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Jean Wasp,
Editor, 4-2057

Past issues
of NewsBytes

A Weekly E-Newsletter for SSU Faculty and Staff

Desperate Dinosaur Seeks to Avoid Long-Term Storage

A replica of Dilosphosaurus, the famous spitting dinosaur from the movie "Jurassic Park," was made available last week for a foster home. The SSU Geology Department is looking for a temporary location for the 6' x 10' fiberglass and resin fossil while Darwin Hall is being renovated. If you are ready to put this up over your fireplace, or have some other location in mind to save it from long-term storage, call 4-2171 by Wednesday. Above are Geology faculty taking it down from the wall last week where it has been on view for many years on the first floor of Darwin Hall
(Photo by Jean Wasp).

Peter Neville begins serving as the Executive Director of the Sonoma Student Union Corporation this month, replacing John Wright who retired after 33 years of service.

Neville comes to SSU from his position as the Director of the University Center and Student Activities at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas where he has worked for the past 21 years. Prior to that he held positions with the student unions at Texas State University, San Marcos and SUNY College at Brockport. Neville holds a B.A. in Politics from Ithaca College and an M.S. in Student Personnel and Counseling from East Texas State University.

"Peter brings a tremendous depth and breadth of experience in student unions and student activities and he has been very active in professional organizations," says Rand Link, Vice-President of Student Affairs. "He has a unique background and skill set in creating and managing co-curricular programs, services, policies, and facilities that will be extremely valuable to SSU."

His hobbies include hiking, camping, backpacking, and backcountry trails service trips. "At Trinity, I used to join with students, faculty, and staff for full-court basketball three times a week," he says. "And I can usually be found at a local coffee shop on early Sunday mornings reading the New York Times."

Neville's family include Zak, 25, who lives in San Antonio and is a recent graduate of Texas Tech University. His daughter, Heather, 30, is a second year OB/GYN resident physician in Fort Worth, Texas.

Lopez-Phillips is New Director of Judicial Affairs

Matthew Lopez-Phillips is the new Director of Judicial Affairs and Special Projects at SSU coming from a similar position at the University of Colorado at Boulder where he was employed for the past six years. He replaces Kris Montgomery who served as Interim Coordinator of Student Discipline for the past year and now returns to direct the Women's Resource Center and the Office of Campus Life.

His career path has also included posts at George Mason University, the University of Vermont, Northeastern University and University of the Pacific. In addition to overseeing judicial processes, Lopez-Phillips has developed and managed a variety of residence life educational programs on alcohol and drug awareness, diversity and Greek life.

Lopez-Phillips earned a master's degree in college student development and counseling at Northeastern University. He is a member of several professional organizations and is currently on the Board of Directors for Association for Student Judicial Affairs. He is an active presenter on traditional and alternative judicial programs and substance abuse issues in higher education, among other topics.

He recently co-authored a chapter in the book, "Restorative Justice on the College Campus: Promoting Student Growth and Responsibility, and Reawakening the Spirit of Campus Community."

Lopez-Phillips' hobbies include cooking, riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, home improvement, martial arts (including nine years of Kung Fu), and snow and water skiing. He returns to his family in California which includes three brothers, his mother and father and his 90-year old grandfather.

"Matthew brings outstanding experience in Student Affairs, particularly Judicial Affairs, from residential campuses and major universities across the country," says Rand Link, Vice President for Student Affairs. "He will be instrumental in building an exemplary program in Judicial Affairs, as well as enhancing our efforts with alcohol and other drug issues, Greek Affairs, and the expansion of parents' programs at SSU."

Sonoma SERVES Honors Dr. King's Legacy Through Poetry and Art

SSU's Americorps program, Sonoma SERVES, hosts its sixth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Poetry Night on Friday Jan. 14 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the multi-Purpose room at R.L. Stevens' Elementary School in Santa Rosa. Children will read poetry, sing songs, and perform skits based on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s powerful message of non-violent social change. The event commences with human rights activist and community educator Rev. James E. Coffee from the Community Baptist Church, who marched with Dr. King during the Civil Rights movement, and who continues his commitment to Dr. King's ideals. For further information, contact Sara Fuller, Sonoma SERVES, 4-3148.

Changes to CSU Travel Policy
 
Effective Jan. 1, the CSU Travel Policy has been updated.  Complete text of the policy is on the Customer Services website:  www.sonoma.edu/afd/customer/travel/procedures.html.  

Significant changes include:
 
1)  The private car mileage allowance has increased to 40.5 cents per mile.
2)  As business circumstances warrant (e.g. to secure discount airfare, lodging, etc.) an employee may receive a travel advance in excess of 30 days before the expense is paid or incurred if the employee or employer justifies and documents the reasonableness in light of the facts and circumstances.
 
Questions related to travel reimbursement policies and procedures may be directed to Customer Services at 4-2308.  The annual travel workshop will be offered again this Spring.  The date has not yet been determined, but will be announced in Newsbytes.

OLLI Lecture Series Explores
Impact of Globalization

To investigate the ramifications of globalization, an eight-week lecture series, “Globalization: Causes and Consequences,” will be held on Wednesdays, 6:30-8:15 p.m., in the Cooperage from Jan. 12 through March 2.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is bringing a group of dynamic and internationally known speakers to headline this series including Global Watch co-founder Kevin Danaher, MacArthur Fellow Marc Danner, National Security expert and Chevron/Texaco Manager Maria Pica, and State of the World Forum co-founder Jim Garrison.

A panel from Sonoma County will discuss the impacts of globalization on the local economy and three distinguished SSU professors will provide analyses of its historical roots and modern influences on Africa, China and India.

The cost for the eight-week series is $80. For information and registration call Barbara Brooks at 4-2691, or show up for the first speaker, distinguished SSU alum Kevin Danaher on Jan. 12 in the Cooperage. For the complete schedule visit www.sonoma.edu/pubs/release/2004/1204729611.html . Staff and faculty are welcome to attend one lecture of their choice at no charge.