Free staging of "Amahl and the Night Visitors"

Staff and faculty are invited to a free Thursday, Dec. 9 performance at 7:30 p.m. of Amahl and the Night Visitors in the Evert B. Person Theatre. This is SSU's Quantum Opera Theatre's beloved family opera about a young boy and his mother who are visited by the Three Wise Men as they journey to Bethlehem. Choruses, dancers, soloists and shepherds interconnect seamlessly to enliven this jewel of an operatic miniature where ordinary kindnesses lead to miracles. Stage direction is by Tori Truss and Lynne Morrow is musical director. Tickets are $5 for guests of faculty and staff. Nine performances are planned with the opening on Dec. 3. For further information, contact Alan Kleinschmidt, 4-2792. The box office can be reached at 4-2353. Above are James Marchbanks as King Balthazar and Molly Jacobs as Queen Balthazar (Photo by Linnea Mullins).

Open House for Steven Wilson's Retirement

Steven Wilson, Associate Vice President for Administration and Finance and Executive Director, Common Management Systems, retires this semester. An open house in his honor will be held from 3-5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 2 in the Administration and Finance suite, second floor of Salazar Hall. Wilson has been with the California State University system for more than 19 years.

Portfolio Course Assists in Getting Credit
for Life and Job Experiences

SSU grants credit for documented and evaluated non-traditional learning through the Faculty Evaluated Prior Learning Program using a portfolio assessment process.

The starting point is the Portfolio Workshop (UNIV 310), a mentoring seminar for students re-entering higher education which helps students assess their accomplishments and set academic goals, re-orient to campus life and services, and also guides them in the preparation of their portfolios for evaluation by SSU faculty.

The workshop is offered through the School of Extended Education on Monday evenings 5-7:40 p.m. from Jan. 31 - May 16. It is open to both registered SSU students and non-SSU students (through Open University). The fee for the course is $495.

Please share this information with SSU undergraduate students with prior learning experience, as well as those in the community who are considering an undergraduate degree, for a portfolio workshop supported by FEPLP.

Contact the FEPLP Coordinator, Barbara Lesch McCaffry, at 4-2273 or mccaffry@sonoma.edu with any questions about the program. An informational brochure about FEPLP can also be picked up in Carson 38 or requested by e-mail.

For details about the course, contact the instructor, Inese Heinzel, at (707) 578-7101 or heinzeli@sonoma.edu.

SST Dean Honored with
"Spirit of Sonoma" Award

The North Bay Technology Roundtable has chosen Saeid Rahimi, Dean of the School of Science and Technology, to honor at the Spirit of Sonoma luncheon on Dec. 2. The Spirit of Sonoma honors outstanding people from different organizations throughout the county. The NBTR found Rahimi's contributions to the organization and his efforts with his staff and faculty in establishing a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Science at SSU outstanding and worthy of recognition. The event will take place from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 pm at the DoubleTree Hotel in Rohnert Park.

LaMoreaux Has One-Woman Show at Gallery

Heidi LaMoreaux, Hutchins School of Liberal Studies, is showing her artwork in a one-person show at The Studio Santa Rosa Gallery, 3840 Finley Ave., Bldg. 32, in Santa Rosa. The show opens Dec. 4 from noon to 6 p.m., with a reception Sunday, Dec. 5 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The show continues through Dec. 17 by appointment. She also recently exhibited at North Light Books in Cotati. These art showings were made possible through a Sonoma State University RSCAP mini-grant and through additional funding from the Hutchins School of Liberal Studies

Tuition Discounts for International
Students Taking English Skills Classes

The Sonoma State American Language Institute has openings in its spring term for overseas students who would like to improve their English skills. Special tuition discounts will be made for referrals from SSU faculty or staff.

SSALI offers courses in English as a second language to international students. Courses include intensive grammar, pronunciation, conversation, composition, reading/vocabulary and communication skills. Full-time enrollment requires a student visa; however, visitors on tourist visas can study part- time. For further information, contact Barbara McCall at
4-2742, e-mail barbara.mccall@sonoma.edu, or stop by the SSALI office in Stevenson 1038.

Dr. Brett Christie, Department of Curriculum Studies and Secondary Education of the School of Education, has accepted the appointment of Director of SSU's Center for Teaching and Professional Development, effective January 2005. Christie is an associate professor and brings a wealth of experience in teacher education, professional development, and mentoring, having worked with faculty from many disciplines in grants, projects, and other collaborations, says provost Eduardo Ochoa.

One area of emphasis is the application of information technology tools to the teaching and learning process to assess and enhance its effectiveness. Notable in that regard is his involvement with the Center for Distributed Learning on several projects in the past five years.

Christie's appointment coincides with a renewed emphasis on faculty support for professional development as well as enhanced collaboration to that end between the Center, the Information Technology Department, and the University Library. Starting in January, the Center's new office will be located in Schulz 1104.

More Professional Announcements

Eileen Thatcher, professor and chair of the Biology department, donated $5,000 to the Molecular Cell and Microbiology Fund. The monies will be used to support undergraduate and graduate research related to environmental microbiology.

Currently there are two projects underway examining the bio-diversity of bacteria in the vernal pool at Fairfield Osborn Preserve. Another project involves the examination of bacteria as they undergo environmental stress.

There is also a project focused on a bacterial enzyme which may hold promise for bio-remediation projects in the future. The donation is among many contributions Thatcher has made over the years to support biology students.

Jeanne Woodford, 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 8 , Evert B. Person Theatre - The new head of the California Department of Corrections, and an SSU alumna, lectures on "The Importance of Community Involvement in Assisting Offenders Reintegrate into Society." Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Holiday Lecture Series. Barbara Brooks, 4-2619

Crisis in the Sudan, 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 8, Silver Strand room, Student Rec Center - Associated Students Productions presents a free program on the humanitarian crisis in the Sudan with guest speakers from Amnesty International and American Friends Service Committee.

Check Out This Week's Media Calendar for Campus Events

Time to Deck the Doors and Cubicles

It's time to deck the halls. The Holiday Door and Cubicle Contest is slated to be held again this year, says organizer Sue Foley. The categories for judging are: Originality, Evokes Holiday Spirit or Message, Effort Involved, and Integration of Department into the display. The bookstore again will provide a "mystery" prize for the winner of the contest. Dec. 17 is Judgment Day. If at all possible, plan to have door decorations displayed the week of Dec. 13 or earlier, Foley asks. "That way staff can get around to see the creativity and students can enjoy the decorations during finals week."

Use only invisible tape, no nails or tacks in decorations. Plan to remove all of the decorations, tape and all, before the holiday break. Abiding by these guidelines will make our custodial staff very jolly souls, Foley says. To participate, e-mail sue.foley@sonoma.edu or call her at 4-2491.

Giving Opportunities on
Campus for the Holidays

The School of Social Sciences staff has adopted the Committee on the Shelterless in Petaluma to generate donations for the holiday season. Stephanie Wilkinson, Administrative Coordinator in the Counseling Department, is collecting items for this non-profit agency helping homeless families transition to independent living. Review the list of needs posted on the door of Nichols 220 or e-mail stephanie.wilkinson@sonoma.edu. Wilkinson will take all donations to the drop-off center in Petaluma on Dec. 18. Plan to drop items to her by Friday, Dec. 17, Nichols 220.

Seawolf Shops is sponsoring a Giving Tree by the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County. To participate, browse the tree to select a heart which gives a complete description of the individual, child or adult; size preferred, colors or type of gift to be purchased. Purchase the gift anywhere and bring it back to the bookstore with the heart sticker attached. If you purchase the gift at the Seawolf Shops, they will gift wrap it. Gifts will be collected by the Volunteer Center for holiday delivery.

Service Award Pick Up

Holiday Mailing with No Lines! How the Campus Post Office Can Help

The Zinfandel post office stands ready to help the campus community with its holiday mailing needs, says John Griffith, Mail/Receiving Manager. Services include:

Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mail pick-up is at 4:30 p.m. No credit or debit cards are accepted. For further information, call 4-4263.