at the Sonoma State University Observatory. Tonight’s viewing will be focusing on the moon, Uranus, and the Triangulum Galaxy. Call ahead.weather conditions may cancel the viewing. 4-2267. The Last Word: Open Forum, Noon, Wednesday, Nov. 17 Schulz 3001 - A group discussion for students, members of the community, and SSU staff and faculty about the 2004 presidential elections. Organized by Associated Students. It Matters! Lecture Series. 4-4240. For webcasts of recent lectures visit streaming.sonoma.edu. Since Otar Left, 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, Warren Auditorium - A portrait of three women in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia who cope with the absence of family patriarch Otar. General admission is $4.50; $4 for non-SSU students w/I.D., senior citizens, and SSU faculty and staff, $3 for SFI members and children under 12; free for SSU students with I.D. Sonoma Film Institute. 4-2606. More SFI Films

Applause Awards Bill Bayley and Katie Musick, Media Services What a duo!  Bill with his assistant, Katie, have faithfully captured the library's lecture series, week after week, including the current IT MATTERS! lecture series for streaming via the Web.  This task requires a great deal of set-up, fine-tuning and enormous logistical challenges, not to mention patience, humor and creativity, much of it on the fly. They have enhanced our ability to share some exciting presentations with those who can't be present.  We are enormously grateful for their expertise and collaborative spirit. SSU is very fortunate to have such fine professionals in our midst. Barbara Butler, Dean, University Library If you recently submitted an Applause Award through the Applause website and did not see it printed in NewsBytes, please resubmit the award.  There was a problem with the Web site submittals and submissions were not being received into Human Services. This error has been fixed. It is up and running at Applause Award form Have questions? Phone Terilynn Bench, 4-2227.

Dreamweaver Workshop On Intro to Basics

Space is still available for the popular hands-on Dreamweaver introduction workshop from 1-4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19 in Schulz 1014. This overview of the Dreamweaver environment and the basics of using it to create and edit Web pages requires no previous HTML experience.

Contact Barbara Moore at barbara.moore@sonoma.edu.

Seawolf Shops Sets
Computer Sale

While supplies last, the Seawolf Shops is offering the Macintosh iBook starting at $1,015, the PowerBook 12-inch starting at $1,599, and the PowerBook 15-inch starting at $2,299. For more information, contact the computer department at 4-3061 or by e-mail at bscompdept@sonoma.edu.